Rumsfeld on "Confusion"
Mood:  energetic
Now Playing: "Keep on Rocking in the Free World" Neil Young
Topic: Keith Obermann on Freedom

On August 29, Keith Obermann offered the following video editorial on Rumsfeld's speech of the same day.  His response is quite thought provoking and sobering.   Take a look.  Click on the link below. 

Obermann on Rumsfeld

 

Contact Congress
Topic: For a Living Wage

Increase the Minimum Wage!

Go to the above link for more information on this and other UUSC Action Issues.

Write to Congress

Tell Congress to Raise the Minimum Wage

Living Wage

Go to the above link for further details from the UUSC.

Social Action Related Services & Forums
Topic: Iraq Living Wage Climate
Unitarian Universalist Church of Utica
10 Higby Road
Utica, New York 13501
315-724-3179 phone & fax
welcome@uuutica.org
http://www.uuutica.org

Sunday, March 19, 2006 5:00 PM:
Counting the Dead: A Service of Memory for American Action in Iraq
Rev. Naomi King, Members of our Social Action Committee
Join together for an interfaith service of memory, sorrow, and reconciliation on this anniversary of the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Sunday, March 26, 2006 10:30 AM:
UU Justice Sunday Social Action Committee
We have the power to help stop injustice in our world. This Sunday, our congregation will stand together with the Unitarian Univeralist Service Committee and Unitarian Universalist congregations across the country in support of workers’ rights. Around the world and in the United States, we are seeing the erosion of labor rights and of people’s ability to earn a living wage with dignity. The principles of Unitarian Universalism call upon us to work for justice in the face of such inequities. A special collection for the UUSC’s Justice Sunday programs will be taken.
Also at 10:30 Children's Religious Education
11:30 AM: Hospitality Hour
12:30 Forum on Global Warming

Announcements for Sunday, September 11, 2005
UU Book Relief

Some other UU clergy and I are collecting books to restock the congregational and the ministerial libraries of those affected by Hurricane Katrina. If you have UU books in good condition or wish to purchase contributions, please connect with Naomi, BreathMinistry@AOL.com, 264-6471 (mobile number).


Small Group Ministry Leaders Training
Saturday, September 17 1-4 p.m.

Small Group Ministry consists of groups of 8-10 people who together commit to spiritual growth and service. These groups meet once or twice a month and engage in sharing their lives and studying an issue affecting their spiritual development. The group then engages in service to the larger community together about once per month. This training workshop will explain the methods of leading small group ministries, orient leaders to the goals of the ministry, and equip leaders for organizing and supporting their groups. Want to sign up? Sign up sheet on bulletin board outside Sanctuary Doors. Questions? Speak with Naomi, our minister, in person, by telephone (315) 264-6471, or by e-mail: BreathMinistry@AOL.com


CAN We Help Sunday
Sunday, September 18 (NEXT SUNDAY)

The third Sunday of each month is when we focus on assisting the Utica Food Bank. Use of the Food Bank is up 117% this year over last. Many of us personally know hunger in these tight times. Please bring what you CAN in shelf-stable foods (canned goods, dried foods) for us to bring down to the Utica Food Bank. High protein foods are most needed.

First Forum Sunday Sept. 18: 9 a.m.

Our first forum will be held Sunday, September 18 at 9 a.m. Bonnie Reynolds (Spring Farm CARES), looking at the catastrophe wreaked by Hurricane Katrina, will discuss the need to be less dependent on government and “officials”. She urges us to prepare ourselves individually, as families, neighborhoods and communities, to survive any of a number of catastrophes or societal breakdowns that we might face in the future.

Bonnie will provide handouts and offer concrete suggestions to help you get started in self-sufficiency and organize your own personal “Survival Plan” such as Spring Farm CARES is now implementing. (Forum At UU Utica Church)

Cleaning Up The Debris of War

Thursday, Sept. 22, 7:30 p.m. at the UU Utica Church
Kurt Chesko, program director of HALO USA, will give a talk on, and demonstration of HALO’s efforts to clean up the debris of war. HALO Trust is a non-profit organization that has been used by the Adopt-a-Landmine program of the UNA to eradicate minefields. HALO has over 5500 mineclearers in 9 countries. Over 1, 600,000 landmines and other unexploded ordinance have been cleared. Their mission statement is: “getting mines out of the ground, now!” Kurt comes to us with hands-on experience as well as an extensive academic and public speaking background. Sponsored by the United Nations Association of the Upper Mohawk Valley. For more information, speak with Doreen Markson.

New Member Orientation

Sunday, September 25, 12:30-2 p.m. The Parlor
Our next New Member Orientation will be Sunday, 9/25/05 from 12:30-2 p.m. in the Parlor (the pink room off the sanctuary with all the couches and chairs). A light lunch will be provided. If you are interested in becoming a member of the church, this is the orientation meeting for you! We will cover the roles and rights of membership, a brief history of Unitarian Universalism and our congregation, how we govern our church, and opportunities for your spiritual growth, development, and service. Please sign up in advance on the sheet on the bulletin board, or tell our minister by e-mailing BreathMinistry@aol.com.

New York State Convention of Universalists

Register now for the NYSCU October 21-22 in Buffalo! Registration forms are on the Visitor’s Welcome Desk in the Sanctuary. This year’s theme is “The Church in the World”, spreading the good news of liberal religion. The convention ends Saturday at 4 p.m., so you have plenty of time to return home for a special worship service Sunday, October 23 featuring the Rev. Dr. Janet Hartzell Bowering as the Rev. Olympia Brown! Have a universally satisfying weekend!

St. Lawrence District
Religious Education Upcoming Events

Information and registration forms available on the district website. Go to www.sld.uua.org and click on “What’s New?” Click on “Committees and Camps” and “Religious Education” for a copy of the district RE Scholarship application.

Religious Education Fall Ingathering, featuring keynote speaker Sally Patton, author of “Welcoming Children with Special Needs: A Guide for Faith Communities”. October 29 at First UU Society of Albany.

Renaissance Module on Worship
for All Ages March 31-April 2 at First Unitarian Society of Ithaca. (More information available in late autumn.)

Exciting The Human Spirit
Lecture Series
The 4th Wave: Women and Change in the 21st Century

“No Peace Without Justice: 4th Wave Feminism and the Spiritual Disaster of Sexism” Judith Fetterley; September 29th

Perhaps the greatest paradox in contemporary religious traditions is the contradiction between philosophies of love and compassion with the goal of peace and practices that are gender-biased, exclusionary and promote violence. Sexism presents a serious obstacle to the spiritual development of women and men, for it leads to idolatry and objectification. In its Fourth Wave, feminism engages spiritual traditions based in non-violence, both to challenge these traditions to truly promote racial equality. Based on her analysis of this situation, Dr. Fetterley will share her thoughts as to what might constitute an agenda for a feminism based in non-violent spiritual practices. Judith Fetterley is a long-time Albany resident, retired State University at Albany Professor of English and Women’s Studies and a Quaker currently engaged in an exploration of the feminine as divine.

“Women of Faith: Working Across Spiritual Traditions” Rev. Jo Page, Rev. Valerie Faust, Rabbi Deborah Gordon, Rev. Lynn Ashley; October 27th

“Spiritual Hungers, Feminist Thirsts” Carol Flinders Nov. 17th

“The World Caf?: How Women Make Change” Dec. 1

Sessions begin at 7 pm, Channing Hall at the First Unitarian Society of Alvbany, 405 Washington Avenue, Albany NY (across from the downtown SUNY campus). Admission at the door, $10, $5 student. For Special Series price of $35, contact fuusa@fuusalbany,org. If admission fee is difficult, pay what you will. Additional contributions accepted. Exciting the Human Spirit is a program of the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany (FUUSA) and made possible in part by the generous support of the individual underwriters, the FUUSA Congregation, and the Book House.

Visit TRENTON FALLS With The
United Nations Association of the Upper Mohawk Valley

This spectacular site is being opened to the public this fall for only 4 days. It’s only 12 miles north of Utica, but is widely known, not only for its natural beauty, but for its roles in the development of North American, i ndeed, world geology. The UNA-USA chapter will be leading a 9:30 a.m. tour there on Saturday, October 1. Meet at 9:00 in the parking lot of the UU Church. If you wish, bring along snacks or a light lunch.

United Nations Association of the Upper Mohawk Valley Celebration of United Nations Day 2005.

Join the UNA-UMV at 6 p.m. on Oct. 24 at Mohawk Valley Community College, Room 225 in the Technology Information Building, and help celebrate the 60th anniversary of the United Nations. The theme of United Nations Day 2005 is: Child Health and Survival: The Millennium Development Goals and the Most Vulnerable. You’ll have a chance to meet and talk with high school and college students from other countries, share a delicious food reception with these students, and hear a speaker from MVCC staff.

You’re Invited
To Attend the Installation
Of Our New Minister
November 6 at 4 p.m.

We will be installing our new minister, Sunday, November 6 at 4 p.m. All are cordially invited! Gorgeous music, terrific preaching, readings, stories, and prayers, and a celebration of our church community! Children are especially invited to process into the Sanctuary ahead of the professional religious leaders and have other important roles during the service. Refreshments to follow the service. Please dress for the special occasion this is.