THE REPRTER Newsletter of St. John’s Unitarian Universalist Church August 20, 2006

Upcoming Sunday Services Summer services at St. John’s (through Sept. 3) begin at 10:30am. Child care is available. Please note the church parking lot is reserved for visitors, families with small children, our older members and friends, and those with handicapped permits. Limited parking is available in the Clifton School Lot (located off Clifton Avenue). Additional parking can be found behind the Clifton Mosque (located across Clifton Ave from the Clifton School Lot.) Service time will change to 11am beginning on Sept. 10. SUNDAY AUGUST 27 at 10:30am “Beyond the Kitchen Table” -the Rev. Linda Eppert When I was growing up many important conversations took place around my family’s kitchen table. On one April Fool’s Day morning my father scooped salt onto his grapefruit instead of sugar. I had played a practical joke and replaced the sugar in the sugar bowl with salt. That morning we discussed how he had automatically assumed there would be sugar in the bowl and how I had acted upon that assumption. I also had some of my first glimpses into racism at that same kitchen table. Now, after many years, I take another look at how one particular conversation deeply affected my own perspectives on race. Rev. Linda Eppert is the Youth and Young Adult Minister at Heritage Universalist Unitarian Church in Anderson Township, Cincinnati and considers St. John’s her “home congregation.” SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 3 at 10:30am “Gathering of the Waters” -Bruce Beisner Please bring some water that symbolizes a milestone in your spiritual journey of the past year for our annual “Gathering of the Waters” service. This year’s service will feature some innovative new elements to deepen this celebration of our community. SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 10 at 11am Rev. Frank Carpenter will lead this service to start the church year. Cathy Roma will be leading the Choir again. Barbara and Mary with the RE Associates and teachers will be leading our religious Exploration program for our youth.

Minister The Rev. Frank Carpenter Affiliated Minister The Rev. Bonnie Meyer Minister Emerita The Rev. L. Annie Foerster Minister of Music Dr. Catherine Roma Assoc. Director of Music Rachel Kramer Directors of Religious Exploration for Children Mary M. Darner Barbara Hadden Office Administrator Mary Jo (Josie) Arens Caretaker Larry Brubaker Newsletter Editor Bruce Beisner Church Office 513-961-1938 FAX 513-961-4008 Church Office Hours Mon-Fri 8am-2:30pm Church Website www.stjohnsuu.org Next Reporter Deadline will be Thurs. August 31 at 5pm. Send articles to bbeisner@advantext.com

Frankly Speaking…..

by Frank Carpenter

I was struck by this news story about astronomers debating about ‘what is a planet.’ Is Pluto a planet? Mmmm? One proposed definition would give us 12 planets: the 12 planets in our solar system listed in order of their proximity to the sun would be Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Ceres, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, Charon, and, of course, Xena.

Taxonomy, naming things, is an important aspect of science. But we seem to still need some advances with this. Neil deGrasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium at New York's American Museum of Natural History, said the new guidelines would clear up the fuzzier aspects of the Milky Way. Mmmm, fuzzier?

I was reminded of a UU ministers meeting I attended in Lexington, KY a few years ago. Wendell Berry, (yes, live) gave us a special talk. He started talking about Ezra Pound’s concern with what the Chinese once called the ‘rectification of names.’ The idea being that before we really talk about anything we need to know their names. And it is the poet’s province to be careful to call things by their right names. Science continues to struggle with this

Not that religion is in any way advanced. Terms such a evangelical, liberal and fundamentalist are used too loosely. I want to be more careful but I cannot do it alone. I’ve had several conversations about names with Muslims. What’s a jidahist? Is that a useful term? No say the Muslims I’ve talked with. What about Islamofascism. Not at all. Al-Qaeda is a criminal gang, not religious extremists.

In times of fear and doubt we need to be extra careful with names. What is a planet? What is a religion? Being UU (define please!) is a good place to thoughtfully consider the true names of things.

Peace,

Frank

PAGE 2 The Reporter August 20, 2006

pportunities & Invitations Annual Women of St. John’s Cookout All women of St. John’s are invited to attend the annual cookout at the Creasman-Jones residence in Crestview Hills, KY on Sunday August 27^th at 4pm. Grilling will begin at 5pm. Meat and veggie burgers provided. Bring a side dish to share, drink, and lawn chairs. Children wel-come. For more details or directions, contact Ginny or Jonena. -Jonena Jones UU Campus Ministry at UC Working to reactivate "UUs at UC" as a registered student organization and promote campus ministry are Ruth Anne Wolfe at St. John’s, Linda Eppert from Heritage and UC adviser Howard Tolley. They are looking for the following information: 1. Prospective members: Names and contact information for UC graduate and undergraduate students who could file the necessary papers with the office of student organizations - minimum of four officers must be named, and total of ten members is the target. 2. Home hospitality and/or Food: Names and contact information for prospective hosts to provide home hospitality on holidays or other occasions for one or more student members of UUs at UC, and/or to assist in preparing food for a fall term organization meeting of the group. 3.Publicity: Names and contact information for UC faculty and staff willing to post near their campus office a poster with display brochures publicizing UUs at UC. Please contact Ruth Anne with information you have. -Ruth Anne Wolfe Flower Donations Flower donations are being accepted through the end of December 2006. Please see the sign up sheet posted outside the church office. -the Flower Friends			Dinner Out With the LAFS St. John’s “Lively After Fifty” group will meet Friday night September 8 at 6:30pm at Tellers’ Restaurant on Hyde Park Square. All St. Johners and St. John’s friends approaching or over 50 are welcome to attend. Newcomers are especially encouraged to participate. We do need to make reservations, so please contact Jan Hay by Thursday evening September 7. -Jan Hay Sound System Volunteer Needed The Worship & Liturgy Committee is seeking one person who would like to join our Sound System Operations Team for Sunday services. You’ll only be asked to work one Sunday a month and scheduling is flexible. Complete training will be provided. If you can help, please call Bruce Beisner. -the Worship & Liturgy Committee Final Friday Games Night The Final Friday Game Group would love your attendance at our monthly gathering. As you can gather from our name, we typically meet on the final Friday of each month at church at 7 p.m. to play games and have fun. So please bring your favorite games and join us on Friday, August 25. Please note that our gathering in September is moved up one week and will be held on Friday, September 22 at 7 p.m. Please contact Karen Miller with any questions or comments. -Karen Miller A True “Taste of St. John’s” Saturday October 14^th at 6pm. Mark the date now! This auction event will have an exciting revised format. Hint 1: Kids should save their quarters. Hint 2: Ever been to the Taste of Cincinnati? Look for further details and donation forms soon. If you would like to be involved, please contact Kelly McMichael -Jonena Jones The Reporter, August 20, 2006 __ PAGE 3
	Among urselves St. John’s Custodian Larry Brubaker to Retire in September After 22 years as custodian of St. John’s, Larry Brubaker is retiring in September. He has done many things over the years to make us com-fortable and safe in our building’s environment. We would like to say a special thanks for his years of service. Planning is underway for a reception and gift for Larry. If you would like to make a donation to the Celebrate Larry’s Retirement Fund, please send it to the St. John’s Church Office. –Barbara Casson, Director of Property Council New Team Forms The Program Planning Team for the Contemporary Service that starts in March '07 held its first meeting on August 17. The team will have the responsibility for planning and coordinating the production of the new additional service, Celebrate Life Together! Members of the team are George Dershimer, Karen Heaster, Melissa Orr, Rick Rowland, Sherry Tippey, and Ruth Anne Wolfe. Anyone else interested in being on the team should call George Dershimer. –George Dershimer PAGE 4 The Reporter August 20, 2006	Music Vivace COME SING! We resume regular choir rehearsals on Thursday August 31 at 7:00. Join us for a rehearsal at 7pm followed by a little social time together at the end of rehearsal. We will be joined by a quintet of string players for September 10th as we welcome in the new church year. Reverend Todd O'Neal wrote a piece for me called "In the Quietness," and Bonia Shur (local composer at Hebrew Union) set the work for strings. I chose this piece to honor our collective memory of 9-11. To welcome in everyone, we'll sing "When the Saints Go Marching In." This is to start the new year with a little energy and heat; this choice honors our collective memory of Katrina and the amazing music that fills us up and informs all popular music--the great music of New Orleans. The choir is ready to welcome new members. We have a lively time together every Thursday. Please join our music making with a mission--to uplift, to inspire, to connect, to learn, to share, to communicate! Join us for singing and a little snack time Thursday August 31 at 7pm. -Cathy Roma, Minister of Music Our Whole Lives Sex Education Course Every other year the Cincinnati UU churches join together to offer comprehensive sexuality education for 7-9th graders. The OWL or Our Whole Lives course is a UU curriculum which begins in December and ends in March. Parents must attend an orientation in the fall in order for their youth to participate. The dates for the orientations are October 16 at Heritage UU Church and October 24 at Northern Hills UU Fellowship. Sign-up deadline is November 15. This year we are also offering support to parents. Two of our area ministers, Rev. Annie Foerster and Rev. Kat Hawbaker, will be offering additional parent sessions to help parents address their own concerns about sexuality issues with their teens. You can learn about all of these offerings by contacting Mary Darner. -Mary Darner, Co-DRE

All St. John's Potluck Garden Gathering on Saturday September 9th Sprinklers, Shade Trees, Croquet, Board Games, Roses, Cold Drinks, Butterflies, Zinnias, Finches, Shaded Gazebo, Russian Sage, Cone Flowers, Bubbling Fountains, and More….. Saturday Sept. 9, 5pm to 8pm at the home and garden of Susan Montauk and Stan Loeb, 425 Old McMillan St in Clifton. All ages welcome! While sometimes difficult to find the first time, this garden setting is a delightful place for a child-friendly potluck party, and it is wheelchair accessible. For written detailed directions and parking information, please contact Jan Hay or pick up a flyer at the church. -Jan Hay To Build a Church Community We Need to Reach Out to All Your St. John's Membership Committee wants to do more than just add people to the members' list. Your committee wants to encourage connection with members and foster community at St. John's. A way to do this is for the committee to lead and to encourage church members to think of people they haven't seen at church for a long time and to call these people to see how they are. Some UUA churches call this "remembership" and it means taking a few minutes to phone and to see how someone is doing. The goal is to build a true caring community in which members feel good about themselves and their participation no matter at what level. What to say is not complicated. Ask if a member needs any assistance. Since he or she has not been in church you can let them know they have been missed. Acknowledge their volunteer efforts and remind them about any special upcoming event at the church. We really do care about our members and don't want people leaving because they don't feel connected. We now also have large photo post cards available to send out a "remembership" message. Just use a first class stamp. They are on the membership table in the foyer. If you have questions or comments please e-mail me. -Karolyn Schalk, Membership chair

Classes for Adults Begin Next Month The mission of Adult Religious Exploration at St. John’s is to provide a program of religious growth and learning that meets the needs of adult members and friends. This fall we have an exciting line-up of classes and forums .The full brochure will be available on Sept. 10 as will sign-up sheets. Below is a sneak preview of 3 of the classes we’ll be offering. “Exploring World Religious Traditions" will begin with 4 weeks of Hinduism, followed by 4 weeks of Buddhism, followed by… Leader Charles Siebert will once again conduct this very popular class. It will be ongoing through the year, and you are invited to join at the start of any period they begin studying a new tradition. Familiarity with historical religious traditions is helpful to understanding our contemporary world, from its most intimate corners to its most public spaces. This discussion group seeks to understand religious traditions by readings, videos, and dialog with volunteer guests. The class will meet weekly on Tuesday evenings, beginning September 19. “Our Unitarian Universalist Story” is a 5 session survey of the denomination’s heritage and current theological trends and issues. The course is suitable for new and long-time members. Classes will include activities, readings and discussions designed to help participants further develop their own spirituality within the Unitarian Universalist context. This course will be led by Karolyn Schalk and Bruce Beisner, meeting weekly on Monday evenings, beginning in mid October. Karen Armstrong’s book, The Great Transformation has so inspired our minister, Frank Carpenter, that he would like to lead an afternoon seminar discussing her challenging ideas. This 3-session group will begin on Thursday October 19. The next Reporter will describe more of the special Adult Exploration classes to be offered this church year. -Carol Fencl, Adult RE Chair The Reporter, August 20, 2006 __ PAGE 5

Church Calendar Monday August 21 7pm- Partner Church Meeting Tuesday August 22 10am- Meditation 10am- Yoga Wednesday August 23 6:30pm- Tech Committee Friday August 25 8am- Staff Meeting 7pm- Final Friday Games Night Saturday August 26 9am- RE Teacher Training 6pm- Interweave Potluck Sunday August 27 10:30am- Sunday Service guest speaker: the Rev. Linda Eppert 11:45- Social Action Coordinating Comm. 4pm- Women of St. John’s Cookout 7pm- A Course in Miracles Tuesday August 29 10am- Yoga 10am- Meditation Wednesday August 30 7pm- Endowment Trustees Meeting Thursday August 31 5pm- Deadline for The Reporter 7pm- Choir Rehearsal Friday September 1 Noon- Peace Walk Saturday September 2 11am- Chalice Group (Nunn)

Sunday September 3 10:30am- Sunday Service “Gathering of the Waters” 7pm- A Course in Miracles Monday September 4- Labor Day Church Office Closed Tuesday September 5 10am- Meditation 10am- Yoga 7pm- Chalice Groups (Lampe & Heaster) Wednesday September 6 6:15pm- Social Action Committee 7pm- Membership Committee Thursday September 7 6pm-Music Committee 7pm- Choir Rehearsal Friday September 8 6:30pm- LAFS Dinner at Tellers Saturday September 9 5pm- Potluck Garden Gathering Sunday September 10 9:30m- Chalice group (Strong) 11am- Sunday Service with the Rev. Frank Carpenter 12:30pm- RE Associates 1pm- Interweave Luncheon 6pm- Earth Spirit Full Moon Event 6pm- Men’s Group 7pm- Partner Church Meeting The Reporter August 20, 2006 PAGE 7

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH 320 Resor Avenue, Cincinnati OH 45220-1698

ghghghg Non Profit Organization U.S. Postage P A I D Cincinnati, Ohio Permit No. 2429

ur Principles & Purposes We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote….. The inherent worth and dignity of every person; Justice, equity and compassion in human relations; 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 within our congregations and in society at large; 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.

“Wheel of Life” in The Reporter The Reporter “Wheel of Life” has been a bit discombobulated in the summer heat, but the column will resume as soon as the editor arises from her shaded chaise lounge and rejoins the cool, cool world. Meanwhile, please send your news, good, sad or just plain important, to Barbara Pinzka -Barbara Pinzka Bring Your Story & Your Water on Sunday September 3! Plan to bring some water that symbolizes a milestone in your spiritual journey of the past year for our annual “Gathering of the Waters” service. This year’s service on September 3 will feature some innovative new elements to deepen this celebration of our community. -Worship & Liturgy Committee Kroger Cards Kroger cards at St. John’s are available to purchase from Rick Prairie after the service each Sunday. Every time a card is “loaded” with additional money, St. John’s is credited with four percent of that amount. The church is currently receiving over $300 each month as a result of this program. If you don’t have a Kroger card, see Rick this week, it’s an easy way to support St. John’s each time you go grocery shopping. -Rick Prairie --------------------------------------------------------- News from the ffice Hope everyone is having a enjoyable summer. Just a reminder that the deadline for written announcements for the Order of Service is the Wednesday prior to the Sunday that you want it in. Deadline is 11am. The deadline for submissions for the next issue of The Reporter is Thursday August 31 at 5pm. -Josie Arens St. John’s Office Administrator PAGE 6 The Reporter August 20, 2006

Clifton Avenue Houses of Worship To Host Open Houses Clifton Avenue Houses of Worship will hold Open Houses on September 24th, from 3:00pm to 6:00pm. The congregations participating are the Clifton Adventist Church, the Clifton Mosque, Annunciation Roman Catholic Church, Clifton United Methodist Church and St. John’s. All are invited to visit any and all of these houses of worship that day and expand their appreciation of the role of faith in our community. Light refreshments will be available at each site. -Rev. Frank Carpenter Build Your Spiritual Reserves Several St. John's members and friends are participating again in the third annual Women's (Interfaith) Day of Prayer, with the theme: "Building Our Spiritual Reserves." A new series of 'enactments' will be presented by women of diverse backgrounds, both familiar and (perhaps) new to you. It will be held on Saturday September 9 from 10am to 3pm at the Church of Our Saviour on Hollister Street in Mt. Auburn. This event is free and open to the public. -Mira Rodwan/Redwing Chalice Groups at St. John’s We are excited to announce that we completed a second year of successful Chalice Groups. As many of you know, we distributed a questionnaire this summer soliciting feedback and suggestions on how we can make your experience even more satisfying in the coming year. I am sure we will all grow from this feedback. In September we will be holding open enrollment for the upcoming year's Chalice Groups. The purpose of the Chalice Group program is to provide an opportunity for friends and members of St Johns to develop deeper connections, foster individual growth, and encourage service within the church and beyond through small groups. Look for more details in the coming weeks. -Jim Nunn