You, Me &

No Column

From our Moderator

December 9, 2003

Dear First Unitarian Universalist Church of Detroit Community:

Many things have happened since last month when we received Rev Larry Hutchison's resignation and I would like to tell you about some of them.

Let me begin by thanking those of you who have taken the time to share your thoughts during this time of transition. I continue to welcome the thoughts or ideas you have and invite you to share them in person or in writing. Feel free to talk with me during coffee hour or call me at 313.867.4890.

In addition I would like to thank those of you who have volunteered to help in a variety of ways as we go through this transition. I have yet to appoint the Next Steps Group since I am still learning what work needs to be done and what groups should do them. And that means it is not too late for anyone else to volunteer.

Last month I said that we would have assistance in this transition from the Heartland District of the Unitarian-Universalist Association (UUA) as well as from the national UUA. Both have already begun. On Monday, December 8, 2003, First UU's Board and the Ministerial Relations Committee (composed of Al Acker as chair with Pearl Samples and Caroline Taylor) participated in a Transition Interview with Mary Andrus-Overley, Heartland District Executive (DE). Based on this report she will prepare a report that provides a "snapshot" of our congregation as seen by your Board and Ministerial Relations Committee. That snapshot includes the feelings, hopes, and expectations we have at this important moment. She also discussed our specific options for the immediate future in the light of our current situation. A similar interview was done with Rev Larry Hutchison. A copy of those reports will be sent to me, Larry and the UUA Settlement Office. In the future it will be given to any interim or regular minister that we select.

The assistance we can expect to receive from the UUA was outlined in a letter I received from Rev. Dr. John H. Weston, Settlement Director of the Ministry and Professional Staff Group at the UUA. First, he has provided a guide and a video about the UUA's Interim Ministry Program. The guide, In the Interim: A Step by Step Manual for Congregations and Ministers, is also available on the UUA website for any of you who would like to review it.

Second, Rev Lisa Presley, the Heartland District's Ministerial Settlement Representative (MSR) will help us plan and pursue the search for a new called minister. This begins with a visit during which Rev Presley will meet with the Board and the congregation at large. This first meeting has yet to be scheduled, and we are asked to not nominate or elect a search committee until it has occurred. The entire process for congregations considering a new minister is available on the UUA website, see The Settlement Handbook for Ministers and Congregations.

Third, the UUA provides the services of the District's Compensation Consultant for the purpose of assisting the Board and leadership in considering the compensation of the new minister and all church staff.

Fourth, the UUA offers the Beyond Categorical Thinking program. It provides congregations the opportunity to confront attitudes and prejudices that may make it difficult to give fair consideration to ministers of color, ministers who are gay, lesbian, and bisexual, and ministers who are disabled. Information about this program is available on the UUA web site.

Please let me know if you have any questions during this transitional period. I will do my best to keep you informed about this process, as well as about the steps that First UU-Detroit will be taking.

Sincerely, Colleen Dolan-Greene

                        Moderator,

                            First UU Church of Detroit

 

All in the Family

 John Strauther is recovering from hip replacement surgery. He can be visited at Botsford Commons on Tuck Road. He may be reached on his cell phone number at 1-313-378-0172. (It is important to include the initial "1") Dave Robinson is recovering, at home, from a mild heart attack.  Jerry Williams is home recovering from surgery and would appreciate cards. His address is 1718 Van Dyke, Detroit, MI 48214.

 

Committee News

Choir

If you enjoy singing and want to have a good time, the choir is the place for you. There is no need to audition, just show up at the dates and time listed below.  All rehearsals begin at 9:30 A.M. and are usually held in Memorial Hall.  The rehearsal and performance schedule for the next three months is as follows:

December 24 Christmas Eve Service performance - time to be announced.

December 28  no rehearsal

January 4, 11, 18 rehearsal with performance on the 18.

January 25 no rehearsal

February 1, 8, 15 rehearsal with performance on the 15

February 22 & 29 no rehearsal

 

Membership & Growth

. Noel Night - Many thanks to all who contributed to one of our more successful Noel Nights on December 6.   Special thanks to Irene Schultz and Peggie Wilkie for their work on First Friday when we decorated the church house (with a tribute to Irene for just some of the work she does at First Church).  Mark and Carol Bendure were instrumental in organizing, providing the evergreens and other supplies, and serving as good will ambassadors on Noel Night.  Some new visitors on Sunday could be directly attributable to their hospitality.  In addition to those duties, Mark also made the grounds look special with his work on the luminary candles while Carol kept the refreshments going.  Yea to Ruth Seifert and Jan Thompson for their work in getting out the decorations, and to Jan for staffing the kitchen along with Alma King.  Gwen Winston helped organize one of our most successful Holiday Bazaars in McCollester Hall and worked on PR and advertising.  Jennifer Teed and helpers were busy at the make-n-take crafts table for kids(?).   Thanks also go to Njia Kai for once again supplying some wonderful music in our Sanctuary.  Wow, what a production!  As usual, many more unsung helpers contributed to the evening's success.  I still get a warm feeling when I see the church work together on a project like this...and see it come off so well.  Now, on to the 2004 election! -- Dan Wiest

Assistant Ed. Note...Irene and I attended First Friday, Noel Night and a GREAT Sunday service.  Everything went wonderfully well and looked gorgeous!  This was the best weekend I've ever spent in church.  We got there early and stayed late, but we didn't come close to Dan's hours.  When we got there on Friday, Dan was on the porch on a ladder, alone, hanging garlands.  We left late on Noel Night, moving our paperwork into the office, so Dan could secure most of the building.  As he was leaving, (less than 5 minutes before us), Dan leaned into the office and THANKED ME for locking up.  What a Guy!  Jon Schultz, Sr. 

 

Women's Book Club

The next meeting of the Women's Book Club will be on Sunday January 4, 2004 1:00 PM in Memorial Hall.  The book for January will be Criminals by Margot Livesey.  Our February and March selections will be The Human Stain: A Novel

by Philip Roth and Another Country: Navigating the Emotional Terrain of Our Elders by Mary Bray Pipher respectively.

 

 

 

New UU Orientation

An orientation for new or prospective members at First Church will be held for three sessions on consecutive Wednesday nights starting January 14 from 7:00 - 9:00 in Memorial Hall.

The series provides an opportunity for new members to meet more established members in an intimate atmosphere and learn more about Unitarian Universalism. The three sessions will allow us to:

• get to know one another
• share personal odysseys
• learn about this church in particular - why it has existed, what it has represented in the community, some of its struggles and successes
• learn about Unitarian Universalism and its history and beliefs
• learn about the structure and activities of the congregation
• discuss ways of becoming actively involved

I hope the series will prove as helpful to you as it has to past participants. It is often in these more intimate settings that one can get a better feel or understanding of the group you've chosen to become a part of.

If you have further questions, feel free to contact Dan Wiest or phone the church office.

In a HeartBeat

- The Story of Mosaic Youth Theatre

Sunday, December 21, 2003 1:00 p.m.

In a Heartbeat is a documentary film by Katherine Weider and Felicia Jamieson that gets behind the footlights and into the lives of the cast and crew. From the grueling audition process, where literally hundreds don't make the cut, to the opening night at Detroit’s Music Hall. The film goes beyond the "making of" and shows how Mosaic is providing teenagers an outlet they cannot find elsewhere-a place where they can freely express themselves and discover what it takes to succeed.

Donations Graciously Accepted

RSVP 313-833-9107

4605 Cass Avenue, Detroit (near Wayne State University). Parking on WSU lot located on Forest east of Cass (on the left)

Barry Harris Concert

You are cordially invited to attend the 17^th Annual Kwanzaa Jazz Concert at First Unitarian Universalist Church in Detroit. on Sunday, December 28, 2003 at 4:00 P.M. This concert has become an annual event.  Each year the concert is attracting more people who love jazz.  The concert emphasizes the heritage of jazz music.  This music was originally credited in the United States by African Americans.  It has now become highly acclaimed and is performed throughout the world.  We are very proud to again present Detroit’s own world renowned pianist Barry D. Harris.  Barry has become a living jazz legend, a master of the Bebop idioms.  Because of his dedication to the true art form of jazz, Barry received an honorary Doctorate of Arts degree from Northwestern University in 1995.

 

We are very happy and honored to experience the jazz creations of Dr. Barry Harris.  We are also honored to have Barry’s long time friend, the highly acclaimed radio personality, Ed Love of WDET – FM, as our Master of Ceremony.

 

The concert is a fundraiser for the church, sponsored by the Black Concerns Working Group and again is being held on Sunday, December 28, 2003 at 4:00 P.M. at First Unitarian Universalist Church 4605 Cass Avenue at Forest in Detroit’s Cultural Center

 

Your donation includes an afterglow.  For more information please call the church office at 313-833-9107 Monday – Friday between the hours of 9:30 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. or call Mildred Robinson at 313-869-2508

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