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.

NOVEMBER 2024

November 3

"It is Well With My Soul"

Clint Tawes

As we approach a pivotal and closely contested Presidential election, many of us find ourselves gripped with fear and anxiety, uncertain of what the future holds. While the potential consequences of this election are significant, it’s important to resist the urge to spiral into panic. In this sermon, we will acknowledge our fears without allowing them to overwhelm us, seeking solace in the reminder that even in times of uncertainty, we can find inner peace and strength. Together, we’ll explore what it means to maintain calm amidst chaos, holding onto hope while preparing for whatever may come.

November 10

"Post Election Reflection"

Rev. Jane Page and Randy Blasch, Intern Minister

Rev. Jane will use the 60's Classic, "For What Its Worth" as the sacred text for the message today as she shares her Post Election Reflection of "What's Going On."

November 17

"Democratic Purgatory"

Dr. Chris Brown

Dr. Brown teaches political science at Georgia Southern. He will share his research on how democracies can break down through democratic means, a particularly interesting subject at this time.

November 24

"ThanksLiving - 2024"

Rev. Jane Page

Rev. Jane revives and updates a theme (ThanksLiving) from her early days of ministry as we approach this Thanksgiving holiday.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

We are now livestreaming our service on our Facebook page.

You will be able to access our service online here at: https://www.facebook.com/UUStatesboro/.

NOTE: If a box pops up requesting that you log into Facebook and you do not want to log in, you can click the X in the top right corner of the box. You will then be able to access the live stream without logging into Facebook.

We will no longer be offering online services using the UUFS Zoom room. Please bear with us as we fine-tune this transition.

CLICK LINK TO ACCESS VIDEOS OF PAST SERVICES.

Also, this link is available on the UUFS website on both the HOME page and THIS MONTH'S SERVICES page.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been having fun looking back at songs from the 60’s with Rev. Jane and myself. Why do we always think the previous times, songs or stories were better than we have today?

By the time you actually read this article, we may very well know who the next President is, or we may still be sitting on pins and needles waiting for election day and the results. Regardless of how the election turns out, things will not be the same. There is a possibility that we will have people in power who yearn for the “good old days” without fully understanding the consequences or embracing the wonderful things that have been brought on in our current times. Or maybe the power will be held by the other group that is looking forward to putting the past away in the archives, not understanding that for those that embrace the past, change is painful.

There is so much anger and division between people, certainly more than I’ve seen in my lifetime, and that anger is allowing both sides of the conversation, (I use the term conversation loosely), to not be able to see from another perspective. Change is hard, change is good! Change is scary, change is exciting! Change is, well… change and it will be coming whether we like it or not. It’s what we do with that change that will set us apart as a denomination and as a people. We will need to be welcoming to those who are afraid of the future and those who are frightened of the past. We are built for this. It will be hard work, no doubt, but we are up for it.

After November 5th, we will have people mourning and people celebrating and when the tears are dry and the confetti has stopped falling, we need to be there, with love at the center, to work even harder to make our part of the world just a little bit better.

Sending you all love and light.

Randy

POST-ELECTION DAY DROP-IN MEDITATION - Wednesday, November 6

MindBody Center at UUFS (In person only)

Beginning on the hour and the half-hour, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., we will practice sitting and walking meditation.

The 12th century Japanese Zen master Dogen taught that "When the opposites arise, the Buddha mind is lost." The Buddha mind is one of clear-seeing, compassionate wisdom, a mind that understands the truth of no separation, no divide between you and I.

In this season of increased polarization based on perceived political, religious, ethnic, and other differences, it's easy to forget that we are all human beings wanting to survive and thrive. It's easy to forget that ignoring our common humanity leads to more suffering, isolation, and violence.

One way to alleviate such suffering is to practice what Dogen called serene reflection meditation. We sit down in a quiet place and allow our minds and bodies to settle: "neither trying to think nor trying not to think." Just sit. Breathe. Befriend whatever arises in the present moment without grasping, pursuing or pushing it away. Experience, if only briefly, the freedom that comes with letting our minds and bodies rest. In such meditation, we begin to notice and pause the relentless, habitual stream of judging.

Whatever your political or spiritual views, you are invited to drop in and practice silent sitting and walking meditation with us. Admission is free but donations to Statesboro Zen are welcomed. No experience and no special clothes or props are needed.

Dress comfortably in loose-fitting clothes for sitting in the provided chairs and floor cushions facing the wall.
Bring only a willingness to sit and walk mindfully with others doing the same as we recalibrate after a highly charged election season.

You are welcome to stay all day or for one or two sessions of sitting and/or walking meditation.
We ask that you enter and exit the meditation hall on the half hour or during walking meditation to reduce distractions.
Starting at 11 a.m., we will sit for 20 minutes, walk for 10, sit for 20, walk for 10, and repeat until the closing bell at 6 p.m.
We will observe noble silence all day: lowering the gaze and refraining from talking as we honor each other's commitment to looking within and seeing clearly.
We practice in silence throughout the building: in hallways, kitchen, restroom area, sanctuary, classrooms, and meditation hall. We ask that any conversation -- via phone or in person -- happen in your cars or away from the building so as not to disturb other practitioners.

Coffee and hot water for tea will be available in the kitchen but there will not be a scheduled meal or coffee break. If you plan to stay all day and want to bring food, please label it as yours and place it in the kitchen or refrigerator until you're ready for a mindful break.

These instructions will be posted on the doors to the building:

Enter the MindBody Center, 6762 Cypress Lake Road at the Bypass, through the single door at the far end of the parking lot beside the playground.

Remove your shoes and leave them in the lobby or a classroom, along with your silenced cell phone.
Find a seat---on a floor cushion or a chair, already set up in rows facing the walls---and sit down quietly.
If we're doing walking meditation when you arrive, please enter quietly.

For more information, please contact Laura Milner at lamilner@georgiasouthern.edu or Adrienne Cohen at thegerontologist@gmail.com .

Stewardship Campaign for 2025 Funds

Thank you for your generosity and support as we adapt and connect in new ways during this season of change. Our deadline for submission of your forms is today, October 31. However, if you need to, you may bring it to this Sunday's church service to give to Teresa or Mortimer.

Kind regards,

The UUFS 2025 Stewardship Committee (aka Teresa and Mortimer)

Link to the Annual Pledge Form: https://forms.gle/QAzpLay4iEjZsq4F6

This year, UUFS has a team participating in the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's® to raise funds and awareness for Alzheimer's care, support and research.

The walk will take place THIS SATURDAY, November 2nd from 9AM to 12NOON.

Adrienne Cohen

Team Captain

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Annual Meeting, Sunday November 10th at 12noon

(following the service)

Please plan to attend our Annual meeting following the service on November 10th. As a fellowship, members will be voting on our proposed budget and our board members for 2025, along with a special vote to designate our Minister Jane Page as Minister Emerita (effective June, 2025).

Your presence will be appreciated!

Need a ride to Medical Appointment? Georgia Southern’s Trusted Rider Program offers transportation services to older adults, assisting them in reaching their non-emergency medical appointments and back home after the completion of their visit. The program is run by student volunteers who have undergone background checks and training to ensure they provide the best possible service to the clients involved.

Chiamaka Ogwara is the program’s community liaison and reached out to raise awareness about the program with hopes to get referrals from older adults who may be interested in the program or may have the need for it.

If you have any questions of would like to learn more about the program, contact them via phone at: 912-478-0712 (office phone) and email co06587-sw@georgiasouthern.edu