NOTES & ANNOUNCEMENTS

(Updated 3/03/10)

THOUGHTS FROM THE PRESIDENT

It appears to me that most of us at KUUF like our Sunday Service.  It seems to have a right mix of ritual, music, intellectual stimulus and spiritual grace.  However, looking at things from a fresh perspective now and then is a good idea.  The Sunday Services Committee recently did that, looking closely at three important parts of our service and reporting their findings to the Board of Trustees.  In the final analysis little will change but the discussion was healthy and good, and I want to summarize it for you.

ANNOUNCEMENTS concern the business and activities of the Fellowship.  They are important, but are not really part of the religious service we come to church for.  They should be delivered as a part of the Welcome, as concisely as possible, and also be printed in the Order of Service as a reminder.  This is what we try to do now, and the Committee’s conclusion reinforces the importance of saying what needs to be said clearly and concisely, so as not to intrude unnecessarily on the service which is waiting to begin.

PARTICIPATION OF CHILDREN IN THE SERVICE was discussed at length.  Many UU congregations have a “Children’s Chapel” service in the Sunday School, rather than have children participate in the adult service.  There are valid arguments on both sides of this issue.  The Committee ultimately decided that, while we might want to see how the Children’s Chapel would work at some future time, the current class of children are comfortable with their time in the sanctuary service, are benefiting from the experience, and should continue to participate with the adults until Sunday School begins.

CANDLES OF JOYS AND CONCERNS were also considered at length.  Often, many in the congregation cannot hear the candle lighter’s words.  Even when the portable microphone is used it may be held too far from the speaker’s mouth, and fail to do its job adequately.

The words of the candle lighter are important, and we are going to test out a new approach.  For a while, I am going to come up and hold the microphone for each candle lighter, freeing them to concentrate on their words and their candle.  It may seem intrusive at first, but if the congregation is better able to hear our joy or sorrow it might be worth it.  We’ll see.

Tom Maloof

KUUF 2010-2011 Pledge Drive

Our current fiscal year will end June 30, 2010, and we believe you will agree our accomplishments this year in ministry, music, religious programming and events have been extraordinary. 

The growth has not come without cost, however, in the form of a budget deficit that would make it difficult, if not impossible, to maintain all of the very things that have made this past year so successful. 

The PLEDGE DRIVE for the fiscal year 2010-2011 will begin in a few weeks.  We cannot afford such a deficit next year, and meeting KUUF’s financial CIRCLE obligations will be difficult.  In order to maintain the current level of staff, we project that KUUF needs to increase total income by 30%.  This is a tall order for any congregation.

How much we pledge to contribute individually and collectively will make all the difference in determining what we are able to do as a congregation.  It’s time to think about the difference you can make!

In the coming weeks you will be hearing more about our Pledge Drive, culminating with a late March mailing where you will be asked to consider and make your financial commitment to the KUUF.

We hope that even in this uncertain world you will stand on the side of keeping our Fellowship strong and healthy, by pledging generously.

Liz Maloof & Ken Preston, Fund Drive Co-Chairs

Circle Dinner
Friday, March 19th

Please help the Social Activities Committee by indicating if you would be interested in attending a Circle Dinner on Friday, March 19th.

Details are not yet set.  Tell me by email if you would like to attend.  As soon as we know how many people plan to come, our committee will leap to the task and put it together in our usual efficient manner.

Thanks!  Fran (franpreston@comcast.net)

Book Discussion
9:30am Sunday, March 21st
In the downstairs class room

Mountains Beyond Mountains:  The Story of Dr. Paul Farmer by Tracy Kidder

The central character, Dr. Paul Farmer, is one of the most provocative, brilliant, funny, irksome, and charming men you will ever meet. His epic struggle takes you from the halls of Harvard Medical School to a sun-scorched plateau in Haiti, from the slums of Peru to the cold grey prisons of Moscow. He wants to change the world … one infectious disease at a time.

Dr. Farmer is currently the UN Deputy Special Envoy to Haiti working under President Clinton on the earthquake crisis in Haiti.

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ADULT EDUCATION
10:00-10:45am Sundays

Please check out our new adult education program, “Introduction to the Study of Religion.”  It has been a journey already, with a great deal of knowledge and insight into the beginnings of “critical thinking” about religious issues.

Our class runs from 10:00 to 10:45 Sunday morning, in the Sunday School room below the sanctuary, except when preempted by the book discussion.

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EVERY SUNDAY IS COLLECTION SUNDAY

Sundays, we will collect canned goods and non-perishables to share with those less fortunate, by way of the KLS Food Pantry.

The KLS Food Pantry has been serving increasing numbers of clients over the past several months.  As we enter the cold, long, winter season we anticipate a growing need by our community and want to ensure that our food pantry will be in a position to meet those needs. 

KEARSARGE REGIONAL ECUMENICAL MINISTRIES (KREM)

KREM is a non-profit charitable organization whose mission is to respond to people in need quickly, in critical situations where no other help is available.  Its financial support comes largely from five New London churches, supplemented by individual contributions.

While KUUF itself is not a part of KREM, three KUUF members are KREM volunteers, led by Sara Smith.  Sara reports that they are now overwhelmed by people whose lives are flying apart.  Jobs lost, with no prospects.  Homes at risk of foreclosure, or already gone.  No money to pay for fuel, or electricity, or food, and no place else to turn.

KREM can only give out what they have, and that is not enough to meet the emergencies, they are faced with, in our Kearsarge/Sunapee region.  If you are able to help, you can send your (tax deductible) contribution to:

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UU BED & BREAKFAST PROGRAM

Some of you know about the UU Bed and Breakfast program, many more probably do not.  Cay Morrison and Betty Williamson have participated in the program of opening their homes for visiting UUs and Marcia and Dick Keller also have been involved.  Money received through the B&B is donated to the Fellowship and it has been a successful program in the past.  This year, it was too late to have the Fellowship's name entered in the list of participating churches but we should consider registering next year.   Meanwhile, for anyone planning to travel in the US or some countries abroad, there are B&Bs available at reasonable prices and undoubtedly superior lodgings.  I am sure Cay, Betty, or Marcia and Dick will tell you more about it if you are planning to travel or if you wish to open up your extra bedroom for a night or two.

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BE A VOICE!

Let your state and federal representatives know that you are aware of what needs to be done, and of what they are doing.  Also, let them know what you think is the right thing for them to be doing, and why.  They get stacks of mail from organized groups that send prewritten letters.  The letters that get the most attention, however, are the ones written by the individual constituent -- you!  You’ll be hearing more about what we as KUUF might do, but in the meantime, get connected to your representatives.  It’s a duty and a privilege we shouldn’t forget we have.
    
Rep. Paul Hodes - http://hodes.house.gov/contact.aspx - DC# 202-225-5206

1317 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515-2902
    

Sen. Judd Gregg - http://gregg.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.ContactForm - DC# 202-224-3324
393 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510-2903
   

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen - http://shaheen.senate.gov/contact - DC# 202-224-2841
G-55 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510-2904
   
And keep tabs on the State legislature by going to www.nh.gov

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FOR THE BODY, AND THE SOUL

The Tuesday evening Women's Meditation Group is now meeting at the home of Sally Bergquist at 7:15 PM.

If you are interested in attending, please call (763-4098) or e-mail (salbob2@comcast.net) for further information.

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SUNDAY SCHOOL

Erin Pickering, Donna Peirce’s daughter, who attended KUUF Sunday school as a youngster, is our Sunday school teacher.  A new feature of our religious education program this year, as we continue to grow and have more families with younger children, is a 2nd class for infants and toddlers.  It truly takes a village to raise a child.  Please consider volunteering to be care-taker for the infants and toddlers during one or two Sunday services this year.

If you have any questions about the program, please call RE Director Donna Peirce at 763-2516.

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