E-Octagram
April 13, 2018
Spring Into Service at UUC!
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   Week at a Glance   UUC Sunday Service  What's Happening at UUC Serve   UUC Committees Adult Religious Enrichment   UUC and Beyond    
UUC WEEK AT A GLANCE

April 15th, Sunday --
Open Issues : 9:30-10:20, Patio Room
Mark Lichty. “Clean Energy Future” Mark is a UU from the Poconos, passionate about the future. He will report a conference his group recently had with Pennsylvania legislators and run WIFI clips. Mark was Executive Producer of “Groundswell Rising”, which has been shown at UUC, and has made a significant difference in weakening support for fracking in Florida.
Sunday Service: 10:30-11:45, Octagon
This Sunday, Rabbi Judy Epstein will share a deeply personal message for Holocaust Remembrance, Yom Hashoah (which marks the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising)

This week's Pastoral Associate: Frank Tedesco

Sunday's Religious Enrichment
Growing Together - Children's Gardening Experience
'Jungle" Jay Hardman will endeavor to engender a love of nature in a new generation of youth. This serves to acquaint them with Perennial Urban Food Forestry and the abundance that THEY can generate in an Organic Garden. 
Using exclusively locally sourced materials, we share the ideals that eliminate negative impacts of GMOs and the petrochemical fertilizers, pesticides and carbon footprint of transport of these and our food.

Exhale Goes Weekly!! Wednesdays at 6:00-6:45 pm, in the Octagon
By popular demand, Exhale - Mindfulness and Meditation is going to run weekly. Come sit or walk with us in a simple format that focuses on breath. Our large sanctuary has room for both sitting and walking meditation. We meditate for 10 minutes or so, three or four times. Late-comers welcome, enter softly.
This practice supports your other spiritual practices when you are unable to attend your primary spiritual community.
Stay for tea and conversation afterward. Contact Kathy Krohn at:   [email protected]

Attention Everyone Who Loves Playing Bridge!
April 10th, Tuesday and every Tuesday at 9:30 am in the Patio Room.

April 15th, Sunday: Humanist Monthly Meeting , 12:30-1:30 pm, Octagon,  Monthly Meeting -  Hal Hultman , speaker, on human/computer singularity

April 15th Sunday: Growing Together
A monthly event to engender a love of nature in a new generation of youth. This serves to acquaint them with Perennial Urban Food Forestry and the abundance that THEY can generate in an Organic Garden. 
Using exclusively locally sourced materials, we share the ideals that eliminate negative impacts of GMOs and the petrochemical fertilizers, pesticides and carbon footprint of transport of these and our food.

April 17, Tuesday: Adult RE Program begins --
"This I Believe"
Facilitator: Rev. Patrice
Beginning in 1951, radio pioneer Edward R. Murrow asked Americans from all walks of life to write essays about their most fundamental and closely held beliefs. NPR revived it, and at UUC you will explore your faith and spiritual beliefs. There will be writing homework - and it only works if you do it!
Meets: April 17, 24, May 1, 15, 22, 6:30-8:30, Maxwell Library
Enrollment limited to 12

April 22nd, Sunday: Earth Day, 12:30 pm
The Environmental Justice Committee will be showing the movie " This Changes Everything " in the Sanctuary.  The movie, filmed in nine countries and five continents over four years, " This Changes Everything " is an epic attempt to re-imagine the challenge of climate change.

April 22nd, Sunday:   The last day to donate to the Silent Auction.
Get to our UUC.org website today and Click the link on the home page.
The Auction is May 19th, 2018.  This auction will be part of the celebration of 'opening' the new RE center and Social Hall. This is a silent auction and will feature services and experiences only. Click  HERE  to get more information on how you can participate

Readers Forum:  We’ll be reading  Frankenstein  by Mary Shelley on March 30. We have a poetry reading on April 6. Then we read  Beneath a Scarlet Sky  by Mark Sullivan on April 13,20, then  Lilac Girls  by Martha Hall Kelly on April 27 and May 4. We meet Fridays at 10:30 in Chorale Room.

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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
This Sunday
April 15th, 2018
 Service 
Sunday, 10:30-11:45

Service Leaders:
This Sunday, Rabbi Judy Epstein will share a deeply personal message for Holocaust Remembrance, Yom Hashoah (which marks the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising)
  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 [email protected] .
Please note that emails sent to the front office are not confidential; emails to Rev. Patrice are.
This week’s pastoral care associate is Frank Tedesco and he is available at
727-531-7704 ext. 5.  
Open Issues
9:30-10:20 am
Patio Room
  Mark Lichty. “Clean Energy Future ” Mark is a UU from the Poconos, passionate about the future. He will report a conference his group recently had with Pennsylvania legislators and run WIFI clips. Mark was Executive Producer of “Groundswell Rising”, which has been shown at UUC, and has made a significant difference in weakening support for fracking in Florida.
  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 [email protected] . She will help you coordinate your contribution. 
UUC is hoping that many of its members are eager to enrich their experience by volunteering on a regular basis. We NEED you at the front desk, at Sunday Service, assisting at member events, or serving on or even leading a committee.
Spring Into Service

The number of members who are regular and active volunteers in the 'inner workings' of their church really reflects the vitality of the church community. Ask anyone who works behind the scenes -- in the office assisting the Administrator; or passing the collection basket on Sundays, or serving snacks and coffee at Coffee Hour -- working together creates deeper bonds of friendship among the members and commitment to the church community as a whole.

'Everybody' thinks 'Somebody' did it, when in fact, 'Nobody' did.
Members and Pledging friends!!

Would you or your family like to participate in Sunday Service?
We need Chalice Lighters!

Click below and select a few dates you will be available and we will contact you with the date you were selected for.

We will try to get you into your first choice.

If you have any questions,
feel free to email  [email protected]
or call the front office
Tuesday-Friday 9:00 am-12:00 pm
727-531-7704
What's Happening at UUC
Final Programs for
This Spring:

Reflections on "A Good Death" and "An Auspicious Rebirth
UUC Teaching Facilitator: Frank Tedesco, M.A. and PhD. in Buddhist Studies
We will reflect on the notion that we are "spiritual beings"
having a physical experience on earth, perhaps not for the first
or last time. What is the nature of the "spirit of life" that UUs
appeal to in song? let's share your ideas,questions and experiences with
human & animal consciousness and inter-species communication. What of the bardos or intermediate states between lives? Do near-death experiences teach us anything about metempsychosis? We will discuss advance care planning, life review and reconciliation to prepare ourselves and our loved ones for the inevitable transformation we call death. Dying needn't be a surprise. Is it really the end? Or not? Our conversations will be supplemented with videos, Youtube TED talks, etc. as inspired.
Final two classes: Meets: in the Patio Room, April 17 and 24, 4:30-6:30 pm

This I Believe...
UUC Facilitator: Rev. Patrice Curtis
This program has been a popular way for people to write and share core values that guide their daily lives or illuminate some important aspect of living. As Unitarian Universalists, this naturally fits our religious value that we are all on “a personal search for meaning.” The class will guide participants as they focus on their values and beliefs. At “graduation” participants can choose to deliver their essay to the rest of the group. This will be a wonderful way to get to know your deeper self, and to connect at a deeper level with fellow participants. (Note: There is a bit of reflective homework to be sent between classes, and it is only fair to others that you commit to attending all sessions.) Limit: 12
Meets: April 17, 24, May 1, 15, 22, 6:30-8:30

Sign up sheets will be available in the Narthex
and the Social Hall
{Click HERE to sign up for any of the following classes}
UUC Chorale selected to go to Carnegie Hall in 2019!

We are thrilled to have our very own UUC chorale selected to be part of a concert at Carnegie Hall in February 2019. UUC was selected to perform the piece " Lux: The Dawn From On High" by American composer Dan Forrest. To listen to the premiere of the recently written work, go to this website:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly_leYhUVrU UUC Chorale members will join other selected choirs in order to join forces with about 250 singers, a full professional orchestra and conductor. They will spend 5 days in New York preparing and performing the concert at Carnegie Hall.  If you would like to contribute financially in order to help fund this incredible outreach, please e-mail David Katz at  [email protected].
Readers Forum
Fridays, 10:30 am, Chorale Rm.

We’ll be reading  Frankenstein  by Mary Shelley on March 30. We have a poetry reading on April 6. Then we read  Beneath a Scarlet Sky  by Mark Sullivan on April 13,20, then  Lilac Girls  by Martha Hall Kelly on April 27 and May 4. We meet Fridays at 10:30 in Chorale Room.
Exhale is Weekly
Thru May
Wednesdays 6-6:45 pm
A Gathering for Sitting and Moving Mindfulness.
Join us weekly for meditation and some quiet moments of mindfulness and connection. All levels of meditators welcome.
Sunday, April 22nd is the last day to
donate to the Silent Auction.

Get to our UUC.org website today and Click the link on the home page.
The Auction is May 19th, 2018.  This auction will be part of the celebration of 'opening' the new RE center and Social Hall. This is a silent auction and will feature services and experiences only. Click  HERE  to get more information on how you can participate

Silent Auction Ideas - Get creative. Think outside the box.
           
This Silent Auction is not only a fundraiser, it is also intended to be a community builder. 
We envision many opportunities for groups of people to be able to engage in fun activities. 
Individuals, committees, covenant groups, families or friends can donate services and/or experiences.

Services are always popular: handyman, cleaning, windows, airport shuttles, lawn work, garage clean out, pet sitting, babysitting, proofing or editing, car detailing, gutter cleaning
Do you have a special talent? How about providing a dessert of the month, home baked bread weekly for a month, or meals on wheels for a designated length of time, organizational sessions, etc. Passes to sporting events, theater or concert tickets, amusement parks, or spas
Here are some other ideas to get your creative juices flowing. Remember, the sky is the limit! Let’s have fun.
-Host a game night – board games, bunco, poker, charades, trivia , etc. Karaoke party
-Host a movie party
-Lessons: art, music, mah jongg, bridge, knitting, crochet
-Lead a nature walk/bird walk
-Lead a meditation group
-Host High Tea, Ethnic dinners, Wine Tasting, Backyard BBQ
-Dessert Party
-Dance Party
-Computer Training
-Sailing, kayaking excursions
-Full Moon celebration
-Brewery tours
-Vegan Sampler Dinner
-Native plant consultation
-Social Media training
-Handcrafted jewelry session - made especially for you
East Lake Woodlands Art Club

On display now in the Octagon Art Center

East Lake Woodlands Art Club Showing an exhibit of acrylic and watercolor creations by Chris Parliman, John Martis, Nancy Meacham Martis, Margie McClure and Sue Hand. 
Normal Gallery hours: 9 am-noon Tues-Fri and noon-1 pm Sun.


Our next show is the Members Show which will be hanging on May 17th.
A limit of six pieces of art per person may be put in the show.
All info, your name, title, medium and price must be submitted no later than Monday May 7.  Barbara Boss has generously agreed to make the Display Labels. Send info to  [email protected]

All art be delivered Thursday May 17 by 11:30, the day of hanging.
All hanging art must be framed and equipped with wire for hanging. Oils and acrylics not framed must have finished edges.
Art must be CLEAN.
If a piece is sold, it may be replaced by the artist. If the artist doesn’t want to replace it, another artist may.
UUC receives a 30% commission on anything sold.
UUC Committee Meetings and Events
Please get your meeting information to [email protected] 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. 
April 15, 2018, Sunday, 12:30-1:30 pm, Octagon
Monthly Humanist Meeting - Hal Hultman, speaker, on human/computer singularity
Environmental Justice Committee
Sunday, April 22nd, 12:30 pm showing the movie " This Changes Everything " in the Sanctuary. The movie , f ilmed in nine countries and five continents over four years, "This Changes Everything" is an epic attempt to re-imagine the challenge of climate change.
What a Night! FAST Nehemiah Update

What an amazing Nehemiah Action. Thank you to all who attended and brought your friends and families! Over 2500 people attended the event and 103 of them were from UUC. An extremely positive showing!! I hope you got to see some of the media coverage on Channel 10 News, ABC Action News and the Tampa Bay Times. Our UUC blue shirts showed up very well on the TV!

If you weren't at the Nehemiah this is what happened........
** 103 UUC members in blue shirts assembled with 2,500 people seeking justice for all in
Pinellas County. It was inspiring to hear the opening prayer by Bishop Parkes and to
experience the unity among the other 40 congregations.
 
**Five County Commissioners agreed to support an ordinance to guarantee that 4.15% of Penny for Pinellas Funds go to affordable housing. This means $82.5 million over 10 years will assist those sleeping in cars and crowded in hotels and working multiple jobs to find a safe and affordable place to live.
 
**One School Board member advocated for a full implementation of Restorative Practices for our school district, which will address the discipline, bullying, and safety issues in our schools. We were excited to hear supportive statements from the president of the PCTA teacher’s union, retired teachers, the president of the NAACP and even students come to speak in support of our efforts!  
 
**Representative Ahern was acknowledged for his sponsorship of a statewide bill to expand access to civil citations as an alternative to arresting juvenile and teenage youth. After 4 years of hard work, the FAST bill passed the Florida House and Senate and the Governor signed it on Good Friday.
 
**As members of UUC we know that it is deeds not creeds that define our faith. FAST Justice Ministry is a unique opportunity to use faith and the power of many voices to hold elected officials accountable. Our next FAST event is the Celebration on April 30 th at 7 PM at Greater Mount Zion AME Church.
FOOTNOTES FROM THE LIBRARY:
 BLACK LIVES MATTER AT UUC!
A new addition:

"When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir"   by Patrisse Khan-Cullors and asha bandele

...from the Amazon review: 
Raised by a single mother in an impoverished neighborhood in Los Angeles, Patrisse Khan-Cullors experienced firsthand the prejudice and persecution Black Americans endure at the hands of law enforcement. For Patrisse, the most vulnerable people in the country are Black people. Deliberately and ruthlessly targeted by a criminal justice system serving a white privilege agenda, Black people are subjected to unjustifiable racial profiling and police brutality. In 2013, when Trayvon Martin’s killer went free, Patrisse’s outrage led her to co-found Black Lives Matter with Alicia Garza and Opal Tometi.

Condemned as terrorists and as a threat to America, these loving women founded a hashtag that birthed the movement to demand accountability from the authorities who continually turn a blind eye to the injustices inflicted upon people of Black and Brown skin.

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The Library is also expanding a shelf featuring UUC authors, but we need some help. The section is located just below the Unitarian Universalism section. Please stop by and see if your favorite UUC author is there, and more importantly, if you have copies of these UUC works, consider donating them to the Library.


Championing human rights in the face of violent racism, Patrisse is a survivor. She transformed her personal pain into political power, giving voice to a people suffering in equality and a movement fueled by her strength and love to tell the country―and the world―that Black Lives Matter.

When They Call You a Terrorist  is Patrisse Khan-Cullors and asha bandele’s reflection on humanity. It is an empowering account of survival, strength and resilience and a call to action to change the culture that declares innocent Black life expendable.

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Let me know about Books, CD's or other material that have had an impact on your Spiritual/Intellectual Journey!

Please let us know what they are because they might also be available to others.

Contact: 




Beyond UUC...
ATTENTION ALL UUC MEMBERS WHO RESIDE IN CLEARWATER:        Here is info that applies only to Clearwater's resident homeowners who might be interested in acquiring 2 FREE trees-each-in-a-3-gallon tub, per household, in celebration of Arbor Day on Sat., April 21st -- at  1650 N. Arcturas Avenue , li sting below of available trees, and eligibility requirements indicating your address via a FL Driver's License, Voter Registration card, or utility bill.
ALTERNATIVELY, if you are NOT interested in planting any of these trees on your property, "Scotty Simpson-Stopper-Appleseed" -- currently UUC grounds facilitator surrounding the new Social Hall, is VERY INTERESTED in the possibility of acquiring several  native trees that attract butterflies and birds -- namely, either  Walter Viburnams or  Simpson Stoppers, to add beauty to our sacred soil.  
Because Scotty doesn't live in Clearwater, he's not eligible for this wonderful gift...so, if any of you Clearwater residents would like to be a middle man or woman and make a motion to acquire several of these trees for UUC by showing up on April 21st from 8 AM - 1 PM (probably the earlier the better), you would be making a special kind of contribution to UUC!

Any nature lovers, please contact Scotty at  [email protected]  to volunteer, and if you need a ride and vehicle to show up to do this good deed, contact Theo -  [email protected]  
We are looking for new UU hymns!

The UUMN (Unitarian Universalist Musician's Network) biannually presents a competition in honor of Vincent B. Silliman, whose work in the middle half of the 20th Century helped shape Unitarian Universalist hymnody.

I would very much appreciate it if you would pass this information on to your music staff, music committee members, volunteer musicians, choir members -- anyone who you think might be interested.
There are cash prizes (1st Place $1000, 2nd Place $500, 3rd Place $250), and the winners plus 9 honorable mentions will be featured during a reading session at the UUMN Conference in Portland, OR, August 1 - 5, 2018.
Detailed guidelines and application form can be found at
The deadline for submissions is April 30th.
Questions can be directed to [email protected].
Many thanks,
Jed M. Levine
UUMN Director of Publications
Facilitator, 2018 Silliman Competition
CCUU…And All That Jazz
Mark your calendars for Community Church UU’s first annual Jazz Fest fundraiser. To accompany one of New Orleans favorite festivals, Jazz & Heritage Festival, in late April and early May CCUU will be offering our Unitarian Universalist friends from across the country personalized packages, which can include one or more of the following: accommodations for one or more nights or a full B&B experience, Jazz Fest tickets, transportation to/from the festival, a Jazz Fest worship service at CCUU on Sunday, May 6th (with professional musicians Evan Christopher, Roland Guerin, Cindy Scott and Brian Seeger) and a Jazz Brunch. For more info and to make your New Orleans visit a reality, please contact us at  [email protected]  and check out the Jazz Fest line-up here:  www.nojazzfest.com/   All proceeds will go toward our shared work for justice, equity and an ever-deepening spiritual life at Community Church Unitarian Universalist. 


Community Church Unitarian Universalist 
A member congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association
504-483-2918
General Assembly (GA) is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Attendees worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through democratic process. Anyone may attend; congregations must certify annually to send voting delegates.
General Assembly will be held in Kansas City, MO, June 20 – June 24. To find registration, housing, hotel information go on line to: https://www.uua.org/ga  

Theme - All Are Called
Grounded in a deep belief that we are all prophets, Unitarian Universalists ask, “How can we faithfully meet the demands of our time?” The call to witness and act for justice in our society and in the world is clear. So, too, is the call to examine our structures and practices, dismantling and transforming those which fail to recognize the full humanity of all people and to honor the interdependent web of life. Join us in Kansas City as we dive deeply into questions of mission for our Unitarian Universalist Association, for our congregations and communities, and for each of us as individuals. Together, we’ll ask:
Who and how are we called to be at this time, individually and collectively?
How are we called to act and to live?
How does our Unitarian Universalist legacy strengthen us in living out our mission? In what ways does our legacy present challenges and impediments to answering our call?
The call of our faith has a place for each of us. Join us in Kansas City to build courageous, collective leadership with tools, skills and connections. 
 
 Kansas City MO
The City of Fountains is practically overflowing with adventure. Whether it’s the scent of smoldering BBQ luring you to a plate of ribs, the sweet echo of jazz welcoming an evening of entertainment or the spray of fountains inviting you to kick off your shoes and make a splash, you’ll sense inspiration in the air – and find it along every boulevard. 
As America's most centrally located major metropolitan area, Kansas City's location is a huge advantage for travelers. In fact, more than 55 million Americans can get to Kansas City in less than a day’s drive. And flying there is even easier—as Kansas City International Airport (KCI) is just a three-hour flight away from each coast. All major U.S. air carriers serve KCI, which offers more than 400 daily flights with nonstop service to 48 destinations.

Volunteering
As a volunteer your registration fee would be waived.  You will work eighteen hours. There are volunteer opportunities in a variety of activities.  Go to the website for lots of information:

If you’d like to work with Sue Boone as an usher please contact her for more information.  

Or for any other questions feel free to contact Sue.















2018 United Faiths Walk of Peace Postponed to April 29th

Now we can all march again with people of all faiths at the 2018 United Faiths Walk of Peace on Sunday, April 29th . Join over 15 different faith groups (UUC is a sponsor) on the 2 mile walk around Dunedin, stopping at several venues for reflections on peace led by a variety of faith leaders. Meet at Pioneer Park ,  400 Main Street, Dunedin  at 2 PM and march behind the UUC banner. Wear your UUC, Standing on the Side of Love, or the 2018 United Faiths tee shirt. For more information:

UUC is represented on the Walk of Peace Tee shirt and we have several size large left.
If you would like one come to the SJ Table after services on Sunday.