Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Lakeland

Sunday Service, November 29, 2009 at 11:00 A.M. (UUCLakeland)

"Pagan Ethics and the Emerging Clergy"
The practices of paganism are diverse and confusing to those outside that faith, and explanation of all practices could (and does) fill many volumes. However, one aspect is easily explained: pagan ethics. Tracie Welser and EarthFamilies (a CUUPS chapter) explain the moral basis of this earth-centered faith as well as emerging trends in scholarship, organization and leadership, including the vital ongoing work of the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans.

This service replaces special guest Mystic Grove, rescheduled for a later date.

Dear Members and Friends,

   In only two short weeks, on Friday, Dec. 4 at 6 p.m., UUCL will be holding its beloved annual Service Auction. In addition to raising a lot of money for our congregation, "A Night at the Auction" is a chance to socialize with other congregants, get in some early holiday shopping, and fill up your social calendar with fun, fellowship-building events.

    The auction has two parts: a Silent Auction of small items (jewelry, gift baskets, small objets d’art, household items, etc.) and a live auction that includes larger goods (furniture, electronics, etc.), event opportunities (theater or concert tickets, dinner parties in one’s home, etc.), and services (airport rides, baby sitting, resume writing, or stays in a vacation home). Last year, my husband and I bought a week at a member’s North Carolina mountain retreat – a wonderful and inexpensive vacation!

   Attached to this email, you’ll find the donation form for the auction. Please fill it and email it to Theresa Lutz at Tericay@juno.com, or drop it in the donation basket during Sunday service.

 Below, you’ll find this weekend’s UUCL events:  

Tonight (Thursday), 6:30 p.m.  in the Social Hall, UUCL Book Club meets to discuss The King of Elfland’s Daughter by Lord Dunsany.

Saturday, Nov. 21: 

      9 a.m. Choir Rehearsal in the Sanctuary.

Sunday, Nov. 22:

  10 a.m.  Adult Discussion Group, Social Hall: Do the “ends” ever justify the “means”?

  11 a.m. Service, Sanctuary: Rev. Bonnie Devlin, “Let Justice Flow” examines the UUSC from a religious perspective.

 12:30 p.m. Congregational Services Committee meeting, Social Hall.

 2 p.m. EarthFamilies Evensong Gathering: Anime in the Afternoon film showing, “Speed Grapher,” episodes 13-18.

Rafi Ellis
President, Board of Trustees
UU Congregation of Lakeland
3140 Troy Ave., Lakeland, FL 33801
863.646.3715

Are you far away from family? Do you hate to cook? Do you love the fellowship of the Unitarian Universalist community? Then join us at noon on Thursday November 26 for UUC Lakeland's 4th Annual Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner. The "greenest" turkey we can acquire will be provided, plan to bring a favorite Thanksgiving dish to share and a "love offering" for the turkey.  Want to be even greener?  Bring a reusable plate and cup to save on paper, we have silverware available.

Please RSVP no later than Sunday Nov 22 to Council Chair Theresa Lutz (tericay@juno.com or (863)605-3815). Please let her know both the number of people attending and what you will be bringing. That will help us make sure we have a well-rounded meal and enough turkey. Hope you'll join us!

As for holiday sharing, be sure to participate in the UUSC "Guest at Your Table" campaign throughout the holiday season to help those living in less abundance than us.

Dear Members and Friends,

    The Friends of Joe Concert Series returns to UU Lakeland this weekend with an exciting double bill: headliner Roy Zimmerman, a political satirist who has shared stages with Bill
Maher and George Carlin; and the witty, cerebral Grant Peeples. Joe's Cafe, featuring a light meal, snacks and beverages, opens at 7 p.m.; music starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are available in advance or at the door; visit www.joeprine.org for information.

    On Sunday morning at 10 a.m., while our Religious Exploration youngsters meet in the RE Complex, the Adult Discussion Group will ponder the question, "Is capitalism fatally flawed?" That's bound to become a lively conversation, so don't miss it!

   At 11 a.m. Sunday, our monthly Intergenerational Service welcomes all ages to meditate on our human -- and Floridian -- reliance on the sea as food for both body and soul. Designed to offer something for those at every stage of life, the service will feature music, poetry and the charm of RE Director Heather Curry and our children.

     Stay after service for Coffee and Conversation on the Patio (weather permitting) or in the Social Hall.  At 12:30, the Visibility Committee will meet; please come and share your ideas.

     At 2 p.m., EarthFamilies Evensong Gathering features Craftwork. This month the topic is the Principles of Candle magick, discussing spells and change-crafting techniques; candles and other items available free of charge.

A few programming notes:

     There is no choir practice this Saturday.

     The Town Meeting noted on the Calendar has been rescheduled; stay tuned!

In faith,

Rafi

Rafi Ellis
President, Board of Trustees
UU Congregation of Lakeland
3140 Troy Ave., Lakeland, FL 33801
863.646.3715

Join Friends of Joe this Saturday, November 14, in welcoming Roy Zimmerman to the Unitarian Universalist Facility. Roy Zimmerman is a folk-singer who writes and performs satirical songs about topical issues such as war, poverty, ignorance, bigotry, neo-conservatism, homophobia, greed, lust, fear, intelligent design and HEALTHCARE.

If you're not exactly sure who Roy Zimmerman is...watch him perform his song "To Be A Liberal" at the bottom of this post (and be prepared to laugh till your sides hurt). You can check out more songs on the Roy Zimmerman YouTube channel.

Roy Zimmerman @ UUC Lakeland
3140 Troy Ave
Lakeland, FL 33803
Saturday, November 14
$12 advance tickets / $15 at the door

"his show is like a 90 minute plop on a whoopee cushion"
"if only all folk music could be this much fun"
"the antidote to the gloom and doom of contemporary folk"

The Friends of Joe is registered non-profit. For more information visit joeprine.org or contact Anne at (863)646-1972.

You are cordially invited to join the

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Lakeland for

"A Night at the Auction"

    

Friday, December 4th

6-7pm Silent Auction

with Coffee, Wine and Desserts

7pm Service Auction

We need your help to make this a great event!

We need volunteers to

• set up                                                                                              
  

• help with record keeping

• help with

• tear down

• do childcare during the auction

We also need donations of

• Items for the Service Auction: any kind of sharing of time, talent or treasure that you can imagine! Popular past items have included meals, parties, babysitting, use of boats, use of vacation homes and many other generous sharings. The object of this event is not only to raise funds but to create opportunities to build a stronger community, so ideas that create interaction between members are especially welcome.

• Items for the Silent Auction: special, one of a kind items, art, gift baskets, the kinds of things you'd love to get as a gift, not garage sale items

• Dessert and Wine

Deadline for donations is Sunday November 29.

Be creative and generous, this is a fun way to build our community!

for more information contact Council Chair Theresa Lutz tericay@juno.com 863-605-3815

On Friday, October 30, UUC Lakeland hosted its Haunted Earth Halloween bash, with proceeds to benefit UNICEF. Congregation members and community visitors alike enjoyed the haunted house, outstanding live music on the patio by Billy Needs a Beard, earth-friendly food choices, games and fortune-telling, along drumming and belly-dancing in the Social Hall. The event drew more attendees than past years and raised more than $300 for UNICEF! A heartfelt thanks goes out to all the volunteers who made the success of the event possible, from haunted house set-up to concessions, to booth helpers and clean-up. Enjoy the photos!

COME JOIN US FOR A NIGHT OF SPOOKY FUN!  CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN- BE GREEN- AND HELP US RAISE MONEY FOR A GOOD CAUSE!  WE ARE ALL CONNECTED!  (863) 646-3715     www.uuclakeland.org

$5 donation at the door- all proceeds go to UNICEF- thanks!