Our Calendar

This church shall be a fellowship of free minds, having for  Its object
the study and practice of liberal religion, the development of the higher life of the members,
and the  building of a better community and world.

Sunday Services and Activities

Sunday Service Settings  Service Settings add an extra touch to our inspirational weekly services: a painting, flowers, candles, picture, or a favorite “thing”. Anyone can do it, and everyone is urged to take a turn at least once a year. Contact Phyllis Brockley at church or as listed in the Directory.  All services are on Sunday at 10:30 AM unless otherwise noted. Other activities are
listed as scheduled.

February 2012 Service Schedule & Community Calendar

FEBRUARY SANCTUARY BASKET- Laundry Essentials! DETERGENT, fabric softeners (liquid/dryer sheets), hangers, clothes pins, clothesline (GOAL: 30 detergents)For a complete list of Sanctuary Baskets , click on this link: SANCTUARY BASKET   DO NOT BUY PRODUCTS TO SIMPLY ADD TO THE BULK:  If you know a product is good for you, then buy one of the same for someone less fortunate.  Please do not buy products that are unhealthy to use or detrimental to the environment (biodegradable and as 'green' as possible).  LET’S NOT ASK OTHERS TO USE PRODUCTS THAT WE DO NOT WANT TO USE OURSELVES!!

Click here to see our February Calendar

Sunday, February 5, 2012       Democracy  -  Not a Spectator Sport        Bill Gazitano     Music, Monk Rowe 

Do our UU Principles and Purposes suggest a unique form of political activism? Where can we agree in today’s toxic polarized political climate?      

10:30 AM:  Children's Religious Education:
11:30 AM:  Hospitality Hour  Special celebration for Bill Cannon and family
12:00 Noon:  House Committee Meeting

Sunday, February 12, 2012        And the greatest of these is love         Steve Hampe       Music, Bob Ford                  

10:30 AM:  Children's Religious Education:
11:30 AM:  Hospitality Hour

Sunday, February 19, 2012                 To Be Announced               Music, Monk Rowe                                                                        
10:30 AM:  Children's Religious Education:
11:30 AM:  Hospitality Hour      

12:00 Noon:  Social Action / Green Sanctuary Committee Meeting - All are welcome.
 

Sunday, February 26, 2012         “Listening a Person Into Speech”                Rev. Lucy      Music, Bob Ford

     The above title was a key concept in Pastoral Care classes at theological school.  Sometimes when a group of people listens to you as you speak, you might be surprised to hear yourself saying something you hadn’t thought about before.   In the supportive environment of a       Chalice Circle, this is one possible experience.  Today, you will learn what a Chalice Circle is    and what it isn’t.  Everyone who wishes may have an opportunity to sample a brief Chalice Circle experience.  New groups will form in April and run   for 8 sessions.

10:30 AM:  Children's Religious Education:
11:30 AM:  Hospitality Hour

MUSICAL NOTE  The Worship Committee encourages members and friends to help us make music. If you would like to sing or play a song during a Sunday Service, please contact Jeff Chard as listed in the Directory or email jachard@mac.com.   Songs should of course be appropriate to a Utica UU Sunday service. In some cases, we may make an alternate suggestion. Thanks for your participation! - The Worship Committee

Participants wanted!!   If you are interested in doing a service / presentation on days when our minister is not available, please contact the worship committee chair,  Steve Hampe, as listed in the Directiory.   

Church Cancellation:  Should it become necessary to cancel church services due to inclement weather, we will notify WKTV (Channel 2, Channel 4 on cable, once back in service.) and ask them to run our church name with the other cancellations. If it's especially snowy or icy, if there are storm warnings being broadcast, it is always best to check the television before venturing out to attend church.

Do your little ones get restless during a Sunday service? Help yourself to a "Borrow Bag" by the window next to the name tags. You'll find all kinds of soft, quiet toys to entertain them if the nursery does not fit your needs.

Deadline for the March 2012 Newsletter is Saturday, February 18th
All articles and announcements should be placed in the newsletter folder on the wall in the church office by the deadline, or e-mailed to Linda Williams at secretary@uuutica.org or  lwilliams73252@roadrunner.com.   Newsletter deadline will now ALWAYS fall on the 18th of the month.  This non-profit monthly newsletter was produced by Linda Williams and the UU Church.

Linda’s office hours: Tuesday & Thursday from 8:30 to 11:30 AM.  (No hours in July & August.)

Web postings, corrections, facebook posting & e-mail announcements can be sent to pencandle@roadrunner.com You can also request personal announcements and address updates printed in the newsletter from this address.  Our policy is to avoid posting personal phone numbers, addresses or e-mail addresses.

E-Mail:  If you are new to our church, or have a new e-mail address and you would like to receive announcements in between newsletters, please send your current e-mail address to pencandle@roadrunner.com .  To assure timely postings, leave a phone message with Bill's cell phone as published in the Directory.  Thank you, Bill Gazitano

Our Web and E-mail Addressess
If you receive error messages for any of these addresses, forward them to welcome@uuutica.org
Accessing the church by web and e-mail is very simple.  Our website is http://www.uuutica.org/.  Our church e-mail address is welcome@uuutica.org.  To send newsletter articles and other office related information to Linda, our Secretary, write to secretary@uuutica.org (or use lwilliams73252@roadrunner.com instead) For Rev. Lucy Ijams, write to minister@uuutica.org.  Our Board President, Bill Cannon is at president@uuutica.org  For the Social Action chair, socialaction@uuutica.org  For our Financial Secretary, Lynn Shaw, please use financialsecretary@uuutica.org .  If you have any questions or suggestions, contact Bill.  Thank you

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Ongoing Events:
Lunch Bunch meets for lunch at a local Restaurant on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 1:00 PM.  All UUers are invited. For more information, contact Doreen Markson, as listed in the Directory or doreen@markson.net

Chalice Circle  One Chalice Circle group continues to meet.  The covenant of the group is listening without interrupting or giving advice, and observing confidentiality. We hope to involve more people, so if you want to add to your spiritual experience, ask Rev. Lucy Ijams or Malcolm Buffington or Linda Mackos about the circle.  More information is at the Unitarian Universalist Small Group Ministry website.

Meditation Group:  Sunday evenings from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM.   We meet in the church parlor for silent sitting and walking meditation.  It's a great way either to end your week or start the new one.  No commitment is required and you will be welcome if you find you need some quiet reflection time in the presence of others. This will include sitting and walking meditations.
Contact Elaine Griswold or Diane Stebbins as listed in the Directory, for more information.

Yoga Classes  Friday from 5 - 7 PM.  If you have any questions please contact Julie Waldas as listed in the Directory.

Zen Meditation:  Zen meditation will meet February 15, 5 to 7 PM and on the third Wednesday of the month unless otherwise stated.  For questions call Reiho as listed in the Directory.

IONS (Institute of Noetic Sciences) Community Group:  IONS Group will meet Saturday, February 4th  & 18th from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM.  For more information, contact Jack Pendrak as listed in the Directory.

World Music Group:  Saturdays, February 11th & 25th, 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon  Contact Chris Gaca for more information.

Social Action & Green Sanctuary Committee Meeting:  Our next meeting is Sunday, February 19th at 12:00 Noon at the Church, subject to change due to competing event.  We will discuss where they want the committee to go this year and where we left off last year. All are welcome to attend.  Jacqueline Leisos & Bill Gazitano CoChairs.

Lifelong Wellness meets at the church the second Tuesday of the month from 6:00 PM to 9 PM.  Lifelong Wellness is an informal community providing avenues of learning, growth, self-discovery, and empowerment to free body, mind and spirit for full health in the celebration of life. They meet the 2nd Tuesday of the month.  If you would like more information please contact Mary Ann Stockton as listed in the phone book.  Visit http://www.llwcny.com/  for more information.  Contact person is Bill Gazitano as listed in the Directory.  Linda Welch is current President of Lifelong Wellness.

Book Group is meeting on the  Second Thursday of each month from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

The Mohawk Valley Bonsai Club   No regular meetings in Jan. and Feb. 2012.  Details at www.mvbonsai.com .  You can also check out the website www.mvbonsai.com to learn more or call Diane Stebbins as listed in the Directory.  The Mohawk Valley Bonsai Club usually meets the second Saturday of the month from 12:00 to 2:00 PM in the church sanctuary. You don't have to have a bonsai plant to participate.

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News and Reports

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Got Newsletter!  If you wish to have your newsletter mailed to you and not sent by e-mail, let our secretary, Linda Williams, know your choice.If you do not have a computer or you wish not to receive the newsletter by e-mail, now is the time to act. Otherwise, you will miss out on the next issue and all the exciting news in the months to come.

Office: (315) 724-3179  E-mail secretary: secretary@uuutica.org

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Highlights of the Board Meeting - January 11, 2012:

It was reported that the Ministerial Transition Committee met on January 9th, was getting its final plans together and would be moving forward soon on their survey.

 

It was decided that the young people's input/feedback would be collected regarding changes in coffee hour before finalizing any plans.

 

The Committee on Ministry is on track with plans to experiment with video recording of Lucy's sermons, both to provide Rev. Lucy with feedback, and to possibly provide to church community members who might not be able to attend services. Technical issues with video recording equipment are being worked out.

 

A budget request for RE to have 3 lines with equal pay instead of 2 for RE is being submitted.  (There are 20/24 children in RE classes on any one week.)

 

Steps are being taken via the Caring Community to reach out to members and friends of  our UU community who are no longer coming to church.

 

Rev. Lucy led a discussion of how to get our UU community participating more and thus forging fresh, meaningful spiritual and social connections.  She feels this is an important         component of  successful stewardship.  Lucy will prepare and give a sermon on the subject, and ask for help from the congregation.

 

It was suggested that we work on organizing Board communications with individual members, to help build our membership, create a greater sense of community and making    our presence better known in the wider community. 

    
There is general Board consensus to focus on the Minister's contract and stewardship work  for the next few months.

                  
Respectfully submitted,    Bill Gazitano

The next board meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 8, at 6:30 PM.