Winter Newsletter 2015

WINTER NEWSLETTER 2015

Musings on Abundance

From Our Leadership

Community Spirit

Auction Committee

Membership Committee

Worship Committee

Visual Arts Committee

Library Committee
Social & Environmental Justice Council

Adult Programs

Did You Know?
UUCWI in Action
It's a Matter of Principle

Board & Program Chairs
UUCWI Values & Covenant
UU Principles

UUCWI CALENDAR

CLICK HERE for
complete viewing of
Events, Classes, Groups,
Work Parties, Meetings,
Social Gatherings,
and much more....

Sunday Services
10 a.m.

Rev. Dennis Office Hours Tuesday & Wednesday
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
by appointment

Musings on Abundance
with Rev. Dennis Reynolds

The holiday season has begun.

Suzanne and I went to Eugene for Thanksgiving and spent a grand
weekend with my globe-hopping daughter and visiting dear friends.

We ate too much but indulgence this time of year is everywhere. From consuming too much food to buying stuff we don't even need.

Yet, I love the brightness that the unfolding holiday season brings. This year, more than most, I am aware of the shadows. I am reminded of the boisterous ghost of Christmas present in Charles Dickens’s “The Christmas Carol,” who under his velvet cloak hides the images of hungry and hurting individuals.

The shadows of terrorist attacks in Beirut, in Kenya, and in Paris lurk nearby. I am haunted by the very real fearful reality that young people of color, especially young men, face each day. Even as I celebrate the cold and fear of refugees fleeing violence casts a gray specter. Many do not have the luxury to indulge their children with gifts or overindulge themselves.

During our recent storm, I spent two days without power. Sitting in darkness, watching flickering candlelight cast its own shadow, reminded me how much I take for granted. I feel guilty. In spite of admonitions from some to the contrary, guilt is sometimes an appropriate emotion and can motivate me to change my behavior. Guilt nudges me when I forget how privileged I am and motivates me towards more positive action. Rather than wallow in guilt, I try to do better, to positively impact the things I can. I give annual donations to organizations whose work I admire. I give some of the holiday gifts I share as donations too. Some of the kids on my list get small stuffed critters and a donation in their name to Heifer Project. Adults too may even get a flock of chickens for Christmas.

I am far from free of the cultural urge to buy and to give. My kids get indulgent gifts from me and I have found something amazing and a wee bit extravagant for Suzanne too. I try to reign myself in and give to agencies and programs as much as I give to my loved ones.

I love the feasting and celebrating and I love giving in many ways too. I try not to look away from the shadows and ignore or deny their existence. I try, in my small way, to spread a wee bit of good cheer in such places.

May all find peace and joy in this season of connecting and celebrating and giving.
Dennis

From Our Leadership

President’s Column

After more than 4 months in the position of President I can’t help but ask myself “What the heck was I thinking?” And then I remember the answer… There are good people serving on the board and committees, people who are willing to step forward, take on projects, engage in difficult discussions, and people who are willing to do what seems to be worldly, not spiritual. These are most of the people who are working hard for this congregation.

The church auction, in which we raised over $16,000, was accomplished by volunteers. When I walked into the sanctuary the night of the auction, my breath was taken away by the beauty of the room. It had been transformed by Lisa Siders and her helpers. That was the beginning of an amazing night, one that Glo Sherman survived without losing her mind - did you know the propane ran out before she was done cooking? How did she do it with such aplomb? I don’t have a count of how many people it took to put on the event, but if you ask Laurie Riley, she’ll have an idea. She had to send emails, have meetings, and call all the helpers many times.

What was Laurie thinking when she agreed to chair the auction? If she had known what was required she never would have agreed to it. If I had known what I’d be doing as President, would I have agreed? How many times do we say yes, for the good of all, and then realize survival skills are learned in ways we had never imagined. That, my friends, is what it is like to step up.

Our church has grown. It has taken the dedication of many people over the life of the church. Some were active in the early years when just a few people were meeting in Clinton; others stepped up later as the church grew while meeting in rented spaces during the afternoon. Then a stalwart group organized to buy and build the land and building we now call home, and now here you are, working, volunteering and worshiping in this lovely space. We have grown from a handful of intrepid pioneers to a congregation of around 100 members and more when you count friends. We can’t consider managing without paid staff and at least a half-time minister. We can no longer manage all that we own and all that makes up our vision of who we are and how we want to be together without organization. We have grown from a family church where everyone knew everyone else, to a pastoral church where there are any number of people we can’t call by name because we don’t know them. This growth requires organization.

Moving to a more organized structure is not easy, but it is necessary. It has tasks and shadow aspects. We lovers of freedom and believers in our intelligence need to learn how to work together, how to be accountable to each other, how to check in before acting. We need the blood of the organization (money) to flow well in order to pay for the staff and items that are needed. We need to mature and understand the need for generous giving in time and money. Want to use other people as unpaid volunteers for every task? How about asking those I mentioned earlier? Do you think they are exhausted? I do. I can’t bring myself to even consider asking them to do more. Can you?

Sarah Richards, President, Board of Trustees

Community Spirit

What An Auction!
by Laurie Riley

The 2015 auction was a big success both financially and socially. The beautifully decorated hall was packed with people (84 of us!) who came to have a good time while supporting UUCWI with generous donations and bids.

All of the volunteers worked for several months to make this event happen, and many went far above and beyond the call of duty. One of our volunteers said, “As with most things in life, volunteering brought many more rewards than simply being there”.

The raffle baskets were particularly beautiful this year, and the food (lovingly and cheerfully prepared by Glo Sherman) was outstanding. Ken as auctioneer was his magnificent self as always. In keeping with the Harvest theme, two people came dressed as vegetables, which lifted our spirits - especially every time we saw the carrot tossing her "greens" over her shoulder! Having young people serve the meal (which they did smoothly and professionally) felt extra special. Checkout was done in a very timely way, and after the evening’s festivities ended, exhausted but smiling people worked hard to transform the sanctuary for Sunday morning's service.

Bravo to all those who worked on this endeavor and all who participated, donated, and/or bid so generously! They were:

Co-chairs and Logistics: Larry Morrell & Laurie Riley
Auctioneer & Sound tracks: Ken Merrell
Chef: Glo Sherman
Food Planning: Libby Roberts, Glo Sherman, Biagio Sancetta
Beverages: Libby Roberts
Dessert Raffle: Toyan Copeland
Dessert Display: Larry Morrell
Ticket sales, seating, set-up: Clara Beier
Raffle basket solicitation, display, raffle ticket sales:
Katy Shaner
Dutch Auction: Chris Bell & Mary Goolsby
Donation solicitation: Corinne Ludy & Dallas Huth
Entertainment: Eileen Soskin, Coreen Beckman, Linda Good, Alex Bonesteel, Dave Sweetwood and the “Brewsed” Tomatoes, John Long and Teri Wright
Procurement: Katy Shaner and Laurie Riley
Decorations: Lisa Siders
Table and Dessert Cards: Sandy Welch
Spotters, Runners and Monitors: Sandy Welch, Sarah Richards, Dallas Huth, Kristy Knickrehm, Katy Shaner,
Mary Goolsby
Chip ‘n’ Dale Costumes: Terra Anderson, Laurie Riley,
Teri Wright
Publicity and general assistant: Judy Kaplan
Kitchen Clean-up Chiefs: Marsha Morgan, Claire Moore
Hall Clean-up: Gene Berg and the entire auction team
Technology: Larry Morrell, Meg Gluckman and Ken Merrell
Pre-auction Skits: John and Camille Long
Treasurer: Tom Buxton
Check-out: Meg Gluckman, Larry Morrell, Nick Fowler, Ken Merrell, Clara Beier
Assistants: Gaye Simpson, Shirley Ashenbrenner, Diane Ahuna, Christy Shaffer
Furnishings pickup/return and logistics: Dave Sweetwood, Libby Roberts, Biagio Sancetta
*Sincere apologies to anyone who may have inadvertently been left off this list. We had a LOT of help and appreciated ALL of it!

News from the Membership Committee
by Clara Beier

During the November 8 service, Katy Shaner and Neila Koegen signed the membership book and were welcomed as our newest members. If you haven’t had a chance to greet them, please do.

If you are interested in the pathway to membership, please attend what we call UU 101 on Sunday, February 14, following the service. Dennis Reynolds will lead a discussion on Unitarian Universalism and the process for membership. Those who wish to become members will be welcomed at a service in early March. Also, Membership invited several people to serve as Sunday “door” greeters. Katy Shaner, Sarah Heath, and Cheryl Lawrence all agreed to meet and greet people including new and returning visitors.

Behind the Scenes of the
Worship Committee
by Terra Anderson

It is the honor and delight of the Worship Committee, working with Reverend Dennis, to present worship services every Sunday of the year. Only someone who has coordinated a major event probably appreciates all the little details that occur in the background - from working with the speaker, writing a blurb for the newsletter and newspaper, finding poems, readings and a story for all ages, selecting hymns, working with the accompanist, special musician and sound tech,

being sure chairs are set in the sanctuary and hymnals distributed,the chalice has oil and there are enough joys and sorrows candles, asking people to usher… the list of tasks is long and these people come through every single week. Please, when you have the opportunity, be sure to thank them. AND… let any of us know about your own ideas for services and speakers.

We are proud of our last 3 months and look forward to the next quarter of inspiring and challenging speakers. Topics will be varied: the poetry of e.e. cummings, the enduring but elusive vision of Martin Luther King, the role of silence and stillness to our spiritual health. As well as Rev Dennis we will welcome several familiar and new speakers to our pulpit - theology professor Sharon Betcher, UU ministers Lois Van Leer and Barbara Cornell, teachers extraordinaire Larry Daloz and Christina Baldwin. And of course you can count of a few “home-grown” services to tickle your imagination, including the all-time favorite, This I Believe.

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday morning - Terra Anderson on behalf all the worship associates

New Integrated Sunday Service Signup Webpage

Have you considered working at a Sunday service - perhaps serving as an usher, or setting out hymnals, or arranging chairs, or providing refreshments? We have had a scattered approach to sign-ups and it has been perennially frustrating to people trying to organize us on a consistent basis. So… we have a new experiment which we hope will be both easier for you and inviting. New on our UU web site, UUCWI.org, is a signup page for every Sunday morning, identifying the speaker, worship leader, special musician AND spaces for you to volunteer for the job you would like to do. You will have the convenience of seeing your own calendar and the church calendar simultaneously.

Go to the MEMBERS drop-down menu and click on “sign-in”. The last sentence on that page includes the link to Signup Genius. Just click on the “sign up” box and then click on “submit and sign up” at the bottom of the page. You will receive a reminder email 3 days before your selected Sunday. The signup page is always up to date, so you know which slots are open and others will be able to see what opportunities are still available each Sunday.

We hope that you will use this new feature and will appreciate its easy accessibility AND give us feedback on ways to make it ever easier for you to serve this community we hold so dear
~ Terra Anderson, Worship Committee Chair

What does the Visual Arts Committee do?
by Christi Shaffer

The Visual Arts Committee installs and features different local artists for two month shows in our UU Foyer Gallery. For September and October we showed "Contemplating Textures" of Cell Phone Photography by Charlie Knutila.

We had an artists' reception Sunday, November 15th for the current show, "Color and Lines". This show will be up until the end of December, featuring Mary McLeod's calligraphy, and stained glass art by Judi Nyerges and Mary Goolsby.

For January and February the Gallery will show Carol Jensen's felted 3-D art along with paintings
by Sue Owen.

The VAC has also gone through the process of consulting with UU members, our Board, and committees to acquire an outside bulletin board for Community News items. It will be installed in the next few weeks.

COLOR AND LINES : OUR CURRENT ART GALLERY EXHIBIT

Judi Nyerges Stained Glass Art

Mary Goolsby's Stained Glass Work

The calligraphy of Mary McLeod and the stained glass work of Mary Goolsby and Judi Nyerges will be on display in our foyer Art Gallery. Mary McLeod brings calligraphy into the 21st century through the use of pastels, paste paper, watercolors, embossing, colorful gouaches and fabric, while staying ‘true’ to original letter forms. Our own Judi Nyerges and Mary Goolsby, currently best known for their work in other media, give us a peek into another ‘era’ of their lives as artists – when they were in love with stained glass. The exhibit will remain on display through December.

Mary McLeod's Calligraphy
If you are interested in purchasing any of
Mary McLeod's artwork, please contact her directly at mcleod4artssake@gmail.com

Read On with the Library Committee
by Joan Gerteis

Usage of our UUCWI library collection remains good, a fact undoubtedly related to the increased physical access to our books made possible in 2015, along with the availability of an online catalog. (A link to that catalog may be found on our UUCWI website at www.uucwi.org/facility/library or directly at http://uucwilibrary.com )

In the coming months we hope to engage more Congregation members in promoting our library collection – and in taking care of it! We would first like to encourage other Committees to consider working with the Library Committee in identifying titles of possible use in their own Committee work, and second, we’d like to identify Congregation members who would be interested in acting as a liaison between the Library Committee and those other Committees to facilitate this idea. Last, we’d love to have a Congregation member or two (folks who have just a little time to volunteer, perhaps a couple of our young members) help us keep the collection orderly. Books are constantly coming and going from the shelves, and some weekly attention to getting them back where they belong would be very much appreciated.

Your Library Committee members have worked hard these last few years in choosing books for our collection relevant to the values held dearly in our UU community. Please consider giving us a call or emailing us about participating in this valuable work. Committee members are Joan Gerteis, Camille Long, Corinne Ludy, and Joann Roomes. -- Joan Gerteis, Chair

What has the Social & Environmental Justice Council been up to?

by Gary Piazzon

We have raised $1716 in 3 dedicated offerings since August including a special DO for the
Syrian Refugees.

We have collaborated with:

Lummi Nation to promote their efforts to fight off coal and oil facilities and for global climate/environmental/indigenous justice
350.org and the Greening Congregations of Whidbey for an event on the eve of the UN climate talks in Paris 11/29/15

We have participated in the:

North West UU Justice Network Summit in October providing leadership in climate justice; consistently contributed articles to their website on climate justice and indigenous peoples issues
UU Voices for Justice Virtual Conference on 11/8/15
The Greening Congregations’ examination of Pope Francis’s encyclical bringing expertise and experience as they increase their efforts to promote and model environmental stewardship
the 6th Annual Salish Sea Bioneers Conference sharing insights and ideas and making important connections
We consistently contribute to the UUCWI newsletter, which includes providing feedback to the congregation regarding the success of our Dedicated Offerings
collected signatures to promote initiatives for carbon tax, I-732; to get money out of politics, I-735

What have we got planned for 2016?

We will resume the Moral Ground Film and Advocacy series bringing to UUCWI and our wider community films of social/environmental significance together with related local or regional actions and/or organizations. In this way we will continue to promote awareness of the intersection of the many justice issues we face. The kickoff event on 1/15/16 will be the “House I Live In” which documents the recent history of our punitive, for-profit criminal justice system and advocates for a restorative approach whose basis is in indigenous conflict and criminal actions resolution.
We will continue to coordinate monthly dedicated offerings, collaborating with Rev. Dennis and the Worship committee.
Collaborating with Life Long Learning we intend to bring meaningful and timely experiences to youth and adults. We plan to offer workshop(s) and speakers advocating and preparing us for the necessary changes. Suzanne Reynolds will facilitate a class examining David Korten’s book Change the Story about alternatives to capitalism.
And we will continue to partner with the Greening Congregations Collaborative as it grows, reporting back to the congregation on its activities.

In can truly be said that we are living in extraordinary times, so much is in flux, the challenges immense and the future uncertain. What is not uncertain is that Love, courage, wisdom and Hope will lead us. Thanks for supporting the work and do feel free to join us. We are stronger when we are more. ~ Gary and Dianna Piazzon

“Only so far as people are unsettled is there any hope for us.” RW Emerson

UUCWI Adult Programs make life a lot more fun!

UUCWI Adult Programs offer you the chance to enrich your life, grow in the areas you want to develop, and have some fun. Think you are done learning? Well, maybe not....

Learning can give you a clearer idea of who you are as a person.
Learning is empowering. It can enable you to make well-informed decisions and gives you a sense of fulfillment.
It’s no secret that learning can drastically improve your quality of life; picking up new skills and developing new talents can widen your interests, give you a sense of purpose, protect against poor mental health and increase autonomy.
Learning together provides opportunities to improve your self-confidence and build relationships. You might even make some new friends!

Get involved with 2016 UUCWI Adult Programs! Teach a skill that you have to others, discover something together through a study group, perform your talent, offer or attend a workshop, lunch, dine, drink coffee and enjoy life. This is your time. Let’s engage, express, and explore……

We are accepting proposals for 2016. Fill out one today!

Did You Know?

There is a New UU Book Group Online
Skinner House Books announces the Unitarian Universalist Book Club on Goodreads, a place where UUs, UU friends, and people interested in the faith can discuss books that relate to Unitarian Universalism or have a particular resonance to UUs. The book club hopes to foster deep, meaningful conversations and a welcoming and loving environment. the first book being discussed is the 2015-2016 UUA Common Read, Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson. Go to tinyurl.com/UUbookclub

UUCWI In Action

Power of Vulnerability Study Group
Beginning January 6, 2016
2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
at UUCWI

Dr. Brenè Brown offers “Power of Vulnerability” program. Learn about the foundations of wholehearted living. Learn about how our emotional responses influence our way of experiencing life, please join the study group.

We will meet for six consecutive weeks on Wednesdays, beginning January 6 and
ending February 10, 2016 from 2 PM to 4 PM at UUCWI.

During each session, we will watch four videos of Brenè’s presentation, followed by questions and explorations. The objective of this study group is to learn about the Ten Guideposts for Wholehearted Living.

It is important to be able to attend all sessions as each session builds on the previous one. The study group is open to maximum of 11 participants.

To register, please contact Jarina Moss by e-mail: jarinam@whidbey.com

A Unitarian Universalist
Perspective on the
Course in Miracles
Facilitated by Laurie Riley
Thursday, January 14 - ongoing
10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at UUCWI

“A miracle is a change within oneself that turns everything around.”

In this ongoing class we will explore the intent of the Course, what it does and does not represent in regard to the religious affiliation many assume it contains, and how it interfaces with a UU point of view, how we can apply it in our lives, and what the word “miracle” really means. We will go through the lessons in the Workbook, discuss their meanings and applications, and will look closely at the Textbook in updated format.

You will need A Course in Miracles, Volume Two: A Workbook for Students. Volume 1, the textbook, will be supplied by chapter each week in updated format, so you don’t need to buy the “big book”. (The presently published Text - “big book” - is not the original version. The updated format combines the original version - “Urtext” - and the currently published version, and puts both into plain English.)

If you have questions, please email Laurie at laurie.riley@live.com

Dreams and Haiku
Facilitated by Mary Goolsby
Beginning January 19, 2016
7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at UUCWI

This new group will not gather to interpret our dreams but rather to play with them, to share them, and to honor whatever they may bring us. Come join us - if you are curious - whether or
not you have ever been part of a dream group
in the past.

If you are a person who doesn't remember your dreams, you may be surprised that you can
begin to remember more if you get yourself a notebook, place it next to your bed with a pen, and then write whatever fragment you can
dredge up immediately upon waking. Sometimes just the intention can make remembering much more likely.

We will meet weekly for 6 weeks.

Register with Mary Goolsby, goolsbyonwhidbey@yahoo.com, 360-579-2838

Mindfulness - It's Not What You Think
Facilitated by John Leaser
Thursdays from Feb 4 to Mar. 24
7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at UUCWI

Mindfulness is paying attention to the present, with intention, and non-judgementally. The most popular course in mindfulness is the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction course developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn. This is the facilitation of an 8 week-online MBSR course.

This course uses videos for the background principles of mindfulness, and audios for the meditations, which are the focal point of the course. Class sessions will include the videos, meditations, yoga and qigong.

Mindfulness has been shown to have significant health benefits, including reduced stress, reduced blood pressure, increased ability to deal with challenging situations and to have a more positive outlook.

For more information or to register, contact John Leaser jdleaser@gmail.com to reserve your space.

UU Parent Group for Parents of ALL Ages
Check E-News for dates and times

We will be exploring one the seven principles each month, how we practice them with our children and how we will our children learn them.

We will share our joys and frustrations of parenting and explore how we bring a spiritual focus to how we raise our children. Childcare will be provided, but please bring a lunch for your child.

The South End Coffee Klatch
(1st Saturday of each month)
10:30 a.m. to 12ish
South Whidbey Commons on 2nd street in Langley
Open to all members and friends of the Congregation
Contact: Rev. Dennis at minister@uucwi.org

North End Coffee Group/Coupeville
(2nd Saturday of the month)
1:00 p.m. in the cafeteria at Whidbey General Hospital
Open to all members and friends of the Congregation
Contact: Kent Vandervelde
vand93@me.com or 360-672-1131

Second Sunday Lunch Brunch
(2nd Sunday of the month)
at Freeland China City
11:45a.m. to 1:00 p.m. +/-

Open to all members and friends of the Congregation for
informal talk and getting to know one another better.
For more information, please contact Jelcy Romberg
at Jelcy@jelcy.com or call 360 222-3355.

Hey Nenders!!!
North End Monthly Dine-outs
(4th Sunday at 6pm somewhere in Oak Harbor)
Open to all members and friends of the Congregation
Contact: Kent Vandervelde
vand93@me.com or 360-672-1131

Death Café Whidbey Style 2016

Back in May, folks gathered at UUCWI to be part of the first Death Café, Whidbey Style. We sipped tea, ate cake and talked about death. Yes, death. It was our local version of events that have been held all over the world and “it's back".

Our 2016 Café will be held on Sunday January 10 at 4:00 pm at the Coupeville Recreational Hall. We will meet on a Sunday afternoon on the north end of the island, to make it accessible to more people who may have missed the last. Glo Sherman, baker and hostess extraordinaire will provide the cake and Members of the Pastoral Associates will facilitate discussions at each table. There is no agenda, no specific goal. The intention is to create time and space for honest and open conversation on the topic of death.

We welcome all members and friends of our Congregation and you are encouraged to bring friends. We hope you will join us. More information will be available on how to RSVP as we get closer to the event. So put in on your calendar, watch the e-news for more information, or contact Rev. Dennis at minister@UUCWI.org.

It's a Matter of Principle

Who says Unitarian Universalism's Principles are easy?
Meg Barnhouse

I have gone to a lot of church services in my time. When I was eight, wearing Mary Jane shoes and white stockings, in a blue coat with a velveteen collar my mother had made, sitting next to my little sister in her coat identical to mine, trying not to wiggle in the pew, I would make check marks as the sections of the order of service finished: hymn number one, pastoral prayer, scripture reading, sermon. I loved checking off the sermon.

We colored in our bulletins and we looked through the hymnals and made ourselves giggle by adding “between the sheets” to their titles. A Baptist friend says she and her friends added “in the bathtub.” “Turn Back, O Man,between the sheets". “We Three Kings of Orient Are in the bathtub".

Years ago I came into this Unitarian Universalist community of faith. I’m home. I listen to people talk sometimes about liberal religion as if it’s a thin gruel, watered down to please everyone. Our Seven Principles, they complain, are either too much like a creed or so general as to be meaningless.

My experience of the Principles is that they are deeply demanding. The first one asks me to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person, which means that I can no longer subscribe to the cheerful Calvinist doctrine of the total depravity of human nature. Now I have to struggle with the worth and dignity of people who do unspeakably awful things, whereas the doctrine of total depravity made that one a no-brainer. I’m supposed to value the democratic process, hearing the voice of everyone equally, allowing everyone to have a say. The UU Principles are demanding enough to make me whine.

For those who feel they are thin gruel, I have a suggestion. Let’s stick something onto the end of every Principle that will stop people from smiling and nodding comfortably as they are read. Instead of adding “in the bathtub” or “between the sheets,” how about attaching “beginning in our homes and congregations”?

UUCWI Board & Program Chairs

2015 - 2016 Board of Trustees

Sarah Richards, President
Libby Roberts, Vice President
Nick Fowler, Treasurer
Mary Goolsby, Secretary
Clara Beier, Trustee
John Long, Trustee
Teri Wright, Trustee
Contact Board members at UUCWI voice mail 360-321-8656

Minister:
Dennis Reynolds 541-517-7325 minister@uucwi.org

Chaplain:
Sally Elder 360-675-3314 chaplain@uucwi.org
Our minister and chaplain are available for rites of passage ceremonies
(including ceremonies of commitment or union) and pastoral visits.

Administrator:
Meri McCormick - admin@uucwi.org

Lifelong Spiritual Development:
Ginger White - lifespancoord@uucwi.org

Choir Director:
Mavis Cauffman - mgc@whidbey.com

2015-2016 Committee Chairs

Auction - Laurie Riley and Larry Morrell (Co-chairs)
Building and Grounds - Gene Berg (contact) Big Picture Coordinator: Toyan Copeland Landscape: Chris Bell
Caring Connections – Laurie Riley
Communications:
Meri McCormick, newsletter editor newsletter@uucwi.org
Charlie Knutila, Website Manager: wwg_chair@uucwi.org
Finance - Open
Leadership Council – Libby Roberts
Library - Joan Gerteis (Chair)
Long Range Planning – open
Membership - Clara Beier and Gaye Simpson (Co-chairs)
Ministry - Sara Heath (Chair)
Music - Linda Good (Chair)
Nominating – Lois Chowen
Social and Environmental Justice - Gary and Dianna Piazzon
Stewardship - John Long (convener)
Visual Arts – Christi Shaffer and Dallas Huth (Co-chairs)
Worship - Terra Anderson (Chair)

UUCWI Values & Covenants

How we treat one another is guided by our Covenant of Right Relations:
Love is the spirit of this congregation and service is its practice. This is our great covenant:
to dwell together in peace, to seek truth in love, and to help one another.

To keep this covenant we make the following promises:
We warmly welcome all.
We speak with honesty, respect and kindness.
We listen compassionately.
We express gratitude for the service of others.
We honor and support one another in our life journeys, in times of joy, need and struggle.
We embrace our diversity and the opportunity to share our different perspectives.
We address our disagreements directly and openly, and see conflict through to an authentic resolution.
We serve our spiritual community with generosity and joy, honoring our commitments.
We strive to keep these promises, but when we fail, we forgive ourselves and others, and begin again in love.

Unitarian Universalist Principles

1st Principle: The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
2nd Principle: Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;

3rd Principle: Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our
congregations;
4th Principle: A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
5th Principle: The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within
our congregations and in society at large;
6th Principle: The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
7th Principle: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

Newsletter Information

This newsletter is published quarterly; in December, March, June, and September. News, announcements, events, and other items of interest to members of the congregation should be submitted in writing to admin@uucwi.org. Suggestions for articles and information of interest to the whole congregation are both welcomed and encouraged. Items may be edited as needed.

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION OF WHIDBEY ISLAND
"A Welcoming Congregation"
Worship Services are held every Sunday, 10 a.m. in our Sanctuary
Located at 20103 State Route 525 in
Freeland, WA 98249
360-321-8656 www.uucwi.org
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