Starr King View

January 2008 Newsletter

A publication of the
Starr King Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
-A Welcoming Congregation-
101 Fairgrounds Road
Plymouth, New Hampshire
(603) 536-8908

The Reverend Sarah Stewart, Minister

Schedule of Sunday Services - 9:30 a.m.

January 6: “To Be Announced”
Worship and Music Committee
           
January 13: “Transience and Permanence”
The Rev. Sarah C. Stewart preaching.

January 20: “What Sustains Us”
The Rev. Sarah C. Stewart preaching.  

January 27: “To Be Announced”
The Rev. Sarah C. Stewart preaching. 

Adult Ed - Sundays at 11:00 a.m.

January 6- A SKUUF member will discuss his experience with a rare type of blindness,
retinitis pigmentosa, and the wonderful experience at a VA hospital where he was taught strategies to live a fuller life even with this difficulty.  Following his opening discussion of his experiences there will be a question and answer period.

January 13– Tamsin Kemos will present the results of her feasibility study to the congregation.

January 20- Rev. Sarah Stewart will lead a sermon discussion about where we get our ideals and sustenance to carry on with social justice work.

January 27- Congregational Meeting: The vote to approve the capital campaign.

 

 

 

In Fellowship                                                              January 2008

            At Ministry Days last summer, I heard the Rev. Peter Morales speak to a packed room of Unitarian Universalist ministers about congregational growth.  In his role at the Unitarian Universalist Association, and since as a parish minister, the Rev. Morales has advocated growth by encouraging congregations to be organized and welcoming to newcomers.  His own church has seen incredible growth over the past several years, and our membership committee is using some of its models and techniques in encouraging more people to become involved in our fellowship.
            During the Rev. Morales’s talk, he also said that in a growing church he prefers not to use candles of joy and sorrow during the service.  I pondered this idea over the summer.  I thought that we could try having people write down their joys and sorrows, and then I could share them from the pulpit.  It seemed to me that moving away from individual lighting of candles of celebration and concern might have three benefits for Starr King.  First, people who did not feel that they could stand in front of ninety people to share their joy or sorrow would be able to share privately.  Second, newcomers would not be faced with a ritual they did not understand.  And third, I thought it would make the service flow more smoothly.
            I brought these ideas to the Worship and Music Committee, who supported doing an experiment with Celebrations and Concerns over the course of the fall.  For one Sunday a month, we did not offer individual lighting of candles, but rather passed around a book where people could write any joys or sorrows they had.  Then I shared those joys and sorrows in a reflection from the pulpit.  We encouraged everyone to share their reactions to the new format with me or a member of the committee.  Whether people loved or hated the new format, we wanted to know.
            People did respond.  Some said that they liked the opportunity for a longer silent meditation provided while people wrote in the book.  Others said that they preferred the new way of sharing celebrations and concerns.  But more people said that they did not like the change.  They missed the personal involvement in the worship service, and they missed the opportunity to put a name with a face when people shared the details of their own lives.
            For my own part, I found that I, too, had mixed reactions.  I felt that people wrote joys (and especially sorrows) in the book that they would not have shared out loud by lighting a candle.  On the other hand, rather than making the service run more smoothly, I actually found that the new method disrupted the service more.  So the Worship and Music Committee and I decided on a middle road.  We would continue to light candles as normal, but always offer the book for anyone to write in anytime.  I will collect the book on my way into the worship service, and share anything written there at the end of lighting candles.  If someone writes his or her name after their joy or sorrow, I will share the name; if not, not.  This seemed to capture the best of the experiment while retaining the best of Starr King Fellowship’s traditions.
            What I appreciated most about this process was the openness I felt with others as they shared their opinions with me and the Worship and Music Committee.  We conducted an experiment, which is an important process to exploring ways we can be a more effective religious community.  An important part of any experiment is evaluating results, and I feel that many people in the congregation shared their honest reactions in order to provide that evaluation.  Thank you for sharing, straightforwardly and kindly, how you felt.  I am always eager to hear what you have to say as we work together in the spirit of friendship, honesty and faith.

            In fellowship,
            Sarah C. Stewart

Building Committee

            The Building Committee is BUSY!
In December, the Building committee interviewed, recommended to the Board and ultimately hired a construction management firm.  Trumball Nelson (T-N) Construction has been hired for the design phase of our project.  While we are not obligated to hire T-N for the construction phase of the project, unless we are not happy with their work in the design phase, they will stay with us for the duration of the project.

            During interviews, the building committee was struck by their down to earth, straight forward demeanor and passion for “high performance” building construction.  They genuinely seemed interested in our project and working with us.  Paul, project superintendent, spoke of how he enjoyed working on church projects because there were always parishioners on site asking questions and he liked that interaction and sharing their excitement.  Todd, the project manager said they definitely buy and hire locally if they can but all contractors need to be bondable and have insurance.  They are also willing to help determine where sweat equity of the congregation can be used and are excited to assist in finding ways to make the building green, sustainable and eco-friendly.  Our architect has worked with these men on other projects and is happy to work with them again.  To top it off, T-N’s fees for the design phase (as well as the construction phase) were VERY reasonable!!

            January will find the building committee meeting with the architect and construction manager to tweak the plans based on comments made at the December 9 congregational meeting, come up with a second project estimate and create a computer generated “walk-thru” of the addition.  We are also discussing the possibility of accelerating the design process so that we can break ground Fall 2008 rather than waiting until Spring 2009. This may save us some considerable construction costs.  Stay tuned to hear how this all works out!

            As always, feel free to talk to any of us about your concerns, ideas or comments!

           

 

 

Worship and Music Committee        

JOYS AND CONCERNS:

            In October and November we conducted an experiment in the manner in which we would conduct Joys and Concerns.  After the two months the members of the W&M Committee discussed the comments we had received from different members of the Fellowship, the likes and dislikes were just about even for and against.  So in consultation with Sarah we came to a Solomon-like decision.  We will to do both all the time.  By both we mean that we will have a part of the service where anyone who desires can come up, light a candle and share their Joy and/or Concern.  Additionally, we will have the book available on a table in the foyer during the week and on Sunday.  Anyone who would prefer to write their Joy or Sorrow in the book may do so and then Sarah will include that Joy and/or Sorrow in the prayer she does during the service. 

            We thank all of you who shared your feelings about this possible change and we hope our decision meets the needs of the majority of the fellowship.

SUNDAY READER PROGRAM:

            In an effort to include more members of the Fellowship in the Sunday Service, Sarah Stewart and the W&M Committee have been working together to get a Reader Program active and we hope to begin in January 2008.
           
            The program will work as follows:

• Worship & Music Committee (W&M) will create a Reader Schedule.  Initially it will encompass the next three months and then we will add one month each month. One reader will be assigned for each Sunday.  When creating the schedule, if the readings for a given Sunday are known, they will be included on the schedule.  If not known at the time of schedule creation the designated reader will be contacted by Sarah or myself two weeks prior to the reading date with the desired readings.  It is strongly recommended that all readers practice, aloud, prior to their assigned Sunday.
• W&M will create a listing of all participants in the Sunday Service Reader Program which will include email/ US Mail address and telephone number and supply each reader with the schedule.
• Readers are asked to dress in Business Casual wear when reading in a service.
• If a reader is not available on an assigned Sunday, it is their responsibility to contact another reader and negotiate a swap, switch or substitute unless they have notified the W&M of unavailable dates at least one month in advance.
• If a reader does not want to read an assigned reading it is their responsibility to contact another reader and negotiate a swap, switch or substitute.

 

            We would like all interested readers to attend a meeting which will be an informational/instructional meeting on proper reading and vocal techniques.  The date is yet to be determined but announcements will be made once we can find an open Sunday.          

            If you are interested in participating in the Sunday Reader Program or would like more information please the Worship and Music Committee.

 

7th Principle Hint

            Another Way to Honor the 7th Principle is to Join the Slow Food Movement.  Slow Food is good, clean and fair food.  People joining the movement believe that the food we eat should taste good; that it should be produced in a clean way that does not harm the environment, animal welfare or our health; and that food producers should receive fair compensation for their work, and that all people should have access to this good and clean food.

            Members consider themselves co-producers, not consumers, because by being informed about how our food is produced and actively supporting those who produce it, they become a part of and a partner in the production process.

            People respond to the growing movement, and the ideas expressed therein, for many different reasons: some have become tired of eating the same foods wherever they go across the globe; some have noticed the degradation of flavor in our food; some are concerned about the health issues raised by an industrialized food supply; some would like to be environmental stewards of the land through the food choices they make.  The beauty of Slow Food is that it provides a welcome home for the food lover, the health seeker, and the environmentalist.  With all of these interests in mind, the movement has developed into an international organization whose mission is to create a robust, active movement that protects taste, culture and the environment as universal social values.

            Perhaps the best resource for understanding the movement is the book Slow Food Nation: Why Our Food Should be Good, Clean and Fair.  Additional information may be found at Slow Foods USA (www.slowfoodusa.org/about/index.html ).
             

 

Notes from the Treasurer

            At the annual meeting every May, when the next year’s budget is presented for approval, did you ever notice the line at the bottom of the page that simply reads “Surplus (Deficit) from prior FY”?  This represents more than just the money from the last fiscal year, it is a cumulative number going back into the misty past of SKUUF.  It represents money that the congregation has approved in past budgets, but was not spent in the fiscal year for which it was approved.  I do not know for sure the time period that this represents, only that it is from  prior fiscal years.  Possibly it dates from when we started using QuickBooks for our accounting software. 

            When the audit for fiscal year 2006 was completed, there was an unspent amount of just over $900 from the budget for the time period of 1 July 2005 to 31 June 2006.  Based on this, the governing Board voted this fall to spend $900 on some project for the direct betterment of SKUUF.  Requests for projects to fund were sent to all of the committee chairs and several projects were nominated.  The project selected by the Board was to purchase a large screen high definition television (HDTV) for RE.  The final cost for this was about $950, with the extra $50 coming from the RE budget.  The HDTV is now in the RE area and has already been used several times in RE programs, in adult RE and in SKUUF member sponsored events.

            At present the audit for fiscal year 2007 (1 July 2006 to 31 June 2007) is still in process and will be reported when it is complete.

            Recently, another event occurred - the demise of Sarah’s laptop computer.  This is the computer that she uses to conduct much of her SKUUF business, and for her it was a catastrophe and limited her ability to complete a large portion of her work anywhere except at SKUUF in the Office Administrator’s office.  She presented a request to the Board to approve overspending her “Professional Expenses” (another approved budget line) account by $1,200 to purchase a new laptop computer.  This the Board did approve.  The next question was how to finance this additional cost.  The choices are to either cut other budgets, raise additional money or to use some of the amount in the “Surplus/Deficit from prior FY” line.  As you might imagine, this has generated quite a bit of discussion both on the Board and in the Budget and Finance Committee.

            The favored approach is to use some of the funds from prior fiscal years.  This precludes potentially constraining the efforts of some or all of the committees during the year and it also precludes having to insert yet another fundraiser into our schedule.  As a side note, our UUA consultant Tamsin Kemos was here this week doing a feasibility study for us for the proposed expansion of SKUUF.  One of her recommendations to me was not to rely too heavily on fund raising for our annual budget.  Right now fund raising efforts provide about 6% of our annual operating funds.

            This leads to the obvious question of what are the formal constraints on the use of these funds?  The answer is that none is currently in place except for the financial conservancy of the Board and the B&F Committee.  While the details are still under discussion, it has been agreed to develop a policy, or perhaps a SKUUF bylaw, to spell out the usages or conservancy on how the surplus monies from prior fiscal years should be managed.  Either way, both the Board and the Budget & Finance Committee feel it is important to let the congregation know what we are doing.  During the next several months, I will be developing a draft policy and/or bylaw to present at the annual meeting next spring.

            Watch this space for future developments over the next few months.  In the meantime, if you have any questions or comments, please let me know. 

 

SKUUF Finances Snapshot
                                                            as of December 20, 2007

Fiscal Year to Date:
            Income                        $ 60,784.49
            Expenses                     $ 61,450.14

Important Balances
            Operating Funds                     $     9,378.60
            Building Funds*                     $ 243,222.53
            Endowment Funds*                $   11,632.21

Remaining Principle on Meetinghouse
                                    $  44,916.37

This represents only selected funds and liabilities.  Please note that this is not a full accounting of assets or liabilities.  If you would like more detailed information feel free to talk to Gary, or me.

*These funds represent multiple accounts grouped together.

           

Green Sanctuary Committee  
          
            We were pleased to co-sponsor Jim Merkel’s December presentation at PSU.  The audience turnout was wonderful and people seemed to find Jim’s viewpoints interesting and pertinent to individual struggles in dealing with the global environmental crisis.  The Committee will continue to provide adult education programs related to global warming and steps members of the Fellowship can take to decrease their “carbon imprint.”  A presentation on “Turning off the Switch” is planned for RE.  We are currently working on a public presentation of What a Way to Go – Life at the End of Empire, a documentary that does bring some hope for the future of humanity while awakening and informing the public about the environmental and economic challenges facing us.
            The Committee is currently meeting by email.  Anyone interesting in helping with Green Sanctuary – especially with program planning and/or writing our application – please contact a member of the Green Sanctuary Committee.

 

 

Remember to wear your Nametag.
It helps Everyone.

 

 

SKUUF Adult Education:
Winter Program Offerings

Bible Studies
 Thursdays, January 10 through March -  6:30 to 8:00 p.m. - The Rev. Sarah Stewart
            The Rev. Sarah Stewart offers Bible study this year in fun and interactive classes.    This is offered every other Thursday night.  Come to any or all classes.  There is some preparatory reading for Bible Study; check the foyer, announcements and website for details.  In Bible study we explore the history and authorship of many different Biblical texts, as well as exploring the meanings that ancient stories have for our lives today. See Sarah Stewart with questions or contact her at 536-8908 or at sstewart@starrkingfellowship.org.

            [On six Thursday evenings throughout the year, starting March 20, the Spring Equinox, Sarah Stewart together with others will lead rituals and discussions around the major points of the natural year. This will be an opportunity to engage in a ritual tied to the season, discuss ancient stories, and make our meanings of them.]

Hatha Yoga
            Saturdays, January 5 – March 1- 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.- 
            Take time to restore and rejuvenate your mind, spirit, and body with hatha yoga.                  These one hour yoga classes will be gentle enough for beginners and beneficial for intermediate students as well.  Classes begin with warm ups and stretches and conclude with a deep relaxation.  Please bring a yoga mat.  Suggested donation is $10.00 per class.

Wise Women in Training
            Wednesdays - starting  January 9, 2nd and 4th Wednesday - 10 to 11:30 a.m.
            Wise Women in Training is a women’s study group which meets to discuss issues of women and aging.  Members share experiences, questions and concerns about improving their lives while optimizing their happiness.  Generally this group is recommended for any women over 40 years of age, but younger women are welcome.  Questions will be researched and discussed by various members.  Meetings will be held in the nursery area at SKUUF. 

            [Are you interested in a men’s group with a similar format?  Watch for more information for a group that will start up in March.]

Paganism/Wicca
            Tuesdays - starting January 8, 2nd and 4th Tuesdays - 6 to 8 p.m.
            SKUUF members will be starting this class on Paganism / Wicca using a UU curriculum.  The class will explore general beliefs and practices of Pagan/Wiccans with a focus on ritual and holy days.  Attendance at every class is not mandatory, but attending the first class is highly encouraged for anyone who may want to come later.  Please bring a three ring binder to class.

Path to Membership
            Saturday, March 22- 8:30 a.m. to noon - The Reverend Sarah Stewart          
            This program is for people interested in becoming members of SKUUF.  There will be time to get to know each other, to share what has brought you to this point in your spiritual journey, and to think about the journey you are about to undertake with SKUUF. You will learn about the history of Unitarian Universalism and what the UU Principles are.  You will also learn how UU churches are organized and how they work together. You will learn how SKUUF is organized, and about the programs and services that are offered by both our minister and by various lay people in the fellowship.
            There will be plenty of opportunity for you to bring up any questions you have on anything related to these topics.  Finally, you learn about the benefits and responsibilities of membership.  You will have an opportunity, if you wish, to sign the membership book at the conclusion of the program.  Brunch is included.  If babysitting is needed, let us know. 

Vegetarian Cooking Basics
            Mondays - January 7, and February 4 - 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. -
            Learn how to plan and prepare wholesome, well-balanced vegetarian meals using readily available ingredients. Staples of vegetarian cuisine, tofu, tempeh, beans, and whole grains will be covered, as will meat analogs, and gravies and sauces.  After each class there will be time for sampling and tasting.  A fee of not more than $5 will be collected from each participant for the cost of the ingredients.  
            As of this writing this class is full .  We  may consider running more of these classes down the road.  Let us know if you’re interested.

Other Programming of Interest

Sage-ing Workshop
            Saturday, March 1 - 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 pm - Franklin Unitarian Universalist Church
            Recognizing that aging is a part of the natural process of life, participants      will reflect on the challenges and blessings of aging.  This conference will be an opportunity to cultivate the qualities that the world’s wisdom traditions have always associated with spiritual maturity - loving kindness, wisdom, generosity, humor, and inner peace.  The group will explore aging stereotypes, experience learning activities, share contemplative practices and meditation, and engage in dialogue and meditation. Light potluck lunch provided.  Registration fee of $20 will include folder of Age-ing to Sage-ing materials, journal writing exercises, and contemplative practices.
           

 

Social Justice                                       

 

NEW HAMPSHIRE TAX STRUCTURE

            On Wednesday January 16, 2008 at 7:00 p.m., the Social Justice Committee will sponsor a public meeting on New Hampshire Property Taxes: Unfair & Unjust.  This was selected as the second ranking priority at the November Social Justice pot luck.  This meeting will be informational for members and the public interested in discussing this issue.  It will also be a very good opportunity for getting petition signatures necessary for getting this issue on the town warrants for town meetings.  There are copies of the petition wording as well as ideas about getting signatures on the table in the foyer.  There is also a pamphlet describing tax history and revenue sources produced by the League of Women Voters NH on the table.  

            The speaker January 16 will be Paul Henle, Executive Director of the Granite State Fair Tax Coalition, who has lived in Concord, New Hampshire for three years. Previous to that he lived in Tamworth where he served on the Tamworth Planning Board for nine years.  He has also served on the Board of Directors of Tri-County CAP, the Lakes Region Planning Commission and the Barnstormers Theater.

            Paul will be providing an overview of why the Granite State Fair Tax Coalition believes New Hampshire Property Taxes are unfair and unjust.  This is a project they have developed to begin to get legislators and other officials to look at fairer methods of raising revenue needed to pay for education and other state-wide needs.  There will be petitions available that night to sign and/or take for getting signatures.  Please try to attend and bring your neighbors and friends.  This is important information and action is needed quickly.

            If you already know you want to get this passed in your town, we can get you copies of the petition so you can start getting signatures.  Think about standing outside your polling place on January 8 to talk about it and to get signatures.

             

 

GUEST AT YOUR TABLE

            The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) was founded during World War II by Unitarian and Universalist women and men to help the victims of Nazi oppression in Europe.  They continue today as the UU voice for human rights and social justice in the United Sates and around the world, turning UU values into action.  An independent membership organization grounded in UU principles, UUSC envisions a world free from oppression and injustice, where all can realize their full human rights.

            In addition, UUSC:

• Is guided by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and supports efforts to maintain peaceful relations among nations based on the rule of law.
• Does not accept federal or state government funding.
• Is an associate member organization of the Unitarian Universalist Association, but receives no general financial support from the UUA.

            In support of the work of the UUSC, Guest at Your Table boxes will  be distributed on January 6 and collected on February 10.  It is suggested that boxes be placed on your dining table, ready to receive spare change in gratitude for our many blessings and in support of work for justice around the world.

             

 

Snow Day Notifications

            Look for cancellations from Starr King to be on Channel 9 television and internet soon.  We are in the process of submitting the necessary information for this to take place.  The phone tree will still be used also since there are people without access to Channel 9 or the internet.  Channel 9, however, will be a faster notification and will also serve people who have not yet been put on the phone tree.