Sun Nov 10 @ 4:00pm: Ministerial Installation!!

A gala and jazzin' installation service is planned for 4:00p on Sun Nov 10 to install CUC's sixth settled senior minister.

The act of installation can be performed only by the members of a congregation -- so please plan to attend.

A cast of thousands (well, it might seem like it) will feature a sermon from Rev. James Ford of First Unitarian Church of Providence, RI, a charge to the minister from Rev. Sam Trumbore of First UU Socieity of Albany, and a charge to the congregation from Rev. Renee Ruchotzke, Regional Consultant for Leadership Development at CERG (Central-East Regional Group of the UUA). A scrumptious and bountiful reception will follow.

Mission Team's A-Draftin'


As I type this, the talented and wise trio, Mary Cavallero, Joe Majsak, and Randy Marshall, are ruminating on the comments and input from CUC members at meetings last year and through 15 house meetings this fall. They plan to meet this evening (Fri Nov 8) to produce a draft or two. They will be aiming to satisfy three criteria for a meaningful mission statement:

1. Brief and memorable. Preferably, the mission is expressible in a 3-word phrase that serves as a mnemonic for a longer -- but not too much longer -- mission statement.

2. Directive. The mission gives direction to both (a) the members, as to what sort of spiritual work CUC is all about, and (b) the Board and Program Council, as to what sort of programs to begin developing -- and what sort to stop.

3. Representative. The mission represents as many as possible of the hopes and yearnings expressed at the House Meetings and throughout the year-long process of CUC's mission inquiry. 

Whatever they come up with will be emailed out to the congregation for your consideration. Stay tuned to your inboxes!

Next Step: First Congregational Meeting on Mission: Sun Nov 24

During the last part of the service we'll break into small groups to discuss the draft(s) presented by the Mission Team. Following the small-group break-out discussion, suggestions for changes may be proposed from the floor. Any suggestion that gets seconded will go on a list of proposed amendments. We will need to vote on a procedural matter: what shall be the minimum percentage of the vote in favor of a new mission required for the congregation to adopt it? I recommend that we set the bar at 80%.

Last (maybe!) Step: Second Congregational Meeting on Mission: Sun Dec 8

At this second congregational meeting, each of the proposed amendments will be voted in or out. We'll arrive at a final version of a mission -- and vote to accept it or not.

If a mission statement is approved by the margin decided at the first meeting, then, by the end of the day on Sun Dec 8, CUC will have its new mission!
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Sun Nov 10 @ 10:00am: "Democracy and the Meaning of Life"

It's all about what we participate in with others, finding our power in processes in which others find theirs.

See you Sunday!
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Buddhist Voices in Unitarian Universalism

Both the seven principles and the six sources of Unitarian Universalism affirm and encourage Unitarian Universalists in exploring world faith traditions while maintaining their UU identity. This book brings together for the first time the voices of UUs who have become Buddhists while not sacrificing that identity, and Buddhists who have found in Unitarian Universalism a spiritual home where they can sustain a practice and join in an activist religious community that accepts and encourages who they are. Also included is an exploration of how American Buddhism has been influenced by Unitarian Universalism and how UU congregations are being changed by Buddhist practice. This new anthology includes essays by James Ford, Sam Trumbore, and Meredith Garmon.

To order your copy, click here or here.


Thanks to Ingrid Hartmann and Astrid Rogers for making it Dorry's Diner on Tue Nov 5 evening to be with me as we considered the question, for which current activities will future generations harshly judge us?


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As always, we know you have choices when you worship, and we thank you for flying Unitarian Universalist!

Faithfully,

Rev. Meredith Garmon
Minister
"C.U.C. Matters"

Meredith's draft of a general vision and plan for C.U.C. Click here.
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"The Liberal Pulpit"

Meredith's sermons and other reflections. Click here.
"Basement Zendo"

You're welcome to sit with, and hear Zen talks by, Meredith at the Basement Zendo in the Parsonage. For info, click here.
FACEBOOK

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1. Click "Like."
2. Hover mouse over "Liked" button (without clicking). A menu will pop up.
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TWITTER

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