From the President

It is often said that we UUs spend a lot of time talking about what we are not. Sometimes it can seem that we exist these days largely in reaction to the broader and more powerful religious currents that sweep the majority of people, at least in the USA, along with them. We can seem, even to ourselves, to be a mere eddy that moves stubbornly and doggedly in the opposite direction, but which owes its existence to that which it fights against.

This is, in part, due to the fact that the notion of a “liberal religion” is so decidedly non-mainstream. There is a strong cultural bias toward thinking of religions as dogmatic, creedal institutions that rely on blind faith and revelation. We, of course, are not like that, and so we fly under the radar of the general public’s religious awareness. But this need not be the case.

Looking around at the various messes that dogmatic, creedal religions have gotten us into lately, it is obvious that the world needs to become more familiar with the idea of liberal religion. And we are going to help!

This fall, UUCC is going to sponsor a series of speakers/discussions on the general topic of “liberal religion.” We are going to ask local representatives of a variety of liberal religious perspectives to speak about what liberal religion is, and what constructive roles it can play locally, nationally, and internationally.

August 5th at 9:30 am:  The Annual Raingutter Regatta will take place in the UUCC parking lot.  Come ready to make your boat and have a great time racing.

August 19th at 10:00 am:  All children are invited to the Splash Pad at Andrews Park

August 26th at 10:00 am:  Children's RE resumes (teacher TBA) 

As the RE director, I plan to contribute a parenting tip in each month's newsletter and August seems like a great time to start.  Hope you find them useful.

The first principle of UUism is that all people have value.  Perhaps you might want some ideas to help avoid passing on any of your prejudices to your children.  The following Quick Tips come from the Practical Parent Education web site.

Children learn biases and prejudices from a very early age.  Their first teachers are mom and dad.  Next come siblings and TV. You can help your child become a caring, respectful person by: * Looking inside yourself.  Do you have biases and prejudices?

* Being very careful about messages you send through words and actions.

* Recognizing that children are naturally curious.

* Talking about differences (as early as age 2 or 3).

* Not denying differences.

* Giving straight answers.  Be specific, but respectful and honest.

(“Katie’s skin is the same color as her parents, just like yours is the same

* Disallowing disrespectful comments and behaviors.

* Including people of differences among your circle of friends.

* Trying different foods, traditions, etc.

*  Monitoring children’s exposure to negative influences.

And here is a wonderful quote I heard this week:  "Our race (substitute any self description here) may define us but do not let it confine us." Christy Emig, RE Chair

Adult RE

The attendance for the Rational Inquiry Group (RInG) at the UUCC

has been growing. Eight to twelve earnest participants have typically gathered to discuss THE GOD DELUSION, by Richard Dawkins. We'll conclude our discussion at July 29'smeeting, just in time for the August hiatus.

At its September 2 meeting, RInG is selecting its next curriculum. The meeting starts at 10:00AM upstairs at the church, in room 2.

Anyone who intends to participate in upcoming RInG meetings is encouraged to offer suggestions to David Wrenn. Please include the reasons for your suggestions. If you are unable to attend Sept. 2's meeting but intend to participate in RInG meetings, please submit your votes to David by 9:00AM May 20. Check your email for the candidates.

Before the vote, participants will have the opportunity to give reasons to vote for or against any of the choices.

We will select the curriculum by a method of voting called range voting -- probably the most even-handed approach to voting. According to RangeVoting.org, "With range voting (RV), voters rate every candidate on a 0-9 scale (e.g. Gore=9, Nader=9, Browne=5, Bush=0, Phillips=X) or intentionally leave a candidate's score blank (the "X"). The candidate with the greatest average score wins. Blanks are not incorporated into the averaging, and hence do not affect outcomes."  David Wrenn, facilitator

Social Action Committee News

UUCC members will serve the noon meal at Food and Shelter for Friends on Thursdays, August 16th and 23rd. We meet there at 10:45 AM and work until noon.  If you would like to help, come by then. 

The Social Action Committee is also planning a UUCC garage sale on the weekend of the citywide  garage sale on Friday and Saturday, August 24th and 25th.  If you want to lighten your load, bring the stuff you would like to sell to 529 Garland Court during that week.  Mark the price you would like on the items, if possible.  The sale will start early.   We need volunteers to help prepare the items and work during the two day sale.  Call Lois at 321-4592 for info or volunteering.

There will be a break in the Fourth Tuesday Movie and Discussion series during July, August and September.  When some good documentaries  come up, they will be presented again. Lois Hilbert, Social Action Chair