THE REP
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Upcoming
Sunday Services Summer services at St.
John’s (through September 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 Avenue from the Clifton
School construction site). SUNDAY AUGUST 13 “Blessing of the Animals” Rick and Connie Prairie Plan to bring your dog, cat or other pet for this special annual service celebrating our animal companions. Please remember that all dogs must be on leashes attached to a responsible adult and all other pets must be in carriers, aquariums, etc. the Rev. Dr. Frank Carpenter Liberalism in religion is about open mindedness, thoughtfulness, a readiness to listen to others and a search with all for common ground. How does this play out in your life? Our guest speaker will be the Rev. Linda Eppert. Linda is a former member of St. John’s who now works in youth ministry at Heritage Universalist Unitarian Church in Newtown. 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.
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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 Summer Office Hours Tues., Wed. & Thurs. 8am-2:30pm (closed Mon. & Fri.) Church Website Next Reporter
Deadline is August 14. Send articles to bbeisner@advantext.com |
RTER
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Frankly
Speaking…..
by Frank Carpenter During Study Leave – July – for a time I was reading back and forth between Karen Armstrong’s new book, THE GREAT TRANSFORMATION, and Kevin Phillips’ AMERICAN THEOCRACY. It was an interesting process as Armstrong seeks to reveal what is best in religion and Phillips what is worst. Phillips at times becomes depressing and I was glad to have Armstrong to turn to.
Phillips follows Charles Kimball’s five principle perversions of religion by extreme Christianity (Christianism as it is becoming called.) 1) claming absolute truth; 2) seizing upon an ‘ideal time,’ such as fast approaching end-times; 3) fostering unthinking obedience; 4) using ends justify the means arguments; and, 5)pursuing ‘holy’ war’ as in the Crusades and as a number of Christianists are doing in support of Israel’s war-making. This us versus them attitude in religion, this approach of you are either loyal to me or an evildoer, is antithetical to elements of religion that developed in the ‘Axial Age,’ in the first millennium before the Common Era. For Armstrong, and I definitely agree, when doctrine takes precedent over behavior, religion goes sour. Armstrong describes how the Golden Rule, ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you,’ is the central insight of the Axial developments in religion. Fascinating to me is Armstrong’s discussion of the Chinese concept of ‘shu.’ It roughly translates to ‘likening to oneself. It expresses the Confucian concept of consideration, in which one identifies with another, considering them to be like oneself. In a word, the Golden Rule.
Let us practice the Golden Rule, even with those who don’t. Peace, Frank
St. John’s Custodian Larry Brubaker to Retire in SeptemberAfter 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 comfortable 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 PAGE 2 The Reporter August 6, 2006 |
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Opportunities & Invitations 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 at St. John’s. The position requires that you run the system only one Sunday a month and scheduling is flexible. Complete training on the equipment will be provided. If you can help, please call Bruce Beisner. -the Worship & Liturgy
Committee Sing with the Choir This Fall This is a call out to everyone to join in the singing this fall. Our first rehearsal for the new season is Thursday August 31 at 7:15pm. We will have rehearsals every Thursday. Our first Sunday to sing for the fall will be September 10. The choir’s December holiday program will be a celebration of music from south of the border including some beautiful works from Puerto Rico, Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela, and Cuba. -Cathy Roma,
Minister of Music 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
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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 as soon as possible.
-Ruth Anne Wolfe Women’s Book
Group
The Third Friday Eves Book Group meet at the home of Debbie Combs in Ft. Thomas, Kentucky on August 18. We'll discuss Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. The novel is set in 19th-century China. The book group will meet in the Gandhi Room at church on September 15 where we’ll discuss possible changes for the future format of the group.
-Debbie Combs “Lively After Fifty” Night Out The LAFs event for August will be a change of pace with more informal eating and optional dancing at the Riverside Marina, Route 8 (145 Mary Ingles Highway), in Dayton, Ky. Usually the band does classic rock with some country music. This fun event will be August 11, so put it on your calendar. We'll gather later since the band starts at 9pm. Carpooling from St. John's will be available if requested. Access to the boat/restaurant involves negotiating some steps and hilly driveway. Reservations are required, please call Jan Hay to reserve your place. -Jan
Hay 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 27th at 4pm. Grilling will begin at 5pm. As always meat is provided. Bring a side dish to share, drink, and chairs. Children welcome. For more details or directions, contact Ginny Creasman or Jonena Jones. The Reporter, August 6, 2006 __ PAGE 3 |
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Among Ourselves Chalice Groups at St. John’s
We are excited to announce that we completed a second year of successful Chalice Groups. We hope that all who participated found the experi- ence satisfying. As many of you
know, we distributed a questionnaire this summer 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. You will hear more about Chalice Groups prior to and during the September sign up period.
-Jim Nunn Fall Shows in the Krolfifer Hall
Edith Susarret Marrero is showing painting whose subject matter is portraits at Krolfifer Hall in August She has made some on commission and often makes a second one for herself to keep. Several have been done from photographs. Elisha Nesher will be the artist showing in September. Her medium is embroidery and wood sculpture with designs derived from early Hebrew tribal art.
-Vivian Kline Taste of St. John’s Auction ReturnsMark your calendar now for the Taste of St. John’s Auction to be held on Saturday night October 14th. Consider what talent, service, product, or sponsor you can contribute to this event. If you’re interested in being a part of the Taste Planning Team, a meeting is being held on August 8 at 6pm at church. For more info, please contact Kelly McMichael. -Kelly McMichael PAGE 4 The Reporter August 6, 2006
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Property Projects in
Ministry Working to keep our beautiful building in good shape is indeed ministry. This is to acknowledge the work of a small crew that took on a very challenging project-- painting the white stucco wall in the sanctuary. Brian Isbell provided and erected the scaffolding. Then Stan Loeb, Bill Luerssen, and Jim McDonough worked from that scaffolding and rented a 40’ ladder to paint the stucco, clean and touch up the interior steel columns, and clean the high windows above the stucco and on the ends of the sanctuary. Mike Scaggs, our interim custodian, provided constant ground support. Take a look at the results and thank the crew for their ministry. The Women’s Bathroom on the first floor has a new face thanks to a Chalice Group service project and several other volunteers, who, while St. Johners were meeting at First Church in July, jumped in and created an attractive new setting. Joan Lane created the design and the following members contributed to the hands on work: Frances May Books, Kathryn and Jim McDonough, Barbara Casson, and Karen Heaster, painters; Bill Luerssen and Mike Skaggs, take down crew; Greg Terhune, wall washer extraordinaire, and Greg Terhune and Bo Wachendorf, decorative item hangers; Karen Heaster, scheduler and curtain designer; Brian Isbell, installer of carpet, lighting fixtures and sink faucet. Decorative items were donated by Joan Lane, Kathryn McDonough and Karen Heatser. Many thanks to all; be sure and tell them how much you appreciate their hard work to make our place of worship more pleasant. -Barbara Casson, Property
Council Director
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Green Sanctuary PartnersInvite You…As we St.J's UUs continue making progress toward becoming a Green Sanctuary "candidate" and ultimately "certified" by the UU Ministry for Earth--there are a number of changes we can consider making in our thinking and practices here and beyond our congregation: Reflect: How far did this commodity I am handling travel? Question: What were the components in its manufacture or growth? Were any toxins involved? Wonder: What were the conditions + pay for the workers, transporters? Ponder: Was this amount of fancy packaging necessary? More costly? Ask Yourself: Is this helping or hindering sustainability on Earth? Research: Are these ingredients good for my health? What is Ecology? Pursue: Will I take time to dispose of the 'remnants' wisely? Compostably? Compare: Can I finish 'consuming' what I started, before 'tossing away?' Contrast: Must I always remove the cap (and dispose of in the trash)--empty, wash, rinse, drain, compact, and find the right recycling container-- every time I use a plastic (#1 or #2)--or metal food or beverage container??? (Or can I cut myself some slack today? After all, I'm only human, I'm not the only one on this planet, If nobody saw me.....) Friendly Interrogatory Remarks: Ask some-one else what s/he thinks about all this bother. What does it matter in the great 'scream' of things? Let alone "Respect for the interde-pendent web of all existence of which we are a part "…Apart/Alone or A Part/All One?? –Mira Rodwin/Redwing The Reporter, August 6,
2006 __ PAGE 5 |
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Church Calendar
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The Reporter August 6,
2006 PAGE 7 |
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UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH 320 Resor Avenue, Cincinnati OH 45220-1698 |
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Thought of the Week “I
speak of peace as the necessary, rational
end of rational men.” |
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