The Flame

Early April 2003

All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church of Kansas City, Missouri

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Good News Celebrations

--Spring, and that a bike rack has been ordered for our church in this season of renewal and riding weather (see Green Corner the back page.)

--The Jackson County Executive decision to register civil unions, thanks in part to Interweave questioners at our Forum.

--We have new state of the art microphones in Bragg Auditorium, thanks to the Technology Committee, the Coffeehouse Committee, and Songwriters Circle.

--Our Wednesday Dinners continue to be high quality opportunities to share food and fellowship.

--By the time you read this, John Blevins will have been officially inaugurated, at the Prairie Star District Meeting,as a Trustee of the Unitarian Universalist Association.

Service Schedule 8:45 am and 11:15 am

April 13: One More Step Toward "Everyday is Earth Day" - Jim Eller

How do we live more sustainably? What does it mean to live our UU "Seven Principle, support for the Interdependent Web, of which we are a part?" Let sing for the beauty of the earth and recommit ourselves a new.

April 20: Easter: the Cosmic Egg - Jim Eller

Eggs are the seeds of life. At Easter we look to the mythical bunny and a host of other images and stories about life's abundance and the promise of Spring. Note: Our church Easter egg hunt and potluck brunch will be from 9:45-11:15

April 27: Rise Up - Melissa Mummert

How might the story of Jesus raising a little girl from the dead guide our personal Unitarian Universalist journeys? To honor the Jesus Seminar visiting KC, we will look to the Bible as a source of wisdom. The Bible is not the central text of UU, yet its stories can be powerful metaphors to help us make sense of our modern lives.

Forum Schedule 10:00 am

April 13: An Ecological Framework for Our Future - Wes Jackson

An internationally known agricultural researcher and ecologist and co-founder of the Land Institute will discuss the implications for agriculture and society of using an ecological rather than technological basis for sustainability.

April 20: Federal Drug Conspiracy Sentences and Their Impact on Families - Melissa Mummert and Christel Webb

The speakers are our intern minister and the mother of a woman serving a long sentence for a minor role in a drug situation.

April 27: Local Political Action to Address the Patriot Act - Scott Burnett

A Jackson County legislator will discuss a resolution that will counter elements of the federal Patriot Act that threaten civil liberties.

Minister’s Considerations:
The UUA President, Civil Rights, and A Student
Jim Eller, Rev.

To culminate the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Ad Campaign, the Reverend Bill Sinkford, our UUA President, will visit us. Bill will be our guest preacher on May 11. Please, plan to put that Sunday aside. This is a rare treat. You will enjoy hearing him speak. More information about his visit will be in the next issue of our newsletter. Our Unitarian Universalist principles and values stress the dignity and worth of every person. Our movement has a long history of making a difference during "the Civil Rights Movement," and in working for equal rights for women.

Now, many of us are needed to be allies to the BGLT (bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgendered) community. The good news is that Mayor Barnes, of Kansas City, Missouri, is working to provide "domestic partner" benefits for city employees. This is a great step forward. Kathryn Shields, our Jackson County executive, has just ordered that this county register same sex Civil Unions. You can help. Call the mayor to thank and encourage her. Call the Jackson County Executive to thank Ms. Shields and ask her to follow through.

One of the students from our congregation was arrested. Jeanne Firth was a regular attender this last year. She learned that living your values is a way of being religious. She is currently a freshman at Cornell College in Iowa. She was arrested along with 15 other protestors. She was featured in an article in the Des Moines Register: "This is her first act of disobedience. She's a pretty courageous young woman," said her father, Buck Firth, who has driven up from Kansas City to be with her. He also said, "War opponents oppose policies, not soldiers."

"Sixteen of the 50 protesters crossed the street, walking hand-in-hand onto National Guard property. The Rev. Frank Cordaro, a veteran peace activist, led the group as sheriff's deputies ordered them to sit in the grass until they could be taken to jail. Cordaro had told church officials he would try not to be arrested again, but sometimes it's hard to stop acts of conscience."

A Confession and an Invitation - Mellissa Mummert

I confess that I have been a church skulker. Years ago, I routinely attended a large church in LA and worshiped from the back row. I considered it a successful visit if I made it to my car before anyone talked to me. For me, church was about that hour or so on Sundays when I could escape from life. The other part of church - the classes, the bake sales, and the committee meetings - held no interest for me.

In retrospect, I think that skulking was a valid choice for me at that time in my life. Attending those services laid the foundation for where I am in my life now. Because of this, I can extend a warm welcome to those of you who limit your participation at All Souls to just attending services. You are welcome. I hope that you find what you are seeking here.

That said, I want to share with you that there is something truly special about becoming more deeply involved in a congregation. Becoming known in a congregation means that there are people who will stand by you in times of trouble and celebrate with you in moments of joy. You will be held in love during all of life's milestones: the births, the unions and the deaths. As importantly, you will be a force of love for others at crucial times in their lives.

I give thanks each day that I get to come to a place where people talk honestly about how they are coping with the war personally and how they are responding actively.

I am inspired as I watch students struggling to define their values in a Building Your Own Theology Class, and witness the congregation enthusiastically organizing to change the way it does social justice work. I witness the volunteers who make dinner on Wednesday nights, and the festive intergenerational meals that follow.

Simply put, being an involved member of All Souls means that you become a part of something bigger than yourself. You become part of a big, rowdy, quirky, sometimes dysfunctional, but incredibly supportive extended family; a family intent to heal the world.

If you want to get more involved at All Souls and don't know quite how to go about it, feel free to give me a call to discuss the many opportunities for service and fellowship.

Lifespan Religious Education
Lynisa Robinson, Ted Otteson and Allison Hartnett

UU Kids & Passover & Easter

Frequently, UU parents (especially those from a Christian background) have an easier time discussing Christmas than Easter or Passover with their children. This often seems to come from the parent's comfort level around the traditions and stories of these holidays and not the child's. Our All Souls library has several children's books about Christianity and Judaism. For many parents this may be a comfortable starting point for talking about these holy days. From there talking about the long-held human practice of celebrating the return of spring with its gift of new life can offer a perspective for the "whys" of our own traditions.

When it comes to Easter, for younger children focusing on the joys of spring and baby animals can be educational and great fun. For older children, openly acknowledging the questions of life, death and beliefs of life after death, can offer a stepping-stone to a deep and meaningful family conversation. For children in-between, following family traditions (now that they are old enough to have a sense of having mastering some) can bring a sense of security and a time of increased family identity. Come to think of it, that's something many of us could use this year.

Religious holidays are a part of the modern American culture. The one thing we can be sure of as parents is that if we don't share our views with our children, that will not stop others from doing so. Please join us Easter Sunday for the comfort of community and the joy of children discovering eggs, candy and pompom chickies.

Easter (Spring) Candy

Donations of candy may be placed in the box in the lobby. The Easter bunny will use it to create our annual egg hunt. Thank you for helping to create springtime smiles.

Easter Morning

Please join us April 20 for a potluck brunch starting at 9:45am. Children (and teens) will be invited to hunt for plastic eggs starting around 10:30am. Bring a basket, wear a hat and smile. There will be no Sunday school classes.

Lend a paw

Easter Sunday a few extra adult paws are needed for set-up & clean-up for our brunch. Some adult eyes (Eat your carrots) are also needed to help supervise the general safety of the egg hunt. Please call the LRE office to volunteer.

UU History Lesson

The Adult Sunday School class (10-11am Sundays) is beginning a reading of "The Premise and the Promise," the latest history of UU since the merger in 1961. Join in on any Sunday.

UU Views

UU Views will feature Larry Bloomer's very interesting scholarly research into the facts, superstitions and fictions of the Easter message. His latest seasonal essay, for Valentine's Day, was presented to the UU Views. Easter Morning at 9am in the library. - Marvin Goodman

NO SUNDAY EVENING TEEN PROGRAMS APRIL 20th.

Volunteer Opportunities in LRE

There's a place for everyone in LRE! Call the LRE office for more information.
1) Office filers.
2) Phone call makers.

High School youth conference

The annual Prairie Star Conference for high school youth is May 16-18 in Boone, IA. Cost is $65, scholarships available for active high school youth. See Allison Hartnett or Lon Swearingen for more info.

Spring Adult Education Classes at All Souls

Being Liberal in An Illiberal Age
This is a UUA curriculum with lots of material for discussion and exploration. Five Mondays, April 7- May 5, 7-9pm; Facilitators: Bob Miller and Richard Peach

Articulating Your Faith
Another meaty UUA course. Timely for our congregation. Five Mondays, April 14 -May 12, 7-9pm ; Facilitator: Melissa Mummert

The Language of Myth
Based on the works of Joseph Campbell. Five Wednesdays, April 16 - May 14, 7pm-9pm ; Facilitator: Bruce Leeson

Walden: Thoreau As Spiritual Guide
Investigate Thoreau's well known work with this guided UUA course. Six Wednesdays April 23 - May 28, 7pm-9pm;Facilitator: Mike McKelley

Nonviolent, Legal, Direct Action Methods
With peace and anti-war demonstrations heating up, it is time to review nonviolent methods. Join Margie Eucalyptus and other long-time social activists to review the 198 nonviolent, and legal, methods of direct action listed in Gene Sharp's book, "The Politics of Nonviolent Action." Tuesday, April 22, 7-9pm.

Salsa Cooking with Chef Mike Willett
Reserve a spot early. This is a popular communiversity class. Thursday, April 24, 7-9pm.

Coming attractions ... for summer.
Emerson As Spiritual Guide
Building Your Own Theology - The Retreat.
The American Creed Book Discussion.

Sunday School Update

The Des Moines UU Church will be dedicating their "peace garden" later this month. "Peace flags" were made to send to their dedication. I suspect ours won't be the only ones made with large quantities of glitter. Can you name the 5 presidents who were UU? No? Ask a 5th or 6th grader. Cookies were baked using a candy bar by our 1st & 2nd graders. That's how 9 people got to share one Butterfinger equally. Thanks to Ellie Dawson for leading the 1st & 2nd graders (with the help of the high schoolers) in planting bulbs. Clay has been shaped into figures for the past several months by the 3rd & 4th graders. Their diorama is now complete. Come on down and check it out! Music continues to be practiced, as classes get ready to sing in the service on April 13th.

Register for Sunday School

Visited a few times with your children? We in invite you to register them in our religious education program. Forms are available in the lobby, in the LRE office (downstairs room C) and by calling 816-531-2131x106. Registration is free.

Books for sale

Copies of "Being Liberal in an Illiberal Age," "Articulating Your Faith," and "Thoreau as Spiritual Guide" will be available in the All Souls bookstore.

REST Teams

During the second service activity hour, you may have noticed that parents supervise our children. After each family registers, they are assigned to a REST (Religious Education Support Team). Each group is responsible for covering a particular Sunday. If your family recently registered, you will soon be assigned to a team. For more information contact Tom Gilbreath or Lynisa Robinson.

Was Jesus a Feminist? And Why Is That Important?

The traditional Christian story, or myth, has supported oppression of many kinds for centuries. The "Jesus Seminar" fellows (over 200 of them) have worked since 1985 on a momentous project to replace the traditional Jesus myth with a more accurate historical Jesus. A recent effort in this direction is Kathleen E. Corley's Women and the Historical Jesus (2002). Corley will be the featured speaker at the Jesus Seminar on the Road here at All Souls on April 25 & 26, entitled "Women & the Historical Jesus".

Robert J. Miller, the other speaker, spoke here when no other church would host the first Jesus Seminar on the Road several years ago. Attendance at these lecture/workshops in Kansas City has increased every year, and we expect a large crowd, even some from out of town. We ask you to register early for this event, using one of the registration forms available at the bulletin board, or online at www.westarinstitute.org/Events/Kansas2003/kansas2003.html.

Jesus scandalized his contemporaries by openly associating with unchaperoned women in his movement. Corley will explore what attracted these women and what their presence among Jesus' disciples tells us about the historical Jesus. Early Christianity reflects a fascinating diversity in its understanding of the place of women in the church and family, from radical experiments in gender equality to strict male dominance. This workshop will investigate the conflicting teachings of the New Testament on this issue and explore what is at stake ethically and theologically in the struggles over gender roles in today's churches.

Help us to publicize this event, which will exemplify our stand for liberal religion in the Kansas City area. The LRE staff has some full color posters and plenty of registration forms. Please help us distribute them. Ted Otteson

Other Church News

A Dependable Flame

Thank you to volunteers Andrea Jonson and Bob Miller for producing this issue of the Flame while our standby editor Lynn Cheatum visits family in California.

Andrea is a new friend of the church who teaches at AKKA-KarateUSA on Broadway for her "day job" and is full-time parent to 19-month-old Tori. To lay out this issue, she has created a template similar to the one Lynn uses-but if you look hard you'll notice small differences. In addition to serving as church treasurer, Bob is web master and puts the Flame on our web site each month. And, of course, thanks to staff Terry Wiggins who compiles articles sent to the office, helps edit and proof, and delivers the Flame for printing and mailing.

This is an experimental issue with Lynn out of town, but it's a good team and we're hoping to be able to offer him regular time off. If you have comments or suggestions for the Flame, please contact Communications Committee chair, Sharon Blevins, 816-363-7984 or sharonblevins@pobox.com

2003 Nominating Committee Slate of Candidates

These are the candidates being offered by our nominating committee for election at the May 18 annual meeting. Other nominations may be made from the floor. All members with a contribution of record will be eligible to vote.

Board of Directors:
For 1 year terms: Jerry Heidrick, Karen Winn
For 3 year terms: Art Dewey, Elizabeth Mayer, Walt Wells
Secretary: Jean Patterson
Treasurer: Bob Miller agreed to another term
Assistant Treasurer: Bonnie Schwarzenholz

Nominating Committee:
Jane Thebo
Bruce Wiggins
Mary Beth Yates

Westport Cooperative Services:
Renee Carlson agreed to another term
Jane Henderson

Bonnie Schwarzenholz
Bonnie has been a member of All Souls for 10 years and a friend before that. She served on many committees, including Finance (Chair for three years), Stewardship, Transition, Hospitality, Human Resources. (She formulated the pro-forma statements used in securing the bank loan for the church building project.) Bonnie retired six years ago after working in commercial credit management and financial analysis for over 25 years. She currently works a reduced schedule as an academic advisor for a university and served as treasurer in a non-profit organization for the past five years. She has a BA and MLA degrees and is currently doing some post-graduate work. Bonnie's spare time is balanced between her partner, their children and their treasured dog.

Jean Patterson
Jean has a BA from SMSU and has done graduate work at KU. She has worked for Social Security doing technical work, lastly as a paralegal writing decisions for judges. She has been married since 1983 to Bob. She raised his son, Robbie, and now they have a two year-old granddaughter, Madelyn. Jean took an early retirement option in 2001 in order to provide increasing care for her mother. She discovered ASUUC in 2000 and currently serves on the Committee on Ministry and Facilities Committee. Other activities include Meals-on-Wheels, the Alzheimer's Association, and amateur theatre.

Art Dewey
Art had a career in the telecommunications field, for 36 years. He is currently "semi-retired" (always looking for new opportunities). He has been married to Ruth Dewey for 8 years. They have two children (Chris 36 and Michele 34), and two grandchildren (Laura 6 and Stephen 4). After a very satisfying career in the telecommunications field, Art is looking for new opportunities to use his skills in helping make his community and the world a better place to live not only for the present generation, but also for future generations that depend on us to preserve the environment for them. Becoming a member of ASUUC has given Art the chance to use his skills in meeting his social action and civil commitments.

Jane Thebo
Jane Thebo, Doctor of Audiology, has been a member of All Souls since 1983. She has a private practice audiology firm that specializes in digital hearing aids. Currently she is teaching a course online in Forensic Audiology. Jane has served on the Committee on the Ministry, Committee on Committees, Hospitality Committee (as a greeter) and pledge drives and is a member of Demeters. She and her husband Bill live in North Kansas City. Their son Matt is a junior at Park University.

Jerry Heidrick
Jerry was once a CPA and now is a bon vivant. He enjoys new ventures. Being a member of the UU board for the past two years has introduced him to the inner workings of the organization and allowed him to meet interesting and dedicated people. He hopes to contribute his fiscal viewpoint for one more year.

Bruce Wiggins
Bruce Wiggins and his wife Terry joined the Pocatello Fellowship in Idaho ten years ago. When they relocated to Kansas City in 1998 they joined All Souls. Over the past five years Bruce has been involved in a number of activities and committees. Current responsibilities include Religious Services (Chair 2000/01) and Green Sanctuary. He has served as Executive Director of two not-for-profit organizations and on a number of boards and has been a life-long church member. This experience, he believes, has provided him with some good ideas on what it takes to run an organization such as ASUUC. His goal in serving on the Nominating Committee will be to bring a variety of ages, interest, perspectives and voices to ASUUC's governance.

Mary Beth Yates
Mary Beth Yates came to Kansas City in 1999 to attend the Kansas City Art Institute. Prior to her arrival here she had earned a teaching degree in San Antonio, Texas; spent two years teaching English in the Peace Corps, and another two years figuring out what to do next. After she graduates from KCAI this May, Mary Beth will be working with Studio 150, the Metropolitan Art Council's arts-based youth employment program. She also will continue to create and exhibit her own art work. Mary Beth is a member of the Post Modern Marvels, All Souls' young adult group, and has finally said "Yes" to serving on a committee.

I bequeath thee

The All Souls community is grateful for the late Joe Sorkin's generous bequest to our church. Joe has always been a gracious and generous giver of his time, his energy and his money. He had served as a board president many years ago.

Another former board president Ann Baxter, actually the first woman board president of this congregation, died recently. She also made a monetary bequest to All Souls.

As a result of these and other gifts, received and to be received, from Elizabeth Thomas, Rachel Snyder, Grace Bryan, and Ellen Roose, our Endowment funds have increased substantially and we can go forward with a greater sense of security and a greater faith in the future of our church and its mission than has sometimes been the case in the past.

If you would like to participate in our church's planned giving opportunities and need to know more about how to do this, check with an Endowment Committee member. If we can't answer your questions, we can put you in touch with a UUA expert who will.

You might also be interested in attending an Endowment Workshop to be held at Shawnee Mission UU Church from 9 to 12 am on Saturday, April 26th, for the benefit of both potential givers and church leaders. No charge but preregistration required with Nancy Heege, at 612-870-4823 or nheege@uua.org.

Endowment Trust Committee: Andy McCanse, Chair; Larry Denny, Secretary; Jean McCormick, Treasurer; Joe Bader, Jim Grebe.

Demeters potluck

Demeters potluck dinner meeting Tuesday, April 15 at 6pm in Conover. Guests welcome to meet with some of All Souls' most dedicated women in a casual setting. Don't have time to cook a casserole or bake a cake? Pick up a snack at the market on the way or just come. Call Jean Dunlap at 816-741-8012 for information.

Folk dance sampler

Try some easy dances and enjoy the music of many lands. Great exercise and fun. Saturday, April 19, 1-3 pm in Conover Auditorium - Louise Baggett

Neighborhood Clean-Up

Wear or bring scruffy clothes to church on April 27 so that you can participate in the Neighborhood Clean-Up organized by All Souls with the Southmoreland Neighborhood Association. The afternoon promises to be a fun way to meet some of the church's neighbors and to do our part to beautify our neighborhood. We'll provide lunch immediately after the 11:15 service. After some fellowship and fun, we'll break up into teams to clean-up the neighborhood all afternoon, with special emphasis on Gillham Park. There will be work for all ages. Bring gloves if you have them! Contact Melissa Mummert for details 816-531-2131 ext. 102.

Usher in some fun

On Wednesday May 7 the Lyric Opera will present Verdi's "Rigoletto." We will need 20 people to staff our ushering commitment. The usher call time is 6 pm (and we gather to carpool at 5:30 from the church), wearing black and white. You will help seat patrons, and then enjoy a professional performance of a dramatic opera sung in Italian with good English subtitles. This experience is open to novices as well as experienced ushers. Call Joan Olsen at 913/648-0166 to put your name on the list or for more information.

Featuring...Us

Unitarian Universalism and area congregations may be featured in an eight-page tabloid section of the Kansas City Star as part of the UUA's media campaign. You might be contacted by someone at the Star or by someone at All Souls to see if you'd like to advertise your business, publicize your organization or group, or simply reflect your personal support for All Souls and UU principles and values. If you have questions or want to reserve space, contact All Souls Media Campaign Coordinator, Sharon Blevins, 816-363-7984 or sharonblevins@pobox.com

Ride Your Bike to Church

All Souls is soon to get a new bike rack. We encourage anyone who is a bike rider to ride to church. It is good exercise and helps the air quality problem we have here in KC caused by vehicles. Bike riding is one of the ways that some of us can help the environment - helping us live the UU Seventh Principle. We understand that not everyone can ride, but some may be able to do so.

For a week in May, Kansas Citians are being asked to walk or ride their bikes to work. The Mid-America Regional Council has designated May 19 - 23 for this event. Teams of three are encouraged to walk or ride together, for fun and support. For details, see www.marc.org/bpcc. If anybody wants to participate in a Sunday ride to church the Sunday May 18 or May 25, please contact Bruce Wiggins at wiggins@kcnet.com or 816-361-0304.

Denominational and District Information

Support for war issues

As the world waited for war to occur, the UUA announced the debut of over fifty pages of worship materials, information, discussion board, and resources for children, youth, adults, and lay and professional religious leaders, to help during these difficult days.

The front page of the UUA website contains a letter from President William G. Sinkford directing users to the new site: www.uua.org/news/2003/iraq . A bulletin board on which to post thoughts about the war is available at www.uua.org/news/2003/iraq/wwwboard/index.html . Also contained on the site are UUA statements, information on military service and conscientious objection, UU-related media coverage, support for military members and families, and more.

Ministry professionals are invited to submit additional content for the site, which is being added daily. Please direct all submissions to: oecdirector@uua.org.

When hostilities commenced, the UUA issued a pastoral prayer and statement from Rev. Sinkford which was also be carried on its website.

All Souls is a UUA Annual Program Fund Honor Society.