September News from UUFS

September 2022

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.

Exploring Our Shared

UU Values

When Greg and I were at General Assembly this past June, we got a preview into the work of the UUA Commission that was formed to propose changes to Article 2 of our UUA Bylaws. This is the section that contains our principles, sources, and purposes.

Indeed, it provides a covenant we all agree to when our congregations join the UUA. At General Assembly (GA) 2017, held in New Orleans, there was discussion of amending the Principles to add an 8th Principle, addressing racism, and an amended 1st Principle, addressing non-human life. Additionally the 5th Principle was the subject of a report in 2009, which dealt with the ways in which GA and other Unitarian Universalist (UU) gatherings do and don’t embody an inclusive democratic process. The 7th Principle has also been the subject of discussions about possible amendments.

There have been many projects, resolutions, task forces and other strategies that have come from the Board, Commission on Appraisal and grassroots groups which encourage us to look at our principles, purposes, bylaws and rules. It was way past time for us to do a review and make changes so that we are living into the Unitarian Universalism of the future; a Unitarian Universalism that holds us in times of great need and ethical, moral and spiritual crises. We are in one of those times now.

In response to those discussions, the UUA Board committed to establishing this Article II Study Commission to consider possible amendments to this Article. With the advice of counsel, the Article II Study Commission, having been fully seated and convened in the Fall of 2020, will conduct it's study through the Fall of 2022 and present its recommendations to the Board of Trustees no later than January 2023, which will then be placed on the 2023 General Assembly Business Agenda for the first vote.

So they are continuing to study this. And there will be votes – at the 2023 General Assembly and two following that before it becomes official. Though they have been studying for two years and have surveyed and talked with UUs all over the Association to get to this point, what I am sharing and exploring with you this fall is definitely a DRAFT of their work so far. At this point, they are organizing around shared UU Values – and then writing statements of covenant that support those values.

They surveyed over a 1000 UUs and did lots of interviews with groups – and – with the help of such things as word clouds and other computer analyses, they identified SEVEN shared values of UUs. They gave no particular order for these – but Love was in the Center.

SO – I decided for my fall theme to explore these with you. Each of the Sundays that I’m with you, I’ll explore a different value. We will look at how we live these values in our lives, with a special emphasis on how we live these values in our congregation and what we might covenant to do together as a result of this shared value. Of course, I placed GENEROSITY on our Stewardship Sunday kickoff on September 11.

You can find out more about the services this month in the article about our programs in this newsletter. I hope we can all gain some renewed energy and enthusiasm as we move into our new program year! Yes, COVID continues – but SO DO WE!!

Peace, Joy, and Love,

Jane

September 4

"If You Knew Me Then…”

Clint Tawes

Clint discusses how the person he was 10 or 20 years ago isn't the person he is today. The same can be said about all of us, and this is okay. Intelligent beings evolve over time. It is important to recognize how we have changed, but also to acknowledge that we are still an unfinished work with many more changes to come.

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.

September 11

"Generosity”

Rev. Jane Page

Generosity will be our kickoff for our stewardship campaign. Because we value generosity, what do we DO as members and friends of this congregation?

September 18

“The Good News: Wisdom from the Historical Jesus"

Carolyn Wallace, UUCG

Did Jesus really walk on water, multiply the loaves and fishes, or predict his own death? UU Carolyn Wallace will discuss contemporary interpretations of the teachings of Jesus that are based on historical evidence, rather than oral stories that circulated during the first century. Come hear what Jesus thought may have been his most important lessons and how we might apply them today.

September 25

"UU Values - Evolution”

Rev. Jane Page

Unitarian Universalists value the concept of Evolution, not only scientifically, but theologically, and spiritually. How should this value determine what we covenant to do in our lives, this congregation, and the world?

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

NOTE

The county Covid risk level is subject to change throughout the month.

JIM CRANDALL

Sunday, September 25 at 12 Noon

Followed by a reception with lunch provided

On July 22, 2022, I was present with Jim and Peter Crandall when Jim made his departure from this life. We have missed this dear one greatly but will celebrate his wonderful life at 12 Noon on Sunday, September 25, after the time when we normally fellowship together at the end of the worship service.

James Oral Crandall was born December 21, 1961, in Fremont, MI to Henry and Jane (Erickson) Crandall. He lived a life of service, especially with his many years in the Peace Corps. Jim married Peter on June 3, 2018, at Hunter, New York. After searching for the perfect place to spend their retirement years, they settled on Statesboro, GA, where Jim enjoyed using his extraordinary gardening talents. They also found a home with us at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Statesboro.

We hope you will join us for this Celebration of Life – whether you knew Jim well, or only by his excellent reputation.

Love,

Jane

The Fall Equinox is on September 22^nd. In addition to marking the start of the fall season, it also marks the time when day and night are of approximately equal length. I can’t help but think about the metaphor about the glass being half empty or half full. I try to have a “glass half full” view of the world. I find that if I look at the things I am grateful for, instead of my struggles, I can walk more lightly through the day. I once had an old confidant named Judy. When I was struggling Judy would give me time to complain about whatever burden I had chosen to carry. After about 5 to 10 minutes, she would stop me and say, “Okay, now what are you grateful for?” It was in taking the time to look at the blessings I had, and there were always blessing in every situation, I would move on and do whatever was in front of me with gratitude. I hope that in September you can take this balance of day and night and let it remind you to have balance, to see the struggles but also see the blessings. Happy September!

For the month of September half of our offering that is not designated as a pledge will be shared with Prevent Child Abuse Bulloch. Prevent Child Abuse Bulloch is a local council of Prevent Child Abuse Georgia an organization committed to preventing child abuse and neglect before it happens. Some of the programs include a back-to-school supply drive, a diaper bank and the First Steps program which provides information for anyone caring for children ages 5 and younger. I hope that you will support their efforts. Thank you for sharing your resources during our in-person services or through our website at uustatesboro.org.

Saturday, August 20^th was yet another Huutenanny at the church and it was a ton of fun. This has become a monthly event and we will have Huuttenannys each month through the end of the year. Please mark your calendars for September 24^th, October 22^nd, November 19^th and December 17^th (all Saturdays.) Everyone in the community, regardless of connection to UU, is welcome. Remember, if you can’t play, sing. If you can’t sing, dance. If you can’t dance, clap. Everyone can enjoy.

Adrienne Cohen

Board President

email address: [email protected]

Our tradition of giving away half of the offering that is not designated as a pledge continues all year.

For SEPTEMBER our designated organization is

Prevent Child Abuse Bulloch.

Prevent Child Abuse Bulloch is a non-profit organization committed to public awareness of and promoting the prevention of child abuse and neglect within the Bulloch County and surrounding communities.

Thank you for your continued support and faithfulness to our congregation which allows us to remain steadfast in our commitment to serving our community.

Saturday, September 24

at 4:00 p.m.

Indoors at UUFS

MindBody Center Yoga

now has more In-Person Yoga classes.

See Covid precautions below.

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

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

Wednesday, 11:00-12:15 Fascia Informed Yoga with Inge

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

NEW: Friday, 5:30-6:30 pm Happy Hour Yoga (no alcohol) with Patty

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

Use this link to register on line. https://app.punchpass.com/org/14237/classes/

For more information on our yoga classes click this link: https://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