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First Unitarian Universalist Church of Detroit 4605 Cass Avenue Detroit, MI 48201 Phone 313-833-9107 Fax 313-833-0127 April 3, 2005

From the Interim Minister

As the congregation plans for a new interim ministry and, farther down the road, a new settled ministry, I want to discuss briefly the nature of the ministry and the kinds of things ministers do.

The ministry is a service profession for which advanced study is required and in which the individual minister enjoys a great deal of independence. Being independent, in setting priorities and in managing one's time, the minister needs to be focussed and disciplined. Under the tax code ministers (and other professional religious leaders) are regarded as self-employed.

Parish ministers serve congregations. The relationship of minister and congregation is something like a marriage. We meet each other's needs and agree to get along. The minister does not dictate to the congregation, and the congregation does not dictate to the minister. Ideally the situation is one of constant and interactive growth, and mutual satisfaction.

Parish ministers usually preach every Sunday but one per month. An intergenerational Sunday in which the minister participates is regarded as a minister's Sunday, whether he/she preaches or not.

Every minister has a distinctive approach to, and understanding of, the preaching office. I preach a formal sermon, usually written out. Other ministers are more informal, and preach from notes. It's a matter of personal style. I love the dialogue period after the sermon because that is when you, the people, get to speak your minds on the theme of the day.

Pastoral ministry is not mandatory, and some ministers choose not to visit people in their homes or in hospital. In my years of ministry I have learned to enjoy the pastoral dimension. Sitting down one-on-one with another person is a great challenge and a great privilege, especially if there is a crisis such as the death of a loved one or a divorce.

Every minister is in some degree a program director for the church he/she is serving. I deeply regret that, as a result of my accident in Greece, our UU University project lost momentum. With Trey Greene and Ruth Seifert and others I am trying to pick up some of the pieces. Programs, of course, can be primarily for church members or they can be primarily for outsiders whom the congregation wishes to recruit. Support groups, for the newly-divorced, for example, or for children of elderly parents, are an ideal form of program because leadership is often available from within the congregation.

The minister is often the leader of the staff of the church. Interpersonal skills are valuable in this kind of work. I have greatly enjoyed working with Wendi and Joe and Leonard this year, and Dan K. as an active volunteer.

Every minister is involved in ecumenical and interfaith work in some degree. Alas, I have met few local ministers in the course of my year in Detroit. This is often the case for the interim minister.

Every minister is involved in community outreach work in some degree. I am most pleased that First UU has joined MOSES this year. Our Core Team, headed by Alicia Biggers, is developing leadership skills and familiarity with issues that will ramify in the congregation in coming months.

So, here is a preliminary list of typical ministerial functions: preaching, pastoral work, program leadership, church administration, ecumenical and interfaith contacts, and community outreach.

Many of you know that I will retire from full-time ministry when I leave Detroit in July. My plans for retirement can be summarized in three words: study, writing, and travel. I plan to settle in Boston in order to be near three of my six children--Robin in Boston, Ted on Cape Cod, and Alison in Portland, ME. My other sons are Richard, my oldest, in Austin, TX, John in Prince Frederick, MD, and Bill in Buffalo.

I urge you to choose a minister whom you will enjoy knowing and spending time with. The word symbiosis is a Greek derivative meaning "life together." That is as good a summary of the minister-congregation relationship as I can think of at the moment. My best to you...David.

All in the Family

Al Acker has been moved to Cottage Hospital, 159 Kerchaval, GPF, 48236. He is there to do lots of physical therapy, so we will ask Lencha to let us know when he is ready for visitors. Lencha did say that Al has really enjoyed receiving your cards and notes, so you can send them in care of the hospital or to his home and Lencha will deliver them. Colleen

Canvass Information

• Pledges are being solicited for the church fiscal year, which runs from July 2005 – June 2006.

• Member pledges enable the church leadership to budget expenses including the salaries of the minister, music director, choir director religious education director, office administrator, and building maintenance personnel.

• Dan Secrest is coordinating the canvass this year. Please contact Dan via email or phone to make a pledge, or if you have any concerns. His contact information is provided below.

• Dan suggests that you pledge a percent of your income. The Unitarian Universalist Suggested Giving Guidelines recommend a pledge of 3% of income for someone earning $50,000 per year. Of course, your pledge will vary according to your financial capability, your level of commitment to the church, and other personal considerations.

• Live a generous life. Please keep the liberal religious flame alive in Detroit.

Dan Secrest

Second Story Church

On Sunday, April 24, the Second Story Church will conduct a discussion on the Selective Service requirements for registering. The discussion will be led by the high schoolers. The program is open to all young people and those who are interested in the requirements of Selective Service

Women’s Alliance

The next meeting of the Women's Alliance will be Wednesday, April 20, 2005. Lunch will be served at noon followed by a talk to be given by Alex Mercer on the history of 1st U.U. The charge for the lunch is $6.00. All are invited. Please make reservations by calling the church office at 313-833-9107, or Eiko Takemoto at 313-869-6389. The deadline for reservations is April 18^th before noon.

Women’s Book Club

The next meeting of the Women's Book Club will be on Sunday May 1, 2005 from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM in Memorial Hall. The book to be discussed will be When We Were Grown Up by Ann Tyler. The June 5^th selection is Little Red Riding Hood – Uncloaked – Sex, Morality and the Evolution of a Fairy Tale by Catherine Orenstein. On July 10 (please note date change due to July 4^th holiday) we will be discussing Ahab’s Wife by Sena Jeter Nasland. At the August 7^th group, we will be talking about Testimony of an Irish Slave Girl by Kate McCafferty. Please contact Maria Majer at maria_majer@yahoo.com or 313-899-1694 for additional information. All are welcome.

Choir

Our choir is open to all who enjoy singing and being with some really nice people. Rehearsals are in Memorial Hall, unless otherwise noted, and begin at 9:30 A.M. The schedule follows:

April 17 - performance

April 24 – off

May 1, 8,15 with performance on the 15^th

May 22 & 29 off

June 5, 12, 19 with performance on the 19^th.

General Assembly

The 2005 General Assembly will be held from June 23 – June 27 at Fort Worth, TX. Registration forms, scholarship applications, housing, reservation forms, tentative agenda, program sampler and other information are available in the church office. Call 313-833-9107 to request information.

Circle Suppers

Circle Suppers are a great way to get to know other people in the church. Groups of 7 or 8 gather at one person's home for dinner. The host furnishes beverages and hors d’oeuvres and guests each bring a dish to pass. If you would like to participate in one of the suppers on April 29, 30, or May 1, please contact Ann Harvey or Arlene Teed. There will also be a sign up sheet at coffee hour each Sunday through April 24. New members and friends are particularly invited to attend.

Worship…the Good News!

Summer Services

Summer services will be extended this year through July 17, 2005. Rev. David Parke has graciously decided to sojourn with us beyond his contract period. Look for upcoming sermon announcements. The first summer service will be Sunday, July 26 at 10:30 A.M. in Memorial Hall. There will be 7 summer services. On Sunday, May 15 we will screen the documentary “Peace X Peace”.

Second Story Church

Storytelling for Children: In 2004, Jennifer Teed and Sumarah Smith conducted a workshop for those who signed up to be storytellers during summer service. Summer Storytelling 2004 was centered on UU principles. Everyone had fun and learned storytelling techniques. Jen and Sumarah will meet soon to see how they can make Summer Storytelling happen again. Interested? Call the church office at 313-833-9107 and let us know that you would like to share some of your gentle energy with your church folk-tellin’ tales! We will call you back!

Labor Sunday

The Bernie Firestone exhibit at Walter Reuther Library (WSU) ends in September. Gwen Winston called to see if 1^st UU could hold our Labor Song Fest service at the Library to commemorate Firestone. We can and yes, we will provide chairs. We are in the planning stage with nothing concrete! Any suggestions? Upcoming meeting dates of the Worship Committee are April 17 and May 22 at 12:30 P.M. in Memorial Hall.

Fundraising

Fifteen UU’s and friends enjoyed the play at the Detroit Repertory Theater and dinner at the Traffic Jam. This event raised $75.00 for our church budget. Thanks to all who participated. Anyone who would like to help clean and organize my garage for spring rummage sales would be greatly appreciated. Also, you would have first pick of some of the nicer clothing, books and other treasures. See me at coffee hour for directions. Margaret Beck

Easter Breakfast

I want to personally thank all those who worked so hard on making the Easter breakfast a success. I especially want to give special recognition to Carter Stevenson who did such an excellent job in organizing this event. We raised $143.00 for the church

Earl Harvey

Spring Cleaning

Can’t face those winter cobwebs that have been gathering all winter? Allergic to dust? Need help clearing your yard of stuff that’s been buried under snow for months? I do yard work, windows, painting, anything that needs doing, I can do and at reasonable rates. If interested, see T.C. Latham on Sundays. Church member references available on request.

In Memoriam

It is with deep sadness that we report the death of Charlotte Allen’s brother, Ron Washington. Ron died Monday morning at Charlotte’s home. He will be missed.

Help Wanted

Church Secretary – Part-time office secretary needed. Must be proficient in word processing, desktop publishing, and general computer use and have good organizational ability. Works under the direction of the minister. Flexible schedule. Minimum qualifications: Three years of secretarial experience, high school diploma. Send resume to: Personnel Committee, Northwest Unitarian Universalist Church, 23925 Northwestern Highway, Southfield MI 48075-2547.

An Environmental Action Event

For the Whole Family

“Saving the Environment

In Your Own Back Yard"

SAVE THIS DATE - Saturday, May 14, 2005 (9 a.m. - 1 p.m.)

Birmingham Unitarian Church

Keynote Speaker & Breakout Sessions

Justice Action

Volunteer Opportunities

Networking

Family Activities

Sponsored by the Michigan UU Social Justice Network Local Environmental Action Groups

Contact Randy Block)

George Lentz)

Ed Love

WDET – FM, 101.9 on your radio dial. Destination Jazz is the title of the Ed Love Program. Thursday, March 31 began the annual spring fund raising. The station receives its major support by your gifts, public support. Ed Love has been the MC of our annual Kwanzaa Jazz concerts for many years. He frequently announces our Kwanzaa jazz concerts on his radio program. We could not afford to pay what this airtime is worth to us. Now Ed needs our support. Let us show our appreciation for his dedication in supporting our annual Kwanzaa jazz concerts. I’m asking you to join me in calling in a pledge during his 7 – 10:00 p.m., Monday – Friday program. When making your pledge (1-800-959-9338) please give your name and say that you are from First Unitarian Universalist Church. Mildred Robinson

Art and Soul

All Heartland young adults ages 18 – 35 are invited to attend this spiritual power of creativity. May 20 – 21 are the dates. Hopedale UU Community Church in Oxford, OH is the place. We will use The Artist’s Way to focus on the theme of the conference. For more information contact Kelly at guudstuff@yahoo.com Online registration and paper registration materials to follow.

Ferry Beach Park Association

Unitarian Universalist Conference Center

Since 1901, Ferry Beach has helped shape the lives of the men, women and children who have found their way to our sandy shores. From our beautiful beach, historic houses and dormitories, wooded grove setting and outdoor chapel, to the depth of our programming and richness of the personal relationships that form and grow, a week at Ferry Beach is an experience that transforms lives. It is our hope that you and your congregation will join with the many others that come to Ferry Beach in search of personal and spiritual growth, seeking solace or compassion, or simply to enjoy a vacation. If you and/or any of your congregation are not traveling to Fort Worth for General Assembly this year, be sure to attend our GA Away from GA Weekend and watch the highlights of GA via the magic of streaming web video. Information is available in the First UU Detroit church office.

Items from the Internet

This is the 8th Grade Final Exam of 1895 from a school in Salina, Kansas. It was taken from the original document on file at the Smokey Valley Genealogical Society and Library in Salina. Imagine a college student trying to pass this test, even if the few outdated questions were modernized. This gives the saying "she/he only had an 8th grade education" a whole new meaning! Continued from last issue.

U.S. History (Time, 45 minutes)

1. Give the epochs into which U.S. History is divided.

2. Give an account of the discovery of America by Columbus.

3. Relate the causes and results of the Revolutionary War.

4. Show the territorial growth of the United States.

5. Tell what you can of the history of Kansas.

6. Describe three of the most prominent battles of the Rebellion.

7. Who were the following:

Morse, Whitney, Fulton, Bell, Lincoln, Penn, and Howe?

8. Name events connected with the following dates:1607, 1620, 1800, 1849, 1865

Orthography (Time, one hour)

1. What is meant by the following: alphabet, phonetic, orthography, etymology, syllabication?

2. What are elementary sounds? How classified?

3. What are the following, and give examples of each: trigraph, subvocals, diphthong, cognate letters, linguals?

4. Give four substitutes for caret 'u'.

5. Give two rules for spelling words with final 'e'. Name two exceptions under each rule.

6. Give two uses of silent letters in spelling. Illustrate each.

7. Define the following prefixes and use in connection with a word: bi, dis, mis, pre, semi, post, non, inter, mono, super.

8. Mark diacritically and divide into syllables the following, and name the sign that indicates the sound: card, ball, mercy, sir, odd, cell, rise, blood, fare, last.

9. Use the following correctly in sentence:

cite, site, sight; fane, fain, feign; vane, vain, vein; raze, raise, rays.

10. Write 10 words frequently mispronounced and indicate pronunciation by use diacritical marks and by syllabication.

Geography (Time, one hour)

1. What is climate? Upon what does climate depend?

2. How do you account for the extremes of climate in Kansas?

3. Of what use are rivers? Of what use is the ocean?

4. Describe the mountains of North America.

5. Name and describe the following: Monrovia, Odessa, Denver, Manitoba, Hecla, Yukon, St. Helena, Juan Fermandez, Aspinwall and Orinoco.

6. Name and locate the principal trade centers of the U.S.

7. Name all the republics of Europe and give capital of each.

8. Why is the Atlantic Coast colder than the Pacific in the same latitude?

9. Describe the process by which the water of the ocean returns to the sources of rivers.

10. Describe the movements of the earth. Give inclination of the earth. End of test. How did you do?

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