Our church is obligated to pay the relocation expenses of our Interim Minister, David Parke.  To help us save money, Rev. Parke has offered to use volunteer help rather than professional movers.  On Sunday, June 27^th, his present congregation will load a truck and he will come to Detroit.  We need able-bodied people to fulfill our end of the bargain by unloading in Detroit (Lafayette Park area).  Most of the work will be unloading books.  With enough volunteers, this should not take more than about two hours.  This is a wonderful opportunity to meet Rev. Parke and help the church's financial situation, not to mention working with other members.  If you are able to help, please contact Mark Bendure at 313-961-1525 (w) or 313-882-7732 (h).

All in the Family

Alex Mercer and Gene Perrin recently attended their 60^th high school reunion from Highland Park High School while Bessie Mercer had a cousin reunion in Waverly, Ohio last month.  Bessie’s two sisters and their brother were able to attend as well.

Belonging at First UU

Gwendolyn Winston, Community Ministry Catalyst

Community Ministry Sunday May 30, 2004

by Sumarah

A surprisingly large number of people, members and visitors alike, attended the third Community Ministry Sunday service held in McCollester Hall on May 30, 2004. Because it was Memorial Day weekend, I honestly expected no more than a few dozen people ... boy, was I surprised! I was delighted to see not only a greater number of folk but a significant representation of the diversity that we are as a congregation. People of all ages, races and ethnicities, gender and sexual orientation enjoyed a multi-media experience designed to challenge our "already always" notions of what constitutes community, how community is formed, and why/how we worship together.

As an artist, singer and storyteller, interaction with others in creative expression is exciting and stimulating to me, challenging all involved to expand our ideas of what is; redirecting our perspectives on what can be. That was the purpose of the activities we called "Responding to the Call of the Beloved Community". From the initial conversations and planning processes through the logistics of holding and documenting the service, Community Ministry Sunday was a community effort. It took courage and willingness to risk our individual comfort levels to participate in the various "response" opportunities that followed each of the seven UU principles we were "called" to contemplate. Special thanks go to those voices whose ideas and inquiries ("why do you have to do this in here?" "What's the purpose of community ministry, anyway?") helped shape the lively exchanges and activities we enjoyed. Charlene Evans, J. Fran Morgan, Cindy Hill, Todd Ballou, Jennifer and Arlene Teed, Gwen Winston, among others, contributed to the refinement and planning of the experience. Dan Weist, Leonard Swint, Eiko Takamoto, Helen True, and Hillard Williams were gracious in their flexibility as we tackled logistics and blended the traditional with the experimental; Al and Lencha Acker and the assembled ushers made sure each attendee had what s/he needed to feel comfortable and welcomed. Lee Thume and Dan Secrest supported our voices as we raised them in a moving rendition of Lee's anthem, "Love" - quickly becoming one of my personal favorite songs. A highlight of the service, one that truly reflected and embodied the spirit of Community Ministry, was the Flower Communion led by Jennifer and the youth of RE. How moving to witness the "blossoms" that we each represent gathering themselves into a "bouquet" of Beloved Community!

"Community Ministry Sunday was very good..."

Dan Secrest

Community Ministry Walk The Talk for Social Justice: Forums sponsored by Groundwork for a Just World

The May, 2004 issue of Groundwork, a social justice publication by Groundwork for a Just World, cited statistics provided by Daniel Aldridge, Director of Community Relations for Black Family Development that Detroit is one of the leading cities in violent crime, including the murder of children - 68% above the national average. It leads the nation in police killings of citizens. There are approximately 50,000 incidents of domestic violence annually. Groundwork is planning a series of meetings called Study Circles of 10-12 diverse participants who will meet regularly to address an issue (such as violence) through guided conversation to consider what an individual or group can do, generate action strategies, then take action. This seems to be an excellent opportunity for 1st UU members and friends to collaborate with Groundwork in a meaningful way. Anyone interested? Sign up at the Community Ministry table during Coffee Hour.

Join our Community Ministry team...

"Can First UU make a difference?

To date the Community Ministry team members are: Sumarah Smith, Barbara Stevenson, Debbie Rutherford, Allison Parks, Mark Schwing, Arlene Teed, Jennifer Teed, Jahra McKinney, Ruth Seifert, Colleen Dolan Greene, J. Fran Morgan, Donna Walker, and Gwendolyn Winston.

Our next gatheing is Sunday, June 27, 12:30 p.m. You are all invited! The location has not yet been selected. Call Gwen at 313-832-2928 to let us know you will join us. We will be planning our next CM Sunday with our Interim Minister David Parke.

,.remembering Millie Jeffrey

"Millie's tiny stature and quiet, humble gentleness belied a powerful force that truly changed our world. When scientists refer to the butterfly effect - the notion that the smallest, imperceptible change in one corner of the world can eventually result in history-changing events someplace else-I know that they must be referring to Millie... Millie Jeffrey was our butterfly. She whipped up change in countless corners of our world and helped write entire chapters in the story of our nation and our state ".
Jennifer Granholm
Govemor of the State of Michigan

Money & Faith Study Circle

An interest that usually surfaces at Community Ministry gatherings is "money and spirituality".

In the fall, we will start a small group study circle - Money & Faith. It will be a 9-week curriculum that explores our relationship to money from biblical, emotional and social/economic justice standpoints using articles by a wide va riety of authors, Bible study, written exercises and small group discussion questions. Handbooks cost $20.

If you're interested, sign up at Coffee Hour or pick up a registration form in the Church Office. Space is limited. Place your registration in the Development mailbox.

Thanks to each person who responded to the call to volunteerism ... the Worship Committee has your names and areas of interest, and will be contacting you, or forwarding your names to the appropriate persons/committees!
In Peace and Creativity,
Sumarah

ANNUAL

FIRST UNITARIAN

UNIVERSALIST CHURCH

PICNIC

CELEBRATING

JUNETEENTH

actual date African Americans learned of the

Emancipation Proclamation

SUNDAY, JUNE 139 2004, 1:00 P.M.

CHURCH PLAYGROUND

BRING YOUR OWN LUNCH AND A DISH TO SHARE

Lemonade and Watermelon will be provided

Article 4 Building & Grounds

The Building & Grounds Committee would like to share our project list with the Congregation. Our project list includes all tasks, big and small. The first page is a list of items that can be done by volunteers and require no skill (washing doors and walls) to some skill (plumbing). If you or anyone you know could volunteer, please see Earl Harvey or Dan Kosmowski. Because of the number of projects requiring attention and the small number of current Building & Grounds volunteers, some issues cannot be fixed now. These items are shown in the second column. Items in the first column will be attended to when volunteer time allows, but these projects would be completed faster if there were even just a few new volunteers! On the other side of this page are tasks that most likely would require the expert help of a contractor. Building & Grounds is urgently seeking qualified plumbers, electricians, and carpenters.

Celebrate Gay Pride Month with Us!

FIRST UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST

CHURCH OF DETROIT

4605 Cass Avenue (at Forest)

(313)-833-9107

GLBT FILM FEST

Saturday June 26

Also join us for our church, service...

Love is Never Wrong

Sunday, June 27 at 10:30 a.m.

Featuring One Voice Chorus

An a cappella GLBT chorus

Directed by Todd Ballou

If you're interested in helping, see Jennifer Teed

Agenda for Religious Education Retreat / Summer Teacher Workshop

Saturday June 26, 2004

10:00- 12:00
Chalice Lighting
Community Building Activity
Reflection of the Year
Roles, responsibilities and structure of committee for 2004-2005
Curriculum for 2004-2005

12:00
Leave Church for Detroit Institute of Arts
Walking Fieldtrip / Urban Scavenger Hunt (weather permitting)

12:30-1:15
Lunch at the DIA cafeteria (bring money)

1:30-2:30
Watch Sumarah Smith tell / perform -stories at the DIA

2:30
Walk back to church

3:00-4:00 (for those interested in possibly teaching this summer or fall)
Storytelling Workshop with Sumarah Smith (back at church)

3:00-4:00 (for RE committee members)
RE Committee will meet to discuss details for next year.

4:00-5:00 (for those interested in possibly teaching this summer or fall)
"Peaceworks" training with Jennifer Teed

4:00-5:00 (for RE committee members)
Divide into smaller groups to discuss

• Adult education
• Growth / community outreach

5:00-5:30 (all)
Community building activity
Closing

Please join us!

We're looking for people to volunteer as a story teller for a Sunday Summer Service for our youth. Contact Jennifer Teed.