The UU News The Unitarian Universalist Society Founded in 1841________________________________________________________________________________

In This IssueFrom Your Minister.................................2Congregational News and Events........3-6Religious Education and Spirituality....7-8Interest and Activity Groups................8-9Social Justice News and Events...............9Map of New Facilities...........................10October Calendar................................11

Upcoming Sunday Services

October 15th: “Eve’s Daughters in Iowa’s Eden,” Cynthia Grant TuckerWhile entrepreneurs promoted this land as a paradise after the Civil War, and denominational powers back East saw it instead as a nuisance and threat, the outspoken Rev. Eleanor Gordon (1852-1942) kept Iowa’s liberals under her wing as “the saving hope for civilization.” Undaunted by timeless challenges—from alternative facts to weaponized platforms—she and her sisters left an inspiring record for us who feel thus embattled today. A Workshop will follow the services—see page 4 for details.

October 1st and October 8th: At the Kirkwood Center (2301 Oakdale Blvd., Coralville)October 15th and After: At the Unitarian Universalist Society (2355 Oakdale Road, Coralville)

Services will be held at 9:30 am. We will host a social hour following each service.

Religious Education & Childcare: Our nursery is open from 9:20 am to 10:45 am for infants through preschoolers . There will be all-ages activities for kindergarteners and up for the first few Sundays, and religious education classes will begin on the 22nd.

October 2017

October’s Social Justice Offerings Benefit Shelter HouseShelter House is more than a roof and a bed—in addition to its roof and beds, they focus on programs and supports that help hundreds of men, women and children each year to get back on their feet. They keep children in school, help men and women get back to work, assist the disabled and elderly to get benefits and health care, and move families and individuals into their own homes. In the last year Shelter House helped 576 people with housing and employment placement. Cash or checks to UUS (SH on memo line) may be given on Sundays, online, or sent to the office.

October Theme: “What Does It Mean to Be a Community of Courage?”

October 1st: “To Plant an Apple Tree,” Rev. Steven Protzman Martin Luther once said that even if he knew the world were going to end, he would still plant an apple tree. Today as we gather as a community of all ages to celebrate Apple Communion, we will give thanks for life’s many gifts, be reminded that apples are a symbol of spiritual gifts, including abundance, love, gratitude and generosity, and think about planting apple trees as a symbol of courage and trust in the future. At Kirkwood Regional Center (2301 Oakdale Boulevard, Coralville, IA 52241).

October 22nd: “Disrupting Business as Usual: Part Two of the UU White Supremacy Teach-in,” Racial Justice CircleEarlier this year, over 700 UU communities devoted time to critically reflect on how white supremacy and racism manifest within and outside our faith communities. We gathered with openness, awkwardness, and vulnerability in our commitment to grow in faith and justice toward beloved community for all. Through public witness, education, and introspection, our faith is coming to understand that fighting white supremacy means both resisting its most blatant forms “out there,” and disrupting its systemic manifestations within. Join us as we continue this work of growth and learning. The offering today will go to Black Women Houston instead of Shelter House—see page 9 for details.

October 8th: “The Courage to Give,” Rev. Steven ProtzmanJames Baldwin says: “It is rare indeed that people give. ... One can give nothing whatever without giving oneself.” As we begin our annual budget campaign, we ask you once again to share your financial gifts as well as your unique talents, skills, and passions. Together, let us create a vibrant and healthy congregation—one that will nurture our spirits and help us serve others. At Kirkwood Regional Center.

October 29th: “A Home in Our Hearts,” Rev. Steven Protzman“So long as we live, they too shall live, for they are now a part of us, as we remember them.” The words of this Reformed Jewish prayer remind us that our loved ones live on in our hearts as long as we remember them. In keeping with the many spiritual traditions of remembrance during this time of the year, we will once again remember and honor our beloved dead with rituals and songs, love and tears.

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From Your MinisterCourage is the measure of our heartfelt participation with life, with another, with a community, a work, a future. To be courageous is not necessarily to go anywhere or do anything except to make conscious those things we already feel deeply and then to live through the unending vulnerabilities of those consequences. To be courageous is to seat our feelings deeply in the body and in the world: to live up to and into the necessities of relationships that often already exist, with things we find we already care deeply about: with a person, a future, a possibility in society, or with an unknown that begs us on and always has begged us on. —David Whyte

What does it mean to have courage? When we hear the word courage, most often we think of facing fears or finding strength to deal with pain or grief. The word courage comes from the Latin word “cor,” which means heart. Courage also means having the confidence to act in accordance with your beliefs and values, which is your ‘cor,’ your center, your authentic self. Poet David Whyte says that courage is

how we live up to and in to relationships that may already exist or with things we care deeply about, including the future. While we may think that courage is about heroic acts that change history, the ordinary work of being ourselves and living a life of integrity takes just as much courage. Growing spiritually, which is our Third Unitarian Universalist Principle, requires us to leave behind the comfort of what is known, to open our hearts and minds to new ideas, to discover new things about ourselves. But this is work we don’t have to do alone. The word courage is also part of encourage, which means to offer someone the confidence and strength to live as fully as possible. One of the many gifts of community is inspiration and the help we need to grow spiritually, which is easier when we witness others growing spiritually and others offer us confidence and courage to continue our journey.

Our worship and covenant groups theme from Soul Matters for October is Courage, which seems very fitting as we move into our new building. We have shown great courage as a congregation in making the decision to walk boldly into the future by making the sacrifices necessary for a building that expresses our values, invites us to live according to our beliefs and hopes, and offers so many opportunities to more fully live out our mission. We will need to continue to be courageous as we settle into our new home, because we will be challenged with new ideas, new ways of being a community, and many opportunities that will present themselves as we seek to spread our wings and serve the world in ways we haven’t yet discovered, and asked to give of ourselves even more fully than we do now. As new people seek us out, curious as to who we are and what we believe, it will take courage to welcome them and to share our community with them. It will also take courage to go out into the world to share our message of love and hope, inviting others to join us as we continue doing the work that, as Unitarian Theodore Parker said, bends the arc of the Universe toward justice.

Grateful to be sharing this journey with you as we are, and continue to become, a people of courage and encouragement,

Steven

A Request for Affiliation as a Community Minister

Last month our Board of Trustees approved Lois Cole’s request to be affiliated with UUS as a community minister. Lois served as our Director of Lifespan Religious Education for many years before she left three years ago to complete her seminary studies, serve as a ministerial intern, and seek ministerial fellowship with the Unitarian Universalist Association. Lois is now in preliminary fellowship and working as a pediatric chaplain at the Stead Family Children’s Hospital at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. From the UUA website: “Community ministers serve the cause of Unitarian Universalism in many ways. Some community ministers work independently or in an organization outside a congregation; others attempt to bridge congregations and secular organizations; still others serve part-time in a congregation, and work part-time in a community organization.” In this case, Lois’s primary ministry is at the hospital. She would also serve our congregation through leading services, teaching classes, and other duties. In return for serving our congregation, Lois, as a minister in preliminary fellowship with the UUA, will need a Committee on Ministry to meet with her regularly and evaluate her yearly to assist her in moving through the Final Fellowship process. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Rev. Steven.

Owning Your Religious PastAdult Spiritual Development Workshop

The majority of Unitarian Universalists come into our denomination from other religions; often there have been several stops along the path before Unitarian Universalism becomes our spiritual home. Some of us bring anger and other unresolved feelings about experiences in other religious institutions; some of us have warm memories. Some of us move easily into an identity as a Unitarian Universalist; others experience a traumatic estrangement from family and from the center of our culture.

Owning Your Religious Past is a five-week workshop that will be led by Rev. Steven Protzman. This workshop will provide some simple tools through which you are invited to examine and remember positive aspects of your past religious connections. Together we will address the parts of these connections that have affected you in some way, rather than analyzing or critiquing dogmas, creeds, or doctrine. There will be opportunities to participate in group sharing and private exploration that uses journal-writing exercises. The class will meet at 7 pm on Wednesdays: November 1st, 8th, 15th, 29th, and December 6th in the Oak and Hickory (Jr. & Sr. High) Rooms of our new building. You may register via Realm Events or send a note to Rev. Steven at minister@uusic.org.

Congregational News and EventsNew Programs for Fall in Our Own Building

Inquirer Sessions for Visitors As we move into our new building, we are expecting more visitors to Sunday services. Welcoming new folks is always exciting and invigorating. Rev. Steven Protzman and Peggy Garrigues, Director of Congregational Life, are planning a rotating series of orientation classes called “Inquirer Sessions.” This series is designed to introduce the values and history of Unitarian Universalism and give newcomers a feeling of connection by offering opportunities to get involved with groups and activities within the congregation.

The 8-week series will include: “Tour of the Land and Building,” “Q & A with Rev. Steven,” “UU 101: UU Values and History,” “Introduction to Spirituality Groups,” “Introduction to Social Justice Opportunities,” “Introduction to Religious Education for All Ages,” “Introduction to Interest and Activity Groups and Volunteering,” and “Basics of Using our Realm Database and App.”

New Format for Classes for Potential New MembersThose who wish to become members of the UU Society will first attend several of the Inquirer Sessions, and then come to a one-session “Pathway to Membership” class. At that 2 1/2 hour class they will get to know one another by sharing some of their stories. There will be an opportunity to ask any questions sparked by the Inquirer Sessions, and a discussion of the benefits and responsibilities of being a member of the UU Society. A few weeks after that class, new members will be welcomed at a Sunday morning service.

New Opportunities after Sunday Services

It may take a few months to get all of these programs in place, but we hope to have a variety of one-time opportunities after Sunday Services. These will include potlucks, forums on a variety of topics, monthly sermon discussion opportunities with Rev. Steven, and some opportunities to get to know one another in ways that go a little deeper than a typical social-hour conversation. There will be children’s activities available when the programs are more focused on adults so that parents can easily attend.

Feel free to contact Peggy, Jessica, or Rev. Steven if you have questions about any of these developing programs.

Rummage in the RampIn July, UUS sent a team of 13 volunteers to Rummage in the Ramp, the annual city rummage sale. According to Jen Jordan, Iowa City’s Resource Management Superintendent, the 10-day sale diverted a total of 20.5 tons of recyclable material from the landfill. UUS earned $847 thanks to the efforts of its volunteers: Alice Atkinson, Jane DeWitt, John Elson, Linda Fisher, Gail Garwood, Lois Hughes, Merle Ihne, Ron Pile, Hazel Seaba, Al Thomas, and Judy and Dave Tokuhisa. A special thank you goes to Judy and Dave for working a second shift the next day when the Rummage crew was short-handed and needed additional volunteers. That earned UUS another 2/3 of a share of the sale’s proceeds. UUS was one of 20 local non-profit organizations staffing this important event. Rummage in the Ramp is a great way to combine service to the community with service to the Society. Thank you, volunteers, for your civic spirit!

Transition Task Force 2.0 (TTF2)Hey UUS, are you ready to move into our new home? We have been working toward this and dreaming about this for years. Looks like October is the month we will finally be able to move into our beautiful new building. Once we are given the “all clear” to occupy the facility, things will happen very quickly.

We will need to give our new home a good cleaning, move furniture and boxes from the Oakdale house and other locations, unpack and organize the new space, and prepare to hold Sunday services and Religious Education for both adults and children. In addition, immediately after moving out, we must quickly dismantle parts of the Oakdale House to be sold or recycled before it is demolished.

We want to THANK everyone who has volunteered so far for TTF2 work sessions. A great deal has been accomplished in the past few months that could not have been done without the dozens of volunteers who signed up and showed up to help. We will need a lot of help from a lot of members and friends in the coming weeks. Unfortunately, our calls for help will often come with short notice. Please be patient and watch for announcements. Ready, set, .....

Contact Peg Voelker (peg.voelker@gmail.com, 330-2393) and Kris Barrash (krisbarrash@mchsi.com, 541-9363) with questions.

Financial Stewardship CommitteeWe plan to get pledge campaign materials in the mail to everyone during the last week in September/first week of October. Rev. Steven will kick off the campaign on October 8th. During the month of October we encourage all members and friends to turn in their pledge for the 2018 operating budget and to support the STEM Fund (which provides funding to increase staff positions related to expanding our ministries and community presence). Pledges can be made via Realm or by sending in the pledge card. There will be instructions for using Realm with the pledge campaign materials. After services on Sunday mornings in October, UUS staff will be present in the new building to help people use Realm. We have decided to NOT have any kind of fellowship event this fall. There will be lots of opportunities to gather in our new space. As we move into a new building and make plans for an exciting new journey, please be generous with your financial resources. Think of all the work that has been done to get us to this point in time. Dream of all the good we can continue to do in the future as we gather for Sunday morning services in a new building. We can support one another in our lifelong journey of mind and spirit and continue to serve our local community and beyond. Let’s spread our wings and transform the world!

UUS is Hiring Substitute Childcare Providers! As we get ready to move into our new space, we are looking for three caring, attentive, energetic, and experienced people to join our childcare team. These are as-needed positions, but as programming expands, there could be an opportunity for regularly scheduled hours. Most hours would be on Sundays (9:15 am to 2:15 pm) with occasional evening hours available throughout the year, and hours would be scheduled in advance. Pay is $11/hour and, before starting, candidates must successfully pass a criminal background check. For more information, please contact Jessica Zimmer-Saltzman, education@uusic.org or 337-3443.

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Committee On Congregational Life and Ministry (CCLAM)CCLAM was established in 2011 to support the minister and to provide an avenue for the congregation to raise any ministerial concerns. Over time, CCLAM’s focus has shifted to strengthening the shared ministries within the congregation. Each CCLAM member serves as a liaison to a number of committees, evaluating the work of each group and recommending ways these ministries can better support the Society’s mission and vision.

In addition, CCLAM representatives participate in the quarterly meetings of the three UUS councils:

• Minister’s Council: Sharon Booker and Winnie Ganshaw• DLRE Council: Sandy Keller and Marsha Cheyney• DCL Council: Hazel Seaba and Terri O’Berry

CCLAM’s mission is to Educate, Advocate, Communicate, and Evaluate the ministries of the congregation. We all support the minister in creating a welcoming and affirming community.

CCLAM members are Sharon Booker, co-chair; Marsha Cheyney; Winnie Ganshaw, co-chair; Sandy Keller; Terri O’Berry; and Hazel Seaba. We look forward to working with UUS’s many committees during this exciting time in our history.

UUS Receives Chalice Lighters GrantThe Unitarian Universalist Society has been awarded a Chalice Lighters Grant, according to Phil Lund, a congregational life consultant at our MidAmerica Region association. The amount of the award will be announced at the end of 2017.

Chalice Lighters Grants are offered to congregations for growth-oriented projects. Our proposal requested $8,845 to support a multi-pronged outreach effort during our first year in our new home. The largest portion of the grant will be used for advertising via traditional print media, Iowa Public Radio, and the Internet. Additional funds will help defray the cost of redesigning our website to make it more visitor-friendly and easier to navigate.

Our proposal was prepared earlier this year by Emily Uhl, Jeff Walberg, Steve Vincent, Peggy Garrigues, and Bailey Kelley.

175th CommitteeProphetic Sisterhood Now More than Ever

Please join us on Sunday, October 15th, for a Sunday service, luncheon, and workshop with well-known church historian Cynthia Grant Tucker. This workskhop, “Prophetic Sisterhood Now More than Ever,” is part of the year-long celebration of our congregation’s 175th anniversary. It will explore the rich history of pioneering women in liberal religion, and the ways we can build on their legacy today.

Dr. Tucker is the author of two books that examine the lives of women who played key roles in advancing liberal religion. Prophetic Sisterhood: Liberal Women Ministers of the Frontier, 1880-1930 illuminates the struggles of early Unitarian women ministers, among them Eleanor Gordon, our minister from 1896 to 1900. A second book by Dr. Tucker, No Silent Witness: The Eliot Parsonage Women and Their Unitarian World, explores yet another facet of this evolving story.

On the 15th, activities will begin with the Sunday service at 9:30 am, when Dr. Tucker will speak on “Eve’s Daughters in Iowa’s Eden.” Dr. Tucker explains that while Iowa was promoted as:

… a paradise after the Civil War, and denominational powers back East came to see it instead as a nuisance and threat, the outspoken Rev. Eleanor Gordon (1852-1942) kept Iowa’s liberals under her wing as “the saving hope for civilization.”

Following the service, the workshop itself will begin at 11 am. At noon, participants will enjoy a light lunch, prepared by New Pioneer Co-Op. The workshop will resume at 12:30 pm and conclude at 2:30.

During our discussion, Dr. Tucker will guide us as we explore the ways UU women worked to raise feminine consciousness in the past, and how women’s roles in the advancement of liberal religion have changed over time. We will take stock of how far we have come—and how far we have yet to go as we shape our mission and define our challenges in the 21st century.

We are hopeful this event can be held in our new building at 2355 Oakdale Road, but if construction delays should occur, it will take place instead at the Kirkwood Regional Center. A location confirmation will go out to participants the week before the event.

Registration is required for the workshop; and there is a fee of $20 per person, which includes lunch. The deadline to register is October 6th. For more information, or to register online, visit the Prophetic Sisterhood Workshop web page at uusic.org/prophetic-sisterhood. When you register, you can indicate your meal preferences and request special accommodations or childcare.

We hope you will be able to join us for what promises to be a timely and thought-provoking event.

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Ian Ballantyne Seth Barrash

Lucas BonDurant Nolan Case

Dan Cummins John Cunningham

Sherry Dolash Irvin Emig

Stephanie Gilbertson-White

Michael Honey-Arcement Franklin Hornbuckle

Lois Hughes Charlie Ingersoll Grace Ingersoll Henry Ingersoll Sharon Johnson

Bailey Kelley Zach Kyte

Emerson Linley Noah Linley

Clara McCusker Reilly O’Gorman

Sue Otto Mark Penno

River Primmer Elizabeth Raley Joe Rasmussen

Chris Rode Rhonda Rowden

Jeff Walberg Carol Wolfe Mark Yuskis

UUS Members & Friends With October Birthdays

Monthly Board Meeting, October 12thThe UUS Board of Trustees holds a meeting, open to all members, each month at 6:30 pm on the second Thursday at the Oakdale House (or the Conference Room if we’re in the new building). Look for an agenda in the weekly email or on the website before the meeting.

UU Treats & Talents Auction, October 21st & 22ndFor more than 30 years, Unitarian Universalist Society members and friends have come together to participate in and enjoy the Annual UUS Treats and Talents Auction. For those new to UUS, the Treats and Talents Auction is a fundraising event, with proceeds going to the UUS operating budget. It’s a fun event for members and friends of all ages. This year our theme is Stories of Our Past, Dreams of Our Future.

The Auction Schedule is as follows:

Saturday, October 21st:• 10 am to 4 pm: Silent Auction Opens• 1 pm to 4 pm: Family Fun, including Cake Walk• 6 pm to end: Dinner and Live Auction

Sunday, October 22nd:• 9 am to 12:30 pm: Silent Auction Concludes

Tickets to the Live Auction and Dinner cost $20 and can be purchased after services. The dinner will be catered by Mirabitos, and there will be vegan and gluten-free options. Childcare will be provided during the dinner.

Still Time to be Part of the UUS Investment in Solar EnergyThe UU Limited Liability Corporation has been formed to finance the building of the solar array that will power our new building. Opportunities remain for UUS members and friends to join other investors in taking advantage in this long-term investment. Minimum investment is $1,000. Contact Deb at dschoelerman@gmail.com or Paul at paulpomrehn@gmail.com for more information.

Join Us for Our Open House, October 29th!Join UUS members and community visitors on Sunday, October 29th, from 2 to 5 pm for the official grand opening of our new building and grounds. The Open House will feature tours of both the building and surrounding land, live music, children’s activities, displays, refreshments, and much more.

The event will allow us to practice Radical Hospitality with those curious about our new home and those interested in our faith and community—a chance to showcase our congregation, activities, and sense of purpose. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to present ourselves at our very best to the entire greater Iowa City area.

The Open House will be widely publicized through outreach to the news media and advertising with an array of sources, including Iowa Public Radio, Little Village Magazine, the Daily Iowan, Facebook, and Google. Equally important, UUS members will be asked to provide invitations to friends and acquaintances, and invitations will be sent to individuals and groups with current or prospective UUS connections.

More information about the Open House will be available in coming days and weeks, in part through our weekly Wednesday emails. Please contact Steve Vincent, Sally Hartman, Diane Martin, or Peggy Garrigues with comments, suggestions, or offers of support.

Sunday Attendance for August 27th through September 24th

August 27th: 108 total: 106 adults, 2 childrenSeptember 3rd: Labor Day Picnic September 10th: 108 total: 101 adults, 17 childrenSeptember 17th: 121 total: 103 adults, 18 childrenSeptember 24th: 154 total: 135 adults, 19 children

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Highlights from the September Board MeetingMinutes from all regular Board meetings are reviewed by the Board members and made available to members and friends on the website and in the

UUS Board of Trustees notebook. Minutes may also be requested via mail or email from the UUS administrator.

Present: Jim Laughlin (President), Jane DeWitt (Vice-President), Kelly O’Berry (Past-President), Chris Rode (Treasurer), Peg Voelker (Secretary), Kris Barrash (Trustee), Michael Honey-Arcement (Trustee),Rev. Steven Protzman (Ex officio), Peggy Garrigues (DCL), and Jessica Zimmer-Saltzman (DLRE)

Absent: Steve Locher (Trustee), and Sara Feldmann (Trustee)

Guests: Sharon Booker, representing the Committee on Congregational Life and Ministry (CCLAM) and David Martin, representing the Stewardship Committee

At 6:30 pm Board members, the Director of Congregational Life (DCL), and the Interim Director of Lifespan Religious Education (DLRE) met in front of our new facility for a group photograph taken by Dan Tallman. President Laughlin then called the Board meeting to order at 6:40 pm. Rev. Steven provided opening words, followed by the lighting of the Chalice.

Consent Agenda: Consent agenda items and other documents are uploaded to Dropbox for review by Board members prior to the meeting. The Board approved the minutes and received the consent agenda.

Consent Agenda items: Board Agenda; August Board Highlights & Minutes; September Executive Committee Minutes; monthly Staff Reports; Treasurer Report & Financial Statements; TTF2 Update (Voelker/Barrash) and 2017/2018 Board Action Calendar Draft (Voelker). Other items included: Draft Custodial Service Agreement (Emma Barnum); Community Minister Affiliation Request (Lois Cole); Revised Facilities Use Policy (Locher); 2018 Draft Budget (Rode); 2018 Budge STEM Fund Implications (Rode).

Voelker moved to raise from the TTF2 report their request for funds to hire professionals to move the Horak cabinet. Laughlin asked TTF2 to bring cost estimates to the October meeting for a Board vote. The Board agreed to raise and approved the request from the DLRE report to “move to one rate of pay for childcare workers, and raise the childcare workers wage to $11.00/hour.”

Hiring a Custodian: Laughlin reported that Building & Grounds (B&G) recommends that a half-time (i.e., 20 hours/week) custodian be hired. A job description and contract needs to be created consistent with UUA’s Fair Compensation guidelines. Emma Barnum posted a draft Custodial Service Agreement in Dropbox. The Board authorized the hiring of a half-time custodian as an independent contractor.

Event planner: Emma Barnum’s staff report included a renewed request that a wedding/event coordinator be found to help her manage rentals in the new facility. Concern was expressed that the term “coordinator” or “planner” suggests job duties not intended. This led to discussion of whether we need a planner, promoter, contract negotiator, and/or simply a UUS representative to show up and oversee facility use during

events. Rev. Steven will direct Emma to create a job description that reflects what she wants the position to be. The Board will then review and discuss.

Community Minister Affiliation Request: Lois Cole submitted a “Proposal for Community Ministry” to the UUS Board of Trustees on September 5th. Rev. Steven explained the basics of affiliation and that a Committee on Ministry (COM), separate from CLAM, will need to be formed and serve during her first three years in Preliminary Fellowship. Rev. Steven recommended, and the Board unanimously agreed, that Lois Cole affiliate with UUS as a Community Minister. The next steps are to negotiate a suitable “Terms of Understanding” agreement and covenant. When finalized, they will be presented to the Board for approval. Of additional note, Lois Cole would like to be ordained here in the spring of 2018. Doing so would require a Congregational vote of approval to call her for ordination. This vote would be held during the December 2017 Congregational Meeting.

Revised Facilities Use Policy: DeWitt summarized the revisions made to the last two items of the Facilities Use Policy. The changes relate to the determination of rental rates for, and the use of, UUS’s name and logo by non-congregational groups. The Board approved the revised Facilities Use Policy.

New Chalice Proposal: DeWitt and Rev. Steven shared information about the “Tree of Life” Chalice that has been identified for our new Sanctuary. The final price will depend on the size purchased, with the largest option (24 inch) being $2,150. The Board confirmed the availability of funds and approved the use of Memorial Funds to purchase the Chalice.

Treasurer/Budget/STEM Fund reports: Treasurer Rode presented the first draft of the 2018 budget. This includes an optimistic, but reasonable pledge goal of $380,000 set by Stewardship Committee Chair Dave Martin. The committee recently had a helpful phone conversation with Sharon Detmar, staff consultant with the MidAmerica Region. She shared that it is not unusual for a capital campaign to result in donor fatigue. Martin shared that Stewardship will not hold a celebration of giving event this fall. Rode also provided a report addressing the implications of the STEM fund on the 2018 budget. The $34,000 not yet pledged to this fund will need to be received during the upcoming budget year.

December Congregational Meeting Date: The Board unanimously agreed with Rev. Steven’s recommendation that the annual Congregational Budget Meeting be held Sunday, December 10th.

Honey-Arcement provided closing words. The Board adjourned at 8:40 pm.

The next Board meeting is Thursday, October 12th, at 6:30 pm

—Submitted by Peg Voelker, Secretary

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Religious Education & SpiritualityFrom Your Director of Religious EducationInspired by this month’s theme, I’m going to have courage and try something new. One of the RE program’s core beliefs is that families are their children’s primary religious educators, and we want to help you in that role. Each month my newsletter will include resources for families to take home and connect with what we do in worship, covenant groups, and RE classes. It might

include some chalice lighting words to use as you sit down to dinner (the simple lighting of a candle is one of our RE kids’ favorite activities on Sunday), questions and quotes your family can consider together, activities to help you explore the monthly theme further, videos to watch, or music to listen to.

To start, try some of these activities from the October Soul Matters RE Packet:

• Reflect on the question “What does it mean to be a parent or family of courage?”

• Check out this article about building courage in kids from Hey Sigmund: www.heysigmund.com/building-courage-in-kids/

• Family Movie Night—Watch “The Good Dinosaur” and talk about how the dinosaur finds his courage.

• Read Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae and talk about having the courage to follow your heart.

• Share your favorite songs of courage. Watch Sarah Bareilles’s Brave: www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUQsqBqxoR4 (would you have the courage to dance in public?) or listen to Fight Song by Rachel Patten (about having the courage to believe in yourself).

• Step out of your comfort zone and introduce yourself to a new person/family at church.

• Watch Clint Smith’s Ted Talk: www.ted.com/talks/clint_smith_the_danger_of_silence and talk about the courage to use our voices to speak out.

If you try any of these or come across other ways to reflect on the theme of courage with your family, please share your experiences on our UUS Family Facebook page: www.facebook.com/groups/UUSICFamilies/. This is also a great way to connect with other UUS families and to find out about upcoming events!

Covenant GroupsAfter the August break, covenant groups met again in September. Members recommitted to their groups and began another year of discussion, activities, and service. Our topic was “What Does It Mean to Be a Community of Welcome?” Are we welcoming enough to those from different backgrounds who enter our community? What welcoming practices do you follow in your groups and as individuals? Do you believe that you have to earn belonging to a community or should you be accepted without having to prove you’re worthy? These are profound questions for us to ask ourselves in this volatile time of social change and reaction against it.

Honest self-examination takes “Courage,” which is our topic for October. We all have an idea of what courage is, drawn from books, movies, history, or the news, as well as from personal experience. Many people think courage simply means “not being afraid,” but in truth it’s a quality that people draw on when they must do something, even if they are afraid. Courage allows us to take risks, to have convictions, and to stand up for what we believe, especially when it is hard to do so. What does courage look and feel like to you? How does a community such as ours embrace, foster, and demonstrate courage?

The Covenant Group program offers members the opportunity to express their views and deepen their understanding of a wide range of issues while creating closer ties to other UUs. If you’d like to learn more about covenant groups, please contact Jan Locher (354-6260 or covgroups@uusic.org.

Kiirtan, October 9thThe Kiirtan will meet at 6 pm on Monday, October 9th, at the Sycamore Rooms (on the basement level of Acupuncture of Iowa) at 2412 Towncrest Drive in Iowa City. Kiirtan is a combination of music and spiritual practice—it is the chanting or singing of a certain phrase that is charged with meaning. Kiirtan uplifts the spirit, calms the mind, and opens the heart. It is a wonderful prelude for meditation and a good practice in its own right. It can be combined with a variety of instruments (we’ll start out with guitar) and also with dance. Done within a group of people, powerful healing energy is generated. If you would like more information about this event, contact Andy Douglas at kiirtan@uusic.org.

Buddhist Sangha, All Mondays in OctoberThe UU Buddhist Sangha is a community of people that gathers weekly to explore contemporary Buddhist practice and teachings in the context of Unitarian Universalist principles and for meditation. The Sangha is currently reading Pema Chodron’s best-selling book, When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times, a collection of talks filled with radical and compassionate advice for what to do when things fall apart and our lives go against the grain of our usual habits and expectations.

We meet weekly on Monday evenings at 7 pm at Oaknoll. Please contact Brian Glidewell and Cindy Spading at buddhistsangha@uusic.org to find out more, or request to join through your Realm profile.

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Fireside Choir, All Thursdays in OctoberThe Fireside Choir rehearses weekly on Thursdays from 7 to 8:30 pm at the Sanctuary Church (and then in the Sanctuary in our new building when it opens). The choir is open to all singers (high school and beyond). No auditions or experience required. The choir sings in unison, two, three, and four parts (soprano, alto, tenor, and bass). The Fireside Choir often contributes to the Sunday worship services. If you have considered joining us, don’t think twice, just show up and we will go from there. If you have any questions, give Gloria Corbin a call at 338-5012 or email her at choir@uusic.org.

Singing Bowl Meditations, October 10th & 29thJudi Clinton hosts a Singing Bowl Meditation on the second Tuesday (6 pm) and last Sunday (12:30 pm) of each month at her home (945 Applewood Court, #4, Coralville). The harmonics of the bowls are used to amplify intention and focus as participants create a healing, relaxing field for all present. Plan to arrive 5 minutes before the start time to get settled and comfortable, and bring your water bottle. If you would like to participate, contact Judi (singingbowls@uusic.org or 541-6957) to reserve your space.

UU Grief Group, October 18thThe next meeting of the UU Grief Group (UUGG) is Wednesday, October 18th, 12:30 to 1:30 pm in the Hickory (Sr. High) Room in our new building. The group is open to those mourning the loss of a family member or friend. We provide a safe and supportive environment where you can talk about your loss confidentially to other UUs who have also experienced loss. You may come away from the group feeling more reconciled about your loss or with helpful ideas about how others are handling their grief. The group is led by Gail Garwood. While you do not need to pre-register, it is always nice to hear from you if you think that you may want to join us. Gail can be reached at griefgroup@uusic.org.

CUUPs Intro to Herbal Self Care: Infusions and Decoctions, October 21stJoin us for a series of Herbalism classes, sponsored by the Owl Moon CUUPs (Covenant of UU Pagans). We will cover the basics in this first workshop of the four-class Herbalism series, on Saturday, October 21st, from 9 to 11:30 am in the Oak and Hickory (Jr. & Sr. High) Rooms at UUS. You will learn why people have made herbal preparations throughout history and about the constituents in plants that make various plants beneficial to the human body. We will also cover the different methods of preserving herbs and the best way to preserve various plants based on the solubility of their constituents. Finally, we will talk about how to use dried herbs to make infusions and decoctions. Students will take home samples of the decoction blend made in class. This event is free to attend, but advance registration is required.

Stephany Hoffelt (www.naturallysimple.org) will lead the class. Stephany is an Iowa-based herbal educator and consultant with a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Arts and Sciences from Goddard College in Plainfield, Vermont, where she studied herbalism and ethnomedicine. In addition to offering local classes and herbal consultations, she teaches at workshops around the country and is a contributor to the Herbal Academy’s advanced course. Stephany also writes for various herbal publications including: Plant Healer Magazine, Natural Herbal Living Magazine, The Essential Herbal and the Herbal Academy’s Herbarium.

Contact Marsha Cheyney and Dawn Marshall at cuups@uusic.org for more information.

Interest & Activity Groups UU Book Discussion Group, October 9thThe UU Book Discussion Group will meet Monday, October 9th, at 7:30 pm. We meet at Oaknoll (735 George Street, Iowa City) on the 4th floor in Meeting Room A. Our selection for discussion is The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead. You can also start readingour November book, Eleanor and Harry: The Correspondence of Eleanor Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman, edited by Steve Neal with a forward by Gloria Steinem. At our September meeting we selected the rest of the books we will discuss through May. You can find the list on our Realm page or at the October meeting. If you have questions, want to submit book ideas, or want more information about our group, contact Mary Lou Welter at 354-1231 or bookgroup@uusic.org.

UU Free Lunch Program, October 13thThanks to all who contributed to the successful free lunch on Friday, September 8th. We served 160 meals. Kurt Hamann, Barbara Beaumont, and Lee and Sue Eberly donated John’s Grocery fried chicken, which is very popular with the patrons. Several team members made scalloped potatoes as a delicious side dish, and the meal was rounded out by a green salad, fruit salad, and fall-inspired desserts. The Free Lunch team would like to give a special thanks to Caryl Lyons, who has been making a vegetarian lasagna as the alternative meal option each month for over 20 years. What an amazing contribution (and what wonderful lasagna)! Thanks Caryl. Our next Free Lunch will be on Friday, October 13th. Email Sue Eberly if you want to receive the Free Lunch emails (susan17eberly@gmail.com) or Diana Miller if you want more information about contributing or volunteering (dkmilleriowa@gmail.com). Thanks very much to all our UUS Free Lunch team members.

9

Secular Humanists, October 17thOn Tuesday, October 17th, we will gather at 7:30 pm in the Common Room at at Old Brick (Market/Clinton Streets in Iowa City), downstairs from the large hall. Paul Muhle, a retired biochemist with 32 years as a Clinical Lab Scientist and now an Education for Ministry Mentor at Trinity Episcopal in Iowa City, will present a talk on “Jesus’ Mission: to promote ideas of universal benefit to humanity, not to start a new religion.” All are welcome! For more information, please contact Mark Yuskis, resdoggie@aol.com.

UU Scrabble Group, October 19thThe UU Scrabble Group will meet Thursday, October 19th, at 1:30 pm at a location to be determined. Everyone is welcome to join in regardless of skill level! Beginners are welcome! Contact Gary Lawrenson at 936-1291 or scrabble@uusic.org for more information.

Vegetarian Community Potluck, October 22ndThe Vegetarian Community will meet for a potluck and program on Sunday, October 22nd, in the UUS Fellowship Hall. The potluck will begin at 5 pm. Please bring a whole-foods, plant-based dish to serve 8-10 people along with your own reusable or recyclable table service. The program “Ethical Eating: Personal in Nature, Global in Reach” will begin at 7 pm. Everyone is welcome. Please RSVP to Carol Throckmorton at vegcommunity@uusic.org or 337-3030.

Girls’ Night Out, October 25thAll UUS women are invited for conversation, lots of laughs, and refreshments at 5:30 pm for Girls’ Night Out on Wednesday, October 25th, at Big Grove (1225 S. Gilbert St., Iowa City). Contact Anna Rode (girlsnightout@uusic.org or (520) 979-8404) if you plan to attend.

Dinners for Eight Resume, November 4thMake new friends or deepen old acquaintances by joining our Dinners for Eight dining groups! Different groups will be assigned for each dinner, who will get together over shared meals on November 4th and December 2nd, the first Saturdays of those months. Members and friends, singles and couples are invited to sign up for a dinner. Hosts provide the main dish and guests fill in the side dishes and dessert. This is an adults-only function.

If you’d like to participate you may sign up through Realm at this link, by contacting Joe Rasmussen, dinnersfor8@uusic.org or 624-4090, or by signing up after a Sunday service through October 22nd.

Social Justice News and EventsSocial Justice Coordinating Committee (SJCC)SJCC coordinates our congregation’s community service and social action activities in Iowa City and beyond. Our meetings are informal and fun, and we welcome new faces and ideas. Because the move to our new building may affect our normal meeting location at UUS, our October meeting will be held on Tuesday the 3rd at a member’s home. Contact socialjustice@uusic.org for directions or to get more information about the committee.

Winter Clothing DriveIt’s not too late to bring warm winter clothing for the annual clothing drive, sponsored by the Consultation of Religious Communities (CRC), which will take place at the Community of Christ on Saturday, October 14th. Clean, gently-used, or new items for all ages can be brought to Sunday services on Sundays, October 1st and 8th. Jeans, snowpants and boots are especially needed. Check at the SJCC table on Sunday if you have questions. Thanks to all who are participating.

5th Sunday Collection in OctoberThere is an extra Sunday in October, which mean we will have a 5th Sunday collection, a special offering to support a pressing cause. In the last month there have been many hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, and earthquakes. SJCC had to select one of many funds and relief efforts to support. On Sunday, October 22nd, in conjunction with our second Racial Justice Teach-In, the offering will go to support Black Women Houston (#SupportBlackWomenHou). Cash or checks (BWH on the memo line) can be given on the 22nd or mailed to the office. Please give generously.

The offerings for the other four Sundays in October will go to our monthly agency, Shelter House. See the front page of the newsletter for more information on this important local nonprofit.

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The UU NewsThe Unitarian Universalist Society2355 Oakdale RoadCoralville, IA 52241

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UUS Board of Trustees, 2017-2018President: Jim Laughlin..........................................643-7224 jwl@lcom.net

Vice President: Jane DeWitt...................................337-8549 jane.dewitt@drake.edu Past President: Kelly O’Berry.................................541-0326 kelly-oberry@uiowa.edu

Secretary: Peg Voelker......…................................330-2393 peg.voelker@gmail.com

Treasurer: Chris Rode...………...….................520-241-1431 ccrode@gmail.com

Trustee: Kris Barrash………….................................541-9363 kris.barrash@mchsi.com

Trustee: Steve Locher............................................331-1863 lochers@mchsi.com

Trustee: Sara Feldmann…………..........................331-7756 sara.feldmann@gmail.com

Trustee: Michael Honey-Arcement..............563-289-7153 mike@gwn-ws.com

UUS StaffWebsite: www.uusic.orgOffice Phone: 319-337-3443

Minister — Rev. Steven Protzman Email: minister@uusic.orgAdministrator — Emma BarnumEmail: admin@uusic.orgInterim Director of Lifespan Religious Education — Jessica Zimmer-SaltzmanEmail: education@uusic.orgDirector of Congregational Life — Peggy GarriguesEmail: dcl@uusic.orgMusic Director — Gloria L. CorbinEmail: music@uusic.orgAccompanist — Peng ZhangEmail: accompanist@uusic.orgPublicity Coordinator — Bailey KelleyEmail: publicity@uusic.orgAdministrative Assistant — Nik JakobEmail: admin.assistant@uusic.orgChildcare Coordinator — Anna RodeEmail: nursery@uusic.org

October 2017 The UU News

Mission: We are a diverse spiritual community that touches hearts, changes lives, and transforms the world.

Vision: Our vision is to be a loving, inclusive, and growing spiritual community. We celebrate life and a liberal tradition that leads social justice work, heals the earth, and nurtures the lifelong journey of mind and spirit.