.....The next E-Octagram will be March 16th but 'E-O Lite will land in your email each Friday morning.
This is the last weekly E-Octagram (at least for awhile) so be sure to read every inch of it! The weekly "E-O Lite" , will arrive in your e-mailbox early Friday morning to make sure you stay up to date with the latest event and program info. To all contributors: please continue to submit full information and pics if you have them so that we will keep the Monthly E-Octagram the repository of full details and reports. The sooner you can get things in to me the better but the deadline for both the weekly lite and the monthly full editions is Thursday before noon, the day before publishing.

E-Octagram
February 16, 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

Tuesdays, February 20 and 27, and March 13 and 27, 7:00 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.
Sign up sheets will be at Sunday service or call 727-531-7704

February 18, Sunday
Open Issues: 9:30-10:20 am, Patio Room
Barbara Rhode, LMFT. “Red Tent Project in the Pinellas County Jail” Barbara, a local activist, is the founder of the “Red Tent Project,” a non-profit that provides a safe space for women to come together to create marketable art, while gaining insight into themselves & their relationships through instruction, mentoring and friendship. We are fortunate to have her at Open Issues to describe her work and answer our questions.
Sunday Service: 10:30-11:45 am, Octagon
Service Leader: Rev. Kalen Fristad
"Universalism - Past, Present and Powerful"  

February 24th, Saturday : 3:00-5:00 pm. Octagon Arts Center.
Art Shop Opening: Stephen Littlefield, "The Ecstasy of Tedium II"
Displays over 40 original prints, paintings and drawings depicting surrealism, landscape, and figurative images by a native Floridian who studied Fine Art at USF and founded the Printmaking program at DFAC (Dunedin Fine Art Center) where he taught for 27 years.

February 28th, Wednesday: 7:00-8:30 pm, Maxwell Library
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. 

March 4th, Sunday : 12:00-1:30, Social Hall, Pledge Drive Kick-off Potluck

March 11th, Sunday: Humanist Monthly Meeting, 12:30-1:30 pm, Octagon, Monthly Meeting - Hal Hultman , speaker, on human/computer singularity

UUC’s Annual Pledge Drive is coming in March!

What is the Annual Pledge Drive?
Our Pledge Drive is the financial key to meeting UUC’s annual operating needs - keeping the lights on, paying staff, and supporting programs such as Music, Ministry, Religious Education, and Social Justice. It is called by many other names as well: Canvass, Stewardship, and Annual Fund. This year the Annual Pledge Drive will be March 4 - April 8, 2018.
How does the Annual Pledge Drive work?
All members and friends of UUC are asked to make a financial pledge for the coming fiscal year. Pledge forms are mailed the last week of February. Pledge forms are also available in the Narthex or at the social hour each Sunday in March, or may be downloaded from this site (link to pledge form)
What is new this year?
Members of the Pledge Drive Committee will be visiting all committees, covenant groups, the music program and other small group ministries to personally solicit your support. Members of these groups will have one-to- one conversations. Some members of the congregation will be invited to neighborhood pledge parties in the month of March.
Questions?
Contact Co-Chairs of Annual Pledge Drive --
Susan Gore: flsnowfrog@gmail.com , Bill Foley: billfoley2@mac.com
- or Mary Currey, Chair of Stewardship Committee: generosity@uuc.org



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 is going to Katmandu, Nepal for ICUU meeting.
She will share her journey on her NEW Facebook page,  RevPatrice Curtis . (RevPatrice is one word.)  Click here  to find me, then send me a Friend Request.

To Reach Her : Contact the Church at 727-531-7704 and leave a message or speak to the Front Desk Volunteer and we will relay the message to her.
Time Difference : Please note that she is 10 hours, 45 minutes ahead of Eastern Standard Time.

Rev. Patrice Curtis
This Sunday
February 18th, 2018
 Service 
Sunday at 10:30


Service Leader:
Rev. Kalen Fristad
"Universalism - Past, Present and Powerful"

  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 he is available at
727-531-7704 ext. 5.  
Open Issues
9:30-10:20 am
Patio Room
Barbara Rhode, LMFT. “Red Tent Project in the Pinellas County Jail” Barbara, a local activist, is the founder of the “Red Tent Project,” a non-profit that provides a safe space for women to come together to create marketable art, while gaining insight into themselves & their relationships through instruction, mentoring and friendship. We are fortunate to have her at Open Issues to describe her work and answer our questions. 
  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. 
Front Desk Volunteer Needed

For the first and occasional fifth Wednesday of each month. Hours are from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Come and be part of the Office Team.
Become a Sunday 'Snack Manager'

The snack after Sunday service is managed by a group called "the Sunday Snack Managers." It would be ideal if we had four people to do this, then each person can be on duty once every four weeks. It does not preclude attending service. Currently we are down to two people so we are looking for two more. All that this requires is someone responsible, reliable and personable who doesn't need to know a thing about cooking, baking or food prep! This is a pleasant and low impact way in which you can contribute to the volunteer activities at UUC. Please email Carol Hamiltonkhamilt9@verizon.net  or call her at 727-447-3299  if you are interested. Thank you!
What's Happening at UUC
Campus Cleanup
Come One Come All!
Saturday, March 17th
at 8:30 am
In preparation for the opening of our new facilities,
we are calling all volunteers to join us in a campus wide clean up! Bring snacks. Coffee will be provided.
Adult Spiritual and Religious Development Programs Winter-Spring 2018. Get signed up now!
{Click HERE to sign up for any of the following classes}

Faithful Communication
UUC Teaching Facilitators: Irene Ratner, Lore Eargle, Ray Williamson, Sally Ott, and Randy Munroe.
The Reconciliation Team is planning four sessions on Faithful Communication. The first session will be on Feb. 20th,Tuesday from 7-8:30 . PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE IN THE START DATE. Other dates (all Tuesdays) are Feb.27, March 13, and March 27.
This course will help us understand and apply our UUC Covenant of Right Relations. We will gain communication skills that we can use not only at UUC but in all settings.
MORE INFORMATION ON THE FIRST SESSION, FEB. 20
After reviewing our covenant, we will break into small groups and discuss topics that , in some cases, could be controversial. This could challenge our respecting diversity. The Team consists of Irene Ratner, Lore Eargle, Ray Williamson, Sally Ott, Randy Munroe. If you can, preregister by going to  www.uuc.org, click on spring classes, scroll down to Workshop called Faithful Communication and fill out form . Also there are sign up sheets or call the office.
.
Meets: in the Patio Room Feb. 20 and 27, and March 13 and 27, 7-8:30 pm

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, 7-8:30 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

This I Believe...
UUC Facilitator: Rev. Patrice Curtis
This program has been a popular way for people to write and share core values that guide their daily lives or illuminate some important aspect of living. As Unitarian Universalists, this naturally fits our religious value that we are all on “a personal search for meaning.” The class will guide participants as they focus on their values and beliefs. At “graduation” participants can choose to deliver their essay to the rest of the group. This will be a wonderful way to get to know your deeper self, and to connect at a deeper level with fellow participants. (Note: There is a bit of reflective homework to be sent between classes, and it is only fair to others that you commit to attending all sessions.) Limit: 12
Meets: April 17, 24, May 1, 15, 22, 6:30-8:30

Sign up sheets will be available in the Narthex
and the Social Hall starting Sunday December 17th
or
{Click HERE to sign up for any of the following classes}
Readers Forum
Fridays, 10:30 am, Chorale Rm.

February, 2nd:
Finishing The Letter
February, 9th & 16th:
The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
March 9th & 16th:
Fantasyland by Kurt Andersen
Next Exhale
Wed., March 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.
Just honored with a retrospective at the Dunedin Fine Arts Center: Print artist Stephen Littlefield

Art Opening: Saturday February 24th from 3:00-5:00 pm. The Octagon Arts Center.

This show by Stephen Littlefield entitled   “The Ecstasy of Tedium II” displays over 40 original prints, paintings and drawings depicting surrealism, landscape, and figurative images by a native Floridian who studied Fine Art at USF and founded the Printmaking program at DFAC (Dunedin Fine Art Center) where he taught for 27 years.




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. 
March 11, 2018, Sunday, 12:30-1:30 pm, Octagon
Monthly Humanist Meeting - Hal Hultman, speaker, on human/computer singularity
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.
Next Property Committee Campus Cleanup,
Saturday, March 17th, 8:30 am-12:00 pm
Important Legislation Needs Your Support
We have only one month to work on getting POLST through the legislative session.  What I neglected to mention is that the House and Senate bills also call for the creation of a statewide electronic registry for advance directives so that wherever you are when the need arises, your wishes can be accessed.  That would also be a very positive step for Florida. 
 
When I was in Tallahassee, one of the women in our group shared that her representative only got six comments about a bill that was up for consideration. So, I'm still hopeful about the POLST and registry legislation. The Florida House Committee has not scheduled a hearing. Go to  http://myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Committees/committeesdetail.aspx?CommitteeId=2918  . Click on each individual across the top of that page and send them an email. Feel free to change my words.

Sample Letter...

" I'm hoping you will schedule HB 1339 for a hearing very soon. The
companion bill is moving through the Senate, and this bill is very
important to a large part of the population of Florida.

A statewide electronic registry of advance directives is important
because often people are not at home when a medical emergency
occurs. Advance directives are helpful to hospital and other medical
personnel to know what level of treatment is desired by patients.
Having a family fighting about what kind of care to give a relative is
problematic, and having the registry could alleviate that problem if the
advance directives for patients are available throughout the state.

POLST is important because for people who are close to death it is
particularly important and reassuring to have the decisions they made
with the doctor who knows them turned into medical orders.
Otherwise when they get to the hospital, if they are even conscious,
they may have to try to explain their wishes to a hospitalist, and maybe
when the shift changes, to another hospitalist. Knowing that they and
their doctor can discuss what treatment alternatives are right for them
and preserve those decisions on a document that can be used in most
medical facilities will make it easier for the medical staff and for the
person being treated.

Thank you in advance for caring for the people of Florida by scheduling
a hearing on this bill that puts these two important procedures into
place."


The POLST bill SB 474 has been scheduled for a committee hearing on Wednesday of this week. Please write to as many of these committee members as possible to indicate your support for the bill. You may modify and/or use the letter below. This link will give you the committee. Click on the member's name and it will go to their site which will have a link for emailing them. Thanks for all your help. Marcia   http://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/Show/AHS

Sample Letter

"I am writing in support of SB 474 (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment). Many of us have dealt with caring for loved ones at the end of life and know how important it is to make sure end-of- life documents are as clear as possible. POLST would be more powerful than a living will because it is ordered by a physician in consultation with the patient, thus giving health care facilities and providers clear authority for following patient wishes. This legislation also includes a much- needed registration for the collection of advance directives, so that information could be accessed wherever the patient was when medical care was needed.
Other states have successfully instituted these services. Here in Florida, where we have so many elderly residents, it is especially important. This legislation stands to save a lot of patients and their families undue angst and suffering in the final days of life.
I thank you in advance for supporting this bill to help the people of Florida."

Thank you for your support and help,
Marcia
FOOTNOTES FROM THE LIBRARY:
 ATTENTION COMPASSION CHOICES and anyone else interested in end of life issues.

Here are new arrivals:

THE PEACEFUL PILL HANDBOOK .  
   The Peaceful Pill Handbook is the leading end-of-life choices guide on methods of self-deliverance which are reliable and peaceful. The book is published within the emerging movement of assisted suicide/ voluntary euthanasia choices. Using Exit International's unique RP Test™ (reliability - peacefulness), the book empowers the reader to compare and contrast different approaches. The only book of its kind to be authored by a scientist who is also a physician, The Peaceful Pill Handbook covers strategies such as Nembutal (sources – including online—storage, testing, use), prescription drugs, the use of inert gases (Helium, Nitrogen) and poisons. The book is aimed at Seniors and folk who are seriously ill who want to be informed of their practical end of life options. An Amazon.com best-seller, The New York Times has said of The Peaceful Pill Handbook, “It lays out methods to end one’s life… the book is banned in Australia and New Zealand. In the US, though, it is only a few mouse clicks away online.” -New York Times, 21 July 2008

FINAL EXIT
Published 2002, the revised, 3rd edition of the bestseller "Final Exit" describes the ways in which a dying person may consider hastening the end of their life if suffering is unbearable. Laws and ethics are outlined in a straightforward fashion. Drug dosage tables and the latest inert gas technique of 'self-deliverance' are explained, with illustrations



The Good Death  is the first full-scale examination of one of today's most complex issues: the profound change in the way Americans think about and confront death. Drawing on more than six years of firsthand research and reporting, noted journalist Marilyn Webb builds her account around intimate portraits of the dying themselves. She explains why some deaths become shockingly difficult--and needlessly painful--and how the struggles over end-of-life decisions can pit patient and family against hospitals, doctors, insurance companies, religious groups, and the law.

But there is good news as well. Webb describes many extraordinary programs and individuals who are changing the face of dying. An abundant source of comfort and hope,  The Good Death  shows how the essential elements of humane--even uplifted--death are available to all of us, if we know what is possible, where to go for help, and how to prepare.

Come in and check out this most important issue!


Books, CD's or other material that have had an impact on your Spiritual/Intellectual Journey!

Please let us know what they are because they might also be available to others.

Contact: 




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...
General Assembly (GA) is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Attendees worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through democratic process. Anyone may attend; congregations must certify annually to send voting delegates.
General Assembly will be held in Kansas City, MO, June 20 – June 24. To find registration, housing, hotel information go on line to: https://www.uua.org/ga  

Theme - All Are Called
Grounded in a deep belief that we are all prophets, Unitarian Universalists ask, “How can we faithfully meet the demands of our time?” The call to witness and act for justice in our society and in the world is clear. So, too, is the call to examine our structures and practices, dismantling and transforming those which fail to recognize the full humanity of all people and to honor the interdependent web of life. Join us in Kansas City as we dive deeply into questions of mission for our Unitarian Universalist Association, for our congregations and communities, and for each of us as individuals. Together, we’ll ask:
Who and how are we called to be at this time, individually and collectively?
How are we called to act and to live?
How does our Unitarian Universalist legacy strengthen us in living out our mission? In what ways does our legacy present challenges and impediments to answering our call?
The call of our faith has a place for each of us. Join us in Kansas City to build courageous, collective leadership with tools, skills and connections. 
 
 Kansas City MO
The City of Fountains is practically overflowing with adventure. Whether it’s the scent of smoldering BBQ luring you to a plate of ribs, the sweet echo of jazz welcoming an evening of entertainment or the spray of fountains inviting you to kick off your shoes and make a splash, you’ll sense inspiration in the air – and find it along every boulevard. 
As America's most centrally located major metropolitan area, Kansas City's location is a huge advantage for travelers. In fact, more than 55 million Americans can get to Kansas City in less than a day’s drive. And flying there is even easier—as Kansas City International Airport (KCI) is just a three-hour flight away from each coast. All major U.S. air carriers serve KCI, which offers more than 400 daily flights with nonstop service to 48 destinations.

Volunteering
As a volunteer your registration fee would be waived.  You will work eighteen hours. There are volunteer opportunities in a variety of activities.  Go to the website for lots of information:

If you’d like to work with Sue Boone as an usher please contact her for more information.  

Or for any other questions feel free to contact Sue.















2018 United Faiths Walk of Peace Postponed to April 29th

Now we can all march again with people of all faiths at the 2018 United Faiths Walk of Peace on Sunday, April 29th . 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:

UUC is represented on the Walk of Peace Tee shirt and we have several size large left.
If you would like one come to the SJ Table after services on Sunday.