E-Octagram
January 19, 2018
  LOOKING FOR SOMETHING SPECIFIC ON THE E-OCTAGRAM? Press CTRL F, then type in a keyword, press enter and your query will be highlighted.
   Week at a Glance   UUC Sunday Service  What's Happening at UUC Serve   UUC Committees Adult Religious Enrichment   UUC and Beyond    
UUC WEEK AT A GLANCE

January 21st, Sunday
Open Issues: 9:30-10:20 am, Patio Room
 Karen Karinja. “LWV Priorities for 2018” Karen is President of LWV in North Pinellas (Eliseo Santana is the VP.) She will describe the landscape facing us this year, and what we can do to advance issues that women care about. The Mid-Term Election is November 6th. For reference, see  http://www.lwvnorthpinellas.org/ 
Sunday Service: 10:30-11:45 am, Octagon
Service Leader: Rev. Patrice Curtis: "Are We All Welcome Here?"
(Are we all welcome here Conversation Following service in the Chorale Rm, 12:15-1:15 pm)
--Board Q&A: 12:00-12:30 pm, Maxwell Library--

Humanist Monthly Meeting - 12:30-1:45, Octagon.

January 28th, Sunday
Open Issues, 9:30-10-20 am, Patio Room
 TED Talk. Ellen MacArthur. “What I learned sailing solo around the world”. 
She learned that surviving in a small boat sailing on the Southern Indian Ocean is metaphor for surviving on planet Earth hurtling through space far from any outside help. She is now Dame Ellen Macarthur, founder of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation to research the challenges facing our current global economy.
Sunday Service:10:30-11:45 am, Octagon

--PSI and Buddhist Symposium: 12:30-2:00 pm, Patio Room
This is a joint meeting of the Clearwater Chapter of the UU PSI Symposium and the UU Buddhist Fellowship at UUC. Special Guest for today is renowned medical intuitive and spiritual life coach Jimmy Mack.

January 30th, Tuesday, 7:00-8:30 pm, Patio Room
Humanist of the Year
UUC Teaching Facilitator: Rev. Patrice Curtis
The 2017 Humanist of the Year award is given annually by the American Humanist Association. In 2017, the recipient was television personality, skeptic, and secular advocate Adam Savage. In this highly interactive discussion, come unpack the contents of Adam's speech and consider what it might mean for your spiritual growth.
Sign up sheets will be at Sunday service or call 727-531-7704

February 4, Sunday
2018 United Faiths Walk of Peace on Sunday, February 4th . Join over 15 different faith groups (UUC is a sponsor) on the 2 mile walk around Dunedin, stopping at several venues for reflections on peace led by a variety of faith leaders. Meet at Pioneer Park ,  400 Main Street, Dunedin  at 2 PM and march behind the UUC banner. Wear your UUC, Standing on the Side of Love, or the 2018 United Faiths tee shirt.

February 6 and 13, Wednesdays - 7:00-9:00 pm, Maxwell Library
Climate Change: How Bad Is It  and What Can We Do?
UUC Teaching Facilitator: Dale Potter
Session 1: A presentation and discussion based on the latest U.S. Global Research Program's Fourth National Climate Assessment titled Climate Science Special Report and other recent scientific findings.
Session 2: A presentation and discussions on the limitations of individual efforts and the need for collective efforts to address the social and economic changes that will be required to address the climate crisis.  Sign up sheets will be at Sunday service or call 727-531-7704

February 13 and 27, and March 13 and 27 , 7:30 to 8:30 pm, Patio Rm.
Faithful Communication
UUC Teaching Facilitators: Irene Ratner, Lore Eargle, Ray Williamson, Sally Ott, and Randy Munroe.
This course will help us understand and apply our UUC Covenant of Right Relations in our everyday lives. We will gain communications skills that we can use not only at UUC but at home and work. There will be role playing and should be fun as well as introspective.
Meets: in the Patio Room Feb. 13 and 27, and March 13 and 27
Sign up sheets will be at Sunday service or call 727-531-7704

The Big Red Bus is coming Sunday February 4th. Eat a good breakfast and get ready to give!



Meet with Rev. Patrice Curtis
If you would like to meet with Rev. Patrice contact the office at 727-531-7704. If you wish to contact her, please call
(510) 852-9304.
Rev. Patrice Curtis
This Sunday
January 21st, 2018
 Service 
Sunday at 10:30

Service Leader: Rev. Patrice Curtis
"Are We All Welcome Here? "
(Are We All Welcome Here Conversation Following service in the Chorale Rm, 12:15-1:15 pm)
  Pastoral Care Associates

UUC has a strong team of lay Pastoral Associates who offer confidential, emotional support and spiritual companionship to fellow church members. You can access pastoral care by contacting Rev. Patrice Curtis at 727-531-7704 ext. 5 or revpatrice@uuc.org .
Please note that emails sent to the front office are not confidential; emails to Rev. Patrice are.
This week’s pastoral care associate is Susan Hegner and is available at 727-531-7704 ext. 5.  
Open Issues
9:30-10:20 am
Patio Room
Karen Karinja. “LWV Priorities for 2018” Karen is President of LWV in North Pinellas (Eliseo Santana is the VP.) She will describe the landscape facing us this year, and what we can do to advance issues that women care about. The Mid-Term Election is November 6th. For reference, see  http://www.lwvnorthpinellas.org/  
  Flowers for Sunday Services
If you would like to supply the flowers for an upcoming Sunday service in honor of a special event or person in your life, please email Laura Daniel at flowers@uuc.org . She will help you coordinate your contribution. 
ALL ABOUT UUC led by Rev. Patrice, will be held on January 21st, after the Sunday service at 12:30 pm, in the Maxwell Library.  

All potential new members are encouraged to attend; as well as folks who may want to know more about our faith.

Membership co-chairs: Mary Thornton:  tmarykate@gmail.com and Marie  Chapman : harborhome38@aol.com  
Adult Spiritual and Religious Development Programs Winter-Spring 2018. Get signed up now!
Humanist of the Year
UUC Teaching Facilitator: Rev. Patrice Curtis
The 2017 Humanist of the Year award is given annually by the American Humanist Association. In 2017, the recipient was television personality, skeptic, and secular advocate Adam Savage. In this highly interactive discussion, come unpack the contents of Adam's speech and consider what it might mean for your spiritual growth.
Meets: Tuesday, January 30th, 7:00-8:30 pm, Patio Room

Fantasy Land v. Reality
UUC Teaching Facilitator: Mark Brandt
Mark will lead what will surely be a spirited conversation about how America's historical roots make it  UN surprising that we now grapple with "Fake Facts". This discussion will be based on the book, Fantasyland: How America Went Haywire: A 500-Year History by Kurt Andersen. 
Meets: Maxwell Library, February 28, 7pm-8:30pm

Climate Change: How Bad Is It  and What Can We Do?
UUC Teaching Facilitator: Dale Potter
Session 1: A presentation and discussion based on the latest U.S. Global Research Program's Fourth National Climate Assessment titled Climate Science Special Report and other recent scientific findings.
Session 2: A presentation and discussions on the limitations of individual efforts and the need for collective efforts to address the social and economic changes that will be required to address the climate crisis. 
Meets: Maxwell Library, Feb. 6 and 13, 7:00-9:00 pm

Faithful Communication
UUC Teaching Facilitators: Irene Ratner, Lore Eargle, Ray Williamson, Sally Ott, and Randy Munroe.
This course will help us understand and apply our UUC Covenant of Right Relations in our everyday lives. We will gain communications skills that we can use not only at UUC but at home and work. There will be role playing and should be fun as well as introspective.
Meets: in the Patio Room Feb. 13 and 27, and March 13 and 27, 7:00-8:30 pm

Reflections on "A Good Death" and "An Auspicious Rebirth
UUC Teaching Facilitator: Frank Tedesco, M.A. and PhD. in Buddhist Studies
We will reflect on the notion that we are "spiritual beings"
having a physical experience on earth, perhaps not for the first
or last time. What is the nature of the "spirit of life" that UUs
appeal to in song? let's share your ideas,questions and experiences with
human & animal consciousness and inter-species communication. What of the bardos or intermediate states between lives? Do near-death experiences teach us anything about metempsychosis? We will discuss advance care planning, life review and reconciliation to prepare ourselves and our loved ones for the inevitable transformation we call death. Dying needn't be a surprise. Is it really the end? Or not? Our conversations will be supplemented with videos, Youtube TED talks, etc. as inspired.
Meets: in the Patio Room, April 3,10,17, 4:30-6:30 pm


Sign up sheets will be available in the Narthex and the Social Hall starting Sunday December 17th

Readers Forum
Fridays, 10:30 am, Chorale Rm.

We’ll review On Tyranny  1/20/18. The next 2 books are The Letter by Kathryn Hughes on Jan.27, and The Alice Network (read halfway) on Feb.3rd.
What's Happening at UUC
Next Exhale
Wed., February 14th
A Gathering for Sitting and Moving Mindfulness.
From 6-6:45 in the Octagon. Hold the second Wednesday of each month open for some quiet moments of mindfulness and connection.















UUC marches!

UUCers are marching. On Monday over 50 people participated in the Clearwater Martin L King breakfast and Parade. It really was a good group effort this year with many many people helping. Special thanks to Carol Hamilton and Eileen Senn for their hard work organizing the march and all the helpers. 

Now we can all march again with people of all faiths at the 2018 United Faiths Walk of Peace on Sunday, February 4th . Join over 15 different faith groups (UUC is a sponsor) on the 2 mile walk around Dunedin, stopping at several venues for reflections on peace led by a variety of faith leaders. Meet at Pioneer Park ,  400 Main Street, Dunedin  at 2 PM and march behind the UUC banner. Wear your UUC, Standing on the Side of Love, or the 2018 United Faiths tee shirt. For more information:
  UU PSI Symposium/Buddhist Forum

Regular Meeting   –  Our regular meeting will be held after the morning service at  12:30 p.m. on Sunday , January 28, 2018, in the Patio Room at UUC.  This is a joint meeting of the Clearwater Chapter of the UU PSI Symposium and the UU Buddhist Fellowship at UUC. We have a very special speaker – Jimmy Mack.
Jimmy Mack is a renowned medical intuitive and spiritual life coach who has taken, completed and even mastered a variety of healing modalities. After a near death experience, he was shown and developed a simpler way to create healing and profound changes now known as My Liquid Fish® Change Made Simple®. He works with clients in person, on the phone and over Skype worldwide accessing energetic powers and co-creating changes that you can actually feel.    http://www.jimmymackhealing.com
Jimmy will be introducing us to My Liquid Fish® Change made simple® in a transformational demonstration by co-creating LIVE on stage with attendees from the audience.
There is no cost for the event. Books and Audios will be available for purchase after the event. A portion will be donated to the  UUC PSI Symposium
Join us to watch, learn, get a free healing or just ask questions
2018 Winter/ Spring Schedule

SAVE THE DATES

Rally - February 26, 7 PM
Skycrest United Methodist Church
2045 Drew Street, Clearwater 33765
Limited parking so try to car pool
Nehemiah Action
March 19th 7PM Tropicana Field
1 Tropicana Drive, St.Petersburg
Bus will be leaving from the UUC parking lot
Bring at least 3 people with you
Celebration- April 30,2018 7PM
Place to be announced at a later date.
SOCIAL JUSTICE…
Legislative Days -- How You Can Help
Your UU Justice Florida Action Network Leadership team is following a number of key bills that correspond to our  Core Issues  and have been introduced in the 2018 Legislative Session which convenes in Tallahassee for the next two months beginning January 9. These bills are listed in detail with current status on the  Legislative Tracker .
Here are four ways UUJF supporters can effectively influence or impact the outcome of these bills.
Register NOW for UUJF Legislative Days  on Jan. 22 and 23 and let the UUC Social Justice Council know you plan to attend ( donna@polhamus.org ) We will schedule a meeting with your Representative, Senator or Legislative staff member for the morning of January 23. You may be able to participate in a Committee meeting if one is coincidentally scheduled to hear bills of interest on the days we will be there. Whether or not you can attend Legislative Days, you can help those who do by getting key bills put on Committee agendas and voted on. Those of us who go to Tallahassee can’t press our legislators to pass a bill unless it is advancing through the committee process!
We will be sending targeted Action Alerts only to people who can help the bills move forward. Look for targeted alerts beginning January 2.
•  Respond to a targeted Action Alert for bills we support that have been referred to a Committee and ask that Committee’s leadership to place such bills on its next meeting agenda to be heard.
•  Respond to a targeted Action Alert with your message of support or opposition for bills that have already been placed on a Committee agenda and are scheduled for a discussion and vote by the whole Committee.
•  Respond to an Action Alert on bills that have passed all Committee referrals and will go to the House or Senate floor for a final vote.
You will receive a targeted Action Alert only if you reside in a Legislative District represented by a leader or member of a Committee to which a particular bill has been referred. UUJF will provide recipients of Action Alerts and Legislative Days registrants brief talking points for each bill of interest although you are encouraged to add any additional points or personal stories to support your position. You do not need to be registered for Legislative Days to respond to Action Alerts.
To receive Action Alerts we need your correct ZIP+4 address code. If   your zip code-  is not your correct code please go to the  UUJF Action Sign Up page and update your contact information or reply to this email with your home ZIP CODE + 4 which you can find at this link
Then click this  link to sign up for Legislative Days  to follow up in person with your legislator.  Registration deadline is January 15  to secure your room and dinner reservation.
Together, let’s bring values of compassion, equity and justice to our legislators in Tallahassee.
See you January 22nd!
Kindra, for the UU Justice Florida Action Network Board
Can You Be An Usher for
Sunday Service?

Two of our ushers are stepping down. If you would be interested in serving in this way please contact Dick Rolfes, email: rrolfes915@aol.com
Thanks
UUC Committee Meetings and Events
Please get your meeting information to events@uuc.org NO LATER than one week before the next E-Octagram (publishes on Thursdays). If there are changes, they must get to the above email NO LATER than the Wednesday before publishing. Thank you. 
Environmental Justice Committee , Sunday January 28th, 12-2:00 pm, Maxwell Library

End of Life Choices, Thursday, February 1st, 1:30-3:00 pm, Westwood Room
Our meeting is two weeks from today, and we’re going to discuss the new book from Peaceful Self-Deliverance America, on  End-of-Life Decision Making for Life Stage Planning in Florida .  The book talks about the four important steps we need to take: to know, to plan, to document, and to advocate, and it spells out different kinds of decisional deaths.  A few years ago we had similar books based on the laws in North Carolina.  These new books (Oct 2017) have information specific to Florida and will be available for $5 if you want one.  They really contain a lot of information.  Whether or not you buy a book, update an older book, or just listen, I think there will be material for you to learn. 
Also I will report on our trip to Tallahassee to speak to our legislators about POLST and other issues. The trip is January 22-23

Important Legislation Needs Your Support
A wonderful surprise for this year: POLST was introduced into both the Florida House and the Florida Senate. It has previously been introduced into the Senate twice. The Florida legislative session lasts only sixty days, so we need to let our legislators know very soon that we want this legislation passed. And, since many people are scared of Compassion & Choices, it is important to leave that out of our letters. Here is a sample letter that you may use or modify any way you wish. Also here is the place where you can find your representatives:  http://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/Findhttp://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/myrepresentative.aspx  for your senator and  http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/myrepresentative.aspx  for your representative to the House. Please send letters to both of your representatives.

Sample letter:
I’m writing to express my support of the legislation to have POLST in Florida, H 1339, S 474. As you probably know, POLST stands for Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment, and it allows patients and their doctors to discuss and decide upon what kind of treatment the patient wants and can reasonably expect to be successful. Most of us do not want to end up as a vegetable on a machine, but since 80% of the people who die are over 60, and Florida has the most people in this age range of any state, this is a particularly important program in Florida. POLST is more powerful than an Advance Directive because it is doctor's orders, and so carries weight in a hospital or nursing care facility. I have supported this program for some time, and I know that other states have used it successfully, so I hope you will add your voice to help it become law in Florida.

Thank you for your support and help,
Marcia
FOOTNOTES FROM THE LIBRARY:
 Suggestions for additions to the library are encouraged. Please email  bcgotts@gmail.com .

The Library is also expanding a shelf featuring UUC authors, but we need some help. The section is located just below the Unitarian Universalism section. Please stop by and see if your favorite UUC author is there, and more importantly, if you have copies of these UUC works, consider donating them to the Library.
Beyond UUC...
The 2018 United Faiths Walk of Peace

The 2018 United Faiths Walk of Peace will take place on February 4th from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm In Dunedin. This year UUC will be a sponsor and we hope that many of you will join the UUC group. We invite EVERYONE to walk, talk, connect, and strive for peace among all people in the nation and the world.
The parade will assemble at Pioneer Park, 400 Main Street in Dunedin . We will walk about two miles, stopping at several venues for reflections on peace led by a variety of faith leaders.
Over 500 people from different faiths walked in 2017. As this is UUC's first year we hope that many will join us wearing your UUC T-shirts or the commemorative shirts that are available (sign up for one at UUC Social Justice table).