 | |
Each year, our church renews itself through our Annual Stewardship Drive. This year our theme is “Charting a New Course Together”.
We’ve weathered some turbulent times in 2024, but our UUCT community remains vital, engaged, and excited about the future. Despite challenges, we have grown our membership, shared stimulating and meaningful services, and worked together to communicate effectively. In short, we are charting a new course as we learn to listen and respond to each other as individuals and as a congregation.
As we return from our summer respite and embrace the business of the fall, we at UUCT are asking each member and potential member to reflect on the place of this faith community and consider your financial contribution. Our yearly pledge enables us to plan effectively and move forward as a congregation together. Please consider renewing your pledge and, if possible, increasing your contribution.
“Charting a New Course Together” will kick off on Sunday, October 6, 2024. We are asking you to make a generous pledge again this year, if you can.
Our Stewardship Campaign allows us to plan for the coming year, both to sustain our operations and to continue to embrace our mission and vision. The Board and the Stewardship Committee have set a Pledge Goal for 2025 of $130,000. Now, through both the Stewardship Drive and our continuing activities, we will “Chart a New Course Together.”
Your 2025 Stewardship Team,
Lynn Parrish and Pat Benedict Co-Chairs
Ed Benedict, Fran Davin and Kim Robe, Candy Gale
| |
|
Sunday Services for October.
Our Theme will be
| |
|
Sunday, October 6, 2024
Service at 10:30 am
Guest Speaker - Rev Bob Murphy
"Harvest Season and the Unitarian Universalists"
The harvest season has arrived. Our congregation brings individuals together to express gratitude and to work for the good of the whole community. Support for our congregation is needed. Rev. Bob Murphy will explain.
| |
|
Sunday, October 13, 2024
Service at 10:30 am
Guest Speaker - Rev. Charles McKenzie
"The Eternal Moment of Now"
A message centered around the arbitrary nature of time as humans perceive it, and the purpose for such in a relative realm.
| |
|
Sunday, October 20, 2024
Service at 10:30 am
Guest Speaker - Bill Payton
"Finding a Purpose"
Bill describes himself as an ordinary guy, going through the passages of his life. He says he has lived an ordinary life including military service, college, career, raising a family and retirement. Having journeyed through those phases of life, he ponders his purpose now. Bill currently serves as the President of the Board of the Unitarian Universalists of Sarasota and has served in numerous other leadership positions at church. While attending a high school reunion in Akron he became reacquainted with a high school classmate, Mary Fran Raynault. Bill and Mary Fran are now life companions and moved to Sarasota in December of 2010. He became both a UU and a member of this congregation in January of 2011 and has been active on several committees. When he got out of the Marine Corps, he swore he would never hike or camp again. Well, all of these years later, Bill has hiked in many of the southwestern states, in fact, he has hiked the Grand Canyon nine different times, spending approximately 45 days and nights in the canyon. He never carried a tent, instead sleeping on a tarp under the stars. Additionally, he has spent an estimated six months camping south of the border in Mexico, always without benefit of a tent. In that time, he has experienced hail, snow, monsoon rains, a tarantula, a scorpion, coyotes, and has been at the wrong end of gunpoint twice. While at the University of Missouri, he led several student backpacking trips and says he always found the students delightfully immature.
| |
|
Sunday, October 27, 2024
Service at 10:30 am
Guest Speaker - Rev Charles McKenzie
"The Opposite of Fear"
A message centered around the difference between the nature of fear which is to contract, while the nature of love is to expand.
On the last Sunday of the month, following this service: Conversations with The Board. Members of the Board of Trustees will be present for conversation after church today from 11:45 to 12 p.m. The purpose is to open communication and share ideas. Come with questions and ideas but always with an open mind.
| |
CIW-CUUPs & the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa Present:
2024 Witches Masquerade Ball: Witches of the Past
CIW-CUUPs and the UUCT community have organized this event to celebrate Samhain, honor our ancestors, and raise funds for the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa (UUCT).
When:
Saturday, October 26, 2024 @ 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM;
with a vendor fair from 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Address:
Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa
11400 Morris Bridge Rd,
Tampa, FL 33637
Family Friendly:
This is a FAMILY FRIENDLY event. Please note that childcare will not be provided.
Parking:
Free parking is available. In case the church parking lot is full, you may park at the Seahawk or Harmony Terrace properties (both adjacent to the church). Handicapped parking is available.
Admission:
$20 for adults
$10 for ages 5-12
Free for children under 5
For family packages (families of 5 or more), please contact Ruth Morris @ (813) 810-6269.
Dress Code:
Costumes reflecting witches from the past are encouraged. Please refrain from wearing full-face coverings. For safety reasons, nose/mouth coverings (such as healthcare masks) are acceptable.
Dinner:
A dinner is included in the admission price. It will consist of stew (meat or vegetarian), rolls (including options for vegans and gluten-free), and a drink.
Water, soda, and tea will be available (one included with dinner, more available with additional suggested donation). Adult beverages will be available for an additional donation.
Entertainment:
Live DJ
Belly Dancer — Oriana Brooks
Activities:
Tarot readers
Games & Activities for Kids
Ancestor Honoring Ritual
Dance Floor
Photo Booth With Props
Witches Attic
Book Store
Sweet Shop
Smoking:
Indoor smoking is prohibited, but a designated outdoor area will be available.
| |
|
Board News
Autumn Greetings from the Board!!! The Fall Equinox has passed and as our days become longer, we hope sincerely that the temperature will cool so we can fully enjoy all the fun outdoor activities!
The Board of Trustees has hit the ground running and is addressing all the needful with a quickness! So, stay tuned for updates on committees and projects that you may want to jump into to support!
We have a Big fundraiser coming up this month on October the 26th 2024 which begins outside with a Free Day Market from Noon to 5pm and then we enter the Dome 5pm – 11pm for Fun, Feasting and Entertainment all for the very low Price of $20 for Adults, Kids 5-12 $10, and Family Packages available! Simply call Ruth Morris at (813) 810-6269 If you need the Family Package or any special accommodations.
Those of you that would like to donate books and items to sell in our Book Store during the event or if you would like to bake goods for our Sweet Shop, you may also phone Ruth Morris or Send an email to CUUPS Council at CUUPS@uutampa.org. CUUPS is Celebrating 32 Years while UUCT is Celebrating 70 Years of Excellent Service to our Community and All Proceeds stay right here at UUCT for the support of all the Wonderful Programs we have come to enjoy! So, bring your family and friends as we enjoy The 2024 Witches Masquerade Ball at 11400 Morris Bridge Road Tampa, Florida 33637.
Robin Rodriguez, UUCT Board Member; bot@uutampa.org
| | | |
|
Small Group Ministries Have Openings
Are you new to UUCT, or want to deepen your connection? One of the most rewarding ways to do that is to join a small group ministry. SGM's meet in-person and/or on Zoom, monthly from October through June.
- Magnolias (women's group): 7-8:30 p.m. on the first Monday
-
Mangroves (men's group): 7-9 p.m. on the last Wednesday of the month or join us for an informal lunch about 2 weeks after our formal meeting.
- Elms: noon-2 p.m. on the first Thursday
Don't see a convenient time listed? Why not start a new group? Facilitator training, support, and materials are readily available.
For more information, click here: https://uutampa.org/get-involved/small-group-ministries/
or contact Karen Zindell at SGMcoordinator@uutampa.org.
Note: If you do not receive a response within 72 hours, please reach out to Karen Zindell directly.
| | | |
|
Friday, October 18- Potluck Dinner @ 6:30 pm
and Game Night @ 7:30 pm
The fun starts at 6:30. Come join us for conversation and great food. Everyone is invited, members or not, and you’re invited to bring friends if you’d like. It’s a great way to get to know people.
After the conversation and good food, there’s game night if you’re into that kind of thing. You’re invited to bring a game or participate in the ones that we already have. The games start at approximately 7:30 after we have eaten and cleaned up.
| | | |
|
|
|
Meeting randomly
Random Acts of Kindness Group
The group members each donate $10 per month, and then one lucky member gets to give it away to a worthy cause or an unsuspecting individual.
Text Kim McDonald 813.380.2628
| | | |
|
|
|
2nd Monday of the Month!
Monday Night mUUsic
October 14; 7:30 pm
Grab your instrument, or just bring your voice and get ready.
Once a month we will gather for song and music. Join Us for a fun sing-a-long.
| | | |
|
|
|
Tuesday
Mindfulness Meditation Group
6:30 pm -7:30 pm
- weekly - In the large dome or on zoom
Zoom Link (new 2024 link)
Meeting ID: 811 3060 4729; Passcode: 632102
| | | |
|
|
|
Wednesday
Choir Rehearsals
6:30 pm - 7:45 pm
Contact person: James Hemphill,
choir@uutampa.org
| | | |
|
|
|
4th Thursday of the month
A Women’s Drum Circle
October 24; 12:30 pm
Our UUCT drum circle will also promote community by starting at 12:30pm with a bring-your-own brown bag luncheon and, of course, checking in with our sisters for fun and support.
| | | |
|
|
|
First Friday of the month
Vegan Potluck & Karaoke!
Friday, October 4
6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
New to our monthly calendar. give this new event a try. Bring a vegan dish to share and your best singing voice!
The Chins 941.822.2947
| | | |
|
|
|
3rd Friday of the month
October 18
Potluck Dinner @ 6:30 pm
and
Game Night @ 7:30 pm
Come and enjoy good conversations, good food, and games.
| | | |
|
Care Committee at: CareTeam@uutampa.org
Team members can provide you with support during/after an illness, a death in the family, or other loss or hardship. Use the email address to keep us up to date.
| | | |
|
|
|
2nd Saturday of the month
Buildings and Grounds
Clean-Up Day
Saturday, October 12; 9:00 am - noon
Help us once a month with the small jobs that keep the UUCT buildings and ground looking good.
Trevor Chin uuctgrounds@uutampa.org
| | | |
|
|
|
4th Saturday of the month
UUCT Women's Book Club
Saturday, October 26 @ 3:00 pm
click here: Zoom meeting link
Meeting ID: 865 9887 3568 - Passcode: bookclub
For more information please contact Evelyn Cape at handlady@gmail.com happy reading.
| | | |
|
Religious Exploration
We will be exploring October's theme of Living Love through the Practice of Deep Listening this month. While our new Committee Chair, Judy Lane, and RE Coordinator Aileen Habal settle into their new positions, the committee is doing some Deep Listening to explore how RE can be most enriching, and best meet the needs of our children and families. You can enhance our program by volunteering to help out. Talk to Aileen (pronounced I-leen), Judy, or email re@uutampa.org . If you do not receive a response within 72 hours, please reach out to one of us directly.
RE for Children and Youth RE is excited to provide weekly sessions for children aged 5 to 12 years of age, in the multi-purpose building starting at 10:30 am.
Families who have not yet registered and would like to participate are asked to complete the attached form.
RE Registration Form - Once completed you can scan it in an email to re@uutampa.org or bring it to Church and give it to Aileen.
RE Teen Group meets next on October 13th. RE Teen group is a safe place for individuals ages 13-19 to be educated and empowered in the Unitarian Universalist traditions of inclusiveness and compassion. Michelle Stover, a high school teacher, and Beth Brownell, a clinical therapist, will be leading the program.
Wiggle Room (Right next to the Minister’s Office)
Families with children up to 4 years old are welcome to visit the Wiggle Room. It is stocked with toys, rocking chairs, and a changing table. It is a welcoming space to quiet a restless child during worship and still be able to hear the service. As our collection of volunteers increases, it may be possible to staff the Wiggle Room once again.
Soulful Home: If you can't make it to a live RE session (or even if you can) you may want to engage with the monthly theme by accessing a packet of materials at home. The packets include stories, games, discussion topics, action invitations, craft ideas, and links for further family exploration.
For more information, contact the RE Committee: re@uutampa.org
Note: If you do not receive a response within 72 hours, please reach out to Karen Zindell directly.
" Listening is where love begins." ~ Mr. Rogers
| | | |
**If you see this message at the bottom of the document -- 'view entire message' -- you must click on the link to view the clipped content.**
| |
|
Healthy Relations Team
Upset by something you saw or heard in church? Unsure how to disagree without being disagreeable? Did you know that there is a Healthy Relations Team ready to help?
The Healthy Relations Team (HRT) provides education about conflict resolution and helps congregants solve conflicts themselves. Members of the team have been trained in both Restorative Circles and Nonviolent Communication processes. Restorative Circles teaches the use of reflective listening skills to reach new solutions to problems. Nonviolent Communication encourages individuals to express themselves honestly and to listen to others with empathy. If you would like to learn more about these communication processes or think you might need assistance from HRT, please contact one of our team members: Ed Benedict, Lindi Budd, Nancy Wileden, Mary Wolgemuth (chair) or Karen Zindell.
To read past Domelight articles about actions that block empathy, click here.
| | | |
|
Hillsborough Organization for Progress and Equality (HOPE) News
HOPE's Annual Listening Process, including UUCT's HOPE Justice Ministry Listening Meetings, to deepen our relationships with each other, receive updates on current Hillsborough County issues, and to share what concerns each of us have with the greater community, will conclude October 7th with our church hosting this year's Annual Teams Assembly in our MPB (6:30 p.m. start time). Team Leaders from throughout HOPE member congregations will join together that evening to prepare for the Annual HOPE Convention (details below) later this month. As of this writing, our church has a total of 10 Justice Ministry Network members, including Candy and me, although more may have subsequently joined us (please check my latest Weekly Blast article for updates).
In case you missed it in our 9/27 Weekly Blast, the Final Public Hearing and BOCC Vote on the FY 2025 Budget on September 19th ended with a 4 to 3 vote to Approve a Substitute Motion by Commissioner Myers to retain $2 million of the AH Fund for the county's AH Department's 2025 Budget; the other $8 million is to be used for other purposes, including roads and sidewalk repair. The original Motion by Commissioner Wostal would have removed the entire $10 million from AH to be used for other purposes!
Please note the first Major HOPE Event: Annual HOPE Convention on October 28th, 7:00 pm at Hyde Park United Methodist Church, 500 W Platt St, Tampa, FL 33606
Other upcoming events:
DART Research-to-Action Advanced Leader Training: Wed. 11/6 (1 pm) – Fri. 11/8 (noon),
Orlando; Register by Oct. 14.
HOPE local Research-to-Action Kick-Off: Monday, Nov. 25, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm, Location
TBD/TBA.
For more information, please contact Robert Boileau or Candy Gale, or kaitlyn@hillsboroughhope.org or jasmine@hillsboroughhope.org
In Community and Justice,
Robert Boileau, UUCT-HOPE Team Co-Lead with Candy Gale
| | | | | |  | | | | |
