February 2011

The Lowcountry

Beacon

February 14th is National Standing on the Side of Love Day. This is an easy one for most of us to re-member since it is also Val-entine’s Day.

Last Valentine’s day I sug-gested that we re-imagine Valentine’s Day to incorpo-rate this greater understand-ing of Love. In that sermon I quoted Rev. Carter Hey-ward, Episcopal priest and theologian, “Love, like truth and beauty, is con-crete. Love is not funda-mentally a sweet feeling; not, at heart, a matter of sentiment, attachment, or being ‘drawn toward.’ Love is active, effective, a matter of making reciprocal and mutually beneficial relation-ship with one’s friends and enemies.”

I would like to explore that idea a bit more. Heyward seems to be saying that love is more than a temporary, emotional, or physical bond. In being like truth and beauty, it has real transcen-dent qualities.

Instead of being simply a

biological attraction, a tran-sient emotional impulse, Heyward suggests that love is something more perma-nent, something that exists as a natural law or force in the universe.

A natural force that, when we are attuned to it, when we cease defining it, we cease limiting it to fit our own limited imaginations, “Love is a choice” Rev. Hey-ward continues, “not simply, or necessarily, a rational choice, but rather a willing-ness to be present to others without pretense or guile.

. . . A willingness to partici-pate with others in the heal-ing of a broken world and broken lives. . . . the choice to experience life as a mem-ber of the [interdependent web of existence], a partner in the dance of life, rather than as an alien in the world or as a deity above the world, aloof and apart from human flesh.”

If love is a choice, as Rev. Heyward suggests, and Love is the choice to be an active partner in the dance

of life; If love is a willingness to participate with others in the healing of a broken world and broken lives; then what would a holiday that truly celebrates Love look like?

If we are going to re-imagine Valentine’s Day, re-imagine a more just society, then it seems to begin with the daily choice to Stand on the Side of Love, to choose love as the guiding principle of our lives.

If it is a more loving, more just world we seek, it begins not by changing other peo-ple, but through changing ourselves.

Marianne Williamson gives us a clue to how we might make that possible: “Love is what we are born with. Fear is what we learn. The spiri-tual journey is the unlearning of fear and prejudices and the acceptance of love back in our hearts. Love is the essential reality and our pur-pose on earth.”

In Peace and Love, - Rev. Thomas Schmidt

Standing on the Side of Love in Bluffton and Hilton Head Island for over 30 years.

A Month of Sundays

Sunday Service: 10:00 am

February 6 Swimming in the River of Suffering Rev. Tom Schmidt

February 13 Rev. Dr. Nannette Pierson

February 20 The Flight From Ambiguity: From Confucius To Copenhagen Rev. Dave Johnson, retired UU minister

February 27 Apocalypse Now and Then Rev. Tom Schmidt

Editor Mary-Michael Hanbury Email: sapidsister@yahoo.com

Contact Information

110 Malphrus Road, Bluffton, SC 29910

(843) 837-3330

info@UULowcountry.org

www.UULowcountry.org

Office Hours Volunteer Office Staff

Thursdays 10:00—12:00 Rev. Thomas Schmidt

Thursdays 10:00—3:00 or by appointment

Minister Thomas Schmidt Minister Emeritus Manuel Holland Religious Education Ann Harrison President Peggy Tweel

Rev. Schmidt is always available for pastoral care and counseling, please do not hesitate to call.

Cell: 290-6819 E-mail: revtom@hargray.com

Leadership Staff

Unitarian Universalist

Congregation of the Lowcountry

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Programs, Meetings, and Special Events Adult RE – Thursday, February 3 and 10 at 7 pm. New Adult RE Class: Articulating Your UU Faith. This is a four week class designed to help participants understand and articulate their own UU faith more clearly. Board Meeting - Thursday, February 24 at 6:30 pm. The monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees is held on the fourth Thursday of each month in the UUCL Clara Barton Conference Room. Visitors are always welcome.

Book Club - Friday, February 18 at 7 pm. "Monkey Beach" by Eden Robinson. Contact Virginia Jordan 689-6714 or vjordan@hargray.com for directions. Congregation Informational Meeting - Sunday, February 20 immediately following service. Contemporary Issues - Sunday, February 6 and 20 at 11:30 am. The Current Issues Forum meets on the first and third Sundays of every month in the Clara Barton Conference Room. February 6th will be about the World Bank and International Monetary Fund with a background paper by Ruth King. February 20th meeting subject will be decided by the group. Contact Folly King 682-3191 or follyking@roadrunner.com 682-3191

Dedication of Commemorative Plaques Honoring our Building's History - Sunday, February 13

Documentary Night - Friday, February 25 at 7 pm The End of Poverty? is a daring, thought-provoking and very timely documentary by award-winning filmmaker, Philippe Diaz, reveal-ing that poverty is not an accident. It began with military conquest, slavery and colonization that resulted in the seizure of land, miner-als and forced labor.

E-Team - Sunday, February 27 at 11:30 am. The Environmental Team meets on the 4th Sunday of each month.

Knitter’s Circle - Wednesday, February 23 from 6:30-8 pm. Meets on the last Wednesday of every month from 6:30-8 pm. We make Prayer Shawls, Comfort Blankets, Wraps, Hats, Baby Clothes, and other items to give to members and friends of the congregation in times of need. You do not have to be a Knitter to be in this group. Our doors are open to those who crochet, quilt, weave, sew, and do macramé. Bring whatever you are working on and come enjoy an evening with good company. Our next gathering will be on February 23rd. For more information, call Ann Harri-son: 422-2598 or send her an e-mail: dearannharrison@gmail.com.

Newsletter Deadline - Tuesday, February 15. The deadline for the Beacon is on the 15th of each month. Items for consideration should be emailed to Mary-Michael Hanbury at sapidsister@yahoo.com.

Socrates Café - Sunday, February 6 at 11:30am-12:30pm. This philosophical discussion group utilizes questions raised by the group to explore what is on your mind at the time. Facilitated by Rev. Tom.

Transitions is a support group for anybody going through a major transition in their life. Major life transitions include (but is not lim-ited to) the death of a partner, divorce, recovery, retirement, job loss, etc. Groups will meet twice per month initially with one group meeting during the day, one in the evening. For more information and questions, please contact Rev. Tom. Dates: Tuesday, Febru-ary 8th (1-2:30 pm); Thursday, February 17th (7:30-9 pm); Tuesday, February 22nd (1-2:30 pm); Thursday, March 3rd (7:30-9 pm) UU Animal Ministry - Sunday, February 13 at 11:30 am. UU Animal Ministry meets the second Sunday of each month following Sunday’s service. For more information contact Peggy Tweel at 757-7780 or peggy@hargray.

UU Living - Sunday, February 27. It is not easy being a Unitarian Universalist; it is not intended to be easy. It is easy to agree with our principles, it takes considerable commitment and effort to live by those principles. This group is for you if you are seeking to deepen and strengthen your faith jour-ney. Everyone is welcome, contact Rev. Tom for more info.

UU Singers - Sundays at 9:30 am. Singers are invited to arrive early before Sunday’s service to practice the hymns for that day. This is the first step to creating a Mu-sic Program here @ UUCL.

Committees

Aesthetics & Décor Fran Farrell and Peggy Tweel Building Maintenance Bill Barraclough Care Dan Tweel

Committee on Ministry Jeff Donahue and Dominique Geer Grounds Paul Brophy and Mary A. Walker Finance/Treasurer Dan Tweel Fund Raising Janice Alden Hospitality & Kitchen Kathleen Mirin Leadership Development Rev. Manuel Holland Membership Kathy Quirk Music Jeffrey Watkins Planned Giving Coordinator Rev. Manuel Holland

Press & Publicity Coordinator (open) Religious Education Richard Friedman

Social Activities Libba Beerman Strategic Vision Team Mary Alice Walker Worship Cheryl McCarthy Social Justice Groups:

E Team Harry Gregory

Family Promise

UU Animal Ministry Peggy Tweel

Join thousands of fel-low Unitarian Univer-salists from across the country as we remem-ber the persons and events that brought into being the Unitarian Universalist Associa-tion!

Contact Linda Nelson if you plan to attend at lindahhi@gmail.com.

Please join us on

Sunday, February 13th

for the Dedication of Commemorative Plaques Honoring our Building's

History

President’s Message Dear Members and Friends, We started out this New Year with some special UUCL events in the month of January! I hope you were able to attend the Winter Party & Auction! We had a great turn-out, enjoyed delicious Italian food, and a variety of interesting, fun and useful items in the auction! There was such great energy and warmth in our being to-gether and having the opportunity to visit! Thanks again to Janice Alden (Chair) and our Fund Raising Committee, as well as many other volunteers, who con-tributed their efforts to make this evening so enjoyable and successful! A mid-year “State of the Congregation” Informational Meeting was held on January 30th and there will be another on February 20th following the worship service. We hope you can attend! Board members will be in the Clara Barton Conference Room from 11- 11:30 AM every Sunday in February and we invite you to visit with us and share your thoughts, ideas and questions! We will have a dedication of Commemorative Plaques Honoring our Build-ing's History on February 13th . This will surely be heartwarming as we remem-ber and honor special people and a special time in our congregation’s history. In a recent letter from the Unitarian Universalist Association Transitions Direc-tor, he encourages our congregation to see this time of transition as an invalu-able opportunity to reflect on our congregation and its internal life and external relations and to arrive at new insights about the value we can add to each other’s lives and to the well-being of our community. In reflecting on our guest minister’s message on January 30th about pilgrims and pilgrimages . . . . . May we, as we move forward on our congregational pil-grimage, continue to work together to nurture our minds, our hearts and each other! In fellowship, Peggy Tweel

Sunday, February 20th

Congregation Informational Meeting

Following service.

Please plan to attend!

Food Donations for People and Pets

Please remember to bring your food donations on Sundays, which are donated to the Sandalwood Food Bank. The Sandlewood Food Bank, founded by Rev. Dr. Nannette Pierson, serves food to 50 low income families. There are now 300 low income families (1,000 people) that are served each month, demonstrating the critical need and poverty in our area.

Sandalwood Community Food Pantry

Reverend Dr. Nannette Pierson PO BOX 5061

Hilton Head Island, SC 29938 Phone: 843.645-0935

Email: sandalwoodpantry@gmail.com

Website: www.sandalwoodfoodbank.com/

The Chinese philosopher Confucius lived amidst social chaos. His response was to regiment proper behavior. Those who transgressed paid a heavy price. In our own age we are witnessing a similar "flight from ambiguity". What are its merits? What price do we pay?

Guest Minister, Rev. Dr. David Johnson, has spoken previously at our Fellow-ship. In his first career David was a marine geologist at Scripps Institution (CA), Woods Hole (MA), and the National Science Foundation. An ordained UU minister since 1987, David served the Shawnee Mission UU Church in Overland Park, KS for 15 years. He is now one of the UUA's Accredited Interim Ministers. Since 2002 he has served as transition consultant (interim minister) at UU churches in Kalamazoo MI, Birmingham AL, Plantation FL, Bloomington IL, and Athens GA. He is now serving the UU Fellowship of Winston-Salem NC.

Sunday, February 20

The Flight from Ambiguity: From Confucius to Copenhagen Rev. David A. Johnson, Guest Minister

Worship Associate: Bill Barraclough

Every-Member Canvass

Did you ever wonder why it's called an Every-Member Canvass? Well, do you suppose it's for the same reason that it "takes a village to raise a child? You see, our church is an extended family and we really do care about each other. In fact we look for ways to nurture our togetherness. And, just as we believe in the "inherent worth and dignity of every individual” we also realize that there is strength in num-bers. When everyone contributes something to the cause, the synergy that results is what enables us to reach our goal. And so, as the time nears when each of us must ask ourselves should I make a Pledge this year? and how much can I afford? The answers must be Yes, and as much as I can given my personal circumstances. While the dollar amount is important the synergy we seek can only come when everyone makes a pledge. Re-member, unlike a mortgage payment, a pledge is not a legal document. It is more of a moral agreement based upon what the church means to us personally and it can be revisited should one's situation change. It should be generous but realistic for it is our pledging that largely determines what our church budget will be.

~ Ron Titus, Canvass Director

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“We acknowledge and affirm the kinship and interdependence of human and non-human animal, and adopt ethics of interspecies compassion as an integral component of liberal religion.”

Unitarian Universalist Animal Ministry Meetings are on the 2nd Sunday of each month at 11:30 am following Worship service. For more information contact Peggy Tweel at 757-7780 or peggy@hargray.com

A big THANKS to all our volunteers who make Family Promise possible!

“It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a person stands up for an ideal or acts to im-prove the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he or she sends forth a tiny ripple of hope; and crossing each other from a million differ-

ent centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.” ~ Robert F. Kennedy

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Book Club—February 18th Selection February 18th - "Monkey Beach" by Eden Robinson. The Washington Post said "Far more than a novel of psychological transformation... It is, in the best sense, a thriller, a spiritual mystery... breathtaking... Robinson rewards our faith that after all these years writers can still, as Pound said, 'make it new.' For a review of the book: http://www.randomhouse.ca/newface/robinson.php#reviews March 18th - "Making Our Democracy Work" by one of the brightest minds on the Supreme Court, Justice Stephen Breyer. Justice Breyer discusses what the Court must do going forward to maintain that public confidence and argues for interpreting the Constitution in a way that works in practice. For a review of the book: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/19/books/review/Shesol-t.html

Joely and Danny Tweel, Jessica Kim and Rev. Ben Williams, Pastor of the Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church during the the MLK program.

UUCL members participate in the Martin Luther King Jr. March.

OUTRAGEOUS POTLUCK DINNER

Dear Members and Friends,

March 5th from 6-8pm at the UUCL all members and friends are invited to the annual Canvass kick-off pot luck dinner and "Outrageous" Pro-gram. There will be Music, Skits, Important Infor-mation, Beer and Wine, and an all around good time. Mark your calendar now. March 5th from 6-8pm. More info to come.

See you on March 5th!!!!!!!!!!

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The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Lowcountry covenants to affirm and promote:

• The inherent worth and dignity of every person;

• Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations;

• Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;

• A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;

• The right of conscience and the use of the democratic proc-ess within our congregation and in the society at large;

• The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;

• Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

The Living Tradition Which We Share Draws From Many Sources:

• Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder; affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life;

• Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love;

• Wisdom from the world’s religions which inspire us in our ethical and spiritual life;

• Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God’s love by loving our neighbors as ourselves;

• Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit;

• Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sa-cred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Lowcountry

Our Mission To enrich and clarify our understanding of religious thought;

to provide experiences for spiritual growth; to encourage and protect the right of individual freedom of belief;

to promote the democratic process in human relations; and to advance these principles for the benefit of each other,

our community and our world.

Transitions is a support group for anybody going through a major transition in their life. Major life transitions include (but is not limited to) the death of a part-ner, divorce, recovery, retirement, job loss, etc. Groups will meet twice per month initially with one group meeting during the day, one in the evening. For more information and questions, please contact Rev. Tom.

Tuesday, February 8th 1:00 - 2:30 pm

Thursday, February 17th 7:30 - 9:00 pm

Tuesday February 22nd 1:00 - 2:30 pm

Thursday, March 3rd 7:30 - 9:00 pm

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A little over 30 years ago this Congregation began with a small group of visionaries. With a shared acceptance of a religion based upon individual freedom of belief, they encourage one another to pursue their own religious and spiritual journeys.

As this small fellowship of religious liberals began to grown, so did our ambitions. We envisioned a strong religious education program for our children. Later, the collective vision focused on a building of our own, and along with it, a fulltime minister. And these became “visions,” shared and realized.

Now the time is here for us to come together, take a deep sec-ond breath, and once again look to the future. During this past year our congregation has done a lot of soul searching and we are now becoming focused on some specific goals. But what of our Vision?

Who are we? Who do we want to be, say 5 years from now? How can we make a real difference in our lives and in the lives of other? WHAT IS OUR VISION? Ron Titus Every Member Canvass Director

RENEWING OUR VISION

The End of Poverty? is a daring, thought-provoking and very timely documentary by award-winning film-maker, Philippe Diaz, revealing that poverty is not an accident. It began with military conquest, slavery and colonization that resulted in the sei-zure of land, minerals and forced la-bor.

The End of Poverty? asks why today 20% of the planet's population uses 80% of its resources and consumes 30% more than the planet can regen-erate? At this rate, to maintain our lifestyle means more and more people will sink below the poverty line. Re-nowned actor and activist, Martin Sheen, narrates.

Film will be shown at the King’s. Re-freshments at 7 and film at 7:30. See the poster in the foyer. Contact John o r F o l l y K i n g a t jking5@roadrunner.com for more infor-mation.

FEBRUARY’S DOCUMENTARY

Friday, February 25

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25TH AT 7 PM

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country Beacon, February 2011

February 2011 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2

3 7:00 pm Adult Religious Edu-cation

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6 9:30 am UU Singers 10 am Worship Rev. Tom Schmidt 11:30 Contemporary Issues 11:30 Socrates Cafe

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1-2:30 pm Transitions

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10 7:00 pm Adult Religious Edu-cation

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13 9:30 am UU Singers 10 am Worship Rev. Dr. Nannette Pierson & Dedication of Commemorative Plaques 11:30 am UU Animal Ministry

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15

March Newsletter Deadline

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17 7:30-9 pm Transitions

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7:00 pm UUCL Book Club ("Monkey Beach" by Eden Robin-son) Contact Rebecca at rgordon_schmidt@hargray.com for more information.

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20 9:30 am UU Singers 10 am Worship Rev. Dave Johnson, retired UU minister. The Flight From Ambiguity: From Confucius To Copenha-gen 11:10 Congregation Informa-tional Meeting

21 22 1-2:30 pm Transitions 7-9 pm Circle Dancing (In the Sanctuary)

23 6:30 pm Knitter’s Circle

24 6:30 pm Board Meeting

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7:00 pm Documentary Night at John and Folly King (The End of Poverty?)

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9:30 am UU Singers 10 am Worship 11:30 am E-Team 11:30 am UU Living

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