Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Lakeland

Dear UUCL Friends and Family,

This Sunday we have the special privilege to have Lakeland Mayor Gow Fields deliver our Message. We invited Mayor Fields to help us better understand how to serve the local community and hope you make him feel welcome and that you find his message inspirational.

Continue to enjoy the leisurely pace of Summer, we get really busy once Rev Marni arrives the weekend of August 14 and 15!

Meanwhile, here's what's up this week at UUCL:

Friday July 23 Beacon Deadline

Sunday July 25

10 am Adult Discussion Group: Is Social Security bound for collapse? What should we do about it?

11 am Service The Role of Your Government Mayor Gow Fields

Noon Coffee and Conversation in the Social Hall

2pm EarthFamilies Movie of the Month Practical Magic. PG-1

And save Sunday, August 1 for "The Simple Life", a special service sharing the views of a panel of members.

In Faith,

Theresa Lutz

President, Board of Trustees

Dear Friends and UUCL Family,

That lazy quiet summer I wrote of last week is gone! It sure won't be quiet with Common GroUUnds Coffeehouse bringing us great music Friday and Circle of Rhythm in our facility on Saturday!

But don't stop with music, this weekend we also have theatre! Brook and Dave McGinnis have been working with DRE Heather Curry to bring us the tale of Motzke the fishmonger and his “helpful” friends this Sunday at 11am. You won't want to miss this one!

Participating in Sunday service is a wonderful way to deepen your relationship with UUCL. There are always opportunities to lead A Message for All Ages, share musical gifts, be a moderator or do something fun during a Multigenerational service, but there is a special opportunity upcoming.

Our efforts to become a Green Sanctuary are about how we live, not just what we do here at UUCL. To gain a better understanding of this, on August 1 our 11am Sunday Worship will have a select panel of members offer their views on Living Simply and how it supports their UU values.

But we can't do this without your help. If you would be willing to be considered for the panel or to offer your service in any other way to the Worship Committee give me a call at , we need you!

Here are the details on the above, and more:

Friday July 16^th 7:30 pm Common Grounds Coffeehouse featuring indie/progressive favorites Satellite Kill with Jeremy Treetop Window.

Saturday July 17^th

1pm Arts & Crafts Bring everything you need to work on your own project and bring some “show and tell” items you have crafted previously.

7pm Circle of Rhythm This longtime local Rhythm group finds a new home at UUCL. Welcome!

Sunday July 18^th 

10am Adult Discussion Group What is the one thing you worry about most?

11 am The Right Way to Right Speech Our special monthly service for all ages, be sure to bring the kids this week!

Noon Coffee and Conversation Join us for social activity in the Social Hall!

2pm EarthFamilies Continues a series exploring Druidry with an experiential workshop

Monday July 19^th 9am Fred's Breakfast 2124 Harden Blvd., just south of Beacon St

Wednesday July 21^st 5 pm Board Meeting

Friday July 23^rd Beacon Deadline Submit your articles to summer editor Cynthia Patterson

You can always find out what's going on at UUCL by checking our website, www.uuclakeland.org for the online calendar and the current issue of The Beacon newsletter.

I hope to see you all this weekend!

In Faith,

Theresa Lutz
President, Board of Trustees

Dear Friends and UUCL Family,

It's been so nice to have a little break from the rain these last couple of days! For me, summer in Central Florida is the time of hibernation, like winter was when I lived up North. The pace of life slows as our lives adapt around the weather. So, too, our congregational life moves to it's slowest pace of the year.

As a way of celebrating this summertime pace, Jean Lord of the Hospitality Committee has arranged a cookout for us for this Sunday's potluck. Burgers and hotdogs are being provided, bring picnic foods to share, including vegetarian grillables if you prefer.

Questions? Contact Jean at jeannield1974@yahoo.com

Other upcoming activities include

Saturday July 10^th

12:30 pm Fellowship of Freethinkers**, Lake Ashton Health & Fitness "Should Florida repeal its longstanding ban on giving public dollars to religious institutions?"

4 pm Worship Committee Meeting Cancelled

Sunday July 11^th

10 am Adult Discussion Group, Social Hall. Is the gap between the haves and have-nots growing — and how do we respond to the gap?

11 am Sunday Service, Sanctuary. “Faith”. Is there a God? Is there no God? Does it matter? UUCL President Theresa Lutz will share thoughts about faith and the agnostic.

12 noon Cookout Potluck, Social Hall/Patio. Bring a picnic food to share, see above

2 pm EarthFamilies Gathering, Sanctuary. “Drum and Rhythm Circle” A family and beginner friendly opportunity to exercise the meditative value of rhythm. Bring your own or use ours!

Wednesday July 14^th 6 pm Coordinating Council Meeting

Note two corrections for the July 2010 Beacon. The July 2009 Treasurer's Report was accidentally printed instead of the current information. The correct information is available from Treasurer Joyce Bode and will be included in the August Beacon.

Also, this Sunday's service description says Small Group Ministry in it, there is no SGM aspect to my sermon on Faith, but look forward to SGM Facilitator Training with Rev Marni either September 25th or October 9th.

Our gratitude to those who took the time to notice these errors and help us correct them.

I hope to see many of you at the cookout Sunday!

In Faith,

Theresa Lutz
President, Board of Trustees

This weekend marks an important milestone for UUCL: The end of our 2009-2010 church year.

It is a time of many transitions for our Congregation -- some bittersweet, but all important in forging ahead to build our Beloved Community.

This Sunday, June 27, we say goodbye to our 2008-2010 Consulting Minister, Rev. E. Bonnie Devlin, who has shepherded us through two turbulent years and helped us rebuild a cohesive, collegial community of supportive seekers. You won't want to miss Sunday's service and the after-party, where Rev. Bonnie will say farewell and we'll express our gratitude for her loving service.

Also on Sunday, we'll give our thanks to this year's Board and Committee leaders and install the new Congregational officers you've elected at our last two Annual Meetings: Board President Theresa Lutz and President-Elect Tracie Welser (although Tracie is away, we'll welcome her in absentia). It's a chance for all of us to say thanks to those who have helped revitalize UUCL over the past year.

Finally, we'll kick off the new church year with a brand-new enrichment opportunity: the Arts and Crafts group. They'll meet every 4th Saturday at 1:00pm to work on arts or crafts and teach other techniques, with the goal of creating a team project for the benefit of UUCL  or other causes.

 You'll find details on these and other weekend offerings below:

Saturday, June 26

1 p.m.: Arts and Crafts, Social Hall.  Organized by Blenda George (709-9096) and Sue Harsanyi  (666-1925), this new group is aimed at the productive fun of creating art and objects. Join the first meeting and help us get creative on every fourth Saturday!  

Sunday, June 27

10 a.m.: Adult Discussion Group, Social Hall. Have you ever met a "celebrity" or famous figure? What was the experience like? Share your ideas during this weekly conversation.  


11 a.m.: Sunday Service, Sanctuary. Rev. Bonnie offers "A Farewell Blessing," as she reflects on her service at UUCL and the challenges and triumphs we've shared.


12 p.m.: A Celebration for Rev. Bonnie, Social Hall. Show your gratitude to Rev. Bonni as we fete our departing minister


2 p.m.: EarthFamilies Evensong Gathering, TBA. Meet at UUCL for Pagan Day Out, a chance to enjoy a late lunch off campus.


Please also remember to bring cash and material donations for Gulf Oil Spill relief. See last week's message or contact Heather Curry at RE@uuclakeland.org for a complete list of needed items.

Note that as of Thursday, July 1, any emails sent to president@uuclakeland.org will be opened by your new President, Theresa Lutz. I will continue acceptiing personal emails at my home address, rafiwrite@tampabay.rr.com. Remember, too, that Sunday services and other events will continue throughout the summer, and our new minister, Rev. Marni Harmony, will join us for her first service on Aug. 15.

It has been my honor and privilege to serve as your President for 2009-2010, and I look forward to continuing to serve you as a Board member and active volunteer. Thanks to each and everyone of you for making my time in leadership so rewarding.

In faith,

Rafi

Rafi Ellis
President, Board of Trustees

As part of our plan towards re-establishing full-time ministry for our congregation, we are following Florida District Executive Rev Kenn Hurto rrecommendation that we contract with at least two interim ministers, for no more than two years each, before calling a settled minister. Sunday June 27th we will celebrate the end of Rev Bonnie's second year under contract with us.

This is a sad time of parting, but there can be no new beginnings without.  As you should already know, for our next step in growth we have contracted with Rev Marni Harmony. She is already in contact with our leadership, Rev Bonnie and Rev Kenn to help ensure a smooth transition. We hope everyone will welcome her with love.

Likewise, we hope you will help us create a loving send-off for Rev Bonnie on June 27th. She will lead us in Worship at 11am, followed by a celebration of her time with us. Surprise gifts are in the works, please contact Theresa Lutz for details and donations.

We have gone through amazing changes during her time with us.  To paraphrase an old ad "We've come a long way, baby!"

Thank you, Reverend Bonnie!

Dear UUCL Family and Friends,

We’re all concerned about the horrible oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, which is threatening our eco-system and devastating the livelihoods of our neighbors throughout the region. Now, Religious Exploration Director Heather Curry has found a way we can help.

The Seabird Sanctuary, a wildlife organization in St. Pete Beach, is collecting material and monetary donations for the seabirds affected by the spill and the tireless rescuers who are working to save them.  For the next two Sundays (June 20 and 27), we will collect donations at UUCL,  which Heather will deliver during the last week of the month.

Please consider donating any of the following items:  

towels

paper towels

toilet paper

heavy-duty trash bags

bottled water

powder detergent

bleach

kennels

gas gift cards (for rescuers)

cash donations.

For more information, contact Heather at re@uuclakeland.org.

Also this weekend, we’ll have our full complement of community offerings, listed below:

10 a.m.: Adult Discussion Group, Social Hall. Are the Seven Principles of UUism compatible with both ends of the political spectrum? Join the debate.

12 p.m.: Coffee & Conversation, Social Hall. Join fellow congregants for food and friendship after the service.

12:30 p.m.: Visibility Committee Meeting. Help plan our community outreach programs with chair Melissa Marshall.