E-Octagram
September 8, 2017
UUA/UUSC Hurricane Harvey Recovery and Relief Fund
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   Save the Date    UUC Sunday Service  Serve   UUC Committees   
  
What's Happening at UUC   Adult Religious Enrichment   UUC and Beyond    
THE UUC WEEK AT A GLANCE

September 10, Sunday :
--Open Issues: 9:30-10:20 am, Patio Room CANCELLED
SUNDAY SERVICE
-- We have decided to postpone Water Communion to the following Sunday, September 17. Many have worked hard to bring beauty to this service, so we will wait until more come back from where Hurricane Irma has blown us.
Service is still planned for Sunday the 10th.  We will hold a candlelight prayer/meditation/vigil to hold in our thoughts those from the Houston area to Puerto Rico and points beyond, who have been terribly affected by this hurricane season. We will be together in gratitude.

September 17th, Sunday WATER COMMUNION
-- Open Issues: 9:30-10:20 am, Patio Room
-- Sunday Service: Water Communion, Service Leader: Rev Patrice Curtis, 10:30-11:45, Octagon

September 17th, Sunday : Humanists Meeting with Dr. Choe , 12:30-2:00, Octagon
September 17th, Sunday : A Course in Mindfulness, 12:30-2:00 pm, Patio Room

September 20th, Wednesday - Board of Trustees Meeting, 7-9:00 pm, Chorale Rm

September 24th, Sunday
-- Open Issues , 9:30-10:20 am, Patio Room
-- Sunday Service
-- UUA Board Meeting with Carleton A. Smith

September 29th, Friday : A UU Yom Kippur Service, 7:00 pm, Octagon

September 30th, Saturday : Fall Art Show: Surreal Sojourns, art by Barbara D. Boss, 3:00-6:00 pm, Octagon RESCHEDULED FROM SEPTEMBER 9TH.

October 1st, Sunday :
-- Open Issues: Gursagar Singh, DVM. “How to Relate to Humanity” . Dr. Singh is a local veterinarian who came here in 1982 from Punjab, India. His passion is delivering the very best care for pets, but it extends well beyond that.  



Meet with Rev. Patrice Curtis
If you would like to meet with Rev. Patrice contact the office at 727-531-7704. If you wish to contact her, please call
(510) 852-9304.
Rev. Patrice Curtis
 Service 
Sunday at 10:30

September 10th, 2017


"Prayer, Meditation Vigil with Rev. Patrice"



  Pastoral Care Associates

UUC has a strong team of lay Pastoral Associates who offer confidential, emotional support and spiritual companionship to fellow church members. You can access pastoral care by contacting Rev. Patrice Curtis at 727-531-7704 ext. 5 or revpatrice@uuc.org .
Please note that emails sent to the front office are not confidential; emails to Rev. Patrice are.
This week’s pastoral care associate is Allen Ongchangco and is available at 727-531-7704 ext. 5.  

      Open Issues
Sundays at 9:30 a.m-10:20 am. 
Patio Room
CANCELLED FOR SEPT. 10TH


  Flowers for Sunday Services
If you would like to supply the flowers for an upcoming Sunday service in honor of a special event or person in your life, please email Laura Daniel at flowers@uuc.org . She will help you coordinate your contribution. 
The Social Justice Council has selected the UUA/UUSC Hurricane Harvey Recovery and Relief Fund to assist Texas and Louisiana as the Share the Plate recipient for this Sunday, September 10th. As you know the damage and devastation is overwhelming. Half of all funds raised will support Unitarian Universalist congregations and members of those congregations most affected by the storm. The other half of the funds will go to at-risk populations served by UUSC partners. UUSC will work with and support local grassroots community partners on the ground in Texas, who serve at-risk populations who may not be able to access relief services, and who are traditionally left out of mainstream response efforts. This work will bolster locally-led relief efforts that are serving immigrant families, in particular young mothers and their children.Help our brothers and sisters by giving as much as you are able. For more information go to www.uua.org
Unpacking Whiteness
More than half of all Unitarian Universalist congregations took part this spring in a teach-in about white supremacy culture
In the largest joint effort among Unitarian Universalist congregations in recent memory, 706 congregations—68 percent of the total 1,038 congregations—participated in a White Supremacy Teach-In in April and May to examine how a culture of white supremacy plays out in UU spaces, including within congregations. 
At  Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater , Florida, the Rev. Patrice Curtis , a black minister in a predominantly white congregation and area, said she set a “deeply pastoral perspective” for their May 7 teach-in. “I said that what we were engaged in that morning was incredibly vulnerable work,” said Curtis. 
In lieu of a sermon, three white congregants who are members of the recently formed Black Lives Matter Committee shared personal stories on why racial justice is important to them. “We each had very different life stories that we hoped people could connect with,” said Susan Allen . A gathering at the church immediately afterwards drew about twenty people who were eager to talk about what they’d heard and share their own experiences, she said.
To read the entire article please click this link: http://www.uuworld.org/articles/unpacking-whiteness

  Save this date: Friday, November 17th, 2017. Emma's Revolution is coming to Clearwater!
Emma's Revolution, the award-winning “activist power duo” of  Pat Humphries & Sandy O , will perform in our Octagon at 7:00 pm. 

July 2017: Emma's Revolution's CD, "Revolution Now", was released to Folk DJs nationwide and 
topped the June charts at #3 Top Album. Their song "Sing People Sing" tied for #2 Top Song and every track on "Revolution Now" was played. 
For now, save the date and soon we will have information on where and how to get tickets. 
Exhale! 
A Gathering for Sitting and Moving Mindfulness.
Exhale resumes October 11th from 6-6:45 in the Octagon. Hold the second Wednesday of each month open for some quiet moments of mindfulness and connection.
RCS Needs Food
The RCS coffers are perilously low and they have put out a call for help. Please bring non-perishable food items to the Octagon narthex when you come to the church. Every little bit helps! Thank you.
UUC In Action... Upcoming Committee Meetings
Please get your meeting information to events@uuc.org NO LATER than one week before the next E-Octagram (publishes on Thursdays). If there are changes, they must get to the above email NO LATER than the Wednesday before publishing. Thank you. 
End of Life Choices
Thursday October 5th, 1:30-3:00 pm, Westwood Room


 
-- Fourth Friday in the Food Forest, Friday, September 22nd, 6:00-9:00 pm
ENJOY, FOOD, FUN, FROLIC and A GROWING COMMUNITY!!! 
We host these monthly gatherings to bring a diverse, intergenerational, multicultural, multiracial, interfaith crowd to our garden to share food , fun and community. It is FREE to the public, so invite all of your friends!
This is also a POTLUCK, for those inclined to share food (optional). We also prepare produce directly from the garden to share.
We are crowdsourcing ideas and energy to determine how YOU, our beloved community, would like to see our garden evolve and grow.
Input from the invested will be directly incorporated into the planning for creation of the space that will best serve the needs of the growing local community. YOUR INPUT IS VALUED!!
Check out the facebook page for more information  HERE.
What's Happening at UUC
Thanks to Irma we have moved the opening to September 30th
New Art Show Opens
September 30th.
"Surreal Sojourns:
Digital Photography by Barbara D. Boss."
Barbara Boss is a surrealistic abstract artist who creates unique photographic expressions. Her lifelong interest in biology, both flora and fauna, has fueled a fascination with the shapes of ordinary and extraordinary objects. Her work often reflects these themes.For more info contact Jaki Wilsun at jakiwilsun@gmail.com
Opening Reception: 3:00-6:00 pm, Saturday, Sept. 30th, 2017 in the Octagon.
Show remains on display until November 2nd and can be viewed from 9-noon Tues-Fri and noon-1:00 pm on Sundays.
From the UUC Librarian: Our Librarian, Bruce Gotts requests that no more books be donated to the library until further notice. The UUC Library is across from the Social Hall entrance. It is open on Sundays after service and books are available for check out with a self-checkout system. For more information contact our Librarian, Bruce Gotts   bcgotts@gmail.com
Adult Religious Enrichment Presents
Readers Forum
 Readers Forum will resume on September 22nd.

Our first book will be "Camino Island" by John Grisham. We will finish it on Sept.29. Alex and I will be gone on Oct.6 and will appreciate any suggestions for the next book on Oct.13. Hope to see you all! Susan Linehan
This Course Begins Wednesday, October 4th
Cakes for the Queen of Heaven - ON THE THRESHOLD:   In the six-session continuation of the course, Volume II, we will continue our journey into the past to reclaim the stories of powerful women to be found in ancient Judaism and in early Christianity. We will also look at the global silencing and brutalization of women that accompanied the rise of patriarchal religion and society. Finally we will celebrate the exciting new world-view and theology that has emerged in our time, and explore the personal and social changes that may be suggested by that new world-view and theology. We will continue the complex process of telling a new story. Please RSVP your interest to Amy Lewis  amyalewis@me.com . October 4 through November 8, in the Patio Room
A COURSE IN MINDFULNESS
 
THIS COURSE WILL RESUME SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17th in the Patio Room 12:30-2:00 pm
Beyond UUC...
For the fourth year in a row, Interfaith Tampa Bay and Integral Church will host Tampa Bay Interfaith Week – an opportunity to see how the rest of your community celebrates the sacred in a casual, open, educational setting.
This year’s theme is “I Am Your Neighbor.”
During Interfaith Week, individuals and families are encouraged to visit the many churches, temples, mosques, meditation centers and spiritual communities across Tampa Bay to gain a better understanding of the people, values, beliefs, practices and cultures that make up our dynamic and vibrant region.
This year, the event will run from Sunday, October 1-8 and include free panel and roundtable discussions at various campuses and venues including such topics as: non-violent communication, religious innovation, spiritual community, eastern and western philosophy, universal values, creating accommodating and welcoming spaces, musical performances and more.
This year’s Tampa Bay Interfaith Week will include:
  • An official Interfaith Week proclamation by St. Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman.
  • An Opening Ceremony at St. Peter’s Cathedral featuring music, interfaith prayers and opening remarks by the mayor.
  • A Closing Ceremony at Temple Beth-El.
  • Panel discussions, interactive workshops, film screenings, dance, music, food and more
  • Open houses and involvement from various faith communities including those of the Baha’i, Buddhist, Catholic, Christian, Christian Science, Episcopal, Interspiritual, Jewish, Muslim, Quaker, Taoist, Unitarian Universalist, Unity and more.
Tampa Bay Interfaith Week continues to promote a message of conversation, compassion, peace and pluralism and holds the Bay Area up as an example of a community based on mutual respect, cooperation and collaboration.
For More Information Click HERE

Celebrate RCS' 50th Anniversary with us. You will enjoy dinner from Clear Sky on Cleveland, dancing to the Spenser Rd band, plus have the opportunity to bid on a South Africa safari, a Costa Rica getaway and other exclusive auction items! Click here to make your reservations today.

Faces of Domestic Violence Luncheon is October 17th.
 
Please RSVP for the 16th annual FACES of Domestic Violence Luncheon to benefit The Haven of RCS on Tuesday, October 17th. 
Last year's luncheon raised over $25,000. With your help, we hope to surpass that accomplishment. Seating is limited and we expect that every seat will be reserved again this year. 
We look forward to seeing you Tuesday, October 17th at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 409 Old Coachman Road, Clearwater FL 33765. Doors open at 10:30am; the luncheon and program start promptly at 12pm(noon). RSVP HERE

I appreciate you,

Kirk R. Smith
President & CEO
Explore Cuban education, arts and culture Jan. 7-16th, 2018 with Witness for Peace
Explore Cuban education, arts and culture in January of 2018 with Witness for Peace. Get to know Cubans from all walks of life while taking part in this People to People Delegation, a travel and study experience we’ve been leading to this island nation since 1999.  
 
This trip is aimed at educators and others who want to visit and study Cuba's urban and rural educational programs from primary to university levels, including professional schools such as the Latin American School of Medicine and the National School of Arts. Included are meetings with professionals, families, elected officials, neighborhood organizing committees, and visits to artists’ collectives, museums, and historical sites.
For more details about the trip click HERE.