E-Octagram
October 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  Serve Social Justice What's Happening at UUC  UUC Committees Adult Religious Enrichment   UUC and Beyond    

UUA President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray speaking this Sunday at UUC
Unitarian Universalists are being called in this moment to live more powerfully and boldly into a vision of Beloved Community. What does this look like and how do we answer “Yes” to this calling in our lives and in our congregations? Come hear Susan preach, “Called to Beloved Community”.

Evacuee family from Puerto Rico is providing lunch for UUC as thank-you for our help.
The lunch is being served by a local family whose home burned to the ground - and this a year after their escape from the hurricane that ravaged Puerto Rico. This is their thanks, particularly to that group of UUCers who answered the call to help the family with food, cash, clothing, other resources, and time.
UUC WEEK AT A GLANCE

October 21st, Sunday...

Open Issues:  9:30-10:30, Patio Room
Susan Gore “Legacy Giving”. Susan serves on the Stewardship Committee and on the UUC board, and has had a variety of careers (e.g., college professor, corporate marketing executive, diversity inclusion consultant, author). She will explain how the UUA may leverage your gift if you designate UUC as a beneficiary upon your death.

Sunday Service:  10:30-11:45
Service Leader: Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray, "Called to Beloved Community"

This week's Pastoral Associate: Drinda Lombardi

This week in RE: we are learning about Sanctuary and Animals. The children will make toys for animals at the local humane society while we talk about how we can create better spaces of sanctuary for the animals around us.

October 26th, Friday: Readers Forum , 10:30 am-12:00
Discussing the book: "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng.

October 26th, Friday: Parents Night Out from 6-9pm! Don't miss out on some spooky Halloween fun! Drop your kids off in their costumes. A light dinner and snacks will be provided. Cost is $5/child (max of $15/family) if you pre-register by Wednesday, or $10/child at the door.

Exhale!!  Wednesdays at 6:00-6:45 pm in the Patio Room
Come sit or walk with us in a simple format that focuses on breath. We meditate for 20 minutes or so, stretch, then meditate again. Late-comers welcome, enter softly. Stay for hearty appetizers (we love your offerings too!) and conversation afterward. Contact Kathy Krohn at:  uuc.kathykrohn@gmail.com  

October 28th, Sunday. ..Open Issues:  9:30-10:30, Patio Room --Cancelled due to Congregational Breakfast.

October 28th, Sunday: Congregational Breakfast 9:00 am in the Community Center. hosted by the UUC Mens' Group. Yummy waffles, eggs, fruit, yogurt and more! a love offering event.

October 25th, Thursday,  - Social Justice "Evening Issues" presents "Killing Gaza," 6:00-8:00 pm, Community Center.
A chilling visual document of war crimes committed by the Israeli military, featuring direct testimony and evidence from the survivors.

November 1st, Thursday , Women's Lunch: 12:00 PM - 2:00 pm (Benedict's Family Restaurant, 768 N. Belcher Rd, Clearwater (near intersection of Belcher and NE Coachman) RSVP Marie Chapman harborhome38@aol.com

UUC's Annual Thanksgiving Dinner
Thursday, Nov. 22nd, 1:30-4:00 pm in the Community Center Hall.
Appetizers at 1:30, Meal at 2:00 and dessert whenever you want.
Thanksgiving Dinner at UUC is the kick-off event for our Holiday Season. All Members and Friends are invited and it is a family friendly dinner. It is, as always, a potluck. Please sign up at  www.perfectpotluck.com  and enter " ThanksgivingAtUUC ", password:  3472 .by Nov. 19th and tell us what you will be bringing to share. Families or groups are asked to bring 2-3 items. (Seating for 100)
If you are planning to attend you can sign up in the Community Center OR email Mary Currey at  mary.currey@gmail.com , OR text at  727-218-9777.

December 1st, Saturday: Pre-concert mixer - 6:30-7:20 pm, Surti Hall
One City Chorus concert - 7:30 pm, Octagon
Post concert After Glow Reception til 10 pm

December 2nd, Sunday: All-Music Sunday!!



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
October 21st, 2018
 Service 
Sunday, 10:30-11:45

Service Leader:
Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray

" Called to Beloved Community "

  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 Drinda Lombardi and she is available at
727-531-7704 ext. 5.  
Open Issues
9:30-10:30 am
Patio Room
Susan Gore “Legacy Giving”. Susan serves on the Stewardship Committee and on the UUC board, and has had a variety of careers (e.g., college professor, corporate marketing executive, diversity inclusion consultant, author). She will explain how the UUA may leverage your gift if you designate UUC as a beneficiary upon your death.
  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. 
This week in RE: we are learning about Sanctuary and Animals. The children will make toys for animals at the local humane society while we talk about how we can create better spaces of sanctuary for the animals around us .

Please mark you calendars for Friday night, 10/26: Parents Night Out from 6-9pm! Don't miss out on some spooky Halloween fun! Drop your kids off in their costumes. A light dinner and snacks will be provided. Cost is $5/child (max of $15/family) if you pre-register by Wednesday, or $10/child at the door.

Note from Julie Daysa: Thank you to all who came and/or helped at this past week's Wednesday night Waffles + Worship. We had a great time and look forward to repeating the fun with next month's theme of Memory.
Vote YES on Amendment 4- Two more Phonebanking Sessions at UUC
Help spread the word! Sign up to phone bank
with us this coming Sunday!
Make a difference in our state! Be part of this important rights restoration movement!
Last sessions are: Sunday Oct 21st and Sunday October 28th, 12:30-3:30. Join the UUC phone bank to pass Amendment 4 this November.
First -- Click HERE to sign up at the Second Chances website. Then, bring your tablet or laptop and cell phone. We will be in the Surti Center. A light lunch will be served. We
want to have enough food for everyone so please register. If you would rather phone bank from your home at the same time and date you can sign up at the same place. Join us!
UUC's Migrant Justice Team Says Thank you to all who contributed Rice and Beans. Still collecting til Sat. October 27th.
Many thanks to all of you who participated in our second annual rice and beans luncheon.
If you weren't able to be there, we will continue to collect bags of beans and rice on
October 20 & 27. Your generous donations will be delivered to our migrant workers in
Plant City. They are back in Florida but the strawberries won't be ready for picking until
mid-December. UUC's Migrant Justice Team is so glad to be able to bring your donations
to Plant City so that our migrant workers will have staples to add to their pantry while they
wait for work.
Thursday,October 25th Evening Issues:
The documentary film,  Killing Gaza , will be presented for Evening Issues.
In Killing Gaza, independent journalists Max Blumenthal and Dan Cohen documented Israel’s 2014 war on Gaza.
Yet this film is much more than a documentary about Palestinian resilience and suffering. It is a chilling visual document of war crimes committed by the Israeli military, featuring direct testimony and evidence from the survivors.
Program: Evening Issues
Date and Time: Thursday, October 25, 6pm
Art show opening reception for Debra Thomas-Weible this Friday October 19 in the Octagon Art Center. The reception is from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Debra is a teacher of watercolor at the Dunedin Fine Art Center and we are thrilled to present this solo exhibit of her watercolor works. Come out on Friday to meet the artist and view these beautiful paintings.
Show runs until November 29th. Visit the gallery Tues-Fri. 9:00-noon and 12-2 on Sundays.
October 28th, Sunday
Annual Congregational Breakfast, hosted by the UUC Mens' Group.
9:00 am. Yummy waffles, eggs, fruit, yogurt and more! a love offering event.
Attention New UU's! A 3 week program just for you!
You, The New UU
This is an invitation to newcomers, those who have been attending UUC up to two years.   
The 3-week program is designed to welcome and orient newcomers to our Unitarian Universalist spiritual community. It will help you learn more about who we are and what we believe. You'll hear from some of our current members what it means to them to be a Unitarian Universalist. It will provide you with a chance for you as a newcomer to our congregation to connect with long-timers and our minister, Rev. Patrice. Finally, it will give you a chance to examine your own personal stories in the light of our Unitarian Universalist tradition and heritage. Snacks included!

Meets: in Classroom 2, Oct. 16, 23, and 30; 7:00-9:00 pm
Register here: 
Fair Trade Coffee Sales Is Back
Every 2nd Sunday at Social Hour! Next Sale is Oct. 28th
The Social Justice Council is selling fair trade coffees and teas every second Sunday throughout the coming year. This coffee is produced by a worker-owned enterprise that provides a fair wage directly to the workers. A portion of the proceeds supports both the local and the national level efforts of the UU Social Justice mission. We look forward to you becoming a regular monthly customer. There will be a variety of teas and coffee blends available. Payment can be done by cash, check, or credit card. We look forward to your participation.
One City Chorus performs in the Octagon Saturday December 1st, 7:30 pm

One City Chorus , sings about social justice, civil rights and equality. It attracts singers and audience members from the widest possible range of races, cultures, creeds and communities . This concert is a UUC fundraiser so bring your friends and family! Tickets are already available online at www.uuc.org , and are selling briskly. Online is best value at $18.00 per ticket; at the door, the price will be $20.00.
Celebrate The Extraordinary Voices of One City Chorus as they model the special community that singing together offers. 

Not One but Two receptions planned
for this event -- Pre and post concert!!!!
We will have two receptions for this very special start of a month full of special days of celebration. Whether you come to the pre-Concert mixer or the post-Concert after-glow reception, definitely plan to attend the Concert and plan to have fun!

Pre-Concert Mixer: 6:30-7:20 pm, Surti Hall. Beverages & Appetizers   

After-Glow Party:  til 10:00 p.m.  Octagon Lobby and Westwood Room

OCC has a repertoire that is near and dear to the UU's heart. Check out some of the possible songs on the program here: http://www.onecitychorus.org/our-music.html
  
What's My Name?
T he names have changed...
The Social Hall is now called the Community Center. (CC)
The new multi-purpose room is now called the Surti Hall (SH)
The classrooms 1 thru 5 are called by number but will at some point be named. Stay Tuned.

On another note:
Please be aware when you are finished in the building that the back doors to the kitchen, the CC and the classrooms are closed and locked.
Exhale is Weekly
Wednesdays 6-6:45 pm
A Gathering for Sitting and Moving Mindfulness.
Join us weekly in the Patio Room for meditation and some quiet moments of mindfulness and connection. All levels of meditators welcome. Stay for hearty appetizers.
Readers Forum
Friday, October 26th
10:30 am-12:00
Discussing the book: "Little Fires Everywhere" by
Celeste Ng.
FOOTNOTES FROM THE LIBRARY:
 BLACK LIVES MATTER AT UUC!
A new addition:

"When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir"   by Patrisse Khan-Cullors and asha bandele

...from the Amazon review: 
Raised by a single mother in an impoverished neighborhood in Los Angeles, Patrisse Khan-Cullors experienced firsthand the prejudice and persecution Black Americans endure at the hands of law enforcement. For Patrisse, the most vulnerable people in the country are Black people. Deliberately and ruthlessly targeted by a criminal justice system serving a white privilege agenda, Black people are subjected to unjustifiable racial profiling and police brutality. In 2013, when Trayvon Martin’s killer went free, Patrisse’s outrage led her to co-found Black Lives Matter with Alicia Garza and Opal Tometi.

******************************************************
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.

Let me know about 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: 


Famous
UUs ...

Alexander Graham Bell was born and mostly raised in Edinburgh, Scotland. He briefly attended school in London during his childhood. He died of diabetes in Nova Scotia, Canada in 1922.
There is little information about Bell’s religious upbringing, but it is safe to assume that he was raised–at least in name–in the Church of Scotland, an Anglican/Episcopalian/Presbyterian faith that exercises the most influence over Scottish religious tradition to this day.
Perhaps because it was not taken seriously in his home, or because he came to his own conclusions, Bell considered himself an agnostic for the most part. His wife, Mabel, said that he never denied nor affirmed the existence of God. Though the Bells would occasionally attend church, either Episcopalian or Presbyterian and they sent their children to Presbyterian church regularly, it wasn’t a major part of their life.
However, according to Mabel, Alexander came across a pamphlet for the Unitarian/Universalist faith and quite liked what it had to say. He told his wife:
I have always considered myself as an agnostic, but I have now discovered that I am a Unitarian Agnostic.
Apparently, Bell was attracted to the non-dogmatic nature and acceptance of different ideas present in the Unitarian faith–indicating he was probably just turned off by the heavy-handedness of organized religion.
Beyond UUC...