TJ Connection - Summer 2003

Well, the war is over, and the hardest part begins - rebuilding relations, normalcy in Iraq and building a future worthy of our progeny. May it be so.

In these complex and troubled times, it is good to be reminded of the important things. My family is important to me. I recently attended my mother's 80th birthday celebration in Detroit, MI. She is in good health and spirits. My children and grandson are important to me. I sometimes forget to tell them how much I love them. My house from which I derive peace and contentment is important to me because it is a place where I feel grounded and whole. Finally, my work as District Executive is important to me. It is work that holds me accountable for principles and values I embrace through UUism. It is a way to model being in the world with integrity, and it is a way to build partnerships in the world and my way to give back to my faith community and others.

So much has been happening that I have decided to utilize my column to bring you up to date on News Around the District and Continent.

Fiscal Matters
UU Church of Roanoke's Explorations in Peace Covenant Group recently raised over $1,083 for The Guest at Your Table Program. Last year the Church made over $1,500 using the Kroger Bucks Program. Members purchase them and each time they use Kroger Bucks the church makes 5% on each purchase.

Social Service Programs
Piedmont UU Church's Social Concerns Covenant Group has adopted the theme of homelessness for this year. They are currently involved in the Interfaith Habitat for Humanity Project with Mecklenburg Ministries. A large number of their members have volunteered to work and have raised money for the project. They are reading a report, "Living in the Shadows: An Assessment of Homelessness in Charlotte-Mecklenburg" and are evaluating other related programs to assist homelessness.

UU Congregation of Greenville is preparing toiletry kits for migrant workers with a greeting in Spanish from the congregation. The kits consist of soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, razors, shaving cream and washcloths.

Welcoming Congregation
Piedmont UU Church is on a mission to become a certified Welcoming Congregation within the UUA. To that end they have scheduled nine months of educational opportunities to share with members as they negotiate the journey. Contact Lynne Anderson for some pointers at Anderson-vance@mindspring.com

Milestones
Holston Valley UU Church recently discovered that their land was purchased 30 years ago but their first structure was not dedicated until five years later.
UU Fellowship of the Peninsula is celebrating their 45th anniversary May 3.
Community Church of Chapel Hill, UU is celebrating their 50th anniversary September 5-6.

Music Ministry
Music ministry abounds around the District. Many of our congregations have drumming groups. Write to me, if you know of ones not listed here: Piedmont UU Church in NC; UU Fellowship of the Peninsula in Newport News, VA; UU Church of Charlotte, NC; Knoxville, TN; Harrisonburg UU in Harrisonburg, VA;
Shelter Neck Camp recently sponsored its first intergenerational weekend of 2003 at Shelter Neck UU Camp near Burgaw, NC during the weekend of March 29-30.
Tennessee Valley UU Church's organ CD is now available for purchase. The CD is $15 and can be ordered by phone using Mastercard or Visa or off the website www.tvuuc.org/pals. All proceeds benefit the Church’s Performing Arts & Lecture Series.

Buildings and Grounds
UU Congregation of Greenville's board and congregation have approved the expenditure of up to $12,000 for the renovations of their building to give them growing room and to beautify their space.
A recent discovery stunned Oak Ridge UU Church members. Some culprit had stolen their two garden benches from their memorial garden. Just as they were set to write a check to replace the missing benches, their behind-the-fence neighbor discovered the benches were dumped in among his hemlock trees. The neighbor often visits the Memorial Garden and knew exactly where the benches came from.

New Covenant Group
Professional storyteller, Eva Dew Danner of the Piedmont UU Church in Charlotte, NC, is interested in starting a twice a month storytelling group to learn and/or practice the craft of oral storytelling. She uses Doug Lipman's model of coaching tellers. Checkout the websites at www.tellabration.org and www.storynet.org.

Evening Film Forum
A documentary titled, A Long Night's Journey into Day" based on the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission chaired by Bishop Desmond Tutu was viewed and discussed recently at Tennessee Valley UU Church. The discussion on the politics of forgiveness and the way "restorative justice" may be an alternative to "retributive justice" sounds like a very appropriate one during these troubled and complex times.

Harassment in Public Schools
Tennessee Valley UU Church recently hosted a panel discussion moderated by the minister, Chris Buice about the plight of India Tracy. Tracy is a fourteen-year-old straight-A student in the Union County School who was harassed after she refused to participate in school sponsored Christian events, including a tent revival held each year during school time. To show solidarity with India, high school students from Oak Ridge UU Church attended the discussion along with TVUUC high-schoolers.

TJ Connection - Summer 2003

Qiyamah’s Corner by Qiyamah A. Rahman, TJ District Executive

Qiyamah’s Corner
by Qiyamah A. Rahman, TJ District Executive