Volume 19 Number 2 Our mission is to promote living with reason and love February 2011 The Friendship Flyer NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID COCOA, FL 32922 PERMIT NO. 414 The Friendship Fellowship at Pineda A Unitarian Universalist Congregation in the liberal tradition 3115 Friendship Place Rockledge, FL 32955 Telephone: [321] 242-1117 Return Service Requested Consulting Minister The Rev. Dr. John M. Higgins Website: www.uuspacecoast.com Remember your Sweetie on St. Valentine’s Day Monday, February 14 jce DATE SPEAKER SUBJECT SERVICE LEADER GREETER TOUCH OF BEAUTY HOSPITALITY HOST Feb 6 The Reverend Dr. John M. Higgins, Consulting Minister at Friendship Fellowship Judaism Nancy Shacklette Tom Curry Betty Allison Joan Andrews Feb 13 Dr. Robert P. Tucker, Minister Emeritus of the Lakeland UU Church Why Signing the Book is Never Enough John England Christy Good Bobbie Keith Ruth Rodgers Feb 20 John Lees, Member of Friendship Fellowship, Litigation Director for Florida Hemlock Society On Happiness Jan Siren Debra Mischley Bill Scott Laura Friedman Kathy Lees: Birthday Cake Feb 27 Neal Stannard, Vero Beach UU, Radio Personality and Feature Reporter, and Actor Diving For The Truth (see page 9) Shirley Works David Peterson Christy Good Mireya Bier
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Monday, February 14 The Friendship Flyer Friendship Flyer ... that this isn't so as we discuss ―Overthrow‖ by Stephen Kinzer, America‘s century of regime change from Hawaii to
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Volume 19 Number 2 Our mission is to promote living with reason and love February 2011
The Friendship Flyer
NONPROFIT ORG
US POSTAGE PAID
COCOA, FL 32922
PERMIT NO. 414
The Friendship
Fellowship
at Pineda
A Unitarian Universalist
Congregation in the liberal
tradition
3115 Friendship Place
Rockledge, FL 32955
Telephone: [321] 242-1117
Return Service
Requested
Consulting Minister
The Rev. Dr. John M. Higgins
Website: www.uuspacecoast.com
Remember your Sweetie
on St. Valentine’s Day
Monday, February 14 j c e
DATE SPEAKER SUBJECT SERVICE
LEADER
GREETER TOUCH OF
BEAUTY
HOSPITALITY
HOST
Feb 6
The Reverend Dr.
John M. Higgins,
Consulting Minister at
Friendship Fellowship
Judaism Nancy
Shacklette
Tom Curry Betty
Allison
Joan Andrews
Feb 13 Dr. Robert P. Tucker,
Minister Emeritus of
the Lakeland UU
Church
Why Signing
the Book is
Never Enough
John
England
Christy
Good
Bobbie
Keith
Ruth Rodgers
Feb 20 John Lees, Member of
Friendship Fellowship,
Litigation Director for
Florida Hemlock
Society
On Happiness Jan Siren Debra
Mischley
Bill Scott Laura Friedman
Kathy Lees:
Birthday Cake
Feb 27 Neal Stannard, Vero
Beach UU, Radio
Personality and Feature
Reporter, and Actor
Diving For The
Truth
(see page 9)
Shirley
Works
David
Peterson
Christy
Good
Mireya Bier
Page 2
The Friendship Flyer February 2011
BOOK CLUB READS ABOUT SWIMMING and
WORLD’S END . . . Rosemarye Levine
Does it stick in your craw that we have invaded two
countries in the last decade and are still in place,
slogging away, wasting lives and spending billions
of dollars, displacing whole populations, sowing
hatred of Americans in our quest to ―democratize‖
those folks who have not had the benefit of the
American Way? Do you think this is all a new and
a different approach by the U.S. to the rest of the world? Find out
that this isn't so as we discuss ―Overthrow‖ by Stephen
Kinzer, America‘s century of regime change from Hawaii to
Iraq. Mr. Kinzer is an award winning foreign correspondent who
tells us that regime change has always been an integral part of
US foreign policy and we have never hesitated to topple foreign
governments that stood in the way of our political and economic
goals.
Intrigued? Come join the rabid readers of the non fiction book
club on the second Tuesday of February at 2 o‘clock. I promise
you an afternoon of startling informational history and a group of
people who you will find hard to leave at 4 o'clock as the
interaction never ceases.
MINISTERIAL MUSINGS
The Reverend Dr. John M. Higgins
WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?
Over four years ago when the great
hurricanes caused us to start the development
of our new building the UUA, through the
Florida District, granted us over $10,000. Part
of that package strongly recommended the
establishment of a Ministerial Discretionary
Fund. That fund was increased by
contributions from our members. It is meant to provide limited
assistance to persons in need without revealing to whom to funds
would go. It has a separate checking account at TD Bank
(formerly Riverside).
Initially, monies were provided for persons from our
congregation who suffered from the hurricanes. There were roofs
to repair and temporary shelter to be paid for and some additional
needs. The largest amount of money sent to our members in
some distress was $300 . . . not much when one considers the
costs of repairs. It did not cover all losses but it helped.
Over the past several years, requests have come in from persons
other than our members. Usually, the problem has to do with
utility bills, inability to pay for rent, and similar problems.
It is difficult to evaluate the true need of people who ask for
assistance. Obviously, some go through the yellow pages getting
telephone numbers for the various churches.
Some of these requests are somewhat
suspicious. For example, I had appeals from
persons who came to Florida from ―up north‖
who didn‘t have the money to go back home. In
good conscience I could not contribute to this
kind of need when I heard the tearful stories of
persons who had to pay rent and/or utilities and
were about to be evicted or have utilities cut off.
I am also aware that we are a small congregation
and have to make the funds do the best work.
Luckily, I found that a partial donation for rent or
utilities would be of help and that other
congregations also provided partial assistance.
Friendship Primitive Baptist Church approached
me for a partnership. This is a congregation in
Cocoa that is about twice our size and does give
part of funds needed. This congregation has a formal application
policy where those seeking assistance provide evidence of the
need. I visited this church and reviewed their written application
procedure. It is good.
The maximum amount of money they give seems to be $50.00,
never enough for the utility bills. However, with some funds
from us and several other churches, applicants eventually raise
the amounted needed in the emergency. The last check I issued
was for $75 and it was matched by several other churches to
meet a need of over $300.
Checks are never made out to the petitioner, but always to a
landlord or utility company. I think that this way to ensure that
we are not ―being taken.‖
I have mixed feelings about how to manage these
funds as I can hear and feel how the applicants are
going through a humiliating procedure to survive.
A good number of them are employed for less than
40 hours (so employers don‘t have to provide
benefits). Persons earning $8.00 an hour for 30
hours don‘t really have enough for decent housing
and payment of transportation, utilities and food.
When I write a check for $50 or $75 I think that
that is about what some of us may pay for a dinner
for two while others in our society are desperate
and threatened with eviction and/or loss of
utilities. I seriously doubt that anyone receiving a
rent or utility check has not used it properly and,
when I hear from our friends at the Primitive
Baptist Church, that women are crying and
sobbing, I know we did something—not all that is
needed—but a temporary help while people are trying to get on
their feet. It is your money that is doing this.
While these matching funds may go to persons from other
congregations, the amount for our own suffering members is
usually more— up to $300. However, now I am hearing from far
more persons than are our members.
I like to have at least $1,000 in reserve but it is now down below
that amount and needs replenishing. If you wish to add to that
amount, please make your check out to Ministerial Discretional
Fund, Friendship Fellowship. I am sure that if you put in the
basket marked in this manner, it will be deposited shortly. You
may also put it in my box in the Administrator‘s office.
Fraternally,
Jack
Feb 1 Bob Johnson Feb 6 Phil Sheridan Feb 11 Morgan Ohland Feb 15 Ruthe Ragsdale Feb 18 Ruth Rodgers Feb 20 Olive (Jo) Davies Feb 21 Bobbie Keith Feb 27 Lorraine Hennig Feb 29 Griffin Haden-Baker
continued at the bottom of the next column
Page 3
The Friendship Flyer February 2011
February 2011
Comings, goings, and doings for FF@P Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28
Winter
Film
Discussion Series:
Nicholas and
Alexandra (last
Czar of Russia and
his foreign wife)
Friendship Hall,
1:00 PM, moderated
by Helen Bennett
Winter Film Discussion Series: Frida (Frida Kahlo and husband Diego Rivera: Mexico‘s bohemian artists) Friendship Hall, 1:00 PM, moderated by Helen Bennett
Philosophy
Seminar:
Friendship Hall,
2:00 PM, moderated
by John Lees
Friday 4 Feb:
Economics
Seminar Friendship
Hall, 2:00 PM,
moderated by John
Hemphill
Economics
Seminar:
Friendship Hall,
2:00 PM, moderated
by John Hemphill
Humanists
of Brevard in the Coffee
House . . .
at 10:00 AM
Sunday Morning
Discussion: 9:15-
10:15 AM Coffee
House—Current
Events
Sun Svc
10:30 AM
Editor
The Editor needs your March inputs
by Sunday noon 20 February
Women’s
Friendship Circle:
Coffee House,
10:30 AM
Sun Svc
10:30 AM
Sunday Morning
Discussion: 9:15-
10:15 AM Coffee
House—Current
Events
Just Us Girls
Art Group: Every Tuesday
9:30 AM–
2:00 PM Coffee
House
-Pat Hemphill-
Sun Svc
10:30 AM
Sunday Morning
Discussion: 9:15-
10:15 AM Coffee
House—Current
Events
Bibbi Van Orsdale
Memorial Service
12:30 PM
Sunday Morning
Discussion: 9:15-
10:15 AM Coffee
House—Current
Events
Sun Svc
10:30 AM
Single
Men’s
Lunch: 1:00 PM at
Bob Evans on
Wickham in Suntree
(it is suggested you
make plans with
others to avoid lack
of company)
Non-Fiction
Book Club: Coffee House at
2:00 PM
Game Night: Friendship Hall
7:00-9:00 PM
The Reverend
Higgins
Every Friday
10:00 AM, will
discuss any
subject, Friendship
Hall
Philosophy
Seminar:
Friendship Hall,
2:00 PM, moderated
by John Lees
CLC Meeting:
Friendship Hall,
Monday,7:00 PM
CLC: Long Range
Planning in
Friendship Hall
Adult RE: after
Service
Caring Committee:
10-noon Coffee Hse
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The Friendship Flyer February 2011
UPDATE TELEPHONE DIRECTORIES
Please update your April 2010 Friendship Fellowship
Telephone Directories—Email addresses have changed:
For the last sermon in 2010, we listened to a recorded message
from the Reverend Jon Dobrer, a UU minister in Fullerton,
California, who talked about the Christmas message to be found
in the Nativity stories in the Gospels of Luke and Matthew. The
story of Jesus‘ birth, said Dobrer, is one that we should take
seriously by examining its meaning and the truths that go deeper
than literal facts.
Much of what we think we know about the Christmas story—the
cold winter weather, snow falling on Bethlehem, the three wise
men and the shepherds together at the stable—is not described in
the Bible. In fact, only two Gospels mention Jesus‘ birth, and
only one of those is actually a Nativity story. The account in
Luke of Mary and Joseph going to Bethlehem to pay taxes,
angels appearing to shepherds in nearby fields, and the placement
of Jesus in a manger, is the only story of his birth. The account in
Matthew of the three magi following a star and going to Herod to
inquire about the birth of a Messiah refers to him as a ―child,‖
not a ‗baby‖ or an ―infant,‖ so we can infer that he is by that time
a year or so old.
The two stories are put together from archetypes that relate a
universal truth about a transcendent event. For example, the story
of Herod ordering all boys under the age of two in Bethlehem
and surrounding towns to be killed and the flight of Mary and
Joseph into Egypt is a retelling of the Moses story. The gifts
brought by the three magi are also significant and symbolic. Gold
represents wealth and material comfort; frankincense is a
perfume, also used for medicinal purposes, that represents
spiritual renewal; and myrrh is a lotion or oil used for anointing
or blessing, which speaks to the preciousness of every new life.
The birth of a baby is a universal call to the future incarnate in
every child, so the essential gift of Christmas, said Dobrer, is that
all of us are called to the crèche. It is our responsibility to take
care of all children. The Nativity story calls to us across the
religious spectrum and shines the light of love into the darkness,
for the birth of every child is a miracle, and every birth holds the
hope of tomorrow. . . . rr
START MAKING YOUR PLANS FOR MARCH
Important events happen in March 2011, the last month
of our Fiscal Year:
CANVASS LUNCH is Sunday, March 6, following the Service
CONGREGATIONAL ANNUAL MEETING is Sunday, March 20, following the Service, coffee and refreshments
The March issue of the Friendship Flyer will have
details about the Canvass Lunch and an agenda for the
Annual Meeting
Mary Ann Lindsey died
peacefully on Wednesday,
January 5. Declining health
led her to move two years ago
from Melbourne to assisted living
near to her daughter, attorney
Tamara Wilson, in St. Augustine.
Mary Ann was a tireless teacher,
scholar, artist, writer, and
philosopher. She and John Lees
taught the prestigious philosophy
classes that are a longstanding
tradition at our Fellowship. She also
taught at the Melbourne Shepherd‘s
Center, where she had a faithful
following.
Mary Ann was a fascinating
woman with a unique history. I
was honored to be her friend.
. . . Helen Bennett
MARY ANN LINDSEY
Feisty, scholarly, ―always-I-can,‖
These are the words that describe Mary Ann.
If she had to crawl she would literally crawl;
To never give up she would give her all.
She loved to teach and she thought she knew
Post-modernism through and through;
A philosopher, who would always reveal
She was able to think as well as to feel.
Nobody else had so public a yearning
To administer the delight of learning.
And though she was infirm, her heart did not bend
From the friendships she cherished for us, to the end.
Helen Bennett January 10, 2011
Page 5
SID SHERMAN’S BIBLE SEMINAR
AT FRIENDSHIP FELLOWSHIP at PINEDA
FEATURING The Bible As Literature, History, &
Mythology
Ending the first Thursday in February, this 18-session course on
Highlights of The Bible has been based on modern scholarship—
with no Bible thumping—exploring who wrote it—when it was
written—for what purpose—explaining duplications and
contradictions—taking note of what it says about the human
condition in gems of poetry, drama, wisdom literature, history,
fiction, myth, and fantasy—with interesting sidelights as reported
by our In-House Bible maven, Sid Sherman.
Thursday Afternoon from 2:00 to 4:00 PM
Meeting in Friendship Hall
THE NEW TESTAMENT
Feb 3 The Epistle to the Hebrews-The Pastoral Epistles-The
Catholic Epistles-The Book of Revelation of John: An
Apocalypse
The Highlights of The Bible is concluded at the February 3
session. Thank you Sid Sherman!
As January ends with another cold
spell, we batten down the hatches,
bury plants in blankets or bring them
indoors, and convince our big golden
tabby, ―Tiger,‖ to stay indoors at
night. He‘ll have none of it.
The cold night shelter opens up again
for the weekend, to feed and bed our
homeless with a marvelous meal each night,
and an early morning breakfast to fill them up
for the cold day ahead. At least they can go to
Daily Bread for lunch as well-the only time
these folks can get ―three square meals‖ in a
day. The shelter is located at His Place
Ministries, the historical church on Route 1
and Strawbridge in downtown Melbourne.
We have new music arrangements for our services now. Yours
Truly is being replaced by two women who have been playing
for years (I realize how many years went by in my life without a
piano). The only problem is scheduling them for alternate
Sundays, and juggling fifth Sundays between them. Neither can
play the last Sunday in January, so you‘ll have to put up with me.
One is Carolyn Wilson from UUCB (our West Melbourne
affiliate UU church), who takes charge of the choir, working with
us on a weekday for an hour or so, to give the members more
secure presentations on Sundays. The other is Overda Stonerock,
who will begin the first Sunday in February. I‘m still the Chair,
and will work with both pianist/choir leaders to bring you the
best programs that we can.
From time to time we will have outsiders to perform. Students
will be difficult to bring in, as they play or sing in their own
churches. Most of them, I believe, do that.
If any one of you can play an instrument and are willing to help
our programming, please step up and let us know. Laura Petruska
adds to our music with her recorder, and Marshall Frank, if we
can catch him, has agreed to play his golden violin from time to
time. Art DeMinno has also offered to play his clarinet from time
to time. He has played at the Cocoa Village Playhouse
productions for years. Any advice will be welcome, as long as
it‘s constructive. okay?
I can‘t finish this piece without saying a word about our recent
loss of Bibbi Van Orsdale, who passed away Monday, January
17th. She was one of the most wonderful women I have ever had
the pleasure of knowing and really liking. She never had a
negative word to say about anyone--at least to my knowledge-
and helped others with her nursing skills whenever needed, She
bore her pain heroically. Ray hovered near her all those months
while she was battling the disease that threatened her life several
times. We all extend our sincere sympathies to Ray and Bibbi‘s
family. She will be missed.
by
Cathy Stanton
RUMMAGE SALE ANNOUNCEMENT . . . Paul Knittel
Our RUMMAGE SALE will be a one day affair on Saturday,
March 19th, 2011, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. We need all who have
items for the sale to bring them to the Church on Sundays. Paul
Knittel will have a key. If he is not there, a key for the
doublewide will be in the office for your use, it is on the
Administrator‘s desk with a silver pipe attached. If you have
some clothes that you feel are worthy of the sale please hang
them on a hanger tagged with the size of the garment. We
welcome small furniture pieces but we cannot handle larger
pieces.
If you would like to help with the RUMMAGE sale, please sign
on the sing-up sheet on the table to the rear of the church, see
Paul Knittel if you have any questions. Call Paul at 751-4121
The Friendship Flyer February 2011
Sharing Center items are due the first Sunday of each month — toothpaste & brushes, bath soap, shaving materials, non-perishable goods, deodorant, crackers, canned goods, etc.— see Cathy Stanton!
Page 6
The Friendship Flyer February 2011
HARTY EXPLAINS HOW AN UNWED PREGNANT TEEN
BECAME MOTHER OF GOD 19 Dec
―The Christmas story has been swallowed whole
by most Protestants and Catholics, but it is bad
history and bad biology.‖ So began Sheila
Harty‘s talk. Ms. Harty, an author, educator,
theologian, and former Nader Raider, spoke
about the myth of Jesus‘ birth.
Asked which gospel tells the Christmas story,
most people assume all four: Matthew, Mark,
Luke, and John. But only the gospels of Matthew and Luke have
an infancy narrative of Jesus with his miraculous birth. Aside
from the error in thinking that the gospels reflect actual events in
history recorded by eye-witnesses, most Christians also fail to
recognize that the two gospel versions of the story contradict.
Asked to recount what they know about the Christmas story,
biblical literalists and ordinary Christians get it wrong. Most
mention shepherds and angels, three wise men on camels
following a star in the East to a stable with sheep, cows, and
donkeys. They mention innkeepers turning Joseph and the virgin
Mary away when a census took them to the little town of
Bethlehem with Mary on a donkey. They describe the baby Jesus
in swaddling cloths, laying in a manger in a stable, before the
family escapes Herod and flees into Egypt. But if you read the
Christmas story in the gospels of Matthew and Luke, you find no
mention of three wise men; camels; sheep, cows, or donkeys in a
stable; or an innkeeper turning them away. None of the above
items are in either gospel story of Jesus‘ birth; they exist only in
―the collective inheritance of Western fantasy.‖ Indeed, most
people‘s recall of the Christmas story comes not from reading the
bible but from seeing too many grade-school pageants or front-
yard crèches.
In fact, the stories in Matthew and Luke have only four items in
common: Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Mary was the mother of
Jesus, Mary was called a virgin, and Joseph was her betrothed.
Other than that, the Christmas stories in Matthew and Luke agree
on almost nothing else. Written some 90 to 100 years after the
birth of Jesus, these stories are ―virtually irreconcilable.‖
Moreover, these gospels contradict on the year of Jesus‘ birth—
by 10 to 12 years! As both Matthew and Luke refer to Herod in
their Christmas stories, most scholars opt for the year 4 BCE for
the birth of Jesus as reckoned by the end of Herod‘s reign.
If we don‘t even know the year of Jesus‘ birth, why do Christians
confidently celebrate it on December 25th? To unify his empire,
Emperor Constantine blended Christian and Pagan traditions by
officially recognizing their festivals and sanctioning dates for
their celebration. In the 4th century, two prominent Pagan
festivals were celebrated in winter: the Saturnalia honored
Saturn, the Roman god of agriculture, from December 18 to 24
and the birth of Mithras, the Persian god of light, was honored
from December 25 to January 1. Outdoing each of these seven-
day Pagan festivals, Christmas became a twelve-day celebration,
merging Christian traditions with pagan ones, such as feasting,
gift-giving, holly wreaths, and mistletoe. The growing Christian
Church accommodated differences in their Eastern and Western
branches by assigning the Luke version of the birth of Jesus to
December 25th as Christmas and by assigning the Matthew
version to January 6th as Feast of the Epiphany.
There is also misunderstanding of the term ―virgin‖ as used to
describe Mary. When Matthew wrote ―the virgin shall conceive
and bear a son, and they will call him Immanuel,‖ he made
errors. Raymond E. Brown, the dean of New Testament
scholarship, is emphatic that the Isaiah prophecy does not
predict a virginal conception. He stated that the virginal
conception of Jesus is a minority view, scarcely attested, of
dubious historicity, with a slender basis in scripture. Religious
leaders were frequently believed born of a divine being acting
upon a virgin. We find numerous virgin births throughout the
ancient world: the gods Apollo, Bacchus, and Perseus; the
mythic heroes Jason, Minos, and Hercules; the great rulers
Sargon and Alexander; and the sages Pythagoras and Plato. All
birth stories of great people are mythological in their attempt to
interpret retroactively the meaning of that greatness. The birth of
Jesus was no exception. His virginal conception was a cultural
fusion of pagan myths and legendary heroes, i.e., ―a miracle.‖
So do we take down the crèche? The crèche was introduced by
Francis of Assisi in 1223. It inflates a lot of material into one
diorama. Not only are all the elements from the gospels of
Matthew and Luke included, but also elements from nonbiblical
sources. Much, it seems, is needed to fulfill the dramatic
potential of the Christmas story. These stories were created less
to satisfy the curiosity of Christians about the early life of Jesus
and more to proclaim his Messiahship and Kingship. The gifts
from the wise men confirmed that exalted status: gold for a king;
frankincense for the divine; myrrh for power over death. Indeed,
the Jews‘ expectation of the Messiah included no virginal
conception; that concept is Hellenistic and Egyptian. Nor does
one need ―a super-natural birth to be declared Son of God in a
Jewish context.‖
The Christian proclamation of Jesus‘ kingship as the Messiah
was a missing part of the gospel ―good news,‖ because Jesus did
not proclaim himself. The gospels are not history but theology;
their intent is not a biography of Jesus but a proclamation of the
Christ. The meaning is profound, but not literally true. . . . jh-b
continued at the bottom of the next column
Welcome To Our New Members
Catherine George
Joined January 2
Fahim Ahmed
Joined January 9
Page 7
The Friendship Flyer February 2011
We rearranged the furniture in Friendship Hall
For a couple of Sundays First, we had a recorded sermon on the last Sunday of 2010, so this arrangement was ideal Congregational members unanimously said that they liked it, so we made minor adjustments in the center to get the lectern closer to the center for the first Sunday of 1011
View from near the entrance, looking northwest
View toward the entrance, looking
southeast
Center arrangement for the last Sunday in 2011
Page 8
The Friendship Flyer February 2011
UUA TRUSTEE TIDBITS by Joan Lund
Recently I received an email from the Program
manager of our UUA Congregational
Stewardship Services Program alerting me to
the Green Sanctuary blog posting which
featured our Odessa, Florida Spirit of Life Unitarian Universalists, who rather than adding
on to their building or embarking on new
construction, are repairing and finding ways to
better maintain their existing structure. The Green Sanctuary
Program (GSP) was originally nurtured and managed by the UU
Ministry for Earth and designed to envision and create a world in
which all humans care with gratitude our Earth. Originally the
GSP was an outgrowth of the Seventh Principle Project, a UUA
affiliate environmental organization created in 1989.
The GSP provides framework for congregations to begin specific
projects and activities that lead to recognition as a GS through
candidacy and then accreditation. The GSP asks congregations to
explore what it means to live today on our earth within a religious
community and it‘s a way for all UUs to join our efforts in
becoming stewards of our earth. Once a congregation has received
recognition for completing the GSP it continues its commitment
by creating sustainable lifestyles for its members as individuals
and as a faith community. The congregation continues to be
committed towards creating their religious community‘s
dedication to harmony with the earth. As of last December there
were 148 accredited Green Sanctuary congregations, which
included eight Florida congregations.
The GSP provides a path for congregational study, reflection, and
action in response to environmental challenges. The building
blocks and focus area of the GSP include worship and celebration,
religious education, environmental justice, and sustainable living.
When a congregation decides to become a participant in GSP and
has completed the initial self-assessment, they examine their
current practices in each of the focus areas. In addition to these
areas of focus or goals congregations may choose to set one or
more of their own goals which reflect their particular specific
interest or issue. Participating in the GSP can be an exciting and
rewarding process for a congregation and a well-thought-out environmental program can strengthen and bring the congregation
together is various ways including attracting new members a
congregation, As the congregation the impact of the collective
imprint on our earth will be lessened.
Information about the GSP can be found on our UUA website
(uua.org) and linking to Green Sanctuary, where you will also be
able to look at the Green Sanctuary Manual. In the Manual many
success stories can be found as well as the steps to getting started,
conducting an environmental assessment, creating an action plan,
becoming a candidate, and achieving and maintaining
accreditation.
As always I look forward to hearing from you and wish all Florida
UUs a happy ♥ day.
live with this fact. Some relationships are brief and others last a
lifetime.
So, Behrendt concluded, instead of loving your neighbor as
yourself—not realistic for most of us—it is better to focus on
being civil, fair, sincere, and forgiving. Even that takes a huge
amount of thought and energy, but it is well worth it in the end. . . . rr
THE REVEREND TIM HUME-BEHRENDT AND WIFE
PEGGY SPENCER-BEHRENDT 16 Jan
After the Reverend Tim Hume
-Behrendt and his wife Peggy
Spencer Behrendt, entertained
us with a wide variety of
music, ranging from the
classical to ―Old McDonald
Had a Farm,‖ on a variety of
instruments (harp, violin,
guitar, banjo, and harmonica), the Reverend Behrendt, a semi-
retired UU minister from New York who comes with his wife to
Florida during the winter months, talked to us about the mandate,
―Love your neighbor,‖ changing it to a more realistic and more
easily achievable goal of treating others with civility, fairness,
sincerity, and forgiveness. In the wake of the tragic shooting in
Arizona the previous week, he discarded the talk he had
originally planned to give and talked instead about how to treat
others with dignity and respect without necessarily loving them,
a term that he thinks should be reserved for only a small circle of
people in our lives.
One definition of love in Webster‘s Dictionary is ―friendly
affection,‖ and most of us are fortunate if we can say that we
exhibit friendly affection toward a few close friends and family
members. Asking us to love everyone in the world, said
Behrendt, is unattainable, so we should set our sights more
realistically. Behrendt set four guidelines we should follow in
getting along with others.
Civility—Defined as neutrally courteous or avoiding rudeness,
civility is necessary for dealing with others. Unlike Don Rickles,
who uses rudeness for comic effect, people in public positions,
such as law enforcement, must demonstrate civility. Coming
across to others as bossy or arrogant creates a backlash that often
stirs up trouble that could easily have been avoided.
Fairness—We should all give others a fair chance, no matter
what reputation may have preceded them, and not make snap
judgments based on their appearance or demeanor.
Sincerity—Sincerity must be accompanied by tact or diplomacy.
If we must make criticisms that we feel are necessary, we must
find a way that doesn‘t offend or cause rejection.
Forgiveness—All of us, especially ministers and teachers, must
learn to overlook criticisms by certain congregants or students.
We have to overlook some of it, forgive a lot of it, and give
others the benefit of the doubt.
As important as the four guidelines above, said Behrendt, are the
omissions—the things that he didn‘t say. He did not say, ―Be
intimate.‖ We should be careful in whom we confide, for most
people are not trained to keep a confidence. We shouldn‘t want
to be intimate with everyone, for it is an honor to be considered
close enough to someone to share confidences. He also did not
say, ―Be warm with others.‖ It‘s nice to feel affection for others,
but we should never fake it. Either we feel it or we don‘t. He did
not say, ―Always be cheery.‖ To always be upbeat and bouncy
makes people uncomfortable. (Of course, always being depressed
has the same effect.) Finally, he did not say, ―Be expectant of
what this relationship will become.‖ Some people will like us
and some will not, based on personality, and we must learn to
continued at the bottom of the next column
Page 9
The Friendship Flyer February 2011
NEAL STANNARD IS SPEAKING ON FEBRUARY 27 . . .
Why did the Titanic sink? . . . and other things
you thought you knew. What color is
the ―black box‖ on an airplane? Orange. Who
was the first person to be chosen President of
the United States? Not George Washington, he
was way down the list. What were the first
names of Presidents Grant and Wilson? Not
what you think. As UUs, we like to think of
ourselves as truth-seekers. In this service, let's have a little fun
diving for the truth and busting a myth or two along the way.
My bio should include the fact that I recently published the book
Now And The, The Movies Get It Right, that I recently appeared
in a Theatre Guild production of Fiddler On The Roof, and will
be appearing in March in Annie—and I am not, nor have I ever
been, a member of the Indian River Democratic Executive
Committee!
Bibbi Van Orsdale, a former member of
Friendship Fellowship, died January 17,
2011. Her husband, Ray Van Orsdale, is a
Friend of the Fellowship.
Bibbi, born in Sweden, was a Registered Nurse,
former Chair of the Women’s Friendship Circle, and
Co-Chair of the Caring Committee
A Memorial Service will be held in Friendship Hall
SOCIAL CONCERNS
NEEDS YOUR HELP!
Pleeeeze make a special
effort in February to bring in
foodstuffs, clothing,
toiletries, etc., for the Daily
Bread, Sharing Centers, and
HIV/AIDS facility, Project Response.
We continue to give First Sunday donations to many charities.
Brevard NOW received almost $200 for their all-important
program called WIN (Women in Need) in January. I took it to
the meeting myself. Everyone said ―thank you‖ to our
congregation for helping.
We did not receive as much as usual in our donation box in
January, but it was all distributed, a couple of bags at a time.
Could we all make it a plan to bring in at least one can, or box of
food the first (minister‘s) Sunday?\
We‘re making more headway this year into the communities-at-
large, including the families helped by Janet Haden-Baker‘s
work.
Many thanks to all who are active in this program.
My German friend Brigit and I actually went ―dumpster diving‖
in January, next door to her, where the owners had sold their
house. This was great fun, and netted a good deal of useful items
for Operation HOPE. Another neighbor of hers had died recently,
and her family gave Brigit a large bag of very nice clothing,
which I took to The Daily Bread Thrift Shop. Sheets and long
denim dresses had to go through the laundry first, however, and a
few spots had to be Cloroxed out of a nice child‘s sweater.
In addition, yet another neighbor of Brigit‘s tossed out a king
mattress in perfect condition, which Jesse Zermeno and his wife
managed to squeeze into their enclosed pickup truck. Jesse
claimed that at least 4 kids could sleep on that mattress at
Operation HOPE.
Brigit, who is my age, never imagined she would enjoy doing
this sort of thing, but we both had a wonderful time.
DON‘T THROW ANYTHING AWAY THAT WE CAN
RELAY TO THOSE WHO NEED AND APPRECIATE IT! Just
call me at 259-7949. ♥ HAPPY VALENTINE‘S DAY! ♥
Social Concerns &
Issues
by Cathy Stanton
FROM THE WELCOMING CONGREGATION
COMMITTEE . . . Nancy Shacklette
The Welcoming Congregation Committee‘s
mission is to assist our congregation in
achieving the official Welcoming
Congregation status from the Unitarian
Universalist Association. For a year and a
half, the committee has been meeting and
offering various programs. At the Annual
Meeting on March 20, 2011, the
congregation will be asked to decide if
Friendship Fellowship at Pineda would like to be officially
designated a Welcoming Congregation by the UUA. What would
this mean for Friendship Fellowship?
It would allow our congregation to have a rainbow-colored
chalice displayed on the UUA congregation page. It is defined
as: ―this congregation has taken part in the Unitarian Universalist
Association Welcoming Congregation program to become more
inclusive towards bisexuals, gays, lesbian and/or transgender
people (BGLT).‖ It will tell the world we are working on finding
ways to live out our commitment to the dignity and worth of all
people. That we have chosen not to be silent. That as a
congregation we are speaking out against discrimination.
―It is the right thing, the moral thing, the ethical thing and the
kind thing‖ is how one committee member put it.
And another: ―Of course we are a welcoming congregation.
However, the Unitarian Universalist Welcoming Congregation is
different. The rainbow chalice says we have spent many months
learning about the issues, prejudices, injustices and concerns of
the bisexual, gay, lesbian, and/or transgender people, their
families and friends and they are welcome at Friendship
Fellowship without prejudice and judgment.‖
―The programs helped dispel misinformation about BGLT
people. Another benefit was in meeting gay and lesbian people
who are highly respected and assets in the community.‖
But the decision is not up to the committee. It is the decision of
the whole congregation. Please feel free to ask any questions
and/or let the committee know if you need more information
about anything in this regard. Anonymous questions or
comments can be placed in the envelope on the Welcoming
Congregation Committee‘s bulletin board in the coffee room.
Page 10
The Friendship Flyer February 2011
GUESTS
We extended our Friendship Welcome to
these guests . . . and we encourage them to
return again and again!
Barbara Bennett Daytona Beach
David Panzl Daytona Beach
Holley & Carl Ulbrich Clemson, SC
Cyntha Prescott Cordova, TN
Linda & Gerald Nelms Melbourne
Dianna Ivey Rockledge
Christine Arcas Rockledge
Joyce Hinds Illinois
Larry Vita
Linda Heinzen-Mitchell
Craig Miller Satellite Beach
Sean McMenamin
Paul Osgood Gardiner, NY
Sabrina Fravel Valrico, FL
Sabrina is Jane Farmer‘s daughter
Larry Vita Titusville
Steve, Cyndy, Charles, & Shane Parr Columbia, SC
Patricia Cline Indialantic
Barb & Tom Balcom Minneapolis, MN
Corey Glasgow
Allison Martin Raleigh, NC
Overda Stonerock auditioning for Sunday Music Pianist
Martin Luther King March, January 17 in Melbourne Laura Petruska, Jackie Higgins, Bill Scott
FLORIDA’S ADOPTION BAN . . . Nancy Shacklette
Florida‘s law barring gay people from
adopting has been overturned by the courts.
But the fight isn‘t over! We need your help
educating Floridians about the harmful
effects of the adoption ban.
Learn how you can fight discrimination and
ensure that all loving families continue to
have the right to adopt in Florida at these free
education events:
Learn from the media experts of The Gay & Lesbian Alliance
Against Defamation about the adoption ban and how to talk
about it effectively in order to preserve this victory for Florida
families!
Both events are free and open to the public and will be held at
Riviera United Church of Christ, 451 Riviera Dr., NE, Palm Bay,
Florida.
Florida ACLU, Friendship Fellowship‘s Welcoming
Congregation Committee, and other local organizations are
sponsoring these adoption ban educational programs.
Please see Nancy Shacklette or call her at 321-432-5599 if you
would like to arrange a carpool for either or both events.
Page 11
The Friendship Flyer February 2011
LAURA’S ON THE MOVE . . . AGAIN!!!
I'll once again be on the move. This time it is to the Philippines. I leave on January 29. The ship will then go into the shipyard and I'll be getting off. I'll only be gone for 6 weeks this time. I might, then, join back up with the ship after the shipyard period.
Here is my new E-mail from January 31st till sometime in March:
Andy will mind the Florida homestead and know where I am and when I'm coming back. I will not have telephone coverage so my mobile number 321 806 0559 will be on hold until I return.
Please let me hear from you. Remember ... no anti-government, no porno, no pictures which could be controversial . . . this is a government computer and there is no privacy!