Our Calendar

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.

Summer 2010 Service Schedule & Community Calendar

SUMMER DONATION:  During the summer months, consider hygiene products that are important in warmer weather.  These can be sun block, bug spray, deodorant or other similar items.

Sunday, August 1, 2010
10:30 AM:  A Purpose Driven Life for Unitarian Universalists? - informal presentation and discussion  Bill Gazitano

Sunday, August 8, 2010
10:30 AM:  "Directional Speed Bumps - Natalie Haig
Sometimes, what seem like the biggest problems in you life are actually bringing you to exactly where you need to be."  Natalie Haig grew up in the Adirondacks and originally moved to the Mohawk Valley to attend Utica College. After graduating, she left the area for a few years, but returned in 2004 to take a job at Pratt Institute at Munson-Williams-Proctor. She is currently employed at Utica College in the Advancement Office. Natalie is an active member of the Unitarian Church of Barneveld, and she enjoys singing whenever possible.

Sunday, August 15, 2010
10:30 AM:  Reverend Lucy Ijams   Members and guests will have a chance to formally meet our new minster at her first service with us.Following the service, we will have an extended coffee and social hour so we may share in fellowship and celebrate this opportunity for our community.

Sunday, August 22, 2010
10:30 AM:  Gabrielle Danovitz - Services of the YWCA  Gabrielle is a community coordinator at the YWCA; She will be speaking about the different programs offered such as Domestic/Sexual Violence services, Prevention education, Counseling, Fitness, Advocacy, Fitness, Ygirls, etc. She will report on events hosted by the Y and share booklets and brochures.

Sunday, August 29, 2010
10:30 AM:  Reverend Lucy Ijams
 

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!! We still have some openings for Sundays in the summer. If you would like to lead a service or have ideas for guest speakers and topics, please contact Carola Zavalidroga as listed in the Directory or e-mail carola_zavalidroga@yahoo.com  Also, If you are interested in doing a service / presentation on days when our minister is not available, please contact the worship committee chair, Carola Zavalidroga as listed in the Directiory or carola_zavalidroga@yahoo.com.

Church Cancellation:  Should it become necessary to cancel church services due to inclement weather, we will notify WKTV (Channel 2, Channel 4 on cable) 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.

This non-profit monthly newsletter was produced by Linda Williams and the UU Church.
Deadline for the September 2010 Newsletter is Sunday,  August  22nd.  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.  Copies should also be e-mailed to Shirley Williams at cariadsmw@aol.com. Those submitting items should sign them.  Thank you.

Linda’s office hours: Monday -Tuesday & Thursday from 8:30 to 11:30 AM.  Our secretary does not have July & August office hours.

Web postings, corrections & 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 (currentlly not working, use lwilliams73252@roadrunner.com instead) For Rev. David Blanchard, write to minister@uuutica.org.  Our Board President is at president@uuutica.org  For the Social Action chair, socialaction@uuutica.org  For our Financial Secretary, please use financialsecretary@uuutica.org .  If you have any questions or suggestions, contact Bill.  Thank you.

Ongoing Events:

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 includesitting and walking meditations.  Contact Elaine Griswold or Diane Stebbins as listed in the Directory, for more information.

Yoga Classes  No classes July & August They will resume in September on Fridays 5 - 7 PM.  If you have any questions please contact Julie Waldas as listed in the Directory.

Zen Meditation:  Zen meditation will continue to meet on the third Wednesday of each month, (July 21, and August 28).  For questions call Reiho as listed in the Directory.

IONS Community Group:  Community Group summer meetings will be Saturday, July 3rd & 17th and August 7th & 21st, 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM.  Contact Jack Pendrak as listed in the Directory.

World Music Group:  Saturday, July 10th & 24th and August 14th & 28th, 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon  Contact Chris Gaca for more information.

Social Action & Green Sanctuary Committee Meeting:  Our next meeting is Sunday, September  19th following the Ombudsman presentation at 12:00 Noon at the Chruch All are welcome to attend. Jackie Leisos & Bill Gazitano Co-Chairs

Chalice Circle will continue July 6th & 20th and August 3rd & 17th from 7-8:30 PM.

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.

SpiralScouts will not meet in July & August.  They will resume in Fall on the 1st, 3rd, and 4th (5th if applicable) Tuesdays of each month from 5:30 - 6:30 PM.  Watch for further details in our September Newsletter and Web posting.

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

Unitarian Universalist Students At Hamilton College Contact Esther Kanipe for more information: ekanipe@hamilton.edu

Duplicate Bridge - The Duplicate Bridge meets on the 1st and 3rd Mondays, 7:00 PM.  This is a fund raising activity of our church and is seeking more players. This is a friendly, easy bridge game and is at our church.  Just find a partner, or ask if one is available, and bring $2.00 for the game, refreshments and prizes.  Contact the Director, Paul Kempkes for further details.  Come and enjoy!

HLAA (Hearing Loss Association of America) of Utica twice a year to be announced.  For more information contact Roger MacCasland as listed in the directory.

The Mohawk Valley Bonsai Club will be meeting at the church, Saturday, August 14 from 12-3 PM.  If you have some knowledge of Bonsai or are just curious, you would be most welcome to attend.  For further information and other events, go to www.mvbonsai.com.

News and Reports

The Board of Trustees has unanimously voted to contract the Reverend Lucy Ijams (ponounced "eye-ums") as the consulting minister at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Utica. On Thursday, Rev. Ijams signed a one year agreement to serve as consulting minister beginning in August. This contract can be extended by mutual agreement.

Lucy has been minister at the UU church in Meriden, CT for 13 years and brings a broad range of talents and interests to our community. She bases her theology in a panantheism and believes strongly in the importance of social justice. Lucy is seeking an opportunity to grow with the congregation and help facilitate the spiritual and institutional health of the religious community.

Though she has not yet secured a residence, she plans to live in a community close to the Utica area.

Members and guests will have a chance to formally meet our new minster at her first service on Sunday, August 15 at 10:30 AM. Following the service, we will have an extended coffee and social hour so we may share in fellowship and celebrate this opportunity for our community.

  Bill Cannon UU Board President

Thanks to Dorothy Fannin , and other members of the Search Committee for their diligent work in finding our new Minister.

Highlights of the Board Meeting - May 12, 2010

• House report:  The vacuum has been repaired.  Malcolm Buffington has set up a system for reporting any problems or repairs that may be needed.
• Stewardship:  As of May 12, $64,672 in pledges had been received, with 11 potential pledge units  to be contacted.  (Update - now at $72,922 as of 6/6/2010)
• RE report:  There will be no RE program during the summer.
• Search Committee:  An initial budget of $1000 for the Search Committee was approved.  The Committee members met with Sara Clavez from St. Lawrence UU District regarding the search for a new minister.  Materials are being compiled to give to potential candidates.
• Safe congregation policy:  A committee is working on this issue and a Sunday service will be devoted to special concerns.
• Nominating Committee:  Three new members will be elected at the annual meeting on June 6.

     A special meeting was held on May 24 to make final plans for the Annual Meeting which was held June 6.  A meeting was held on June 6, following the annual meeting to elect officers.

Sally Carman, Clerk

Board members: Phone numbers are in the church directory.  Links to e-mail addresses are on the Committees page at http://www.uuutica.org/committees.html .
 William Cannon, President            2012
 Elaine Griswold, Vice President    2011
Denise Morgan                              2012
 Bill Gazitano, Stewardship            2013
 Malcolm Buffington, House           2013
 Sally Carman, Clerk                      2011
 Doreen Markson                           2013
 Joe Gee, Treasurer                      2011
 Kristin Burns                                 2012

Nominating committee:
Betsy LaPorte      2011
Nancy Bender      2012
Lynn Shaw           2013

Exit Interview

Sarah Clavez from the St. Lawrence District met with our church board members on Saturday, June 12 to discuss with us our experience of the ministry of the Rev. David Blanchard. These "exit" interviews are now a standard tool used by the UUA to better understand the relationships between ministers and congregations and their affects on each other and to provide insight for improving these in the future.  This is done whether the minister is settled or consulting, full or part-time. The results of the discussion serve to provide feedback to the minister about the results of his work as perceived by the members of the board who, in turn, represent the larger congregation. It also enables the board to review their own interactions with the minister and to better understand their own roles in initiating policy, voicing expectations, and clarifying goals. A record of this interview will be shared with David and added to his personnel file at the UUA. We found it to be, as you might expect, a positive experience. - Elaine Griswold

To The Congregation:

GOOD NEWS!! On June 6, 2010 the congregation approved a budget with a surplus of $111.73. As of June 15, 2010 we now have a budget with a surplus of $1385.73. This amounts to an increase of $1274.00.  This increase came about because of additional pledges that were received after the annual meeting held on June 6, 2010, and now places our total income for the 2010-2011 fiscal year at $87,992.06 with no increase in expenses.  - Joe Gee, Treasurer

Rummage Sale Success!

Brenda Marris reports that we have just completed the most successful rummage sale to date.  We have collected $1725.00 for the church at this time. More may be pending.  We had the most wonderful group of helpers! Never has Brenda had to ask help to leave because she had too many workers! But please volunteer again, next time.
 

Reflections on the past Month in R.E.  More Information at our RE page: Children's Religious Education    (http://www.uuutica.org/re.htm)

The R.E. Committee wishes to thank everyone who volunteered their time and energy to support our R.E. program. It was an extraordinarily good year, and we have hopes for even greater success in the 2010-2011 church year. While we are finishing up this year, we are also making our plans for the next, including seeing OWL (Our Whole Lives) classes begin, choosing new curriculum for regular Sunday morning classes, cleaning up the R.E. classroom so it will be bright and welcoming in the fall, and thinking up new inter-generational activities. Also, as Safe Church policy requires an additional adult to be in the classroom with each teachers, we are re-thinking how to most efficiently coordinate parent helpers and other volunteers.
- Mary Drucker

Spirit Play – Four to Seven Years Old
June 6th:   General Promises Story:  Review of the UU promises.  A laminated UU Promise booklet was given to all participants along with a summer reading list that corresponded with each          promise.
June 13:    Water Ceremony
June 20:    87th Annual Pilgrimage at Barneveld church
June 27:    Church Picnic at the New Hartford Sherrillbrook Town Park
HAVE A SAFE AND WONDERFUL SUMMER!!!!
- Alida Davis

Spirit Play – Eight and Nine Years Old
     Our last Spirit Play class was June 13, 2010.  Students learned about Hinduism and compared/contrasted the ideas of that faith to ours and other world religions.  We studied a Hindu story, "The King and the Loyal Dog" and wondered about the wisdom it shared.  The older students shared a story with the younger group called "Hide and Seek with God" and played a cooperative hide and seek game with Alida outside.  We finished our year off with the water ceremony so that the kids will remember about collecting a special water sample for our homecoming after summer vacation.  Hopefully, the children will keep our UU community in their thoughts as they enjoy the summer. Alida made darling little reminders of the UU principles on a key ring for the kids, and even included a summer reading list for every "promise".  We also sent the children on their way with ideas about how to stay spiritual and how to create sacred space even without our sanctuary and classroom (quiet time, quiet, independent projects, wondering, etc.). We look forward to seeing all of you in the fall!  - Julie Pawlek Jacobs

Traditions With A Wink – Ten+ Years Old
I'd like to offer my sincere thanks to the members of the Traditions With A Wink class for such a fantastic year.  You are a wonderful group of people to spend Sundays with, and volunteers have repeatedly informed me how inspiring it is to spend time with you!  Thanks also to all of the church members who volunteered their time and shared their point of view with our students.

The 10+ RE class will be running the Neighboring Faiths curriculum for the 2010-2011 church year.
This is a UU curriculum, although an internet search turns up a Christian program by the same name.
The curriculum can be found at the UUA bookstore, and can be viewed in its entirety on Google Books.

Neighboring Faiths involves multiple field trips to other communities of faith throughout the church year.  While there are units on specific religions, the curriculum is designed to be somewhat flexible.     Please contact Sarah Cannon at saillenotsallie@gmail.com if you have suggestions of specific houses of worship that might be open to visitors or if you would like to suggest specific contacts. The survey our students conducted this year revealed a wide variety of religious backgrounds and knowledge among church members. It is my hope that UU Utica members will freely share that knowledge this year by looking over our units of study and requesting the Sundays on which they volunteer accordingly. A list will be posted prior to the start of RE in the fall.

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!  We are in dire need of volunteers in all of our RE Classes.  Volunteer Sign-up sheets are on the classroom doors. Please sign up as you are able!
- Mary Drucker

Kids’ Change Jar:  Each Sunday, the children are given the opportunity to contribute change to a big mason jar when they come forward during the service.  These monies are donated to
charities of the children’s choice.

Food Bank:  Thank you for continuing to support our  “Traditions with a Wink” service project; by doing so you are teaching our youth how important it is to help others in need.  The Community Food Bank is very grateful for your donations.  Thanks for your support.

Social Action/Green Sanctuary Update:

Our Social Action / Green Sanctuary Committee met on June 13, following the service.  Jackie Leisos has agreed to co-chair the committee for Social Action endeavors, Bill Gazitano will continue with Green Sanctuary endeavors.  Food Bank / local agency items to be collected for the summer were discussed.  During the month of July, it was suggested we consider items that are important in warmer weather.  These can be sun block, bug spray, sunglasses, summer hats or other similar items.     Some of our members have looked at our current hearing assistance devices and we plan to identify a contact person in our congregation if anyone with hearing concerns would like to practice using these devices.  It was noted that they only work when the speaker at the service is near a live  microphone.  Our next committee meeting is scheduled for Sunday, September 19 at 12:00 Noon.  All are welcome.   - Bill Gazitano

UUSC Coffee Project is an ongoing fundraiser where coffee, tea, and chocolate is purchased through Equal Exchange, an organization that works directly with small farmer cooperatives.  Establishing these trade partnerships supports sustainable and shade-grown farming practices, aids development of stable incomes and improved lives of the farmers, and contributes to UUSC programs that support the human rights and social justice work of community-based cooperatives in coffee-growing regions.  Please stop by our display in the sanctuary and support this organization while enjoying their delicious products!   - Kim Bywater
 

Home	Current Events	Our Minister
Children's Religious Education	Social Action
Donations & Pledges	Committees

Previously Published:

Resuming September 12, 2010:
10:30 AM:  Children's Religious Education  Spirit Play and Traditions with a Wink class
11:30 AM:  Hospitality

House Committee

In an attempt to begin organizing the House Committee, I have compiled a notebook labeled House Committee and placed it on a shelf over the copy machine.  Sections will be made for church use policies and procedures, projects from start to finish, problems solved, equipment inventory, resource persons and companies, and committee minutes.  Cards are available on the table in the back of the sanctuary on which to report problems and/or repairs needed.  Please return the completed card to the HOUSE COMMITTEE mailbox in the hall by the office.  A number of people have spoken to me and shown an interest in serving on the Committee.  If you wish to be on my e-mail distribution list contact me at malcbuff@aol.com.

 Among the projects that need volunteers are:
 1. Inventory of storage rooms and selecting items for the rummage sale.
 2. Cleaning and inventory of the storage shed.
 3. Communication and electronic equipment assessment.
 4. Developing a building maintenance schedule.
 5. Cleaning and preparing the minister’s office for its new occupant.
 6. Coordinating the staining of the building by a work crew from the Midstate Correctional Facility.
 7.  Looking into sealing the driveway.

 A group of members come once a month on a week day morning to “spiff-up” the Church.  Contact Phyllis Brockley or Phyllis Gee to volunteer.

- Respectfully, Malcom Buffington

Time is running out to sign up for a Hospitality/Usher week for 2010-2011. The deadline is Sunday June 13th.  The sheets are on the table in the sanctuary.  You may sign up for more than one week, and you may also sign up to be on the ‘extra’ list.  If someone can’t make their week they can either try to change weeks with someone or call someone from the ’extra’ list to see if they can fill in.

Greeter Sign-Up!

Remember the first time you walked through those church doors? You may have been curious, apprehensive, excited, or doubtful, or maybe a little bit of all of that. If there was a person waiting right there to greet you and make you feel that opening that door was the right step to take, which made all the difference. We can all take a turn at being that person.

Just as we all serve as hospitality hosts and ushers, we can also be greeters. All it involves is arriving at church 15-20 minutes before the service begins, standing in the hall near the door, and greeting both those you know and don't know. Ask any unfamiliar faces if they're visiting for the first time. If they are, tell them you're happy they've come, walk with them into the sanctuary, and give them a visitor card to fill out. Put any filled out cards in the Membership Committee folder in the mailboxes. That's it. And it can make all the difference in the character of this church.
If we're serious about growth and about eventually attracting and affording a full-time minister to our church, we all have to take responsibility for Membership.

I'll leave a calendar of Sundays for the 2010-11 church year near the nametags with space to write in your name next to one or more Sundays of your choosing.
- Dorothy Fannin, Membership Committee

Membership Committee:  I have two openings on the Membership Committee! I encourage any of you warm and friendly folks to join me in this very rewarding work, greeting and welcoming new and return visitors, connecting them to the rest of the congregation, and helping to find outlets for their talents and passions within UU.
See me before or after worship, call me as listed in the Directory, or email mfandot@netzero.com.  -   Dorothy Fannin, Membership Chairperson

Attending Camp Unirondack?  If there are any children interested or registered to attend CAMP UNIRONDACK this summer, please contact the Marris-Mielnick family as listed in the Directory, as they would like to contribute towards their camp expenses!!  Thanks, Brenda Marris  Go to http://www.unirondack.org/ for more details about the camp.

The Hospitality/Usher sign-up sheet for the 2010-2011 church year is out on the table in the sanctuary.  Please take the time to sign up for one or more weeks.
If you cannot be here the week you are scheduled please change with someone else.  It isn’t up to the secretary to find a replacement.  If you do change dates with someone please make changes on the kitchen calendar or call the office, that way the secretary will be reminding the correct people for that week.If you are interested in doing a coffee hour, please call the office and ask to be put on the ‘extra’ list.

STAY IN THE LOOP!  Periodically, thanks to Bill Gazitano, there are e-mail updates sent out to folks from church that are reminders of upcoming events or news of importance that comes up between issues of the newsletter. On the average there might be one of these messages a week. If you are NOT getting these, and would like to, please send Bill an e-mail requesting to be added. (And if you are getting them, but DON'T want them, let Bill know that!) His e-mail is pencandle@roadrunner.com.

Membership Directory:  New Directories are now available at Church.  If you cannot find one, let us know.

HAVE YOU PLEDGED OR DONATED YET?    As the stewardship drive moves toward its conclusion, we are hopeful of reaching our "cost-of-living-increase" goal. This will only be possible with the support of our members and friends who have not yet participated. Please help us during this important time. Your gift insures that the UU Church will be healthy, strong, and there for us whenever any of us need it to be. Won't you please help your UU community by being a steward this year? Together we can accomplish wonderful things. - Stewardship Committee

Your contribution is greatly appreciated.  .Click on link for details.

Pledge Card

Pledge Giving Guide

New St. Lawrence District Officers

Ernie Hall , Niskayuna - President - hallel@nycap.rr.com
Karen Palmer, Oneonta - Vice President kpalmer@dmcom.net
Nancy Reed, Canandaigua - Secretary renown@ix.netcom.com
Trustees: the Rev. Frances Manly, Buffalo; Robb Smith, Wynantskill; Bill Parke, Buffalo;
David Friedman, Rochester.
Youth Trustee - Taylor Longo, Liverpool taylongo@aol.com

Join a committee!  Please remember there are many ways you can contribute to our church and one of them is
to volunteer for one of our many church committees. Although some positions are filled by
appointment, all committees benefit from new members. Please give your name, committee
interest, and phone number to any member of the Board so the appropriate committee chair can contact you. We need your support!

1. Finance Committee
2. House Committee
3. Worship Committee
4. Social Action Committee & Green Sanctuary Committee
5. Membership Committee
6. Religious Education Committee
7. Public Relations Committee
8. External Affairs

Church Use Procedure

To reserve church space for any function, the first step is to secure an application from our secretary, Linda Williams.  Please complete the form and return it to her.   The responsible person submitting the form will then be contacted  and advised if the date and time are available. Occasionally, unusual requests are referred to the board of trustees for a decision.

As the church year comes to a close next June, the children will make a decision together about what to do with the money they have collected.  It will be given to a worthy cause that the children care about.  Habits of generosity can't be encouraged too early.

The UUSC has a new address:
689 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge, MA 02139-3302
Their phone number and e-mail remains the same.

Hosting Hospitality Hour?  Frequently Asked Questions Answered:

How did my name end up on a certain date?  Friends and members are randomly assigned a Hospitality Hour date.

When do I need to be at church?  Set-up for Hospitality Hour takes about 45 minutes, maybe a little less if you have done it before. We try not to have distractions during the 15 minutes before a service begins, so plan to be at church by 9:30 a.m.

What do I have to do?  Minimally, set-up the cups, napkins, sweeteners and creamers, spoons and trash receptacles, put out the juice with paper cups, and prepare the coffee, decaf, and hot water for tea. Then, clean it up after the service. The congregation deeply appreciates snacks, but these are not required. We provide the coffee and tea here at the church.

I can’t host Hospitality Hour this week/month!  It is your responsibility to find another friend or member who will host for you or exchange hosting times. It is also your responsibility to notify the office as soon as possible about the change, since we make reminder calls to hosts on the week of their posted hosting and thank hosts in each Sunday bulletin.  Neither the Office nor the Minister are responsible for finding new Hospitality Hosts when your date doesn’t work for you.

I just did Hospitality Hour a few months ago!  Sometimes, with the congregational year ending June 30th, you might end up early in the following congregational year’s calendar. If it is too soon for you, you can change with someone else.

Why me?  As a community, we are dependent on each of us caring for each other. We are not staffed with professionals to offer coffee service. Your taking up the Hospitality Hour duties once a year is a way for you to care for this community, and enjoy having Hospitality the remaining Sundays of the year.

Ushering: Frequently Asked Questions Answered:

How did my name end up on a certain date?  Friends and members are randomly assigned an Ushering date.

When do I need to be at church?  Please arrive by 10:00, or half an hour before the service, so you may greet visitors, friends, and members.

What do I do?  You are the welcome to our community! Please greet each person, and especially direct visitors to the name tag table and the visitor information cards. Hand out the service bulletins and announcements. Help people know where they’re going, pointing out the restrooms, classrooms, teachers, Minister, and Director of Religious Education. If someone arrives in a wheelchair, please provide assistance as requested, particularly with moving chairs in the seating rows, for where the person would like to sit. Before everyone arrives, please check the seats to make sure they are in the proper configuration and number (posted on the inside of the main closet doors in the sanctuary), and that the hymnals are spaced for every other seat.

I can’t Usher this week/month!  It is your responsibility to find another friend or member who will usher for you or exchange ushering times. It is also your responsibility to notify the office as soon as possible about the change. Neither the Office nor the Minister are responsible for finding new Ushers when your date doesn’t work for you. If you’re not there, and there’s no one substituting for you, our community has no welcoming face.

Why me?  As a community, we are dependent on each of us caring for and welcoming each other. We are not staffed to support a professional ushering crew. By ushering once a year, you care for this community and welcome others to it, and can enjoy being welcomed the remaining Sundays of the year.

The ushers station themselves inside the doors to the sanctuary and hand out Orders of Service.  They help any disabled find seating. Later in the service, they pass the offertory baskets. They also take a count of attendance.

CHALICE LIGHTERS PROMOTE GROWTH OF CONGREGATIONS IN THE ST. LAWRENCE DISTRICT
Are you a Chalice Lighter?  Thirty-four people in our congregation can answer yes to this question.  They have helped bring ministerial leadership to many congregations in our district.  Chalice Lighters have helped congregations move into buildings of their own.  They have helped congregations get up and running and they have helped existing congregations realize their dreams.   If these sound like worthy goals to you than you are a Chalice Lighter at heart!  Chalice Lighter Sunday is day set aside in the St. Lawrence District to recognize our present Chalice Lighters, and provide an opportunity for those who believe in the Chalice Lighter goals to join the group.  Go to this link for more information: http://www.sld.uua.org/conggrowth/chalicelighters.html
A reminder for all St. Lawrence District Chalice Lighters that a call has gone out for support of the Capital Region’s media project to build public awareness of Unitarian Universalism.  Their six goals to promote growth are worthy of our support.  Let’s remember when they do better we all do better.  - Nancy Bender

Key Security: If you have been entrusted with a church key, please do not give or loan it to anyone else without clearing it with our secretary, Linda Williams.  Thank you for your cooperation.

Phyllis Gee’s Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe
1 cup peanut butter
1 egg
1 cup sugar
Mix well, make 1 inch balls, place on cookie sheet,press down lightly.  Bake about 10 minutes at 350°  They should all fit on one cookie sheet.

Food Bank  The Community Food Bank needs our help!  If you have a garden, plant a row for the Community Food Bank.  Director Kim Strong said if 200 people would donate the harvest from five plants each, this would enable them to feed the ever increasing number of hungry people.  "We need all the help we can get to survive this year," she said. "People are saying they have enough to pay their bills but there is nothing left for food."  If you can lend a hand or have questions, call Kim and Denise at 733-0346

The Family Nurturing Center of Central NY, Inc. sent a note of thanks for the paper products given to the Evelyn’s House.  They are very pleased our congregation is a part of the community’s efforts in assisting them in meeting the needs of young women and their babies who are in need of services.

COMPEER Volunteers & Donations needed  Can you spend an hour or so a week having lunch or visiting with an adult or child with mental health or emotional challenges?  Your help is greatly appreciated.  Bill Gazitano, one of our members, is a on their Board of Directors.  Go to http://www.compeermv.org for more information or call COMPEER at 315-735-1066.

Our long-time member, Ethel Schaffer, has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease.  Her family - husband, Bob, daughter, Ruth, and son, Howie, are asking members of our congregation, where Ethel has been a member for 36 years, to support them with donations or walk with them in the 2008 Alzheimer's Memory Walk Sept. 13 at the Masonic Care Community on Bleecker Street, Utica.  Registration is at 8:30 a.m. and the 2-mile walk begins at 9:30 a.m.  Donations in honor of Ethel may be sent to Ruth Schaffer Wheeler, Memory Walk, 215 Candee Ave, Syracuse, N.Y, 13224.   Donation Form