Welcome to Josh Barbour, Interim Choir Director

We are pleased to announce that Josh Barbour, frequent guest pianist at our congregation, has accepted the position of Interim Choir Director.  Josh will begin his time with us on June 2nd through December 1st.  During this interim transition, Josh has agreed to play for each of our services as well as direct the choir twice a month (with the exception of July when they are traditionally off).  In addition, Josh will assist our Salisbury musicians with music selections for their services.

A North Carolina native, pianist Josh Barbour joins us with an expanse of experience as a vocal coach, teacher, music director and pianist. Josh joined the staff of Opera Carolina as répétiteur in 2011 under the baton of Maestro James Meena. An active recitalist and vocal coach, he has performed and taught throughout the region. He is currently staff pianist at Wingate University but has also performed and taught at Johnson C. Smith University and Queens University. Josh was the official pianist for the 2014 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions (NC District) and also accompanied the Heafner/Williams Vocal Competition and the Charlotte Opera Guild Competitions in March.

Josh joined Opera Experience Southeast, a summer program started by Metropolitan Opera tenor John Fowler, in 2012 as pianist and vocal coach. Josh was also the music director and coach for the Opera Carolina Express outreach program last season, and he has performed and coached with FBN Outreach Opera and Palmetto Opera, both based in South Carolina. Josh also accompanies the vocal studios of international opera singers Victoria Livengood and Rosemarie Freni-Molinari.
Josh holds a Master of Music from The University of South Carolina and a Bachelor of Music from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. His teachers have included Lynn Kompass, Scott Price, and Joseph DiPiazza.
A huge foodie, Josh enjoys cooking and trying new international cuisines. He also loves traveling, shopping and just relaxing by the pool.

We hope you’ll be able to welcome him as he joins us this summer.

Spiritually Speaking: Being the Love People

From yellow T-shirts to banners, we’ve become known as the love people. Amidst the recent work of branding in the Unitarian Universalist Association (see new UUA chalice below), the Standing on the Side of Love campaign seems to be our most enduring recognition thus far. When we show up at demonstrations and witnesses or interfaith services with those bold yellow colors and LOVE written across our chests, invariably someone will say something akin to, “The love people are here!”

Among all the things we could be recognized for- this isn’t a bad one to be known for at all.

But what does it mean to be the love people?

Love as a spiritual value calls us to the edges of our comfort and the core of our being. It asks if we can act with an abiding integrity to treat people with worth and dignity even in the midst of extraordinary circumstance.

Love as a justice imperative calls us to the caverns of silence where humanity must be heard and then change spoken into being. Then love asks if we will not make enemies in the struggle but move toward the flow of justice.

Love is far from the easy work of cards and spoken words, but as a foundation for a people must be animated through action. Far from a neat to-do lis t of religious virtue, being the love people is as much an internal movement as an external one. In truth, even the most ideal actions can be done without love- the evidence is not found only in our completed actions but how doing better can make us better.

To be the love people calls us from ourselves out into the world. Far from an internalized spiritual movement, it is one built upon relationship. As we look at the major shifts in our world, it seems that relationship may very well be the crux of our survival. From climate change, multiculturalism, financial shifts and the realities of technological isolation, we will need to depend upon relationship to restore the balance and heal our world. Silo living will no longer be possible.

We as the love people are not the only key to the future. The world is a big place with many needs. But it may just be that we are a far more critical piece than we’ve been willing to admit—one that is far from the fluffy stuff of cards and words, but a piece that moves us from our core to the community.

Let us stand then, or rather move, toward the side of love.

In faith and love,

Rev. Robin

Popcorn with a Purpose

Wednesday Evenings from 6:00 – 8:00 PM in the Meeting House

June 25-Babies 

July 9-Lost Boys of Sudan

July 23- I AM  

August 6-Why Dogs Cry and Chimpanzees Smile

August 20-State of Conflict: North Carolina

Babies (2010). Put a smile on your face and warm feelings in your heart with this fascinating video portrayal of four babies from very different parts of the world: Namibia, Mongolia, Tokyo, and San Francisco. The babies are followed from birth through approximately their first year of life. And there is no narration, no explanations, but only the sights, sounds, and activities from the baby’s environment. Playing time is 80 minutes, not including available bonus features. PG – nudity.

Lost Boys of Sudan (2003). PBS's video is a gripping documentary about young refugees from the Sudanese conflict as well as a moving story of survival and acclimation in a strange new land. The film centers around two young Dinka tribesmen who flee a vicious civil war in their homeland and risk thirst, starvation, and animal attack to reach refugee camps thousands of miles away in Kenya in Ethiopia. Once there, the "lost boys'" journey begins again, as they are resettled in Houston, Texas, and must start new lives in a completely alien country. The film addresses themes of home, acceptance, family, and what it means to be a member of society–-both in America and the global community. 85 minutes

I AM (2011). Successful Hollywood director Tom Shadyac received a life threatening head injury in an accident. His recovery process started him on a journey to answer two questions: What’s wrong with our world and What can we do about it? Tom visits some of today’s great minds including authors, poets, teachers, religious leaders, and scientists. The essence of the story is the one-ness of life on earth. Video is about 78 minutes, not including the bonus features.

Why Dogs Smile and Chimpanzees Cry (2000). This is a fascinating, and often quite moving documentary showing the emotional kinship between man and his fellow mammals. The film footage is remarkable, starting with the basic emotions that pertain to survival, "fear, aggression, and the urge to procreate", and then moves on to the more subtle feelings of joy, compassion, grief, loyalty, and even depression. Since a few of the scenes depict animals in long-term captivity as well as animals’ responses to the death of a group member, viewing is best suited to children 12 and older. The viewing time is 100 minutes.

State of Conflict: North Carolina (2014). From Moyers & Company, a documentary report from a state that votes both blue and red and sometimes purple. Now, however, Republicans hold the governor’s mansion and both houses of the legislature; and they are steering North Carolina far to the right. At the heart of this conservative onslaught sits a businessman, Art Pope. But Pope’s most ardent opponent is the Reverend William Barber, head of the state chapter of the NAACP, who formed an alliance which raised opposition in government as well as a citizen’s protest, “Moral Mondays.” The viewing time is approximately 60 minutes with a follow-on discussion led by Debbie Rubenstein, Board Member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Charlotte.

The Stone Cairn is nearly finished. Any missing stones, please report for foundation building duty!

Dear friends, wonderers, wanderers, lovers of leaving, (as the song goes),

The Stewardship pledge campaign officially has raised $212,518 for next FY's budget. Everyone who pledged should have received a personalized thank you note by now which also serves as your only confirmation of pledge amount. (In other words, no statement mailings). Many thanks again to all those who pledged. Together, we make a difference in the world and each others' lives.

If you go to any committee meetings as an observer or member, you would be amazed at the amount of activity that is being planned for the coming year and that requires financial resources from our members. So, if you have not pledged already, please do so now by sending an email to Stewardship@puuc.org with your details. Pledges also may be made online using the PUUC.org/give pledge form. (Since paper can be easily lost, now that the formal pledge drive is over, we would be grateful if you make it easy for us by going electronic.) Did I forget to say that all remaining pledges for next year are still heartily welcome?

P.S. If a confirmed amount was incorrect, please email me with any corrections. Please double check your thank you note. If you did not get a thank you note, please email stewardship.

in faith, fellowship and community,
Lisa Dickinson Chair, Stewardship Committee

NAMASTE AND THANK YOU!

For the past three years, I have been a candidate in the UUA Music Leadership Credentialing Program. The Credentialing Program helps music leaders develop a foundational understanding of three main areas of knowledge: 1) music skills and resources, 2) UU heritage and values, and 3) leadership and interpersonal skills.

The curriculum is delivered through a series of six core courses and additional professional development opportunities. The courses are offered at the Unitarian Universalist Musicians Network annual summer conference in a rotation of two courses offered each year. I have attended the summer conferences in Arlington (2011), Tulsa (2012) and Dallas (2013). As part of the program I have also attended the General Assembly in Charlotte in 2011, the Fall, 2013 Western Cluster meeting in Asheville, the 2013 Southeast District annual meeting in Charlotte, and the Southeast District Choral Festival at the UU Church of Charlotte in March.

As I have just completed all the course requirements, I want to thank Rev. Robin and the church for making it possible for me to participate in the program. Each candidate has an advisor and a sponsor. My advisor, Annease Hastings, has just celebrated her 25th year as the music director of Bull Run Unitarian Universalists in Manassas, Virginia. My sponsor is Susan Burns, who has helped me with documenting my assignments, which often including videoing services of me song leading and directing the choir. Susan and I have had many teleconferences over the past three years with my advisor to assess progress and completion of goals and other assignments. Special thanks to Susan for all of the time and work that she has spent since I started the program in 2011.

I will receive my Credentials at this summer's General Assembly at the end of June in Providence, Rhode Island.

In gratitude,

Wally Kleucker
Music Director
wally@puuc.org

From the President

As I write this June letter to us, the congregation of Piedmont UU Church, it is still spring.

Margaret Atwood said “In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt”. What did she mean by that? Well maybe she just meant that we should dig in and till, plant and weed our garden. You may have noticed the boxes behind the Meeting House and in those boxes some of us and some others will be digging and planting and weeding. We hope that some of the seeds that we plant will thrive.

On a more abstract level, we have been digging and tilling our collective thoughts for more than a year to plan our vision for the future. We have been digging in what I call brainstorming sessions. We have created the Vision 20/20 team who have been tilling in that abstract plot to prepare a fertile seed bed for the steps that we will be planting in the next 5 to 7 years as our Piedmont UU Church grows.

Just like in a physical garden, our steps have a season for planting and harvest. The operational plan developed from your inputs as we dug through our thoughts for the future tell us and our committees and counsels when to plant each step and when to enjoy the fruits of our work. Now, the plans of mice and men are not always followed. How can we till when the ground is too wet? We may have to wait a few days. Maybe a few of the seeds do not germinate. We may have to plant a later variety of lettuce or tomato. Likewise I can foresee a few setbacks as we implement our operational plan but that does not mean that we quit.  We just adapt and carry on as a loving church family tending our garden to nourish both ourselves and the wider community.

With this last monthly letter from me, your president, I wish us all happy gardening. 

Karl

ADORE Team Plans Trip to Levine Museum of the New South for Members

Join members on an interesting field trip to Levine Museum if the New South on Sunday afternoon, June 22! The newly formed ADORE team is sponsoring this excursion to the Levine Museum as the beginning of a year long effort to increase awareness and appreciation of diversity, especially in our own congregation.

We will leave after the 10 a.m. service on Sunday, June 22. (Only one service starting that Sunday) We will have a light lunch at church that will be provided and then car pool to the museum, leaving about 11:45 a.m. We will probably return between 3 and 4 p.m.

To those unfamiliar with the Levine Museum, the museum is a storehouse of fascinating history of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area and has much information about Charlotte’s civil rights history, including the integration of public schools after the 1954 Brown Supreme Court case and the 1969 case to integrate the school through planned busing.

A current exhibit through August is Faces of Freedom Summer, 104 photographs taken in 1964 in Mississippi.

The Levine is located downtown on East 7^th Street. We will be in a group at the museum

with a tour guide and have an opportunity to meet afterwards to discuss our reactions. The cost of admission is $5 for members of a group and there is no charge for parking on Sundays in the adjoining garage.

Members of the ADORE team include Christine Robinson and Lauren Neal (co-chairs) and David Parker, Eva Danner, Arvind Patil, Alan Perkinson, Elaine Slaton, Anne Laukaitis and Rev. Robin Tanner. This event is the first of many interesting activities the ADORE team will sponsor in the 2014-2015 church year.

Please let Anne Laukaitis (Laukaitis@windstream.net) know if you plan to attend so that we can have a number for lunch on June 22.

Visit the website of the Levine Museum of the New South at www.museumofthenewsouth.org

Summer Reading with ADORE

The ADORE (A Dialogue on Race and Ethnicity) team is PUUC’s multiculturally diverse team aspiring to bring awareness and cultural competency to our congregation through dialogue, human story, worship, education and relationship. One of our summer activities will be a three session book discussion. We’ll have a short meeting on June 8th, following the first service, to decide which one of the following books we’ll read and discuss. Contact Eva Dew Danner or David Parker for additional information.

The Hidden Wound by Wendell Berry (poet, essayist, novelist, farmer, cultural critic, and descendent of slave holders). Through Berry’s personal experience, he explains how remaining passive in the face of the struggle of racism further corrodes America’s potential. In a quiet and observant manner, Berry opens up about how his attempt to discuss racism is rooted in the hope that someday the historical wound will begin to heal.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot (science writer, editor, media correspondent, biographer). Lacks was a poor black tobacco farmer, but scientists know her as HeLa. Her cells - taken without her knowledge in 1951 - were vital for developing the polio vaccine, cloning, gene mapping, and more. Henrietta's cells have been bought and sold by the billions, yet she remains virtually unknown. Skloot tells a riveting story of the collision between ethics, race, and medicine.

The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother by James McBride (journalist, musician and author). McBride’s mother was a self-declared light-skinned woman who would not admit she was white and Jewish, yet was steadfast in her love for her 12 black children. McBride retraces his mother's footsteps and recreates her remarkable story: daughter of a failed itinerant Orthodox rabbi in Poland, whose family emigrated to America and settled in a small Virginia town where anti-Semitism and racial tensions ran high; marriage to a black minister and co-founder of an all-black Baptist church in NYC.

Spiritually Speaking: No One Ever Mentions the Moth

Typically when we speak of transformation as a metaphor, writers and ministers alike will reference the butterfly. See how this green worm completely changes even its physical composition to become the butterfly! In this metaphor, we are invited to consider our own transformation and what would be required of us in the metamorphosis. In this version, change is seen as a difficult but rewarding process that leads to the beauty of the butterfly.

But transformation, or spiritual change, is not always so.

Consider the moth.

See how this brown worm completely changes even its physical composition to become the moth! Oh, this is significantly less inspiring of a metaphor when it ends in an insect whose claim to fame is the terrible smelling deterrent: moths balls. In this version, change is seen as a difficult and disappointing process that leads to a little-loved bug.

And let’s face it, while we are stretching the metaphor, you are far more statistically likely to be a moth than a butterfly. With 160,000 species of moths and a mere 15,000 species of butterflies, the odds for becoming the less-cherished insect are clear!

In truth we all change, even those of us who aspire not to change. For some, our lives are a constant evolution of ideas, spirit, and experience. We become more open, compassionate, and wise. For others, our lives are marked by a constant narrowing of ideas, spirit, and experience. We become more entrenched than ever and less able to respond to the world, more inclined to react to the world. Thankfully, unlike the genetic coding of the moth or butterfly, our destiny is not set at birth. The only constant is change.

Change is a given, but the path of transformation is ours to choose.

In some religious communities, transformation is presented as an instantaneous moment of “seeing the light.” When I was growing up and so many would speak of profound experiences of God literally speaking and calling to them, I always felt a little lost. My experience of God was so often subtle, diffusive, expansive and universal. I couldn’t point to moments when the heavens opened or a voice came down upon clouds. I could offer a clear insight of constant companionship or greater awareness of the sacred around me. To quote the singer song writer Peter Mayer, “everything is holy now.”

It is this gradual transformation to which I can relate.

So how do we become the butterfly and not the moth?

I think like the transformation process being subtle, it means an intentional effort at reflection, slowing down to notice the processes around as well as within and a clarity of destination. Fortunately, unlike the moth or butterfly, there are some choices we get in this transformation.

I hope you’ll join us in this May of transformation (our theme for the month) as we explore together how to become the butterflies, bringing beauty into the world where we can.

In faith and spirit,
Rev. Robin

A Coffee Hour Favorite, Susan Price’s Peanut Butter Cookies

If you enjoy the cookies during Sunday Coffee Hours at the University Gathering chances are good that the cookies were provided by Susan Price. Nearly every Sunday Susan brings in cookies, often homemade.

Susan is one of the many volunteers who make Coffee Hour possible. Several of our members bring homemade or store bought treats each week, or make donations to the Fellowship Committee to sustain Coffee Hour. Dedicated members of the Spiffy Club stay after second service each week to clean-up. So, if you see Susan, other bearers of baked goods, or members of the Spiffy Club, please thank them for their hard work and generous donations that make the fellowship that happens during Coffee Hour possible.

Would you like to help out with Coffee Hour? You’re welcome to come early or stay late and pop into the kitchen and offer to lend a hand. Or, drop off some baked good or healthy treats to share. We provide fair trade coffee and tea each week, and welcome your contribution to offset the costs of Coffee Hour—just drop some money in the collection basket next to the coffee urns. And, if you’d like to volunteer to help prepare coffee on a regular basis, contact Heidi Magi (htmagi@gmail.com). Interested in joining the Spiffy Club?, drop Carol Slavic a note (caroljoyslavick@gmail.com).

See you at Coffee Hour this Sunday! And, in the meantime, here’s Susan’s delicious recipe for Peanut Butter Cookies, adapted from the Better Homes & Gardens New Cook Book …one of her many specialties.

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar or 1/4 cup honey

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/4 cups all purpose flour

Mix the butter and peanut butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, and baking powder. Beat until combined, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. Beat in egg and vanilla until combined. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour. If necessary, cover and chill dough until easy to handle.

Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Roll in additional granulated sugar to coat. Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten by making crisscross marks with the tines of a fork. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 7 to 9 minutes or until the bottoms are lightly browned. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool. Makes about 36 cookies.

Music Notes

The wonderful month of May is upon us!  As Shakespeare wrote: “As full of spirit as the month of May, and as gorgeous as the sun in Midsummer.”  Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day, the Spoleto Festival in Charleston,  the Indianapolis 500 and Memorial Day all are in the month of May.

At Piedmont UU Church we also have a lot of special events going on.  For starters,  May 10 is a big day starting with our church yard sale at 7:00am where you might be able to find a treasure trove and help the church financially as well!  As the sun begins to set, come to our coffeehouse to enjoy an evening of entertainment celebrating the arts.  Doors open at 6:30pm and the entertainment begins at 7:00pm and ends at 9:00. Though we will not be serving a meal, we encourage everyone to bring pies, cakes, bakery items such as cookies or Danish pastry, soft drinks, beer and wine.

The next day is Sunday, May 11, which is Mother's Day.  The choir will be singing "The Glory of Love" at the 9:45 and 11:00 services. 

The monthly theme for services in May is Transformation. Later this month, the choir will be singing the popular South African song "Siyahamba" (Marching in the Light) and "On a Sunday Morning".

For the past three years, I have been a candidate in the UUA Music Leadership Credentialing Program.  The UU Credentialing Program helps music leaders develop a foundational understanding of three main areas of knowledge: 1) music skills and resources, 2) UU heritage and values, and 3) leadership and interpersonal skills. The curriculum is delivered through a series of six core courses and additional professional development opportunities. The courses are offered at the Unitarian Universalist Musicians Network annual summer conference in a rotation of two courses offered each year. I have attended the summer conferences in Arlington (2011), Tulsa (2012) and Dallas (2013).  As part of the program I have also attended the General Assembly in Charlotte in 2011, the Fall, 2013 Western Cluster meeting in Asheville, the 2013 Southeast District annual meeting in Charlotte, and the Southeast District Choral Festival at the UU Church of Charlotte in March.

I want to thank Rev. Robin and the church for making it possible for me to participate in the program. Each candidate has an advisor and a sponsor. My advisor, Annease Hastings, has just celebrated her 25th year as the music director of Bull Run Unitarian Universalists in Manassas, Virginia. My sponsor is Susan Burns, who has helped me with documenting my assignments, which often including videoing services of me song leading and directing the choir. Susan and I have had many teleconferences over the past three years with my advisor to assess progress and completion of goals and other assignments. Special thanks to Susan for all of the time and work that she has spent since I started the program in 2011.

I will receive my Credentials at this summer's General Assembly at the end of June in Providence, Rhode Island.

In gratitude,

Wally Kleucker
Music Director
wally@puuc.org

CHOIR SCHEDULE
Thursday, May 1               NO CHOIR REHEARSAL
Sunday, May 4                  NO CHOIR
Thursday, May 8               7:30 – 9:00pm Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
Saturday, May 10              7:00 – 9:00PM -A Night of a Thousand Stars Coffeehouse
Sunday, May 11                9:00 – 9:30am    Choir Rehearsal
                                          9:45 and 11:00:  Choir sings
Thursday, May 15             7:30 – 9:00pm Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
Sunday, May 18                9:00 – 9:30am    Choir Rehearsal
                                          9:45 and 11:00:  Choir sings
Thursday, May 22             7:30 – 9:00pm Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
Sunday, May 25                9:00 – 9:30am    Choir Rehearsal
                                          9:45 and 11:00:  Choir sings
Thursday, May 29             7:30 – 9:00pm Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
Sunday, June 1                 9:00 – 9:30am    Choir Rehearsal
                                          9:45 and 11:00:  Choir sings

Do good deeds anyway!

The theme for May is Transformation: Rev. Robin explains that “we don’t expect or insist upon a drastic transformation like the conversion experiences that are hallmarks for many other faith traditions.  But we uphold the free and responsible search alongside the hope of spiritual growth for us all.  How can we nurture this gradual transformation in our lives and keep all of us accountable to our spiritual paths?”

I say keep patiently working at it.

Robin is speaking of spiritual transformation. I see similar transformations being made all around me by many people doing good deeds that slowly transform the world for the better. This week, I started reading a book from our meeting house bookshelf entitled “Do It Anyway”

In 1939 when my Dad planted 6 inch tall cedars for a windbreak, the neighbors laughed and said “you will never live long enough to sit in the shade of those trees”. He planted them anyway. When Piedmont UU Church members campaigned against Amendment One, success was not assured but we did it anyway. Contributions made by charter members to Piedmont UU Church have taken 25 years to transform us into the church we are today. Now, many of us are sharing our talents and treasure to continue the transformations, often without fanfare and sometimes facing criticism, but we do it anyway.

In our current world, if a profit cannot be extracted or success achieved in the first few years, people say an investment is not worth it. Often those who do invest their time and money to change our society, our laws and our environment are ignored and laughed at. We do it anyway. Let us all keep transforming ourselves and our world by doing good anyway. Thank you all for the good that you do!

Karl