____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Dear UUCCN, Each year when I am writing my column for the January edition of the ADVANCE, I find myself wanting to share with you my hopes and my dreams for each of us as we enter into another New Year. And each time I begin to write, I recall—no, I actually hear—the voice of The Reverend Lee Reid, a dear mentor, friend and colleague and co-founder of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Palisades (UUCP), in Englewood, New Jersey—the congregation where I first practiced the art of ministry as Intern Minister. Soon after that, I was co-ordained by UUCP and The Community Church of New York. Rev. Lee wrote a wonderful column called “To Do List” (December 1966). Little did we know that this would be the last newsletter article she’d write for her beloved congregation, UUCP. Through this, Rev. Lee offers me what is often a gentle reminder, and I’ll admit, also at times a nagging nudge, reminding me of ways to be in right relationship with myself, with others, and with our world. It offers practical examples of how I might live my faith by bringing to life the Unitarian Universalist Principles that I hold dear. Her column expresses all that I hope for as we journey together, so once again, I defer to Rev. Lee. Enjoy. HIGH HOPES… A Note from the Reverend Dr. Hope Johnson, Minister January 2018 Vol. 17, No. 5 TO DO LIST By The Reverend Lee Reid (1932–1966) Mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion, and replace it with trust. Write a love letter. Share some treasure. Give a soft answer. Offer encouragement. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise. Find the time. Forgive an enemy. Listen. Apologize if you are wrong. Try to understand. Flout envy. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Appreciate. Be kind; be gentle. Laugh a little. Laugh a little more. Deserve confidence. Take up arms against malice. Decry complacency. Express your gratitude. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love. Speak it again. Speak it still once again. Yours, HOPE UUCCN in 20 Minutes Feb. 11, at 12:40 p.m. Workshop for newcomers, with Rev. HOPE BYOL Feb. 14, at 1:30 p.m. Bring Your Own Lunch (BYOL) and join Rev. HOPE in the Minister’s Office for meaningful conversation.
Each year when I am writing my column for the January edition of the ADVANCE, I find myself wanting to share with you my hopes and my dreams for each of us as we enter into another New Year. And each time I begin to write, I recall—no, I actually hear—the voice of The Reverend Lee Reid, a dear mentor, friend and colleague and co-founder of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Palisades (UUCP), in Englewood, New Jersey—the congregation where I first practiced the art of ministry as Intern Minister. Soon after that, I was co-ordained by UUCP and The Community Church of New York.
Rev. Lee wrote a wonderful column called “To Do List” (December 1966). Little did we know that this would be the last newsletter article she’d write for her beloved congregation, UUCP. Through this, Rev. Lee offers me what is often a gentle reminder, and I’ll admit, also at times a nagging nudge, reminding me of ways to be in right relationship with myself, with others, and with our world. It offers practical examples of how I might live my faith by bringing to life the Unitarian Universalist Principles that I hold dear.
Her column expresses all that I hope for as we journey together, so once again, I defer to Rev. Lee. Enjoy.
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HIGH HOPES… A Note from the Reverend Dr. Hope Johnson, Minister
January 2018 Vol. 17, No. 5
TO DO LIST By The Reverend Lee Reid (1932–1966)
Mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion, and replace it with trust. Write a love letter. Share some treasure. Give a soft answer. Offer encouragement. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise. Find the time. Forgive an enemy. Listen. Apologize if you are wrong. Try to understand. Flout envy. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Appreciate. Be kind; be gentle. Laugh a little. Laugh a little more. Deserve confidence. Take up arms against malice. Decry complacency. Express your gratitude. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love. Speak it again. Speak it still once again.
Yours, HOPE
UUCCN in 20 Minutes Feb. 11, at 12:40 p.m. Workshop for newcomers, with Rev. HOPEBYOL Feb. 14, at 1:30 p.m. Bring Your Own Lunch (BYOL) and join Rev. HOPE in the Minister’s Office for meaningful conversation.
2017 was a struggle for our nation. We saw images of hate and witnessed violence and families torn apart. We saw a nation led by divisiveness and fear, replacing a welcome mat with a wall—not the principles that Unitarian Universalists strive for.
But we continue, and we continue to look forward with hope. UUCCN does hold the Seven Principles important and does strive to build a place where all are welcome. And we are here to welcome one another. You—UUCCN Members and Friends—give us hope for the New Year. Here are just a few positive things UUCCN did in 2017:
Our RE youth and children, under the leadership of David Silver, brought kind words and warm food to those in need through a Breakfast Run and served in the Huntington Interfaith Housing Outreach. They also shared their talents and thoughts of gratitude at their special Thanksgiving service.
Through Share the Plate, we supported groups who every day turn their beliefs into deeds—from supporting a primary school in the Navajo Nation and relief efforts in Puerto Rico to meeting Derrick Cain from the Brooklyn Community Bail Fund, which works to right a bail system that punishes low-income New Yorkers. We owe a big thank-you to board member Sandra Nazario for organizing these efforts.
Our wonderful Renovation Committee and Buildings and Grounds team have made UUCCN a physically more welcoming place—especially with the heat in the hallway and new lights and chairs in Frantz Hall! We invite you to join in this process that will continue in 2018.
Most important, we are here for one another. Whether welcoming baby Benjamin, or visiting the sick in the hospital, or celebrating Tyler and Arianna at Coming of Age, or gathering and
helping prepare for Sunday Service and Sweet Tooth, we are a community that cares.
We thank Rev. Dr. Hope Johnson for another year of leadership and service along with David Silver, our RE Director, and Michael Sansonia, Musical Director. You are a great team!
And thank you to Diane Cohen, who has finished her year and a half of service as co-president of UUCCN. We are indebted to her knowledge and hope to learn from her kindness and resolve under pressure.
Thank you for helping us look forward to 2018 and for all you do to support UUCCN.
Happy New Year!
Evelyn Kuntz and John Roleke UUCCN Co-Presidents
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Co-Presidents Corner
LIAC Seeks Director for Student Activity Fund
The Student Activity Fund of the Long Island Area Council of Unitarian Universalist
Congregations is seeking a part-time coordinator to begin March 1, 2018.
Responsibilities include recruiting student participants from Long Island UU congregations, organizing and presenting spring and summer workshops for applicants and participants, coordinating participant internships in nonprofit agencies, writing an annual report and grant proposal to the Veatch Program of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock, and managing payments and records. The position averages 12 hours a week, seasonally adjusted with periods of greatest activity in the late spring and summer. Qualifications include interpersonal, organizational and writing skills, as well as extensive computer and Internet literacy.
The Student Activity Fund invites applications from candidates regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability. Candidates need not be Unitarian Universalists. Applications and résumés should be submitted no later than January 15, 2018. Send cover letter and résumé to the search committee at [email protected].
Welcome to the New Year. I hope that 2018 will bring good things to you and your families and a new opportunity to take advantage of the Religious Education and Social Action activities presented by the RE program here at UUCCN.
Consider joining the RE Committee or attending our next meeting on Sunday, January 7, at 9:30 a.m. in the Mallette Room to see how the committee and event planning comes about.
Our first Breakfast Run of the New Year will take place on Sunday, January 14. A planning meeting will take place right after the RE Bake Sale on January 7, which helps to fund this event to support the hungry and homeless in New York City. Preparations will take place on Saturday, January 13, beginning at 1 p.m., when we will sort clothes and prepare food for the next day’s event. Anyone attending this Breakfast Run should plan to be at UUCCN at 6 a.m. to heat up the food and load up the cars for our trip into the city. We will return to UUCCN in time for the morning service. Ask anyone who has participated in our previous Breakfast Runs to share with you how uplifting this initiative is.
Adult Education continues on Sunday, January 21, at 12:30 p.m. in the Mallette Room. The topic this month is “Happiness.” The February session will take place on February 4. The topic will be “Psalms and Prayers.”
The RE Program will finish out the month by hosting the Huntington Interfaith Homeless Initiative on Sunday, January 28, at the UU Fellowship of Huntington from 4 to 8 p.m. We will gather at UUFH to prepare dinner and bedding for the overnight guests, along with toiletry bags and breakfast items for the following morning.
We hope you will find the time to attend and support some or all of these special events this month.
Many thanks to the RE Committee and parents for helping with the annual Holiday Party! The students decorated tiny trees and made pinecone snowy owls, gingerbread houses, and Star of David ornaments. And Santa made an appearance to hand out gifts! Special thanks to Anna Lea Smith, Lisa Donigian, Reenie Gonzalez, Merille Caputo, Robin Rivera, and Karl Krafczek for the festivities.
David Silver Religious Education Director
Each New Year’s celebration is a joyous, hopeful time for me. I find it helpful, the idea of turning the page and opening ourselves to a new experience. The opportunity to reflect on our actions and attitudes throughout the previous year and see what we may do differently in the next, to be of greater use to this great interdependent web of existence.
It’s timely that UUCCN’s congregational retreat just took place in December. I got to see members coming together in reflection and seeking to envision together a more healthy and helpful spiritual community. Everyone had the opportunity to contribute ideas that I can’t help but think of as sort of “New Year’s resolutions.”
Now comes the tricky part: actually putting things into practice. Whether as individuals or in community, it can be all too easy for insights and intentions to get lost in the shuffle of the day-to-day. And there’s that incredible pull back to old actions and attitudes. We humans
are so drawn to what’s familiar, even when it’s painful.
Attempting change in community offers us much more possibility for success. We have the ability to bolster one another when the going gets tough. And it’s generally easier for our fellows to perceive that we’re veering than it is for us to see it ourselves. The vital piece is for us to be willing to set aside our pride and fears, and see ourselves as servants of an interdependent web.
I’m so excited to see what growth is in store for UUCCN in 2018, and am thrilled to think of the benefits that can bring to the local community and to the world! I am grateful for the opportunity to witness this, and maybe even to contribute to it in some small way.
Happy New Year!
Stewardship First of all, HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and your families.
Second of all, good news from our 2017-2018 Pledge Campaign: We have exceeded our goal of $70,000! Thank you all that have pledged, and thank you for your generosity. We can’t do it without you.
Thirdly, in continuing our generous stewardship of our building, this week, the back wall of Frantz Hall is being repaired after years of water damage. A few months ago, the outdoor ledge was repaired so that water can no longer accumulate and drip into the wall and thereby damage the paint job. Painters have repaired the damage and repainted.
Fourthly, our new chairs (120 of them) were delivered, thanks to Les Forrai’s research and hard work with support from Sandra Nazario. They arrived in time for our Holiday Service on December 24!
Thank you, everyone, for all your stewardship and support!
With gratitude,
The Stewardship Committee Anita Coddington Gerri Forrai
House and Grounds Update
We have a lot to celebrate in our congregation this season.
In November, we installed two new wall heaters by the front doors that will add some needed warmth during the winter months. Twenty years ago, these heaters were abandoned because they required new plumbing that was never installed.
Last month, the repair work was completed in the back of Frantz Hall—no more crumbling plaster by the back windows. Many people didn’t even notice the plaster by the back windows, but that is now a thing of the past.
In order to do this work, we rented a hydraulic scaffolding system for repairing and painting the back wall. While we had the skyjack, we were able to make improvements to our lighting system, adding new LED’s in the ceiling and new, more effective lighting to the back wall area of our worship hall.
We are a…GENEROUS CONGREGATION! At our recent congregational retreat, we played a game of affirmations, which was both uplifting and hilarious. Let’s celebrate our generosity, demonstrated over and over, through our hard work and programs like the Mitten Tree, the Toys for Tots Drive, the Breakfast Run, and on, and on. The retreat was helpful, inspirational, and very moving. If you can make a future retreat, you will not regret it. It’s a blessing!
January’s Share the Plate recipient is Long Island Community Solidarity (formerly Long Island Food Not Bombs), a group that distributes vegan food, produce, used clothing, and gifts at the Hempstead LIRR station every Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. This is part of a worldwide organization that believes that the road to peace is through food, quality of life, and dignity for all. They always welcome volunteers to cook, serve, distribute merchandise, and collect about-to-expire produce form Trader Joe’s and other stores.
Sierra Club Meetings: Change of Date for January and February
Usually the Sierra Club meets the second Wednesday of the month from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Youth Room. In January, we’ll meet on January 17, and the following meeting will be February 7. Same room and time. The focus of this group is grassroots organizing for offshore wind development. We sent a truckload of holiday cards to Governor Andrew Cuomo asking for more offshore wind (two Long Island sites have already been approved for OSW). We’re also working with the Suffolk Sierra Club to do a strategy teach-in some time in February. Light refreshments. All are welcome to learn, work, and break bread with us.
Wind Energy Environmental Risks Our members want to know about the risks to birds and marine life posed by wind energy. Birds and marine life are initially disrupted by the installation of offshore wind mills to a certain extent, but the impact is drastically reduced by the new technology (slow rotations) and the new understanding that we must avoid bird and whale migration routes in locating offshore wind farms. Although marine life is disrupted during the actual installation phase of the project, fishermen have reported increased marine life around the installations after they are established. The windmills actually serve as an artificial barrier reef, encouraging the development of coral and other kinds of sea life. On the other hand, the danger to birds, marine life, and humans posed by the effects of climate change is so devastating that it dwarfs any concerns about the effects of offshore windmills.*
Peggy LyonsSocial Justice Ministries Chairperson
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Social Action Committee
Standing on the Side of Love
“A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death.”
—Martin Luther King Jr. *Sources: The New York Times, “Are We Missing the Big Picture on Climate Change?”; Clean Technica, “Wind Farm Bird Deaths vs. Fossil Fuel Bird Deaths.”
The UUA has released its Annual Report on Giving for FY2017, available at UUA.org.
We welcome John Pritchard as a new member of our congregation. John joined our congregation last month—and even before becoming a member, he helped at our Pumpkin Patch!
Though he is a relative newcomer to UUCCN, John is no stranger to Unitarian Universalism. He was an active member at First Unitarian in Brooklyn for almost 20 years. Actually, he met our minister, Hope Johnson, there when she was serving as Minister of Spiritual Life. Small world.
After he recently moved to Great Neck, John was looking for a congregation closer than First Unitarian, where he served as Chief Usher and Building and Grounds Chair and was a member of the Welcome, Fellowship, Unibucks, Pastoral Relations, and Strategic Planning committees. He also served a term on the Board of Trustees and chaired the UniFair holiday market, the congregation’s major fundraising event of the year.
Professionally, John has degrees in geology, business, and science education. He worked for the NYC Department of Education as an earth science teacher and later as an assistant principal for science and technology at Grover Cleveland High School in Ridgewood, Queens. Prior to becoming a teacher, he worked for Consolidated Edison in various positions.
John likes to travel and has been to 48 of the 50 states. Rail and cruise ships are his preferred modes of transportation.
He has been involved in the Boy Scout program since he was 8 years old, and has been a Scoutmaster, holding various district positions. He has attended a number of major Scouting events, but his favorite was when he worked on the staff of the 2008 ArrowCorps5 service project in Wyoming’s Bridger-Teton
National Forest. He’s still active with his original troop in Astoria and most recently with Troop 544 in New Hyde Park.
John says he does a lot of odd things to keep busy since retiring, but his main passion is the game of Geocaching, where you use a handheld GPS receiver to find hidden "treasures.” He has over 4,000 finds.
It is our pleasure to welcome John as a member of UUCCN!
UUCCN Membership Committee Fran Heiz, Dave Coddington, and Lisa Smith
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January Sermons
Jan. 7 Seven Spools of ThreadRev. Dr. Hope Johnson, Minister
Jan. 14 Civil Rights Are Not EnoughRev. Dr. Anthony P. Johnson leads this service in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Jan. 21 One TodayRev. HOPE
Jan. 28 Radical Hospitality Damon Governa, Intern Minister
Service and Concert Commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 14 On January 14, from 7 to 9 p.m., there will be an interfaith, multicultural MLK service and choir concert, “Together We Can End Poverty and Hunger,” at the Suffolk Y Jewish Community Center in Commack. Rev. Jude and members of the UU Fellowship at Huntington choir will be participating.
LI Activists Contingent to the 2018 Women’s March on NYC, Jan. 20 Participation is co-sponsored by the UUCSR Social Justice Committee and Women’s Group.UUCSR members and friends may register with Sharyn ([email protected] or 516-472-2960). LI Activists is registered with the 2018 NYC Women’s March as an official group. Please RSVP.
On 5th Anniversary of Sandy Hook, UUs Join Interfaith Vigil at NRA Headquarters On December 14, the fifth anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, approximately 200 faith leaders from across the U.S.—including about 150 Unitarian Universalist ministers—held a worship service outside the headquarters of the National Rifle Association in Fairfax, Virginia.
The vigil drew approximately 500 people, said the Rev. David A. Miller, senior minister of the UU Congregation of Fairfax, Virginia, who was primary organizer of the event….
“We want a rising tide of moral clarity from faith leaders across the country to speak loudly and act boldly in their communities for safe and sane gun laws, for candidates who will support safe and sane gun laws, and against the lobbying, greed, and lack of humanity of the NRA and the gun lobby,” said Miller.
Hold On to Hope: Holiday Message From UUA President Susan Frederick-Gray
How are you doing this holiday season? How is your spirit? It’s all right—you can be honest. Are you feeling exhausted? Worn down or overwhelmed by the tragedies across our country and world?… Are you holding heartbreak, anger, even fear? It’s okay not to feel cheerful. This has been an especially difficult year for so many.
One of the things that gives me hope and strength when fear and despair move into my heart is all of you and this faith that we share.…
It is in religious community that I find a place to bring my heartbreak, and to bring my fear—and in that collective sharing my strength and my spirit are renewed. I find hope in the witness that Unitarian Universalists and so many other leaders are providing, showing up for human worth and dignity, showing up in resistance to protect the precious resources of the earth, showing up in partnership for the long-haul work of justice….
When you’re feeling down, remember that you’re not alone. You are part of a global community that cares about you and your well-being. You are held by a love greater than any one of us. So lean into this love and this hope. Lean into the hope of who we are together…. Our hope will sustain us as we continue to seek accountability from our leaders, communities, and ourselves.
Now is not a time for a casual faith, but for a deep and hopeful one.
Check out the UU Central East Region’s new blog, Better Together, at CERUUA.org.
Registration is now open for the UUA U.N. Office’s Intergenerational Spring Seminar for adults and youth, “When Crisis Calls: Advancing Just Migration for All,” April 5 to 7, in NYC.
THE GARDEN CITY CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY 2017-2018 SEASON
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Bruce Adolphe and Marija Stroke, Artistic Directors
ALL CONCERTS ARE ON SUNDAYS AT 3:00 pm
November 5, 2017 Lucas Pullin, classical guitar December 10, 2017 Alcott Trio January 14, 2018 Brentano String Quartet February 25, 2018 Emile Gendron, violin; Kathe Jarka, cello;
Misha Amory, viola; Marija Stroke, piano March 18, 2018 The Apollo Trio April 15, 2018 Thomas Sauer, piano April 29, 2018 Gala Benefit Concert – Brofsky Cello Ensemble June 3, 2018 Emily Misch, soprano; Kathe Jarka, cello;
Marija Stroke, piano
TICKETS $15, STUDENT TICKETS $12
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THE GARDEN CITY CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY PERFORMANCES AT THE
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Central Nassau (UUCCN) 223 STEWART AVENUE, GARDEN CITY, NEW YORK 11530 UUCCN Telephone: (516) 248-8855 Website: UUCCN.org
For information (not on the day of the concert) call (212) 787-7088 Corner of Nassau Boulevard, 1/2 block north of the Long Island Railroad, Nassau Boulevard Station
2/7 7 p.m. Clean Energy Task Force/Sierra Club Meeting
2/11 12:40 p.m. “UUCCN in 20 Minutes” Workshop for Newcomers
2/14 1:30 p.m. BYOL With Rev. HOPE
2/24 6 p.m. Valentine’s Party
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Central Nassau 223 Stewart Avenue Garden City, New York 11530 Tel: 516-248-8855 / Fax: 516-248-8891
Worship Services: 11 a.m. on Sundays
Rev. Dr. Hope Johnson, Minister and ADVANCE Content EditorEvelyn Kuntz and John Roleke, Co-PresidentsPatsy Kaplan, Vice PresidentDiane Cohen, Georgiana Collins, Gerri Ferrai & Peggy Lyons, TrusteesDave Coddington, President EmeritusDavid Silver, Director of Religious EducationMichael Sansonia, Music DirectorDamon Governa, Intern MinisterMaria Sutton, Administrator and ADVANCE DesignerKrissy Roleke, ADVANCE Editor
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