Thanks to the generosity of our “small but mighty” congregation, a check for $225.00 will be sent to our January First Sunday STP recipient, The Retreat, which provides direct services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, their families, and the Eastern Long Island community.
Our last public showing of the Prophetic Voices films: Part 5 “Spiritual Audacity – The Abraham Joshua Heschel Story” was scheduled for Sunday, January 7, 2024 following a worship service entitled, “A Rabbinic Mission to the Holy Land in Troubling Times,” led by Rabbi Gadi Capela of Congregation of Tifereth Israel in Greenport. Rabbi Gadi gave a heartfelt and balanced presentation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with historical perspective and a call for peaceful coexistence with references to his “favorite 20th century philosopher,” Rabbi Heschel. After the service, an incident involving a person unknown to anyone present left us a bit unsettled yet undeterred.
Utilizing resources available through the UUA, we are still intending to create programs to further educate congregants and the public, and provide a forum for open dialogue about the tragic and traumatic events continuing in Palestine and Israel.
In the interim, we will be gathering insight and ideas from local LIAC congregations that have implemented “added safety measures,” “Safety Teams” / a “Protocol for Building Access and Safety,” to
bring to the Board for review next month. The Board is reviewing our current “Safe Congregation Policy,” and will be making incremental changes as we move from Holy Trinity to our new “on the bend.” Additionally, resources from the UUA have been forwarded to each Board member by Rev. Valerie, which include guidelines, policies and procedures with examples to help in the process of developing a Destructive Behavior Policy (sometimes called a Disruptive Behavior Policy) specific to our congregation.
Unfortunately, weather conditions that interfere with internet connectivity are a bit more difficult to predict/prevent. Until we actually move into our new building and have our own internet connection and audio-visual equipment, we are temporarily looking into other venues and activities. Participants of the movie series will be receiving an extensive bibliography of books/articles written by/about the people featured in the Prophetic Voices series. Fortunately, most of the movies in the series are available (or equivalent documentaries) and links to those will also be sent to people who attended. Thank you, everyone, for your support of the program and your patience. Keep your popcorn handy, we’re not giving up.
Our congregation has already secured a table at “Southold Winterfest 2024.” We will be collecting socks for Maureen’s Haven and SAC has requested and received Board approval that Maureen’s Haven homeless shelter, in Riverhead, also be our February STP recipient.
Date & time: Saturday, February 17, 2024, from 10:00am-3:00pm
Place: Main Road (NY-25) Southold Village, we think we will be close to Silversmith’s Corner Park across from the IGA.
We will, again, be sharing space with North Fork Environmental Council and Margaret deCruz asked that we be “near the music.” Last year we took turns walking around town to warm up – this year, we will be moving to the music. If you can’t make it to Winterfest, socks will be collected at Sunday services during February.
We requested and received approval from the Board that our March STP recipient be John’s Place homeless shelter in Greenport. We realize that this winter shelter is supported by Saint Agnes in collaboration with Maureen’s Haven but it has been a particularly cold winter and this worthy effort is right in our current backyard. If you prefer, the John’s Place current “Wish List” of items specifically used for / given to guests (ex. Individual or single serve food items, paper products, care supplies) can be found at https://www.houseofjohn.org/wishlist.html. We will have a box available at Sunday services during March to collect your donations.
More info about all the above available at the next meeting of SAC / 8th Principle Task Force:
Date & time – 2nd Wednesday of each month. February 14, 2024, from 4:00-5:00pm
Place: attend either IN PERSON at Southold Free Library in the 2nd floor meeting room OR via Zoom link
PLEASE JOIN US!
Thoughts to ponder:
“We know only too well that what we are doing is nothing more than a drop in the ocean. But if the drop were not there, the ocean would be missing something.” ~ Mother Teresa
“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” ~ Coretta Scott King
In faith and action,
Patte McManus, Chair (631)997-9405 [email protected]