Dialog-2015-03 March - Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Church

MARCH 2015
THE DIALOG
Monthly Newsletter
Hart to Hearts
When serving the church just outside of
London, I worked in a tiny, chilly office a
few days a week. It was always solitary
time – I can’t remember anyone stopping
in because they knew I’d be there, so I
was surprised one day to hear the doorbell
ring. I went out to find a tall, thin young
man waiting by the door. My suspicious mind was churning,
and I assumed straightaway that he was coming by with
some sort of need. In my experience, it’s usually a need for
some money, accompanied by a fantastical tale.
Still, I opened the door with a smile, and asked if I could
help.
“Is the church open today?” he asked. Surely, he had been to
the front doors already and knew that they were locked tight,
all three bolts thrown to secure the door.
“Not exactly,” I said to him, “What did you need?”
“To pray,” he said back to me softly.
My suspicions dissolved, and I was a bit embarrassed that I
had so badly anticipated what might be needed. I stepped
back from the door so he had free passage.
“Of course,” I said, “please come in.” I opened the door into
our worship hall and he nodded his thanks as he went past.
Ten minutes passed, and the young man gently knocked on
the office door, said a quick thank you, and let himself out
the side door. I went into the worship hall and stood a few
moments looking around. It felt like somehow we had been
blessed by the prayer said in a moment of need.
Sometimes even I find it too easy to forget what a church is
here for. This building doesn’t only exist as a place where we
can gather on Sunday mornings or Wednesday evenings. It is
also a resource for our wider community. We put it to use by
opening our doors to a 12-step group, we are available for
weddings and memorial services. Even more, the buildings
associated with religious community have long been thought
to be places of sanctuary and help, a home of that which is
precious and meaningful in the world.
One Sunday during our time for fellowship, another man
came looking for “the vicar.” Setting down my cup of tea, I
followed him back into the entryway to see what he wanted.
His dreadlocks flopped wildly over his face, and his puffy
jacket was stained and filthy. His shoes were held together
with tape because they were so worn. There were oily gloves
on his hands.
He explained in a rush of words that he was living rough
(homeless), that he had been beaten by his mother, so had
been taken into care, but when he went back home, she
started to beat him again, so he was living rough. I peered at
his face, trying to see his eyes, to see if there was some truth
there. I waited for what he needed to say.
“I stop by to see the vicar of the other church every few
weeks, and he gives me a couple of pounds,” he said to me.
“I’ve tried to stop here, but no one is ever here, so I had to
come on Sunday. Do you think you could help me out with a
couple of quid? It’s not for drugs or drink.”
In general, I don’t give money to those who are homeless
and begging at the door. Often there are ample resources for
them through a variety of agencies and charities, and it is
more a matter of being willing to ask for that specific help.
Even when the I see the clever signs by the side of the
freeway entrances and exits – “Why lie? I want a beer!” –
I tend to hold back from giving even the change in my
pocket.
Still, a friend had once suggested that the way to respond to
such requests is to check in with your heart, with your spirit,
and make a decision in the moment. Be open, my friend Bette
suggested, to what is most needed in the moment.
I looked at this lost soul in our entryway, and trusted that he
indeed wouldn’t use the money for drugs or drink, that he
came with a genuine need. I went to my office to find the £2
I knew I had in my change purse.
I handed it to him, and he looked me in the eye, shook my
hand and thanked me for the help.
We are not here in this building – in this church – only for
ourselves, but for what we might be for those who come to
us. There are those who come in need: of a place of prayer,
of sanctuary in a difficult moment, of a helping hand. May we
also remember that they each bear a gift if we are open to
see what it might be. I found that I was called back to myself
as I opened the door for a moment of prayer, and blessed by
the simple presence of a young man with a heart’s longing for
a place of quiet and holiness. And I found myself opened in
generosity for one who came to us in need.
What are the gifts that come to us here? What gifts do you
receive? What gifts do you give?
And just to check: the first person who lets me know that
they read all the way to the end of my column gets treated to
a cup of their favorite beverage and a treat at Corina Bakery,
all on me. Just get it to my email (minister@uutahoma.com)!
See you in church!
Linda
♦ 1115 South 56th Street ♦ Tacoma, WA 98408 ♦ 253.474.4646 ♦ http://www.TUUC-WA.org ♦
TAHOMA UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION
Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Congregation
1115 South 56th Street Tacoma, WA 98408
253-474-4646 ™ http://tuuc-wa.org
Church Office: admin@tuuc-wa.org
Staff
Minister:
Rev. Dr. Linda Hart
Community Minister:
Rev. Jim Anderson
Religious Exploration Coordinator
Lisa Pedersen
Youth Director:
Anne-Marie Davidson
Director, Adult Rel. Exploration:
Susie Maharry
Music Director:
Rafe Wadleigh
Acoustic Specialist:
John Hargis
Custodian:
Matt Webb
Church Administrator:
Libby Ball
Board of Trustees Members
President:
Bob Hays
Vice President:
Scott Redman
Secretary:
Chris George
Trustees:
Tanya Baker, Laura Gardner,
Christine Stalnaker, Barbara Tripp
Treasurer (non-voting): Cynthia Hammer
Lay Pastoral Care Team
Chair:
Joan Benderson
Members:
Connie Andersen, Jo Anne Geron,
Loretta Skochenko-Dhaese, and Karin Van Vlack.
The Dialog is published monthly and is emailed to all
contributors. Visitors who sign our guest book will receive
complimentary issues by email. Submissions for the next issue
are due at 10:00 a.m., Sunday, March 22 2015 for the
April 2015 issue.
To receive the following two weekly email messages,
please subscribe at
http://tuuc-wa.org/mailman/listinfo/announce_tuuc-wa.org
(underscore symbol before 2nd “tuuc”)
* Caring CommUUnity is an un-archived, subscribed
Tuesday email notice for members and friends to share
joys, sorrows, concerns, and personal announcements.
Submissions are due by 10:00 a.m. on Mondays.
* Weekly E-News is an online and emailed Thursday
message of church business and news. Submissions are due
by 10:00 a.m. on Wednesdays, as is information for
the Sunday Bulletin and Order of Service.
CONTENTS
Hart to Hearts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 1
Tahoma UU Vision, Mission, Covenant . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 2
March 2015 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . p. 3
March Sunday Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 4
Events and Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 5-7
Adult Religious Exploration on Wednesday Nights . . . p. 8
Adult Religious Exploration & Small Group Ministry . . . . p.9
Director of Adult Religious Exploration Column . . . . . . p.10
Laura Foltz Memorial Library News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 11
Children and Youth Religious Exploration . . . . . . . . . . p. 12
Director of Religious Exploration Search . . . . . . . . . . . p. 13
Supporting the Work of the Congregation. . . . . . . . p. 14- 15
UU, Tahoma UU, and Community Gatherings . . . . . . . . p. 16
Three UU Church Retreat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 17
Congregational Meeting / Pathways to Membership. . p. 18
Board of Trustees Recap & Treasurer Message . . . . . . p. 19
Message from Board of Trustees President . . . . . . . . . p. 20
OUR VISION
The Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Congregation
is an enduring community in which we promote
the values of liberal religion through our actions
both individually and as a community.
OUR MISSION
The mission of the Tahoma Unitarian Universalist
Congregation is to sustain a community in which we:
●Welcome all with love and compassion,
●Celebrate the diversity in our common humanity,
●Inspire the spirit, heart, and mind,
●Engage with the wider community in working for justice,
●Live and promote Unitarian Universalist principles.
OUR COVENANT
We the members of the Tahoma Unitarian Universalist
Congregation, do hereby commit ourselves to strive to live
by the following words:
1. I will connect with people in a respectful and loving way
by listening carefully, by welcoming newcomers and
members alike with kindness and encouragement, and
by promoting diversity.
2. I will offer my stewardship to enable the church and its
programs to flourish; and to provide fair compensation,
a proper working environment and continuing professional development of the minister and church staff.
3. I will make commitments thoughtfully, keep them
faithfully, and support the work done by others.
4. I will pay faithful attention to my relationship to the
church, and balance my commitment to the nurturing
of myself and others.
5. I will support the Board of Trustees, its committees, and
the staff in the governance of the congregation, and will
express my opinions through these channels, especially
if I disagree with a decision.
6. Recognizing that conflict can be an opportunity, I will
engage with others in responsible problem solving by
speaking respectfully and directly to the person involved
first; and by listening carefully, respecting confidences,
and being willing to participate in mediation.
7. I will participate in a process that examines the
church's relationship to the wider community and
strives to be a responsible, vital, and inspirational
part of that community in a way that is consistent
with our Unitarian Universalist principles and values.
PAGE 2—STRUCTURE - PUBLICATIONS - VISION/MISSION/COVENANT
The Dialog—MARCH 2015
TAHOMA UU CONGREGATION EVENTS & ACTIVITIES CALENDAR
March 2015
SUNDAY
1
Sat. 2/28 12:00N—
Sun. 3/1 12:00N
Youth Group
Overnight
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
5
2
3
4
Meditation Group
6:30-8:00P
Safe Haven AA
Group (rental)
2:00P Chalice Circle 11:30A-1:00P
Facilitators Training, Poetry Club,
Library
Offsite
Resumes March 16
6:30-8:00P
Adult Religious
Exploration:
“Sumi Painting”
9:15A Facilitator
Covenant Group ~
Library
10:30A RE &
Sunday Service
“What We
Choose”
FRIDAY
6
SATURDAY
7
9:00A Camp Fire
Community
Garden Work
Party
5:30P Camp Fire
6:00P Yoga
7:00P Choir
Rehearsal
11:30A OWL
Parent Lunch Mtg.
8
9:00A Program
Advisory Comm.
10:30A RE &
Sunday Service
“What I Think
About When I
Think About
Peace”
9
Meditation Group
10
6:30-8:00P
Resumes March 16 Safe Haven AA
Group (rental)
7:00P Second
Tuesday Chalice
Circle
11
12
6:30-8:00P
Adult Religious
Exploration:
“A Chosen Faith”
11:00A Lay
Pastoral Care
Team Meeting
13
14
9:00A Camp Fire
Community
Garden Work
Party
5:30P Camp Fire
9:00A Lay
Pastoral Care
Training
6:00P Yoga
7:00P Choir
Rehearsal
11:30a Rationality
Covenant Group
11:45A Music
Comm. Mtg.
4:00P Pete Seeger
Songfest Concert
15
9:15A 3rd Sunday
Bible Study
10:30A RE &
Sunday Service
“Stories from
Selma”
16
17
18
7:00P-8:45P
Vipassana
Meditation,
Sanctuary
6:30-8:00P
Board of Trustees
Meeting
2:00P Third
Wednesday Chalice
Circle, Sanctuary
11:30a TUUC
Computer Club
6:30-8:00P
Safe Haven AA
Group (rental)
12:00P UU Mamas
6:30-8:00P
Adult Religious
Exploration:
“A Chosen Faith”
19
11:30A-1:00P
Poetry Club,
Offsite
5:30P Worship
Committee Mtg.
5:30P Camp Fire
6:00P Yoga
7:00P Choir
Rehearsal
20
21
12:00-2:00P
Third Friday
Potluck,
Social Hall
9:00A Camp Fire
Community
Garden Work
Party
Annual Women’s Retreat,
Offsite @ Dumas Bay Centre,
Friday afternoon through
Sunday mid-day
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
10:30A RE &
Sunday Service
“Stepping
Stones: Living
Change”
7:00P-8:45P
Vipassana
Meditation,
Sanctuary
6:00P Supper
Club, Offsite @
The Original
Pancake House
6:30-8:00P ARE:
“What Do We
Mean By We? Everybody’s
Talking About
TED”
11:00A Membership Comm. Mtg.
5:30-7:30P Last
Friday Sandwich
Making
8:30A Pathways
to Membership
Class
6:30-8:00P
Safe Haven AA
Group (rental);
Social Hall
11:45A
Congregational
Conversation
6:00P Spring
Vernal Equinox
Celebration
29
10:30A RE &
Sunday Service
“To Succeed or
Not: A Palm Sunday Reflection
30
31
7:00P-8:45P
Vipassana
Meditation,
Sanctuary
6:30-8:00P
Safe Haven AA
Group (rental);
Social Hall
The Dialog—MARCH 2015
5:30P Worship
Committee Mtg.
5:30P Camp Fire
6:00P Yoga
7:00P Choir
Rehearsal
http://www.my.calendars.net/tuucadmin
EVENTS & ACTIVITIES CALENDAR—PAGE 3
MARCH SUNDAY SERVICES - ALL SERVICES AT 10:30 A.M.
“What We Choose”
Sunday, March 1, 2015, 10:30 a.m.
Rev. Dr. Linda A. Hart
Do we create our path or do we follow the one already laid out?
With the guidance of a story by Kevin Brockmeier,
we'll design our own answers to that question.
“What I Think About When I Think About Peace”
Sunday, March 8 2015, 10:30 a.m.
Guest Speaker: Rev. Jim Anderson
The UU goal of “World community with peace, liberty, and justice for all”
is a wonderful principle — especially now. However, like ending racism,
homelessness, and child abuse it is pragmatically unrealistic. This sermon
will explore the evolution and genetics of peace and violence, and it will
make more balanced and realistic observations about peace in the world,
in Tacoma, and around the dining room table.
“Stories from Selma:
Memories from the 50th Anniversary
March across the Pettus Bridge”
Sunday, March 15, 2015, 10:30 a.m.
Rev. Dr. Linda A. Hart
Fresh from the Anniversary March in Selma,
Linda will share what she learned both in the conference
she attended, and by standing in that historic place.
“Stepping Stones: Living Change”
Sunday, March 22, 2015, 10:30 a.m.
Rev. Dr. Linda A. Hart
How do we make changes in our congregational life? And how do we know when we’ve
succeeded? It’s especially hard to know this when the change that we hope for is hard
to measure, like our developmental goal of transforming the relationship between the
congregation and leadership. Using insights from the Building a Circle of Trust seminar
at the UU Ministers Association Institute on Excellence, Linda will explore both how we
know and how we get there.
“To Succeed or Not: A Palm Sunday Reflection”
Sunday, March 29, 2015, 10:30 a.m.
Rev. Dr. Linda A. Hart
The story of the ministry of Jesus peaks on Palm Sunday as he is celebrated
upon his entry into Jerusalem. Yet we know that the week ends with his death.
The story offers an opportunity to reflect on success and failure in our own lives.
Religious Exploration for children and child-care are provided during the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service.
PAGE 4— MARCH 2015 SERVICES
The Dialog—MARCH 2015
TAHOMA UU CONGREGATION EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
Meditation, Mondays, March 16, 23, and 30, 7:00 - 8:45 p.m., Sanctuary
Note: Meditation Group will not meet on Monday, March 2 or 9, 2015
Anyone who is interested is welcome to join us on Monday evenings for meditation in
the Vipassana tradition. We typically sit or walk in meditation for 30 minutes, listen to a
recorded dharma talk, and then have a short discussion in the spirit of awareness. All
are welcome. No previous experience or preparation is necessary. The sanctuary can
be cool, so please dress warmly for the sit. For more information, contact Rob Gramenz
at rgramenz@harbornet.com or Mark Backus at backusm@harbornet.com.
Yoga in the Sanctuary
Thursday Evenings, 6:00-6:45 p.m.
Join our regular Thursday night yoga group.
Choir Rehearsal in the Sanctuary
Thursday Evenings, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Third Friday Potluck
Friday, March 20, 2015, 12:00 Noon
Social Hall
The speaker for March 20 will be Dr. Ann Williams. Ann is a retired
oncologist. She and her husband make yearly trips to Vietnam to
work in health services, and she will talk about their experiences
there. Potluck lunch at noon followed by program. No reservations
required. All welcome for good fellowship and refreshments.
Annual Women’s Retreat
March 20 - 22, 2015
"Moving Towards Center”
Dumas Bay Centre, Federal Way
Prior Registration Required
Supper Club
Tuesday, March 24, 2015, 6:00 p.m.
Offsite at The Original Pancake House, 601 Pine Street, Tacoma
Everyone likes breakfast for dinner!
This month, we will be enjoying the great food at The Original Pancake
House at 601 Pine Street (former site of the Primo Grill).
Amazing menu, great company . . . come join in the fun.
Easy parking behind the building.
Last Friday Sandwich Making
Friday, March 27, 2015, 5:30 p.m. , Kitchen and Social Hall
Sandwich making at the church begins at 5:30 p.m. Participants often donate
sandwich makings and fruit. After sandwich assembly, some of the group
distribute the sandwiches and fruit at the Rescue Mission from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Our partners with this project are the West End Kiwanis, Temple Beth El, and
Wilson High School Key Club. For more information about this monthly food
ministry, contact Betsy Maier or Felice Davis.
The Dialog—MARCH 2015
EVENTS & ACTIVITIES– PAGE 5
CONCERT
Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Congregation Presents
Jim Scott and A Pete Seeger Songfest Remembering Pete Through His Songs Sunday, March 8, 2015, 4:00 p.m. Tahoma UU Congregation Sanctuary
General Admission — $15 Suggested Donation
We’ll honor Pete Seeger, singing many of his well-loved songs such as “If I Had a
Hammer,” “Turn, Turn, Turn,” “Where Have All the Flowers Gone,” and many more.
All interested singers welcome, no experience necessary, only a love of music!
Led by guitarist and composer Jim Scott, who knew Pete well, and collaborated on
many projects with the folk legend, we'll raise our voices for the causes Pete championed, and remember the great contributions to our American heritage Pete made
in his 94 years of life. Pete’s legacy of poetry and song guide and inspire us, and
we hope you’ll join us for this special afternoon of music and community!
Jim Scott brings a warmth and authenticity that turns any size audience into an
intimate gathering. His lyrical melodies, well-crafted words, guitar mastery, and
humorous surprises moved Pete Seeger to call him, “Some kind of a magician.” Jim
is known to many as guitarist with the Paul Winter Consort and co-composer of
their celebrated "Missa Gaia / Earth Mass," and is a prolific composer in his own
right. His much loved "Gather the Spirit" and other songs are in the UU hymnbooks.
For more about Jim Scott, visit www.JimScottGuitar.com
PAGE 6— CONCERT
The Dialog—MARCH 2015
CHURCH EVENTS
Congregational Conversation
Sunday, March 22, 2015 following the Sunday Worship Service
11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the Sanctuary
Stepping Stones
Continuing with the theme of the March 22nd worship service, this Congregational Conversation will offer
some tools for paying attention to how we keep living into what we hold to be most true in the world.
“Diversity”
Wabi-sabi Art by Bill Havens
Our newest art show in the Mary Boze Art Gallery is a collection of Wabi-sabi art
created by Bill Havens.
“Wabi-sabi is a Japanese view of art that finds value in the imperfect, handmade,
uncomplicated, and spontaneous. Wabi implies simplicity, fresh, and made by
nature or man. Sabi can mean solitary or quiet or patina of age. In Wabi-sabi you
learn that beauty is not out there to be discovered, but is right here in the moment. It encourages us to dance in
the moment and allow our being and actions to follow the natural flow of life. It appreciates and accepts complexity
while at the same time valuing simplicity. It is a way that is natural and brings you close to the real world. It is an
intuitive way of feeling that nothing lasts, nothing is finished, nothing is perfect. Wabi-sabi revels in the transitory
and elevates the humble. Messiness, decline, and decay aren’t mistakes, they are an art form. Different viewpoints
stimulate different ways of perceiving art. Wabi-sabi encourages you to experiment, mess about, and personalize.”
~ Bill Havens
Please join us for an opening reception on Sunday, March 1st following the morning worship service.
Spring Equinox Celebration
March 22, 2015, 6:00 p.m.
Join us for an evening of stories and songs to celebrate
the vernal equinox. The celebration will center around the
"Apples of Youth" story from the Norse tradition. There
will be games and crafts as well as time for reflection and
meditation. Children are welcome and encouraged to take
part in the celebration. Afterwards we will have a simple
nature craft and a finger food potluck.
Save the Date! Charting Our History
Saturday, May 9, 2015 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Join Linda to create a comprehensive time line of the history of Tahoma UU Congregation!
As a first step in revisiting our mission and covenant, we’ll join together in telling the
history from all the way back in the 19th century to this year. Who have we been? Who are
we now? What treasures are there in the past that we can polish up and display? And are
there skeletons? I wonder what they look like?
We hope to make this a family friendly event— with a special time line for kids! — so do
plan to bring everyone!
Questions? Want to help? Get in touch with Linda!
The Dialog—MARCH 2015
CHURCH EVENTS– PAGE 7
ADULT RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION ON WEDNESDAY NIGHTS
Wednesday Night Adult Religious Exploration, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m., Sanctuary
Wednesday Night Adult Religious Exploration is a drop-in class from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. We meet in the Sanctuary
unless otherwise noted. Registration is not typically required. However if you want to be notified of class changes or
cancellations, please let Susie Maharry know you are planning on attending. Childcare and accessibility provided
upon request by contacting Church Administrator, Libby Ball, at admin@tahomauu.com or 253-474-4646.
Sumi Painting
Facilitator: Bill Havens
Wednesday, March 4, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Tahoma UU Congregation Social Hall
The paintings of Bill Havens are displayed in the Mary Boze Art Gallery in our
Sanctuary, and now Bill will provide a unique hands-on experience for all of us to create
our own artwork. As he describes it, "Sumi painting is a meditative process where you
get in the mood by rhythmic grinding of the ink. We study our subject. We love our
subject. We know our subject. We put all reference material away and then paint from
our heart and mind. We use our whole body to project our feelings." Bill Havens and
Barbara Madsen will bring all the materials, so everyone can paint a masterpiece.
We will meet downstairs in the Social Hall.
A Chosen Faith
Facilitator: Rev. Dr. Linda Hart
Wednesdays, March 11, March 18, and April 1, 6:30 p.m.—8:00 p.m.
Tahoma UU Congregation Sanctuary
Join Linda for a discussion of the book A Chosen Faith by the Revs. John Buehrens
and Forrest Church!
Each session will be an opportunity to have a free-flowing conversation about the
issues and ideas raised in this accessible introduction to Unitarian Universalism.
Blending history, theology, and the wisdom of their ministries, the authors offer us an
opportunity to reflect on our own experiences, as well as the broader context of our
religious community.
Copies of the book can be borrowed from the library. or are available for purchase
from the UUA Bookstore and most online book sellers. While reading the sections is
not required, we will be basing our conversation on the book.
Session 1 on Wednesday, March 11th will cover the Preface, Introduction, and Sections 1 and 2
Session 2 on Wednesday, March 18th will cover Sections 3 and 4
Session 3 on Wednesday, April 1st will cover Sections 5 and 6.
Questions? Contact Rev. Linda Hart at minister@tahomauu.com or Susie Maharry at dir.are@tahomauu.com.
What Do We Mean By “We”? Everybody’s Talking About TED
Facilitator: Jolinda Stephens
Wednesday, March 25, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Tahoma UU Congregation Sanctuary
This Adult Religious Exploration class offered in conjunction with Rev. Linda Hart’s
Developmental Ministry theme, “Habits of the Heart”, follows on Board of Trustees President
Bob Hays’s look at Welcoming Congregations in February. The last Wednesday of each
month we watch a TED video and talk about the questions, feelings, and ideas it provokes.
Join us March 25th at 6:30 pm as we explore a video about inclusion. There are some definite steps we, who
are mostly introverts, can take to act more welcoming. Yet in the words of Marge Piercy, "it starts when you say
We and know who you mean, and each day you mean one more." Who do we mean when we say "we," personally
and as a Beloved Community? Do we have an in-group? Can we add to it?
PAGE 8—ADULT RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION ON WEDNESDAY NIGHTS
The Dialog—MARCH 2015
ADULT RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION AND SMALL GROUP MINISTRY
Third Sunday Bible Study, March 15, 2015, 9:15 a.m. in the May Sarton Room
Join us on the third Sunday of each month for lively discussions, looking for relevant gems from this ancient
source of wisdom. We use the Revised Common Lectionary, a three-year cycle of Bible readings used by many
Protestant churches, to select the passages we read each month. A dedicated core group takes turns facilitating
the discussion. All are welcome, please join us!
Readings for March 15, 2015: Numbers 21:4-9, Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22, Ephesians 2:1-10, John 3:14-21
Tahoma UU Congregation Small Group Ministry
Small Group Ministry is a valuable, life affirming aspect of our TUUC community where we can truly be listened to. If you are
interested in joining a small group please contact Susie Maharry. She is available most Sundays after service at the Welcoming
Circle in the back of the sanctuary. She can help you find a group that is suited to your interests and schedule.
Covenant Group Ministry (CGM) is an intentional small group program at TUUC. Our vision is a congregation of life-serving,
transformational small groups. Our mission is to connect people in small groups for worship, support, study, and service, with
guidance from the TUUC and the UUA principles. To learn more about Covenant Group Ministry, please contact Susie Maharry,
our Director of Adult Religious Exploration, at dir.are@tahomauu.com. She can also help you if you would like to join a covenant
group, or if you are interested in starting a new one.
Facilitator Covenant Group—meets First Sunday, 9:15-10:15 a.m. at Tahoma UU Congregation
This is a monthly gathering of all facilitators and contact persons for the Covenant Group Ministry Program (CGM). This group is
also open to new members who want to support small group ministry programs at TUUC, and who are considering becoming a
facilitator. Our purpose is to improve our facilitation abilities through study and practice, and by learning from each other. We
support current and new facilitators in order to fulfill our religious mission through knowledgeable and thoughtful guidance of
small groups. We encourage members to attend as faithfully as possible and to start a covenant group when ready to do so. We
also welcome members who aren’t yet ready to start a group, but want to support CGM and learn more in the meantime.
Please contact Susie Maharry at dir.are@tahomauu.com before attending.
Chalice Circles
Drop in Chalice Circle, March 8, 2015, 12:00 Noon
Chalice Circles are small groups who come together to learn about each other through deep listening and thoughtful discussions.
The topics and some of the readings this year are taken from “Soul to Soul,” a book written for Unitarian discussion groups.
Groups run from October through May each church year. We will begin signing folks up in June for our new session that will
begin in October. In the meantime, come check us out in this drop in session about “Calling.” We will meet at noon in the May
Sarton Room downstairs on March 8th.
The following three groups are always open on a drop-in basis:
Nonviolent Communication (NVC)—meets First Saturday, 9:15-11:00 a.m. in private homes
Contact: Mark Backus at backusm@harbornet.com or 253-759-5978.
This group is for people of all ages and backgrounds who are looking for connection and meaning. We will learn and practice
NVC, and promote the use of NVC at Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Congregation and in the wider community. All are welcome
on a drop in basis. Email Mark Backus for the location of the meeting which rotates among members homes.
Rationality Covenant Group — meets Second Sunday following worship service in Tahoma UU Comfort Room
Contact: Seth Pennington at sethfp@hotmail.com or 253-383-0841.
In our Rationality Covenant Group we explore the relationship between the rational, the mystical, and the spiritual.
All are welcome on a drop in basis.
TUUC Computer Club— meets Third Sunday following worship service in Tahoma UU Comfort Room
Contact: Seth Pennington at sethfp@hotmail.com or 253-383-0841.
Discussions usually revolve around solving computer problems. All are welcome on a drop in basis.
Groups Requiring Registration:
The following groups have openings. They are not drop-in and require registration. Please contact Susie Maharry @
dir.are@tahomauu.com for more information.
Women’s Groups
We have six Women’s Groups. Some are currently at capacity but some have a few openings. Most of the groups meet monthly
in the evening for two hours, rotate facilitators and homes each month, and discuss a variety of meaningful topics. Please contact
Susie Maharry @ dir.are@tahomauu.com to join one of our Women’s Groups.
mUUmmies – The UU Mothering Group has just changed their name to “mUUmmies”. They meet on the Third Sunday from
12:30-2:30 p.m. at Tahoma UU. Childcare is provided! Contact Susie Maharry at dir.are@tahomauu.com if you are interested in
joining.
The Dialog—MARCH 2015
ADULT RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION AND SMALL GROUP MINISTRY– PAGE 9
ADULT RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION
PLAY
by Susie Maharry, Director of Religious Exploration
Of course kids play. We can hardly stop them. Adults can play too. We play sports, make music, master games,
create art, explore nature, and enjoy rambling conversations with friends to name just a few. I have been enjoying
the marvelous weather recently by kayaking, walking the dog on the beach, and starting my new hobby of rock
tumbling. A yoga class can be play for a person who does it because it feels good, while it is a chore for people
who do it because the doctor ordered it. Here at TUUC we will have lots of opportunities to play this month. For
instance, 27 women will be playing at the annual women’s retreat on March 20th-22nd at the Dumas Bay Retreat
Centre. During Adult Religious Exploration, Bill Havens will lead us in a creative Sumi Painting experience on
Wednesday March 4th.
Many of us consider the time we spend in our small groups as play. Sharing and
community building can be great fun. Play is even the covenant for the Nonviolent
Communication Group (NVC). Says facilitator Mark Backus, “The NVC Covenant is:
nothing but play, with play defined as that which affirms and enriches life, where
everyone’s needs are met in an abundant universe.”
As I mentioned last month, finding our calling is when providing service to others
feels like play to ourselves. That is how I feel about the 70,000 Cranes for Peace
project. If you think you might find enjoyment in folding origami paper cranes with
friends, then you may want to join us in this fun way to take action towards peace.
This year, as people around the world take action to commemorate the massacre and ban the bomb, Campaign
Nonviolence and Upaya Zen Center are calling on people everywhere to fold 70,000 paper cranes for peace to be
brought to "the cradle of the bomb", Los Alamos National Laboratory, on Hiroshima and Nagasaki Days.
“Seventy years ago, the United States dropped two nuclear bombs on
Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing 80,000 women, children, and men instantly;
and over 150,000 in total. The symbolism of the paper crane began with
Sadako Sasaki, who was two years old when the blast from the Hiroshima
bomb threw her out a window. She was ten when purple spots formed on
her arms and legs. Hospitalized for leukemia in Feb 1955, the popular girl
died in October 1955. In her last year of life, she folded 1300 paper cranes
as a prayer for healing. The paper crane is now an international symbol of
peace, and a poignant reminder of the human costs of nuclear bombs.
On Aug 6-9th, hundreds of citizens will be gathering in New Mexico to
embody Dr. Martin Luther King's famous words regarding nuclear weapons,
"It is no longer a choice between violence or nonviolence. It is nonviolence
or nonexistence." They will be participating in a National Conference on
Nonviolence and traveling to the heart of nuclear weapons research, Los
Alamos National Laboratory, to hold a vigil, a peace march, and deliver
70,000 paper cranes that have been folded by people like you.”
http://www.loveinactionnet.com/?p=145
Sadako statue with paper cranes in Japan
Stay tuned for opportunities to learn how to make the cranes. We will be mailing them in mid-July.
~ Namaste
Susie
PAGE 10—ADULT RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION
The Dialog—MARCH 2015
LAURA FOLTZ MEMORIAL LIBRARY NEWS
The topic of doubt is a reason, I think, why many of us are UUs. Perhaps we really liked the people in the church
of our childhood, and have pleasant memories of Christmas pageant performances and candlelight services, but
once we grew older, and started to question or doubt the memorized recitations such as the Apostles’ Creed, we
didn’t feel that we really belonged. This was my personal experience, at least. So I enjoyed Linda’s sermon on
doubt this past Sunday, and decided to use it as the topic of this month’s library column. I searched our LibraryThing website for the term “doubt”, and came up with only two hits (not enough for a list), so I typed in
“belief” (in my mind the opposite of “doubt”) and found enough for a respectable list, some of which I have
mentioned in previous columns.
Doubt, A History: The Great Doubters and Their Legacy of
Innovation from Socrates and Jesus to Thomas Jefferson
and Emily Dickinson (c2004) by Jennifer Michael Hecht is,
according to the Detroit Free Press, “a lively stroll through three
millennia of clashes between believers and nonbelievers.” The
introduction includes a short thought-provoking “Scale of Doubt”
quiz so you can establish where you are on the scale from
atheist to believer.
The author of Six Impossible Things Before Breakfast: The
Evolutionary Origins of Belief (c2007), Lewis Wolpert, a
professor of biology, is a self-described “atheist reductionist
materialist”. His goal in this book is to explain, from an
evolutionary viewpoint, why humans form beliefs. The title is
taken from Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass. When
Alice says she cannot believe in impossible things, the White
Queen replies: “I dare say you haven’t had much practice. When
I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why,
sometime I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before
breakfast.”
About Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas (c2003)
by Elaine Pagels, Karen Armstrong said it “offers profound and
crucial insight on the nature of God, revelation, and what we
mean by religious truth”.
In Ecologies of the Heart: Emotion, Belief, and the Environment (c1996), author E. N. Anderson concludes that all
traditional societies that have managed resources well over time
have done so in part due to their religious beliefs, actually based
on long observation of nature; and suggests that modern Western
societies have not done as well.
As a reminder of how to access the library’s collection online, http://www.librarything.com/profile/tuuclibrary,
will take you to the Tahoma UU library profile. From there, you can search for materials by title, author, subject,
or keyword. If you have any problems getting into the catalog, or any questions about the church library,
please email me at bbwilson46@gmail.com.
Don’t forget to browse the books for sale in the cabinet next to the coffee during the social hour – there is a small
can for monetary donations. Please keep in mind that we accept donations both for the library collection and the
book sale, and all monies collected go to the TUUC general fund.
We are still looking for at least one more library volunteer for one Sunday a month and a volunteer to manage the
book sale shelves. If you are interested, please contact me.
Happy Reading!
Beverly Wilson
bbwilson46@gmail.com or 253-732-5327
The Dialog—MARCH 2015
LIBRARY COLUMN—PAGE 11
CHILDREN AND YOUTH RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION
Dear TUUC Families,
This month we are starting our last term of our RE year. Our K-1st group will be continuing their
exploration of nature and our 7th principle. I'm sure they will be excited to embrace the outdoors more
with the warming temperatures of spring. The 2nd-3rd grade class are engaged in their Age of Reason
class. They will be developing their first credos to be shared with the congregation in May. Our 4th-6th
graders are starting their OWL classes this term. The Coming of Age group is continuing to work on their
year long program working with mentors and developing their credos.
With us entering this final term of our formal church year the RE Committee is starting to make our plans
for the next church year. We are always looking for volunteers in our program. If you'd be interested in
teaching a class or offering to be a co-teacher we would appreciate you letting us know now so we can
place you on the calendar for next year.
Lastly, I'd like to thank the RE Committee for all the work they are doing this year. If you see them around
church please take a moment to say thank you to Anne Tumbusch, Debbie Cafazzo, Heather Urschel, and
Robin Hamman.
Jennifer Marsellis
RE Committee Chair
Happy Birthday to UU in March
Finn Gorski, 5
Isabella Peters, 9
Jaek Andersen, 14
Amelia Kooktz, 18
Rosemary Koontz, 15
Kepler Koerger, 7
PAGE 12—CHILDREN AND YOUTH RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION
The Dialog—MARCH 2015
DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION SEARCH
Director of Religious Exploration (DRE) Search
A DRE Search Committee has been launched to seek and hire a permanent part time
(20 hour/week) Director of Religious Exploration. To bring you up to date, based on
discussions with the RE Committee and the Program Advisory Committee following a day
long congregational workshop on our RE programs, the Board decided to continue the
present staffing model of a Director of Religious Exploration and a Director of Adult
Religious Exploration rather than transition to a Lifespan Learning concept. Lisa Pedersen
was hired on a temporary, one year, basis last fall as an RE Coordinator to give us time to
think through the future of our RE programming. We are actively seeking someone whose
philosophy is aligned with UU principles and values. This person needs a balance of
experience working with children, youth, and families and coordinating with adult
volunteers, as well as experience teaching. This experience could be within the realm
of scout leadership, PTA leadership, or similar public service activities if not actual
classroom teaching. Salary is in line with UUA compensation guidelines. Further details
and application information are posted on our TUUC website.
In line with TUUC Human Resources Policies and Procedures that were approved by the
Board last year, we no longer plan to hire from within our church membership. However,
we hope that you might know of some strong potential candidates who you can encourage
to apply. If so, please direct them to our website: www.tuuc-wa.org. Applications are
due by March 12th.
If you have any questions, please contact Barbara Tripp, Chris George, Holly Gorski, or
Jennifer Marsellis who, along with our minister, are serving on this Committee.
Barbara Tripp
Chris George
Co-Chairs, DRE Search Committee
The Dialog—MARCH 2015
DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION SEARCH—PAGE 13
SUPPORTING THE WORK OF THE CONGREGATION
Children’s Book Drive
The Moondancers Covenant Group is sponsoring a children’s book drive through the Africa Library
Project to support Michelle Harper Kowalczyk, a Tahoma UU member for the past three years, who is
now serving in the Peace Corps at an elementary school in rural South Africa. (http://
www.africanlibraryproject.org/learn-more-overview/video-gallery)
The goal is to establish a school library for
Enkathweni Primary School by collecting 1,000
new or gently used children’s books during the
months of March and April. We are seeking
alphabet books, beginning chapter books, and
reference books (dictionaries and atlases) for the
library. Paperback books are preferred because of
lower shipping costs. Some good sources for
purchasing gently used books are Value Village
where buying four books entitles one to a fifth
book free. All Goodwill stores offer a 20%
discount on all purchases (including books) to
those over 55 every Wednesday.
Here are some cultural tips for selecting books:
● The local culture is VERY suspicious of witchcraft and
magic. Avoiding these topics will be ideal.
● British English and religious themes are both
acceptable in this culture.
● English is their second language, so aim low when
choosing book levels (grade 7 might read at a US grade
4 level).
● Poetry, alphabet books, and early reading books are
highly encouraged!
● Books highlighting African culture and diversity are
highly desirable. http://africaaccessreview.org
There is a box for book donations in the church foyer and
in the central hallway downstairs. Change for Change
during the month of April will be dedicated to cover the
cost of shipping the books to Africa and the purchase of
additional gently used books.
Please direct any questions to Joan Benderson at
joan.benderson@nventure.com or 253-566-4334.
PAGE 14— SUPPORTING THE WORK OF THE CONGREGATION
The Dialog—MARCH 2015
SUPPORTING THE WORK OF THE CONGREGATION
Hello!
Have you thought about becoming a church greeter on Sunday mornings?
Are you currently a greeter?
Inigo Montoya
If you answered yes to either of these questions, please come to a brief meeting—with
your cup of coffee—after the service on Sunday, March 1st. We will meet by the
piano. The purpose of the get-together is to brainstorm ways we could improve our
welcome of visitors and members on Sundays.
Questions? Email Gloria George at georgegloria48@gmail.com
See you there!
Hospitality Kitchen — First Fridays and Third Thursdays at 8:00 a.m.
Come Join Your Fellow Tahoma UU Congregants at Hospitality Kitchen
Hospitality Kitchen is a program of Catholic Community Services, located at
1323 S. Yakima Ave on the Tacoma Hilltop, that serves a free breakfast and
lunch Monday through Friday for those in need. Members and friends of our
congregation have been volunteering at Hospitality Kitchen once a month for
the past six years. We now volunteer twice a month on the First Friday and the
Third Thursday of each month. Breakfast service is 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. and
lunch is from 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. We are seeking a couple more volunteers
for our First Fridays at Hospitality Kitchen. If you would like to join us, please
contact Joan Benderson at joan.benderson@nventure.com or 253-566-4334.
FISH Food Bank Drive
Historically, food banks enjoy a surge of kindness during the winter
holidays, but see a drop in donations immediately after the Christmas
season. After Christmas, the need does not go away. Families, children,
and the elderly are still hungry. You can help.
Please bring non-perishable food items and drop them off in the box in the
hallway outside the sanctuary. Thank you.
~ submitted by Christine Stalnaker
Dear Church,
The rumors are true. Camp Fire is starting a garden in the back corner of the church
parking lot! The Adventure Kids (3rd to 5th grade) are happy to start this new project.
We will be giving all of our vegetables and strawberries to a food bank. Also important,
Dori, Rohan, Cormac, Simone, Gabe, Kelby, Trevor, and Keenan would like to thank the
Board for saying yes to this project.
We have a budget and we might need to cut something. We might need some people to
donate or loan tools. Check the eNews over the next few weeks for details. We are going
to have some work parties on February 28, and March 7, 14, and 21. Watch for more
information. Contact Kathy Crabb at Crabb.Kathy@gmail.com with any questions.
Simone Bingham
Camp Fire Member
The Dialog—MARCH 2015
SUPPORTING THE WORK OF THE CONGREGATION!—PAGE 15
UU, TAHOMA UU CONGREGATION, AND COMMUNITY GATHERINGS
Tacoma will come together in
solidarity to support the 50th
Anniversary of the Selma to
Montgomery Voting Rights March.
The march will start on the East
side of the 11st Street Bridge,
and end on the West side with
speeches. Hosted by YWCA Pierce
County and Tacoma Urban
League. In Partnership with
Tacoma Stands Up. https://
www.facebook.com/
events/601444306624514
Volunteering for General Assembly?
Interested in offering your volunteer time for
General Assembly in Portland, June 24-28?
Volunteer forms will be available on March 1st on
the UUA website at: http://www.uua.org/ga/
registration/financialaid/14930.shtml
Contribute 24 hours of volunteer time for GA,
and receive a free registration!
Puget Sound Unitarian Universalist Music Festival
Gala Concert
Saturday, March 7, 2015, 7:30 p.m.
Gethsemane Lutheran Church
911 Stewart Street, Seattle, WA
Featuring works by
Brian Tate
Free Admission, Donations Gratefully Accepted
Participating Choirs
Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship
Cedars Unitarian Universalist Church
Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Saltwater Church, Des Moines
East Shore Unitarian Church, Bellevue
Skagit Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Edmonds Unitarian Universalist Church
Shoreline Unitarian Universalist Church
Evergreen Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Kitsap Unitarian Universalist Church
Northlake Unitarian Church, Kirkland
Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Olympic Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
PAGE 16—UU, TAHOMA UU, AND COMMUNITY GATHERINGS
Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Congregation
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation
of Whidbey Island
Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Woodinville Unitarian Universalist Church
The Dialog— MARCH 2015
THREE UU CHURCH RETREAT AT SEABECK, MAY 1-3
Three UU Church Retreat - REGISTER NOW!
May 1-3, 2015
Seabeck Conference Center
Calling all Unitarian Universalists from around the
South Puget Sound! You are invited to an all-ages
retreat with the Saltwater, Tahoma, and Olympia
congregations at Seabeck Conference Center,
May 1-3, 2015, on the shores of the Hood Canal.
This retreat is an opportunity for us to get to know
one another better, relax, and engage more deeply
with our faith. Full time registration includes meals,
lodging, a guest speaker, other workshops, and fun
activities. Partial scholarships are available to those
who volunteer.
Our guest speaker, Eileen Mejia, will lead us in a series of activities and discussions designed to help us
build community within and across our congregations, discover where our values converge, and explore
the diversity of talents and strengths in our communities. It will be highly participatory and engaging.
Mejia says of her workshop:
I rarely lecture. Rather, I invite interactive learning opportunities that compel us to engage
in embodied learning. We move, experiment, and explore. We seek to recognize and
challenge our own assumptions with an attitude of cultural humility and mutual respect.
We ask questions we do not know the answers to. We enact playful, curious and critical
discourse that is often joyous.
In addition, the retreat will feature a variety of activities to enjoy together. There will be a talent show,
s'mores, and singing around the fire pit. Outdoor activities include hiking, volleyball, ping pong, and
boating on the lagoon. There will be a rope labyrinth set up for walking throughout the weekend. There
will be multiple opportunities for worship, and for connecting in small groups. The retreat is familyfriendly, and designed to be enjoyed by people of all ages. Childcare with special activities for the children
will be available as needed for families throughout the weekend.
Act now to receive a discount on your registration! Full-time registration for an adult is $150 for the
weekend if received by March 1. Part-time registration is also available, as well as reduced rates for
children and youth. Registration is available online at: http://www.saltwaterchurch.org/retreat
Come help us build strong connections between our neighboring congregations. For more information,
talk to Susie Maharry, or following the morning service on Sunday, March 1st, talk to a member
of Saltwater UU about this upcoming community UU retreat!
Eileen Mejia
Guest Speaker and
Workshop Facilitator
The Dialog—MARCH 2015
Eileen Mejia, professor at Marylhurst University and
President of Creative Combustion, Inc., facilitates
creative and joyful community building. Her core
philosophy of authentic, trustworthy engagement
with sometimes incompatible viewpoints supports
transformational collaboration and personal and
collective growth. Previously, Mejia served as the
Lifespan Religious Education Director for First Unitarian
of Portland, Oregon. Mejia is a playwright, poet, and
theatre director. She served the Eliot Institute as the
Leadership Development Board Officer for two
consecutive terms. Mejia helps teams of all kinds to
develop a foundation of mutual respect, to communicate effectively and to become creative innovators.
THREE UU CHURCH RETREAT—PAGE 17
OUR TAHOMA UU CONGREGATION
PATHWAYS TO MEMBERSHIP
Saturday, March 28, 2015, 8:30 a.m.—12:00 noon
If you are interested in becoming a member of our Tahoma UU Congregation, or learning more about Unitarian
Universalism, please join us at our Spring Pathways to Membership class on Saturday, March 28th. These classes
are typically offered once in the spring and once in the fall.
Attending the class is not a commitment to membership, but we hope all potential members will be join us for this
session. Pathways to Membership is a great way to learn more about our congregation as well as to meet and
become well-acquainted with some of the people in our church community.
If it is not possible for you to attend these sessions, but you would like to become a member of our Tahoma UU
Congregation, please make an appointment to speak with our minister, Linda Hart, at minister@tahomauu.com or
call 360-584-0966..
For more information, please contact Susan Kunkel at skswim100@hotmail or Margot Marsh at
margot.marsh@gmail.com or at 253-565-5035. You may also contact the church office at 253-474-4646.
Breakfast treats will be provided at 8:15 before the classes begin, and childcare will be available upon request.
SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
Sunday, March 15, 2015, 11:45 a.m.
A special Congregational Meeting has been set for
Sunday, March 15, 2015, at 11:45 a.m., in the Sanctuary of the
Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Congregation at the request of the Board of Trustees.
The business to be considered at the meeting shall be limited to voting on
moving funds from our Reserves to balance the 2014 Operating Budget.
Per the Bylaws only those who have been members of the Congregation
for a period of thirty days prior to March 15 and have made an identifiable financial
contribution or pledge of record for this year may vote.
Those who have obtained a waiver may also vote.
Please add this congregational meeting to your personal calendar,
so we can ensure a quorum for this special meeting.
Meditation on Ministry
Submitted by the Committee on Ministry
Ministry means at least to live in and amidst and vulnerable to the struggle of each and
every one of us as we seek to come to an understanding of who we are, where we are,
how we are - and ministry means more so to help us to raise up the vision of where it is
we must go as a people, and invite us, if we need the invitation, to join hands and hearts
to get there. Let us not fail miserably by holding up a dose of religion when it is the
sacred living presence we seek. Excellent religion is always revolutionary, transformative, a
pointing in human terms toward greater than human realities. The religion of tomorrow is to be found not in our
great analyses and pungent minds and fevered millennial learning, it is to be found in our hearts, now, as we live
with love and courage in the ever present world that also gives us emptiness and despair.
~Source unknown~
PAGE 14—OUR TAHOMA UU CONGREGATION
The Dialog—MARCH 2015
BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECAP AND MESSAGE FROM THE TREASURER
February 17, 2015 Board of Trustees Meeting Recap
We had three visitors at our February meeting. Together we watched a TED Talk about coming out of our personal closets to have difficult conversations. This TED Talk will be shared with the congregation at the March Congregational Conversation. (The February Congregational Conversation will be about trust.)
Linda reported on the recent UU Ministers’ Association workshop she attended in California. She brought back
lots of music, many ideas, new and renewed connections.
Cynthia Hammer provided a very thorough update on our finances, highlighting a few areas which appear to be
overspent already. She cautioned us that we have $45,000 less in the budget than last year and need to stay
within budget to avoid depleting our reserve account any further. We reviewed and discussed her analysis of
pledges over the past several years.
We received updates on:
Board Priority - Membership - a meeting is being called with appropriate committee representatives on March 3.
Church Fiscal Year - Christine and Virginia Lane are gathering history and guidance to ensure we propose a
smooth process to adjust the fiscal year to align with the program year. This would shift our fiscal year from a
January-December to July-June. This must be approved by the congregation
Board Priority – Governance - Program Council meeting where we decided to meet with committee chairs three
times per year to align with the church program year – one meeting focused on budget
Barbara Tripp reported that the HR Committee is receiving applications for our DRE position which closes March
12 and that she is helping Linda with performance appraisals and job description revisions.
Christine George
Secretary, Board of Trustees
The next Board of Trustees meeting will be Tuesday, March 17, 2015 at 6:30 p.m.
Money Matters
As we move ahead in this new year, I want to tell you how important it is to have a predictable stream of income
to pay our bills. We have adjusted our planned budget, which projects spending $42,000 less than in 2014, to
agree with your pledges.
We need your timely pledge payments. What is most helpful is either early payment of pledges, or monthly
payment of pledges. To make payments directly from your banking institution to ours, go to our website
(www.tuuc-wa.org), click on Donate Now and enter the requested information. If you want your payments to
begin in March, divide your annual pledge amount by 10 (months remaining in the year) and enter that amount
as your monthly pledge payment.
Since we are on a very tight budget for 2015, any increase in your pledge would be helpful. If you find you are
unable to meet your pledge, according to our Bylaws, you need to let the Treasurer know.
Congregational Meeting, Sunday, March 15
There will be a brief, but very important, Congregational Meeting, following the March 15th Sunday service. We
need you there so we can have a quorum for a vote to approve a transfer of money that already happened from
our reserves. In 2014, contributions were $17,000 less than pledged. That, combined with cost overruns in the
budget areas of Business and Communications and IT/Legal Services, contributed to a $18,000 shortfall in the
2014 budget. To balance the budget, as required by our Bylaws, the BOT approved withdrawal of $18,000 from
reserves, leaving us now with just $20,000 in reserves. Now, also according to our Bylaws we need the members
to approve the $18,000 transfer from reserves.
Cynthia Hammer, Treasurer
cynthiahammer@nventure.com
253-752-0801
The Dialog—MARCH 2015
BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECAP & MESSAGE FROM THE TREASURER—PAGE 19
1115 South 56th Street
Tacoma WA 98408
253-474-4646
http://TUUC-WA.org
Office: Admin@TUUC-WA.org
Publications: Editor@TUUC-WA.org
A Message From Our Board of Trustees President
In this note to you, I will be sharing information on the
Start-up Workshop that we had in late January.
However, the most important thing that I want to cover is
the importance that you set aside time in your schedule to
be at the Congregational Meeting on Sunday, March 15th.
As I mentioned in my February Message, this meeting’s
only business is voting on moving funds from our Reserves
to balance the 2014 Operating Budget. As we covered in
the December Congregational Meeting, there was a
projected shortfall in the 2014 Operating Budget. This vote
is necessary to approve the movement of money from the
Reserves to cover that shortfall. We must have a quorum
on March 15th, so we can conduct business. Please join us
in the Sanctuary on Sunday, March 15th at 11:45 a.m.
On January 31st many of the leaders of TUUC joined
together for a workshop that was facilitated by Rev. Joan
Montagnes. The goal was to identify the best ways forward
and focus areas as we work with our Developmental
Minister, Linda Hart. Over twenty leaders from TUUC
participated and we accomplished a great deal.
Rev. Montagnes lead us through an exercise where we
identified which tasks were those primarily of the Minister
and which were Congregational. The aim was to dig down
to have as few tasks as possible fall under the shared
category. This is because those that are shared have
more potential for confusion, as there is not one
responsible party.
Once the tasks were identified, we voted with dots to find
the highest priority focus areas for us to work on in 2015.
The results were:
Finally, Rev. Joan facilitated discussion on what we, as
leaders, need to do when things break down or become
confused. The conversation ranged from adherence to our
covenant of right relations, to utilization of tools that are in
place.
Looking at the covenant of right relations, much of the focus
was on the use of appropriate channels for expressing
concerns or disagreement, to engage in responsible problem
solving and to connect with people with an open mind.
The discussions reinforced the importance of utilizing
teams and groups in place or needing further development.
Particularly mentioned were the restorative communications
team and non-violent communication groups.
Just one of the take-a-ways was the fact that often
disagreements, particularly strong ones develop because
the parties involved care deeply about the subject and/or
the outcome. Remembering that caring is at the base of the
discussion can help all involved be more open to differing
perspectives.
I want to thank those that took part and Rev. Montagnes for
the time, energy and commitment that were put forth in this
Workshop. Those that I have talked to have voiced that this
was time well spent and helped us further strengthen our
leadership team.
With Appreciation & Thankfulness,
Bob Hays
President, Board of Trustees
Tahoma UU Congregation
Governance – which includes Program Council, Leadership
Development, and Board of Trustees (BOT)/Congregational
Communication. This is already a BOT focus area for 2015.
Finances and Stewardship – which includes clarifying roles
between Treasurer, Finance Committee, staff, and BOT.
Mission, Vision and Covenant – we need to begin working
on this in the near term. We do not know if changes are
needed, but we want to review and discuss each of these.
This is already a BOT focus area for 2015.
Social Justice – Ongoing as opportunities arise, followed by
a larger congregational commitment once we have revisited
our mission and vision (likely in late 2015 or 2016).
Membership – This is already a BOT focus area – looking
at care and engagement of current members, as well as
enrolling new members.
Religious Exploration – adults, children, and youth.
PAGE 20—MESSAGE FROM OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES PRESIDENT
The Dialog— MARCH 2015