Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Miami

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Greetings ! ! !

This is the weekly email update for the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Miami.

Here you will find:

- This Sunday in Worship
- Reminders for this Weekend
- Office Administrator Update
- Congregational Potluck to Welcome our new Minister
- BTWWDA Online Survey
- Weekly Calendar


** This Sunday in Worship **

July 25 ~ New Eyes ~ The Worship Committee

Do you remember, as a child, discovering something for the first time? The joy, glory and magic of new experiences… new knowledge. Living in this time of information overload it is easy to become angry, jaded and pessimistic. Let’s remember how to be joyful. Let’s practice looking at the world with new eyes. This service includes a Baby Blessing.

** Reminders for this Weekend **
(see calendar below for regular and recurring events)

Friday 23rd, 7:30 Emerson Room: Interweave.
This month’s presentation is the movie “Doubt”. In this Oscar-nominated adaptation of John Patrick Shanley’s Tony-winning play, Sister Aloysius (Meryl Streep) begins to have doubts about doting priest Father Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman), who seems to have become overly involved in the life of a young African American pupil.

** Office Administrator Update **

Elena Mazey is our new temporary Office Administrator through August and is in our congregational office, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. M-F. Elena is Spanish/English bilingual and brings a wealth of office management, organizational, and software skills to us. We appreciate her availability to assist us in our transition as we seek a permanent Office Administrator. The Personnel Committee is continuing to accept resumes and interview candidates. If you or someone you know is interested in applying, details can be found on our website.

** Congregational Potluck to Welcome Our New Minister **

Saturday, August 7th, 6-9 p.m., Sanctuary
Save-the-date to join fellow congregants in welcoming our new interim minister, Rev. Drew Johnston, to our congregation with a potluck dinner and a casual evening of socializing and sharing. Bring your favorite dish to share. As Drew has joked, “I get to introduce all my food allergies!” Since kids are part of the evening also, there will be no official child or nursery care, but the nursery will be open and available for parents to take kids if needed for a quiet respite.

Please note that Drew officially begins his work with us on August 1st. During his first few weeks here, he will be attending committee, board, and small group meetings and getting to know us. He will begin conducting Sunday worship services on August 22nd.

** BTWWDA Online Survey - We Still Need to Hear From You! **

We have received over 20 responses to the short, 5-question “Building the World We Dream About (BTWWDA)” multicultural competency adult education program online survey. The input provided so far is very helpful, but there are many congregants who have not spoken up yet. Please take a few minutes now and go to: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZTJQNK6 to make your voice heard. Please respond, one response per congregant, before July 30th. If you prefer to answer via a paper survey, copies can be found in the office. Any questions? Please contact David Traupman at davidtraupman@comcast.net. Thanks for your valuable input!


** Weekly Calendar **

7/22 Thursday - no events

7/23 Friday
~ 7:30pm Interweave | Emerson

7/24 Saturday - no events

7/25 Sunday
~ 9am Labyrinth Walk | Campus
~ 9:30am Spiritual Reality | Emerson
~ 11am Worship Service | Sanctuary
~ 12:45pm Memorial Committee | Emerson

7/26 Monday
~ 10am Gentle Yoga | Sanctuary

7/26 Tuesday
~ 6:30pm Buddhist Reflections | Emerson

7/27 Wednesday
~ 12pm Lunch Bunch | Emerson

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Greetings ! ! !

This is the weekly email update for the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Miami.

Here you will find:

- This Sunday in Worship
- Reminders for this Weekend
- We have a Music Director!
- Office Administrator Search Updates
- Newsletter Deadline
- BTWWDA Online Survey
- Restorative Justice Workshop
- Weekly Calendar


** This Sunday in Worship **

July 18 ~  Poetry as Devotion ~ The Worship Committee

UU has a wealth of poets past and present : Sonia Sanchez, Poet Laureate Billy Collins, e.e. cummings, to name just a few. Poetry can express the mystery and wonders of this life. We will explore poems of devotion read by members of our congregation.

** Reminders for this Weekend **
(see calendar below for regular and recurring events)

» Property Work Party, Saturday 10am-1pm
» Worship Committee Meeting, Sunday 1pm Room 6
» Grief Support Group, Sunday 1:15pm Room 4

** Singing a New Song - We have a Music Director! **

We are happy to announce that our new Music Director is multi-talented musician, teacher, and UU Miami member Tim Buchholz. He will join us beginning the week of August 9th as a part-time staff member responsible for directing and strengthening our choir and working closely with our Music Horizons and Lotz committees to realize our vision of a comprehensive and diverse music program. Tim’s first priorities will be working with our choir after their summer break and planning for the upcoming church year with our new minister and committees. To learn more about Tim’s talents and experience, go to his website at www.timbuchholz.com. Look for updates about our evolving music program in upcoming weekly e-mails and monthly newsletters.

** Office Administrator Updates **

Please join us at this Sunday’s service to say goodbye to Clara Ibanez, who will be leaving us after 2+ years of service to return to Spain at the end of July. Clara is working her regular hours through Friday 7/16, then will be in and out of the office the week of 7/19-23. The Personnel Committee is currently accepting resumes and interviewing candidates with the hope of having a new Office Adminstrator start as soon as possible. As of the writing of this update, plans for volunteer/short-term staff office coverage are not yet finalized, so please be patient and realize we may have some delays and glitches in our communications over the next few weeks! If you or someone you know is interested in applying, details can be found on our website.

** Newsletter Deadline **

Please email your pieces before the weekend ends at uucongmia @ bellsouth.net

** BTWWDA Online Survey - Please Participate Before July 30th!

Your valuable input is needed so our facilitators can best plan and present the new “Building the World We Dream About (BTWWDA)” multicultural competency adult education program within our congregation over the next year. Take a few minutes to answer 5 simple questions at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZTJQNK6. Please respond, one response per congregant, before July 30th. If you prefer to answer via a paper survey, copies can be found in the office. Any questions? Please contact David Traupman at davidtraupman@comcast.net.

** Restorative Justice Workshop **

Facilitated by Power U Center ~ Wednesday, July 21, 10am to 1pm
Human Services Coalition, 1900 Biscayne Blvd., #200 - Miami, FL 33132 ~ Free and open to ages 14 - 18. Network with youth who want to make a difference in their communities. Become a leader in the Restorative Justice movement and learn how to help your friends and neighbors solve problems without violence and restore trust if violence has occurred. To register call Monica Matteo-Salinas at 305-576-5001.

** Weekly Calendar **

7/15 Thursday - no events

7/16 Friday
~ 7pm Social Justice | Emerson

7/17 Saturday
~ 10am Property Work Party

7/18 Sunday
~ 9am Labyrinth Walk | Campus
~ 9:30am Spiritual Reality | Emerson
~ 11am Worship Service | Sanctuary
~ 1pm Worship Committee | Room 6
~ 1:15pm Grief Support Group | Room 4

7/19 Monday
~ 10am Gentle Yoga | Sanctuary

7/20 Tuesday
~ 6:30pm Buddhist Reflections | Emerson

7/21 Wednesday
~ 10:30am Lotz Committee | Emerson
~ 12pm Lunch Bunch | Emerson

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Greetings ! ! !

This is the weekly email update for the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Miami.

Here you will find:

- This Sunday in Worship
- Reminders for this Weekend
- Worship Committee Call
- Zoltan’s Summer Schedule
- BTWWDA Online Survey
- Weekly Calendar


** This Sunday in Worship **

July 11 ~  The Way We Do the Things We Do ~ Amy Carol Webb

Rev. Amy Carol Webb will lead this service about “getting to the heart of the matter.” We are thrilled to welcome Amy back to the pulpit with her Masters of Divinity.

** Reminders for this Weekend **
(see calendar below for regular and recurring events)

Our LAVENDER SALON, scheduled for July 10th at 6:30 PM is an intergenerational event for Miami’s LGBT Community, and our UU Family….Potluck at 6:30…Program at 7:30……Pride Explorer Post 123 will  be having it’s second meeting to plan for the Car Wash, and other activities……COME BE PART OF THE FUN!!!

** Worship Committee Call **

Help needed! Do you have  good speaking voice? Do you like to read poetry? If you answered yes to one or both of these questions please contact Raquel Reyes casitaazul@comcast.net This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it    She needs readers for the July 18th service.

** Zoltan’s Summer Schedule **

Please note that our sexton Zoltan Bakos’ work hours are adjusted as follows for the months of July and August: Monday 8 - 10:30 a.m. and 2-5:30 p.m.; Tuesday 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.; Wednesday off; Thursday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.; Saturday 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.; and Sunday 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. If you have a meeting or need assistance at other scheduled times, please coordinate with Zoltan during his regularly scheduled work hours.

** BTWWDA Online Survey - Please Participate Before July 30th!

Your valuable input is needed so our facilitators can best plan and present the new “Building the World We Dream About (BTWWDA)” multicultural competency adult education program within our congregation over the next year. Take a few minutes to answer 5 simple questions at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZTJQNK6. Please respond, one response per congregant, before July 30th. If you prefer to answer via a paper survey, copies can be found in the office. Any questions? Please contact David Traupman at davidtraupman@comcast.net. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Thanks for your help!


** Weekly Calendar **

7/8 Thursday - no events

7/9 Friday - no events

7/10 Saturday
~ 12pm PFLAG | Emerson
~ 6:30pm Lavender Salon | Emerson

7/11 Sunday
~ 9am Labyrinth Walk | Campus
~ 9:30am Spiritual Reality | Emerson
~ 11am Worship Service | Sanctuary
~ 12:30pm Young Adults | Emerson
~ 1pm Welcoming Congregation | Room 4

7/12 Monday
~ 10am Gentle Yoga | Sanctuary

7/13 Tuesday
~ 6:30pm Buddhist Reflections | Emerson
~ 8pm Humanist Group | Emerson

7/14 Wednesday
~ 12pm Lunch Bunch | Emerson
~ 6:15pm Personnel Committee | Room 2
~ 7:30pm Board of Trustees| Emerson

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Greetings ! ! !

This is the weekly email update for the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Miami.

Here you will find:

- This Sunday in Worship & July 4th “Patriotic Pot Luck”
- Reminders for this Weekend
- Worship Committee Call
- Zoltan’s Summer Schedule
- BTWWDA Online Survey
- Weekly Calendar


** This Sunday in Worship **

July 4 ~  Whose “American Dream” Is It? ~ David Traupman

Traditional patriotic songs are at the core of “All-American” Independence Day celebrations. As the United States evolves into a more diverse and multicultural country,  how does that redefine the  “American Dream”?  As an introduction to the “Building the World We Dream About” program, we will explore this topic with lots of music and interactive experiences.

Bring a Lunch Dish to our July 4th “Patriotic Pot Luck”!
We will have a congregation-wide potluck picnic after our Independence Day Sunday service, so pull out your most colorful and festive recipes and whip up a dish to share with your fellow citizens! Drop off your dish in the kitchen before service, and be sure to label your serving bowl so it can be returned to you. Beverages will be provided. There will be no charge for this lunch.

** Reminders for this Weekend **
(see calendar below for regular and recurring events)

July 3, Saturday ~ The Alliance meeting for July 3rd is a pool party at Susan Hangge’s house. We will meet at 11 am for talk and fellowship. EVERYONE is invited to bring a swimsuit and swim in Susan’s newly refurbished pool. It now has a handrail for your security and safety!

The meeting is a typical potluck; so bring your favorite Fourth of July dish. Swimming before, during, and after lunch. If you have a pressing issue, call Susan and help formulate an agenda. 305-271-6918.


** Worship Committee Call **

Help needed! Do you have  good speaking voice? Do you like to read poetry? If you answered yes to one or both of these questions please contact Raquel Reyes casitaazul@comcast.net She needs readers for the July 18th service.

** Zoltan’s Summer Schedule **

Please note that our sexton Zoltan Bakos’ work hours are adjusted as follows for the months of July and August: Monday 8 - 10:30 a.m. and 2-5:30 p.m.; Tuesday 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.; Wednesday off; Thursday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.; Saturday 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.; and Sunday 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. If you have a meeting or need assistance at other scheduled times, please coordinate with Zoltan during his regularly scheduled work hours.

** BTWWDA Online Survey - Please Participate Before July 30th!

Your valuable input is needed so our facilitators can best plan and present the new “Building the World We Dream About (BTWWDA)” multicultural competency adult education program within our congregation over the next year. Take a few minutes to answer 5 simple questions at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZTJQNK6. Please respond, one response per congregant, before July 30th. If you prefer to answer via a paper survey, copies can be found in the office. Any questions? Please contact David Traupman at davidtraupman@comcast.net . Thanks for your help!


** Weekly Calendar **

7/1 Thursday - no events

7/2 Friday
~ 7:30pm Young Adults| Emerson

7/3 Saturday
~ 11am The Alliance | Hangge’s Place

7/4 Sunday
~ 9am Labyrinth Walk | Campus
~ 9:30am Spiritual Reality | Emerson
~ 11am Worship Service | Sanctuary
~ 12:15pm ‘Patriotic’ Pot Luck
~ 1:15pm Grief Support Group | Emerson

7/5 Monday
~ 10am Gentle Yoga | Sanctuary

7/6 Tuesday
~ 5:30pm Finance Committee | Office
~ 6:30pm Buddhist Reflections | Emerson

7/7 Wednesday
~ 12pm Lunch Bunch | Emerson
~ 6pm Personnel Interviews | Room 4

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Greetings ! ! !

This is the weekly email update for the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Miami.

Here you will find:

- This Sunday in Worship
- July Newsletter
- Reminders for this Weekend
- Worship Committee News
– General Assembly On-Line
- Looking Ahead
- Weekly Calendar


** This Sunday in Worship **

June 27 ~ Peace Process ~ Chuck Bryant of the Peace Education Foundation
Our hearts, often, leap at the sound of these words. Doing the right thing and taking responsibility for our actions is not always an easy task. Having a Covenant of Right Relations is essential to a vibrant and healthy community and a UUCM goal. Chuck Bryant of the Peace Education Foundation will help to ease us toward cooperation and compassion in our daily negotiations.

** July Newsletter **

The July issue of Connections is out online at http://scr.bi/d2qdtO and the tree-unfriendly version is on its way to your mailbox. Send a message or call Clara if you prefer to opt-out the monthly paper copy : 304-667-3697 or uucongmia@bellsouth.net


** Reminders for this Weekend **
(see calendar below for regular and recurring events)

June 25: Interweave ~ The films are planned to be thought provoking on GLBTQQIS issues but it’s open to all. This social group is intended to make the LGBTQ Community feel comfortable in our Congregation. This month presentation includes a 40-minute episode from the “30 Days” reality series, in which a conservative ex-military man moves in with an openly gay man in the Castro district for 30 days and the camera captures all the drama! Then we’ll show a 20-minute interview with Chely Wright on her coming out as the first lesbian country singer! Please join us on Friday at 7:30pm in the Emerson room. We welcome your donation.

** Worship Committee News **

a) June meeting is cancelled, next meeting is July 18.
b) Help needed! Do you have  good speaking voice? Do you like to read poetry? If you answered yes to one or both of these questions please contact Raquel Reyes
casitaazul@comcast.net . She needs readers for the July 18th service.


** General Assembly **

General Assembly, The Annual Meeting of the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association is taking place in Minneapolis June 23-27.  The UU Congregation of Miami is represented by Bill Turner, Barbara Woshinsky, Amy Carol Webb, and Rev. Kathy Schmitz.  Live coverage, some streaming, of the events, can be found through uua.org/ga.  Log on and take a peek at our wider UU community.

** Looking Ahead **

Bring a Lunch Dish to our July 4th “Patriotic Pot Luck”!
We will have a congregation-wide potluck picnic after our Independence Day Sunday service, so pull out your most colorful and festive recipes and whip up a dish to share with your fellow citizens! Drop off your dish in the kitchen before service, and be sure to label your serving bowl so it can be returned to you. Beverages will be provided. There will be no charge for this lunch.


** Weekly Calendar **

6/24 Thursday - no events

6/25 Friday
~ 7:30pm Interweave | Emerson

6/26 Saturday - no events

6/27 Sunday

~ 9am Labyrinth Walk | Campus
~ 9:30am Spiritual Reality | Emerson
~ 11am Worship Service | Sanctuary

6/28 Monday
~ 10am Gentle Yoga | Sanctuary

6/29 Tuesday
~ 6:30pm Buddhist Reflections | Emerson

6/30 Wednesday
~ 12pm Lunch Bunch | Emerson

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Greetings ! ! !

This is the weekly email update for the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Miami.

Here you will find:

- This Sunday in Worship
- Reminders for this Weekend
- Looking Ahead – General Assembly On-Line
- Weekly Calendar


** This Sunday, Fathers’ Day, June 20, in Worship **
Intergenerational Flower Communion ~ Rev. Kathy Schmitz
BRING A FLOWER!!!
The Flower Communion ceremony has become a beloved annual tradition in many UU congregations.  The ceremony celebrates the diversity we bring to our congregations as well as the gifts we receive from one another.  Each person is invited to bring a flower with them.  These will be combined into a colorful bouquet.  Everyone will go home with a flower other than the one with which they arrived.  The children will be in the sanctuary for the entire service and are encouraged to bring a flower as well. 


** Reminders for this Weekend **
(see calendar below for regular and recurring events)

Property Work Party
Saturday, June 19, 10:00 am -1:00 pm
Join us and make a difference in this lovely place we share.
Happens the third Saturday of each month.

Lavender Salon
Saturday, June 19, 6:30 pm, Emerson Room
Please join us for an enjoyable, as well as an enlightening evening.  Luigi will lead the first Natural Science and Environment Explorer Post Meeting at this time.

The Grief Support Group
Sunday, June 20, 1:15 pm, Room 4 
The Grief Support Group is open to anyone who has suffered a loss of a loved one recently or long ago. We meet on the 1st Sunday of each month at 1:15 pm in the Emerson Room.


 ** Looking Ahead **

General Assembly, The Annual Meeting of the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association takes place in Minneapolis from June 23-27.  The UU Congregation of Miami will be represented by Bill Turner, Barbara Woshinsky, Amy Carol Webb, and Rev. Kathy Schmitz.  Live coverage, some streaming, of the events, can be found through uua.org/ga.  Log on and take a peek at our wider UU community.

** Weekly Calendar **

6/17 Thursday
~ 6:30pm BTWWDA Facilitators | Emerson

6/18 Friday
~ 12pm Caring Committee | Emerson
~ 7pm Social Justice | Emerson

6/19 Saturday
~ 12am Property Work Party | Premises
~ 3pm Choir Rehearsal | Sanctuary
~ 6:30pm Lavender Salon | Emerson

6/20 Sunday HAPPY FATHER’S DAY

~ 9am Labyrinth Walk | Campus
~ 9:30am Spiritual Reality | Emerson
~ 11am Worship Service | Sanctuary
~ 1:15pm Grief Support | Room 4

6/21 Monday
~ 10am Gentle Yoga | Sanctuary

6/22 Tuesday
~ 6:30pm Buddhist Reflections | Emerson

6/23 Wednesday
~ 12pm Lunch Bunch | Emerson

6/24 Thursday ~ no events

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER http://twitter.com/uumiami
AND FOLLOW OUR NEWS BLOG http://uumiami.tumblr.com/

Do you have a Facebook account? If yes, visit our profile and the Annual Dinner 2010 photos: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=873&id=100001209848362

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Greetings ! ! !

This is the weekly email update for the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Miami.

Here you will find:

- This Sunday in Worship
- Reminders for this Weekend
- Looking Ahead
- Weekly Calendar


** This Sunday, June 13, in Worship **
A Closing Prayer ~ Rev. Kathy Schmitz

While Rev. Kathy will lead the intergenerational service next week, this morning will be her last sermon.  It will be her farewell address to the adults and she will offer reflections on our two years together and encouragement for the future.


** Reminders for this Weekend **
(see calendar below for regular and recurring events)

PFLAG  (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)
Saturday, June 12, Noon – 2:00 pm, Emerson Room

Drinks, Dinner, Dancing, and Cupcakes, OH MY!
Saturday June 12th, 6:30 - 10:00 p.m.
Don’t miss out on a fun and festive night as we acknowledge our leadership and ministerial transitions and say goodbye to Rev. Kathy Schmitz and Charlie. The evening features an open bar reception, a kids “happy hour” with snacks and activities, a 3-course chicken dinner, cupcake bar, and dancing - all for only $20/adult. Kids are free! Nursery care is available. RSVPs were due in the office yesterday.  The flyer is at:  http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3081651/UU%20dinner%20June%2012%202010%20flyer.pdf

The Do-Somethings
A New Group for 20’s & 30’s
Month Day (Second Sundays), 12:30-1:30 pm, Emerson Room.
Grab your lunch & come others young adults to socialize, to get connected, and to consider the possibility of future activities.

Visual Projection Training Session
Sunday, June 13 from 1:00-2:30 pm in the Sanctuary
Many people have expressed interest in learning how to use the new projection system.  Rev. Kathy and Charlie are going to hold a training session Sunday, June 13 from 1:00-2:30 pm in the Sanctuary.
The hour-and-a-half session will begin with an overview of the entire process.  We will then break into two groups.  Charlie will work with folks interested in the operation of the equipment.  Rev. Kathy will work with those interested in the creation of slides and other content.  Each of the breakout sessions will begin with training and move into opportunities for practice.
Please RSVP to the office ( uucongmia@bellsouth.net ) if you plan to attend.  Additionally, if you are interested in Charlie’s subgroup, please indicate this in your RSVP, and Charlie will send you advance information about the software we use.
Participants are encouraged to bring a laptop and/or smart phone (i.e. iPhone, Blackberry, Droid), but this is not required.


Newsletter Deadline
Tuesday, June 15
Please have all items for the July issue of the “Connections” to the office via email: uucongmia@bellsouth.net by Tuesday, June 15.


 ** Looking Ahead **

Next Sunday, Father’s Day, June 20,  we will have our Intergenerational Flower Communion.  Everyone, including children, is invited to bring a flower for garden, field, or state that will become part of our celebration of the diversity in our congregation.


** Weekly Calendar **

6/10 Thursday - no events

6/11 Friday - no events

6/12 Saturday
~ 12pm PFLAG | Emerson

6/13 Sunday
~ 9am Labyrinth Walk | Campus
~ 9:30am Spiritual Reality | Emerson
~ 11am Worship Service | Sanctuary
~ 12:30pm The Do-Somethings | Emerson
~ 1pm Welcoming Congregation | Room 4
~ 1pm Visual Projection Training | Sanctuary

6/14 Monday
~ 10am Gentle Yoga | Sanctuary

6/15 Tuesday
~ 6:30pm Buddhist Reflections | Emerson

6/16 Wednesday
~ 10:30am Lotz Committee | Emerson
~ 12pm Lunch Bunch | Emerson

6/17 Thursday
~ 6:30am BTWWDA Facilitators | Emerson