The Flame

Mid August 2002

All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church of Kansas City, Missouri

Good News Celebrations

We celebrate that:
* The "Connections: Activities at All Souls" booklet is out, and it's amazing. What a wealth of programs and talent!
* Our minister, Jim Eller, has returned from summer activities (no, it wasn't all vacation) energized for another year here at All Souls.

We look forward to
* The pulpit and choir exchange with Ward Chapel AME, our congregational partner.
* Having a new Coming of Age group start up in September.

Service Schedule 11:00 am

Aug. 18 - Pulpit and Choir Exchange with Ward Chapel AME
(previously scheduled for August 11)

Yes, we have been talking about this exchange for years. This summer we will welcome our congregational partners in worship. Rev. Farris, the pastor of Ward Chapel, is planning on being with us this Sunday. No this will not be our usual Sunday, but we have been years in the making of relationship deep enough to bridge racial and theological barriers. Please, come and hear an inspiring speaking and choir.

Aug. 25 - It Was Meant To Be - Jim Eller

What is your destiny? Is there anything you were meant to be or to do? Is the world just a random event? Or does everything have meaning and there are no such things as accidents? A liberal perspective on Destiny.

Sept. 1 - Rediscovering You Original Self - Mellen Kennedy

As Unitarian Universalists we covenant to "affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person." Who is this inherently worthy self? Join in this exploration of soul through spoken word, poetry, music and dance. Guest preacher: Mellen Kennedy is a member of All Souls and serves as Chaplain at the Veterans Administration Medical Center here in Kansas City.

Forum Resumes Sept. 8

It is almost time for the Forum again. The new Forum season gets a great start on September 8 with Whitney Terrell, local author of The Huntsman, a novel set in Kansas City. Next is a series on the media. Other fall Forum topics include the Supreme Court, the death penalty, and abuse by the FBI.

The Forum meets at 10am each Sunday in Bragg Auditorium, followed by a small group discussion in the library at 11. - Carolyn MacDonald

Minister’s Considerations

Year Round Church

Summer was a time that Unitarian and Unitarian Universalist Churches closed for the summer. I have wondered and been asked whether that was because we UUs are not sure whether we are a university or a church. Yes, that confusion does exist for some of our members and some of our ministers, but the source of summer off and fall "start up" had more to do with air conditioning and New England culture.

It used to be that there was no air conditioning in any of our churches anywhere. We did not have it here in our KC All Souls Church in most of the 20th Century. We met in Conover Hall, where windows could be opened. We have no windows in Bragg Hall, our sanctuary. We also met in the Simpson House, because it was the first to be air conditioned. But, our becoming a year round church is still recent.

In New England, the cultural elite took the summer on the Cape, Cape Cod or on Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard. It was cool and good to be out of the hot cities. Unitarians were historically the cultural elite of New England. Here, in KC, folks took the trolley out to Johnson County. It was the far-off countryside. This was relief in the hot summer time.

Now we have air conditioning. With 100-degree heat and more, who wants to be outside very much? You can escape to the movie theatre, but that gets old. Why not go to church or to other evening events at the church? There will certainly be interesting people and conversation. Here and all over the country almost all of our churches function year round. With schools starting before September, it has become the norm. Only the most conservative of our churches (or the ones with the laziest ministers) still refuse to be full service communities.

Yes, people need to be married, buried and born during the summer too. Yes, our boards, committees and outreach efforts still count in the summer. It has been a good summer for us. We welcome our new families who have joined us this summer and appreciate the excellent programming we offered. Thanks to our volunteers and staff, and especially Karen Medhi, Lynisa Robinson, Ted Otteson and Kathy Riegelman for their fine work on behalf of us all. It has been a good summer and this is a good new tradition for a religion that takes its mission both playfully and seriously. - Jim

Lifespan Religious Education

No Sunday School Aug. 25 & Sept. 1

Summer Sunday School has been a big success again. Thank you to everyone who taught a class. Special thanks to Mike and Allison Hartnett (who taught nearly every week), Tom Gilbreath, Lon Swearingen, Maria Sprague, Alison Hedgepeth, Jane Gilbreath, Carolyn Pajor, Robin and Mike Willett, David Robinson, Bridget Hedman, Cora Woods, NeShae Wells, Marcia Wells, Cheryl Westra, Ted Otteson, Betsey Molinario, Caron Wells, Kristin Kazamaki, Claudine Thomas, Mia Guerra, Ann Dickey and everyone else who helped this summer.

Summer Sunday School saw the elementary aged students learning about bread baking, the middle schoolers playing cooperative and competitive games, and the high schoolers exploring fundamentalist thought.

Small group ministry workshops

Plan to be at church Oct. 19 & 20, as guest minister Glenn Turner, pictured on page 7 in Connections, will present workshops. Small group ministry, known here as Mini Coms, will be the focus of the weekend.

Potter party planned

Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire is now out in paperback. Paperback editions are often issued before the next book in a series is released. Our church book shop has ordered a shipment of book 5 and we will have our own release party when the time arrives.

Sunday School email info

Sunday School information is being sent to registered families. Call if you don't receive information in the next two weeks.

Youth registration

All Families with children & teens, watch for a registration form in the next Flame.

YAC election set Aug. 18

Youth Adult Committee election day is Sunday, Aug. 18 at 11am. Graduates of the recent COA program and students entering any high school grade may vote for the youth representatives to YAC. Nominations will be accepted from the floor.

Young adult service

At 6pm Wednesday, Aug. 28, everyone is invited to have a voice in shaping the proposal for a young adult oriented religious service. Call Claudine Thomas for more information.

Thanks to the thankers.

Megan Kraus and Betsey Molinario have been leading a great group of LRE volunteers. Thanks to everyone on the LRE Communication Committee for thanking people and sending out the birthday postcards to our kids. Tina Merritt places stickers like a true artist. Jo Maxwell has written so many thank-you notes that we've stopped counting.

Attention parents:

Life at All Souls is about to get easier. No more last-minute Saturday night phone calls from Lynisa or Tom pulling on your guilt strings. Why? Religious Education Support Teams (REST) are being formed. All families with children/teens partaking in any LRE activity will be asked to register. With registration, a family will be placed on a team.

Each team will have a team leader and a crew leader. Team leaders will call team members to arrange activities including adult coverage of Sunday morning Activity Hour. Each of four teams will be responsible for one Sunday a month. With eight families on a team that means each family will only need to provide adult coverage once every two months.

Crew leaders will help the other adults understand their job. They will also have more contact and knowledge about our students than most other parents. Several (but not all) of the team and crew leaders are in place for September.

RESTs are being organized by the LRE Playtime committee. For more information or to volunteer as a crew or team leader call the Playtime Committee chair, Tom Gilbreath - and watch for mailings.

Coming of Age

The Lifespan Religious Education office at All Souls is proud to continue the Coming of Age Program (COA) starting Fall 2002. This a two year program that All Souls is offering to families with young adolescents as the church's link in the bridge that families build as their student moves into a world of greater independence.

On a more personal note, when I was growing up our UU church had a similar COA program. I really believe that this process has significantly influenced who I am today, and especially the level of involvement I have in the Unitarian Universalist tradition. My goal is to help create a program that is just as meaningful and important to these upcoming COA participants.

Parents' orientation discussions will be at 6:30pm Wednesday, Sept. 4 in Simpson House. Have dinner at All Souls, and then join us afterwards. Your child may participate in COA even if you cannot attend either meeting. But a private meeting with Lynisa or myself will be requested in this case. Please contact the Lifespan Religious Education office if you would like to request child care for the September 4th meeting.

In addition, I would like to invite any interested person to become a member of the COA committee, if you have the time and desire. Our first meeting is 7pm Monday Aug. 19.

COA 2002 requirements for participation:
- Student must be around the ages of 11 to 13 in the fall of 2002.
- Signed parental permission.
- Signed agreement to actively participate by student.
- The ability to attend most of classes and events.
- A $50.00 requested donation at the time of registration. If your family cannot provide this, your child is still welcome to participate. Please just let myself, Ted or Lynisa know.

Elements of the two-year COA Program:
- The program will conclude with a trip.
- Sunday evening discussions and lessons (and fun) to help create a UU identity.
- One-to-one All Souls mentors.
- Service projects.
- Outdoor activities.
- Meeting COA participants from Shawnee Mission UU Church and Gaia Community.
- Fun fundraising.
- Videos and games.

- Allison Hartnett, COA Chair

Orson Scott Card in KC

The last COA program choose to read Enders Game, by Orson Scott Card. At 7pm Monday August 26, Orson Scott Card will be at Unity Temple on the Plaza. Free tickets are available by calling Rainy Day Books, at 913-384-3126. Several families have expressed an interest of meeting at All Souls at 6 and carpooling over.

Upcoming UU views programs:

8/18 Charles Bebb - Meaning of World Federalism
8/25 Walt Wells - What in the World
9/1 Russ Millin - When lawyers can and can't handle hypocrisy

More programs

Unitarian Universalism 101, continues Wednesdays at 7, through Sept. 4.
Trivial Pursuit, third Thursdays, starting Aug. 15 at 7. Bring your game sets.

Other Church News

We welcome our visitors

This is the season for lots of visiting at churches, as families move and look for new church homes. We will be assuring people that there are lots of friendly folk at All Souls who are eager to have people visit us for a day or a month or join us for a year or the rest of their lives. All Souls is here to "make souls happy," and we are all enriched by the presence and spirit of visitors and new members.

We will be welcoming and gracious by showing visitors the ropes. Start with the round table in the lobby, which is our "hospitality table." Sign our guest book that sits on the adjacent podium and put on a name tag, so we can greet you properly. We'll send our newsletter for about three months to all who sign the guest book. Those who have children, please put their names in the guest book and initial your approval to have them participate in our religious education program.

Information about our programs is posted on the bulletin board by the book shop and drinking fountain. All these programs and more are listed in "Connections: Activities at All Souls," the new booklet describing current programs and happenings.

New Member Class

Are you considering becoming a member of All Souls church? If so, the class that runs weekly starting on Sunday, Sept.8 may be for you. This 4-week class is for potential new members, as well as for people who have been UUs for a long time but are new to All Souls. A New Member Welcoming Service will be held on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2002.

We will have a gathering to welcome our newcomers at the home of Claudine Thomas on Friday, Nov. 1. We encourage every All Souls member to attend and find out about our new members. Old members, please bring a snack to share. - Terry Wiggins, Membership Administrator

Labor Day Picnic

All Souls has the Loose Park Pavilion reserved for Monday, September 2, 2002. Let's have a potluck lunch from about 12-1:30. We have the pavilion reserved all day so we can play table games, have music jams, sing-alongs, or arts and crafts. We'll do more active play if the weather is suitable. Come chill with us. - Terry Wiggins

Send-off for Dorothy Ramsey

The good news is Dorothy has a new job. The bad news is that she must move from KC to IOWA (think long, harsh winters, lots of snow, heavy blankets).

To help celebrate her fortune and mourn the loss of a valuable friend, we are going to party at 7pm Thursday, August 22, 2002 at Jane and Bob Henderson's house, 12455 Charlotte, Kansas City, MO. Bring goodies to share with the crowd and any alcoholic beverage you want. Hendersons will provide soft drinks, lemonade, paper goods, etc. For directions call the Hendersons,.

Women's Discussion Lunch III

Women of All Souls are welcome to attend a 3rd Women's Discussion Lunch 12:15 - 3 Saturday, August 17, in Conover. A potluck lunch will precede our continuing discussion on the exciting and varied women's programming soon to be implemented at All Souls. Our goal during this session is to draw together the ideas offered at the last two brainstorming sessions and build women's programming around common needs and interests.

At 11am in the library we will show the Oprah video that was shown at the first session in June, which presented discussion on how women of different generations interact. Please plan to attend even if you were not at the other two meetings. If you have questions or need child care, call the Religious Education office. - Constance LaGue and Leah Hokanson

Got old magazines?

We encourage you to weed your old magazine collections and bring lots of discards to the paper recycling bins at church by Wednesday, August 28. Also bring newspaper and office paper, and any paperback books that are not suitable for selling at the next used book sale.

Why now? The contents of our Paper Retriever bin have weighed more and more each month, but so far not enough to earn us any money. We think this is the month, because we're scheduled for 3 pick-ups. We ask for your help in exceeding our goal. Very soon we'll be announcing what the proceeds will be spent for, and we think you'll like our idea.

We remind you to recycle your plastic, metal, glass, and cardboard by the normal method for your community: If you were to bring them to the church, our volunteer would have to move them again to the local recycling center -- more work, no money -- no thank you.

Thanks for your help and cooperation. - Terry Wiggins for the Green Sanctuary Committee

Book news

Have you heard that the book Plainsong by Kent Haruf is the chosen book for Kansas and Missouri citizens to read and share? This book was a National Book Award finalist. The UU Book Shop has this book for sale and there is one in the library. The book, Call for Reform from the Interfaith Alliance Foundation on campaign finance reform is also now available in the library.

The U. U. Book Shop is now being managed by the team of Lee Ann Googe and Bill Thebo. Call Bill if you want to volunteer and talk to Lee Ann about books you want to purchase or books needed for classes, speakers, and other programs. - Addie Dietrich

Sandy Schaffer’s art next

September's art in the Unitarian Gallery will be by Sandy Schaffer, who is a watercolorist.

Needed: specialized skills for the UnPlaza Art Fair concession stand September 21 and 22.

If you can turn a hot dog on a grill,
if you can stir cooking onions,
if you can take money from folks,
if you can carry food items from the kitchen outside,
if you can be cheerful in all kinds of weather,
then you're the perfect person to help with the concession stand.

And if you cannot handle any of these skills, we can use your help in many other ways. Simply call Nick Francis or email him at nickjfrancis@hotmail.com He'll find a place just right for you. - Kris Cheatum for the Stewardship Committee

CoffeeHouse

Music and the spoken word will be on the stage in Conover Auditorium on Friday, August 23 during the monthly All Souls CoffeeHouse. Beginning at 7:30 the featured performer this month will be David Blyth, one of the featured performers at the recent CrossCurrents Summer Arts Festival. An Open Mic will follow for all who bring poetry, music, or performance to share.

Join us for conversation, table games, coffee, and other cooling refreshments in air conditioned comfort on an August evening. And feel free to bring a contribution of food or paper products for the Harvesters barrel. - Walt Wells

Humanism in Kansas City

Come and participate in a conversation on the future of Humanism and free thought in the Kansas City area, at 7pm Tuesday, August 20 at All Souls UU Church. A 30-minute social hour precedes the hour-long discussion before a closing social hour with refreshments.

The Bragg Humanist Symposium Committee invites everyone with an interest to a hopefully spirited discussion of the future of humanism in our community, Kansas City and the world. All other area UU, Humanist, and Free Thought groups are being invited to participate. For more information contact Walt Wells at walterWwells@aol.com.

What in Our UU World

All Souls is one among about 1000 UU Congregations in the United States. Together we voluntarily associate to form the Unitarian Universalist Association. Sometimes we are similar and sometimes very different. Through the UU World magazine that we all receive at our homes, we share the thoughts, concerns, and actions of our congregations and our members.

Once a month on the 4th Sunday here at All Souls we have this continuing discussion of what is happening beyond our Congregation. Everyone is welcome to drop in at 9am or 12:30 on Sunday, August 25 with your questions, interest, and insights as we discuss the UUA & UUs. - Walt Wells

Harmony House 2002

Construction continues at the Habitat for Humanity Home that All Souls members have been helping to build this year. As this is being written the roof is on and sheet rocking is underway. The last scheduled work day for our members was August 10. But construction is expected to continue through August and into early September until the new home is completed at 1610 E. 37th. Drive by and see what has risen out of a vacant weed-covered lot this summer.

If you want to help, construction continues on Saturdays. Contact Walt Wells, walterWwells@aol.com.

Historical UUism

Interested in Unitarian Universalist history? Check out this web site members.fortunecity.com/hobeika/unitarians/index.html. And check the historical display in the Archives Cabinet near the Warwick entry door. Better yet, consider joining our church Archives Committee and be part of the journey to discovering our own past here at All Souls.

The Bragg Papers Committee is looking for volunteers to help read and index sermons and other papers from Rev. Raymond Bragg, former minister here. Contact Megan Monroe at MMonroeMSW@aol.com or Walt Wells at WalterWwells@aol.com or see one of us at church, leave a message in our box in the church communications center, or come to a meeting. - Walt Wells

Cookbook recipes

To those who submitted a recipe for the cookbook supplement, it didn't enter a black hole. It's waiting for about 20 other recipes to keep it company. The muffins and pumpkin cookies need jam and jelly and casseroles and soup and chocolate anything. Please send to caronwells@aol.com, drop in the Social Justice mail slot, or bring it to the next potluck. UU's can cook as well as Lutherans and Baptists, so prove it with your recipes. - Caron Wells

Thanks to reStart cooks

Thanks to the great cooks this summer at the reStart center - for chopping, sweating and stirring, and for being so friendly and warm with the residents of that shelter for the homeless. Jim, Michelle, Sandy, Adrienne, and Lori are special people. And if you want to know how special, join us any third Sunday for cooking, serving and enjoying each other's company, Aug. 18, Sept. 15, Oct. 20. Starting time depends on menu and number of prep cooks. We're ready to leave by 6:15. Call Caron or e-mail caronwells@aol.com. Just like home cooking, with bigger pots. - Caron Wells

International Folk Dance

It’s laughter, music, dancing, singing, participating in cultural traditions from all over the world with fun loving folks plus live music once a month with snacks to share. Does it get any better than this? Come have fun with Louise Baggett and friends of all ages at International Folk Dancing. The evening begins with an hour of easy dances for beginners. Most are circle or line dances that are taught. No partner is necessary. Join us every Sunday any part of 6:30 to 9pm in Conover Auditorium to meet others interested in enlarging their experience of foreign customs and expanding their participation in the interconnected web of life. Admission is $2. For more information call Louise Baggett. Live band set for Aug. 19.

Neighborhood appreciates us

Southmoreland Neighborhood Association thanks the church for the loan of 50 chairs which were used in a tent at the annual summer picnic. - Walt Wells

Denominational and District Information

New email discussion on Middle East issues

The UUA Office of Electronic Communications announces the creation of a new discussion list called UUsMiddleEast. There are many Internet mailing lists for which the Israel/Palestine situation is the focus, but few take a UU approach of encouraging respectful, two-sided discussion of this difficult issue. If you're interested in hearing opposing viewpoints about the Middle East or if you have opinions you'd like to share, please join us.

This topic is one many people feel passionately about. However, we require that subscribers temper their fervor with good manners, acceptance, compassion, respect, and belief in the dignity of other subscribers, regardless of whether we agree with their views. The goals are peace, justice, and liberty for all. Those who join us are expected to seek the truth and open themselves to the possibility of validity of other opinions.

With these principles in mind, we hope to achieve a uniquely cordial discussion in an atmosphere encouraging enlightenment and education for UUs and other like-minded individuals.

To subscribe to the UUsMiddleEast mailing list, follow the instructions at www.uua.org/mailman/listinfo/uusmiddleeast or send the message "subscribe" (without the quotes) to UusMiddleEast-request@uua.org. If you have problems or questions, you can write to the list managers, Carol Agate and Bob Prestemon, at UusMiddleEast-admin@uua.org. - Terry Wiggins, from UUA-L

Social justice action alerts

Don't forget that you can stay "in the loop" of Unitarian Universalist justice work by subscribing to the UUA Washington Office newsletter. The CyberNewsletter of the UUA Washington Office brings you legislative news and action alerts and helpful information on doing public advocacy. Subscribe at uua.org/mailman/listinfo/washofc-l.

Fundraising for outreach to the young

An effort is under way to raise two million dollars to support local outreach to youth and young adults. Supported with resources from the UUA, Youth and Young Adult Ministry Sunday is part of the UUA's new capital campaign, Campaign for Unitarian Universalism. All UU congregations are invited to plan a Youth and Young Adult Ministry Sunday in the fall of 2002. Find out more from Alison Miller, Youth, Campus and Young Adult Fundraising Coordinator, 617-948-6105 or amiller@uua.org.

Training for Young Adults doing justice and ministry making work

"Be the change you want to see in others." These words from Gandhi help shape the focus for the 2nd Leadership Odyssey - a training for young adults in congregations doing justice and ministry making work. The Leadership Odyssey is a 4-day intensive retreat for new and growing young adult leaders in our congregations, with intentional time for reflection, skill & analysis building, and serious group learning. WHEN: August 29, Thursday through Monday September 2 (Labor Day) WHERE: Murray Grove UU Retreat Center, New Jersey WHO: UU Young Adults age 18-35 COST: $100-$200 sliding scale (scholarships are available) includes all housing, program and on site transportation, participants pay for their own travel to Newark NJ or the city of Toms River NJ.

Register online at www.uuyan.org http://www.uuyan.org or contact our UUA Boston Young Adult & Campus Ministry Office 1-617-948-4273 for a paper registration. Let us know if you would like a set of brochures for outreach in your district or congregation. The Leadership Odyssey is sponsored by the UUA Young Adult & Campus Ministry Office and funded in part by the UUA Campaign: Campaign for Unitarian Universalism.

-- Joseph Lyons, Unitarian Universalist Association Campus & Field Coordinator, Office of Young Adult & Campus Ministry - submitted by Terry Wiggins from the UUA-L mailing list

Notes from June UUA Board of Trustees meeting now online

Notes from the June, 2002 meeting of the UUA Board of Trustees in Quebec City, Quebec, are now available on the web at www.uua.org/TRUS/notes0602.html . The notes were done by Elisabeth McGregor, First Vice Moderator and Trustee from the Ballou Channing District. If you visit the Board of Trustees page at www.uua.org/TRUS/ , you will also find links to the report of Financial Advisor Larry Ladd at www.uua.org/ga/ga02/4005fr.html and the recently-approved official minutes of the April, 2002 board meeting at www.uua.org/TRUS/minutes04-02.html . - Submitted by Terry Wiggins, from the UUA-L mailing list

All Souls is a UUA Annual Program Fund Honor Society.