Upcoming Sundays
May 11 : Rev. Andy Burnette
A Rushing Mighty Wind: Pentecost and Unitarian Universalism
On the Christian celebration of Pentecost, we'll explore the universal themes of this festival. We'll also look at the themes from this day which lead some Unitarian Universalists to call themselves Christians.
May 18 : Indu Vasudevan
The Five Values of Hinduism
Indu Vasudevan is a freelance writer and editor who has lived in Indianapolis for 16 years. She is a member of the Communications and Education Committee for the Hindu Temple of Central Indiana.
Mrs. Vasudevan was born in Chennai , India , and emigrated to Canada with her parents in 1967. Growing up in the west, she has tried to understand her environment, her heritage and her faith from the point of view that spiritual values are universal although their expression may differ.
Women's Night Out
Women's Night Out will be Friday, May 9 , at 6:30 pm at Red Lobster (in front of the Target and Barnes and Nobles shopping mall) in Avon . It is Mother's day weekend and I understand some may be going out of town, but we hope you can join us in treating ourselves to some great seafood and conversation! For more information and to RSVP contact Faye Ferrell ferrellf@indy.rr.com or 852-2836.
Got Blood?
Did you know that our own Emily Kennedy is suffering from a rare blood disease called myleofibrosis ? As a result, she is requiring frequent blood transfusions of 2 to 3 pints of donated blood. This is a graphic example of the importance of volunteer donors that strikes uncomfortably close to all of us.
Please go to https://www.donorpoint.org/ or call the Avon Blood Center at 272-7319 to schedule an appointment to donate soon.
Although individual donations will not go to Emily or offset any of her costs, your blood would be a tribute to her, and your personal gift to the community.
In Memory of Harris' Daughter
Donations are being accepted for the Robb Scholarship Fund in memory of Edith Harris Camp, the daughter of Ed and Sandra Harris, our founding minister. Please make checks out
to UUCC with a memo that it is “in memory of Edith Harris Camp.” This is an excellent way to honor Edith and I am sure that Ed and Sandra will appreciate your kindness. Deadline to make this contribution will be May 15 . A list of all contributors will be given to Ed and Sandra.
Just Wondering
by Rev. Andy
Last week, our cable television went out when a local backhoe operator cut a buried line. We called the company and were told to expect a repair team between 8 a.m. Friday and October, 2012.
When the doorbell rang late Friday afternoon, I opened the door expecting someone with a tool belt and a cloudy disposition. Instead, I was greeted by two young men in white shirts and ties.
“We're missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints,” one said. Each of them carried a Bible and a Book of Mormon. “Can we talk to you about the Book of Mormon?”
“Can you fix my cable TV?”
“No, sir.”
“Then I guess we can talk about the Book of Mormon,” I said. “But I have to warn you, I'm a Unitarian Universalist minister, I've read the Book of Mormon and I have a seminary degree.”
I expected this to dampen his enthusiasm, but the young Mormon missionary looked at me like a Pit Bull ogling at a pound of raw ground chuck. His enthusiasm stoked by the potential Unitarian Universalist conversion, he flew into his spiel.
He told me about the Mormons' desire to reform the Christian church, bring it back to the days before the church councils began condemning people for their beliefs.
“That wouldn't be so bad,” I said. “Can you guys do that?”
“We think we are,” he told me, and went on to talk about prophets and priests and ongoing revelation, about Joseph Smith and Jesus in North America .
We got into a few theological disagreements. But more importantly, we were able to find some common ground. We both wanted a more just world and were both horrified by the idea of a god who would punish someone forever.
We parted with smiles and handshakes. Religious faith can be so divisive, it was a blessing knowing that, though we're miles apart theologically, we're bound by a shared humanity.
Maybe one day the cable company will be as dependable as the Mormons.
To Talk to Rev. Andy -
Andy is available to see you by appointment.
Please call him at 317-361-5833.
Andy's blog: andyb1015.wordpress.com/
May Birthdays
Rosemary Jennison – May 2
Esther Rupert – May 9
Rob Long – May 12
Dan Schnake – May 18
Rod Pttman – May 20
Don Hayden – May 24
Carolyn Shannon – May 24
Abe Schnake – May 26
Spencer Wagley – May 26
Raph Bayless – May 30
Dane McCullough – May 30
Ron Rupert – May 30
Interested in Yoga?
If so, come to a free session for beginners on Tuesday, May 20 , from 6:15 pm to 7:15 pm in Friendship Hall with instructor Allyson Hawkins. Space is limited. Contact Allyson ASAP (407-1609)
A new series of gentle flow yoga begins Tuesday, May 27, 6:15 - 7:15 pm in Friendship Hall. Five sessions for $45. Registration is due the first night of class. If you attended the free beginner session, you'll be ready to join this class. Contact Allyson to enroll (407-1609).
Religious Exploration News
A big thank you to Emily and Paul Kennedy for hosting a wildflower viewing for the RE children and youth. The children found lots to admire in Emily's special wildflower garden: labels, flowers in bloom, huge earthworms, and brick lined pathways all made favorable impressions. The closed Bloodwort flower was hailed as favorite by several children (and me too). Ethan was impressed by the Twin Leaf, because that is the name of a town in his Pokemon game! The Dutchman's Breeches apparently don't look like breeches at all to some of the kids. Some children drew their favorites, others picked dandelions, and we'll have fun looking up the flowers we found in the wildflower reference books at church for the next two weeks.
Emily noted that most of the flowers out last Sunday were white and other colors should be blossoming soon. She is very happy to have small groups re-visit her garden after church. (Their house is nearby.) Just give a courtesy call before attending to make sure Emily's feeling well enough to have visitors.
Parents: Thanks so much for the can-do attitude towards pulling the field trip together with permission slips, car seats, drivers, etc. Your flexibility and positive attitude made the trip a real joy!
Spirit Play (ages 3-6ish)
This month in spirit play we introduced the Parable of the Good Samaritan which seemed to really capture the attention of the children. Their comments showed heartfelt compassion towards helping others, especially if they are sick or hurt, and a strong delineation between good guy/bad guy. I think this story will be chosen off the shelf many times.
A few new activities were added to the class like a beautiful nature puzzle (compliments of John and Marti McCoy), a button sorting work, and a balancing elephant work along with books on elephants. Self-contained glitter paints will appear tomorrow, and of course, the goldfish crackers are always a staple.
Of Magic and Miracles (7-10ish)
Next month in Early Elementary we will be exploring a recent interest of several children in magic. This will tie in well with discussion of the miracles attributed to Jesus. Our famous Unitarian Universalist will be Thomas Jefferson who, in addition to his well known political contributions, wrote Jefferson's Bible which re-tells the story of Jesus without the miracles.
Upcoming Dates:
• Sunday, May 11 – Spirit Play children will share their favorite Story Box during the children's focus.
• Sunday, May 18 – Early Elementary Class will share some of the famous spiritual leaders we explored this year during children's focus
Care and Concern
UUCC Caring Bears have recently been dispatched to Skylark Prather, Mark Auberry, Pat Pollack, and Paul Van Wyk. A UUCC tradition, Caring Bears are sent to those in a crisis of any type with a note that the Bear is to be a reminder that there are people at UUUCC who are thnking of them and who care. Bears may be kept or may be returned. Rumor has it that it is bad luck to return a Bear too soon - -
Food Pantry
Did you have enough food in your house to feed the people in your family today? Not everyone in Hendricks County is so lucky. Our donations to the Shared Blessings Food Pantry help those folks. Remember to bring a donation next Sunday. Coupons and money donations are also appreciated.
Thanks for the Pics!
Thanks to David Chalfant who is filling our "UUCC Family" bulletin with pictures. If yours isn't there, find David and his camera.
New Members
The following people have joined the UUCC in 2008. Welcome to:
April Lashbrook
Abe Schnake
Bill & Brenda Sutton
Dave & Karen Cravotta
Dixie Hermiller
Focus on New Members:
Bill & Brenda Sutton
Bill and Brenda Sutton purchased the bright pink Victorian house on Main Street two years ago, but only completed their move to Danville last October. Both Bill and Brenda work from home, Bill as a consultant for Hewlett Packard who specializes in telecommunication systems, and Brenda as a freelance writer/editor. Brenda is the publisher of online publication “Mythic Passages: the Magazine of Imagination”
http://www.mythicjourneys.org . Together they raised Brenda's five children from a previous marriage, and are now very proud grandparents. Bill grew up in Danville , but Brenda is a Navy brat who has lived all
over the US .
Bill and Brenda share an interest in music, and are award-winning, internationally renown singer/songwriters, playing together as the
Celtic duo “Bed & Breakfast” <http://www.bsutton.com/Brenda/music/bnb/bnb.html>. Brenda also plays with the award-winning trio “Three Weird Sisters”
< http://www.threeweirdsisters.com>. They are both members of the Dorsai Irregulars < http://www.di.org >, a volunteer service
organization. They travel abroad frequently to England , Ireland , France, and most recently Japan. Together they enjoy antiques, auctions, and basketball (Go Pacers!) Bill loves the Indy 500, cricket, darts, trains, and is an avid beer afficianado. Brenda enjoys writing, mythology, painting, gardening, fiber arts of all kinds,
cooking, and all things connected to the drinking of tea.
Both Suttons are now members of the Worship Committee, and they often
provide music for services at UUCC Danville. Bill is co-leading the Thursday night Small Group Ministry, and Brenda will be leading a new SGM on the “Wheel of the Year” and starting a drumming circle.
Website : Check it Out!
The Communication Committee invites you all to check out the new UUCC web site at www.uuccdanville.org . We welcome comments, suggestions and other input on how we want to continue evolving on the internet. Anyone with pictures is welcome to submit them for being put online. Contact Amy Hayden at cabintrail@earhtlink.net or 838-8559.
Deadlines
Newsletter: Send items to Susie Poole by midnight May 11, at sspoole@lightbound.com or 837-8801.
UUCC Calendar: Send dates of meetings & events to Marcia Denton ( curmugeon2@aol.com or 745-7911)
Mailing List: If you would like to be removed from the Newsletter, or provide a change of email address, contact Jim Ferrell at uuc.ferrell@sbcglobal.net .
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