Invitation to UUCA's Celebration Sunday

Rev. Anthony David's personal invitation to special Celebration Sunday services on October 19 (9:30am & 11:15am).

For more info, visit www.uuca.org

NLDC

I knew there was something else worth mentioning. I have been nominated to sit on the Nominating and Leadership Development Committee (NLCD) at UUCA. Woot!

Liturigst this Sunday (2/17)

I get my second showing in front of UUCA congregation this Sunday, the 17th where I will be doing the liturgy. I was a bit on the nervous side last time. Not because I don't like or have never done public speaking. Just the opposite, in fact. I have done teaching, given lectures, and the occasional keynote, but speaking at UUCA is different from me. First of all, I greatly respect my peer lay ministers and professional ministers. I also respect the congregation, a lot. This manifested in to nervousness last time I did the liturgy. Good thing I got the first time done without any major mishap.

Overall... I am looking forward to it and won't feel as worried last time. Come on out!

Reading the Liturgy

I wanted to give everyone a heads up that I will be the Liturgist this Sunday at UUCA. It's my first official act at Lay Minister in training. I will also be helping light the Hanukkah candles. My work schedule is very full right now, so it's nice to have to make some time for something non work.

Speaking of... time to go back to work. Come to UUCA this Sunday!!!

Reevaluating Wednesday Night Vespers

For those readers who do not got to UUCA, we have a Vesper service after our Wonderful Wednesday night dinners, but before Adult RE (religious education). It's a nice time to hear a Lay Minister give a sermon and have time for introspection. It has some challenges, though. First and foremost being the dinner and the time it takes to feed everyone. Dinner officially starts at 6:15 and Vespers is at 7 pm. Not a lot of time for a family to get everyone fed, then into the childcare room. Plus you miss out on the social aspect of dinner, the after-dinner conversation.

So tonight was the first meeting to discuss Vespers. We started by trying to build a time line of the Vespers' history. From the attendees at the meeting, we surmised that the Vespers service started about 12 years ago, around the birth of the lay minister program. However, dinner and Adult RE was there way before that. So we made an assumption that the Vespers program may have been started to support the lay ministry program. We had no way confirming it, but it made sense.

Then we went into listing the strengths and weaknesses that Vespers had for Lay Ministers, the Congregation, and new visitors. After that we tried to lay out what we saw as a "Success Vision" for Vespers.

It was a very energizing meeting. Most of the meetings I have had so far as a Lay Minister in-training has put me into introvert mode, where I was doing a lot more listening than speaking. I broke that streak tonight. I think it was because of something that I feel strongly about, it's something that I feel I have a lot of input on, and I am getting more comfortable with my peers.

We took a lot of notes, and had a lot of good ideas. We had a few disagreements, but nothing too heated. We will meet again soon, but we were charged with getting the feedback of other congregation members. So, if you do go to UUCA, what feedback do you have on Vespers?

1. Have you ever attended? If not, why? If yes, how often?
2. What are some good things that you got from the service?
3. Do you see any room for improvement?
4. If there was another night where something like vespers was done would you come? What would you like to see?

Rabbi Michael Lerner to appear at UUCA Sunday evening November 18

Rabbi Michael Lerner, founding editor of Tikkun magazine and a founder of the Network of Spiritual Progressives, is appearing at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta Sunday evening November 18 from 7-9 p.m. He will be speaking about the role of spiritual progressives in the upcoming 2008 elections. He will be giving a talk and leading a discussion on "How to End the War in Iraq, Win the War on Terror, and Bring Sanity to American Politics." Included will be a presentation of some of the work of the Network of Spiritual Progressives, a new interfaith organization that seeks to challenge the ethos of selfishness and materialism that shapes our perception of what is realistic in American society. He will also be available to sign copies of his book The Left Hand of God:Taking Back Our Country from the Religious Right, now in paperback.

For directions to UUCA, go to our website at www.uuca.org. We are located at 19ll Cliff Valley Way NE Atlanta 30329, off 1-85 on the access road between North Druid Hills and Clairmont. Phone 404-634-5134.

Wonderful Wednesdays

Yay, Wonderful Wednesdays are back at UUCA. Well, they've been back for a while, but this Wednesday was the first chance I got to go. For those of you not a member of UUCA, Wonderful Wednesdays is dinner night at the church. Most of the non-weekend events are scheduled on Wednesday like Choir practice.

Wonderful Wednesdays is one of Audrey's favorite things to do at UUCA. I think it's mine, too, besides the 20s/30s events. I like it because of Vespers and the Adult RE classes. It always makes me think about things that I usually don't get to explore.

This week I attended "Unconditional Parenting" a 2 part session inspired by the writings and lectures by Alfie Kohn. We watched the first half of the DVD with the same name. Man, oh man do I feel like the worst parent in the world after that! His argument is that all forms of punishment and reward is proven unequivocally to do great harm to the child. Yup, from spanking, to time out, to telling her good job for cleaning her room is adding days of therapy to Audrey's future.

We only watched the first half, in which he his convincing us why we need to do the things he explains in the second half of the DVD. Which I won't see for another 7 days. So what the heck am I to do in the meantime? I know: I'll Audrey know that I will be taking a week off from parenting... that she's on her her own until I finish the DVD. That should work.

Sigh... I get positive feedback all the time for parenting Audrey. Audrey is smart, outgoing, well behaved, and carries herself with accelerated maturity. Somehow people attribute credit to my parenting and give me pat on the back. The only thing that I take credit for myself is her being well behaved. And that is exactly what this Alfie Kohn attacked ruthlessly. His words were like daggers for a doubting, young, single parent.

I hope to find light at the end of this tunnel. Audrey's bright, advanced mind can only be undone by my bad parenting. I hope it's not too late (or Alfie Kohn is just dead wrong).

Who let the Dogs out?

It was Bring-Your-Animal-To-Church Day at UUCA yesterday. Go here for a flickr set of pictures from the event. It was also the first sermon from our new Minister, Anthony David. Good fun!

Special Moments

During the service at UUCA today, there was a wonderful soloist playing a song about love. I left my order of service at UUCA, so I don't have her name, but she was very good. I was holding Audrey in my arms and I was gently rocking her to the music. She sat up at bit and whispered in my ear, "Daddy, I want to give all my love to you."

Every day with her is like the best father's day in the world.

Momentum is Building

Rev. Anthony David officially started this Monday, August 13th. His first Sunday sermon isn't until September, but he gave an extended vespers service last night after a potluck dinner at UUCA. His sermon was energizing to the extend of being excited about the possibilities. However, his tendency to draw thing out a bit seem to undo some of the excitement he built. He is doing a great job laying the foundation of positive change, by making people excited about change while softening the impact a bit. He spoke of patience while also extolling the virtues of doing something new.

I write this out becuase I am impressed with him as a leader. I am constantly taking leadership roles, and he will be a positive role model. I can't wait to start the lay ministry program and learn from him more directly.

Back to Church

It's been a while since going to UUCA. I took a few weeks to do some traveling with my daughter and then went to Paris when she went to her see her mother. It felt good to be back. I've never been a church going person, so it's not the ritual of going to church I missed. I just felt grounded and comforted. Rev. Marti Keller delivered a fine sermon that reminded me that I really like this place.

Tomorrow, Audrey starts her first day at Pre-K. It's a big day for her, and for me. It's at a elementary school, so it's really her first day of school. I got her a fashion purse that she will use as a book bag. She loves it. I'm excited for her, but more excited to get her life back to normal. Summertime is full of large visitations with her mother, and being back home full time will help her tremendously. I am debating which after school program to do: dance, piano, voice (singing), Spanish, art... there's tons out there. Just have to pick one. Maybe two.

Well, that's about it. I feel like real life begins again tomorrow and going back to UUCA was a good start to getting back into the groove of things.

UUCA is hiring

UUCA is seeking an individual to fill the Office Administrator position. Hours for this position are Monday from Friday 9:00 am. – 5:00 pm and the salary is $25,500 per year with benefits. (The job description for this position is below.)

To apply for the position email: swiseman@uuca.org or mail to: UUCA, 1911 Cliff Valley Way NE, Atlanta, GA 30329.

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

About UUCA: UUCA is a 53-year-old progressive faith community with 800+ members and pledging friends, a large religious education program and an active calendar of children/youth/adult activities, including community forums and spiritual growth groups and classes. (Go to uuca.org for more information.)

Mission: To ensure UUCA's front office projects a welcoming environment and operates efficiently and in accordance with established policies and procedures.

Position Description: Under the supervision of the Business Manager, the Office Administrator performs assigned duties in the areas of office management, clerical support, and volunteer support.

Responsibilities:

Office Management:

• Open and close the office, set up equipment, make coffee
• Manage outer office calls and traffic
• Create atmosphere of hospitality and service
• Sort incoming mail
• Direct incoming requests to appropriate recipient, perform triage
• Order office supplies
• Manage service on office equipment
• Assist patrons of art gallery with purchases
• Enter and update information into the database.
• Enters building use requests

Clerical Support

• Assist the Business Manager and performs assigned tasks
• Compile, print and collate the weekly Order of Service and weekly inserts
• Create forms, layouts for brochures, booklets
• Generate labels, creates reports, handle copying/printing
• Maintain accounts payable, investigate and clear discrepancies and process checks
• Manage mailing operations
• Post schedules in foyer and at all meeting rooms

Volunteer/Staff Support

• Assist other ministry teams with clerical support as assigned by the Business Manager
• Keep lists, take reservations, convey messages, make invitations, generate mailings, create reports, disseminate information, and perform other similar office functions

Cindy Sheehan comes to UUCA

From Atlanta WAND:

There will be a reception in the lobby of 7 Stages Theatre from 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm. Cindy will also make a short presentation before the introduction of the play "Marx in Soho." Note: Those wishing to meet and hear Cindy Sheehan, should purchase a ticket to "Marx in Soho," which will also support the fundraising effort for the Georgia Peace and Justice Coalition. If purchasing your tickets online and by phone, please make sure to mention "georgia peace," so the proceeds get credited to the coalition. 7 Stages is located in Little Five Points on Euclid Ave www.7stages.org or 404-523-7647.

The following morning, Sunday, July 15th, Cindy and her caravan members will be at the Unitarian-Universalist Congregation (1911 Cliff Valley Way NE) services at 10am, mingle during the coffee and bagel session afterwards and then participate in the peace vigil at 11:30 at N. Duid Hills and Clairmont Ave.

Recharged and Ready to go!

I would like to thank my new friends that invited me to the beach for two weekends in a row, the 20s/30s group at UUCA. Not only did I have an absolute blast, I came back with a new energy. A take-on-the-world type of energy. I am looking forward to spending more time with each any every one of you. If anyone needs a favor, you got a new guy on your list. I am just very appreciative of the hospitality you offered to a newcomer.

I kept forgetting that I had a camera with me, so I only took a few pictures. Anyways, until next time.

PS. For all you doubters.

Beginning the Path as a UU Lay Minister

I am very excited to announce that I have been accepted into the class for UU Lay Ministry at UUCA. As I posted earlier, I am looking forward to helping out with both the growth of UUCA under a new senior minister and helping out the members congregation. I know this stage in my life I will be learning a lot more from the congregation, but I am confident that I can help in some way. I don't know 100% about what I am jumping into, but it's going to be fun and rewarding. Ever since reconnecting with my spirituality after my divorce, I have been on a good path. Honestly, ever since that journal entry I made seeking a religion based on love, things have gone in the right direction for me. Maybe I can spread that good luck to others.

Lay Ministry

I have put my name in the hat for Lay Ministry at UUCA. I have a past history for helping people spiritually as a Shaman and being a leader, so I am very excited about using my history to do good work at UUCA. I had an interview tonight with a Lay Minister and a Professional Minister (who also was a Lay Minister before going pro). The interview has really excited me about the prospect, and I will sit on pins and needles until they decide who will be selected to join the program. I worry that my age and newness to UU will be an issue.

They brought up some interesting points like my role in the church changing. As a lay minister, I would not be as free to voice a dissenting opinion or take a position. It reminds me when I took a jump from technical person to management the first time (I eventually went back to being technical, but ironically I am making jump back into management). As a manager I was asked to be sure to understand the goals of the company and to save disagreement of those goals to be discussed with other managers. I believe that this is what they were trying to convey. I do see the need for this. The position of a congregation could have a much larger impact on someone's life than a change in company policy. Some might think the welcoming nature of UU allows for public dissent. This may be true, but when you are building a foundation of trust for a congregation, you need to represent a united message. So that people can can faith in the organization as well as the people running it. There's place for dissent, but to do with the staff so to not cause confusion in the congregation.

The other thing that seemed interesting to me is to what degree UU can help people with they need it. I read A Faith for All Seasons by William R. Murry over the extended weekend and it highlighted ways that UU can help those needing big questions answered. It gave ways of applying the 7 principles to give a strong foundation to really allow someone to heal. This has really peaked my interest in pastoral care. I thought I would be doing more leadership type activities, since that is my strong suit, but this stuff is very powerful, at least to me. I can't wait to read more as I go through the lay ministry program. I hope to learn enough to make UU resonate for most people, no matter their background.

I do hope that I will be a part of the ministry staff at UUCA, because I am very excited about being a UU and being a member of UUCA. With a new senior minister starting this fall, there will great things happening at UUCA and I want to help make it happen.

Community

Tonight I went to a planning meeting for the June 10th service at UUCA which will be hosted by the 20/30s group. The theme we will be using is Community and Welcome. It was a neat brainstorming sessions where we each expounded on our opinions and perspective of community. We each told stories about our experiences, but we moved on to try to define what community means. Here's what we arrived at:

Community is a group of people with some common goals working together to move towards a goal or goals that also share external characteristics that allows members to feel comfortable and welcome.

We didn't really write all this down during the session, but is what I took from the meeting to summarize our wandering thoughts on the matter. Now we have to take that meaning and rap a service around it. Being as the 20/30s group is a newer generation, we want to ensure we relay the concept that community no longer requires that people be near one another. That we can find community on the Internet as well as at a UU congregation.

I got tasked with finding music for this service. If anyone out there can help out a Gnu UU, it would be much appreciated.

PS. I checked out two books from the UUCA library to read over the weekend as I head to Texas for a family wedding. A Faith for All Seasons by William R. Murry and The Premise and the Promise by Warren R. Ross. They seemed like two books to really get me acclimated to UU-ism.