“UU News and Vie ws” The Rev. Walter LeFlore, Minister

Our Mission

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Poughkeepsie is a welcoming congregation rooted in the liberating message of Unitarian Universalism.

WE INSPIRE spiritual and intellectual growth. WE NURTURE a supportive and diverse community of members, families and friends. WE ACT in service to the broader community.

Our Nursery is available during all regular services. Please feel free to bring your young one there. Information is available from the Greeter at the Welcome Desk in the lobby and the Usher at the door of the

main meeting room.

Volume 66 Number 6 Founded 1952 February 2019

Upcoming Services February 3rd “Re-Storying” Rev. Walter LeFlore

February 10th “Letting Go” Rev. Walter LeFlore

February 17th “Luminescence” LFDC & Dr. Leonisa Ardizzone

February 24th “Restorative Justice“ Dr. Leonisa Ardizzone

Annual Theme: Radical Acceptance Monthly Theme: Restoration

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“UU News and Views” is published monthly (except July and August) by

the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Poughkeepsie and is distributed to our members and

friends without charge.

Editor: Donna Polat email: uupoknewsletter@uupok.org

OFFICERS President Jolanda Jansen Vice President Ron Kamen Treasurer Jon Hodos Corp. Clerk Patti Tessler

TRUSTEES AT LARGE Davyd Bullock Cori Cumming Eleanor Harmantas

YOUTH TRUSTEE Rosalynde Trammell

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Poughkeepsie (UUFP) 67 South Randolph Avenue Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 845.471.6580 Web: www.uupok.org email: office@uupok.org

Office Administrator: Donna Polat Office Hours: Tuesday – Friday 11am-2:30pm The UUFP is a member of the Society of the Unitarian Universalist Association, 24 Farnsworth Street, Boston, MA 02210-1409. www.uua.org and Central East Region of the UUA, 100 W 10th Street, Suite 1008 Wilmington, DE 19801 Primary Contact is: Andrea Lerner alerner@uua.org | 484-201-4384

January’s Calendar of Events

2/2 Souls United Choir Rehearsal 1:30pm 2/3 Choir Rehearsal 9am (weekly)

Unicircles 9:15am (weekly) FULL SERVICE 10:30am (weekly) Zen Meditation 6pm (weekly)

2/4 Inkadoos 6pm Speaking of Books 7pm

2/5 Tuesday Meditation 7:30am (weekly) Coming Home 4 Session 5pm

2/6 Rainbow Valley Homeschool 9:30am Course in Miracles 6:30pm (weekly) Social Justice Meeting 7pm

2/7 Adult RE: What Moves Us 5:30pm Program Committee Meeting 7pm

2/8 Drumming 7pm 2/9 Building & Grounds Work Day 9am SoulCollage 12:30pm UUFP Winter Intergenerational Potluck Dinner 5pm 2/10 Seniors Group 12:30pm (2nd & 4th weeks) 2019 DCID Annual Peace Concert 2pm 2/11 Beading Group 5:30pm Death Buffet 6pm Soul United Choir Rehearsal 6:55pm 2/12 Coming Home 5pm 2/13 Interfaith Workshop on Climate Change 5pm 2/14 Grace Smith House Annual Volunteer 1pm AAUW Program 6pm Bridge Club 7pm (2nd & 4th weeks) 2/15 Social Justice Movie 7pm 2/16 Coordinating Council Meeting 8:30am Birthday Party (Private Rental) 12:30pm Hudson Valley Folk Guild 7pm 2/17 Third Sunday Pot Luck 12pm Jazz Vespers 5pm 2/18 B&G Committee Meeting 6pm 2/19 Gillespie Forum 5pm Coming Home 4 Session 5pm 2/21 Adult RE: What Moves Us 5:30pm Finance Committee Meeting 6pm Board of Trustees 6pm 2/22 Mardi Gras Auction Set-Up (all day) Parkinson’s Group 10am Meal for Homeless Shelter 4:30pm 2/23 Mardi Gras Auction (all day) 2/24 SJC Presentation (Climate Change) 1pm 2/25 Death Buffet 6pm 2/26 Coming Home 4 Session 5pm 2/27 Race Unity Circle Presentation 6pm 2/28 YER Productions Play Rehearsal 3pm LFD/RE Meeting 6:30pm

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Intern’s Corner February 2019

Our February theme calls to mind the many meanings of Restoration. On a personal level, we can use this month to restore ourselves - our physical and mental health, our spiritual well-being, even the spaces we live in. On an interpersonal level, the theme calls us to restore relationships that may have been damaged due to our own questionable behavior. And, as a Peace Educator, I'm particularly interested how restoration plays a role in peace, justice and human rights, and thus, I will be exploring the work of Restorative Justice for my sermon this month. I also hope you will attend "Luminescence", a warm, restorative, intergenerational, community-building service being held on the 17th. And plan to stick around for Jazz Vespers that evening at 5! I promise the music and contemplation will restore your spirit and faith in humanity.

From the Minister February 2019

February, the shortest month of the year includes a disproportionate number of

celebrations: Imbolc, the Gaelic celebration of the beginning of Spring; Chinese New Year; Darwin’s birthday, Valentine’s Day, Presidents’ Day and Black History month.

In this part of the country, February hardly feels like the beginning of Spring. And while it’s beneficial that the nation recognizes the contributions of African Americans, it simultaneously reinforces a notion of their contributions being an appendage to “real” American History.

It’s my hope that this February will be used to highlight how voter suppression is a powerful reinforcing mechanism to keep the poor and people of color at a distance from full participation in this experiment called democracy. It’s my hope that this February we will shine a light on the plight of so many young potentially new Americans that are housed in camps behind fences.

It’s my hope that this February, we celebrate the symbolism of Valentine’s day, the work of the heart, every day of the month. For when we deny others’ inherent worth and dignity we are diminished by denigration of the interdependent web of existence.

In Faith, Walter

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RENEWS

February 2019

On January 6, the Spirit Play class explored our 6th Promise: Indigo (Insist on Peace, Freedom and Justice for all) through a story called “Stepping Stones.” They learned about a family of Syrian refugees who were forced

to flee their once-peaceful village. With only what they can carry on their backs, they set out to walk to freedom in Europe.

Middle-School Class explored how each of us has a good side and a “not-so-good” side. They built an obstacle course, and advised each other how to conquer it. Then they considered the strength of our own good sides

and explored external barriers to doing the right thing.

On Sunday January 13th, the Spirit Play class explored our Unitarian roots and our 5th Principle "Believe in our ideas and act on them". They took a journey to Transylvania and learned about Michael Servetus, Francis

David and King Sigismund and the concept of religious freedom. Our Middle School children explored several aspects of “doing the right thing.”

They then created their own poster boards, matching “actions with consequences.”

Unfortunately, on Sunday January 20th, all activities were cancelled due to unpleasant weather. However, on Sunday January 27th, we made up for lost time when the Spirit Play and Middle School classes combined and celebrated Tu Bishvat or the “New Year of the Trees.” Tu Bishvat is a Jewish holiday occurring on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat. In Israel, this day is celebrated as an ecological awareness day, and trees are

planted in celebration. We joined together and celebrated with stories, songs, games, and a short Seder to usher in our own version of the “New Year of the Trees.”

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Come One, Come All and chase the mid-winter blues away With an Intergenerational evening of Food and Fun…

When: Saturday, February 9th, 6:00 – 9:00 pm

Where: UUFP Main Meeting Room

What: Pot luck, games – Fun, FUn, FUN!

Who: You – Adults, Children, Families

RSVP ASAP if interested to CREC@UUPOK.ORG

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“Washing one’s hands of the conflict between the powerful and the powerless means to side with the powerful, not to be neutral.” - Paolo Friere The Race Unity Circle and the Dutchess County Interfaith Council will present “Race: The Power of an Illusion” on three Wednesday evenings in February at three different houses of worship in Poughkeepsie. This excellent PBS series has been presented in the past, but if

you missed it, or any part of it, or feel you could benefit from seeing it again, this is your opportunity. Note that the third screening will take place at our Fellowship. The one-hour screenings will be followed by discussion, facilitated by members of the Race Unity Circle. Light refreshments will be served. All programs run from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

1. “The Difference Between Us.” How do you define race? Explore commonly accepted ideas about race in the context of scientific discovery. To take place at Temple Beth El, 118 South Grand Ave., Poughkeepsie on Wednesday, Feb. 6 starting at 7:00 p.m.

2. “The Story We Tell.” What is at the root of the belief that some are superior to others? To take place at Beulah Baptist Church, 92 Catharine Street, Poughkeepsie on Wednesday, Feb. 13 starting at 7:00 p.m.

3. “The House We Live In.” Learn how benefits quietly and often invisibly accrue to white people, not necessarily because of merit or hard work, but because of the racialized nature of our laws, courts, customs, and perhaps most pertinently, housing. To take place at the UU Fellowship, 67 South Randolph Ave., Poughkeepsie on Wednesday, Feb. 27 starting at 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, February 6 at 7 p.m.: Monthly meeting of the Social Justice Committee.

Friday, February 15 at 7 p.m.: Screening of the movie “A Plastic Ocean.” Described as the most important film of our time by Sir David Attenborough, A Plastic Ocean explores the harsh reality of the unimaginable damage we are doing to our planet while dumping eight million tons of plastic into our oceans every year. In the film, journalist Craig Leeson travels to more than a dozen locations around the world to assess the conditions of the world’s most important natural resource: our water.Joining him on the journey is free diver Tanya Streeter and scientists from around the globe who are also dedicated to understanding the effects plastic has on the world’s oceans. What they uncover is deeply unsettling. But it’s through this film that Earth’s inhabitants can come up with solutions to address the problem.  For more information, go to https://plasticoceans.org/about-a-plastic-ocean/. Sunday, February 24 at 2 p.m.: Presentation on climate change. As the global temperature rises and extreme weather events are increasingly common, we must amplify and advance the conversation about climate change. Please join Manna Jo Greene, Environmental Director for Hudson River Sloop Clearwater and Ulster County Climate Smart Committee Chair, to explore solutions to address the Global Climate Crisis here in the Hudson Valley and beyond. Manna’s presentation will include using the four principles of the Natural Step (what we “take, make, break and fake”) to help understand the climate crisis and prepare for its inevitable consequences. She will also explore how we can create more resilient local communities, with special emphasis on Climate Justice for our most vulnerable neighbors and locations.

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“What Moves Us” - Adult Religious Exploration with Leonisa Using a curriculum created by Reverend Thandeka, Intern Minister Leonisa will guide

us through UU history through the voices of four to five influential Unitarian Universalists. There will be reading, discussion and some writing involved.

Attendance at all four sessions is ideal, but you can also just drop in for as many as you can! Pre-registration is necessary for planning, so if you are interested send

Leonisa an email ASAP at leonisa@uupok.org.

Meetings will be held on Thursday’s from 5:30 - 7:00 in the East Wing Library on these FOUR dates: January 24th, February 7th, February 21st, March 7th. Leonisa is also looking into methods for on-line/off-site

participation, so let her know your interest right away so she can share details with you!

Speaking of Books February 4th @ 7pm The book will be Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight by Alexandra Fuller. For more information contact: Meg Hesher at mhesher@yahoo.com or Jane Bartik aubreysprite@yahoo.com.

INKADOOS February 2018 “Doos” & Doon’ts for February: Doo: Meet February 4 at UUFP 6:30pm in the Baldwin Room RSVP to Joyce at (ajoy12601@hotmail.com) asap as 12 is our workable number of attendees. Bring your own tools (adhesives, bone folder, scissors), if you own them. We will have some available for the occasional crafter & newbies. Carol Gustafson, Maggie Thakkar, Joanne Tuthill & Joyce Marra are February’s Designers.

Doon’t: Forget $5 for room rental plus $2 per project which will be divided among each month’s designers to cover the cost of their supplies. Designers for the month cost will be $5 room rental; participants total cost $13.

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DCIC 14TH ANNUAL PEACE STORY CONCERT Sunday, February 10 | 2:00 p.m.

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Poughkeepsie (67 South Randolph Avenue, Poughkeepsie)

$10.00 Suggested Donation to benefit the Coming Home Project, which helps previously incarcerated people to reintegrate into our community.

More information at www.dutchesscountyinterfaith.org

OH WHEN THOSE SAINTS COME MARCHIN’ IN

The clock strikes MARDI GRAS! AUUCTION Revelry will happen on Saturday 2/23 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm come rain or come shine! Entreat your family, friends and frienemies to join you for an evening of fun and gaiety. Not only will the price of $10 admit you to a den of delicious food & beverage, there are an exciting number of activities and entertainment. You’ll also receive your own numbered bidding paddle. Can you be enticed with: Costumes, Raffle Tickets, Sweets, Savories, Libations and Music? Make this a Family Affair with the family price cap of $25. Starting this Sunday (February 3rd), early reservations ($10 pp) will receive an extra raffle ticket (for a total of 3).

Special Jazz Vespers Service: Sunday, February 17th 5-6pm

Join Intern Minister Dr. Leonisa Ardizzone for a special sundown worship service filled with jazz, poetry, and contemplation.

Musical guests are Charles Frommer (sax, clarinet) and Janet Salt Frommer (piano).

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MAKING THE INVISIBLE, VISIBLE “A Multi-medial Exploration of Race and Racism in the U.S. through a Buddhist Lens”

April 25-28, 2019 at the Garrison Institute in Garrison, NY Featuring Dr. Jan Willis, Professor Emerita of Religious Studies of Wesleyan University, CT

and author of several books on Tibetan Buddhism including, “Dreaming Me: Black, Baptist, and Buddhist – One Woman’s Spiritual Journey”

For more information and registration visit the UU Buddhist Fellowship at:

www.uubf.org or https: www.facebook.com/uubf.org

UUFP BIRTHDAYS

"We would like to have the full birth date of each member (and friend) of the Fellowship to list birthdays in each monthly newsletter for all to celebrate

you. Please send your birth date to Donna for inclusion in the database. No year will be listed in the newsletters -- for both our young and young at heart participants'

protection."

FIRST RESPONDERS

Not all first responders are Police, Firemen or EMT’s. Occasionally, it’s those to first tackle a BIG PROBLEM! Such as a frozen pipes situation recently discovered at the UUFP during

a frigid cold snap.

Enter Judith with her Buildings & Grounds A-Team: Eric, Bob & Jolanda to save the day! Valves turned off, portable heaters brought in, periodic check-ins until a plumber (always hard to

schedule due to many others with similar issues during LOW winter temperatures) is available.

THANK YOU Physical Plant Caring Committee for stepping-up-to-the-plate at a moment’s notice.

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"Others are merely mirrors of you. You cannot love or hate something about another person unless it reflects

something you love or hate about yourself. When tempted to criticize others, ask yourself why you feel so strongly.

The answers are within you. The solutions to all of life's problems are within your grasp. All you need to do is ask, look, listen and trust."

- Ann Landers 'Rules for Being Human'

GO TEAM! We don’t mean the Patriots or the Rams. We mean YOU – the UUFP Sunday hospitality team member!

Our Sunday food-prep and clean-up teams perform an important ministry. They offer nourishment for the body to support the spiritual act of conversation and connection.

Don’t know what team you’re on? Check the list below. If you enjoy Sunday refreshments and heart-to-heart talk, you’ll find your name on

the team roster. What? Your name’s not there? You have to decline? You don’t know who your team leaders are, or what you’re supposed to do?

Simply send Anne a message at anniel@hvc.rr.com

UUFP TEAM SUNDAY TEAM LEADERS AND PARTICIPANTS

Team I

Pat Lamanna/Richard Mattocks

October/March Laura Bracken Davyd Bullock

Carol Gustafson Tony Maresco

Sooozie Nowak Laura Price

Darrett Roberts Amy Strom

Margaret Thakkar James Weissman

Markly Wilson

Team II Linda Curtis/Ron

Kamen November/April

Cori Cumming Kathy Duncan

Nick Garin Gayle Garin

Elizabeth Horner Terry Novicki Vince Pollina Soyal Smalls

John Way Lea Weinstein

Doris Weiss Bob Weiss

Team III Kathy Boone January/June

Reed Asher Jeff Asher

Jane Bartik Jill Barasch

Sam Barasch Barbara Corona

Carol Elkins Rachael Epstein Bruce Epstein

Eleanor Harmantas Fay Pacht

Asher Pacht Johanna Sophia

Team IV Anne Lancellotti

September/February Roseanne Ashby Tim Chamberlain Ellen Waggener

Paul Hirsch Jon Hodos

Jackaro McCaffrey Len Marcus

Carol Miyake Fran Sunderland

Karl Volk Nix Vudelle

Kristine Welch

Team V Maureen and Joel

Fisch December/May Julie Colacchio John Colacchio Margie Davis Judy Dekun Meg Hesher

Kendall Lestrade Mary Ann Osgood

Paul Osgood Conrad Schnakenberg

Bill Sepe Betsy Silverstein Paul Silverstein

Betsy Vivas Gerry Wilmot

Something to

Consider

OPM* (mostly)

*Other People’s Money - mostly:

Tag Sale - October 19 & 20, 2018 (Team Leaders - Maggie Thakkar & David Bullock). The Tag Sale had gross receipts of $5277.50 with a net profit of $4704.09.

ELECTION DAY BAKE SALE - November 5, 2018 was a whopping success thanks to Yvette Yeomans LeFlore’s

brilliant idea to sell 2 entrees (butternut squash soup & chili) and only home baked goods. Gross receipts were $831; a net profit of $628.91 was realized. Although there were 25 entrees remaining,18 sold on a Sunday

morning; 7 chilis are waiting to be used for a Coming Home meal or 3rd Sunday Lunch.

“ALL BABIES MATTER” - combined Helen Baldwin Singers (Mary AnnOsgood) & UniPlayers (Carol Elkins) Nativity musical gross and net was $410.

Combined, these activities have brought in $5743. Let’s make the next BIG THING a smashing success! It

behooves us all to work, promote, support our Mardi Gras Auction Saturday February 23, 2019. In order to bring in more OPM*, we need to not only collect auction items from within, but also from restaurants, salons and other outside businesses; each of us needs to invite/promote to family & friends via word-of-mouth and

social media. Your involvement will add AWE$$$OME to our bottom line!

CARING CIRCLE The Caring Circle is part of the UUFP caring community. Let us know how we can help you and how you can help us. Thank you to all the members and friends who have sent cards; made a call; visited homes and hospitals; helped drive; cooked a meal; or done an errand for someone in our community during this past month! Caring Circle Coordinators: Betsy Silverstein (edgsilver@hotmail.com, 845-471-5893) and Kathy Boone

(kathyboone@verizon.net, 845-625-3148) C.C. Card Writer: Rachael Epstein (rachael7epstein@gmail.com)

2019 Intergenerational Spring Seminar - "Equity in Action: Gender in an Intersecting World" - New York City, April 11-13, 2019. Registration is open through February 25; rates increase after Jan 21. Applications are now open to apply for reduced

registration rates. We also have a special discount rate for young adult participants (age 18-35) which includes lodging at the hostel where youth and their sponsors stay. The UU United Nations Office is excited to host this year’s Intergenerational Spring Seminar on gender equity in collaboration with the UU College of Social Justice. Programming will be interactive and intergenerational, encouraging participants to challenge their assumptions, connecting their activism with grounding in UU faith, and empowering them with the tools to bring back to their communities to make change locally and globally. More at www.uua.org/unspringseminar

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Inside and Out News Section for Members and Friends

============================================================ WALTER ENGEL

We wish to acknowledge and honor the long, meritorious work given these past thirty plus years by Walter F. Engel as our Assistant Treasurer. Walter has faithfully collected from the mailbox, diligently counted and

speedily deposited UUFP receipts. In addition, he has been the primary signer of checks for the fellowship. Walter has been a “fixture” at Sunday Services setting out the Coffee Hour donation baskets, receiving the

Offering baskets, as well as manning the audio system. One measure of just how important Walter has been these many years - it will take three people to replace him! Thank you Walter for all you have contributed to

our community.

Walter, please join us as often as you are able. Know your presence is always appreciated 🙏🏻 here among your UUFP Family.

You Might Be Interested In:

PUBLIC REHEARSAL with Souls United of the Hudson Valley Saturday, February 2, 2019 | 2 to 4pm Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Poughkeepsie All are welcome to come and sing with the choir (or just listen to the rehearsal) and learn about joining this community interfaith gospel choir!

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SAVE THE DATE: DCIC ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Dutchess Country Interfaith Council will hold its Annual Membership Meeting on Tuesday, March 12 at First Evangelical Lutheran Church (325 Mill Street, Poughkeepsie). Please save the date. More details will follow.

The artist for the month of January is Harvey Sprung The show is titled, “All in Place” and features all photos original from places in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and China. Harvey Sprung’s Contact Info: 14 Sycamore Drive, Hyde Park, NY 12538 845-229-6160

Newsletter Deadline Dates: February 21st – March Newsletter Deadline March 21st – April Newsletter Deadline April 18th - May Newsletter Deadline