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President's Letter for July 29, 2010

A time to share... Wanting to share is not enough – the question is with whom to share

If your house is anything like ours, your mail box is stuffed full daily with pleas for help – each one appearing worthy of assistance. Perhaps, also like us, deciding which organization will receive your support is not an easy task. However, to Wayne and me - not giving is not an option – it is a responsibility. I am sure this is true of most, if not all, of you.

Our church is faced with a similar situation – we believe in the importance of giving but are faced with the challenging job of identifying which groups to support.

In June, the Board designated the third Sunday of each month as “Share the Plate” Sunday.
All money collected during the offering (and not designated as a pledge payment) is split evenly between the church and a selected group. In July, the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee’s Haitian Relief Fund was the selected organization – and in August we will be sharing with the UU churches in New Orleans who are still trying to recover from the Katrina disaster.

You can be part of the solution

Who we help in the future is an important issue – and I (the Board and the congregation) need people who will take on the task of selecting deserving organizations. I know this is not an easy assignment – but, a task which I feel will reap tremendous satisfaction. Ideally, I see this as a three person committee.

The committee’s first task will be to set guidelines – for example, should the Share the Plate include only local organizations – and, should our support extend beyond our area? Once the guidelines are established – the committee can begin the work of identifying organizations – and here the congregation can get involved by offering suggestions for consideration. Naturally, the organizations will be submitted to the Board for their approval.

If this sounds like something you would enjoy being part of or even think you might want to help – let me know - I would love to discuss this with you.
Our congregation has a long history of helping others in our community. I feel strongly that setting aside one Sunday a month as a time to share is a way to demonstrate and supports the seven Unitarian Universalist principles.

Mary Reynolds
President, Board of Trustees

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Report from our Pastoral Assistant, Paul Coleman

Ben Sollitto has been at the Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center, Intensive Care facility, for the past week. While he expects to move this week to a more conventional care unit, you can send him greetings at his permanent address
5550 North Ocean Drive, Tower 200
Apt. #11C
Singer Island, FL 33404

Miriam Maddux will celebrate birthday #101 this week.
She welcomes visits at Savannah Court
2090 North Congress Avenue
West Palm Beach 33419.

Millie Nailor made a surprise appearance at last Sunday's service with husband Don. She still welcomes written greetings at home at 4256 Royal Oak Drive Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410

Harvey Miller made his own recent Sunday visit thanks to Ben Juhl.
He remains at the Lourdes Noreen McKeen Residence
315 South Flagler Drive
Room 376
West Palm Beach 33401.
Harvey also welcomes telephone calls at 561 650 8914.

Marcia Haberberg is still recuperating at home. You can send her greetings at
131 Poinciana Drive
Jupiter, FL 33458.

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This Week at 1st UU

Friday, July 30th R.E. Parent's Meeting, Potluck and Game Night: (note earlier start time) 6:00 p.m. (MH)

This will be a time for parents to get to know each other better while the kids enjoy some social time. Bring your kid's favorite game and there will be R.E. committee members on hand to answer your questions about the coming year.

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Hoedown
Saturday, July 31 6-9:30 PM

Ministers Hall

Featuring: Our own UU Country Band

· Vangie Gruen, vocals

· Quinn Cavanaugh, drums

· Henry Gruen, trombone

· Art O’Brien, mandolin

· Marika Stone, bass

· Howie Stone, keyboard

Country line dancing led by Nicole and special guest:

Hugh Leavell, bad boy country singer.

Chuck Wagon dinner by Nelson

Suggested donation: $10. per person

BYOB

The church's online calendar is here.

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Meeting locations -

(S) Sanctuary
(MH) Ministers' Hall
(LRE) Large RE Room
(C) Chapel
(MO) Minister's Office

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Congregation contact information & driving directions to the church

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To see the subjects of the next several Sunday services, click here.

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Site Map for this Issue

Education and fellowship

Teaching Thursdays
Please note the following program changes:

Teaching Thursdays have been cancelled for August.

The next program will be Thursday September 16 with the normal schedule resuming:
5:30pm Meditation Moments
6pm Community Dinner prepared by Nelson Enos
7pm Special film presentation in honor of Coming Out Month

Paul Coleman will introduce an unusual film, Out in the Silence, currently attracting intense attention about transforming communities for gay and lesbian rights.
Film maker Joe Wilson married his male partner in Washington, DC, where such marriages are legally recognized. He then placed an announcement in his local newspaper in Oil City, a rustbelt town in northwestern PA.
The film documents a series of unexpected events, affecting local people in ways you probably will not anticipate, An insightful and moving film now generating much discussion.

October 21 - Margaret Robson will offer a look at The Alternative Authors of Shakespeare's Work with a follow-up to last year's popular presentation. This time Margaret will offer detailed attention to other writers who have been proposed as possible Shakespeare authors.

(The Social Action Committee has chosen to meet during the summer in the 4pm hour before other Teaching Thursday activities.)
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NewsTalk
Our in-season host Allen Maxwell with wife Dorie are summering in Indiana. Volunteers will man the host desk until October. 9:15 AM on Sundays. (MH)
Please sign up after the session Sunday to be a volunteer NewsTalk host for sessions from May 23 to October 24.
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First Friday Film Festival
The film for August 6 is the Woody Allen film The Purple Rose of Cairo starring Mia Farrow, Jeff Daniels and Danny Aiello.
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2nd Saturday Book Club
2nd Saturday Book Club continues to meet throughout the summer.

August 14 The Stone Angel by Margaret Laurence
September 11 Walden by Henry David Thoreau
October 9 Eden's Outcasts by John Matteson
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Small Group ministry
Small Group Ministry groups meet monthly and are led by a facilitator who is a group member. These groups provide ongoing ministry to the members and an ongoing connection with the congregation. Please click here to learn more about our SGM program. The SGM Handbook is here.
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The UU Spiritual Circle
This is a circle of learners and teachers, who covenant to seek spiritual/personal growth, to share explorations, and to encourage each other. Our menu is varied, but could and usually does include any of these practices: meditation, drumming, chanting, Tao breathing, Tarot cards, Laughter Yoga, and shared responses to an assigned reading or book.

Contact Chari Campbell, Paul Coleman, or Shirley Kent.

Lists

Your 1st UU Leaders

Scheduled activities

Outside activities

Constituents by Trustee

Reports

GreenWay
Michelle Woodring is now editor of GreenWay, the our popular ecology column. It is now a pdf file. If you click on 'GreenWay' above and it doesn't open, you need Adobe Reader. Click here to get it - free.

Latest Board Minutes - April 20, 2010

Fair Trade and Green Marketplace
Your support is much appreciated.

Thrift shop boutique
Stop by and see the "New Look" in the Thrift Boutique.

The 1st UU Thrift Boutique is thriving thanks to all of your efforts and donations. Special thanks go to our loyal volunteers. We not only have fun, but have you noticed how well dressed we are lately? There are benefits to working here!

If you are able and interested in volunteering please contact Pat Knight at 439-6515 or Kathe Bannigan at (561) 622-4668. With the holiday season over and our winter guests departing everyone is cleaning out their closets. We have a lot of new donations so stop in for a visit. We still need good, gently used clothing, small household items etc. Donations may be made directly to the Boutique during operating hours. Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. We continue to be our Congregation's largest fund raiser. Let's keep it that way. Join the fun: volunteer and donate! Thank you from the Boutique committee

To sign up contact:
Pat Kuller at knightkuller@yahoo.com (561) 439-6515 or
Emalee Andre at eandre@mac.com 561-625-0134.

Requests

Maximize use of eBeacon
Some notes on making your newsletter more useful.

Future Activities

Kripalu Yoga with Marika Stone, six Wednesdays starting July 7, 2-3 pm in the Sanctuary.

Coming Sunday services

August 8 Life Isn't Fair - Humans Can Make It Fairer
Milo Vannucci

August 15 We Will Not Be Restrained In Our Beliefs
Rev. Carole Yorke

August 22 Rev. Carole Yorke

August 29 UUs and the labor movement.

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