The Exponent

August 2011

The Exponent

August 2011

www.oruuc.org

Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church

Sunday Services
Sunday, August 28, 10:00 AM Called Out from Comfort Lay Leader Commissioning Service
Vocation is a strange, magnetic force on our lives, pulling us steadily and with strength toward our basic purpose. Church leadership is one way to respond to that tug, to express that vocation. And yet, so often, we resist what calls out to us. We dream, but dont do it. A century ago, the journalist Peter Finley Dunne said that the job of newspapers was to comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable. Many, including theologian Reinhold Niebuhr, have said that this is the duty of religion. In our affliction, some comfort aint bad. But what about in our comfort? Would we seek our affliction? What if our vocation demanded us?

"Resistance Training for the Soul" Rev. Jake Bohstedt Morrill, preaching 10:00 AM, Sunday, September 4
At the gym, resistance training is any exercise in which the point is to exert effort against an opposing force. The point, says the American Sports Medicine Institute, is to "gradually and progressively overload the musculoskeletal system so it gets stronger." If this sounds familiar, it may be because you know that you don't have to go to the gym to find resistance awaiting--those forces of opposition. Sometimes, resistance comes as a dramatic challenge. But more often, resistance is so embedded in our lives that we hardly notice it. Have you accepted drudgery as your fate, as just the way that things are? You may have something in common with the people of Israel, under bondage in Egypt. You may have something in common with factory-workers in the 1800s, who often weren't sure there was anything they could do. On this Labor Day Sunday, you may be curious to learn that, in such conditions, a personal fitness trainer awaits your decision to commence resistance training for the soul. This personal fitness trainer's name? The Buddha. (But this is top-secret knowledge, so whatever you do, please don't bring a friend who may need this message--and please don't ever mention the joy and support you have found at ORUUC. Let's keep it our special secret!)

The Exponent

www.oruuc.org

August 2011

A Message from the Minister

On Facebook, theres a lively, national conversation among leading-edge Unitarian Universalists, called the UU Growth Lab. You can join in, if you want. If you dont know how, just ask our student minister, Lincoln Statler, at i_want_equality@yahoo.com. Last week, in the UU Growth Lab, the Rev. Naomi King posted a provocative reflection, which I want to share with ORUUC. She says:

Is your community living missionally or attractionally? When we devote our energies to making our congregations attractional, we're providing a service that can be consumed, and we'll be rated and expected to produce a high-grade consumable product, usually without a comparable budget. I'd argue that rarely equips people for a life-changing spiritual quest, and it does even less for truly changing this world for the better. It does tend to feel great, for the consumer, though, and super-high anxiety for the service providers. When we're living missionally, we're on an astounding adventure together, in a multitude of ways, to transform this world for greater goodness, to be changed ourselves, and to give thanks and praise along the way. The anxiety in missional congregations is more evenly distributed because everyone has their part to do as part of the questing company. Everyone's gifts are important, and everyone bears big responsibilities about saving the world. Risk is there, failure is present, but failure is embraced as a chance to learn, risk as just part of meaningful life. The mission is more important than comfort, because we're on fire with the passion of that mission. Is yours an attractional community model of growth or a missional community adventure model of growth?
ORUUC is a missional community, on an adventure. When we arrive, life will look like our vision: harmonious, respectful, and loving relationships with all of Creation. Day to day, we practice our mission: We are a diverse, religious community joyfully nurturing one another in our lifelong

spiritual journeys, and committing to transform ourselves and the world around us though acts of compassion, love, and social justice.
As you ponder this vision (what were aiming for) and this mission (what we do every day to aim us toward our vision), what comes up for you? What challenges you? Invites you to dream? In the name of the mission, what failures are you willing to risk? What discomfort can you stomach? When disappointment, frustration, and even heartbreak arrive, what will you do? Persist or run away? Is this vision worth it? And the mission? Commitment is a provocative word. It means, for the long-haul. Its not kidding around. What do you think, ORUUC-ians? Are you in? Are you up for the adventure of transformation, giving thanks and praise on the way? Curiously,

August 2011

The Exponent

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August Volunteer Awards

Caught in the Act of Unitarian Universalism
For the month of August, the Board named Brian Yount as the person Caught in the Act of Unitarian Universalism. This Caught in the Act recognition is given to one who is seen extending generosity, compassion, and wisdom without sanction of any formal roleits not because of their job that they do it. Its because of who they are. Brian Yount was so honored because of his steadfast support of Paul Hughes. Paul is a young adult who shares his life on the margins with our community. Church-member Freddie Nechtow acts on behalf of ORUUC as Pauls care coordinator, connecting him with job opportunities and support as they arise. Among these was Brians heart-felt personal commitment to Pauls well-being, leading Brian to commit himself to Pauls development through opportunities to work around the church and elsewhere, and to support Paul in making sure he was able to handle his assignments, and was supported as he took them on. Not everyone is willing to be a companion in the midst of a struggle. It takes seeing the struggle, and being willing to step in. Brians compassion is no surprise at ORUUC. But it was for this mentorship of Paul Hughes that the Board named him as the August recipient of Caught in the Act of Unitarian Universalism.

Volunteer of the Month

Becky Spain-Kaiser is our August Volunteer of the Month. Becky currently is the chair of the Welcoming Congregation Committee, a high school Faith Formation leader, serves on the Faith Formation Team, and steps up for lots of projects along the way. Becky has done tremendous things, with the courage and willingness to jump right in with her time and effort. Nonetheless, she gives lots of credit and thanks to those fellow UU's who have organized, participated and encouraged along the way. Becky says, with the help of some great ORUUCians, in this year we have participated in: Don't Say Gay counter rally on the turnpike that had a great turnout and news coverage ... went to the lobbying class ... teamed up with TVUUC and the Kitchens and the Vonore couple and went to Equality Day on the Hill ... and a handful of UU's (even tho it was GA weekend) shared a table with TVUUC and Westside at PRIDE Knoxville. I carried the Old school ORUUC banner in the parade, and my kids threw candy. I think pride is one of my favorite things.... In the last couple years, Welcoming Congregation with the help of a bunch of good people had a lunch with the proceeds of $300 going to the Lesbian couple whose house was burnt down by a hateful neighbor. Showing their continued commitment to the GLBT community Becky and Charles Jenkins went to Macon Georgia for the rally for the teen boys who were not allowed to go to their prom together. After the rally, we chased down the minister, who turned out to be UU. He and his wife had us jump in the car, (we figured we could take them if they turned out to be homicidal maniacs;) We were given a tour of the UU church there, and learned about their sister church in Transylvania. As well as serving as a high school Faith Formation leader, Becky has chaperoned for the youth con at our church, at the Mountain, and on the Boston trip. About Boston, Becky says No one should thank me for that at all, because it was awesome and I laughed my butt off, learned a ton about UU history, and sure hope to go back...She has been doorkeeper for Spirit Play and was glowing about her experience as a mentor for one of our UU youth. She volunteers for Tabitha's Table when she can, and sends substitutes in her place when she cannot! She has helped with the rummage sale, Angel Tree and the annual Egg hunts. Becky says I really have loved working with the teens and WC so much, and I love that I have had the opportunity to be a part of things! Thank you Becky!

The Exponent

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August 2011

A Message from the Director of Faith Formation

Faith Formation Groups Begin This Sunday, August 28, 11:15 a.m. 12:15 p.m. This past Sunday, we ushered in the church year with Ingathering and our annual Water Ceremony. This coming Sunday is another BIG Sunday, not to be missed. Here is the schedule, for August 28 and for the church year: 9:45 a.m.Nursery and Preschool Care Available 10Worship Service, children, kindergarten and older begin in the service ~10:20children may choose to exit for Childrens Worship in East Room ~10:50children return to sanctuary during closing hymn ~11families accompany children for social hall/bathroom break and to their meeting rooms 11:15Faith Formation Groups for all ages begin 12:15Faith Formation Groups conclude; parents pick up Nursery & Preschool children & join Closing Circles in Spirit Play (K-2nd) and Faith in Action Rooms (3rd-4th) I have italicized one change from last year that all families need to know. We are bringing the children back into the service at its conclusion in order to give leaders time to prepare for their sessions (They, too, will have attended church, we hope!) This also gives children more hymn singing and worship experiences. It puts the responsibility on parents to help their children get food in the Social Hall, if they are really hungry, and use the bathroom, if they need to do so. That way, children are ready for the one hour their leaders have with them each week, and that hour is not diluted by as many requests to use the bathroom or have a long, extensive snack period. Thanks, in advance, for everyones cooperation in making this transition. Faith Formation Handbooks and Registration/Volunteer forms will be available in the Hearth Room Sunday, August 28 and September 4. See Betsy Bauer to register children and choose your ways of supporting Youth Faith Formation at ORUUC. We ask that every family register each year, so that our information is current, and that they support Youth Faith Formation in at least two ways, so that childrens experiences among us are safe, excellent, and enjoyable. Thanks for registering promptly! Deep and Wide Thanks to Youth Faith Formation Leaders: Nursery Assistants: Karin Adler, Hannah Barker, Gregg Bass, Lizz Friesen, Nancy Lain Highfill, Coral Juras, Molly Morrill, Kara Raymond. Preschool Leaders: Allison Bjerke, Erik & Heather Ferragut, Brian Friesen, Annie Golson, Don Smith, Sharon Wynn, Jil Smith-Team Leader Spirit Play (gr. K-2nd): Rebecca Bowman, Melissa Gunter, Marian Wildgruber, Jinx Watson Faith in Action (gr. 3rd-4th): Robin Greenberg, Linda Osborne, Peter Scheffler Middle School: Nathaniel Bass, Janet Hoegler Senior High: Steven Barker, Hal Hoyt, Becky Spain-Kaiser, Manderley Swain Faith Formation Greeters: Terry Haberman, Linda Krusen, Deni Sobek Youth Faith Formation Team: Betsy Bauer, Christina Elliott, Heather Ferragut, Valerie Herd, Roxana McNair, Kara Raymond, Susan Rosenbaum, Robyn Schlenker, Becky Spain-Kaiser, Karen Brynestad These leaders have made a commitment to spend Sunday mornings in relationship with our young people. They could have chosen to do something else with that time, but they made conscious decisions to step forward. They made time in their lives and room in their hearts for other peoples children. They get ITthat we are all connected in mystery and miracle, and that we are here in this life to make a difference in the lives of others, in the ways that we are able. When you see any of these fine people, I encourage you to thank them and pledge your support to them. The young people of our faith community are, indeed, OUR children. Each one of us has a responsibility to find our own unique ways to support and encourage their spiritual growth and wholeness, just as we need to make that commitment to fellow adults in our community. We are all in this messy, mysterious, tragic and beautiful Life together! In the past couple of weeks, a few people have made the decision to step away from their previous commitments to serve as faith formation leaders, and thus we are a few folks shy of our goalfour leaders per group. I have made phone calls to 112 ORUUCians in the past week, working to find the best leaders possible for our children and youth. All leaders must have been active in the church for at least a year and must be recommended by the Youth Faith Formation Team. Our goal is not to just find warm bodies and fill spots but rather to bring together capable, spiritually mature, committed leaders who choose this responsibility, this ministry.

August 2011

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I have a few more phone calls to initiate, about twenty people from whom I have left messages and am waiting for return calls, and also one person who is thinking and will make a decision this week. Stay tuned! Thanks to Jil Smith, Summer Leader Coordinator, and the generous souls who took a turn, or two, or three with our children this summer: Kara Raymond, Jinx Watson, Freddie Nechtow, Nancy Mathias, Sharon Wynn, Marian Wildgruber, Heather Ferragut, Diana Bagguley, Jil & Don Smith, Lori Hetes, Nancy Highfill, Annie Golson, Ernie Burress, Christina Elliott, Liz McGeachy, Anne Scott, Ann Ragan, Kim Kasten, Valerie Herd, Molly Morrill, Harold Waddle, Hannah Barker, Cara & Mike Bradshaw, Roxana McNair, Rose Williams, Marian LaForest, Hal & Maureen Hoyt. On Saturday, July 30, a miracle took place at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church. Fourteen people were part of the mysterious transformation that occurred. At 8 a.m. the process began. At 3:30 p.m., it concluded. All who witnessed and participated in this miracle were jaw-dropping amazed. What had been lost was found. What could not be traversed was traversable. Space opened up. Order was established. Somehow, someway, there was a place for everything and everything in its place. Thanks to miracle-workers, Susan Rosenbaum, Betsy Horwedel, Valerie & Andrea Herd, Angie, Kira & Alexis Palau, Donna Bass, Christina Elliott, Josh Scott, Heather Ferragut, Cara Bradshaw, and Peter Scheffler. If you would like to witness the miracle for yourself, take a stroll down the short hall off the Social Hall and step into the Faith Formation Closet. It is a New World in there and a New Day for those of us who partake of its contents! Tandys Picks: August is the month of Ramadan for our Muslim neighbors. Islam is a religion filled with daily and seasonal practices that remind adherents of their religious and spiritual identity and commitments. This year, their holy month of Ramadan spans the entire month of August. Ramadan, the holiest of Muslim holidays, is a time to take stock of ones life, draw closer to God, and set things right, as needed. I have been told that some football teams are practicing from 11 p.m. 4 a.m. this month, so that their Muslim players can eat their meals prior to and after practice, and then rest through the daylight hours, during which they refrain from all eating or drinking. If your family would like to learn more about the celebration of Ramadan, our church owns a copy of a beautiful and informative book, Celebrating Ramadan by Diana HoytGoldsmith. It is on display on the cabinet outside the Faith Formation Office and is available for check-out. (Just write name, date, and book title in the small spiral notebook also displayed outside the office. Enjoy the book and then return it to the same spot when you are done.) Watch for future Tandys picks in the newsletter, or feel free to stop by my office for more recommendations. We are blessed with excellent faith formation resources, for church and for home. Director of Faith Formation Office Hours for 2011-2012: S,M,W,Th, FNoon to 5 p.m. Its year 15 of beginning a new church year with you, and I remain excited about our shared partnership and what we can do and who we can be, together. In faithful and grateful partnership,

Faith Formation News

Sunday Adult Faith Formation Groups begin August 28, and meet from 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. The first two groups meet every Sunday, throughout the year, and are open to anyone and everyone each week, whether long-time attender or brand new. Feel free to drop in, anytime! 1. Reflections: free-wheeling and thoughtful consideration of todays worship service, most often facilitated by Robin Toth, with shared facilitation among participants when Robin is unavailable 2. The Art of Spiritual Parenting: support and challenge for parents as their childrens primary religious educators, coordinated by Tandy Scheffler, with shared facilitation among select participants A third offering, a 6-session course, Owning Your Religious Past, is facilitated by Jake Morrill. This course requires regular attendance. It is open to everyone the first two sessions, after which it is closed. Note: Spirit in Practice is not going to be continued on Sunday mornings, at this time. Our student minister, Lincoln Statler, is offering a spiritual practices group on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. If you are interested in a mediation group or other spiritual practice group that meets on Sunday mornings, please speak with the Director of Formation, Tandy Scheffler.

The Exponent

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August 2011

Adult Faith Formation

Additional Adult Faith Formation Groups, anyone? Some among us have expressed interest in the following groups: 1. World Religions 2. Transitions (Losses) If you are interested in either or both of these topics, or if you have another particular interest that you wish to put forth, please speak with any member of the Adult Faith Formation Team: David Savoie, Chair, April Dixon, Chair-Elect, Kim Kasten, Peter Lorenz, Beth Meyer, Ann Ragan, Billy Sams, Linda Shissler, Robin Toth or Tandy Scheffler. Also, let us know what days and times are good for you. We are especially interested in whether there is interest in meeting on Wednesday evenings, in conjunction with the new evening worship service, soon to be scheduled. Save the weekend of November 4-6 for Compassionate Communication workshops with LoraKim Joyner. LoraKim, trained in Marshall Rosenbergs Non-Violent Communication (NVC) process, launched our congregation on a journey into more authentic and compassionate communication with a weekend of workshops and worship in the fall of 2010. She is returning to build on what we have begun. Details will be forthcoming. Meanwhile, save the weekend and tell your friends! NVC, or Compassionate Communication, is a spiritual practice, a way of being in the world and a way of relating to others. It cannot be reduced to a technique or honed as a set of skills. Just ask anyone who has participated in the churchs ongoing monthly Compassionate Communication Practice Group! Our practice group meets fourth Sundays, from 1:15-2:45 p.m. (NOTE: earlier time!) Everyone is welcome to join this ongoing journey with us. Facilitators are Annie Golson, Trish Holst, Freddie Nechtow, and Tandy Scheffler.

Hospitality Matters
Have you thought about what it is to be hospitable? The hospitality team has been working on ways to make our church more hospitable. We do a pretty good job here, especially on Sunday mornings, thanks to all who volunteer to host, greet and usher and all who welcome each other with a smile, handshake or hug. In fact, we recently received an email from one family thanking us for making them feel so welcomed. Hospitality is derived from host, meaning innkeeper or one who entertains guests. To be good hosts or guest entertainers, we want to make our newcomers feel really welcome without smothering them. This can be tricky sometimes and requires we work together as a team. At Saturdays training, we will be learning about some changes to the way we do Sunday morning welcoming. Not much change, but significant changes we have already been practicing with and it seems to work well. Other changes are coming down the pike. At Helen McKowns suggestion, we are going to start a Newcomers Board and a New Members Board in the Social Hall, exhibiting their pictures and a short bios, so the congregation can get to know them a little quicker. Our Sunday morning name tags also help us to be better hosts and were hoping to improve our process. Were also planning on new signage in parking lots and a few Newcomer Parking slots near the sanctuary! You might wonder why we use the word newcomer instead of visitor. A visitor is someone who is visiting from out of town, or coming to hear a special program and already has a home church. A newcomer is one who is seeking a home church. It is the goal of the hospitality team to follow up with this group to assure they are integrating into the church and finding their place to offer their gifts and talents. As we start the new church year, we are growing our team. If you would like to be a part of this fun and important piece in spreading the welcoming message of Unitarian Universalism please join our team. If you would like to participate or have some thoughts, please contact Harold Duck Waddle @865-254-4006 or email ATDuckW@gmail.com or Angelina Carpenter at 483-6761 or email angelinacarpenter@oruuc.org

August 2011

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Music News
So, I had not started my first Sunday yet at ORUUC, but still attended my first Unitarian Universalist Musicians Network conference in Arlington, Va. The conference was from Wednesday July 27 to Saturday July 30 but, because of prior commitments, I could only arrive Wednesday evening and leave early Friday morning. This left me with one full day of the conference. Well, I read the conference information incorrectly and as I was sitting at the conference hotel at 9am waiting for things to start, I realized that the day's events would be at the UU church nearby. My smart phone informed me that it was only a fifteen minute walk to the church, so off I went. Twenty minutes later, I consulted my smart phone again. This time, the "smart" phone told me that it was 35-40 minutes away and would be a total of about 3 miles. By this time, I'm in a residential area and there are no cabs around. So I'm continuing to walk...in the 90 degree heat. Within the next 45 minutes, I had passed the building that my SO-CALLED "smart" phone had told me was the church several times. The problem was that this building WAS NOT a church. A middle school, yes. I finally went in with sweat CASCADING off of my face. The police officer working there saw me and immediately handed me a cold bottle of water. After some discussion, she went off to an office and returned telling me that the church in question was about a mile away IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. She insisted that she drive me. I arrived at the church in less than five minutes. I checked in, registered, and went to the bathroom to dry off. As a walked out, I heard someone say "There he is!!" It was someone at the registration desk asking if I was to be attending the conference only for the one day. After saying yes, it was brought to my attention that they were running short of conference packets for the people attending and wanted to be able to save some for the people attending for the full number of days...SOOOOO....they wanted to know if I could give my packet back. Yeah...that didn't please me much. But already being in a bad mood and not wanting to cause a scene at my first UUMN conference, I gave the packet back. By this point, I'm not AT ALL enjoying my first UUMN conference. I sat through two sessions of looking at music to purchase for your choir at home, watching a rehearsal for an upcoming performance, a provided box lunch, and a very informative session on starting a concert series at your church. I found out you could take a bus back to the hotel and then I had dinner. I came back to the hotel for the lecture that night given by a member of the fantastic musical group known as Sweet Honey In The Rock. (If you don't know them, let me know. I'll fix you up.) She started by saying this: "I'm going to start with a chant that comes from the mbuti tribe. They reside in the rainforest but THEY believe the rainforest IS God. As a result, the mbuti believe they live INSIDE of God and, if you live inside of God, then why would you mess it up?" She went on. "if we all looked at our surroundings and recognized that God is present and that WE live inside of God, I don't think WE'D mess it up either." And immediately, this made the trip worth every bit of trouble I had gone through earlier in the day. If I get to receive that kind of information at every UUMN conference, they can keep my packet every time. Well, here was my thinking: I'd do this concert in the sanctuary, have people at ORUUC see that the other musicians on the stage towered over me in talent, and then hear the kind of music I was playing...and EVERYONE WOULD COME TO THEIR SENSES AND SAY, "FIRE HIM!!!!" But that hasn't seemed to happen. This means anything that happens from here is your OWN fault. You had your chance. Then again, the joke may be on me. There was no talk of this "one service" thing when I took the job. I know it seems like that might be an easier job, but what it means is that it now becomes my job to take musical elements of both services and try to make them work in a manner that supports the topic of each service. WHEW!!! That's a little harder than two services. Don't get me wrong...I have ideas. I plan to run them by Jake. But sometimes ideas work and sometimes they don't. The goal, at least for me, is to have the ability to look up and see when an idea DIDN'T work, figure out why, and move in a different direction accordingly. I think that is kind of what Jake is doing with this "one service" thing. Granted, if it fails, I'll be the first one pointing fingers at him. But, until then, I figure that if my new pastor can try new things, hopefully it means that I can try new things as well. More importantly, I feel that, after 20 years of working for churches, I'm finally working for a church that will ALLOW me...us...to try new things. Don't worry. Everything I try will probably be stellar and will turn out to be the best thing to happen in the history of music!! BUT, if...IF....I'm wrong, no one will know quicker than me. In my mind, giving us a chance to try new things also means giving us a chance to fail at new things. Let's make my first official act as your new acting music director me thanking you in advance for letting me fall down. Okay....this is me picking myself back up. Let's get started.

The Exponent

www.oruuc.org

August 2011

Social Justice Matters

Join us for the Southeast District's Annual Racial Justice Conference! Weaving Together Heaven & Earth: Creating and Sustaining Faithful Multicultural Partnership
Explore meaning, learn strategies and engage with others in building effective multicultural partnerships at the Southeast District's 21st Annual Racial Justice Conference, September 23-24, 2011 at Tennessee Valley UU Church, Knoxville, TN! The call of the heart, of many faiths, and of Unitarian Universalism is, "We are one." Some call that One by the name of Love. That Love is woven of life-sustaining diversity, of cultures expressed through not only art, but through each of our lives. And yet, the world has not yet taken the shape of this dream. The world is not yet wholly in Love. And so we gather, as Unitarian Universalists throughout the Southeast, to celebrate, to reflect, to learn, to commit, and to weave together anew a dream of racial justice for our whole region. This multi-generational event includes featured speakers, workshops and a very special opportunity for children and youth to participate in a day long version of the locally popular Rainbow Camp with educator and TVUUC member, Bob Grimac, on Saturday. The Conference begins with supper and welcome at 6 pm on Friday night followed by a keynote at 7:30 pm from the prophetic voice of Tupac Enrique Acosta entitled "The Legend of Truth and the Doctrines of Power". Tupac is Judge of the First Nations International Court of Justice and a founding member of the communitybased organization TONATIERRA in Phoenix, Arizona. He has inspired the UUA Board and other UU religious leaders with his spiritual commitment and his re-framing of issues around immigration and the rights of indigenous peoples. Saturday morning will include featured presenters, Rev. Alicia Forde and trainers from the Highlander Center. The afternoon includes an array of workshops that include Rev. Forde and the Highlander Center as well as newly hired UUA Witness Ministries Director, Rev. Craig Roshaven, as well as local activists and religious leaders. Find out more and REGISTER today!

4th Annual Camping Trip to Frozen Head State Park Friday September 23 Please join the adventure group for a fun night of camping. Cost is $4.00 per person We will have a potluck dinner starting at 6:30 p.m. The campsite, main dish, drinks, condiments, paper goods, and eating utensils will be supplied. Please bring your camping gear, a side dish or dessert to share and breakfast foods (bagels, cereal etc..) for your own family for Saturday morning. After breakfast well go on a hike. Please respond by Sunday Sept. 18. There will be a sign up sheet in the Social Hall or e-mail Jason Haberman at terynjay@yahoo.com

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Congregational Update
Ten years ago, in the Fall of 2001, ORUUC was beginning to recover from a damaging ministry. This healing took reflection, courage, and the clarity of leaders committed for the long-haul. In the past decade, ORUUC has come to enjoy many of the hallmarks of a healthy congregation: creative conflict and acceptance of change, all in the service of a sense of purpose that asks not what will make everyone happy, but instead how can we transform ourselves and the world?" With health come different challenges. Now, in the Fall of 2011, ORUUC faces challenges very different a decade ago. Challenges that come from the strength of a congregation that can do a lot of things, but cant do everything. The challenge of a community of people who have different dreams, but must gather in a community with a shared dream, and a common purpose. The challenge to choose. The Board and I have been in active conversation this summer about these challenges. The Board has appointed a Governance Task Force and a Staffing Task Force, each to recommend sustainable ways to pursue ORUUCs vision and to practice its mission. The Governance Task Force will recommend decision-making and oversight processes. The Staffing Task Force will recommend a sustainable staffing configuration that best supports ORUUCs top priorities, at the expense of lower priorities. The challenge of health is to make healthy choices. A healthy choice is one in which every bright YES requires forty-five difficult and disciplined NOs In a congregation, as elsewhere, to say no is not easy. But the inability to say no is the inability to ever truly say a clear yes. For this current budget year, ORUUC is managing the same projected level of income as last year. As any household knows, rising costs and flat income require difficult choices. One of these difficult choices was an Action of the Board at its August meeting: to dissolve the position of Director of Community Life, effective September 15. I support the decision as one of fiscal responsibility. Angelina Carpenter has served nobly in the role for almost a year. We will take time to thank her for her service as she ends her service, and we will miss her as she continues ministerial formation in a supervised ministry position at TVUUC. We will also miss the professional focus on welcoming newcomers. It may be that ORUUC does, down the line, want to fund staff attention on newcomers. Or it may be that security or grounds-keeping is a higher value. Or maybe justice-making. Or perhaps more administrative support. Or funds at the ready to support lay-led ministry. Each is noble. But ORUUC cant say Yes to them all. The reward for health is the opportunity and responsibility to make choices. Unlike ten years ago, the choices before ORUUC in the Fall of 2011 are the challenges of a healthy congregation: how to secure democratic decision-making amidst change; how to staff effectively toward the vision and mission; and how to pursue any updates or changes to the church building, in light of the vision and mission. These are big questions. But they are, of course, all questions of How. And How cant be determined until were clear on What. But What cant be named until were clear on Why. ORUUCs vision is: harmonious, respectful, and loving relationships with all of creation. To realize that shimmering condition within ourselves and the world is why we have said we will gather. It is a profound YES. But now comes the hard part: for the sake of that lovely, infinite YES, what are those forty-five other things to which we will say NO? On September 2 and 3, the Board and I will go on a Retreat at Narrow Ridge Earth Literacy Center. You have a strong, diverse Board this year. Its leaders are President Lori Hetes, President-Elect David Savoie, and PastPresident Hal Hoyt. As you consider ORUUC's priorities, and your own sense of its challenges, I encourage you to be in conversation with them, with any Board-member, and also with me. As you consider to what your own life will say "YES," I encourage you to ponder the forty-five "NO's" that "YES" will require.

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August 2011

Safety Team News

What is the Safety Team? Establishing the need through discussion and research by the Safety Task Force, a Church Safety Team has now been formed. Training has begun and will continue, although the following information is effective immediately: The Safety Team will follow and enforce the Safety Policies of ORUUC. Two members of the Safety Team will be present on campus for all church services, large church social funtions, pot luck dinners, and Stone Soup distribution. Members of the Safety Team will be identified with yellow name tags. Safety Team members (and most staff members) will receive training through the American Red Cross in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and use of our AED (automated external defibrillator.) How will the Safety Team function? Safety Team members will act as the first responders to all emergencies including medical, weather related, fire and acts of violence. In the event of an emergency, in order to not over load the 911 emergency telephone lines the Safety Team member on site (or the person in charge) will call 911 or designate another to do so. In the event of an emergency the Safety Team members on site will interact with other Safety Team members, medical and law enforcement personnel present and any others needed to help manage the situation. The Safety Team will lock all outside access doors by 12:30 p.m. following the Sunday morning service with the exception of the Hearth Room door which will be locked by 11:30 a.m. The Safety Team will follow the criteria for regular safety drill requirements listed in the Safety Policies of ORUUC, will manage the required drills and will educate the congregation on how to respond in the safest manner. In order to give an organized and cohesive response to media inquiries in the event of an emergency, a group of trained Public Information Officers will be established. In the event of an emergency, the Public Information Officer will speak to the media as the representative of the church. How can each person be the most helpful? If you are the last to leave the church after a service, meeting or event make sure that all outside doors are locked. Learn the location of designated exits and meeting places if a safety drill or an emergency should occur. Try to stay calm in the event of an emergency and follow the instructions given by the Safety Team member(s) or the person(s) in charge.

Do you have any suggestions, comments or questions about the Exponent? Please contact the Church Office at office@oruuc.org Or 865-483-6761

August 2011

The Exponent

www.oruuc.org

11

Board of Trustees 12Lori Hetes. President The Exponent

Hal HoytPast President David Savoie...President-elect Martin BauerFinance Officer Aubrey Wick-Sebastian..Secretary Heather Ferragut Roxana McNair Robin Toth Amanda Weatherspoon

www.oruuc.org If you are going through difficult times and wouldAugust 2011 like emotional support, or are in any situation where support and caring are needed, please contact the Lay Pastoral Care Associates. The Lay Pastoral Care Associates contacts: Rev. Jake Morrill, Minister, 483-6761 Sal Smith, LPCA Team Leader, 483-5731 Kimberly Donnelly, Congregational Administrator, 483-6761 Office Hours: Monday through Friday 9 AM to 3 PM Summer Worship Services: 10 AM Traditional Service

Ministers and Staff

Rev. Jake Morrill, Minister Rev. Howard Box Minister Emeritus Tandy Scheffler, Director of Faith Formation Angelina Carpenter, Director of Community Life Wendel Werner, Director of Music Cyndy Bailes, Bookkeeper Kimberly Donnelly, Congregational Administrator Susan Rosenbaum, Nursery Coordinator Jackie Whitehead, Custodian Esther Berry, Sunday Morning Asst. Judy Moyer, Pianist Phone: (865) 483-6761

If you need transportation, are ill and need support, or need home-health or baby equipment, please call the Caring Coordinators for the month of August: Diane Nelson (483-0291) And Judy Van Winkle (483-4808)

Parents: If you need child care for an

event, please call Susan Rosenbaum (865-882-2372) or email (MsClued@aol.com) at least 5 days in advance.

Fax: (865) 481-3646

E-mail: office@oruuc.org

Web: www.oruuc.org

The Exponent Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church 1500 Oak Ridge Turnpike Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830-6207