First Unitarian Universalist Church of Detroit

General Assembly

The 43^rd General Assembly is less than three months away.  The annual meeting of the UUA is in Long Beach, CA.  This year the church office has information about GA.  If you are interested in attending please call the church office if you need a program sampler, registration forms, hotel reservation forms, children's program registration forms, scholarship applications, pre-GA information, banner information, tentative agenda or get information on line at www.uua.org/ga

 

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:

April 4, 11 - rehearsal with performance on the 11^th

April 18 & 25 - no rehearsal

May 2, 9 & 16 - rehearsal with performance on the 16

May 23 & 30 - Off

June 6 & 13 - rehearsal

June 20 - rehearsal with performance

 

Development

I have tickets to the Detroit Repertory Theatre production of Drawer Boy which Time magazine named one of the top 10 plays of 2001.  Tickets are for Saturday, April 24^th at 3:00 P.M.  Doors open at 2:00 P.M.  Tickets are $15.00 with profits going to the church budget.  Margaret Beck - 313-882-7775

 

Nominating Committee

Following is a list of the 2004 Nominating Committee members as well as the positions the Committee needs to fill.  If you are interested in running for any of these positions, or would like to nominate someone else, please contact a member of the Committee.  Thanks!

2004 Nominating Committee

Allison Parks, Convener.

Lencha Acker

Cindy Hill

Gene Perrin

Anne Stewart

Hilliard Williams

Len Zettel

2004 Elections Slate:

Board of Trustees:

(1) Moderator

(1) Vice Moderator

(3) 3-year terms

(1) 1-year term - to fill vacancy

Religious Education Committee:

(2)                Adult Members

(1)                Youth Member

2005 Nominating Committee:

(7)                Members

Special: Ministerial Search Committee:

(5)                Members

Additional Positions:

General Assembly Delegates

Heartland District Delegates

Heartland District Alternates

Worship Committee

Worship Service Feedback & Planning

What services have you especially enjoyed this year?  Which ones have been a disappointment?  Are there speakers you would like to hear?  Would you like to speak at a service or help to plan one?  Please contact Arlene Teed, Worship Chair (313-441-2725) or Kathy Rock, Worship Trustee (313-791-0533).  If you have ideas for summer services, see or call Debi Rutherford (248-722-2463).  Worship Committee meetings are open to everyone.  Upcoming meetings are after church on March 14^th and May 16^th.  A lay leader gathering is planned for April 18^th.  All interested in lay leading are invited to join old timers in exploring ways to make our Sunday morning experience more meaningful to all.

 

Women's Book Club

The next meeting of the Women's Book Club will be on Sunday April 4, 2004 1:00 p.m. in Memorial Hall.  The book for April  will be Atonement: A Novel by Ian McEwan.  Our May selection will be The Pagan Book of Living and Dying by Starhawk.  The book for June will be Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons by Lorna Landvik.  Our September selection will be Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes.  The July and August choices will be announced at a later date. Please contact Maria Majer at 313-899-1694 for more information.

 

First Friday

Our next First Friday will be April 2^nd. Along with the usual happenings, we will be celebrating the anniversary of the day Alex Mercer joined First UU back in 1934, the same day the Unitarians and Universalists came together at Cass and Forest. We realize this date conflicts with the Heartland District Meeting but those of you who aren't participating in the District Meeting are welcome to join us. Please make your reservations by March 31^st by calling Peggy Wilkie, the church office at 313-833-9107 or Irene Schultz or email Irene at the address on the front of the Newsletter.Also, when making your reservation please indicate if you would prefer a vegetarian meal.

A note about reservations - First Friday in March about half of the 30 attendees made reservations after the deadline.We purchase the food based on the reservations we have on the deadline date so we had to purchase more food. Please make reservations by the deadline. The chefs thank you.

 

Toys & Trinkets

April 4, Palm Sunday only, in coffee hour, buy beads, bears, and bunnies at the Toys and Trinkets table for gifts and self-gifts.  This is a church fund-raiser; all profits go to pay for things we couldn't otherwise afford, so indulge with a clear conscience.  Enjoy!

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Easter Breakfast

Our breakfast will be held April 11^th from 9-10:30 A.M.Please see Carter Stevenson, Dave Robinson or Earl Harvey to make reservations, by the 9^th of April, or call the church office. We could use some men to help prepare, cook and serve.

 

First UU Celebrating 70 Years

On Sunday, April 4^th, we will be celebrating the 70^th Anniversary of the joining of Detroit's Unitarian and Universalist congregations at Cass and Forest.  Alex Mercer, who attended that first service here as a child, will be the primary speaker.  Rick Robinson, DSO bassist, who grew up in our church school in the `60's, will provide special music.

 

If you would like to share any special memories of our First UU history from 1934 through the eighties at that service, please contact Arlene Teed at 313-441-2725 as soon as possible.  We would also appreciate photos.  Please bring albums that day or give individual photos to Arlene by March 28^th. A special invitation is being extended to long-time members whom we've not seen recently.  If you know someone who may be missed by this Newsletter, please invite them to join us for the service and special coffee hour.  We look forward, also, to sharing some of our glorious history with visitors and newer members.

 

Pledging

If you have not yet made a pledge to the church for 2004 - 2005, please contact Dan Secrest, Canvass Trustee, at 313-983-2173 (work) 313-864-1077 (home). You can also look for Dan at Coffee Hour

 

Let's Talk

Some of us are already (unofficially) exchanging ideas about directions we could take as a church during the next two years of transition under an interim ministry. We plan to be in McCollester Hall from 10:00 - 10:45 A.M. on Sundays, beginning March 7, and invite members to come and share your ideas, too. Find the LET”S TALK sign and join us for coffee and chat about anything and everything.

Gwen & Janice

 

Phone Change

With apologies to Kathe Stevens, her phone number is 313-675-1553.

 

Women's History Dinner

Postponed to May 23^rd. Watch upcoming Newsletters for further information.

April Birthdays

3. Virginia Mudie

4. Ivan Cotman

5. Robert Teed

7. Jennifer Teed

8. George Tottakath

10. Thelma Murrell

16. Sally Borden

17. Mary Neale

20. Lily Secrest

24. Bill McKnight, Wineta Liedl

28. Ron Williams