MAY 2023

Our Mission Statement

As a welcoming congregation, we work and worship together to become people of open minds, loving hearts, and helping hands. We honor the transformative power of love in our individual lives and broader communities.

Beloveds,

As most of you know, I will be taking a mini-sabbatical from mid-May till mid-June of this year. A sabbatical is a regular practice in ministry and is even required by the UUA to make the role of minister more sustainable. Generally, ministers earn one month of sabbatical for every year served, and I’ve been serving UUFS since July1, 2006, and have taken only one 4 month sabbatical. Usually, it has been my practice to only take vacation days and study leave. As part of my effort to prepare all of us for my eventual retirement, I decided to rethink the need for really letting go. As you know, even when I’m at General Assembly, ministers’ meetings, or on study leave, I’m almost always available for meetings, phone calls and more. Ministers typically take sabbatical to rest, recharge, and get re-inspired. Some ministers do nothing during this time, others study something specific, some travel – it depends on what the minister feels will most enhance their ministry.

Greg and I have rented a flat in London and will be living and learning there. We are fortunate to have wonderful lay leaders who can be available to meet pastoral care needs and more. Our Pastoral Care Associate Shari Barr and any of our board members can connect you with folks who can assist you with questions or needs during my absence. Our program planners will have wonderful programs, as usual. Fortunately, our entire congregation has been wonderful for stepping up when a need is expressed. I may be your professional minister, but we truly have a shared ministry. I will be returning in June and traveling to Pittsburgh to represent you at this year’s General Assembly. I will be with you May 14 and will not be returning to the pulpit until our Ingathering service, the second Sunday in August. However, you may just see me at one of the summer services, perhaps with my lovely great grandchildren, Alayna and Alec!

Peace, Love, and Joy!

Jane

For information about our in-person service please see our Covid guidelines below. Or, if you prefer to attend online, the service will be offered at this zoom link: https://uuma.zoom.us/j/5915836890.

May 7

"Being a Super Human When You Aren't Superhuman"

Clint Tawes

As Unitarian Universalists, we are called to be agents of change. As human beings, however, we find that we can't fix all the problems in the world. How do we reconcile our passion for justice with our human limitations?

May 14

"Ask Mama Jane"

Rev. Jane Page

Celebrate Mother's Day at UUFS where "Mama Jane" will attempt to answer any questions you put in the Question Box! Always an interesting message, this will also be a day for us to honor our Mothers and others who have nurtured us. Additionally, this will be Rev. Jane's last Sunday with us before she leaves for her mini-sabbatical and summer study Leave.

May 21

"Living Untethered"

Alicia Barnes

Alicia will be sharing "Michael A. Singer’s Techniques on letting go and surrendering to happiness." Michael has written three New York Times best sellers: The Untethered Soul, The Surrender Experiment, and Living Untethered.

May 28

"Who Mothers You?"

Shari Barr

As competent adults, have we outgrown the need to be mothered? If not, from whence cometh that support? Have you experienced a Feminine Divine? Let's explore.

NOTE: The county Covid risk level is subject to change.

Our small group gatherings for fun and fellowship.

From Barb Hendry

On April 22, our Fellowship Circle enjoyed seeing an exhibit at the Rosengart Gallery entitled "Lines Through Time: Interpreting Family History Through Art." Rebecca got special permission to open the gallery for us on a Saturday. Then we had lunch at Luetta Moore Park where, inspired by the exhibit theme, most of us shared stories about special objects. Mike and Rebecca showed us favorite pieces of art, Greg and Barb told us about art/craft pieces that reminded them of their experiences living abroad, Betsy and Jim showed us books they had each written about their family histories, and Sandra told a story about an heirloom from her aunt. We learned more about each others' pasts and interests through this fun activity. Paul and Neil also attended. We will meet again for lunch on May 13.

From Dee Liston

Jessica, Brenda, Inge, Leon, Relinda, and Dee gathered for Gumbo and jazz at the Spencer's home! We had a great evening of fellowship, sharing our trials and triumphs in reconstructing and replicating old family recipes (just how much is a block of cheese or a box of powdered sugar?) Getting to know one another in these cozy, informal settings at one another's homes has been a great joy.

From Adrienne Cohen

Adrienne, Michael, Kathy, Larry and Sharon gathered at the Botanical Gardens just after the last day of the garden sale. We met under the pagoda at the garden. It was a lovely spot and a great opportunity to enjoy the start of spring. We discussed our visions for the fellowship in the future and all the assets and strengths we currently have to move us toward that vision.

From Martha Hughes

The theme of our Fellowship Circle this month was definitely food! The Thompsons minus John

(Abby, Mason, and Amelia), Anna Blackwell, Janice Cawthorn, Alicia Barnes, Evelyn Winn, and

Martha Hughes met at the home of Teresa Winn for a snack potluck that included a charcuterie

board, fresh fruit and nuts, cheese dip and chips, brownies, and to top it all off, Haagen-Daz ice

cream bars. We ended the feast in the backyard by sitting around Teresa’s conversation pit in

her new Adirondack chairs and watching the white clouds roll by. All in all, it was the best

Sunday afternoon I have had in a long time, with good food and good friends. Thank you for

hosting, Teresa!

Jim Crandall loved hosting a movie night for his friends at his and Peter’s home.

Rev. Jane spent a lot of time with him in the days before he died, and he shared with her that he would like for her

to somehow continue this tradition.

Our Jim Crandall movie nights will resume in the fall.

If you have a suggestion for inclusion, please send it to Jane at [email protected].

The Month of May is Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month

May 15th—International Day of Families

May 17th—International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

May 21st—World Day for Cultural Diversity

May 22nd—World Day for Biological Diversity

May 29th—International Day of Peacekeepers

May 29th—Remembrance of Suicide Victims and Families

Dr. Karen R. Lambie

Social Justice Team Leader

NEW!!!

This is now available on the UUFS website on the HOME page and THIS MONTH'S SERVICES page.

Buddhism 101: Word of the Buddha

Fridays 9:00 to 10:30 am

February 25 – June 2, 2023

MindBody Center at UUFS

This series of eight classes is designed to deepen our inquiry into the Buddha’s teachings on waking up. Through dharma lecture, discussion, and practice, each session elucidates a section of the mala that corresponds with the Daily Recitation at Anattasati Magga (ASM) sangha in Asheville, NC.

Visit the ASM website to download a free copy of the Daily Recitation:

https://anattasatimagga.org/wp-content/uploads/daily-recitation-3-16-21.pdf

or to purchase a mala with beads corresponding to the teachings:

https://anattasatimagga.org/resources/practice-supplies/mala/

Each class begins with reading aloud the Daily Recitation, followed by 25 minutes of silent meditation. After a brief break, the teachings are offered every other Friday, starting Feb. 25, as follows:

Class 1: The Three Treasures

Class 2: The Four Noble Truths

Class 3: The Three Characteristics of Existence

Class 4: The Heart Sutra (concise)

Class 5: The Eight-Fold Path

Class 6: The Three Pure and the Ten Great Precepts

Class 7: The Paramitas

Class 8: An Auspicious Day

The course is offered by Laura Milner on a donation basis. She is a lay minister at Anattasati Magga sangha in Asheville, NC, and guide for Statesboro Zen since 2014.

Contact her for details at [email protected]

MindBody Center Yoga

now has more In-Person Yoga classes.

See Covid precautions below.

Tuesday, 9:30-11:00 am Iyengar Yoga with Inge

Wednesday, 8:00-9:00 am Yoga for the Spine with Lynn Geddes

Wednesday 9:30-10:30 am All Levels Yoga with Fred

Thursday, 9:30-11:00 am Ease into Iyengar Yoga with Inge

For Fred’s and Inge's classes register with this link:

https://app.punchpass.com/org/14237/classes/

For Lynn’s classes email her at [email protected]

Covid Precautions: We are still observing some Covid restrictions and limit our classes to 7 participants. To attend you must be vaccinated, be symptom-free, and observe social distancing. Mask wearing is optional.

Reduced fee for Newcomers to MindBody Center: $30 for 4 classes

For more information on our yoga classes click this link: www.mindbodycenteryoga.com

For more information on Fascia Fitness Training click this link: https://fasciatrainingacademy.com/6-fascial-fitness-training-principles/

Inge Spencer

Iyengar Certified Instructor

MindBody Center Yoga

912 596-3322 (call or text)

mindbodycenteryoga.com

For more information on our classes and instructors go to www.mindbodycenteryoga.com

or call or text Inge at 912-596-3322