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First Unitarian Universalist
Church of Detroit

4605 Cass Avenue
Detroit, MI 48201

Phone: 313-833-9107
Fax: 313-833-0127


October 21, 2007

First Unitarian Universalist Church
Organizational Chart 2007 - 2008

Officers
President
Alicia Biggers
Vice President
Glenn Maxwell
Immediate Past President
Linda Darga
Board Secretary
Donna Walker
Treasurer
Dan Wiest

Staff
Minister
Rev. Drew Johnston (Interim)
Minister Emeritus
Rev. Larry Hutchison
Director of Religious Education
Athena Kolbe (Interim)
Music Director
Todd Ballou
Choir Director
Gwen Foss
Church Secretary
Wendi Winston
Building and Grounds
Joe Brimmer
Leonard Swint (Sunday)

Trustees
Lencha Acker
Sally Borden
Trey Greene
David Lingholm

Newsletter Editor
Irene Schultz

Drew’s News

In the last two weeks we have added Wednesday Church Night to our activities and, as a result, I am thinking about community – coming together with those who matter to each other. It has been great to get together and spend time in the sanctuary in our style of vespers, then to be well fed, then to spend a bit more time doing Board and Committee work. There is a notable difference in the tone of a meeting when it follows time shared together.

Some have wondered about vespers and what that means. The word means “evening prayer,’ and that gives you an idea of what we do, except we each pray differently, so how can this work? I think of our vespers as mid-week worship, and I think our task in vespers is to have some tranquil time in community, to do things that help us feel centered, grounded and ready to return to the busyness (and business) of our week. Vespers should be a little bit like an oasis and we hope to leave with feelings that will sustain us during the wilder moments.

So far, we have used a form I enjoy, which is a simple mix of music, silence, and poetry. We begin with music to enter, followed by a few words about that particular day, then a mixture of silence, more music, and some poems or other good words. When I design the event I try to have a theme in mind, something that will guide my choice of music and words. Vespers does not last longer than 30 minutes, so we bring our time together to a close and proceed to dinner. The details will vary, and we may try some significantly different forms of vespers (or as they say in the investment world, past performance does not guarantee future return)!

It is all quite refreshing! Vespers is one part of the evening, which we might as well call “Church Night.” The first two were great successes with over twenty people at each. Our current plan is to continue on a schedule of twice per month, the November evenings being the 7th and the 14th. Please join us – we begin to gather at about 6 and proceed to vespers or dinner at 6:30 (depending upon which is ready) and you should be able to move to your next activity by 7:30. In the spirit of community, consider this also a chance to do more at church – after all, you will already be there, and you will be well fed. What better time to join with others in the many things that can happen in community!

This column feels rather business like, which makes sense to me when I consider the busyness that is approaching with the holiday season. Know that there is a place to get recharged amidst your busyness, too!

And know that I am easy to reach if needed. Recently someone couldn’t find a way to reach me and had forgotten to check the newsletter. So this is another chance to write down some contact information: Of course calling the church is always a good way to leave a message. Emailing me at drewjohnston@mac.com is one of the best ways to schedule a meeting (just offer a couple of times that work for you), and you can always call me at either of these numbers – they are both cell numbers (206) 384-3057 and (313) 289-9015. (There are a couple of reasons the Washington number works a little better for messages, but they both ring on the same phone, so take your pick!) I try to take Monday off and may not answer my phone that day.

As we enter the holiday season, remember that this is a place to be with friends and find moments of peace. If we are going to be busy, let’s be busy together!

Reverend Drew

Please visit our website for information on upcoming services.

In this issue:

dia de los muertos
Street Retreat
Women's Alliance
Noel Night
Entertainment
Upcoming Youth Events
Oktoberfest
Birthdays
Items from the Internet
Newsletter Deadline

 

 

Street Retreat

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My first 4-day Street Retreat is over; but there will be more. I experienced a deep lesson in gratitude and kindness. Thirteen of us went out on the streets of Detroit with no money, a list of soup kitchens, and a backpack with a blanket and rain gear. We meditated and held spiritual council at Cass Park, Hart Plaza, Pilgrim Park, and Gullen Mall. We slept outdoors, in a church basement, and underground. At Cass Park a homeless man joined our circle and stayed with us overnight. He’d had a bad experience and was attracted to our peaceful energy. The next day, he found a peaceful group of homeless folks to join.

Homeless people are as diverse as people with homes. There is humanity and community on the streets. Walking the streets is a study in contrasts between poverty and abundance. We respected our sense of fear; we looked out for each other. The trust and companionship we thirteen developed as we met the challenges of food and shelter was a powerful force that radiated beyond us. Beginning November 17th, and continuing every 3rd Saturday of each month, I will be leading a day-long (not overnight) street retreat. We will walk and learn together.

Reverend Lynda Smith

 

Women's Alliance

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Consider joining us for our monthly lunch and program. All are welcome. Lunch is only $6.00 and reservations should be made by noon of the previous Monday by calling the church office. Dates and program topics for the rest of 2007 are:

November 14
Rev. Drew Johnston -- Our Church Mission
December 12
Christmas Music and Sing-A-Long

Finally, get your cookie recipes out because the Women's Alliance will hold a Bake Sale on Noel Night (December 1) and would appreciate donations of delicious goodies.

NOTE: The November and December meetings are scheduled for the second Wednesday of the month.

 

Noel Night

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I realize it's only the end of October, but that means Noel Night is only 5 weeks away. I am looking for vendors for that evening (December 1) so if you would like to participate or know someone who would - call me, leave a message at the church, e-mail me or see me during coffee hour to sign up.

Irene

 

Entertainment

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Margaret Beck will be selling Entertainment Books during coffee hour or you can call her at 313-882-7775 or email her at margretbeck@comcast.net. They are $20.00 each and have great values. So far this fundraiser has raised $180.

I have 5 tickets left for the play Doubt at the Detroit Repertory Theatre on Saturday, November 17 at 3pm. I will be out of town November 3 - 13, but will have these tickets available on Saturday October 27 at the Oktoberfest, and on Sunday October 28 in Coffee Hour.

Thanks for your help with these fundraisers.

Margaret Beck

 

Upcoming Youth Events

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Wednesday, October 24, 5:00 PM
Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Exhibit Creation - Beginning at 5pm help create an exhibit for Dia de los Muertos, a holiday with Aztec, Catholic, and Mesoamerican roots which honors the lives of the dead and celebrates the continuation of life. Celebrated throughout Latin America (as well as in other countries around the world), Dia de los Muertos will be commemorated at First Church in part with an art exhibit that we will create. Bring photos and other memorabilia of a loved one.
FREE
Saturday, October 27, 7:00AM - Midnight
Peace Train - Join other peace and justice minded folks for a regional anti-war rally in Chicago. Leaving from Royal Oak at 7am, participants will travel by train to Chicago to join thousands of others in a rally for peace. After the demonstration you will have a short time to eat and walk around before your return trip leaving at 8pm. You will arrive back in Royal Oak between midnight and 1am.
$38 for youth under 15, $78 for adults
Monday, October 28, 6:00 PM
Complete a Learning Experience in a Night - Make progress towards Bridging. We'll pick a learning experience and finish it that night. Dinner and lots of sugary snacks will be provided.
FREE
Wednesday, October 31, 5:00 PM
Trick or Treatin' in the D - You're never too old to trick or treat! Join us on a reverse trick or treating adventure through the neighborhood surrounding our church. We'll be handing out candy and flyers inviting our neighbors to join us on Sundays, then we'll head to the historic Woodbridge neighborhood for some "real" trick or treating. Come in costume and bring a flashlight. A multitude of adults will be heavily supervising this activity so no smashing jack-o-lanterns!
FREE

 

Oktoberfest

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Dinner will be held on Saturday, October 27 in McCollester Hall sponsored by Ann and Earl Harvey and Marilyn and Jerry Mitchell. German beer and wine will be for sale so look for your lederhosen and get ready to eat well.

Lederhosen Stein

 

November Birthdays

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November 2
Caroline Taylor
Mary Lee Ventzke
November 3
Thom Moore
November 9
Drew Johnston
November 19
Pearl Samples
November 23
Lawrence Secrest
November 24
James Harris, Margaret Wilkie

 

Items from the Internet

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Wierd things everyone should know (or not)...

The "sixth sick sheik's sixth sheep's sick" is said to be the toughest tongue twister in the English language.

If the government has no knowledge of aliens, then why does Title 14, Section 1211 of the Code of Federal Regulations, implemented on July 16 1969, make it illegal for U.S. Citizens to have any contact with extraterrestrials or their vehicles?

23% of all photocopier faults worldwide are caused by people sitting on them and photocopying their butts. (web editor's note -- "right" (sarcastically))

In a study of 200,000 ostriches over a period of 80 years, no one reported a single case where an ostrich buried its head in the sand.

No word in the English language rhymes with "MONTH."

Only one person in two billion will live to be 116 or older.

It's possible to lead a cow upstairs...but not downstairs.

All polar bears are left-handed

Americans on average eat 18 acres of pizza every day.

 

Newsletter Deadline

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The deadline for printed material is Sunday, November 4, 2007 no later than NOON or the following Monday no later than 5:30 p.m. for electronically submitted material. Articles may be emailed, by the deadline date and time, to ieschultz1945@yahoo.com. If you email items, please specify that they are for the newsletter.