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First Unitarian Universalist
Church of Detroit

4605 Cass Avenue
Detroit, MI 48201

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


February 17, 2008

First Unitarian Universalist Church
Organizational Chart 2007 - 2008

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

Staff
Minister
Rev. Drew Johnston
Minister Emeritus
Rev. Larry Hutchison
Minister of Faith Development
Athena Kolbe
Community Minister
Lynda Smith
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

I’m thinking a lot right now about things that may have been unexpected.

Of course no one actually expects a fire to erupt like the recent Forest Arms apartment fire, and even more, who could have expected our response? Thanks to the instigation of some folks who used to work in that building, our church became the receiving and distribution station for a great amount of donated clothing, food, and money! I trust that every member and friend of our church on the corner is pleased to know how we took part in caring for people near our corner, our neighbors in need. I know I am pleased.

Who would expect that our building would be so full? Did you know that one or maybe two more regular renters would fill us to capacity? Increases in the use by our children and youth help keep us busy, as well as new renters. We are, in fact, busy enough that the Board of Trustees approved hiring a part time facilities manager (using a portion of rental income to cover the expense). We will soon find someone to help with this huge facility and all the details that are needed to keep it operational.

No one expected the furnace at the church house to quit when it did, and no one would expect it to have taken this long to begin a replacement. With the generous help of the congregation and a lot of work by many people, we are ready to get a new heating system installed! Our new system will be cleaner, more efficient, and longer lasting than what it replaces, and we may notice some energy savings. I am taking guesses on which will be complete first – the new heating system for the house or the new directory. Both things we have been wanting, and now their arrival is imminent.

As you will note, the unexpected can be positive or not; and our responses can be positive or not. I am pleased to say that our responses to the unexpected have been positive, encouraging, supportive, and courageous. And I’d like to thank everyone for making that our reality. If I attempt to name those personally responsible I will undoubtedly leave out a name or two, so I am reluctant to do that.

Having said that, . . . it was Sally Borden and Kathe Stevens who coordinated our Forest Arms Relief project, and I’m sure I saw a lot of Alma King and Mary Lou Malone during that time. Of course there were many others who pitched in.

And your entire Board of Trustees has grappled with creative financing, heating concepts, and way too many options as they came to some conclusions about how to get us the best long term solution to heat in the house.

As we move toward spring time, I expect to continue feeling gratitude for the hard work of so many people around our church!

See you there --

Reverend Drew

Please visit our website for information on upcoming services.

In this issue:

Northern Lights
President's Ponderings
Souper Sunday (not)
Street Retreat
UU Alaskan Program
UU Napa Valley Excursions
Newsletter Deadline

 

 

President's Ponderings

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For this edition of the newsletter, let’s review some of the changes since our last conversation. Your Board of Trustees have been busy creating an empowered policy managing board which will help us pass the legacy and ensure generations will have access to 1st UU Detroit. You will find the approved minutes posted on the Governance bulletin board (McCollester Hall) and on our web site for your review. You will note we have a contractor now for the “Heart Warming – Smart Warming” campaign so expect a “showing” once everything is complete so you can see what your pledges supported.

Rev. Drew Johnston and I (along with other Trustees) will host a series of conversations called “How We Lead” to share in small groups information on the change with the Board and governance as well as to offer a Q&A on the “business” of the Church. I hope you take advantage of this opportunity to learn about the governance of the Church as well as hold your Trustees accountable.

Whether you are a veteran member or new member to 1st UU, I invite you to participate in our next Orientation class as it is a great way to receive foundational information on our denomination.

I invite you to participate in this year’s Coffee Hour by volunteering to host a Sunday or several Sundays. This month, Al’s Pals (that is Al Acker) have hosted the Coffee Hour. Who can host? Anyone including members, church groups, and groups of friends can host and there are mentors around who can guide you through and answer your questions to ensure your success!
Remember, it is your Church and as we pass from generation to generation, there are opportunities for everyone to participate!

Calendar items to note and participate:

Finally, don’t forget we have our own Ms. Lee Thume and company’s music CD available for purchase and the proceeds support the Church. See Lee Thume or Gwen Foss to purchase your copy.

Let’s continue to “liberate the truth, radiate kindness and love courageously”, together.

Alicia Biggers

 

Souper Sunday (not)

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There will be no Souper Sunday in March. Contact Carolyn Ludwig for more info.

 

Street Retreat

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Many of you know that the day before I was ordained a UU minister, a community minister from the Faithful Fools Street Ministry of San Francisco led a one day Street Retreat here in the Cass Corridor/Midtown. In October, 2007 I did a 4 day/3night Street Retreat also here. There were 10 participants and 3 leaders. In order to be on the retreat, we had to ask for a donation from our friends to raise $350. The total raised was $3400. Some of you from First UU made contributions to me and my husband, Stuart.

Here’s how the money was distributed: $1700 divided among the churches, mosque, and soup kitchens that fed and sheltered us: Manna Meals, Pilgrim Church, St. Leo’s Church, Episcopal Cathedral, Capuchin Soup Kitchen, and The Islamic Center of Detroit. $1700 went to the Zen Peacemaker Society of New York who sent the 3 leaders.

This May I will be doing another Street Retreat (5/1-4). But this time, I will be co-leading the retreat with my partner, Jean Murphy. I met Jean at the Ecumenical Theological Seminary and sometimes go with her to a prayer circle at the Catholic Worker Day House on Trumbull Ave. The Catholic Workers also run Manna Meals Soup Kitchen. There is an awesome interfaith community feeding the hungry and sheltering the homeless. As we bear witness to homelessness and poverty in Detroit, who knows what project the Street Retreats will spark?

Lynda Smith

 

UU Alaskan Program

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Five Alaskan UU fellowships invite you to experience our eco-cultural program this July in our 12th year! See REAL Alaska, with UU homestays in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Seward, Juneau, and Sitka. UU’s host events and lead tours. We visit Tlingit and Inupiat Native Alaskans, see lots of wildlife like bears, moose, caribou, whales, sea otters and bald eagles and visit Denali and other National Parks. Dave Frey, a 27-year Alaska resident, leads the programs. Visit our website, www.wuurld.org, email waltonfrey@gci.net, or phone 907-322-4966 for a brochure. Reservation deadline March 15.

 

UU Napa Valley Excursions

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WANT TO GET AWAY?
WANT TO RELAX AND REJUVENATE?
WE CAN HELP!

WINE COUNTRY EXCURSION TO THE NAPA VALLEY

An hour north of San Francisco are the lush vineyards, world class wineries and picturesque small towns of the Napa and Sonoma Valleys. We invite all UUs and friends to share the beauty of our “home” through the UU Fellowship of North Bay’s “Wine Country Excursions.”

We offer small customized two day tours of our valleys which can include wine tastings, art galleries, museums, scenic trails and much more. We provide private rooms with bath in the homes of our members and experienced guides to conduct tours in their cars.

Napa itself is alive and vibrant with galleries, boutique shops, world-class restaurants, wine tasting rooms and entertainment. Sites of special interest include COPIA (The American Center for Food, Wine and the Arts); Jack London’s home (now a state park); the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone; the diRosa Art and Nature Preserve.

Tours are offered from May through October. Plan for two days of touring and a two or three night stay with all local transportation provided. Home hospitality without tours is also available. Our fees are much below market rates for similar services. All proceeds to help our Fellowship grow and purchase property in this expensive real estate market. We have limited openings, so contact us now for details. Tom Wilson 707.254-7443 or 2wilsons1dog@comcast.net

“Napa was as delightful as I had expected. What was equally important and somewhat unexpected was the profound connections I felt with my hosts and hostesses.” Carol Lim, Los Angeles

 

Newsletter Deadline

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The deadline for printed material is Sunday, March 2, 2008 no later than NOON or the following Monday no later than 5:30 p.m. for electronically submitted material. Contact the Office Administrator for information.