october newsletter-online version

8/4/2019 October Newsletter-Online Version

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11am-

INSIDEPG. 1SCHEDULE

PG. 2MUSINGSFROM THE

MINISTER

PG. 3NOTE FROMTHE BOARD

PG. 4NOTE FROMTHE BOARD

PG. 5GROUPS ANDPROGRAMS

PG. 6CHILDREN’SRELIGIOUSEDUCATION &MEMBERSHIPNEWS

PG. 7CALENDAR &A LOOKAHEAD

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION OF MIAMI OCTOBER 2011

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Miami

Sunday Services & Children’s Programs

October 2nd: Association Sunday: Celebrating

Excellence in Ministries- Rev. Wendy Pantoja

We will join thousands of Unitarian Universalists across

the continent and beyond in affirming our common bonds and

purposes on the fifth annual Association Sunday. Honoring that

connection and common vision can be a spiritually fulfilling and

empowering experience. Funds from our special collection will be

joined with those of other congregations to support the

continuing education of our religious professionals and of

programs that lead to vibrant, thriving congregations.

CONNECTIONS

October 9th: We Begin Again in Love -Rev. Wendy Pantoja

At this time of year, the Jewish community enters into a

joyous and holy ten-day period that begins with Rosh Hashanah and

ends with Yom Kippur. This is a time of repentance and forgiveness

—a time to wipe the slate clean and begin anew. What can we draw

from the teachings of this important religious source to refresh and

renew our covenant of right relationship?

October 23rd: Holy Hearts in Sacred Spaces -Rev. Wendy Pantoja

“When our heart is in a holy place . . .” So begins a hymn in

one of our new hymnals. Today we will explore what it means to findthat place and bless the space we inhabit.

October 16th: Worship Committee Lead Serivce

Join us at 11am as we are lead by our Worship Committee in

community together.

October 30th: For All the Saints- Rev. Wendy Pantoja

Who we are as individuals and as a religious community has been

greatly influenced by those who came before us. Come. Let us honor

and celebrate those ancestors in our religious and personal lives who

live on through us.



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MUSINGS FROM THE MINISTER OCTOBER 2011

Reverend Wendy Pantoja

OctoberI cannot believe it has already been a month since I arrived. Time sure flies when you arehaving a good time and a good time indeed it has been! There is great energy in thecongregation and much eagerness to do great “church” together. We are off to a verypromising congregational year.

Our leadership is pooling their talents to ensure the vibrancy and financial health of this congregation. On twoconsecutive weekends they have given very generously of their time to attend inspiring workshops led by ourDistrict Executive, the Reverend Kenneth Hurto. Special thanks go to the Reverend Sofía Betancourt who took time out from her very busy schedule to help co-lead one of these. Our leadership has also given of theirtreasure to lead the congregation in a New Beginnings pledge drive. This is only the beginning of all they aredoing. Please stay tuned for more and support their fabulous endeavors.

The Leadership Development Committee (LDC) is busy identifying individuals who would lead or serve on some

of the committees that are key to helping us carry forward our mission. Several of you have already stepped up

enthusiastically. Please do not hesitate to let the LDC know of a special interest or talent you may want to

contribute to the life of our congregation. Please remember that the vibrancy and vitality of any congregation is

in the hands of those who gather there. I encourage you to participate to the fullest extent you can and makeours a shining beacon in this corner of the earth.

It certainly has been wonderful to see your friendly faces on Sunday morning. Your warm welcome has been

most appreciated by me and by those who have returned after being away for a while. Sunday mornings are

always very special in the life of a congregation for they bring together the largest gathering of its membership

and other seekers of truths. You come here not only to be with like-minded people but also to nurture your soul

and spirit, to be stimulated intellectually, and to be motivated into the kind of action that will make this world a

better place while speaking to your passion.

So, how do ministers come up with Sunday morning topics given there is no lectionary in UnitarianUniversalism? Sometimes the calendar strongly suggests topics having to do with the seasons and holidays, and

with historic or cultural anniversaries. Among other sources of inspiration are current events, social justice issues,

Unitarian Universalist history, congregational history, outstanding heroes and sheroes, and our principles and

sources.

In recent years, there seems to be a trend of developing a liturgical calendar that takes all of the above and sets it

into annual or periodic themes. The themes I have chosen this year are:

Welcoming and Hospitality September-October

Gratitude and Joy

November-December Acceptance and Love January-February

Rebirth and Renewal March-April

Appreciation and Celebration May-June

These themes help to weave a thread of consistency and continuity in our spiritual explorations. While some

specific topics have already been chosen, there is still room for a few more. So please let me know what your

interests are. Whatever does not make it onto this year’s liturgical calendar could be seeds for next year’s. I look

forward to hearing from you.

As we go about our daily lives, may our words speak of peace and may our deeds inspire compassion and justice.



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Barbara Woshinsky- President of the Board

October

Despite the storms that roll through every afternoon, inviting Miamians to indulge in late summersiestas, your Board of Trustees has had a very active month. On September 9-10, the Board, theCommittee on Ministry (COM),* and Rev. Wendy Pantoja attended a start-up workshop led by Revs.Kenn Hurto and Sofia Betancourt. Kenn is our Florida District Executive; Sofia, a UU minister andfacilitator for the Diversity of Ministry Initiative, is currently working on a Ph.D. in religion at YaleUniversity. Sofia sensitized us to the subtle assumptions people sometimes make about a minister of

color, and how we can all work to counter them. In her remarks to the group, Reverend Wendy affirmedher commitment to social activism and anti-racism and her intent to seek out interfaith connections inthe community. She also expressed interest in deepening our spirituality (in whatever form that may takefor each congregant); in encouraging teaching, learning and growth throughout all life stages; and infostering involvement with our children, youth, and young adults.

The Board and the COM pledged to aid and support our new minister in her transition. We are inagreement with her goals, but do not expect Wendy to accomplish everything in her first year! Finally,we identified some of our Congregation’s special core values that we will try to embody in everything we do. These values include: social justice; open communication; caring for one another; self-expressionand joy through art and celebration; enlarging our hearts and minds to include everyone.

In addition to the retreat, the Board held a special meeting on September 2 to plan for the financialstability of the Congregation. We are running a matching pledge drive, culminating in a celebratorydinner on October 8—more of this elsewhere in the Newsletter. The Business Affairs committee hasdrafted a resolution, approved by the board, laying out guidelines for a Facilities Enhancement Fund;this will presented to the Congregation and voted on at a future meeting. Special thanks to Joyce Anderson, John Bost and David Roelant. Through all this work, we are heartened and strengthened bythe energy and good will we feel around us. Thanks!

* The Committee on Ministry works to strengthen the ministry of the church as a whole.

NOTE FROM THE BOARD OCTOBER 2011

MUSINGS FROM THE MINISTER CONT. OCTOBER 2011

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 10 AM – 2 PM*Monday – day off Thursday – Sermon writing daySaturday – reserved for special meetings and other

Please know that this schedule is subject to change in order to meet other ministerial anddenominational responsibilities. It will also be revised over the course of the year in response tocongregational needs.Rev. Wendy is available by telephone 9 AM – 8 PM except on her days off. Emergency calls will beaccepted at any time.

*It is always best to call for an appointment. If these hours do not accommodate your schedule, pleasedo not hesitate to call for an appointment at a mutually convenient time.

Minister’sOfficeHours



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David Jacobs- Treasurer Board of Trustees

New Beginnings Pledge Drive

Our budget shows its largest deficit in memory; we are $64,000 "in the hole". The Board of Trustees

has been busy working on long term solutions, including investing in a wonderful staff, reaching out tothe community with programs to stimulate your mind and inspire your heart, creating facilitiesenhancement & endowment funds to encourage planned giving, & much more. All this needs to bedone from a sound financial footing by eliminating our $64,000 budget deficit. Please do your part byparticipating in Our New Beginnings Matching Pledge Drive. If you already made your pledge earlierthis year, thank you, but please look deep in your heart & consider increasing your pledge by completing a special pledge card. If you have yet to pledge, please take this opportunity to make a commitment of financial support to our loving congregation. Special pledge cards are available at back of the sanctuaryand in the office. Simply complete a pledge card and give the card to Susan Green, Office Administrator or a member of the Board. Thank you very much.

NOTE FROM THE BOARD CONT. OCTOBER 2011

Margaret McAlister- Vice President of theBoard

For the Good Life of Our

Congregation

Have you ever had a wonderful ideaabout how our Congregation could bebetter? Have you ever known that youhad the perfect solution? And, have youever wanted to praise a fellow

Congregant at the top of your lungs?If you have been here long enough, you have probably experienced all threestates of mind, and perhaps werefrustrated because there wasn’t aconsistent process in place forexpressing yourself.

Your Board of Trustees has beenlistening to you, and we have created“FOR THE GOOD LIFE OF OUR

CONGREGATION” comment cardsfor use by all Congregants. Blank paper versions of this card will be kept in the back of the Sanctuaryif you prefer to complete by hand, or you may utilize the electronic version (click HERE ) which can bedownloaded then emailed to me at [email protected] or printed and placed in the“FOR THE GOOD LIFE OF OUR CONGREGATION” box in the back of the Sanctuary. Cards(paper and electronic) must be signed to be considered.

Our promise to you is this: let us know what’s on your minds, and we will respond. Thank you for the opportunity to do so.

OurNewBeginnings

mailto:[email protected]

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3081651/The%20Good%20Life-%20online%20version.pdf







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GROUPS AND PROGRAMS OCTOBER 2011

Iris MasseySpiritual Reality

Spiritual Reality offers an opportunity for spiritualexploration and growth through selected readings andcommentary by the group. Those who attend areencouraged to comment on the readings and/or share theirpersonal concerns. We are not a therapy group, but a groupof caring friends who come together to listen and to learn.Please join us on Sunday mornings at 9:30AM in theEmerson Room.

Alice LingswilerGrief Support GroupThe Grief support group meets on the 1st and 3rd Sundayof each month in the Emerson Room at 1:15pm. You are

welcome to join us whether your loss is recent or long ago.See Connie Bartels or Alice Lingswiler.

John BostHumanist Group

Join us on October 11th as we explore DVD "Cultures andValues-Questions of Relativism"? from the "Philosophy &Intellectual History" by Professor Patrick Grim, StateUniversity of New York at Stony Brook. We meet in theEmerson room every second Tuesday of the month at 8pm.Come join us.

Alice Lingswiler

Lunch BunchBring a bag lunch and join us as we enjoy a friendly lunchand discuss a reading from an inspirational book each

Wednesdays from 12pm-2pm in the Emerson Room. Every3rd Wednesday is Poetry Day so bring your favorite poemsto share. Hope to see you there.

Margaret McAlister & Sandy HowardPFLAGPFLAG Kendall meets at 12pm on the 2nd Saturday of each month at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Miami. PFLAG Homestead meets at 12pm the fourthSaturday of each month at St. John’s Episcopal

Church, 145 NE 10 Street in Homestead. For more infocontact [email protected]

Marilyn RutgersWelcoming CongregationThe Welcoming Congregation Committee is scheduled tomeet on the first Sunday of each month, at 1:00PM. TheLavender Salon, which we sponsor, is an IntergenerationalEvent for Miami's LGBTQ Community. It is, usually, heldon the second Saturday of the month, at 6:30 PM, in theEmerson Room. We start with a Potluck, followed by anevening of educational events, and fun! We had been onhiatus for the summer. We opened our Fall Progran on

September 10th with a FABULOUS evening showcasing Pridelines Youth Services, GALA , Homecoming and

Talent Show!!

There were LOTS of people in attendancein the, festivly, decorated, , Sanctuary. The talent Showwas, DELIGHTFUL, with numerous acts! The PridelinesChorus/Glee Club sounded GREAT, as usual! PridelinesMistress/Master of Ceremonies was the HIT of theevening! He was an INCREDIBLY talented and cleverFemale Impersonator named Christopher. . We, all, hopeto see him at the next Pridelines Event!! The LavenderSalon, also, plans to re-start the Interweave Film Seriescelebrating LGBTQ themes, this Fall. Please join us for orupcoming activities, including Speaskers and Workshops. For more information about The Welcoming CongregationCommittee, and The Lavender Salon, please contactMarilyn Rutgers or Dave Roelant.

June HarbettThe AllianceMeeting Saturday, October 1st for lunch at 12pm andconversation with Reverend Wendy Pantoja at 1pm.

Nanette BartelsBuddhist GroupIf you are looking for a pause in your busy week why notcome and experience Buddhist Reflections? We meet everyTuesday evening from 6:30-7:45pm in the Emerson Room(the second Tuesday of every month is in the sanctuary).Discover your Bodhicitta. We begin with a seated 15

minute meditation, a reading or two, followed by engaging discussion. We close with a second 15 minute meditation.No commitment is necessary; come whenever you like.Everyone is welcome and no experience is necessary. Comeand refuel for your busy week.“Enlightenment is intimacy with all things.”- Jack Kornfield

Carol ReiterUU Jazz SeriesOur second concert, Sunday Oct. 23rd at 4:00PM brings areturn of Paul Green, the brilliant clarinetist, keyboardistBob Weiner along with others and their exciting sound,

Klezmer East. Klezmer East joins forces with Latin Jazzand World Music star Maria Rivas in a unique concertfusing Latin music and jazz with traditional Klezmermusic. In this exciting new collaboration, Maria andKlezmer East present beautiful and haunting Sephardicsongs, plus special arrangements combining traditional

Jewish melodies with a jazz and Latin flavor. In addition,Maria will sing some of her favorite Latin tunes, and theband will perform some old-fashioned Klezmer music. Joinus for this exciting collaboration! All tickets are $15.00(adults), $10.00 (minors), cash at door, and don’t forget ourbrownies, wine and cheese at intermission. Come out andsupport our series. We are self-supporting and we need you

to continue our work. There’s nothing like live music.

"A friend is one whom I may think aloud."~Ralph Waldo Emerson



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Monica Rizzo- Director of RE

Classes What a busy month for our children!

RegularReligious Education classes will take place

October 2, 9 and 23. Please pick up your childpromptly after service. On October 16, we willhave an Intergenerational Service where childrenremain in the service with their parents/guardians. OWL(Our Whole Lives) classes will be taking placeafter the service as well. Children in grades 4-6

will meet on October 9 & 23 in the EmersonRoom at 12:30 pm. Parents of children K-1 inOWL will meet in room three at 1 pm onOctober 9. The nursery will be open for thissession. Monster BashThe Monster Bash will be taking place on Friday,October 28 in the Sanctuary. The time will beannounced closer to the event. Nursery Also, each Sunday the nursery is open at 10:45for infants-3 years old. Please note the agechange. When dropping off your child, please

sign him/her in on the class roster and leave yourphone number. Each child is required to have

appropriate supplies including diapers, wipes,change of clothes, snack and drink. Please pick up your child promptly after service.

RegistrationIf you have not yet registered your child for REclasses please see the Director of ReligiousEducation (DRE), Monica, as soon as possible tofill out the appropriate paperwork so your childcan attend classes.

Religious Education Meeting The next RE committee meeting will beSunday, September 25 at 12:45PM in theReligious Education Office. The Octobermeeting has been pushed back to late Septemberdue to conflicts. The next meeting moving forward will be Sunday, November 13.

New to the Program?If you are new to the program and would likemore information about Religious Education,

please feel free to contact Monica Rizzo, theDirector of Religious Education (DRE), [email protected] to chat by email, set up aphone call or schedule a face-to-face meeting.

CHILDREN’S RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OCTOBER 2011

MEMBERSHIP NEWS Andrea MustelierMembership Committee

We invite our guests and newcomers to visit the "Pineapple Table" on Sundays. It has beenrewarding to see so many summer visitors and the way they have been welcomed. We’d love to pair

up newcomers with members in order to share our community as they meet new people. It is thecongregation as a whole that is our best representative. We knowing that it is important to worshiptogether on our spiritual journey but, we want to embrace those who are just starting their search aswell. The committee is comprised of: Martha Dominguez, Martha Harrison, Melissa Jacobs, Selva Joseph, Andrea Mustelier, Derrick Mustelier, Jill Taft, Sterling Waiters & Ruth Wells. You can easily identify us by ourbright yellow name tags with a pineapple on it (a symbol of hospitality). We welcome any information aboutpeople who we can reach out to. We plan to work with the Caring Committee to make sure that we contactpeople who may be ill or going through a difficult time. Come meet with us on the First Wednesday each month,7:30pm in the Emerson Room.For more information contact Andrea Mustelier at (305) 299-9958.

"The first problem for all of us, men and women, is not to learn, butto unlearn." ~Gloria Steinem






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CONGREGATION CALENDAR OCTOBER 2011

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

11am- Alliance,

Luncheon, S

2

9:30am- Spiritual

Reality, ER

11am- Worship, S

1pm- Welcoming

Congregation, R3

1pm-

Congregational

Meeting, S

1:15pm- Grief

Support, ER

3 4

6:30pm-

Buddhist

Reflections,

ER

5

12pm- Lunch

Bunch, ER

7pm- Membership

Committee, ER

6

7:30pm- Choir

Practice, S

7

7pm- Young Adult

Group, ER

8

12pm- PFLAG, ER

6pm- Lavender

Salon, ER

6pm-

Congregational

Dinner, S

9

9:30am- Spiritual

Reality, ER

11am- Worship, S

1pm- OWL classes,

R3 & ER

10 Columbus Day 11

6:30pm-

Buddhist

Reflections, S

8pm-

Humanist

Group, ER

12

12pm- Lunch

Bunch, ER

7pm- Board of

Trustees, ER

13 14 15

10am- Path to

Membership, ER

1pm- Young Adult

Group

16

9:30am- Spiritual

Reality, ER

11am Worship, S

12:45pm- Worship

Committee, R6

1:15pm- Grief

Support, ER

17 18

6:30pm-

Buddhist

Reflections,

ER

19

12pm- Lunch

Bunch, ER

20 21 22

23

9:30am- Spiritual

Reality, ER

11am- Worship, S

1pm- OWL classes,

R3 & ER

4pm- Lotz

Concert, S

24 25

6:30pm-

Buddhist

Reflections,

ER

26

12:30pm- Lunch

Bunch, ER

27

7:30pm- Choir

Practice, S

28

6pm- Monster

Bash, S

29

30

9:30am- Spiritual

Reality, ER

11am- Worship, S

31 Halloween

Legend:

ER= Emerson Room TBD= To Be Determined, See Calendar Online R= Room

S= Sanctuary for most recent information G= Grounds

- Installation Sunday- Be on the look out in November as we install Reverend Wendy Pantoja.

- SWIM, the UU camp from Dec 26th-Jan 1st in Homestead. Check out the SWIM website

www.swimuu.org and the new YouTube video: http://tinyurl.com/uuswim

A LOOK AHEAD NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011

http://www.swimuu.org/










http://tinyurl.com/uuswim







Rev. Wendy Pantoja, Minister- Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 10 AM – 2 PM*, Monday: day off, Thursday: Sermon writing day, Saturday: reserved for special meetings and other events. 305- 667-3697, [email protected]

Susie Green, Office Administrator- Monday-Friday 10am-2pm* Ph: 305-6673697, Fx: 305-667-9585, [email protected]

Monica Rizzo, Director of Religious Education- [email protected]

Dr. Tim Buchholtz, Choir Director- [email protected] Zoltan Bakos, Custodian, Ph: 305-667-3697

*It is always best to call for an appointment. If these hours do not accommodate your schedule, please do not hesitate to call for an

appointment at a mutually convenient time.

Staff Schedule & Contact Info

with Unitarian Universalists across the country!

Most congregations will join together on:

October 2, 2011

Our service will be held on:

Visit www.uua.org/associationsunday

or call (617) 948-4661 for more information

CelebratingExcellence in Ministries

We are better together!

As we begin the next 50 years of our Association,

the UUA is joining with our professional

organizations and congregations to raise funds

for outstanding continuing education

and professional development

for all our religious professionals.

AssociationSunday

Celebrate the Fifth Annual

October 2, 2011









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