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First Unitarian Universalist
Church of Detroit

4605 Cass Avenue
Detroit, MI 48201

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


March 16, 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 remember last year, about this time, when I mentioned how you could tell spring was coming, how the days were warmer and the light was brighter. I remember one member of the church warning me that I just hadn’t lived through a Detroit winter yet, and that it would be miserable for a long time.

So here we are, my second winter here, and I stand by my first observation – the days are longer, the light is brighter, and a new, pleasant season is approaching. It’s as if seasons pass without prompting, as if our skepticism won’t change the arrival of growth and progress. And that, indeed, is always the case.

I think of this because it’s hard to read the news these days, to hear all the fear mongering in the world and to see the reaction of people to the imagined fears of life. It’s never as bad as all that! Winter never lasts as long as some say it will, and reality is never as bleak as the news makes it seem.

When it does seem bleak (whether “it” is the weather or the news) we sometimes tend to hunker down, tighten our belts, wait it out, and generally just hang on until “it” passes. But here is something we know: although it is simple to create a notion that there is not enough (warmth, light, money, whatever), it is equally simple to create a notion of abundance! We can do that through demonstrating generosity and openness in all ways. Generosity of spirit and faith, combined with openness to all that is good, helps us see the sun shining brighter, the world getting stronger, and the ways in which we can participate in making the world a better place.

This is an important year at church, and the world needs us now more than ever. If we believe in what we are doing here, then we get to demonstrate that belief through generosity of support and openness to growth and change. One late colleague of mine ended his weekly messages with a statement to add perspective to what had just been said, to affirm the relevance of what we do in church, “That we may have life, and have life more abundantly.” May it be so.

See you in church –

Reverend Drew

Please visit our website for information on upcoming services.

In this issue:

Northern Lights
President's Ponderings
Souper Sunday (not)
UU District Conference
CD Recordings of Sunday Service
Women's Alliance
Building the World We Dream About
Looking for My Sister
Newsletter Deadline

 

 

President's Ponderings

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Did you know you have a dedicated team gathering information about our Church and its activities today and asking what we want our Church to be in the future? Their work will be the foundation for our efforts to raise revenue (income) beyond our annual canvass or pledges. By understanding our rich history, our present and our vision for the future, we can share our story with many others who will want to invest in our progressive, liberal community from both a religious perspective and a community non-profit perspective. So when you are approached by a Board member or a member of the Planning Team, please take a few minutes and offer your information and your insights so we can define our story so others will passionately want to join us.

We are proud of our past, strong in our present, and visionary in our future, so let’s go and share our stories and invite a friend, neighbor, work colleague, or others from our extended families.

Remember, it is your Church and as we pass from generation to generation, there are opportunities for everyone to participate, all ages, and all skill levels!

Calendar items to note and participate:
Wednesday is Church Night with Vespers helping us to reflect and meditate mid-week.
1st Wednesday – Building a Better World series @7pm
2nd Wednesday – Board of Trustees Meeting @7pm – Open to members
3rd Wednesday – Worship Committee @ 7:30pm – Open to members

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.

 

UU District Conference

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Let's carpool to UU District Conference in Louisville, April 4-6! Call Sherry Wells, (248) 543-5297.

 

CD Recordings of the Sunday Service

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Every Sunday Service is recorded on CD by the sound crew. Copies are made after service in coffee hour at the sound table. Please fill out the order request form as soon as possible so we can graciously make your copy for only $5. Copies of past sermons are also available.

The sound crew schedule is as follows:

First Sunday: Linda Darga

Second Sunday: Len Zettel

Third Sunday: Glenn Maxwell

Fourth Sunday: Dan Secrest

Fifth Sunday: Dave Lingholm

Contact them on their respective Sunday for questions. If you are interested in being on the sound crew, contact Glenn Maxwell or Dan Secrest.

 

Women's Alliance

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Please consider joining us for one or all of our luncheons and/or programs to complete the Church year. The meal is at NOON for $6. The program begins about 1 PM. Reservations can be made with Eiko Takemoto or through the Church office. They should be made by noon of the Monday preceding the meeting day.

Programs to come:

April 16 (3rd Wednesday) Topic: Beading; Speaker: Yvanne Ham
May 21 (3rd Wednesday) Topic: Trip to Africa; Speaker Dave Robinson
June 11 (Note change to 2nd Wednesday) Musical Performance by Shades of Gold

Alma King

 

Building the World We Dream About

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A reminder for those enrolled! Sessions for BWWDA will continue in April. The Sunday sessions will be on the first and third Sundays from 1 to 3 PM, April 6 and 20. The Wednesday sessions will be the first and third Wednesdays from 7 to 9 PM, April 2 and 16. We need members to contribute their thoughts and energy. We are field-testing this program for the UUA. The congregation voted to be part of this last spring. We need people to show up! This winter seems to have been hard on schedules with crazy weather on some meeting days and many of us really ill from the super germs that invaded us. Let’s try to get rejuvenated with the coming warmth and sunshine. Happy Spring!!!

Alma King

 

Looking for My Sister

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Join Looking for My Sister, an organization promoting awareness of domestic violence, on Friday, April 4, 2008 at the Detroit Repertory Theatre to see "Southern Comforts" a comedy by Kathleen Clark. Tickets are $25 and MUST be purchased in advance by calling 313.861.3221. All proceeds will benefit survivors of domestic violence. Champagne and Hors D'oeuvres will be provided at 7:30 p.m. Curtain rises at 8:30 p.m. For more information, contact LFMS at 313.861.3221 or online at www.lookingformysister.org.

 

Newsletter Deadline

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The deadline for printed material is Sunday, April 6, 2008 no later than NOON or the following Monday no later than 9:00 a.m. for electronically submitted material. Contact the Office Administrator for information.