The Flame

Mid November 2002

All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church of Kansas City, Missouri

We Celebrate -

-Jim Neal will be our Building Committee Chair for the next year.
-Jeannie Himes has agreed to chair the Coming of Age program.

We are looking forward to -

-The kick-off of ministry groups after the successful Glenn Turner workshop
-Integrating the 20 new members who joined on Sunday November 3 into our community. A photo, biographical information, and directory information on the new members will appear in our next issue.
-Having the UUA Media Campaign spread the good news about Unitarian Universalism in our metro area
-The worship and workshop presented by The Rev. Dr. Kendyl Gibbons on Nov. 16-17.
Yuleboeck season will begin soon.

Service Schedule 11:00 am

Nov. 24 - 100 Miles on our Knees in the Desert: Pilgrims and Puritans - Jim Eller

We Unitarians Universalists are direct descendants of our Puritan ancestors. There are other religious traditions from these roots with which we share many common values. As we move into the Thanksgiving Holidays, let us remember the legacy of the Pilgrims and the Puritans. The Idealism they bequeathed us is gift, as is their striving toward simplicity, but perfectionism maybe another matter.

Nov. 26 - Community Thanksgiving Service 7 p.m.

This will be fourth year that we have participated in an interfaith Thanksgiving Service. This service is a combination of music and preaching. Each congregation is allowed a few minutes to make a Thanksgiving offering. This service is rich and the interfaith community is welcome in world so divided by intolerance and religious bigotry. The service will be hosted this by Community Christian Church just down the block. Park here and walk over. Our Choir and Minister will be participating.

Dec. 1 - The Rededication of the Temple: Hanukkah - Jim Eller

The Temple can be seen as the great temple in Jerusalem or as the temple of our lives. What does it take for the miracle of "restoration?" The eight candles mark the journey, arriving is always remarkable.

Forum Schedule 11:00 am

Nov. 17 - Journalism As Patriotism: News Media Performance after Sept. 11 - Charles Davis

The executive director of the Freedom of Information Center and an associate professor at the University of Missouri School of Journalism in Columbia will discuss how well the national electronic and print media are doing in keeping the American public well informed

Nov. 24 - Iraq: War.Sanctions.War? - Brother Louis Rodeman

Brother Louis is a staff member at the Holy Family Catholic Worker House in Kansas City, Mo. and a member of the Christian Brothers Order. He taught at the de la Salle Academy for 35 years. he traveled to Iraq in April of 1999 and will recount the recent history of the Iraq problem and will assess the wisdom of the Bush Administration's plan to attack that country.

Dec. 1 - Developing Affordable Housing and Integrated Neighborhoods - Doug Shafer

After helping to develop the "Nehemiah Plan" in Brooklyn, which created 2500 homes in what had been an urban wasteland, urban planner Doug Shafer spent seven years with Neighborhood Housing Services and Blue Hills Homes Corporation in Kansas City. Now he has formed a real estate company dedicated to promoting fair and integrated housing in the heart of the city.

Minister's Considerations: Circles of Compassion

Our UU Association is a member of a larger International organization. It is called the International Association for Religious Freedom, IARF. We have a sister organization in Japan that is Buddhist. It is called Rissho Kosei-Kai. This is a liberal religious organization of several million. In part this religion built is strength upon small group ministries. People bring their life stories and share them with one another in groups they call Circles of Compassion. How are you living your life? Are you approaching your ideals or are you far from the mark? Do the Sutras speak to any of your concerns? Members have found this process deeply enriching.

We are preparing to experiment with similar circles. Our small group ministries we are calling Ministry Circles. These will not be for everyone in the church, although everyone is welcome. I think of these groups as being a little like AA groups, but you don't have to be in recovery to join. They will be a little like the Buddhist groups, but scripture will be optional. Chalice Lighting, sharing a bit of our lives and a focus question to help deepen the conversation will center them. The process and the practice tend to give meaning and connection to our lives. And it can be at least as entertaining as television and far more enduring and endearing.

These groups will be starting this month, but you can join at any time, as groups will be accepting new members and new groups will be forming as interest indicates. Sign up by calling the Religious Education office at the church, or by calling Chloe Mason Seagrove.

Lifespan Religious Education

LRE Wish List

Thanks for the crackers & markers!
1) Coffee Table
2) Adult Scissors
3) DVDs featuring Joseph Campell's work

Sunday School Update

Halloween was celebrated in all its glory! The first two UU Principles have been discussed. Visits have been made to Unity Temple on the Plaza and Community Christian Church (our neighbor) by the high school class. Guests have visited classes including a speaker from the Red Cross and our own Social Justice Committee. Check us out!

Wednesday Evening Dinners Email

Everyone is welcome to join us for good food and good company Wednesdays starting at 5:30pm. $7 adult, $3 child or free for official dish washers. To become a dish washer call the LRE office at the church, 816-531-2131. If you are not receiving the weekly email menu, please contact Terry in the church office. Thanks to everyone!

Pumpkin Parade a hit

Because of the support of our entire congregation the annual Pumpkin Parade was a hit! Pumpkins were donated, scooped, carved and paraded, thanks to the coordinating skills of the LRE Traditions Committee and the efforts of the Post Modern Marvels and many more.

The Best of

Building Your Own Theology (BYOT) offered here at All Souls was rated as one of the "Pitch Weekly's “Best of." LRE staffer Ted Otteson was interviewed and quoted in the piece about the best church-sponsored class in the city. Cool. The next 10-week session of BYOT will begin Jan. 29. This class is a great way for people to explore liberal religion for the first time as well as an excellent time for renewed reflections for people already comfortable with their liberal religious home. Feel free to take a copy of the flyer from the bulletin board and give it to a friend or hang it up somewhere in the city.

Volunteer opportunities in LRE

There's a place for everyone in Lifespan Religious Education. Call the office for more information. 1) Nursery Grandparent: Once a month during the Sunday service check-in on the nursery, bring juice and crackers as needed. 2) Traditions Committee member: Four times a year help to carry on the fun of a seasonal celebration. 3) Assistant Supply Closet Manager: The downstairs closets hold supplies for Sunday school, celebrations, playtimes and arts & crafts. 4) Playtime Committee member: Join this working group to see to the quality & safety of our kids' most important times at church - playtimes. 5) Adult Class Leader: Be a part of the team that teaches several introductory UU classes.

Connections deadline in December

Early December will see us gathering information for the next issue of Connections. This is an occasionally quarterly booklet of activities at All Souls. It is published out of the LRE office by staff and volunteers. If you wish a church activity listed in the first edition for 2003, let us know.

How to join a ministry circle

Interested in exploring the small group experience? Becoming a member of a group is easy. Fill in a request/information form with your name and contact information as well as the best times for you to meet. As soon as a group is formed (or has an opening) that matches one of your time choices you'll be called. Forms are located in the church near on the bulletin board near the water fountains. Or call and ask us to send one to you. Return completed forms to the LRE office.

Winter holidays in the air

Even before Halloween and long before Thanksgiving, many of us are planning for special times in December. Look to All Souls for the annual Holiday Pageant, Unbelievable Potlucks, Yuleboecks (open house parties), support for people having a rougher than usual time, a Christmas eve service and New Year's Day Party.

Other Church News

UU media campaign

A Unitarian Universalist Association marketing and media campaign will be launched in the metropolitan area in January, according to Tracey Robinson-Harris at a regional congregational meeting held at All Souls on Oct. 24. She is Director of Congregational Services for the UUA and overseeing this pilot project.

The All Souls, Gaia, Shawnee Mission and Lawrence congregations are participating in the campaign, in which the UUA is investing over $200,000. UUA objectives are to raise awareness about Unitarian Universalism in the community, increase attendance and increase membership in local congregations.

Local congregations will be tracking attendance of visitors and members to make information available for assessing the effectiveness of the campaign. "This is an investment and a risk worth taking for our movement," said Robinson-Harris. "We can use what we learn here and replicate this kind of program in other communities, at a much lower cost."

The campaign will consist of outdoor advertising to spur awareness, radio advertising about events, and television advertising. At the suggestion of participants in the meeting, print advertising will also be considered.

Two focus groups to explore initial reactions to outdoor advertising concepts were held at All Souls Oct. 26, with 10 relatively new members and eight non-members participating. The UUA has contracted with Parks Communications, Inc., a local public relations firm that has worked extensively with nonprofit organizations, to coordinate the campaign.

If you have questions about the campaign, contact Sharon Blevins, All Souls coordinator and chair of the Communications Committee, at sharonblevins@pobox.com.

Are you a Chalice Lighter?

No, this article isn't about lighting the flame in a Friday or Sunday service. It's about the Chalice Lighters program, which was developed by the Prairie Star District some 18 years ago.

This program helps everyone in the district participate in the growth of our congregations. If you choose to participate in this program, you will be asked to respond to 3 calls for help during the year. In each call, you will be asked to give $10 to help a congregation in the district grow and help spread the liberal light. Calls might be issued to help a district congregations build or expand facilities, secure its first minister or other professional help, or help with campus ministries, or accomplish another program improvement.

With the upcoming UUA media campaign set to be launched in Kansas City, it's possible that your dollars could be put to use locally. The UUA is putting large sums into buying media, and if the growth they expect materializes, then we will have needs to meet at home, some of which might be met by Chalice Lighter funds. See the brochure on the rack by the Minister's Study for more information and an enrollment form. - Terry Wiggins - Membership and Communications Items

Have a Yuleboeck or go to one

Would you like to talk to your fellow church members in a party setting? Then go to a Yuleboeck. Would you like to go to a party and automatically have people invited? Then sign up to host a Yuleboeck.

What is a Yuleboeck? It's an All Souls holiday tradition. Anyone in the congregation may sign up on a calendar in the Communications Center to host a Yuleboeck, that is, an open house to which everyone in the congregation is invited.

The host provides beverages and those attending bring a snack to share. We hold Yuleboecks between Thanksgiving and the end of January. They are publicized in each issue of the Flame between now and then, and in the Orders of Service. Yuleboecks are wonderful opportunities to get to know people. - Terry Wiggins, Membership and Communications Administrator

To the Board of Trustees and the Congregation:

Thank you so much for your kind Sunday recognition for my work as chairperson of the Facilities Committee these last few years. It has been a delight to work with such great people as you, the congregation of All Souls.

And I especially want to thank my committee: Jim King, Ron Field, Beverly and Louis Riemensnider, Kass Wright, Kathy Burns, Jean Patterson, Joan Olsen, Dave Hildner, Jim Neal, Geral Culp, Tom Gilbreath, and remember these guys, Frank Yeatman, Carter Hamilton, and Bill Fox. Rose Ann La Martina-Brostoski and Leonard West were the Gaia representatives.

And the following group was always willing to lend a hand: Chuck Downing, Bob Miller, Jack Swall, Suellen Dice, Robin and Linda Parkinson, Bill Wright, George Moss, Butch Murphy, Claudia Toomim, Kris and Lynn Cheatum, Claudine Thomas, and Walt Wells.

Thank you everyone for all your help---the committee worked great because of your willingness to do whatever needed to be done. - Corva Murphy

U.U. Thanksgiving feast

Please join your church family for a thanksgiving pot luck on Sunday Nov. 24, immediately following the church service. Bring a covered dish and give thanks for friends and kindred spirits. Questions: Linda Parkinson; Linda Jones.

Coping with holiday stress 12/16

For all of us, even under the best of circumstances, the holidays can be very stressful. For those who have experienced a recent loss, great hardship, or just find themselves alone, the holidays can be especially difficult.

On Monday, Dec. 16, 7-8:30pm, join social worker and Caring Connections Chair Kay Engler for a time of sharing and some suggestions for coping with holiday stress.

Reception for guest speaker

Rev. Kendyl Gibbons will be a guest at a reception from 4 to 5:30pm Saturday, Nov. 16 at All Souls. This will provide everyone a chance to meet and talk with Rev. Gibbons, who will also be leading a workshop on worship earlier on Saturday and leading the Service on Sunday.

Kendyl Gibbons is an active leader within the UUA HUUmanist movement in addition to her ministry at First Unitarian in Minneapolis - the largest UU Humanist congregation.

The Bragg Humanist Symposium encourages everyone to hear and meet Rev. Gibbons while she is here Nov. 16 and 17. Thanks to the Religious Education and Religious Services Committees for providing this opportunity. - Walt Wells

We care

Because we care about the people in our community who are hungry, we contributed 23 meals worth of support to Harvesters last month. You, too, have an opportunity to show you care about hunger every day, as we always have a Harvesters barrel in the church.

Responsible consumption and the holidays

You can start off your holiday season on a non-materialistic note by celebrating Buy Nothing Day. On the day after Thanksgiving, the busiest shopping day of the year, take a break from consumerism. The 6pm Service for the Soul will focus on a responsible consumption theme. After the service, at 7pm, a potluck (leftovers?) will be held in Conover. After the supper, we will clear the tables and enjoy Dances of Universal Peace, a.k.a. Sufi Dancing. The whole evening will be an interfaith event, so bring your non-U.U. friends.

Last year we shared a few ideas for reducing consumption while giving gifts, observing the Unitarian Universalists' General Assembly 2001 Statement of Conscience. This year we expand on that theme, with ideas for reducing other kinds of materialism. Consider these: --make your own wrapping paper with old newspapers (comic sections are great) or old maps. --wrap kitchen gifts in a dish towel, table cloth, or napkin, and wrap bathroom gifts in a bath towel. --use aluminum foil for an attractive, recyclable wrapping paper. --use holiday cards with post-consumer recycled paper content, and be selective to save paper and postage. --give a companion gift of rechargeable batteries with battery-operated gifts. - Terry Wiggins, Green Sanctuary Committee

Unitarian roots go back to Transylvania; so will some of us

Your Partner Church committee is planning a visit to our partner in Transylvania next summer. As a preface, here is a primer on Unitarian roots in what is now the northwestern part of Romania.

Transylvania, a geographic region of Romania directly east of Hungary, is approximately the size of Hungary or the state of Indiana. It is inhabited by Romanians, Hungarians, Gypsies, Germans, and several other ethnic groups (most Jews who once lived there were killed in the Holocaust). It was once the province of Dacia under the Roman Empire, until the Romans withdrew from the region in the 3rd Century, B.C.

The Carpathian Basin, including Transylvania, was settled by Hungarians at the end of the 9th Century. There is an acrimonious disagreement between Romanian and Hungarian historians as to which of these two ethnic groups came first. The Romanians claim that they are the descendants of Romanized Dacians and have lived continuously in Transylvania since the Roman Empire. The Hungarians claim that the Romanians (formerly called Vlachs) started to infiltrate Transylvania from the Balkans in the 13th Century.

Transylvania constituted the eastern part of Hungary until the end of World War I, when this region was awarded to Romania by the Allies under the Treaty of Trianon. However, under the Ottoman Turkish occupation of Hungary during the 16th and 17th Centuries, Transylvania was a semi-independent principality, ruled by Hungarian princes who were able to maintain a precarious independence from the Ottoman Empire. The country of Romania was formed relatively recently, in 1861, with the unification of the principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia.

It is ironic that Transylvania, which today is a hotbed of ethnic discord, was a model of enlightenment and religious tolerance during the 16th Century, when most of Europe was embroiled in religious wars. In 1568, Prince John Sigismund promulgated the Edict of Religious Toleration at the Diet of Torda (an assembly of nobles and landed gentry), which enabled the Unitarian religion to prosper among competing faiths.

The Unitarian faith is a product of the Reformation, and it was introduced into Transylvania by Francis David. David had studied in Wittenberg, Germany, where Martin Luther had previously taught. David started his career as a Catholic priest, but soon became a Lutheran, and then a Calvinist. Upon studying the writings of the religious scholars Faustus Socinius (an Italian) and Michael Servetus (a Spaniard), both of whom had challenged the theological concept of the Trinity, David began to spread the Unitarian "heresy" in Transylvania with so much success that even the Prince, John Sigismund, became a Unitarian.

Earlier, Socinius had tried to spread the Unitarian theology in Poland, but it was ruthlessly squashed by the Counter-Reformation. Servetus, too, had considerably less success than David, as he was burned at the stake in Geneva by Calvin.

Although Transylvania in the 16th Century was far ahead of the rest of Europe in the sphere of religious tolerance, limitations to religious freedom developed soon. Upon the death of John Sigismund, a Catholic prince ascended the throne who continued to sanction freedom of the previously established religions (among them the Unitarian), but he strictly forbade the introduction of any theological innovations. Thus, when David began to proclaim that it was not appropriate to invoke Jesus in prayer, he was tried and sentenced to prison for life. He died in prison in 1579.

Transylvanian Unitarianism underwent a significant evolution in England and was transplanted to the United States at the end of the 18th Century by liberal dissenters from the Church of England, most notably Joseph Priestley, the discoverer of oxygen.

Our Unitarian brothers and sisters in Transylvania have suffered much over the past four centuries, but they have kept their faith under the most trying circumstances. Today, they are about 80,000 strong and have about 170 churches each of these paired with a North American UU partner church.

Although their religious beliefs and church services are more traditional than ours, we all share in these basic values and principles: the use of reason in matters of faith, a belief in absolute freedom of conscience, a commitment to human rights and social justice, and the tolerance of differing opinions. - Ellie Dawson

Family crisis books here

Thanks to a very generous gift from Kay Engler added to a previous donation by Joan Olsen, Grace Hill Library now has an extensive collection of resource materials dealing with family crises, especially in the area of helping children, but covering adult needs also. The areas of concern include death and grieving, suicide, illness in the family, exposure to violence, caring for family members and friends, and much more. We all hope that we will not need this kind of help, but we now have it available in the form of books and pamphlets if the circumstances arise. These items are available to be checked out or read in the library. Thank you very much, Kay and Joan. - Addie Dietrich

Heartland Men’s Chorus for us

You are invited to join All Souls Members & Friends to the Heartland Men's Chorus presentation of "Let Heaven and Nature Swing," holiday music K.C. style. This event will be at 4pm Sunday, Dec. 8, at the Folly Theatre. This is their annual holiday concert which for the last 2 years was well attended by us.

The Heartland Men's Chorus, whose office is at Simpson House, have generously made blocks of the best seats available to our congregation at a savings of over 10%. Tickets regularly priced at $25, will be available for $22. In addition to the lower ticket price, $9.50 of every ticket sale will be contributed to All Souls’ Interweave. Tickets are now on sale in the lobby after service on Sundays. For telephone reservations please contact Kris Cheatum. - Jean Francis

Demeters set for Nov. 19

The usual monthly potluck meeting will be at 6pm Nov. 19 in the Simpson House, featuring wine, fellowship and good food. Interested non members are invited to bring an appetizer, salad, casserole or dessert to share along with conversation and a glass of wine.

We are now planning the Christmas Boutique and invite all UU people to bring saleable surplus items from home. Please be sure they are clean and worthy; this is not a rummage sale! Dig out that unused gift or item you've tired of and put in a marked box or bag for Demeters and bring between now and Thanksgiving weekend when the sale begins. Questions? Ask Jane Thebo or any other Demeters member. November hostesses are Flossie Jack and Jo Maxwell. - Jean Dunlap

From the All Souls CoffeeHouse

At 8pm Friday, Nov. 15 in Conover, our CoffeeHouse and CrossCurrents bring you the chance to hear Still on the Hill from Ottawa, Canada. Their great harmony songs bring new life to old folk songs. All Souls members get a discount admission at the door. Admission for kids is free and half price for students (over 14).

Featured at the All Souls CoffeeHouse at 7:30pm Friday, Nov. 22 is Jim Cockerell, who has frequently performed at the open mic. If you sing, play an instrument, or write poetry, bring it along and share it during the open mic time after 8:00. Here's an opportunity for an inexpensive, family friendly, night out. Come for music, the spoken word, conversation, and table games. Inexpensive drinks and munchies available too.

The Music Jam continues. Every Thursday night in the downstairs labyrinth people who want to make music together show up from about 7pm on. We learn from each other and play music until we leave. All levels of skill are welcome -- these are practice sessions for learning more together. - Walt Wells

Want to do good (summer) work in Minnesota?

Camp Unistar is a Unitarian Universalist family camp on a remote national forest island in northern Minnesota. Every week is intergenerational, offers thoughtful and stimulating programs, and challenges you with awe of the natural surroundings. As always, they are interested in recruiting UU's looking for a summer of good old fashioned work in community for the purpose of sponsoring the health, growth, and giving of the campers and their families. A Unistar staff position is a superb capstone UU experience for both young and older adults. For more information, see the flyer posted on the bulletin board outside the library. - Terry Wiggins, Communications Administrator

What in the UU World

Do you receive the UU World magazine at your home? All of our pledging members should be receiving this as part of your membership. Do you read it and then want to know more or discuss the articles with someone else who has also read it? Then join us on the last Sunday of each month at 9am or 12:30pm as we discuss recent issues covered in the UU World.

Near the back of each issue is a page - What in the World. We'll begin our discussion with these questions and the conversation will follow wherever it goes.

In the November - December issue is an article on today's real Afghanistan by David Zucchino (Tony Chapp's son-in-law) that raises some important questions such as "Can America successfully export democracy?"

Don Skinner a former All Souls member, writes on the UUA's commitment to civil liberties issues. God, prayer, and the UUA Fellowship movement are also discussed. - Walt Wells

District and Denominational News

UUA President issues statement on bilingual education

As voters in MA and CO considered ballot measures to phase out bilingual education based upon a model already implemented in CA, the Rev. William Sinkford, president of the UUA, issued a statement on this issue. Sinkford said, "We Unitarian Universalists are committed to promoting multiculturalism and to combating the evils of racism and oppression. We affirm the worth and dignity of all people. In a world divided by ethnic hatred and violence, we seek ways to build bridges of understanding and communication. As a religious people we are deeply troubled by much of the campaign against bilingual education. We are concerned about the undertone of fear and hostility toward immigrants that propels much of this campaign. Our task is not to force other people to be like us or to cut others off from their culture of origin. Rather, our task in a troubled world is to seek common ground, to learn to see things from another's point of view, to build mutual trust and respect."

Read Sinkford's statement in English at
www.uua.org/news/2002/021031lang.html and in Spanish at
www.uua.org/news/2002/021031spanish.html . - from uua-l

New name for UUA's Washington Office

The UUA's Washington Office has a new name and a new location. Now called the Washington Office for Advocacy, it can be found at:

UUA Washington Center
320 18th Street NW, Suite 300B
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 296-4672 tel. (202) 296-4673 fax

Guided by General Assembly delegate decisions, the Washington Office for Advocacy represents UU perspectives to the U.S. Congress and Administration on legislative and public policy matters. - Terry Wiggins, Congregational Link

Notes from October UUA Board Meeting; Financial Advisor's Report now available on the web

Unofficial notes from the October, 2002 UUA Board meeting, compiled by First Vice Moderator Elisabeth McGregor, as well as UUA Financial Advisor Larry Ladd's October Report to the Board of Trustees, are now available on the UUA Web site. McGregor's notes are at dev.uua.org/TRUS/notes1002.html ; Ladd's report, in PowerPoint format, is available at dev.uua.org/TRUS/financial/FARep10-02.pdf. - From uua-l

Also on the web are the revised agenda from the October board meeting, at dev.uua.org/TRUS/oct02agenda.html ; the recently-approved minutes from the June, 2002 board meetings in Quebec City (dev.uua.org/TRUS/minutes06-02.html) ; and the minutes of the 2002 General Assembly, at dev.uua.org/TRUS/gaminutes6-02.html . - From uua-l

All Souls is a UUA Annual Program Fund Honor Society.