E-Octagram March 23, 2017

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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE MARCH BOARD MEETING 1. Our sign welcoming refugees has been torn down several times. The board wants to reorder  a new sign. When the situation was explained to the printer he said he would replace the sign with no charge and will continue to do so every time it is vandalized. 2. On Sat., May 20th the board is planning a retreat with committee chairs.  3. On May 21st the annual meeting will be held. The Nominating Committee has finalized the slate. 4. Pat, the office administrator resigned. Alyssa Diaz,, our  new administrator  has already started. Our previous administrator, Julie Ulibari, has agreed to come in for a few weeks(with her grandbaby)for three hours daily to help train her. Alyssa will be working 32 hours a  week. 5. There was a report on the progress with renovating the Social Hall. At least six contractors were interviewed. Three have been selected to submit bids. Hopefully, construction can begin in June 6. Our grand piano is in need of repair. The estimate for doing this is between $7000 -$10,000.  It was agreed to set aside the money now , record it as an expense and put it in reserve until needed. 7. A committee is working hard on several revisions to the By-laws. They should be ready for the May annual meeting. 8. The results of the Communication Survey were shared. The Board will have a special meeting to follow up on suggestions. REMINDER:    The UU General Assembly meeting will be held in New Orleans from  June 21-25 .

Don't Forget to Pledge! Lighting the way together is a unifying commitment members and friends of UUC make to ourselves and to each other. Supporting each other’s growth is fundamental to our faith. To make a pledge of financial commitment go the 2017-18 Pledge Drive, please click on the following link: 2017-18 Pledge Form  ***OR fulfill your pledge ONLINE, go to PLEDGE FULFILLMENT.  (Do you need help with our new online pledge fulfillment site? Contact Carol Kay at the UUC office at 727-531-7704 and I can walk you through it.)

Special Note: The Covenant Group Annual Spring Brunch is from 10:30 am to 2:00 pm this Saturday in the Social Hall.

Save the Date!                            March (Click  HERE  for link to UUC's full March calendar) March 23, Thurs: Learn to Tweet, 7-8:30, Chorale Rm March 24, Fri: Fourth Friday in Food Forest, 6:00-9:00 pm, Garden Gazebo March 24, Fri:  Community Immigration Committee, 12-2:00 pm (Westwood Rm) March 25, Sat:  Covenant Group Annual Spring Brunch, 10:30-2:00 pm, Social Hall March 26, Sun: Open Issues, 9:30-10:30 am, Patio Rm March 26, Sun: Worship Service, Youth Sunday,10:30-11:45 am, Octagon March 26, Sun: Refugee Family - Short meeting after service in the Sanctuary for  members who would like to assist our new family March 26, Sun:  Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Service 4:00-6:00 pm, Patio Room March 26, Sun: Black Lives Matter, 12:15-2:15 pm, Chorale Rm. March 26, Sun: PSI Symposium, Buddhist Fellowship, 12:30-2:00 pm, Patio Rm. March 30, Thurs: SURJ Showing Up for Racial Justice, 6:30-9:00 pm, Social Hall April (Click HERE for link to UUC's full April Calendar) April 2, Sun:  Open Issues, 9:30-10:30 am, Patio Rm April 2, Sun: Worship Service, 10:30-11:45 am, Octagon April 2, Sun: Potluck Annual Canvas, 11:30-12:30 pm, Social Hall April 3, Mon: FAST Rally, off site, 7:00 pm  April 6, Thurs:Women's Lunch,  12:00- 2:00 PM, Benedicts Family Restaurant, 768 Belcher Rd. April 7, Fri: Roslyn Franken presents "Meant to Be", 7:00-9:00 pm, Octagon April 8, Sat: Art Show Reception, 7:00-9:00 pm, Octagon April 9, Sun: Open Issues, 9:30-10:30 am, Patio Rm. April 9, Sun: Worship Service, 10:30-11:45 am, Octagon April 9, Sun: All About UUC, 12:30-1:30 pm, Westwood Rm. April 15, Sat: Seder, 5:00-8:30 pm, Social Hall April 16, Sun: Open Issues, 9:30-10:30 am, Patio Rm. April 16, Sun: Worship Service EASTER SUNDAY, 10:30-11:45, Octagon April 16, Sun: Humanist Monthly mtg, 12:30-1:30 pm, Octagon April 13, Thurs: Compassion & Choices, 1:30-3:00 pm, Patio Rm. April 19, Wed: Exhale 6:15-6:45, Octagon,and Soup Supper, 5:30-7:30 pm (before and after Exhale). April 24, Mon: Nehemiah Action 7:00 pm,Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg

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.

Beacon Youth Lead Sunday Service.ading   Please join us this Sunday for our youth led  all-ages worship service as our Beacon youth group explore the Here and Now of putting their Unitarian Universalist  faith into action. Txt Link

Service  Sunday at 10:30 March 26, 2017 "Faith into Action" Service leaders: Beacon Youth Group Theme for March: Here and Now   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 Ann Myers and is available at 727-531-7704 ext. 5.    What Is 'Spirit Space'? It's the space on the upper level of the Sanctuary where children can go during service for quiet activities. Be sure to go check it out with your little ones.

Open Issues Sundays at 9:30 a.m., Patio Room March 26th:  26 March: Susan Patricia Golden. "From Womb 2 Tomb" about the Podcast that speaks to the power and importance of claiming YOUR own creative expression. It is never too late to have more FUN, PLAY and JOY in your life!      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 Patricia  here. She will help you coordinate your contribution.

CIW Alliance for Fair Food is the recipient  for the March 26th Share the Plate. The  Alliance for Fair Food is a national network of people working in partnership with the Coalition  of Immokalee Workers for farmworker justice. Following the tremendous leadership of the  Coalition of Immokalee Workers, the ally network’s tenacity, creativity, spirit and commitment  have been integral to the unprecedented victories for workers that are changing the landscape of  human rights in U.S. agriculture. Help the CIW continue the fight by donating generously. To  Learn More go to: www. allianceforfairfood.org

Ice Cream Social   sponsored by the stewardship committee:  12 noon on Youth Sunday, March 26.  Parents and Children in our RE programs as well as members of Beacon Youth are invited.

April is RE Month and We Need You! Come and be a part of the Religious Enrichment Program at UUC and help nurture the spiritual lives of our children and youth. There is a place for everybody with flexible time commitments and a variety of skills needed.  Opportunities range from being an RE Leader/Advisor or Class assistant to Special Event Helpers or Playground Peacekeepers.  You will be fully trained and supported by our current team.  It takes a congregation to build a beloved community and deepen our faith as Unitarian Universalists. Come and share the richness in your life with the Religious Enrichment Program and make a difference in the lives of our children, youth, and in your own! For more information contact Christine Ducady, Director of RE at: dre@uuc.org

Meet UUC's New Office Administrator Alyssa took over as UUC's administrator in March of 2017. Born and raised in Florida, Alyssa Diaz is an enthusiastic and innovative professional with 5+ years of Administrative experience. In her spare time, Alyssa enjoys painting and making mixed media art. She is currently a Notary Public of Florida and  enrolled at St. Petersburg College with a concentration on Business Administration and Human Resources.

Exhale!  A Gathering for Sitting and Moving Mindfulness. Third Wednesday of every month thru May 2017. Next Exhale and Soup Supper is April 19th 6:15 to 6:45 in the Sanctuary.

5:30 - pre service soup potluck 6:15 - 6:45 Exhale! service in Octagon 6;45 - 7:30 post service soup potluck  Love offerings are accepted to help cover shared costs. Wednesday Soup Supper pre and post Exhale! service Extend the moments of nourishment for the body and spirit by joining fellow Exhale participants pre AND/OR post service at our Soup Supper.    It's easy. Just bring some soup to share, or bread or salad, maybe a dessert. Crockpots are great. Listing ingredients is very helpful.    To support ease of cleanup and to keep our footprint tiny, please plan on bringing your own bowls or help with cleanup.

Medical Walker Needed Do you have a walker that you no longer need? Our refugee Mom might be able to use one when she is shopping or going out.  A seat is necessary. Call Barb Foley at 908-377-2234.  Thank you!

Sunday Morning Magic Tech Booth Training  Want to learn how lights, sound, and slides all come together?  Our expert Eli Preuss is here to teach you!  Join him in the Tech booth March 26th and April 2nd.    Join UUC's Office Team The UU office is looking for someone to 'person' the front desk on Thursday mornings 9-12 am. If you are a new member, it's a great way to meet other UU's and to be a real help to the staff and the congregation. We will train you. Contact our new office administrator, Allyssa at admin@uuc.org

UUC In Action... Upcoming Committee Meetings

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.

A special invitation from the UUC Board... The UUC Board of Directors invites you to stop by the Library after Sunday Service and talk to members of the Board about what happens at their meetings. Get the updates or get your questions answered.

-- Refugee Committee Meeting after service Sunday March 26th, in the Sanctuary UUC has just committed to welcoming and assisting a refugee family from Syria! We are also planning a trial program on Saturday mornings in April and May, extending English as a Second Language assistance to adults from Syria, Iraq, Sudan and Egypt. If you have helped with our refugee program this past year or would like to work with our new family or initiative, please stay after the service for a short time on March 26. You will learn more about the family and ways to become involved. -- Community Immigration Committee, Fri, Mar. 24th, 12-2:00 pm in the Westwood Rm. -- Fourth Friday in the Food Forest, Friday, March 24th, 6:00-9:00 pm Check out the facebook page for more information HERE. -- Black Lives Matter, Sunday, March 26, 12:15-2:15 pm, Chorale Rm. Please join our monthly Black Lives Matter meeting Sunday March 26 from 12:15 to 2:15 pm in the Chorale Room. We will be discussing the book Waking Up White by Debby Irving, watching some short videos and doing a relevant exercise. For this meeting, please read sections Why Didn’t I Wake Up Sooner (pp. 61- 92) and Rethinking Key Concepts (pp. 93-112) Ordering info at www.debbyirving.com/the-book/. -- SURJ Organization Meeting (Showing Up for Racial Justice)     March 30, 6:30 to 9:00 pm in the Social Hall  Showing of "13th" with discussion following. -- Compassion and Choices, Thursday, April 13, 1:30-3:00 pm, Patio Rm  All are welcome. Our April meeting will be on April 13th instead of April 6th.  At least two of us will be going to the conference on Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking in Charlotte on April 6th, and we will report what we learn to you on the 13th.  The conference is supposed to deal with legal issues in addition to other aspects of this practice.Our May 4th meeting will feature Janet Keating, a palliative care specialist.  This medical field is becoming more and more important as patients are involved with doctors from many specializations, and such a physician is especially important at the end of life when we may want comfort care instead of procedures and running to doctors. I appreciate your ongoing support and look forward to seeing you at our meetings.

Three Major Social Justice Events Coming This Spring... The issue committees are finishing up their work in anticipation of the upcoming FAST Rally and FAST Nehemiah Action.Meetings are being held with local officials and invitations have gone out for their attendance at the Nehemiah. However, this year due to a scheduling conflict within the school district, school board members are being invited to the Rally. That means we need you to attend both events. Don’t forget to wear your UUC T-shirts. 1.The Rally will be on April 3,2017 at 7:00PM at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 1955 S. Belcher Road, Clearwater 33764. 2. The Nehemiah Action will be on April 24, 2017 Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg at 7:00 PM. Once again, we will be providing buses to the Nehemiah. Sign up at the Social Justice Table if you want to ride the bus. But wait I said three events………… 3. The Celebration will be on May 15 th at 7:00 PM at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church at 1600 54 th Ave .s, St. Petersburg. If you have any questions regarding these major social justice events contact UUC FAST Team Leaders, Linda Stoller, Mark Kanuck, Gretchen Craig or Theo Betjemann

UUC and HOC UUC has had a long relationship with the Hispanic Outreach Center (HOC). We have supported their work with the Hispanic community here in Clearwater since 2010 when Ann Myers and Shelia Knaust first attended their Intercultural Advocacy Council. As a result of that interest, we have become involved in several projects. From helping Hispanic preschoolers, to programs for young leaders, you can find out more about the various projects by going to our blog  HERE. Anyone interested in participating in any of these programs, can come to the Social Justice table after services and talk to us. It is a large commitment, but one that gives back in hugs from happy children and their families.

What's Happening at UUC

To buy your tickets online for this event go HERE

Love to Play Bridge?  UUC has duplicate Bridge in the Patio Room from 9 to 12. every Tuesday morning.              Call Jane for details  727-400-4149 .

Gallery Hours:   9:00 am - 12:00 Tues-Fri and Sunday  12:00 noon - 1:00 pm  Sunday FREE Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater 2470 Nursery Road Clearwater, FL Contact: Charlene Carnes    727-789-3536

Feature Heading New Art Show Opens April 8th Watercolor Paintings by Taylor Ikin & Friends   Octagon Arts Center Opening Reception: April 8, 2017, 7-9:00 pm Last day of show:       May 17, 2017 Text Link

Last Day of Spirited Art is April 4th. Gallery Hours: 9:00 am - 12:00 noon Tuesday - Friday          9:30 - 10:30 am and 12:00 - 1:00 pm Sunday

The UUC Library is across from the Social Hall entrance. It is open on Sundays after service and books are available for check out with a self-checkout system. For more information contact our Librarian, Bruce Gotts  bcgotts@gmail.com

Readers Forum We'll read A Gentleman In Moscow by Amor Towles on March 10,17th, News of the World by Paulette Jiles on March 24,31st,and Dark Money by Jane Mayer on April 7,14th. We meet Fridays 10:30-11:30 in Chorale Room.

Adult Religious Enrichment Presents

A COURSE IN MINDFULNESS   This course will begin by examining the common elements in mindfulness practices, how they address everyday psychological distress and how we can begin integrating mindfulness practice into a busy life. It  will also address how to use mindfulness and meditation to engage with challenges such as alienation, aging, trauma, illness, and death.  In addition the course will cover the role of wisdom and ethics in psychological well-being from both ancient and modern scientific perspectives.    Course contains 24 lectures for 12 individual sessions.Each session will discuss two 30 minute 'Great Courses' lectures featuring Dr. Ronald D. Siegel, a clinical psychologist on the faculty of Harvard Medical School.    These sessions will be followed by a discussion.  Ruth Samuel, a member of UUC who has led the course at OLLI (Osher Learning Centers) for several years, will facilitate the series.     Lectures will be held in the Patio Room on Sundays starting at 12:30 p.m. Meets once each month, check calendar for specific dates.

Beyond UUC...

UUA GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2017 - New Orleans LA From Wednesday, June 21, 2017 -  01:00pm To Sunday, June 25, 2017 - 05:00pm Events are local time unless noted. WEBINARS are Eastern time. Location  Location TBD Contact  generalassembly@uua.org

A Chance to "See America Divided" next Friday  FAST has just announced an up county showing of the documentary “America Divided”. Last year the “America Divided” team came to St. Petersburg to film a  documentary about the struggling schools in our county. This film highlights the  history behind our struggling schools and includes footage from our 2016  Nehemiah action. This is a community event so all are welcome to view this  powerful documentary. The showing is Friday, March 24 th at 7PM at East Lake United Methodist Church, 2801 East Lake Road, Palm Harbor. This showing is in addition to the one previously announced in St. Petersburg. For more information call the FAST office 727-823- 9197.

Movies That Matter Once-A-Month Free Movie A once-a-month FREE movie with discussion afterwards at Oaklefe Center, 6152 126th Ave., Suite 501, Largo.  The next one is on Friday, March 31, 2017 at 7:00 PM  Philomena, starring Judy Dench.

Collective Soles Dance Company at Studio 620.   WITH LOVE by Collective Soles Dance Company asks the question: "How can love bring me closer to you?" This question is the center of Collective Soles Dance Company’s upcoming performance, "With Love". With choreography by Artistic Director Alex Jones and newly appointed Resident Choreographer Sean McDonald, this dance work investigates love as it appears through empathy, compassion, and acceptance. "With Love", contains a combination of text and dance, audience interaction, and a personal tribute to Pulse Orlando performed by Alex Jones. With Love, will be presented at The Studio@620  March 24th and 25th  at  7pm . With Love, anything is possible.