1. Art and Diseño

UNISON
Unitarian
Universalist
Church of
Spartanburg
February 2015
Number 848
The Unitarian Universalist
Church of Spartanburg
is a
Welcoming
Congregation
Sunday Service 11:00
Wednesday Vespers 6:30
Unitarian Universalism
Love Beyond Belief
The Unitarian Universalist
Church of Spartanburg,
a liberal, welcoming
congregation, transforms
lives and our world by
developing strong hearts
and minds, challenging
injustice, promoting
sustainability, and
celebrating diversity.
Minister’s Corner
It’s February—the month of LOVE! And we
are going to explore the many faces of love
and commitment this month as we kick off our
Annual Fund campaign—our opportunity to
love our church in a very tangible way—with our financial gifts! It
costs $550 per day (every day) to live out our mission and vision in
this community. It doesn’t take a math genius to figure out that it
takes every single one of us, giving to the best of our ability, to help us
keep on keepin’ on. I hope that every person who reads this newsletter commits to a generous pledge that can be fulfilled.
“In loving ourselves, we love the world. For just as fire, rock, and
water are all made up of molecules, everything, including you and
me, is connected by a small piece of the beginning” (Mark Nepo). Loving ourselves takes courage. Loving the world takes faith. Each of us
is connected “by a small piece of the beginning.” The idea that we are
separated from one another or from the earth or from the other particles of stardust in and beyond our universe is an error that we must
correct if our species is to continue. We are deeply interrelated—and
we discover that relationship by gathering to worship and learn how
to be better earthlings. Each week we affirm that diversity need not
divide us—let’s start living as if this were so.
Faithfully, Rev. Michelle
Unison / 1
February Theme
Love
A Month of Sundays
February
1
The Earth Path: Our Sixth Source
Rev. Michelle
8
The Sermon on the Amount
Rev. Michelle
Quilt Project
COMING SOON! March is Women’s History Month—
and to celebrate, I’d like to hang quilts in the sanctuary
for the month. If you have a historical or family quilt that
you’d be willing to lend, please contact Rev. Michelle at
[email protected]. Thank you! Many of you will remember when we did this in 2013—and it was spectacular!
What a visual feast! I hope that many will participate.
Quilts should be in good condition and hardy enough
to be hung; we promise to be very careful with your
treasured quilts! Deadline for bringing in quilts will be
Sunday, February 22, to allow enough time to display
them. Quilts will remain on display throughout the
month of March.
15
Fat Tuesday Sunday
(featuring Windjammers Jazz)
Expanded Family Service
22
The Many Faces of Love
UUCS Worship Team
Getting to the Source
This fall we have been delving into the Sources that inform Unitarian Universalism. We have celebrated:
•Direct experience of that transcending mystery and
wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to
a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces
that create and uphold life;
•Words and deeds of prophetic women and men
which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love;
2 / Unison
•Wisdom from the world’s religions which inspires us
in our ethical and spiritual life.
•Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God’s love by loving our neighbors as ourselves.
•Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the
guidance of reason and the results of science, and
warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit.
This month we will explore our sixth (and final, for now)
Source: Spiritual teachings of Earth-centered traditions
which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to
live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.
Unitarian Universalist Church of Spartanburg
210 Henry Place
P.O. Box 1942
Spartanburg, SC 29304
Stand by this faith. Work for it and sacrifice for it.
There is nothing in all the world so important
as to be loyal to this faith which has placed before us
the loftiest ideals, which has comforted us in sorrow,
strengthened us for noble duty and
made the world beautiful.
Olympia Brown
January 2015
Dear Members and Friends of UUCS,
The sentiment above by Olympia Brown (the first woman fully ordained to Universalist ministry in 1863) is
one that resonates deeply with me. This faith is a life-saving and life-changing one, transforming us so we
can transform the world. We have a rich heritage of people like Olympia Brown who sacrificed and stood by
our liberal faith, and we are blessed beyond measure to be the beneficiaries of their good works and thoughtful reflection. Each generation receives and each generation is called upon to sustain and build.
Today I am asking you to support the mission of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Spartanburg with
your time, talent, and treasure. We are beginning our Annual Fund Campaign, where all of us who consider
UUCS to be “our church” have the opportunity to pledge our financial support to the programs that help us
to live out our mission in the community. My hope is that all of us who make UUCS our church home will
give thoughtfully and generously.
Stewardship is the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to our care. Our gifts of
time, talent, and treasure are how we live out that careful and responsible management of this faith community that has been entrusted to our care. We are the stewards. We are the ones who are called to stand by
this faith, to work for it and sacrifice for it.
To live out our mission of transforming lives to transform the world requires our financial support. To fully
live out our mission in the community, to keep our buildings and programming in tip-top shape, to grow
into our potential requires $550/day, every day. How many days or weeks will you pledge to entrust to your
care? Whether your annual pledge is equal to a portion of a day or covers a week or more, it is up to each of
us to rise to the challenge of caring for this faith community that has comforted us in sorrow, strengthened
us for noble duty and made the world beautiful. Please pledge generously. Please pledge thoughtfully with
an amount that you can fulfill. Stand by this faith with me.
Faithfully,
Michelle Buhite, Minister
Telephone (864) 585-9230 [email protected]
www.uucs.org
Unison / 3
Gather the Spirit, Harvest the Power!
Annual Fund 2015-2016
On Sunday, February 8, we “kick off” our 2015-2016 Annual Fund Campaign
where all of us who consider UUCS to be “our church” have the opportunity
to pledge our financial support to the programs and ministries that help us to
live out our mission in the community.
Our Beloved Community is primarily supported through the generous giving of members and friends. Around 85-90% of our income is from this source.
(The remaining 10-15% comes from fundraising, primarily the auction, contributions, Sunday offering, building rentals.)
In order to fulfill our mission and achieve our priorities for next fiscal year,
the UUCS Board has approved a goal of $200,000 in financial commitments
(aka “pledges”) from members and friends. Breaking the $200,000 down into
more manageable numbers, this amounts to $3,846/week or $550/day to support our mission, ministries, and programs.
What part will you play in the financial future of UUCS??
When thinking about what your pledge might be to help “harvest the power” of our church community, please consider the following:
Pledge/year Per month Covers
$ 10,000 $833
18 days
$ 9,000 $750
16 days
$ 7,000 $583
13 days
$ 5,000 $417
$ 3,000 $250
5.5 days
$ 1,650 $138
3 days
$
550 $ 46
1 day
$
275 $ 23
9 days
.5 days
Please also consider the level of your stewardship commitment: Where are
you in relationship to the church community?
Visionary: You are committed to both the present and future health/growth of
our congregation. You want to sustain UUCS as a liberal religious presence in
our community now and in years to come (16 plus days).
Steward: UUCS is central to your identity, and you are willing to help fulfill
its mission and sustain its programs for yourself/family and others in search
of a religious community like ours (9 plus days).
Sustainer: UUCS is a vital, significant part of your life and promotes your
spiritual growth and transformation (3 plus days).
Supporter: UUCS is an important part of your life and fulfills your religious/
spiritual needs and those of your family (up to 1 day).
Whether your annual pledge is equal to a portion of a day or covers a week or
more, it is up to each of us to rise to the challenge of caring for this faith community that is there for each of us. Please pledge thoughtfully and generously
and with an amount that you can reasonably fulfill.
Thank you for your generosity!
4 / Unison
Ways to Make Your
Pledge for 2015/2016
During the Annual Fund Campaign in February, there will be
several ways for you to make your
annual financial commitment (aka
“pledge”):
1. Through a volunteer Canvasser
or Giving Guide, who will be
contacting many of you directly;
2. Download hardcopy pledge
form from Annual Fund web
page (via www.uucs.org), or
pick one up from table in back of
sanctuary (privacy envelopes in
each chair back). Deposit in Sunday offering plate or lock box in
hallway next to ladies room; OR
3. Use the QR code included here
on your smart phone and go
directly to on-line pledge form.
(We’ve entered the 21st century!)
However you make your pledge,
please know that your generosity
allows UUCS to achieve its mission
and provide quality worship, music, faith development, and a variety
of programs AND to begin paying
off the principle of four outstanding
mortgages!
Thank You.
Adult Faith Development Programming for February
Adult Programming
Sundays: 9:45-10:45
February 1: Big History (Video and Discussion Series),
Room 5
Moving Across Multiple Scales: Big History requires
an understanding of large spatial and temporal scales.
But how can we possibly grasp how big (or how old) our
solar system is—or the entire Universe? This lecture tries
to help you deal with multiple scales in both space and
time. Peer facilitated.
February 8: Choices for Sustainable Living, Room 5.
Facilitated by Karyl Fuller.
February 15: Living With Questions, Room 5. Peer
facilitated.
Sunday, February 22: Transcendentalism (Video and
Discussion Series), Room 5
Emerson’s Influence: Emerson was one of the titanic figures in intellectual history whose thoughts were adopted
by others almost immediately. Over time, those same
ideas contributed to numerous ideologies, movements,
and ways of thinking. He developed perspectives that
rapidly influenced educational theory, theological and
religious practice, and political debate. Peer facilitated.
Wednesdays 7:15
February 4: Runes for Everyone, Room 5
Further exploration of the Viking writing and oracle system, facilitated by Les Buhite. No experience necessary.
February 11, 7:00: Humanist Discussion Group,
Fellowship Hall. Facilitated by Marion Tisdale.
7:15: The Sacred Feminine, Room 5. Facilitated by
Stacey Jackson.
February 18: Intentional Relationships, Room 5
The purpose of the group is to create a safe and welcoming place to do the work of co-creating sustainable intentional relationships. We explore how we understand
and practice Love Beyond Belief in relationship with
ourselves, others, and the world. We engage one another
in developing a faith grounded in love and living more
deeply. Through the integration of science, psychology,
and spirituality, we offer one another the opportunity to
stand in our own otherness and form meaningful, lasting
relationships that help us to sustain our beloved community. Facilitated by Stacey Jackson.
February 25: Expanded Book Discussion
Facilitated by Rev. Michelle Buhite. Participants will engage Charles Eisenstein’s book, The More Beautiful World
Our Hearts Know Is Possible.
Children and Youth
Children and youth Sunday School classes meet each
Sunday after the Time for All Ages in the morning service. Please meet your classroom guides in the foyer outside the sanctuary.
Nursery Hours
Sundays: 9:30-12:30
Wednesdays: 6-8:30
Sunday, February 1
4K-2nd Grade
3rd-12th Grade: Chalice Circle-Love
Sunday, February 8
4K-2nd Grade: Mardi Gras Mask Activity
3rd-6th Grade: Mardi Gras Mask Activity
8th-12th Grade: Mardi Gras Activity
Sunday, February 15
Expanded Family Service: ALL in service.
Sunday, February 22
4K-2nd Grade
3rd-6th Grade
7th-12th Grade
Jumping Mouse
Our older children and youth will be presenting the puppet show Jumping Mouse during the Earth Day Service,
April 19th. The Jumping Mouse story is an Amerindian
legend of transformation. “You will reach the far-off land
if you keep hope alive within you.” The words of Magic
Frog give courage to the young mouse on his long and
perilous journey to reach the wonderful land of legend.
He faces many obstacles on his quest and sacrifices much
to help others in need. But the mouse’s compassion and
faith in himself prove to be a source of great power—and
bring him rewards even beyond his dreams.
The rehearsal dates are listed below. All rehearsals are
on Sundays from 12:30 to 2:00. Please bring a lunch with
you or have someone bring you a lunch before rehearsals begin.
February 1, February 15, March 1,
March 15, March 29, April 12
Unison / 5
Expanded Book Study
The More Beautiful World We Know Is Possible
Wednesday Afternoon Programming
Join Rev. Michelle on fourth Wednesdays for an expanded discussion of Charles Eisenstein’s book, The
More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know Is Possible. This
book challenges the prevailing paradigm of separation
and advocates a new story of Interbeing. Eisenstein asserts that the transition to a new story of Interbeing, “is
nothing less than a transformation in the experience of
being alive.” We will read and discuss this book over
the next several months. A copy of the book is available in the church library (to be read on site, please),
or participants may wish to purchase their own copy
from a bookseller of their choice. (You can support our
local bookstore by ordering through Hub City Books or
purchase through Amazon by going through the portal
on the UUCS website.)
In a time of social and ecological crisis, what can we
as individuals do to make the world a better place? This
inspirational and thought-provoking book serves as an
empowering antidote to the cynicism, frustration, paralysis, and sense of being overwhelmed that so many
of us are feeling, replacing it with a grounding reminder of what’s true: we are all connected, and our small
personal choices bear unsuspected transformational
power. By fully embracing and practicing this principle
of interconnectedness—called interbeing—we become
more effective agents of change and have a stronger
positive influence on the world.
Throughout the book, Eisenstein relates real-life
stories showing how small individual acts of courage, kindness, and self-trust can change our culture’s
guiding narrative of separation, which, he shows, has
generated the present planetary crisis. With chapters
covering separation, interbeing, despair, hope, pain,
pleasure, consciousness, and many more, the book invites us to let the old Story of Separation fall away so
that we can stand firmly in a Story of Interbeing.
2:00-3:30 p.m.
Wednesday Evening Vespers
Vespers is the mid-week informal worship “breather,” a
thirty-minute service that actively engages participants
through sharing and reflection. Vespers begin at 6:30
p.m.
Looking for Something Fun to Do?
UUCS members and dynamic fiddlin’ duo, Fred and
Pam Stoll, will be playing for two upcoming contra
dance sessions to be held at the Hub-Bub Showroom (149
Daniel Morgan Ave.) on February 26 and March 26. You
can learn how to contra dance at 7:00 p.m. before the 7:30
dance begins! Only $7.00 admission for an evening of
fun! (Contra dancing is similar to square dancing—but
more fun!)
6 / Unison
Our Whole Selves: Body, Mind, and Spirit
February 4
Book Group
Led by Sally H.
The Book Group will discuss All the Light We Cannot
See by Anthony Doerr. It is the story of a young blind
girl and a German boy trying to survive the terror and
destruction of WWII.
February 11
Writing Group
Led by Marie G.
This popular afternoon group will continue to read
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamont as a basis for their writing. Please join us and release your inner author. It’s
great therapy!
February 18
Theology Discussion Group
Led by Monnie C. and Cindy H.
We will read and discuss Jesus for the Non-Religious,
written by liberal Episcopal Bishop John Shelby
Spong. There is a copy in the library and it is available
from Amazon in both paperback and Kindle.
February 25
Green Films
Led by Susan G.
This challenging group will view the second of the
Green Films series. After the video, there will be discussion. Be sure to join us as we enjoy a fascinating
trip that will be out of this world!
Check the Congregational Life Bulletin Board, the
Happenings, and the Unison for monthly details.
UUCS Website: www.uucs.org
Our church website has had a new look for several
months now. In fact, we even have a Site Index easily accessible under the Home Page tab. So, if you are new to
the site, this might be the easiest way to locate what you
are looking for, such as Book Group, Coffeehouse, Congregational Picnic, or the Long Range Plan. Try it—you
might like it. —Communication Team
Humanist Meeting February 11
Our second Humanist meeting of the new year is scheduled for Wednesday, February 11, in the Fellowship Hall
at UUCS. Come at 6:30 p.m. for fellowship and at 7:00
p.m. for the meeting. We have planned an exciting meeting in February. Take a look.
February 12 is the 206th birthday of Charles Darwin.
We plan to have some champagne and take a few minutes for some “Toasts and Quotes” from The Origin of
Species and Darwin’s writings to honor “Evolution, The
best idea anybody ever had.” Following the toasts we go
immediately into the main topic for the evening.
Paul Kurtz, Father of Modern Humanism
Doug A., a member of our Humanist Discussion Group
who will present the program, offers the following observations:
As a former student and friend, I think (1) Paul Kurtz,
the man, represents everything that is good in humanism—a pragmatic optimism, respectful skepticism, and
generous tolerance—an inclusive and welcoming vision
of humanism that flourished under his leadership; and
(2) as philosopher, he is the latest in the line of Charles
Sanders Peirce, William James, John Dewey, and Sidney
Hook, representing that quintessential American philosophy, pragmatism; and (3) the story of his last years
in Buffalo where he was deposed from the organizations
he had founded and locked out of his own office became
for me a metaphor for the closed mindedness and intolerance that threatens humanism and liberalism from
within.
With toasts, a great program followed by a lively discussion, this is one Humanist meeting you don’t want
to miss.
See you there on the eleventh.
Sunday Lunch Bunch
12:30 Meet in the Old Foyer
Spend some time with your UU friends on Sundays
following the worship service. The Sunday Lunch
Bunch meets every Sunday and has an average of sixto-twelve participants each time. To find out where
we are going for lunch, meet Riley and Dave after the
service in the old foyer near the kitchen. Newcomers are especially welcome—it’s a great way to get to
know your new community.
Look for
Riley
(left) or
Dave
Theology Discussion
We will read and discuss Jesus for
the Non-Religious, written by the
liberal Episcopal Bishop, John
Shelby Spong. In an interesting
and helpful way he dispenses
with the parts of the Gospels
that he considers fictional. Then
Spong explains who he thinks
Jesus really was, a man who was
radically inclusive. Please join
us for a lively discussion on the
third Wednesday afternoon in
February that just might produce
more questions than answers!
New Wednesday Afternoon Group
On January 28, Susan G. began Green Films, a new environmentally focused video and discussion series. This
film series consists primarily of documentaries but also
includes an occasional fiction film. All of the films focus
on the condition and future of our Mother Earth. The
series will continue the fourth Wednesday afternoon of
each month, and Susan will show the video again each
fourth Wednesday night beginning at 7:00. The second of
the Green Films series will be held on February 25. After
the video there will be discussion. Be sure to join us as
we enjoy a fascinating trip that will be out of this world!
Book Group Reading for March
In honor of Women’s History month, our choice is A
Fighting Chance by Elizabeth Warren, the freshman Senator from Massachusetts. Ms Warren displays a commitment to a working sensibility for the real needs of the
present day. Publishers Weekly described her as “a woman who has tasted tough economic times at an early age
and did not forget its bitterness. She stands for integrity
and spirit which could bring her from one end of Pennsylvania Avenue to the other.”
Take time to celebrate all that you are and continue
to believe in your dreams. Take a long nap, splurge on
watching campy reruns of Batman and Robin while
enjoying a cup of blackberry tea and a plate of Benne
Wafers straight from Charleston!
POLOs Meetings
Calling Parents of Little Ones! A group called POLOs
is meeting twice a month at UUCS to give parents and
little ones some social time together. Please bring a small
breakfast-y snack to share (like fruit, pastry, etc.). Meetings are on second and fourth Thursdays from 9:30 to
11:00 a.m. in the nursery. There will be meetings this
month on February 12 and February 26. See Tracy S. for
more information.
Unison / 7
Fulfilling Our Promise: UUCS’s Outstanding Mortgages
In 2000, UUCS made the decision to build our beautiful
sanctuary. Of the $800,000 building costs, a capital campaign raised approximately $400,000 from committed
members and friends over a three- to four-year period.
After the church borrowed $100,000 from a local bank,
two very generous congregants agreed to lend UUCS the
final $300,000 to complete the project.
The bank mortgage balance of $46,000 was retired
during 2008’s successful “Burn the Mortgage,“ but the
$300,000 private mortgage debt remained.
The Remaining Mortgages
The payments of principle on these notes—a $50,000
note, a $100,000 note, and a $150,000 note—were scheduled to start February 2006 and end December 31, 2023.
From that scheduled start time, some interest and principle were paid at one time or another, but as of January 2011, the balance, including unpaid interest, was
$313,488.
The “Harris Plan”
Working closely with the two mortgage holders, Treasurer Ben Harris and the Board put together a plan in late
2010 to meet UUCS’s debt-servicing obligations. Some of
the debt was retired with a $64,000 bequest. The remainder was to be paid in five balloon payments of roughly
$50-55,000 every five years, beginning in 2016.
Where We Are as of January 1, 2015 —and
Where We’re Headed!
Since the “Harris Plan” was adopted in 2011, UUCS has
been paying the interest on the notes, which is included
in the annual budget ($7,860/year). However, the Board
understands that it is untenable to conduct a capital campaigns every five years to raise the money for the balloon
payment of the maturing note.
Recognizing that fact also, one of the mortgage holders volunteered in spring 2014 to forgive repayment of
Note #1, due on June 30, 2016, so that we did not have
to conduct a capital campaign at this time. Yet another
generous gift to UUCS!
The Board, however, also understands that what
probably should have been considered a short-term “fix”
(the Harris Plan) has turned into a longer-term “solution,” allowing our congregation to postpone its ethical
obligation to pay off the remaining four mortgages more
quickly, even though neither individual has ever pushed
for that.
The Board has therefore approved adding an additional $10,000 to the annual operating budget beginning in 2015/2016 in order to pay off both the interest
and the principle of the four remaining mortgages more
aggressively. Though this is a responsible decision, the
8 / Unison
additional $10,000 may negatively impact our on-going
programs and ministries unless our committed members
and friends seriously consider how they can help by increasing their giving to the church in the upcoming year
and beyond.
You’ll be hearing more about this as the Annual Fund
Team makes plans for our 2015/2016 pledge campaign.
In the meantime, please contact me (Mary: annualfund@
uucs.org), Linda L. ([email protected]), or Mark N.
([email protected]) with questions or comments.
—Mary M., Chair, Annual Fund Team
A Note from the President
As we swing into February, I’m excited at all the programming we have this month.
We have classes on Sunday mornings before service,
Wednesday afternoon and evening classes, covenant
groups, and the drumming classes continue on through
February.
The annual fund campaign will kick off on February
8th for 2015/2016 with a worship service. The next Sunday we will celebrate Mardi Gras with some fantastic
music with cake and cider after the service. I hope everyone can plan to attend. Your canvassers will be contacting
you after the 9th of February to discuss your pledge for
next year. These folks have volunteered to do the work
of the church in the annual campaign. Please get back to
them as soon as possible after they contact you.
Your board has been busy finalizing the “bylaw
changes” and the Enabling Resolution for the Endowment Fund. I would like to thank Nancy M, Jule K, and
Kim D for their work on the bylaws and Fred S, Marion
and Barbara T, Don M, and Mark N for their work on
the endowment. We will have a called congregational
meeting on Sunday, March 29, after service to vote on
these two important issues. Two meetings to discuss the
“bylaws changes” and the endowment fund will be on
Sunday, March 22, after service and Wednesday, March
25, at 7:00 p.m. Anyone with any questions please come
to either one of those meetings.
Know Your Church
Find out everything you need to know to get things
done at UUCS. Access it under “About Us” on the
Home Page of the website (www.uucs.org). In the unlikely event that you don’t find the answer to your
question in Know Your Church, please contact the
Leadership Development Team at leaderdev@uucs.
org.
The FY2015 Pledge Goal was $175,000. At the halfway point, we have collected 57.9%.
Affirmations
We asked people how UUCS has changed their lives and
their hopes for our future. Here is an excerpt from Launa
B.’s response (you’ll hear more from her on a Sunday
morning!):
Thirteen years ago this month, I moved to Spartanburg from Gaithersburg, MD. I came as a broken woman. Diagnosed with Severe Major Depression and PTSD,
I had lost jobs, friends, a Lesbian relationship of 12 years
and another relationship of 5 years, which had resulted
in a beautiful daughter, Madison. When Madison was
only 18 months old, her mother took her and moved out.
Within a couple of months, I received the phone call I had
feared—I would never be allowed to see Madison again!
So I packed up and moved away—to Spartanburg, SC,
where my brother and sister-in-law had already lived for
over 15 years.
In the fall of 2002, someone believed in me and reached
out to me. She knew that UUCS would be a good fit for
me. This church (the people who gather here) was not
bothered by my depression, even though it often meant
here one Sunday, then gone for several. I have been a
part of this church’s growth, struggles, and transitions
for over 10 years. As our old sanctuary (now the fellowship hall) began to burst at the seams, we problem-solved
together, respecting and listening to one another. At the
forefront was the need to accommodate as many as pos-
sible without disrupting the routines of others. Each person’s worth and dignity were important. As this “new”
sanctuary was planned and built, we came together to
provide support, encouragement, lots of labor, and financing for our future home.
Although we went through a number of transitions
during those years, we continued to remain steadfast in
three ways:
•Stand on the side of Love
•Care about our community
•Walk the walk of the talk we talked
Our “talk” is to treat each other equally, welcome those
who knock on our doors, and make ourselves better people. We have “walked that walk” well as we have invited,
welcomed, and embraced new life in our congregation.
UUCS has made a difference.
In 2002, it was hard for me to visualize “tomorrow”
and certainly not further than that. But I saw a church
that did; where people truly cared about each other. So
with this new love established and my candle of hope relit, I knew that UUCS was (and still is) the church for me.
Unison / 9
Fiddle Player
to Headline
February
Coffeehouse
Fiddle player Chris Liakos plays contra dance style music including old time, Celtic, and New England tunes.
For his coffeehouse performance, set for Saturday, February 28, he will play his acoustic fiddle as well an electric with loop station, allowing layering so that it sounds
as if several people are playing.
Chris, who has been playing for sixteen years, teaches
violin and fiddle at Music and Arts in Spartanburg, Yellow Mama Music in Lyman, and gives private lessons at
Dawkins Middle School. He started playing fiddle music
in high school and later took a Scandanavian Fiddling
class at John C. Campbell Folk School in Western North
Carolina. He’s been playing dances for about ten years.
So what IS the difference between a fiddle and a
violin? “They are the same instrument. It is simply the
10 / Unison
style of music that’s played on it,” explained Chris, who
moved to Spartanburg with his wife Rebecca from Philadelphia about a year ago. “Violins are used in orchestras,
for classical type music whereas the fiddle is associated
with dance. You can play fiddle on a viola too. Fiddle
music is more laid back and more subjective, and there’s
a lot of improvisation in fiddle music but in violin, you
play exactly the notes on the page and don’t deviate from
that.”
“There’s lots of music down south,” said Chris, whose
contra dance band has played in Columbia, Charlotte,
Saluda, Taylors, and for open mics and weddings in the
area.
The show gets under way at 7:00 p.m. with the first
portion of the evening open mic for all our talented inhouse performers who love playing to the best audience
in town. All performers are welcome as long as their
material is in good taste. We do ask that open mic performers keep their performances to about five minutes
so that everyone who wants to perform gets their chance.
Admission is a suggested $5 donation, which includes
coffee and pastries. Performers get in free as without you,
we wouldn’t have a show!
As is our custom, we continue to support TOTAL
Ministries which helps struggling families in our area so
don’t forget to bring those non-perishable food items for
the food barrel.
All Aboard for the UUCS Meal Train
Your UUCS Pastoral Care Associates (PCA) team has
been studying a way to involve more people in caring
for one another within our church community. The Meal
Train, an online method of reaching out to church members in the midst of a significant life event, is such an idea.
Community enables us to help people. When we pool
our strengths and share the work and responsibility, we
build bridges within our fellowship, lessen sorrows, and
magnify joys, enhancing our UUCS community.
What is a Meal Train? Information taken from
the Meal Train website:
A meal train is an easy way to organize meal giving
around significant life events. When a friend is in need,
everyone says, “What can I do to help out?” The answer
is usually to help them with a meal. When many friends
give a meal, this is a meal train.
Think about it like this:
Friends going through a difficult or challenging time
due to a birth, surgery, illness, etc., could use some help.
Willing friends and congregation members would love
to meet this need, if they only knew what to do. An organized meal train gives them a way to show they care by
cooking and taking a meal to a friend or family member.
But why should UUCS use mealTrain.com?
To help eliminate the confusion related to meal giving.
No longer are questions like “What do they like? When
are they available? What have they already had?” left unanswered. Providing each giver this information helps
simplify the process so they can focus on supporting others with meals.
With mealTrain.com
You eliminate confusion by creating a shared calendar
and answering questions in advance like: What do they
like? When are they available? What have they already
had?
Recipients of the meal train will specify how many
meals are desired, how many will be eating the meal,
when they should be delivered, and food preferences
and allergies. Each person receiving a Meal Train email
can decide whether or not to participate in that particular
Meal Train. You may want to participate if the person
lives near you, is someone you know, or if you have the
time that week.
How will it work?
Our UUCS Meal Train is an outgrowth of our Pastoral
Care Associates (PCA) team. Whenever there is a significant life event within the church, a PCA member
will contact the individual or family and will ask what
kind of church support would be helpful. With the person’s permission, cards, visits, or a Meal Train will be
arranged.
Each Meal Train will be announced via email. If you’d
like to participate, you create a Meal Train account and
sign up to bring a meal. Meal Train will send you a reminder the day before the meal is to be delivered. Sign
up to participate in the Meal Train for folks you know,
folks you’d like to meet, folks in your geographic area, or
just because you’d like to help out. Participate as you can.
Meal Train Etiquette
•When dropping off a meal, plan not to stay more than
10-15 minutes. This will obviously depend on your existing relationship, but it is safer to expect that the meal
recipient is not ready to entertain yet.
•Arrive at the requested time.
•Make enough for leftovers. Freezable meals are also
nice.
•Don’t forget the extras like drinks, condiments, salad
dressing, and dessert!
•If there are children in the household, consider including a special toy or treat for them to help with what
may be a transitional time. Coloring books are great!
•If you plan to have something delivered (e.g. pizza),
make sure to pay for a tip in advance and specify the
delivery time.
•If possible, deliver your meal in a recyclable or reusable container.
•Be sure to label any items that you would like returned
to you. Include a large paper bag that the recipient can
use to store your items until you can coordinate a pickup date in the future with the recipient.
•Include clear preparation instructions, i.e. “Bake for 1
hour at 350 degrees.”
•Consider including a note or a card to the recipient
wishing them well.
•Have a map to the recipient’s house and a phone number in the event that something comes up on the day
of delivery.
Kindness rules!
Meal Train has been used successfully in other congregations. UUCS will board the Meal Train immediately,
though it may be a while before you see a Meal Train
request delivered to your email. Folks who would like
to unsubscribe to the Meal Train can email Joyce H. (see
directory for contact information).
Unison / 11
Soup-er Bowl
Sunday
Fundraiser for our church
Sunday, March 8th
right after church
Homemade soup (vegetarian and meaty),
cornbread, desserts, tea, or water.
Adults $10.00
Children 14 and under $5.00
Max for families $30.00
Tickets on sale in the Fellowship Hall
February 8—March 1 before and after
church or reserve a seat by calling
Joyce H.
Tickets will also be available at the door,
but we appreciate early sales so that we
can know how many folks to expect.
12 / Unison
We have a new Log In and Password for the Members and Friends section of the church website.
Please contact Membership at
[email protected]
if you need this new information.
Recycling Ink Cartridges
Our office administrator, Pat Landry, reports she is recycling used, empty printer-ink cartridges with Office
Depot for $2 each reward credit. By doing this, Pat is
helping to keep church expenses down by purchasing
“extras” for the church office with the credit. Just leave
the empty cartridges in the pocket of her door. Kudos to
Pat for doing this for UUCS!
Attention Gardeners and Would-Be
Gardeners! Seed Share!
Are you interested in trying a new type of basil or butterfly-attracting plant but unwilling to buy a whole pack
of seed? Do you have more seeds than you can use? Take
part in a Seed Share on Souper Sunday, March 8.
Bring your extra seeds on March 8. Package and label
them ahead of time. Include the seed variety and its seed
company of origin on the label.
Contact Jule K. if you have questions.
Customizing the Website
for Different Devices
Thanks to some new software, we now have the ability
to customize the website so that pages will automatically
adjust to whatever device you are using—desktop with
big monitor, smart phone, or tablet. (If you’re interested,
it’s called Responsive Web Design. The web site actually
can read what size your screen is and gives you the version of the page which is designed to be read on your
device!)
It will take a while to get this feature up and running.
You can help by giving us some feedback. Please let us
know:
•How do you access our electronic publications?
•What problems have you had?
•What pages have features that don’t look good or
perform properly on a small screen?
•If you wanted to access the website quickly for basic
information minus the frills and graphics, what sort
of information would you be looking for?
•What other suggestions do you have?
Send your comments to [email protected]
We’ll have this new feature up and running as soon as
possible. Thanks for your interest and support.
Dining Out with UU Friends
Don’t Forget to Use Amazon
Sunday Lunch Bunch after the Service
The link to Amazon is on the “General Information”
page (under “Home Page”) on the new website.
It is at the top of the left column.
We are no longer putting a lunch-bunch destination in
the publications. Those interested in going should
collect a group and make a decision
after the service.
Be sure to include visitors and newcomers.
Friday Lunch Bunch
February 13 — Cribb’s Kitchen
February 27 — Compadres
Newcomers are especially
welcome.
Online Unison
For those of you reading the printed version, the Unison is also available on line. The address of the Unison
Index is www.uucs.org/unisonindexnew.html, or you
may reach the Unison through the Home Page, the General Information Page, or the Introduction to the Members/Friends section. Just go to our website at www.
uucs.org.
From the Communications Workshop
Good communication means that all players are involved. When person A is having problems with person
B, the conversation needs to be with B. Too often, though,
A talks to a third party who knows them both, without
ever talking with B. A gains support from person C, but
nothing gets solved. And B is left in the dark. Such triangulation compounds problems. Good communication
means that all people involved in a project or situation
are in the loop. As scary as it may feel, face-to-face communication with careful listening is the best way to solve
disagreements.
Unison / 13
Unitarian Universalist
Church of Spartanburg
210 Henry Place
P.O. Box 1942
Spartanburg, SC 29304
Return Service Requested
WEBSITE AND E-MAIL ADDRESSES
UUCS Website (www.uucs.org)
Unitarian Universalist Association
(www.uua.org)
Michelle Buhite
[email protected]
Director of Lifespan Faith Development
[email protected]
Church Office
[email protected]
Publication Submissions
[email protected]
Joys and Concerns
[email protected]
14 / Unison
Unitarian Universalist Church
of Spartanburg
210 Henry Place—P.O. Box 1942—
Spartanburg, SC 29304
The Rev. Michelle Buhite, Minister
Tuesday-Thursday
Office Hours by Appointment
Friday is Rev. Michelle’s day off.
Worship Service: 11:00 a.m. Sundays
Church Phone (864) 585-9230
Off South Converse Street by way of
Hudson Barksdale
Hatcher House on Wheeler Court
DLFD Office Hours
Wednesday 4-5:30
Church Office Hours
10 :00-12:00 Tuesday through Friday
Website www.uucs.org
Regular e-mail: [email protected]
Announcement for weekly e-mail and
publications—[email protected]
with name of publication in the subject line.