Octagon Arts Center is Busy this November with Theater, a Concert and an Art Show Opening. Don't Miss Out on the Fun!
Buying tickets for Emma's Revolution is easy online - Just click HERE !!!
We are promoting this concert all over the Tampa Bay Area so don't wait.
Coming Friday, November 17th to the Octagon!

Scroll down for more info about the Photographer David Lawrence's Art Show Opening on Saturday, November 18th.
Senior Actors Guild (SAGES) is bringing a delightful and thoughtful comedy to the UUC Octagon this weekend. "Committed" follows two older professionals and their family as they navigate the treacherous waters of self-esteem, commitment, approaching retirement and change. Two performances: Saturday night at 7 and Sunday afternoon at 2. Tickets are $15.00 at the door.
E-Octagram
November 10, 2017
View from the inside!
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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


November 11th & 12th
Seniors Actors Guild presents "Committed"
Live theater in the Octagon, Saturday 7:00 pm and Sunday Matinee performance at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $15.00 at the door and $13.50 if you buy in advance in the office. Tues-Fri 9 am to 12 noon. Call 727-531-7704 for more info.

Sunday, November 12th
-- Open Issues : 9:30-10:20 am, Patio Room
Jan Shelly. "Incarcerated Women: Who are they, and what conditions do they face?"  Jan is a retired trial attorney. In her career, she reviewed prisoner lawsuits for federal judges, represented indigent clients as a public defender, and prosecuted employment discrimination as an EEOC trial attorney. She will tell us about her work and how we might make a difference for the women in the Lowell Institute in Ocala, Florida.
Service: 10:30-11:45 am, Octagon
Service Leader: Marcia Bailey, "A Gift of Love"

November 16th, Thursday: Support Group, 11:00-12:30 am, Maxwell Library
Loving, Coping with Teens and Adult Children , facilitated by Rev Patrice

November 16th, Thursday: Support Group, 3-4:00 pm, Maxwell Library
Thriving Alone , facilitated by Rev. Patrice

November 17th, Friday:
Emma's Revolution , 7:30-10:30 pm, Octagon
Tickets are still available by going to www.uuc.org

November 18th, Saturday:
Art Opening with David Lawrence Photography, 3:00-5:00 pm, Octagon
One of Florida's top photographers is showing his work through December here in the Octagon. His nature photography is off the charts amazing.

November 19th, Sunday: Humanists Meeting, 12:30-2:00 pm, Octagon
Herb Silverman , founder of the Secular Coalition for America. He was the interviewer of Richard Dawkins at their UUC appearance in 2015.

November 23rd, Thursday:
Thanksgiving Potluck UUC's annual Thanksgiving meal for all continues despite limited space from the dramatic renovation of the Social Hall. See article below in E-O for details.

Coming up: December 10th, Sunday: Special Congregational Meeting on the Budget , 12:30 - 2:00 after service in the Octagon.
Also on December 10th is the Annual Bake Sale
November 19     Herb Silverman , founder of the Secular Coalition for America. He was the interviewer of Richard Dawkins at their UUC appearance in 2015.
Welcome Luna Jade!!!!!!
Alyssa Diaz, our office administrator, gave birth to little Luna Jade on November 3rd. On the left are the proud parents with their bundle of joy.



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

November 12th, 2017

Service Leader:
Marcia Baily

"A Gift of Love"
Theme of the month:
Risk
  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 Susan Hegner and is available at 727-531-7704 ext. 5.  
Open Issues
Sunday, November 12th, 2017 
9:30-10:20 am
Patio Room
 Jan Shelly. "Incarcerated Women: Who are they, and what conditions do they face?"  Jan is a retired trial attorney. In her career, she reviewed prisoner lawsuits for federal judges, represented indigent clients as a public defender, and prosecuted employment discrimination as an EEOC trial attorney. She will tell us about her work and how we might make a difference for the women in the Lowell Institute in Ocala, 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. 
Share the Plate with the Vets
In honor of Veterans Day the Social Justice Council has selected the "HEP" Homeless Empowerment Programs. The Bruce E. Fyfe Memorial Veterans Community is our recipient. HEP West Apartment Community, a 32 unit complex for homeless veterans returning from the Afganistan and Iraq conflict. HEP West, along with Fairburn Apartments and HEP West Veterans Clubhouse comprised the veterans campus, which served 566 veterans last year alone. Remember our Veterans and donate generously. For more information go to:
Two New Pastoral Support Groups Starting in November at UUC

Thursdays, 11:00-12:30 , Maxwell Library
Loving and Coping with Adult Children and Older Teens
Do you have older teens (17 and older) and/or adult children in your life who are struggling to make their way through life? Support Group Facilitator: Rev. Patrice
Dates: November 9, 16, December 14 and 21.

Thursdays, 3:00-4:00 pm, Maxwell Library
Handling the Holidays
Does the holiday season present an emotionally fraught time for you? Do you experience heightened levels of stress, depression, anxiety? This class will explore spiritual practices that can help ease your way through this time of year. Facilitator: Rev Patrice.
Dates: Nov 9, 16, 30 and Dec 14 and 21.
Special Congregational meeting on the budget December 10th,12:30 pm after service. This is the same Sunday as the Bake Sale. So people can attend the service, the bake sale and the meeting. Fun for all!!!
Pathways to Membership meetings,

ALL ABOUT UUC:  November 19, 12:15pm. at the Octagon following the morning service. 
Joining UUC:  November 19, 12:30pm. at the Octagon. 

New Member Sunday 12/10, New Member Celebration during the Sunday morning service. 

Any additional questions, please ask, mary thornton,   [email protected] , or  727 796 5638


Jungle Jay's Weedon Island Programs to benefit UUC -- can you help?

Jay is doing two programs -- Nov 25th and Nov 26th at Weedon Island and the proceeds are going to UUC. While we are sending people to our website to buy tickets in advance, we need someone to help Jay collect money the day of. This is a great opportunity to attend these amazing explorations of our Indigenous Florida predecessors.
Please call Jay (727-448-3172 if you can help out. Or email Carol Kay at [email protected]
For more info about the event:
Photo by David Lawrence - Art Show Opening November 18th...
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The Photography of
David Lawrence

From large scale panoramas to detailed macro views, David Lawrence is a photographer who appeals to all. He has travelled the world taking amazing photos in every setting, including extensive work in Florida. Not to be missed!
Art Show Opening is Saturday, November 18th from 3:00-5:00 pm in the Octagon. The Show runs through December.
Childcare will be available in Spirit Space during the concert for
kids 4 to 8.
One Week Left to Get Tickets!
Click HERE to buy tickets in advance.
Tickets are $18.00 in advance and $22.00 at the door. Don't wait, reserve your seats now!


November 17th, Friday in the Octagon at 7:30 pm
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. 
Next Exhale
Wednesday, Dec 13th
A Gathering for Sitting and Moving Mindfulness.
From 6-6:45 in the Octagon. Hold the second Wednesday of each month open for some quiet moments of mindfulness and connection.
Successful Annual Assembly Update and More
UUC had a good turnout on October 23rd for FAST's huge Annual Assembly--to those of you who were able to attend, thank you for showing up despite the rainy weather! 
Here are the issues FAST will work on this year:   continued efforts to expand civil citations; affordable housing funding;   and  youth concerns . Just what that last category entails will be determined in the committee meetings.

Are you interested in being on one of the three committees:  doing research,   making decisions,   presenting findings to elected officials? The committees will be forming in at the Research Kick off on November 13 th at 6:45 at the First United Methodist Church, 212 3 rd Ave. N, St. Petersburg . If you want to get involved, let one of the team leaders know or sign up at the Social Justice table in the Social Hall.

There was press coverage in the Times and on WTSP on the Assembly and there was an article in Sunday’s Tampa Bay Times about the successes of civil citations in reducing youth arrests and repeat offenses. FAST can claim a large chunk of the credit for this development. What we do, whether we witness justice by attending the Rally and the Nehemiah or are more actively involved, makes a huge difference in Pinellas County.  

The next big meeting, the RALLY, will be on Monday February 26 @ 7 PM, where we learn the results of the issue research and get ready for the Nehemiah Action, scheduled early this year on Monday, March 19th.  Please mark your calendars. We need you!

FAST Team Leaders: Theo Betjemann, Gretchen Craig and Linda Stoller
UUC at Circus McGurkis Nov 11th. We Need Volunteers to Talk about UU!
UUC will be having a table at Circus McGurkis this year and we are looking for volunteers to help out at the table and talk about UUC to the people attending the festival. We will have brochures and activities on our table. This is a family friendly festival and a great opportunity to promote UUC as a whole (not just the RE program) to the greater community. I

Here is some more information about the festival. Please have interested volunteers contact Christine at  [email protected] or call the front office. I will have a sign up sheet on Sunday as well.


The Mitten Tree 2017
The Mitten Tree is a UUC tradition which fulfills the holiday wishes of 40 children from The Shepherd Center. Many of the children are homeless, about to become homeless or have parents who have lost their jobs or are ill. In most cases, these are the only gifts they will receive on Christmas morning.
Paper mittens are made and decorated by our RE children. A child's name and wish, along with an ID number, is taped to the back of each mitten. The mittens are then hung on the holiday tree in the UUC narthex. From November 26th through December 3, you may select a mitten from the tree. Record your name and telephone number on the sign-up sheet on the table next to the tree. Then you get the fun of shopping for and purchasing the “wishes!” Please place the unwrapped gifts in large plastic bag, with the mitten attached, back in the narthex by December 10th. Donations of wrapping paper, tape, tags and ribbon are greatly appreciated! Parents will wrap the items.
Please visit the UUC Narthex and select a mitten from the tree.   This is a perfect opportunity for your covenant group or committee to work together, too! We thank you again for your support of the children and this wonderful program. Amy Lewis (919-622-7103)
Bring in Your Medicine Bottles for the Clearwater Free Clinic

UUC has always reached out to many in our Community who are in need of help.The Clearwater Free Clinic is in need of our used pill bottles to provide medicine for their clients. This is a project that will be simple, easy and extremely important. Please remove all labels and rinse bottles in soapy water. Look for the “Pill Bottle Box” in the narthex
What's Happening at UUC
Thanksgiving Dinner/'Picnic' - 
Thursday, November 23, 2017 1:30-3:30 Social Hall

UUC's annual Thanksgiving meal for all continues despite limited space from the dramatic renovation of the Social Hall. Think of it as a Thanksgiving Picnic! We ask you to bring your own tableware and beverage to minimize set-up and clean-up. There is no kitchen. Crock pots provide the only heating, so bring hot dishes in crock pots or as piping hot as possible.    Seating is limited to 60.  Please signup early for your food to share and reserve your space by going to:  www.perfectpotluck.com , Coordinator: TastyTurkey, Password: 2258.  You can also sign up in the Social Hall after services or contact Mary Currey at  [email protected]  or cell/text: 916/671-6487 . Extra help is needed for set-up and clean-up. Love offering will be shared 50/50 with the Food Bank. 
Saturday Night and Sunday Matinee in the Octagon Arts Center! Tickets available at the UUC office or at the door.
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. 
--Fourth Friday in the Food Forest, November 24th, 6:00-9:00 pm, Gazebo
Join Jay Hardman and explore, learn and share the bounty. Families are welcome, bring food for a potluck.

-- Humanists Activities Coming Up
A note from Bill Norsworthy...
  Professor Anthony Brunello’s talk yesterday was excellent and well received by all who heard it. The topic was the politicization of religion. If you would like a copy of the talk and the bibliography of sources referenced, please reply to this email and I will forward them to you.
 Upcoming events for our group include the following:
 
November 19     Herb Silverman , founder of the Secular Coalition for America. He was the interviewer of Richard Dawkins at their UUC appearance in 2015.
 
December 9      WinterFest – our celebration of the Winter Solstice. We join with other Tampa Bay area freethought groups for dinner and entertainment as we look forward to the shortest day of the year. This will be held at UUC in the Social Hall.
 
Please make note of these events. I hope to see you at all of them.

Bill Norsworthy
Co-Facilitator
Adult Religious Enrichment Presents
Readers Forum...
Readers Forum
November 3rd. 10:30 am, Chorale Rm.

We finish Evicted on Nov3. Our next 2 books are Improbable Destinies by Jonathan Losos (11/10,11/17) and Origin by Dan Brown (Dec.1,Dec.8). We won't meet Nov.24. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
FOOTNOTES FROM THE LIBRARY:

We have in our collection the first of a series of volumes "Humanist Voices in Unitarian Universalism".

Here is what Amazon has to say:

"In this highly anticipated collection, Unitarian Universalist Humanists present their faith perspectives in 23 engaging and thought-provoking essays. The contributors, both lay and ordained, demonstrate why Humanism has been one of the bedrock theologies of Unitarian Universalism for the last hundred years. They reflect on what it means to be a religious Humanist today and how they see the movement evolving in the twenty-first century. They explore Humanist history, beliefs, approach to life, social justice, community, and religious education. Together, these voices proclaim a passionate affirmation of a rich and dynamic tradition within Unitarian Universalism."

There are five additional volumes in this series which we will soon add to our collection.



Thanks,
Bruce

P.S. When committees or individuals use the library, please clean up, move the furniture back to where it belongs and remove any materials that you have used. Thanks! BG



Suggestions for additions to the library are encouraged. Please email  [email protected] .

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.

You can reach me at  [email protected]  for comments, suggestions or criticisms.

Happy reading!
Beyond UUC...
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.