Luuf Newsletter Oct 2013

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SERVIC E PLANNINGCOMMITTEE

Linda Hunter, (Chair)

Becky Abler

Ginny Finnel

Jim Sustman

Mary Jo Urban

Jessica Van Slooten

LAKESHORE

UNITARIAN

UNIVERSALIST

FELLOWSHIP

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Sign up to receive LUUF newsletters electronically. Email Ron Kossik at [email protected]

For submissions to the newsletter email Kim Everett at: [email protected]

C h o i r P r a c t i c e

1s t and 3RD

Wednesday

Each month

SERVICES: SUNDAY 10:00 A.M

2 0 P AR K STR EET ,

A N I T O W O C , W I 5 4 22 0,HONE: (920) 686-0643

mail: [email protected]: www.lakeshoreuu.org

og: www.luuf.blogspot.comacebook: Lakeshore Unitarianniversalist Fellowship

LUUF LAY MI NISTERS

an Fischer (920) [email protected]

Linda Hunter (920) [email protected]

rica Strauss (920) [email protected]

m Sustman (920) [email protected]

LUUF BOARD

President: Kathy Fishback

V. President: John Thompson

reasurer: Joel Marquardt

Secretary: Sandy Bast

Members at Large:

Dick Urban

Steve Abler

Jim Everett

OCTOBER 2013

NEWSLETTER

Oc t o b er 6

Tell em!

Liysa Callsen

Liysa has lived her entire life inthe deaf community with twodeaf parents and a deaf hus-band she learned to com-municate differently. Really dif-

ferently! Now, shes finding thehumor (and voice) in her chal-lenges, and learning to beheard above the noise. Shetells her story in a new book,but well get a preview!

OC TOBER 13

Hope and a Haven

Nancy Slattery

Nancy was a board member ofHope House for 8 years. Shewill speak about Hope Housenow as well as The Haven forhomeless men in the future.

Oc t o ber 20

Part 1Unitarians

Oc t o ber 27

Part 2Universalists

A Short History of ourRoots

Arthur Thexton

Arthur has been a regularspeaker for us for severalyears, but for those of you wdont know him, he went toseminary, but he chose the as his profession. He is a pecuting attorney at Wis. DeSafety & Professional Servic

Oct ober 27

Soup Sunday

Col l ect ion for

Paint ing pat hw ay

September

Hope house

Col l ect ion

$236.00

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September Service leaderKathy Fishback

The LUUF October Boardmeeting was held on Sep-

tember 18th. Below is ashort summary of theitems discussed at themeeting.

Treasurer Joel Marquardtreported that our Fellowshipfinances continue to bestrong.

We had a brief discussionabout the noise in the kitch-en area following the Sun-day services and decided tobegin to address this issuefollowing the service on Sep-tember 22

ndby having an

extra pot of coffee and somegoodies in the meetingroom. We will also continue

to pursue other solutions.

Our efforts to engage in afellowship-wide strategicplanning process will beginwith our sending a briefquestionnaire to all membersand friends on our email listand by providing additionalcopies of the questionnaireat the Sunday Services.Cathy Edwards and mem-bers of a planning committeewill summarize the results ofthe questionnaire and thenfacilitate a strategic planningworkshop in October or earlyNovember. The board willprovide additional infor-mation to all as the processis finalized. If anyone wouldlike to serve on the commit-tee with Cathy, please lether or Kathie Fishbeck knowof your interest.

The Board reviewed a sum-mary of the activities of our

committees see page 3.Special thanks to committeechairs Jean Biegun (Adult

Activities), Bev Rawling(Environment), Ron Kossik(Facilities), Kari Alice Lynn(Garden), Dan Fischer(Membership), Jim Sustman(Outreach and Social Jus-tice), and Linda Hunter(Service Planning) for coor-dinating the efforts of theirrespective committees.Members of the commit-tees are listed in our

weekly service guide.

Page2

LUUF NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2013

The Board also recognized

the support of Jim Rabata(Greeters), Patty Marquardt(Coffee), Mary Jane Lukes(Cleaning), Ron Kossik(Yard Work), and JimSustman (Flowers) for lead-ing the efforts to keeping theFellowships day to day(week to week) activities onschedule. And a specialthanks to Evie Sustman,Max Alexander, and Jill Fin-nel (RE), Kim Everett andRon Kossik (Newsletter),Ginny Finnel (Weekly Ser-

vice Guides), and LindaHunter (Choir and Piano) they all help to make theFellowship run smoothly.

The next board meeting willbe Wednesday, October 23rd

at 7:00pm please feel freeto join us.

Kat hy Fishba ck , Pr esident

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Linda Hunter (Chair Ginny Finnel

Jim Sustman, Marion MarquardtSeptember Service Presenters

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Adult Activities Committee

Activities of the Adult Activities Committee include the Weekly Meditation group; MonthlyGame Nights; Circle Suppers; Lets Get Creative workshops; an upcoming book discussion group; and co-facilitating a five-week Environ-mental (GLOBE) study/discussion group in October and November. An evening potluck / Christmas carol sing-along around the piano is inthe works for December, and a Building Your Own Theology study group will be held after the Christmas/New Year Holiday.

Environment Committee

The Environment Committee under the acronym GLOBE Green Living on Behalf of the Earth developed the following mission statementthis fall. The mission of the GLOBE committee is

To plan and coordinate environmental activities at our fellowship, including sustainable living practices at the facility,

community interactions, and ecological awareness of members and friends.

The commie e wi ll

Bring prayers for the earth, the environment, climate change, etc. to our Sunday service during Joys and Concerns

Write articles for the LUUF newsletter and weekly bulletin about environmental issues.

Become involved with City Of Manitowocs Sustainable Committee.

Will facilitate an Environmental Justice Curriculum -Our Place In The Web of Life in conjunction with the Adult Activities Committee

beginning Tuesday evenings at 6:30 from October 22th Nov. 5th. This five week study has been developed by the UUA Ministry for

Earth organization.

Promote and support Manitowoc area environmental organizations.

Facilities Committee

This fall members of the Facilities Committee coordinated the repair of the sidewalk on the south side of the Fellowship; repaired the frontdoor of the Fellowship; installed an EXIT sign above the door on the north entry to the building; and are working with the painting contractor topaint the exterior of the building and clean the gutters.

Garden Committee

Beginning in the spring and continuing throughout the summer and into the fall, the Garden Committee with the leadership of Kari Alice Lynnhas developed the garden plot, planted a wide array of perennials and some annuals, and will plant fall bulbs shortly. We owe a specialthanks to Max Alexander (working on his Eagle Scout badge) and his Boy Scout troop friends for their work in the initial stages of preparingthe plot and laying out the garden sections. Over 20 members and friends of the Fellowship, including six enthusiastic members of the com-mittee, have helped with the planting and the weeding of the garden.

Thanks also to Laura Apfelbeck for proposing that we create a collaborative meditation garden and to Cathy Edwards who is facilitating thecommittees formal meetings. The agenda for the October meeting will include a discussion of our hopes/vision for the garden and future

action, priorities, and resources. The committee extends a big thank you to everyone at the LUUF for their support and an invitation tochoose our committee as your second committee to join at any time. Our record of only three hours total of hands on work; during the sea-sons of Spring, Summer, and Fall, AND hopefully our meetings could occur in the Winter might attract your attention. Please add your voiceto help us grow the roots of our future from the ground up!

Membership Committee

The membership committee met informally in the summer and will begin formal meetings in the next month. They will be gathering infor-mation from other UU Fellowships on procedures they have used to attract attention in the media; will work on the completion of a formalLUUF Directory; and will discuss how to better let the neighborhood know who we, the LUUF, are.

Religious Education Committee

The Childrens Religious Education Committee met in August to set the fall program and schedule and to plan additional activities. EvieSustman is developing the RE curriculum and is using the unfinished portions of Experiences with the Web of Life Programand supplementing it with other enriching materials and activities. Max Alexander will assist Evie again this year and Jill Finnel will also bringin the younger children when possible. The children and their teachers will close out this session with a short play and singing with the adultsin December.

Zoe and Max Alexander will offer a Shop & Drop opportunity for families on Saturday, December 7 th from 1:00 to 4:30pm at the Fellow-ship. Parents will be able drop off their children for a couple of hours of fun activities while they do holiday shopping, gift wrapping, etc.

The committee will meet later in the fall to plan the winter/spring session.

Service Planning Committee

The Service Planning Committee has an interesting array of topics and speakers lined up though December. Among the many servicesplanned, Arthur Thexton will join us for two services, Liysa Callsen will share with us her life story of growing up with two deaf parents, andrepresentatives of our four charitable organizations will speak about the work of their groups.

Page 3

LUUF NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 20

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We have wonderfulneighbors. The LakeshoreUnitarian Universalist Fellow-ship, at the corner of 7th andPark Streets, has graciouslyopened their doors to us duringRabbi Vineburgs recovery.But its not just the lift thatmakes services possible at the

Lakeshore Unitarian Universal-ist Fellowship; its the philoso-phy upon which that fellowshipis based.

The Unitarian Univer-salists are a special group ofpeople. They welcome us asthey do everyone with openarms. Their sanctuary is a con-templative space with very littledecoration beyond the abso-lutely captivating quilt thathangs in the front of the room.The other decoration in theirsanctuary is a religious symbol,though its recent and may noteven be recognized for what itis. It is the Chalice.

The Unitarian ServiceCommittee (USC) commis-sioned artist Hans Deutsch tocreate a symbol for the organi-

zation during World War II.

According to the May-June, 2001 issues of UU

World, The USC took specialinterest in helping artists, intel-lectuals, and dissidents escapethe Nazis. And so while theUSC worked with people fromall walks of life, its clienteleincluded many famous authors,scientists, and politicians.

Many of the refugeesfled without the identification pa-pers they needed to cross bor-ders, so the Lisbon office concen-trated on helping them findreplacements. Then the USC de-cided to issue its own documents.The Revered Charles Joy be-lieved the documents needed aseal, and the result was the flam-ing chalice.

Rev. Joy explained thesymbolism of the flaming chalice,designed in 1941: It represents .. . the kind of chalice that theGreeks and Romans put on theiraltars. The holy oil burning in it isa symbol of helpfulness and sacri-fice. In ancient and medieval artthis chalice is frequently found,and the design itself, modernized

and stylized, though it is, remindsone of the signs seen on the oldmonastic manuscripts. This wasin the mind of the artist.

We do not limit our work to Chris-tians. Indeed, at the present mo-ment, our work is nine-tenths forthe Jews, yet we do stem fromthe Christian tradition, and thecross does symbolize Christianityand its central theme of sacrificiallove."

Linda Hunter, one of thelay leaders of the Manitowoccongregation, said that the chal-ice at the local fellowship wasdesigned by Mordecai Roth, aretired dentist. He designed thechalice in 1986 for a congregantat his church, the Unitarian Uni-versalist Church of

Arizona, who wanted a chal-ice made for the church in memory ofher daughter who had recently died.He has made 132 of them, most ofthem used in a variety of UU congre-gations. Roth died earlier this year at93.

Please thank our neighbors,our friends, of the Lakeshore Uni-tarian Universalist Fellowship for theirhospitality to us and to our brethrenwho came before us.

A Message from The Chair & President

Rachel Muchin Young & Patrick Young

Anshe Poale Zedek Synagogue

(Copied from their Sept. Newsletter)

Good NeighborsGood Friends

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LUUF NEWSLETTE OCTOBER 2013

Life ends when you stop dreaming...Hope ends when you stop believing...

Love ends when you stop caring...Friendship ends when you stop sharing!

Birthday Thank You From

Vickie M ayer

Eighty-five isjust another number

unless it counts the number of yearsof your life. They accumulate evenwhen you are not counting. Themessage for some is that we acceptall the events of our lives with grati-tude the good, the bad, and theugly - because they all form the fab-ric of our life.

My gratitude in this Thank Youmessage is to express my amaze-ment and joy in the literal out-

pouring of LUUF birthday cards thatdelighted me and often made melaugh.

These cards are my most tangiblereward for being 85! This is a noteof gratitude and deep appreciationfor your kind remembrance. Youare indeed my second family.Thank you, dear friends.

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The day-to-day life of our fellowship is the glue thatholds our spiritual community together. UnitarianUniversalism approaches the more "secular" aspectsof fellowship life with the same religious intent as itsworship. Our religious education classes, adult ac-tivities groups, community volunteerism and buildingfacilities committees are essential aspects of ourspiritual work. We believe it is our deeds, not ourcreeds, which are most important. Volunteer oppor-

tunities abound! Please consider signing up for coffee service, greeter, shovel-ing, or any other activity or job that helps to keep our fellowship moving forward

and running smoothly. Volunteer sign up sheets are in the coat room .-

Every day we have people helping the Fellowship in ways that allow our com-munity to thrive. Whether you are a board member, on a committee, you makecoffee, do dishes, vacuum, shovel snow, rack leaves, plan a garden, help coor-dinate a service or you do one of the other countless tasks, the time and talentsyou share is incredibly important for our Fellowship community. Please know

you are immensely appreciated.

"We cannot all do

great things, but we

can do small things

with great love.

Mother Teresa

LUUF NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 20

The Religious Educaon

Commiee

Evie Sustman, Chr.

Max Alexander

Zoe Alexander

Dan Fischer

Carol Wergin

Sandy Bast

CHILDRENS RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

FALL 2013The Childrens Religious Education Fall Session

Experiences With the Web of Life Part 2 be-

gins on Sunday, September 8, 2013 and will run

through Sunday, December 15, 2013. All children

from the ages of 4/5 through 10/11 are invited to

participate in this fun and lively program.

The Childrens RE is preparing for a special pro-

gram and presentation on December 22nd. Mark

your calendar, you wont want to miss the perfor-

mance. If its as good as last year, its sure to be a

full house.

A special thanks of appreciation goes out to Evie

Sustman and her assistant, Max Alexander, who

have volunteered to lead the childrens program

for the 2013/2014 session.

**************************

Please note that there will be no Childrens Religious

FACILITIESCOMMITTEE

Ron Kossik (Chair)

Tom Clark

Kathy Fishback

Jim Rabata

Dick Urban

Dan Wergin

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LUUF NEWSLETTER OCTOBR

Speaking with many voices ~ Sources of Our Faith: Inspirational Readings

By Kathleen Rolenz

Looking for commonalities is relatively easy; true multiculturalismmeans being humble and brave enough to explore differences.

One of the great strengths of Uni-tarian Universalism, embodied in our six Sources, is our belief that spir-

itual wisdom speaks with many voices. This understanding is the key to welcoming all souls into our faith

communities as blessings. Every new person we encounter has something to teach us. Values such as love,

peace, compassion, and justice are expressed in every culture and tradition all over the world, in beautifully

and powerfully different ways. Taken together, these expressions illuminate the various facets of these

ideas, giving them nuance and depth.

Looking for commonalities is the relatively easy part of forming a multicultural community. True multicul-

turalism, however, means being humble and brave enough to explore our different perspectives, experiences, traditions, and valueswhile staying in relationship. It means bringing our whole selves to the table and inviting others to do the same, not just the parts that

fit in. It means being willing to be changed.

None of us feels welcomed as a blessing if we are asked to leave parts of ourselves behind, if we are constantly asked to tra nslate our

beliefs, perspectives, and spiritual questions into the language and frame of reference of the majority. We do not feel that we are rec-

ognized for the gifts we have to offer if our interactions and relationships leave no room for mutual transformation.

Learning from and about each other helps us practice true hospitality. When we share our cultural traditions with one another in wor-

ship, we can offer this welcoming message: We value your rich tradition and worldview so much that we are committed to learning

about it.

Often readings carry cultural resonances and meanings that extend beyond the words alone. Once you learn more about a reading from

a cultural tradition different from your own, you may become aware of its deeper meaning within its own context.

For example, consider Mohandas K. Gandhis statement that even a little of true nonviolence acts in a silent, subtle, unseen way and

leavens the whole society. Most people know the rough outline of Gandhis story and that he is associated with the ethic of nonvio-

lence. But how many of us who are not Hindu, Buddhist, or Jain fully understand the implications ofahimsa, the sacred vow that was

the foundation of Gandhis activism?

The depth and nuance ofahimsa cannot be conveyed by the English word nonviolence. With a brief Internet search, you can learn

about Gandhis understanding ofahimsa; congruencies and differences between ahimsa and Unitarian Universalist affirmations of the

worth and dignity of every person and the interdependent web; Gandhis legacy for activists Albert Schweitzer and Martin Luther

King Jr.; and explanations ofahimsa as the philosophical basis for Hindu practices like yoga and vegetarianism that have become pop-

ular in the West.

Unitarian Universalists are a people engaged in the perpetual search for truth and meaning. What any one of us knows and has experi-

enced is only one piece of the truth. Let us open ourselves to what we can learn from each other, as well as from those we have yet to

meet.

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

Ron Kossik (Chair), Jim Everett, Kim Everett

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Don't forget meditation on Sunday evenings at LUUF at 6:30

Relax, reflect and realign

For a calming start to you week.

The goal of meditation is to bring inner peace within oneselfand the world in a positive and spiritual way.

LUUF NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 201

ADULT ACTIVITIESCOMMITTEE

Jean Biegun, (Chair)

Beth Barfield

Kathy Edwards

Judy Rollin

LUUF GAME NIGHT

2nd WEDNESDAY

OF THE MONTH

OCTOBER 9

6:30

The Garden committee extends a humble thank you to all who helped create the beginnings

of the Medication Gardens. Thanks to Max Alexander and his Eagle Badge project, fromthe hard labor, donating plants, digging and weeding, our gardens are taking shape and itsthe generosity of members that have helped create this beautiful outdoor space.

GARDEN COM MI TTEE

Kari Alice Lynn, (Chair), Cecilia Held, Kim Everett, Bev Rawling, J im Rabata, Carol Wergin

Let's Get Creative in October. Join Zoe Alexander and learnhow to paint silk scarves. Zoe will supply all the materials.

Cost of the scarf is $6.00. Date isSat., October 26, 10:00.

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LUUF NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2013

From Maine to California, thousands of commu-nities kept out African Americans (or sometimesChinese Americans, Jewish Americans, etc.) byforce, law, or custom. These communities aresometimes called "sundown towns" becausesome of them posted signs at their city limits

reading, typically, "Nigger, Don't Let The SunGoDown On You " Some towns are still all white onpurpose. Their chilling stories have been joinedmore recently by the many elite (and some notso elite) suburbs like Grosse Pointe, MI, or Edi-na, MN, that have excluded nonwhites by"kinder gentler means." When I began this re-search, I expected to find about 10 sundowntowns in Illinois (my home state) and perhaps50across the country. Instead, I have found morethan 440 in Illinois and thousands across theUnite States.

This is their story; it is the first book ever written

on the topic.http:// sundown.afro.illinois.edu/sundowntowns.php

LUUF BOOK GROUP

October 14th5:307:00

http://www.uuworld.org/ life/articles/90579.shtml

Consider participating in one of the Fel-lowship's CIRCLE SUPPERS in October/November! We are hoping to hold threesuppers, currently being scheduled. Weneed 1-2 more hosts. These dinners aresimple and fun - a potluck at a host'shome, or a gathering at a restaurant - andthey are a great way to get to know Fel-lowship friends. A Circle Supper has amaximum group size (not more than 8) tocontribute to good conversation over a

shared meal.

For the potluck dinner, participants coor-dinate with the host on what to bring. Forthe restaurant dinner, participants pay fortheir own meals.

When we have the hosts and dates linedup, we will send out an email, and postsign-up sheets in the vestibule of the Fel-lowship.

Friendly Fellowship around GoodFood! Volunteer to host, or sign up forour Fall round of Circle Suppers!

Circle Supper Coordinator: Cathy Edwards

CIRCLE SUPPERS

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Our LUUF Service Year began with water, and the Green Tips included in each Sundays Order of Service this pastmonth touch on everyday uses of water- in our homes, in our yards, and even in washing our cars. For those ofyou who may have missed them, our Green Tips follow.

Sept. 8th Service about water, reminds us of the precious and irreplaceable part of the web that connects us all.With such an abundance of fresh water just a few blocks away its hard to think about conservation and sustaina-

bility, but we need to recognize our dependence on water, our expectations for both quality and quantity, andour responsibility for wise use and protection.

First tip of the month:

If you must keep a lawn, during drought conditions avoid watering it, and if you must, water wisely. UW-Extensionexperts say healthy green grass uses about one inch of water each week. However, when your turf is brown, it usesmuch less. In fact, you only need to apply about one quarter of an inch per week (or about a half inch every otherweek) to keep the crowns hydrated, and ensure that your grass will green up when the rain begins. It is not a goodidea to apply much more than this amount, as the turf will start to send out new green leaves which will requirelots of water to stay green.

Sept. 15th

Since September is about water, consider this: a dripping faucet can waste 20 or more gallons of water a day, a

leaking toilet several thousand gallons a year. Look for and fix leaks.

Sept. 22nd

Ask any little kid: Playing in water is lots of fun! When you want to play in water and wash your car, you can usewater sparingly and still have plenty to play with. Park your car on your front lawn. Fill a soapy bucket with waterand hose down your car. Turn off the water. Apply soapy rag from bucket to entire car surface. Hose car againand turn off water. Success! Clean car, youve watered your grass and kept soapy nutrients from running downyour gutters into The Lake, and been able to play in the water. Further, youve provided a good example to yourneighbors!

Sept. 29th

Treasure the rain. If you can manage a rain barrel youll always have water available for your flowers and vegeta-bles and trees.

GLOBEs next meeting is Sunday Oct. 6th after Service. Well be talking about an exciting workshop Cool Con-gregations scheduled for Oct. 27nd. Details available elsewhere in the newsletter. Everyone is welcome!

GreenLivingOnBehalf of theEarth

GLOBE

Page 9

LUUF NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2013

Environment committeeBev Rowling (chair), Judy Rollin, Jean Biegun, Kari Alice Lynn, Carol Wergin

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Would you like to save money, care for creation, and reduce pollution, right in your own home?

Would you like to be supported by others in your congregation, and support them,as you learn how to become better environmental stewards?

Cool Congregations, a program of Wisconsin Interfaith Power and Light

is designed to help you do just that.

Participants measure their household carbon footprints the amount of carbon pollution generated by their everyday actties. They pledge to take simple steps to cut energy use,

save money, and reduce their contribution to climate change.

Meeting in house parties with other members of their congregation, they celebrate success,

share information and ideas, and build community.

Cool Congregations provides a safe place for people to learn why and how they can be responsible energy stewards.

You can find out how to start a Cool Congregations program in your congregation by attending this

training workshop with a team of two or more from your congregation.

For Online registration and more information: http://www.wisconsinipl.org/wiplcoolcongregations.htm

For a paper registration form contact, Bev Rawling, 920-693-8941 or [email protected]

Registration Deadline is October 18, 2013.

Cool Congregat ions is a program of Wiscon sin Inter fai th Power and Light

The mission of Wisconsin Interfaith Power and Light is to inform, train, and activate people of all faiths and faith communities to taconcrete steps in response to climate change through the promotion of energy conservation, energy efficiency and renewable energ

order to protect Earths ecosystems, safeguard public health, and ensure just, sufficient and sustainable energy for all.

For mo re informat ion, vis i t http: / /www.WisconsinIPL.org or contact Dr. Peter Bakken,

Execu tive Director , at (608) 837-3108 or info@Wis cons inIPL.org

Be a Good Energy Ste w ard

with Cool Congregations!

Training Event

Sunday, October 27, 2013, 1-4 p.m.

Lakeshore Unitarian Universalist Fellowship620 Park Street, Manitowoc

Presented by Wisconsin Interfaith Power & Light

Sponsored by the Environment Committee of RUTH

LUUF NEWSLETTER OCTOBR 201

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LUUF NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2

A Candy Bar for Death

I remember exactly when I first became afraid of death in a more-than-childish way.By Doug MuderF

10.31.11UUA.org

Tonight, when there is a knock at my door, it might be Death.

Probably, though, this version of Death will only be about four feet tall. He will carry a plastic scythe, and his

dark robe will not completely hide his tennis shoes. I will give him a Snickers bar instead of my life, and he will say thank you before

turning to run back to a parent waiting on the sidewalk.

If I look scared, I will only be pretending.

Halloween is full of cute and non-threatening reminders of death: ghosts, skeletons, tombstones. Zombies, werewolves, and other mur-

derous monsters roam the night, but they can be bought off with bags of M&Ms.

And yet, in the background lurks something more authentically ominous. I can hear the trick-or

-treaters coming a long way off, and not

just because they talk and laugh and argue about who will ring the doorbell. Their feet crunch through the fallen leaves leaves that

just a few weeks ago were gorgeously red or yellow or orange, and that a few weeks earlier were green and supple.

The porch lights and flashlights and passing cars illuminate some actual skeletons: spindly tree branches that not so long ago were

bursting with life. Now they have pulled their vitality deep inside to keep it safe through the coming winter.

Halloween really does begin the season of Death.

Not so long ago, in the days before houses had heating vents in every room and hospitals were stocked with antibiotics, the dark half of

the year was a serious hurdle that many of the old and sickly would fail to jump. Even if you were young and healthy and careful, you

had to face the fact that the growing season was over, and the harvest would either last until spring or it wouldnt. Halloween was a

time to look around and wonder who would still be at the table to celebrate Easter.

Or whether you would be there yourself.

Unitarian Universalists dont often gather together to think about our deaths. Even UU funerals usually focus much more on the specif-

ic life that has ended than on our shared mortality. If a memorial service includes testimonials, Im much more likely to tell the story of

some inspiration I take from the deceased, or some amusing prank we pulled, than to say, This death reminds me that I will die, too,

and it scares me.

Historically, weve been an upbeat, can-do religion that doesnt make a lot of space for brooding about death. Most of the time, I think

thats a healthy reaction against religions that brood too much and too unproductively. Better we should worry about disasters that

might actually happen than scare ourselves with visions of Hell. Better we put our effort towards improving life here on Earth, for oth-

ers as well as ourselves, than try to pile up riches in some dubious afterlife.

And yet, because each of us is alive and each of us will die, Unitarian Universalists have as much to brood about as anybody else. If we

dont do it together, then sooner or later most of us will end up doing it alone. And if I dont make a time for it, the time may make it-

selfperhaps when some bad dream or strange twinge wakes me up in the middle of the night.

So let me propose this as a winter topic for UU covenant groups and other safe, intimate discussions: This is what scares me about

death and this is how Im dealing with those fears.

Ill start.

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LUUF NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2013

I remember exactly when I first became afraid of death in a more -than-childish way. I was 16, and I had a Saturday night job in a pre-

computerized small-town newsroom. Editors would give me marked-up stories that reporters had typed by hand on cheap paper, and I

would deliver those sheets to the composing room where the next mornings newspaper was being set into metal type. That became my

favorite way to read the Sunday paper: half a day early, a few paragraphs at a time, while I walked quickly and tried not to run into walls

or people.

I remember one article in particular. It was just three paragraphs typed on a single sheet: During a windstorm that day, a local man had

been standing in his yard when a tree branch blew down and killed him.

I had never thought about that kind of death. I had seen lots of characters get killed on TV shows, but they always died in some way that

made senseheroically or tragically or because they made a mistake. And my grandmother had died, but that also had made a certain

kind of sense. Her cancer had been a challenge that had led to various treatments in response. Gradually it became apparent that the

treatments would fail. My grandmothers story did not come out the way I wanted, but at least it had a beginning, a middle, and an end.

You knew where you were in a story like that.

But this guy, I imagined, had just been in his yard, on a day like many other windy days. I pictured him living in the middle of dozens ofstoriesabout his job or his family or something he was trying to accomplishstories that had motivated and made sense out of his life

the way my stories motivated and made sense out of mine. But I was certain that none of his stories made sense out of the windblown

branch that killed him. The stories he thought he was living had not concluded, they had all just cut off in the middle, like TV shows in a

power failure.

I brooded about that for days afterward. I even thought (at this distance, I cant say how seriously) about suicide. I think I was trying to

regain control of the story of my death. A death of my own choosing could complete a story of my own devising. How much better that

seemed than to risk having all my storiesabout school or sports or my future career or my hopes for romancesuddenly cut off.

At various times in my life I have feared death for other reasons. Like most people, I have an animal urge for self-preservation that pops

up whenever a threat is immediately present. But it does not cause me to brood about death in general any more than animals do.

I was raised in another faith that had a powerful vision of Hell. Without the constant reinforcement of that faith community, though, thatfear has withered to nothing. Not even a horror movie can reawaken it.

Some of my friends fear the consequences their deaths would have on their young children, or on other dependents who would be help-

less without them. But (although I imagine I would be grieved over and missed) I am not in that situation. And as far as the larger world

goes, I agree with Charles de Gaulle: The graveyards are full of indispensable men. Humanity will manage to muddle on without me.

But the fear of having my stories suddenly cut off, of a death that makes no sense in the story of my life, sticks with me. The possibility

of such a death is like a loose end in a tapestry: Think about it too much, tug on it too hard, and the story of your life can start to unravel.

Stories about the future do an important job in the human psyche. They give meaning to the tedious parts of life, and motivate difficult

actions whose consequences take time to play out. But when fear of death unravels your life story, that process starts to work against

you. Moments that could be savored here and now instead taste like dust and ashes. Every pleasure or success is just another reminder of

how much there is to lose. William James captured such an unraveling with this image:

[Humankind] is in a position similar to that of a set of people living on a frozen lake, surrounded by cliffs over which

there is no escape, yet knowing that little by little the ice is melting, and the inevitable day drawing near whenthe last

film of it will disappear, and to be drowned ignominiously will be the human creatures portion. The merrier the skating,

the warmer and more sparkling the sun by day, and the ruddier the bonfires at night, the more poignant the sadness with

which one must take in the meaning of the total situation.

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So what am I doing to deal with that?

I try to avoid two obvious temptations: First, not to think about death at all, and second, to

wish the problem away by imagining a perfect afterlife, where I and all my loved ones will live happily ever after. Either of these soluti

might work for a while, but I suspect that for me they would collapse at the worst possible time. Someday a doctor might give me a few

months to live, and then I might discover that I cant avoid thinking about it, and that I dont really believe in Heaven after all. Then wh

Instead, I combine short-term, medium-term, and long-term strategies.

In the short term, I practice mindfulness. I try to appreciate each moment as it comes, without forcing it to mean something in a larger s

ry. Peace, William James. I really do enjoy the bonfires, even if the lake is melting.

In the medium term, I try not to pile up expectations that someday could become regrets. If life wont feel complete unless Ive done X,

and Z, I want to do them as soon as is practical. And if Z will never be practical, better I should start grieving for it now than when the t

minal diagnosis comes.

For the long term, I try to identify with groups and causes larger than myself. My personal stories will end when I die, but a lot of other

stories wont. If I truly value my role in those stories, my actions can be meaningful right up to the moment of death. My inspiration her

comes from the speech the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. gave in Memphis the night before he died. In that speech he anticipated his deat

and made peace with it. He had been to the mountaintop, he said, and had seen the Promised Land.

I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land!

We, not I. The collective story goes on and is meaningful, even as the personal story ends.

OK, your turn.

But wait, theres somebody at the door. Hand me a Snickers bar.

A ritual to honor our beloved dead and dance the spiral of rebirth.

Death and regeneration are always linked in Goddess thealogy. Birth, growth, death and renewal are a cycle that plays over and o

again through natural systems and human lives. Embracing this cycle, we dont need to fear death, but instead can see it as a stag

life and a gateway to some new form of being.

As ubiquitous as Halloween celebrations are throughout the world, few of us know that the true origin of Halloween is a ceremon

of honoring our ancestors and the day of the dead. A time when the veils between the worlds were thinner, and so many could "se

the other side of life. A time in the year when the spiritual and material worlds touched for a moment, and a greater potential exis

for magical creation.

Ancient rites In ancient times, this day was a special and honored day of the year. In the Celtic calendar, it was one of the most im-

portant days of the year, representing a mid point in the year, Samhain, or "summers end". Occurring opposite the great Spring Festival

May Day, or Beltain, this day represented the turning point of the year, the eve of the new year which begins with the onset of the dark

phase of the year.

The Celts believed that the normal laws of space and time were held in abeyance during this time, allowing a special window where the

spirit world could intermingle with the living. It was a night when the dead could cross the veils and return to the land of the living to ce

brate with their family, or clan. As such, the great burial mounds of Ireland were lit up with torches lining the walls, so t he spirits of the

dead could find their way. So Samhain is a time to remember and honor those who have died, to celebrate their lives and appreciate the

gifts, to tell stories about them to the next generation so their memory will not be lost. Samhain is also a time for deep spiritual work. A

this time of year, we say, the veil is thin that divides the worlds, the seen from the unseen, the day to day from the mysteries .

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LUUF NEWSLETTER OCTOBER

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Meets fi rst Thurs of each month at 7:00.

St. James Church 434 N. 8th St

Phone: (920)374-3524

Email: [email protected]

GAY-STRAIGHT ALLIANCE

UW Manitowoc

Email: [email protected]

Caio Menzer

(920)320-1141

Webelievethat schools can betruly safeonly when every student is as-

sured of access to an education without fear of harassment of violence.

http:/ /www.gsafewi.org/

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LUUF NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2013

OUT REACH &SOC I AL JUSTI CE

COMMITTEE

Jim Sustman (Chair)

Nancy Horvath

Jennifer Hollahan

Patty Marquardt

John Thompson

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LUUF NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 20

Sunday, October 6that Lincoln Park Cabin #2.

Worr ied about missing the Packer game!?! Dont worry!

The picnic will begin at 3:00pm and go unl 6: 00pm!

Please bring your famil ies as this is certainly a family friendly event ! Well be having raffl es also so

bring your lucky rabbit foot ! We hope to see everyone there!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Check out our NEW Amazon.com wishlist!!!! Just go to Amazon.com, login to your ac-

count and do a wish list search for Hope House of Manitowoc County

On the wish list you will find a list of items that Hope House can always use as well as those unique items that

pop up that we might need on a one-me bas i s. You can order the items from our wish list under your account

and they can be shipped directly to Hope House. If you have any quesons pl ease feel free to let us know!

An easy, no-fuss way to give!

The next Hope House volunteer training is scheduled for

Oct. 7th , 6:00- 8:00,

At Hope House 1110 S. 10th Street, Manitowoc

Mark your calendars and reserve the date.

UU VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AT TREP IN TWO RIVERS

On Saturday October 19, volunteers from our fellowshipare needed to help sort, count and restock food items

from 11am to 1pm. The Boy Scouts have their annual fallfood drive in TR and Mishicot that day. Since we are co-sponsor to TREP our designated time to work on this taskis 11 am to 1 pm. It would be great if we could get 10 to12 people there for those 2 hours. Last time among thevolunteers were Becky Abler and her son Matthew.

Please in form Jim Sustman, our representati ve at TREP if you are able to help. Thanks

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Lakeshore Unitarian Universalist Fellowship620 Park StreetManitowoc, Wisconsin 54220

L A K E S H O R E U N I T A R I AN U N I V E R S A L I S T M I S S I O N

As a welcoming and accepting, diverse and inquiring spiritual fellowship,

We unite to create a community which stimulates a free exchange andExploration of ideas, foster spiritual and intellectual growth, and

serves as a base for active outreach to benefit the world around us.

AS UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS, WE AFFIRM AND PROMOTE THESE PRINCIPLES

The inherent worth and dignity of every person

Justice, equality and compassion in human relationships

Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations

A free and responsible search for truth and meaning

The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process

The goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all

Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part

PEACE TO ALL