Community
News
April
2021

President's Message

Hello, Friends! 

Let us Welcome in the Springtime Together [each in our own ways!] Let us welcome longer days, Sunshine, and Laughter! [& Vaccine, for Many!]

It has been stated that there are things about which nobody should ever make a joke; comics and comedians have addressed this subject - what kinds of jokes are in 'poor taste' and should be left unsaid. Ironically, by contrast, the human soul appears to hunger for humor as a salve to aid us in times of grief and stress. Since the COVID-19 Pandemic began, our favorite comedians - including the hosts of numerous late-night talk shows - have helped us to cope with the challenges that face our nation daily.

Not that they were out of practice; during the four years of the Trump presidency, misinformation and disinformation became so widespread that TV News reporters had to request instant fact-checking of nearly every statement he and his supporters made concerning the state of the country and the world at large. Many comedians in the public eye were quick to react to this apparent attempt to turn the entire concept of "News" into a circus act by skewering the falsehoods with their commentary, keeping records of their sharp observations in statements on various kinds of media. This became a kind of "public service" for which I - and many millions of others - have been markedly grateful. How ironic that humorists were presenting "News" more directly and honestly than the broadcast news industry which was struggling against such acts of subterfuge.

As the COVID-19 Pandemic arrived on the planet, ready to claim the lives of countless human beings, the power of Truth became more evident; falsehoods about risk factors have claimed lives, and continue to do so. I am Grateful for the comic talents of a number of TV Personalities whose honest refusal to call this Pandemic anything other than a deadly threat to our health and safety has helped me Cope with the challenges of the past year. Among them are Seth Meyers and Amber Ruffin, Stephen Colbert and musician Jon Batiste, Trevor Noah (and his predecessor Jon Stewart), naturalized U.S. Citizen John Oliver, broadcast news anchors Anderson Cooper, Rachel Maddow and Don Lemon [not famous for being comedians but still truth-seekers], and the cast of Saturday Night Live, especially Kate McKinnon, whose ability to leave me literally screaming with laughter is phenomenal... some of these individuals, like me, have learned that "living the truth" of an LGBTQIA identity is not consistent with acceptance of false pretenses put forth by other people, and the result is often 'speaking truth to power.' I was not a fan of the humor presented by Jimmy Kimmel when he debuted on television some years ago; my perception of this man changed during the Pandemic as I saw him honestly relate, as some of the others named above have done, his personal experiences of life in a Pandemic. I have learned that the birth of a newborn child affected by a congenital heart condition in recent years has made him a strong proponent of "Healthcare For All" - and a ready adversary to politicians who have been so quick to dismiss the value of the proposed changes that can make it a reality for our Nation.

I once heard an interviewer ask Whoopi Goldberg whether she would have been able to create "comedic gold" [for example, in the One-Woman Show that set her career in motion] without suffering (she grew up in the bottom rank of the socio-economic ladder); she replied that comedy often comes out of pain; comics often find inspiration for humor in the act of surviving adversity and alienation; "not fitting in" often leads to the kind of realization that can inspire levity and laughter. These days, it seems like things that Goldberg says on television are often capable of starting a controversy - not surprising to me, since she was born under the sign of Scorpio (on November 13th, which happens to be the birthday of my late sister Sally!) - I guess if I were to interview her I might ask, "You grew up in poverty and obscurity; did you ever imagine that people might pay so much attention to the things that you SAY?!" [I Could pose the same question to a number of the people I have named above, and others as well - like Oprah Winfrey. Fame carries a price tag. Some people seem to Crack under the Pressure of their own notoriety...]

I have observed that folks who seek careers in the Ministry seem to handle recognition ["Fame!"] Better than most, perhaps because of their spiritual nature.

It was with great sadness that our church's leadership learned recently of the passing of the Rev. Dr. Don Musser, who has been a "Guest in the Pulpit" for CUUC many times over so many years... A former chaplain for the U.S. military and a longtime ordained minister, Don Musser had authored numerous books over the decades and was a distinguished "Emeritus" professor of the Religious Studies Department at Stetson University in Deland, where his presence was still strong even after his retirement. He was a Cancer Survivor twice over, and was up-front about Sharing his Thoughts and Experiences in this with our congregation. Many of us saw Don as "one of our own" because of his devotion to exploring human spirituality and the degree of comfort he had come to feel, "letting his hair down" in the more intimate setting of our worship services. I viewed him as a Friend. It was fitting that I was his Service Leader for his last appearance - on ZOOM on December 27th, 2020, when he helped us reconcile the effects of a year unlike any other, capped by 9 months of Pandemic and Quarantine. I was saddened to bring Don news of the deaths of CUUC Members Bud Cullison and Lloyd Dunham earlier that month, and he said, "I'm just reeling; but Joe, I am glad that I heard it from you. You know how much I admired each of them. And Lloyd and Laurie Dunham have been true mentors to me - almost like parents - though I know I'm 'too Old' to Say that  - they're not a whole generation older than I am, but still... - so Good to Me, so Caring!" 

We will Miss Don Musser - his insights and his wisdom and his sense of humor - and his positive attitude. It's unfortunate that when Cancer came to his body a third time, it was determined to win the battle, and quickly. But we at CUUC will remember him always, and I personally like to think of a very happy reunion that was awaiting him in the Spirit World!

The Pandemic has left so many of us "weary" - and our CUUC Board of Trustees has also been affected. We are activating our Nominating Committee to seek out individuals who will step up to Leadership Roles, as Trustees are NEEDED for the ongoing oversight and care of our church and its operations. One person who will be stepping down from the position of Trustee is our beloved Kathi Smith, who has served continuously almost since she joined our church, and writes the beautiful "invitation" emails that you are receiving each week to promote the following Sunday Morning Service. PLEASE, if you are a writer willing to take over this project (& are "Good With Deadlines!" As I most certainly AM NOT!) - Consider Volunteering! [FYI, writing the "Invitation email" Need Not ALSO require that you be willing to serve as a Trustee! These can be Separate Tasks for Different People - Kathi just Happens to be a PowerHouse!] A TEAM of Dedicated Volunteers Always has been the Driving Force behind CUUC -  something Don Musser saw over his many years of speaking engagements with us, and complimented us on consistently! He told us not to underestimate ourselves, because a church doesn't need to be a Large One in order for it to become a Force to be Reckoned With - in the Best Sense of the Words!

Namaste 


Joe WolfArth
President, Board of Trustees
Community Unitarian Universalist Church
New Smyrna Beach, FL

 

April 4th

Kurtland & Gaia Davies

"Aladdin and the Adventure of Intentionality"

When we were little kids, we all knew that someday we would come upon
a genie who would fulfill all our wishes.  When we grew up, we were sad to discover that this
wasn’t quite how life worked!  But wishes can still come true if we can discover
the right incantations!

We are living in a greatly changed world.  A lot of us are feeling a bit lost.
  Feelings of separation, isolation, sadness, boredom, or uselessness may be getting to us. 

Come along with Gaia and Kurtland to the Land of Intentions to
explore ways to find new purpose and meaning in our lives.

Service Leader: Debbi Zill

April 11th

Mark Winwood
"The Diamond Sutra: Inclusiveness and Impermanence " 

Mark will share some of the thoughtful aspects of one of
Mahayana Buddhism's most revered (and studied) wisdom texts:
"The Perfection of Wisdom that Cuts Like a Diamond Sutra" -- aka
the Diamond Sutra. Included will be discussion of wholesome attitudes
and the Bodhisattvas path.  Specific excerpts of the text will be available
online for download and review.  

Service Leader: Linda & Mike McGraw

April 18th

Bud Murphy
"The Information Age & Evolution"
Do we, Unitarian Universalists, have values and beliefs with transformational
power.  Is our unwillingness to declare what is absolutely true, right and good
essential to that transformative dynamic? Can the UUA without official
dogma or creed position us as pivotal in the tipping point of human evolution?
As the path to the future appears to close due to the impact of humans, does
a moral revolution stand between us and that desirable and sustainable future? 

Service Leader: Kathi Smith

April 25th
l
Jenny Nazak

To Be Announced

Service Leader: Barbara Mars


 

Check the calendar on our website for the most up to date information on services.
Our May-February services were presented over Zoom Meeting
on the Internet. We will continue with this format until we can
join each other in worship.
 

May 2nd.  Suzanne Garrison "Leadership in a Volunteer Organization"    Service Leader: Debbi Zill

May 9th  Rev. Mark Spivey  "Mother's Day"  Service Leader: Nancy McCormick

May 16th   Joe WolfArth   "UUism & Principles"  

May 23rd   Ronald Melvin   Service Leader:  Michael & Linda McGraw

May 30th   Rev. Faerie Elaine Silver, Musical Ministry   "Scientific Prayer -A Method for Manifestation   Service Leader: Joe WolfArth

Please check the calendar for the most up-to-date service information.

Passover Continues

through April 4th



 

 

April- Full Month- GENOCIDE AWARENESS MONTH: A month that marks important anniversaries for past and contemporary genocides. Throughout the month, individuals, communities and organizations join together to remember and honor victims and survivors of mass atrocities.
https://hhrecny.org/genocide-awareness/

April- Full Month- NATIONAL POETRY MONTH:  Introduced in 1996 by the Academy of American Poets as a way to increase awareness and appreciation of poetry in the United States.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Poetry_Month

April 1 HOLY THURSDAY • Christian: Also known as Maundy Thursday, it is celebrated on the Thursday before Easter commemorating the Last Supper, at which Jesus and the Apostles were together for the last time before the Crucifixion.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maundy_Thursday

April 2 GOOD FRIDAY • Christian: Known as Holy Friday in Eastern Christianity, it commemorates the Crucifixion of Jesus on the Friday before Easter/Pascha.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Friday

April 4 EASTER • Christian: Known as Pascha in Eastern Christianity, it celebrates the resurrection of Jesus.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter

April 8 YOM HASHOAH • Jewish: “Holocaust Remembrance Day” memorializes the heroic martyrdom of six million Jews who perished in the Nazi Holocaust.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yom_HaShoah

April 21 RAMA NAVAMI • Hindu: Celebrates the birthday of Rama, king of ancient India, hero of the epic Ramayana, and seventh incarnation of Vishnu.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rama_Navami

April 13–May 13 RAMADAN • Islamic: Observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting to commemorate the first revelation of the Qur'an to the Prophet Muhammad.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramadan

April 14 VAISAKHI (also spelled Baisakhi) • Sikh: The festival which celebrates the founding of the Sikh community as the Khalsa (community of the initiated). On this day, Sikhs gather and celebrate Vaisakhi at their local Gurdwaras (Sikh house of worship) by remembering this day as the birth of the Khalsa.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaisakhi

April 20–May 1 FESTIVAL OF RIDVÁN • Bahá’í: Annual festival commemorating the 12 days when Bahá’u’lláh, the prophet-founder of the Bahá’í Faith, resided in a garden called Ridván (Paradise) and publicly proclaimed his mission as God’s messenger for this age. The first (April 20), ninth (April 28), and twelfth (May 1) days are celebrated as holy days when Baha’is suspend work.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ridv%C3%A1n

April 23rd- DAY OF SILENCE: Students take a day-long vow of silence to protest the actual silencing of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) students and their straight allies due to bias and harassment.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_Silence

April 24 ARMENIAN MARTYRS’ DAY: Memorializes the genocide of approximately 1.5 million Armenians between 1915 and 1923 in Turkey.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ridv%C3%A1n

April 27 THERAVADA NEW YEAR • Buddhist: In Theravada countries the New Year is celebrated on the first full moon day in April.
https://www.beliefnet.com/faiths/buddhism/why-do-only-some-buddhists-celebrate-theravada-new-year.aspx

April 30 LAG B’OMER • Jewish: Celebrates the end of a divine-sent plague and/or Roman occupation during Rabbi Akiva’s lifetime (died c. 135 CE).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lag_BaOmer


This list of observances was taken from "The Calendar of Observances" from the Anti Defamation League. 
https://www.adl.org/education/resources/tools-and-strategies/calendar-of-observances

Supporter of  Unitarian Universalist Beliefs

May 3, 1912 – July 16, 1995
Poet, Novelist, Memoirist


May Sarton wrote 53 books, including 19 novels, 17 books of poetry, 15 nonfiction works, 2 children's books, a play, and additional screenplays.[10][11] According to The Poetry Foundation, Sarton's style as defined by critics is "calm, cultured, and urbane." In much of her writing, Sarton maintains a politically conscious lens, but what is considered May Sarton's best and most enduring work lies in her journals and memoirs, particularly Plant Dreaming Deep (about her early years at Nelson, ca. 1958-68), Journal of a Solitude (1972-1973, often considered her best), The House by the Sea (1974-1976), Recovering (1978-1979) and At Seventy (1982-1983). In these fragile, rambling and honest accounts of her solitary life, she deals with such issues as aging, isolation, solitude, friendship, love and relationships, lesbianism, self-doubt, success and failure, envy, gratitude for life's simple pleasures, love of nature (particularly of flowers), the changing seasons, spirituality and, importantly, the constant struggles of a creative life. Sarton's later journals are not of the same quality, as she endeavored to keep writing through ill health and by dictation.

Although many of her earlier works, such as Encounter in April, contain vivid erotic female imagery, May Sarton often emphasized in her journals that she didn't see herself as a "lesbian" writer: "The vision of life in my work is not limited to one segment of humanity...and has little to do with sexual proclivity". Rather she wanted to touch on what is universally human about love in all its manifestations. 

 

                             

March Book Club Meeting at Lost Lagoon 



 

Charlotte, Donna, Audrey, Dana, Loretta, Rosa, Michele, Barbara, and  Katy
Missing from picture: Anna & Sonia

June 2

 

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