A Unitarian Universalist Congregation
All Are Welcome!
Chili-makers at our Third Annual Chili Cook-Off to benefit Maureen's Haven
Coming Attractions!!! September 16th – Board Meeting. Parish Hall, 7:30 p.m. September 20th – Pot Luck Dinner Theater. Parish Hall, 6:00 p.m.August 19th – Board Meeting. Parish Hall, 7:30 p.m. This is an opportunity for all of those talented members in our midst to showcase their talents, at our potluck meal and entertainment on September 20th. There is a sign-up sheet in the office, so what are you waiting for? Fall and winter clothing is needed. (No summer clothing, please.) Please bring all clothing on hangers or folded in boxes. We do not have the manpower to press or wash items that have been stuffed into bags. Your cooperation will be greatly appreciated, and will help to make this fundraiser a success. We also have need of small household items and furniture. If you have a question as to the suitability of your treasures, please call me at 765-5706. Thank you, Julie Alexander Wednesday, November 12, from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m., is the first gathering of the New Bi-Monthly Book Club. I found what will be our first book, Eat Pray Love, to be an easy read, in fact, hard to put down. It is described as a cultural and emotional tapestry that conveys rapture with infectious brio, as the author recalls anguish with touching candor. She details her exotic tableau with history, anecdote and impression. January May The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch and Jaslow TBA March A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle Check the library, and all of the books are available through Amazon books on-line, either new or used. All suggestions are welcome! Can you believe it, September already and the children are all headed back to school. As always, where did the summer go? Everyone take a few deep breaths, as Betty Hill Crowson suggested at our Sunday service, 8/17, lift up your eyes and your hearts to start off this new school and church year. The best is yet to come! It's up to all of us to bring about the changes we would like to make in our lives and in the future of our community and the world. Know that every little bit helps, no matter how small. Reverend Addae and I invite you to help us start off the year by coming together on Saturday, September 20th, for our first Pot Luck of the year. For those of you who keep a close watch on our calendar, you will note that the date of this Pot Luck has been changed. Reverend Addae and I want to bring us all together not only to share our ideas, but our abundance as well. Remember, this is a shared ministry, not only of the work but of the fun and the joy of coming together to make a difference in our church and our communities. Sign-up sheets are in the Parish Hall. Be part of this beginning and sign-up now and make it a great evening of food, families and friends. There has been a change in our Church staff this past month. With deep regret, your Board accepted the resignation of our Office Manager, Lauren Kruszeski. She has been the glue, over the past few years, that held it all together for us. Lauren did a wonderful job and took care of us like family. Some of Lauren's other responsibilities have grown to the point where she has to let something go, and we're it. Her last day was August 29th. We'll miss her. A search group has been busy the last few weeks and will present a recommended replacement to the Board shortly. Life goes on. Reverend Addea will be returning to our pulpit after a brief vacation and some unexpected travel. It will be good to see her in her rightful place again. Certainly our speakers over the summer have provided us with much food for thought, but I look to Reverend Addea to provide the focus for the coming year. I hope you will join me in welcoming her back to begin this Fall season of the new church year. See you in church. Gale Alexander, President Supporting and Sharing Unitarian Universalists from all over the country came to support our congregations in Knoxville, Tennessee, in the aftermath of the shooting in the sanctuary of the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. While I was out of the country when the shooting occurred, I was made aware of it, and held my colleagues and their congregants in prayer. I am acutely aware that we live in a wounded world, filled with many broken people, and I am also aware that we are not truly living when we allow ourselves to be governed by fear. I am in complete agreement with our president, Reverend William Sinkford, when he reminds us with these words, "It will take time for Unitarian Universalists to mourn and to heal. But let me assure you that we will not change our beliefs or compromise our demands for social justice. Fear will not prevent us from standing on the side of love, and we will continue to open our doors and our hearts to all people." I return to our sanctuary on September 7, and that Sunday, just like any other, we will be open for business to welcome the stranger, nurture the spirit, love our neighbor, and take one more step toward helping to heal our wounded world. Rev. Addae July 31, 2008 Dear Friends at the First Universalist Church of Southold, This letter comes at a bittersweet time. I am going to be leaving the church office on August 29th. I need to consolidate my responsibilities for my personal being. I have enjoyed working for you for the last 3½ years. I have made many friends and have learned a great deal from all of you. I will do my best to help train my replacement on all the workings of the church office during the interim. I can be reached at any time, should something come up or help is needed with something. I wish you all the best in the future. You are a great group of people here at the church and I know the future of the First Universalist Church will be bright. Sincerely, Lauren, I am extremely grateful for all that you have assisted me with in my short tenure as minister, and I wish you the best in your new employment adventure. Love & Light, Rev. Addae Universal News from Membership and Outreach Happy Autumn! I hope you had a memorable Summer!! Birthday Wishes To All* Cliff Batuello 9/4 John Kramer 9/12 Elaine Breese 9/25 George Wing 9/5 Regan Batuello 9/13 This congregation wouldn't be the same without you! We look forward to celebrating with you on September 28th with cake at coffee hour. If anyone’s birthday has been omitted, it is because I have no record of it. Please call the church office at 765-3494 to update our records. *If you prefer to remain anonymous, please let us know and we will remove your name from our master birthday list. Thank You! *** SAVE THE DATE *** Saturday, September 27, 2008 Homecoming 2008 A Unitarian Universalist Mid-Atlantic Celebration with Rev. Tracy Robinson-Harris speaking on Truth, Repair and Reconciliation: A Journey in the Spirit of Universalism For information and registration, go to http://www.murraygrove.org or call (609) 693-5558. As a reminder… There will be a special dedication for volunteer teachers of Religious Education during the worship service on September, 14th. An open house will follow from 1:00-3:00 p.m. with refreshments in the Parish Hall. I look forward to a great church year! In the Spirit of Life, Shannon René, Chair Membership and Outreach We’ve been open three and a half months now. We are very pleased with the response from our customers. We have sold most of what we started with and need donations NOW of small furniture, children’s clothing, toys, strollers, high chairs, play pens, adult spring and summer clothing, dishes, glasses, kitchen things, framed prints, all kinds of usable items. Our standards are high. We accept things in excellent condition, only. Do not leave anything at the door. Donations must be received by Julie Alexander (765-5706) or Kate Byrne (765-3494). Leave a message at either number and you will be called back. Our space is limited, and we do not take junk, so items must be checked in. We appreciate your following our (necessary) rules. Thank you. Resale Shop Committee: Julie Alexander, Kate Byrne, Barb Zegarek and Irene Stewart. Tried of pesky calls from solicitors? Be safe from them. Call 1-888-382-1222. No more annoying calls! The first Sunday of every month, flowers, cookies or a gift will be available in the Parish Hall for anyone who would be willing to bring them to someone on our list. You don’t have to go on a Sunday. Any day would be appreciated. I will also leave the phone numbers on the table, if you would like to call. It only takes a few minutes to share your time with someone to make their day one to remember. Please consider participating. Please let me know if there is anyone I have forgotten to put on the list. Thank you, Ginny Cornell (765-8082) The deadline for submissions is the 20th of each month. Thank you
Fall Mini Sale Oct. 18th and 25th
Sign Up Now! Bi-Monthly Book Club on the Second Wednesday of the Month
From the President’s Pad
As a member of the Unitarian Universalist Trauma Response Ministry, I was asked to travel to Knoxville in support of Reverend Mitra Jafarzedah, the minister of Westside Universalist Church, as she ministered to her grieving congregation and prepared a memorial service celebrating the life of a member who was killed while visiting the sanctuary of TVUUC. It is a privilege to be of service, and I was honored to be called by the denomination to offer support and pastoral care in any way deemed necessary.
Lauren Kruszeski
I am sorry to lose our office manager Lauren Kruszeski, because not only is she a very lovely person, but she has also been a spectacular asset and an integral part of what helps keep things running smoothly at First Universalist Church. She will be genuinely missed by all.
Little Blue House Resale Shop
National Do Not Call Registry
Home Visits
Do you have a news item, announcement, or picture for the Free Spirit or website? You can send it to Susan Pond at suepond@optonline.net, or put it in the Free Spirit box in the Parish Hall, and please send a copy to Cheryl Schneider for the website at cherylvs@optonline.net - all pictures should be sent as an attachment in jpeg format.