May 2022
Our Mission Statement
As a welcoming congregation, we work and worship together to become people of open minds, loving hearts, and helping hands. We honor the transformative power of love in our individual lives and broader communities.
As May approaches, the words that come to mind are from the poet Robert Herrick.

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
   Old Time is still a-flying;
And this same flower that smiles today
   Tomorrow will be dying.

I think that is because the word “may” is in the first line – and because it’s meaningful this year. We all have become painfully aware of the privilege that we have of being together. We know that our COVID numbers are down now and that we can come, rejoice, sing, and even have some refreshments. But, we have also learned that we can’t expect that this will always be the case. Another variant and more isolation may be on the way. So YES, let’s gather together while we MAY – in MAY!! We have lots of possibilities for being together this month, both in person and online. I will no longer take this for granted. It’s a privilege to be able to share our love together. I’m so thankful for our technology, and that we have had other ways to be together and will in the future. But I’m also looking forward to SEEING many of you this month.  
Peace, Love and Joy!
Jane
Sunday Services at 10:30 a.m.
In-person OR Online via Zoom
May 1
"It Takes All That: Wisdom from a Native American Mom”
Clint Tawes
Although this sermon comes one week before Mother’s Day, Clint Tawes shares some of the lessons he learned being raised by a strong, proud Native American woman. At the end of the sermon, he would like to invite the congregation to share any one-line words of wisdom they have learned from their mothers.

For information about our in-person service please see our Covid guidelines above. Or, if you prefer to attend online, the service will be offered at this zoom link: https://uuma.zoom.us/j/5915836890.
May 8 
"Celebrating with Questions - Ask Mama Jane"
Rev. Jane Page
On this Mother's Day, Rev. Jane continues her celebration series by "Celebrating with Questions!" Yes, this is our Annual "Ask Mama Jane" message. You bring your questions and write down on slips of paper (we will provide some) and drop them in a box. Or, if you are on Zoom, you can write them in the chat box. These questions can be on UU, theologies and world views, spirituality, the big questions, the little questions, and more. Jane will try to respond to as many as possible. This is the only sermon during the year in which she comes unprepared, but it's usually informative and fun. We will also take time to honor all those who nurture us on this special day.

For information about our in-person service please see our Covid guidelines above. Or, if you prefer to attend online, the service will be offered at this zoom link: https://uuma.zoom.us/j/5915836890.

May 15
"Religion as Quest"
Michael Neilson, GS Dept of Psychology
Dr. Michael Neilson has a message for us that explores what research says about religion as an ongoing search, rather than a destination or a tool.

For information about our in-person service please see our Covid guidelines above. Or, if you prefer to attend online, the service will be offered at this zoom link: https://uuma.zoom.us/j/5915836890.

May 22
"Celebrating Our Future!"
Rev. Jane and Our Children and Youth
Rev. Jane will host a panel of our youth as they share about their experiences growing up with UU values in our congregation and what they envision for their own futures and that of Unitarian Universalism.

For information about our in-person service please see our Covid guidelines above. Or, if you prefer to attend online, the service will be offered at this zoom link: https://uuma.zoom.us/j/5915836890.

May 29
Memorial Day Weekend Picnic
Join us at Rev. Jane's home for our Annual Memorial Day Weekend Potluck Celebration. We will honor those who serve as we walk the labyrinth, then have our lunch, followed by a bridging ceremony for Walden Hackle. You are invited to enjoy the kayaks and paddle boards, and trampoline with your families. Someone will be at the church at 10:30 a.m. to direct visitors to this nearby location. Bring your favorite dishes and beverages to share. Jane and Greg will furnish all paper products and ice, etc. If it rains, we will still have room in the house, under the carport, and on the porches for this occasion.
Zoomers are invited to join another UU congregation today - perhaps All Souls in DC. at
UUFS COVID 19 POLICY - Effective 3.16.22
 
Currently, masks are optional in our building. Our community’s COVID numbers have been declining and we are now within the CDC guidelines for doing this. We will still have masks available and will continue to have hybrid services, with Zoom options.

And, our children are welcomed back. Childcare will be provided during the message. 
Saturday, May 7 at 4 p.m. at UU Fellowship of Statesboro
Join us on Saturday, May 7 at 4 p.m. with your instruments, voices, and/or clapping hands for a good old fashioned "HUUTENANNY" at UU Fellowship of Statesboro! We hope this will be the the beginning of such gatherings for singing and fun. Invite your friends! All are welcome.
As May approaches and more and more plants come into bloom, I can’t help but notice our fellowship is blooming on Sundays. Each week I see more and more people, especially children, returning to Sunday services. We are still offering a zoom option, but more and more folks are coming in person and the fellowship building is coming to life again.

What a wonderful celebration of our emergence from this period of isolation during the pandemic. Today Mike and I are planning to go to a movie theater to watch a film. This will be the first time I will do this in over two years. How many other things have folks done recently for the first time since early spring of 2020? We are arising from a long winter that lasted two years. We are learning how to be with each other again. We are learning how to be both social and safe. What a wonderful spring blessing. I would also like to say that I recognize that for some of us, especially those with immunocompromising conditions, this balance of social and safety is a fine line to walk. I wish everyone a joyous May as we emerge and re-engage with the world of people.

In the month of May, half of the undesignated funds will be going to Child Advocacy Services, SEGA, Inc. (formerly known as CASA). They provide screened, trained, and supervised volunteers to serve as advocates for abused and neglected children in deprivation hearings in the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit. I first became aware of the program when a student of mine at Georgia Southern became a child advocate for them. These volunteers support children in one of the most difficult times in their lives. These children are often becoming part of the foster care system after losing their parents because of abusive situations. Child advocates are not lawyers for the state or lawyers for the parents. They are there to support the children. I hope you will consider donating to this important cause.

Adrienne Cohen
Board President
Adult RE in May
"The Heart Has Its Seasons" -- a Guided Meditation Experience

Three Wednesday nights in May ... May 4, May 11, May 25, 7:00-8:00 p.m.
You do not need to commit to all three dates -- feel free to begin at any point.

We will use the themes of nature and the seasons in guided meditation to explore our own inner journeys and to deepen our spirituality. We will begin each session with a brief check-in and centering, followed by a seasonally-themed guided meditation, and time at the end for sharing.

Led by Beth Butterfield
Email bethbutterfield@hotmail.com with any questions.
Congregants brought Beautiful flowers to contribute to the Flower Communion service.
Charlie Stanfield & his parents John & Tara brought live bunnies from Wascally Wabbits
to visit UU Easter Sunday.
Our tradition of giving away half of the offering
that is not designated as a pledge continues in 2022.

For MAY our designated organization is
Child Advocacy Services, SEGA, Inc.

They provide screened, trained, and supervised volunteers to serve as advocates for abused and neglected children in deprivation hearings in the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit.

(912) 764-4849

Thank you for your continued support and faithfulness to our congregation which allows us to remain steadfast in our commitment to serving our community.
Karen Lambie
Social Justice Team Leader
MindBody Center Yoga
now has more In-Person Yoga classes.
See Covid precautions below.

  • Tuesday, 9:30-11:00 am Ease Into Iyengar Yoga with Inge
  • Wednesday, 9:30-10:30 am All Levels Yoga with Fred
  • Wednesday, 11:00-12:15 Fascia Informed Yoga with Inge
  • Thursday, 9:30-11:00 am Iyengar Yoga with Inge
  • NEW: Friday, 5:30-6:30 pm Happy Hour Yoga (no alcohol) with Patty

Covid Precautions:  We are still observing some Covid restrictions and limit our classes to 7 participants. To attend you must be vaccinated, be symptom-free, and observe social distancing. Mask wearing is optional.  
 Reduced fee for Newcomers to MindBody Center: $30 for 4 classes 
Use this link to register on line. https://app.punchpass.com/org/14237/classes/


For more information on our yoga classes click this link: https://mindbodycenteryoga.com

For more information on Fascia Fitness Training click this link: https://fasciatrainingacademy.com/6-fascial-fitness-training-principles/

Inge Spencer
Iyengar Certified Instructor
MindBody Center Yoga
912 596-3322 (call or text)

For more information on our classes and instructors go to www.mindbodycenteryoga.com
or call or text Inge at 912-596-3322
Giving via VENMO!
We want to make it EASY for you to share with us! Many of you use VENMO – and others should think about getting this app and connecting it to your bank account. Then, when you want to send money to your grandchild or to your congregation, it just takes a couple of clicks to do that. Our VENMO name is @UUStatesboro.
Go to your apps store to get the VENMO app, then just follow the directions to set it up! Neither you nor the church will be charged anything.

There is a place to tell what it’s for. IF it’s to count toward your pledge, please write pledge in that space. If it’s for some special project we are fundraising for, you can put that. Easy Peasy!
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
of Statesboro
We are located at 6762 Cypress Lake Road
Statesboro, Georgia
Please send mail to:
UUFS
PO Box 2453
Statesboro GA 30459


UUFS ZOOM ROOM
https://uuma.zoom.us/j/5915836890 / Meeting ID: 591 583 6890
Rev. Jane Page, Minister
C: 912.682.3566
President: Adrienne Cohen
Vice President: Tanya Carden
Secretary: Teresa Winn
Treasurer: Cynthia Frost
Member at Large: Relinda Walker

You may contact board members by emailing StatesboroUU@gmail.com
and please put the board member's name in the subject line.
PASTORAL CARE ASSOCIATE
Shari Barr
Home: 912.764.7300
Cell: 912.687.3899

COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY
Chair: Dee Liston

NEWSLETTER/WEBSITE
Elaine Deaver
Cell: 912.230.2675

TRANSPORTATION TO UUFS SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES
EMAIL:
Phone: 912.682.3566
BUILDING MAINTENANCE
Mike Montagne

CARE RING
Shari Barr

CHILDREN'S RE
Abby Thompson

COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY
Dee Liston, Shari Barr,
Barb Hendry

FINANCE
Adrienne Cohen

PROGRAMS
TBD