Year End Musings

So long, farewell, adios, arrivederci!

 In 4 days Karl Hesse will be your President, and I will become your Past President. 
During the next year, I hope to be able to work on our governance model and leadership development along with helping to direct our business operations. 

I hope that you too will consider using your talents to further our programs and operations.  Please consider joining a committee or council.

This has been an amazing year, one in which I learned things about church governance and about myself.  My spiritual journey continues in ways that I had not anticipated.  

I am looking forward to having Justin and his family join us.  Those of you who met him have had many nice things to say about him and his family.  I look forward to meeting Jessica, Caleb, and Andy.  I was sorry to have missed them while I was at General Assembly.

General Assembly news:  Jim Key, past president of the Southeast District was elected UUA Moderator.  Congratulations to him.

We voted on a statement of conscience regarding immigration.  I know we have done some work in this area.  We need to document it so that we can report back to the UUA on our actions and studies. 

We also voted 3 Actions of Immediate Witness:

    1. 28th Amendment:  Corporations are not people.
    2. Divestment from fossil fuels industry
    3. Condemn the racist mistreatment of young men of color by police

If you would like more information on these, please go to the UUA site, www.uua.org .
If you have not already done so, please go to the member page of Piedmont’s website and read the annual report.

So, Karl, over to you!

In Faith,
Lucy Neel
President, PUUC

Music Notes

July is my favorite month. Everything is vibrant and blooming.  Our garden is providing us with daily tomatoes and green beans. I love sitting out in the backyard in the evening as twilight turns to nightfall (in spite of the minor annoyance of mosquitoes) and watch the fire from the fire pit with its endless variations of color and light. Listening to music outdoors is a special enhancement.

On one of those lovely evenings last week Malinda and I were talking about how the advent of recorded music has changed what music means to people.  Before the invention of the phonograph which was invented in 1877 by Thomas Edison, all music that was heard was "live." A century ago people gathered on summer evenings in parks to hear musicians play. Music was a social event. Since then, with the invention of the radio and television, people began to stay home and listen to music, first together as a family in the living room (where the one black and white TV and radio were located), then increasingly with more technological advances people began listening to music on their Ipods with earbuds.

Our attitudes toward music has changed a lot because of this.  In the centuries before Edison's invention, people could only experience the music together. Today we press a button and can select from millions of recordings. Via TuneIn internet radio we can listen to Radio Antarctica or my favorite station, "P2" on Danish radio, which features a nice mix of classical, jazz, and contemporary music.

It's wonderful, isn't it?  Or is it?  Malinda and I were wondering whether it might not be better to experience music as people did centuries ago, when music meant more to people than it does today with our casual access to music. Did you know that in 1705, J.S. Bach walked from Arnstadt to Lübeck, a distance of more than 250 miles, and stayed nearly three months to hear the Abendmusik (evening concerts) of the famous Lübeck organist and composer, Dieterich Buxtehude. Can you imagine how much effort it took for him to walk 250 miles just to hear music?  Wow, times have changed, haven't they?

When we come into the sanctuary on a Sunday morning, we will hear "live" music.  This gives us an opportunity to hear music the way it was meant to be heard: in a group setting, not in isolation, and experiencing the rich experience of watching it being performed "live."
Namaste,

Wally
music.director@puuc.org

Greetings from Karl Hesse

Greetings upon our new 2013-2014 church year.

At an earlier congregational meeting, you have conferred upon me the honor of serving you as your Board president for this 2013-2014 year.  Lucy, Lou, and all preceding presidents have laid the ground work that will make our new church year fun, full, and fascinating.

Of course, being president is not only a joy but it is also a concern.  Serendipity has a way of bringing us exciting new opportunities to be together as we serve each other and the wider world.  These opportunities often come in the form of problems and challenges and therefore can be a concern.  The recent Southern Region president’s convocation at the Mountain has given me courage to press forward.   There I learned that all of our sister congregations face similar, and in many cases more serious, concerns.

We have a dynamic minister, a balanced budget, and a loving, diverse and growing congregation.   We are so fortunate that I can hardly believe that we have come as far as we have since June of 2009 when Merna and I signed our Piedmont UU Church membership book and filled out our first pledge card.

Therefore I am looking forward to meeting our new challenges this coming church year.  Let us work together to turn them all into opportunities.

In your service, Karl Hesse

Meet Rev. Justin and His Family!

Friends, members and visitors alike are welcome to come join us this weekend, June 22nd and June 23rd to meet our new Assistant Minister and his family.  Rev. Justin will be at church on Saturday evening for an all church potluck.   Please bring a dish to pass and join us at 6:00 pm.  We will have a fun icebreaker game for you to play as well as a chance to connect with Rev. Justin before he joins us officially on August 15th.

In addition, please make sure to attend the 9:45 am or 11:00 am services when Rev. Justin will participate in Sunday services with us.  We may just get to hear a story for all ages from him at the 9:45!  We hope you can join us this weekend to meet Piedmont UU Church's very first Assistant Minister.

New Assistant Minister Announced

It is with great joy that we formally announce Reverend Justin Martin as the new Assistant Minister of Piedmont UU Church!  On August 15th, Rev. Justin will assume his ministry with us, which will include pastoral care, membership development and religious education for children and youth. 

Rev. Justin Martin

Rev. Justin comes to us with high recommendations and a wealth of experience in membership care as well as religious education.  He currently serves as the Director of Religious Education at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Reston, Virginia. We are glad to have Rev. Justin bringing his Director of Religious Education experience into the new full time position of Assistant Minister where he will direct the religious education program.  Prior to serving in Reston, Rev. Justin was the intern minister at the UU Congregation of Fairfax, Virginia.  He also has experience in church administration and served as the religious education coordinator for the UU Church of Arlington, Virginia.  Reverend Justin has served large congregations as well as congregations comparable to our size.  He is highly skilled in adapting to changing systems.

In addition to his experience in religious education, references noted that Rev. Justin is “very enthusiastic, truly called, has an excellent sense of humor, takes the work seriously (but not himself), and is very attentive to people.”  Rev. Justin impressed the Personnel Committee with his pastoral presence, emotional depth, wit, and creative ideas.  He comes with experience in membership development and pastoral care systems that will enhance the ministry of the Piedmont UU Church.  During his interviews, both our Board President, Lucy Neel, as well as the Chair of the Religious Education Council, Susie Benner felt Rev. Justin would be a great fit.

Rev. Justin grew up in the Appalachians.  He and his wife, Jessica, are looking forward to returning to the South and living closer to family.  They have two young children.  Jessica works as an environmental lawyer.  We’re excited to have Rev. Justin and his family join our PUUC family!

Rev. Justin will be visiting with us the weekend of June 22nd and 23rd.  We encourage you to come to Sunday services and get a chance to meet him.  In the meantime, we invite you to check out his online packet found http://dropr.com/revjustinmartin/

Moral Monday--June 3, 2013

Members of all three UU churches in the Mecklenberg area came together on June 2 and 3, 2013, to join a protest sponsored by the NAACP. The NAACP was in its fifth week of leading rallies at the General Assembly in Raleigh to protest much legislation that adversely affects vulnerable populations, especially the poor and children.

The NAACP and other activists have directed their protests at policies on social programs, voting rights, education and tax reform. They argue decisions to refuse Medicaid expansion, cut unemployment benefits, require photo identification at the polls, and other actions show a disregard for the state's most vulnerable residents. Revisions in the state’s tax policies will cut taxes for upper income citizens and use sale taxes to raise state income. Sales taxes fall proportionately more heavily on the poor. Cuts are included in the proposed budget that will have major negative impacts on education, including increase in class sizes, reductions in the numbers of teaching assistants, funds allocated for vouchers to private schools, and decreases in funding for pre-kindergarten education.     

A view of the bus on its way to the rally on June 3, 2013

On Sunday evening, a large gathering participated in a special service at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Charlotte in preparation for the Moral Monday rally the next day. Reverends Jay Leach, Robin Tanner and Amy Brooks all participated in the service, along with Rev. Kojo Nantambu from the NAACP and Reverend Doctors Madeline and Rodney Sadler. The service included music and singing by the UUCC choir and special guests and was directed by John Herrick, music director at UUCC.

On Monday, approximately thirty Piedmont UU members traveled to Raleigh to participate in the 5 p.m. rally. Rev. Jay Leach led a group from UUCC and Rev. Amy Brooks attended from the UU Fellowship of Lake Norman.   In total, nearly eighty Unitarian Universalists from Charlotte gathered in Raleigh to protest.

PHOTO:

Rev. Jay Leach and Rev. Ann Marie Alderman
arrested at rally on June 3

The culmination of the rally was the procession into the General Assembly by over 150 marchers intending to exercise their rights under the NC Constitution Article 1, Section 12, which reads as follows:

"Article 1, Sec. 12.  Right of assembly and petition.

The people have a right to assemble together to consult for their common good, to instruct their representatives, and to apply to the General Assembly for redress of grievances; but secret political societies are dangerous to the liberties of a free people and shall not be tolerated."

Hundreds of others expressed strong support for all of the arrestees, including lining up on Salisbury Street to cheer for them when they were carried away by state prison buses. Some remained into the small hours of the morning when they were finally released. Rev. Jay Leach, Rev. Ann Marie Alderman, Mimi Davis, Pam Whistler, Jeff Jennings, Allene Allen, Tom McFarland and Darla Davis were all arrested, as were eight members of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Charlotte and Kathleen Carpenter, Director of RE at the UUCC. Rev. Robin was arrested at the rally on May 27^th. 

Rev. Robin arrested at rally on May 27, 2013

Member Mimi Davis and Kathleen Carpenter, RE Director at UUCC

Long time Piedmont UU member and former Board of Trustees President Darla Davis was among those arrested at the Moral Monday protest on June 3. She described that experience:

As I was processed, I continually found my thoughts going to what this whole experience would feel like if you were there alone without the support of the NAACP lawyers, friends and ministers; if you were mentally confused or incompetent; if you were an immigrant who didn't understand English; if you'd come from a country where the police were dangerous.  But I found comfort in those around me who were taking a moral stand against this legislation that has far reaching and long lasting impact on NC.

 I sat handcuffed on the cold metal benches of the detention center next to rabbis, Catholic and Episcopal priests, ministers from Methodist and United Church of Christ and I'm sure many other faiths/denominations.  I sat with young people, veterans, students, and seniors.  I walked into the State house with a man in a wheel chair and was processed with an elderly man who walked with a cane while his hands were handcuffed.  Among us were people in official religious garments, business suits and dresses, jeans and tee shirts.  We were business owners, employed, unemployed, and retired.  We were students, teachers, artists, veterans, health care workers, social workers, doctors and... We were "the people".   I'm still emotionally and physically processing all this. But I've already decided that I'll be going back to Raleigh this coming Monday and as many Mondays as I possibly can.  These regressive bills and laws are too important for me to stay home and do nothing.

Rev. Amy Brooks and Darla Davis at
Moral Monday Rally on June 3, 2013

The line of protesters about to enter the General Assembly

Buses wait to take those arrested
to the detention center on June 3, 2013

UU's and friends on June 10th.
(L-R) Barbara Conrad (member of UUCC)
Friend, Darla Davis (member of PUUC) and
Jim Bazan (ally and friend)

Despite tornado warnings across the state, several thousand demonstrators gathered again in Raleigh on Monday, June 10, under rainy skies to continue the weekly protests of the new policies and laws coming out of the General Assembly. Religious leaders from around the state led the rally that resulted in nearly 60 arrests. Many who were arrested were clergy.


Anne Laukaitis
June 11, 2013

Spiritually Speaking: Picking Out Shoes and Attitude

This is our final month of the church year and theme-based calendar.  As our leaders complete their service to us, our children complete their school year and our church prepares to go to one service for July, we close with an important theme: attitude.  When I first asked our leaders to think about a closing theme for the year and they offered attitude, I was a little confused.  Attitude did not have great connotations to me.  Was it by the end of the year, we were all going to have a serious attitude?!
“Having an attitude” is typically not a good thing.  Children are told to fix their attitudes and sometimes we describe people as needing an attitude adjustment.

So, I listened to their words.  What did attitude mean to them?

They spoke about believing the glass to be half-empty or half-full.  They spoke about a hopeful disposition or sense of self.  They talked about gratitude that our children have healthy attitudes about self-esteem, values, and justice.

So I started some searching on this word--attitude.

The origins of the word attitude are neither positive nor negative.  The word comes from the 17th century art world.   It referred to the position of a statue and what the particular pose conveyed.  Was the subject angry or sad, inquisitive or overjoyed?  Attitude was set in stone and told the emotional story of person at a particular point in time.
It got me to thinking about how our personal attitudes are set in stone sometimes by repetitive reactions or unconscious ways of being.

When I was in Raleigh on June 3rd, the rally was energizing, but I must admit being in charge of bus logistics and the group was challenging.  Navigating the 1600+ gathering, I searched for our UU Charlotte people as Rev. Barber asked those engaging in civil disobedience to line up and enter the assembly.  I ran forward, too late to see Rev. Ann Marie entering the assembly.  As we gathered behind the assembly to watch the detention center buses leave, the clouds grew dark.  Rev. Barber asked us to disperse for a great storm was coming.  As I called the bus driver to meet us quickly, the rain started pouring and someone started singing the gospel tune, “I’ve Got a Feeling (Everything’s Gonna Be Alright).” A sort of careful chaos erupted with people running for shelter, the buses arriving and belongings distributed between the two buses accordingly (some would be staying late into the night, while others boarded a bus leaving that very minute). After counting heads twice, passing out sandwiches and sodas with folks helping me, I finally ran from the early bus to the late bus.  I directed the driver to take us to the detention center and I took in a deep breath.  The gospel song came back to me.

I've got a feeling everything's gonna be alright, 

I've got a feeling everything's gonna be alright, 

I've got a feeling everything's gonna be alright, 

Be alright, Be alright, Be alright.

If I were frozen just two seconds earlier, what would my attitude have been?  Would my posture be one of frenzy and chaos or calm in the storm?  It was clear to me, despite my personal desire, it would have been the former.  And it was also clear, that the posture of chaos was likely begun far earlier in the day.
How often do we set our attitudes in stone the moment our morning begins?  We begin in chaos and our day flows through with chaos.  Granted, there is a lot we can’t control, but I wonder if we could set our attitude each day.  If in the morning there was a practice of freezing for three seconds in the posture we wish to be in--peace, joy, openness, gratitude or perhaps simply hope then could this impact the moments when the day is frenzied and the clouds open to pour down rain?  There is research to suggest even small regular acts of intentioned attitude change our neural networks and responses in the moment!

Our posture in this world is so often an unconscious act.  Are you the glass half-empty or half-full type?  We walk in this world sometimes so quickly we can’t see how we are walking.  So perhaps it is wise at the end of the church year and school year to reflect on our attitudes.  What posture have you posed in this past year? Is it one you want to enrich and continue?  Have you been hunched over a bit and in need of a spiritual stretch?  If we took a quick photo right now, what would your attitude be?
I am reflecting on my own attitude and the desire to continue to be a posture of peace and less of a work-a-holic. We all have our own stretching to do!  Mine begins now with three seconds each morning holding the peaceful pose.  My statue is one of singing with a smile…

I've got a feeling everything's gonna be alright, 

I've got a feeling everything's gonna be alright, 

I've got a feeling everything's gonna be alright, 

Be alright, Be alright, Be alright.

What’s your statue look like friends?  As summer sprouts around us, I wish you meaningful poses and stretches!

In faith and love,

Rev. Robin

A Note from the Religious Services Council

Like many of us, the Religious Services Council has been thinking of summer lately and making plans. Since many UUs take a sabbatical from church and travel over the summer, please be aware we will go back to one service for the month of July. The single service will be at 11:00 a.m. June 30th will be our last two-service Sunday, and we will resume two services on August 4th, at 9:45 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

Also, if you need to contact us, please note that Krissa Palmer, RSC Co-chair, will be away in Alaska for three months starting in June. In her place will be the intrepid and brave Heidi Magi, who has agreed to be temporary co-chair with me. If you have any ideas or suggestions, or would like to volunteer, please contact either one of us. We always have room at our meetings for anyone who would like to join us – they are the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Meeting House.

Best wishes for a fantastic start to your summer!

Susan Burns
RSC Co-Chair
jestburns@world.oberlin.edu