Roots and Wings
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Roots and Wings
September 2014
Unitarian Universalist
Congregation of Queens
147-54 Ash Avenue
Flushing, NY 11355
Phone: 718-353-3860
www.uucq.org
e-mail: [email protected]
Board of Trustees
President:
Runita Sutton-Toomer
Vice President:
Laura Ventola
Treasurer:
Lisa Attias
Trustees:
Jules Stein
Hilda Kapeles
Irwin Cohen
Newsletter editor:
Carine Darnell
Homecoming Sunday and
Water Communion Service
Please join us
Sunday, September 7th at 11 am
with our new minister, Rev. Dr. James Macomber
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Queens is thrilled to
announce the selection of our new minister, the Rev. Dr. James
Macomber. Jim has been a part of the Unitarian Universalist
movement since he was a boy in Ohio. He was a professor of
management at the University of Tennessee before entering seminary
at Vanderbilt University in 1997. Rev. Jim was ordained in 2001 and
has served Unitarian Universalist congregations, both large and
small, in Nashville, TN; Los Alamos, NM; Stony Brook, NY; Atlanta,
GA and Southold, NY. We are very fortunate to have someone with his
depth of knowledge, wisdom and experience. Welcome, Jim!
In addition to adding Jim to our staff, we welcome back our
wonderfully enthusiastic Music Director, Jed Levine, and our
ever-energetic Director of Religious Education, Paula
Rosenberg.
Please join us as we celebrate the first service of our new
congregational year with a Water Communion. Bring a bit of water
from your summer adventures, be it near or far, to add to our
communal “pool”. And after services, please join us downstairs for
our Annual Homecoming Luncheon!
From the President by Runita Sutton-Toomer
“Never believe that a few caring people can't change the world.
For, indeed, that's all who ever have.”
Margaret Mead
“If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we aren't
really living.”
Gail Sheehy
This congregational year begins a new season of change. This
past June, the new Board of Trustees had its first meeting. Our
goal is to help this community find direction as we face new
challenges. Most times, change is hard, but necessary. The Board
will work to create a platform where we can discuss and work
together to navigate the many changes that the congregation is
currently facing and will face in the future. This process will
determine how and where UUCQ can continue to be a strong liberal,
religious voice in Queens. It will also serve to define and
strengthen this community.
We began this process with a Mission Workshop held this past
May. Our new mission statement, “To Learn…To Serve…To Celebrate…”
will provide direction as we reflect, discuss and make plans during
the coming months. Our next step will be a Visioning or
Re-Visioning Workshop. The purpose of the workshop(s) will be to
begin the practice of discovering, communicating, and committing to
a shared vision for the future. A vision that inspires us to
joyfully focus and contribute our energies and resources over the
coming years. In preparing, we also need to consider the following:
How do we choose a future? How do we create a vision that calls us
into the future rather than frustrates us in the present? How do we
craft a vision big enough to include us all, yet specific enough to
provide a clear mission? What if we can’t decide? What if we don’t
agree?
In the approaching months, I invite us, each one of us, to hold
in our minds and hearts, our vision of the kind of welcoming
community that we want for ourselves and for the world. These
words, from the teachings of the Buddha, have resonated with
me:
“The thought manifests as word; the word manifests as the deed;
the deed develops into habit; and habit hardens into character. So
watch the thought and its ways with care, and let it spring from
love born out of concern for all beings.”
Sunday Service Schedule
Services begin at 11:00 am
Please join us for Coffee Hour immediately following
September 7 Homecoming and Water Communion - Worship Leader:
Rev. Jim Macomber
This will be a very special, multigenerational Sunday as we
celebrate the beginning of a new congregational year and welcome
UUCQ’s new consulting minister, the Rev. Dr. Jim Macomber, into our
community. Please remember to bring a small sample of water to
share from your summer travels, whether those travels took you
across the ocean or across the street. We hope to see you and all
the children on this, the opening Sunday of the new congregational
year.
September 14 "Lost but Found: Renewal Isn't Revolution" -
Worship Leader: Cory Rosenberg
Renewal is perhaps a frightening concept, suggesting
interruption to the status quo or an inadequacy in one's present
life. This service will be a time to come together to focus on
renewal as the act of appreciating what one already has: a renewal
of the spirit of gratitude for the richness of our lives and
strength of our congregation.
September 21 “Journeys and Transitions” - Worship Leader: Rev.
Jim Macomber
Our life journeys are filled with transitions. Let us reflect on
how we can grow out of sometimes-challenging changes in our
personal lives and in our chosen communities.
September 28 Sermon To Be Announced – Worship Leader: Rev. Allen
Wells
Multigenerational Fun Saturdays by Laura Ventola
We started these FUN events so that members and friends of UUCQ
could have a place once a month to come together, get to know each
other a little better and have some fun!
They usually take place on the last Saturday of the month and
start at 7 pm, but the time is adjustable. So far, we've had game
nights, a sing-a-long, an art night; well you get the drift.
Whatever someone wants to do, as long as it's fun and
multigenerational, this is the place to do it! Although Runita
Sutton-Toomer and I are the "official" facilitators, anyone
can host an event. Just let me or Runita know what you want to do,
and the date you want to host it, and we'll put it on the
calendar!
Religious Education
Welcome Back
by Paula Rosenberg, RE Director
Welcome to our Religious Education (RE) Program at UUCQ that
embodies our Unitarian Universalist principles and the goals of our
Religious Education time. Within this setting Children and Youth
are free to develop their beliefs and share in sacred moments. Our
classes, group activities, Children's Worship, multi-generational
services, and special events intentionally create and nurture an
atmosphere of community.
Unitarian Universalists affirm and promote our seven
principles. Here is the children's version of the UU
Principles:
* Each person is important
* Be kind in all you do * We're free to learn
together * We search for what is
true * All people need a voice
* Build a fair and peaceful world * We care for
Earth's lifeboat
In order to engage in a free and responsible search for truth
and meaning, we use UU curricula that teach about our own
Judeo-Christian roots, as well as other religions and different
cultures. Unitarian Universalists do not have one creed or set of
beliefs, which we bring to our religious education program. We
create an atmosphere in our classes that encourages thoughtful
discussion of all ideas. We hope that students of all ages will
consider what it means to live out Unitarian Universalist values in
the context of our wider world.
We believe that religious education is a lifelong process.
Whatever your age, wherever you are on your religious journey, we
welcome you.
This year we will again start out in the Sanctuary at 11:00 am
with our families and friends. We will share in a Time For All Ages
before going downstairs to RE classes. I am looking forward to a
FUN, Spiritual, Educational RE year with all of you, so welcome or
welcome back...
Yours, In Faith & Fun!
Paula Rosenberg
DRE at UUCQ
717-723-0973 for all of your RE Needs <3
Small Group Ministry at UUCQ
We come together with purpose: to bear witness, to listen to
each
other and to our deepest selves, to the silences as well as the
words
and what lies behind the words.
- Frederick Buechner, adapted
Small Group Ministry is a rich opportunity to gather with UUCQ
members and friends for reflection, deep listening and sharing from
our life experiences on specific themes. We will be creating a
welcoming space for spiritual connection and growth. Participants
form relationships across generations and affinities, strengthening
our community and helping members and friends find belonging in our
congregation. Small Group Meetings are open to members, friends,
and guests of the community who are ready to commit to a group
experience.
Schedule of meetings for 2014-2015
Second Sunday of every month at 12:40pm
September 14Religion/spirituality and its development
October 12
Letting Go
November 9
Gratitude
December 14Peace
January 11Justice
February 8Unity
March 8 Nature
April 12Mercy
May 10
Grace
*Themes may change to reflect Sunday Worship topics
Memorial Service
As some of you may know, Nancy Ruckes passed away earlier this
year on April 26th.
Nancy was a former member who for the last few years had been
living in Oregon with her daughter Ginger and son-in-law George.
All are invited to the Celebration Exaltation of Life Service for
Nancy on
Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014 at 1:15 pm at Community Church.
What’s New?
UUNIQUELY QUEENS
We created a Meetup group called UUniquely Queens to invite the
larger community to join us for weekly meditations and monthly book
discussions. Please join us on Meetup and “like” us on
Facebook.
MEDITATION GROUP
The weekly meditation group continued to meet every Wednesday
evening throughout the summer. Many of you have joined us on Meetup
and “liked” us on Facebook. We have a couple of new people who have
joined us on Meetup, too! One of them attended this past Wednesday
and plans to continue. Each week, we vary the type of meditation we
practice. So far, we have practiced mindfulness, compassion, loving
kindness and guided meditations. We set an intention or dedication
before each practice. At the end of the practice, we select one of
the UU Seven Principles to focus on during the coming week and
share our experiences the following week. Afterwards, we go out for
coffee and a nosh. Everyone is reporting that this mid-week break
is helpful in bringing relaxation, awareness and a clearer focus to
their daily lives. Om.
BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP
The monthly book discussion group has come together nicely. In
June, we discussed The Places that Scare You by Pema Chödrön. In
July, we shared opinions on Living a Life That Matters by Harold S.
Kushner. On August 21st, we took on Love in a Headscarf by Shelina
Zahra Janmohamed. Coming September 25th, we’ll be reading Being
Liberal in an Illiberal Age: Why I Am a Unitarian Universalist by
Jack Mendolsohn. We enter into some lively and thought-provoking
discussions at these sessions. Please call Runita or Joan if you
are interested in participating. Join us on Facebook and Meetup,
too!
DANCE, DANCE, DANCE
Someone once said, "If you can walk, you can dance." Emma
Goldman said, famously, "If I can't dance, I don't want to be part
of your revolution!" Join us for a night of moving and grooving to
music from different times and places. On Saturday, Sept. 27th at 7
pm, Wendy Moscow will introduce us to a variety of dance styles and
steps, but will leave plenty of time for free dancing, as well.
Let's boogie!!!
A Message From Our Treasurer
STEWARDSHIP: MAKING THIS YOUR CONGREGATION
First let me take this opportunity to welcome everyone back from
his or her summer adventures and endeavors. I hope everyone had a
joyful and fun-filled summer. Welcome back to YOUR
congregation.
With the days of summer dwindling down, it is important to
extend that joyfulness into the upcoming congregational year. This
means we should be proud of who we are and what we are doing. We
should be openly and joyfully proud of our stewardship of each and
every program and activity that is undertaken by our (your)
congregation.
To be a good steward means more than just “paying for services”.
When you are a consumer, (a role we play so well in this society)
we only put value on what we receive as individuals. The true
steward is not a consumer, but truly recognizes that they are also
owners. Every one of you is an owner of UUCQ. The owner or steward
is more concerned with how they can contribute to the success of
the whole congregation and not just with their own individual
needs. It is a commitment to building a healthy and thriving
religious community. To know that you are part of something greater
than yourself is both exhilarating and joyful. Feel the power and
see how wonderful that feels.
Namaste,
Your Minister of Finance
Lisa Attias
Coffee Hour Hosts
Every Sunday after service, we have a "coffee hour". And no, you
don't have to drink coffee, and it doesn't
necessarily last an hour, but it is a GREAT time to socialize
and have a snack! But in order to have these
Coffee Hours, we need people to host them. The host sets up
the coffee and hot water for tea, brings the milk and also brings a
nosh for everyone to munch on. We all take turns hosting and ask
that everyone host two Sundays a year. If you have not yet signed
up for Coffee Hour, please contact Irwin Cohen and let him know
when you can do so. We still have openings for hosts for Sept. 21
& Sept. 28th. Sept. 7th is the Homecoming Luncheon, and Irwin
& Laura Cohen will be the Coffee Hour hosts for Sept. 14th.
UUMN Conference 2014: Honoring the Past, Engaging the Future
By Jed Levine, Music Director
The U.U. Musician's Network, of which I am a member, is a UUA
organization of music directors, conductors, singers,
instrumentalists, composers, ministers, religious educators, music
committee members and congregation members. The mission of the UUMN
is to "nurture, educate, and inspire UU music leaders to create
dynamic and transformative music ministries." Since joining 2 years
ago, the UUMN been a vitally valuable resource for both my
professional development and for our congregation's music
program.
Each summer, the UUMN holds a conference with workshops and
plenaries, music-laden worship services featuring new hymns by UU
composers, and opportunities for UU music directors from all parts
of the country to network, share resources and bond in community. I
wanted to attend the 2013 conference in Dallas, but was unable to.
This year, with the support of the UUMN and our congregation (thank
you board of Trustees!), I was able to go to this year's conference
in San Diego. I don't use the word lightly when I say that the
experience was "transformative". The icing on the cake: at the
conference, I began my first year of the 3-year Music Leader
Credentialing Program (MLCP).
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
"A New Music Reading Session at the UUMN 2014 Conference"
From the moment I met my fellow MLCP candidates at the downtown
hotel Monday evening for a dinner and welcoming session --- to the
closing circle ceremony Sunday afternoon, I felt like Dorothy being
whisked up to the sky in the center of a tornado and then skipping
along the yellow brick road. Throughout the week, there was music
EVERYWHERE. All events, both formal and informal, began and ended
in song. In between workshops it was not uncommon to join in a
"circle of song" on the grass where someone usually was strumming a
stringed instrument. The top-quality courses I took and workshops I
participated in included Navigating Congregational Life Ethically,
Self-Care and Spiritual Practice, Leading a Successful Choral
Rehearsal, Creating a Jazz Service, Multimedia in Worship, and
Music Ministry in a Small Congregation. I had the opportunity to
play a gospel jazz tune with my friend Scott on sax, during one of
the lunchtime recitals, tickle the ivories of a 9-foot concert
grand with an 11-piece ensemble (including a horn section) for
worship on Sunday, learn from and interact with a master choral
conductor, sing the bass parts among a 200-person "choir" at the
new music reading sessions, and hang out with several Singing the
Living Tradition and Singing the Journey hymn composers.
- continued -
In addition, perhaps most importantly, I formed such a strong
collegial bond with the other 16 MLCP candidates, that by the end
of the conference, we were calling ourselves "The Tribe," and a
song about our experience started writing itself before most of us
even stepped off the plane back in our home states. I am really
looking forward to bringing many of the fresh ideas and new music
from the conference to our worship services in Flushing.
September 2014
1 Labor Day
7 Homecoming Sunday and Water Communion
Rev. Jim Macomber - 11am
10 Board of Trustees Meeting – 7:30pm
13 Community Kitchen – Noon-2pm
14 Sermon TBA – Cory Rosenberg – 11am
Small Group Ministry – 12:40pm
18 Worship Committee Meeting – 7:30pm
21 “Journeys and Transitions” – Rev. Jim Macomber – 11am
23 Autumnal Equinox
25 Rosh Hashanah
Book Club – Being Liberal in an Illiberal Age - 7:30pm
26 Rosh Hashanah
27 UUCQ Fun Night – Dance, Dance, Dance - 7pm
28 Sermon TBA – Rev. Allen Wells – 11am
*Weekly Wednesday Meditation Group at 7:30pm
A Special Notice From the Newsletter Editor:
I am pleased to be UUCQ’s new Newsletter editor. Our previous
editor, Laura Joh Rowland has done an amazing job and I have big
shoes to fill. I promise to do my best in continuing to keep you
informed and up-to-date. I look forward to receiving and reading
everyone’s contributions. Namaste, Carine Darnell
Unitarian Universalist
Congregation of Queens
147-54 Ash Avenue
Flushing, NY 11355
Current resident or:
Unitarian Universalist
Congregation of Queens
147-54 Ash Avenue
Flushing, NY 11355
Current resident or:
Non-Profit
Organization
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Flushing, NY
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