UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION OF MIAMI

NOVEMBER 2012 APRIL 2011

CONNECTIONS
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Miami
11am Sunday Services & Childrens Programs INSIDE
PG. 1 SCHEDULE PG. 2 MUSINGS FROM THE MINISTER PG. 3 CHILDRENS RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PG. 4 NOTES FROM THE BOARD PG. 5 GROUPS AND PROGRAMS PGS. 6, 7, 8 COMMITTEE NEWS & EVENTS PG. 9 SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE UPDATE PGS. 9 & 10 MEET OUR NEW MEMBERS PG. 12 CONGREG. NEWS PG. 13 CALENDAR

April 1st: Justice and Compassion

a Delicate Balance Rev. Wendy Pantoja As Unitarian Universalists, we are called to respond with compassion and stand for justice. Yet when a travesty occurs, we are caught in a tense pull between these. How can we honor Trayvon Martins memory? How can we hold accountable the person who slayed him from a compassionate place? April 8th: Awakening to Who We Are


Rev. Wendy Pantoja The Easter stories are about resurrection and reawakening. How do these relate to us as spiritual beings? What meaning can Unitarian Universalists draw from them? April 15th: We Remember Rev. Wendy Pantoja With Yom Hashoah only days away, we reect on the Holocaust, the losses, and those who have tried to raise conscience. April 22nd: A Matter of Faith Rev. Wendy Pantoja According to one religious ecologist, we are living in the sixth period of extinction, the rst to be caused by humans. Join us in this multigenerational service as we celebrate the earth and explore ways in which we, as a religious people, can become its voice. April 29th: COM1, COM2, Whoever You Are to the COM3 Sunday Service Committee on Ministry Join the Committee on Ministry3 in a lay-led service to explore the meaning and application of compassionate1 communication2 in our congregation.
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MUSINGS FROM THE MINISTER

APRIL 2012

Reverend Wendy Pantoja

April

To applaud or not to applaud? That is the question with which congregations often wrestle on Sunday morning. We are not talking here about the rhythmic clapping with which we sometimes accompany our hymn singing. This is usually enjoyable and helps us make music. What is meant by applause here is the clapping that sometimes follows after something is said or done in worship. There are many reasons for wanting to applaud. We want to show appreciation for a job well done or for the effort made. Sometimes we are so moved that it is hard to contain ourselves. Those who would prefer to do without the applause have good reasons, too. They prefer a peaceful moment of reection on the music or words just shared. Routine applause after a musical piece or reading turns the would-be worshipful experience into a performance/concert environment. Lately I have noticed an uncertainty about whether or not to applaud which results in thunderous applause for some and seemingly half-hearted applause for others. This can bring about an ouch moment for the latter. And when the participation of children occurs in worship, this can result in what some call showcasing rather than intergenerational participation. What to do? I would like to suggest that we be very discerning about the use of applause. We can try refraining from it. If we must, it would be preferable to shake our hands quietly in the air so others can have their reective moment. Not applauding an adult or child right after their participation will give them a better sense of having helped to make worship instead of having just completed a performance. Towards the end of worship, probably right before our Closing Circle, the worship leader will provide a moment of applause for all who have participated. I invite you to try this for a while. And, when we are so overwhelmingly moved by a musical piece or by words shared that we cannot contain ourselves, it will be that much more meaningful. The applause will not be for a performance but will be an outward expression of the deep feeling of gratitude and/ or joy invoked in us by the content of that worship element. En paz y fe,

Rev. Wendypaz Ministers Office Hours

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 10 AM 2 PM* Monday day off Thursday Sermon writing day Saturday reserved for special meetings and other events

Please know that this schedule is subject to change in order to meet other ministerial and denominational responsibilities. It will also be revised over the course of the year in response to congregational needs. Rev. Wendy is available by telephone 9 AM 8 PM except on her days off. Emergency calls will be accepted at any time. *It is always best to call for an appointment. If these hours do not accommodate your schedule, please do not hesitate to call for an appointment at a mutually convenient time.
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CHILDRENS RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

APRIL 2012

Childrens Religious Education

Monica Rizzo- Director of RE Classes this month Children will meet for classes on April 1, 8, 15, 29 and there will be an Intergenerational service on Sunday, April 22. Each Sunday everyone will gather in the sanctuary and after the A Time for All Ages, children will meet their teachers in the breezeway to head to class. Please pick up your child promptly after class. For the Intergen service, there are no classes and children will stay with their parents/guardians in the sanctuary for the service. Nursery The nursery is open at 10:45 each Sunday for infants-3 years old. When dropping off your child, please sign him/her in on the class roster and leave your phone number. Each child is required to have appropriate supplies including diapers, wipes, change of clothes, snack and drink. Please pick up your child promptly after service. Music in RE Music classes will plan tomeet on April 8 and April 15. Kids will meet in the breezeway after A Time for All Ages and attend music class as an all ages group before moving into their regular Tapestry of Faith classes. Religious Education Meeting The next meeting will be Sunday, April 1st at 12:45 p.m. in the Religious Education Ofce. All are welcome to come and discuss the happenings, both business and fun, in the RE department. Because of conicting schedules, the May RE committee meeting will actually be held on Sunday, April 29th at 12:45 p.m. in the RE ofce. Please join us! New to the Program? If you are new to the program and would like more information about Religious Education, please feel free to contact Monica Rizzo, the Director of Religious Education (DRE), atmrizzodre@gmail.comto chat by email, set up a phone call or schedule a face-to-face meeting. Pancake Breakfast Please join RE for an Easter pancake breakfast on Sunday, April 8 at 9:30 a.m. There will be a delicious breakfast to eat, crafts for the kids and an egg hunt! Breakfast is hospitality for the day and all proceeds will go to RE's special fund. Hope to see you there!

Popcorn Theology
Join us Sunday, April 1 at 6:30 pm in Room 4 for Popcorn Theology, a new program for teens led by Cheryl Koenig Morgan and Art Friedrich. Popcorn Theology is a curriculum that takes the concept and popularity

of movie night to explore issues of theology and ethics for Unitarian Universalists. These sessions are specifically for youth and show movies that are rated G, PG, and PG13. The first film in the series is Back To The Future. If you know of any teens that might enjoy this program, please spread the word!

NOTES FROM THE BOARD

APRIL 2012

Barbara Woshinsky- President of the Board

Butteries and Balconies In previous columns, I have written about cocoons and butteries, both real and metaphorical. While cocooning can feel cozy, it also can become claustrophobic. The UU Congregation is denitely emerging from its chrysalis and stretching its rainbow wings. I have recently taken part in two denominational events in Orlando. The week of February 19, Reverend Wendy, Selva Joseph and I attended SUULE, an intensive leadership training workshop where we studied our Unitarian-Universalist heritage, theology (yes, we have several) and governance. One important lesson I brought away was to get up on the balcony when trying to deal with congregational issues. Of course, our church doesnt have a real balcony; this means stepping away to get the whole picture, instead of becoming overheated on the ground. So if you see your president standing at the back of the sanctuary, I may be trying to get up on that (metaphorical) balcony. Not a bad idea for everyone. The weekend after SUULE, I stayed in Orlando to participate in the Florida Choral Festival, along with seven other members of our choir and 80 singers from all around the state. In each of the two Sunday morning services, the chorus sang four songs, one composed by our music director Tim Buchholtz. We received wonderful hospitality from the Orlando congregation and its minister, Reverend Kathy Schmitz, who served as interim minister at UU Miami. In both experiences, what stands out for me is the joy of getting to know Unitarian Universalists from other places. Back in Miami, our congregation hosted two successful forums: the rst, organized by Monica Rizzo and the RE committee, featured Rev. Randy Becker from UU Key West and our minister, Rev. Wendy. Participants attended from Key West and River of Grass congregations. Then on March 10, Immigration Weekend brought 5 inspiring speakers to address issues of immigration justice in Florida. The sanctuary was decorated by samples from the artist Huongs immigration murals, which were featured in the Miami Herald. More details on Immigration Weekend will be found in the Social Justice report in this bulletin, authored by Lidia Moore, co-chair of the committee. We came away with new friends, concrete plans for partnering with local organizations, and a wonderful realization that we are not alone. In other news: Paul McCabe has replaced Rex Thompson, who resigned from the board for personal reasons. Welcome, Paul, and thank you for your service, Rex. Please put these important dates on your agenda: April 1: Chancel Side Chat April 18: The next board meeting. Coffee at 6 PM, meeting at 6:30; observers welcome April 21: Fundraising party for our delegates to GA April 28: Worship Workshop May 19: Annual congregation gala dinner May 20: Annual congregational meeting June 20-24: General Assembly in Phoenix; off-site viewing of Assembly proceedings in the sanctuary is being planned.
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GROUPS AND PROGRAMS

APRIL 2012

Iris Massey Spiritual Reality Spiritual Reality offers an opportunity for spiritual exploration and growth through selected readings and commentary by the group. Those who attend are encouraged to comment on the readings and/or share their personal concerns. We are not a therapy group, but a group of caring friends who come together to listen and to learn. Please join us on Sunday mornings at 9:30AM in the Emerson Room. Alice Lingswiler Grief Support Group Its true. Sharing the burden of grief and telling of your loved ones life helps us to move beyond tears and share the laughter of loving memories. Join us at the Grief Support meeting on the rst and third Sunday of each month at 1pm. See Connie Bartels or Alice Lingswiler for more information. John Bost Humanist Group April 10th, 2012 Bill Moyers Journal with Jonathan Miler about his documentary series A Brief History of Disbelief , the hidden story of atheism. We meet in the Emerson room every second Tuesday of the month at 8:00 PM. Please come join us! Rosemary Timmony Lunch Bunch Bring a bag lunch and join us as we enjoy a friendly lunch and discuss a reading from an inspirational book each Wednesdays from 12pm-2pm in the Emerson Room. Every 3rd Wednesday is Poetry Day so bring your favorite poems to share. Hope to see you there. Linda Lathroum & Renee Michelle Goertzen The UU Young Adults Group We meet the rst Friday of the month at 7:30 PM in the Emerson Room for Game Night. Come play fun board games and there is never a dull moment! The growing number of younger adults in the congregation calls for an opportunity to get together to socialize, to get connected, and to consider the possibility of future activities. Come network with others the old fashioned way face to face. For more information and to be included in our e-mail list, please join our list-serve at UUMiamiYA@yahoogroups.com

David Roelant Welcoming Cong regation The Welcoming Congregation Committee is scheduled to meet on the rst Sunday of each month at 1:00 PM. The Lavender Salon, which we sponsor, is an Intergenerational Event for Miami's LGBTQ Community and is currently on hiatus. We hope to restart our activities in the near future which will include our Interweave Film Series, celebrating LGBTQ themes.Our WCC Committee is looking forward to our annual participation in the Miami Beach Gay Pride Parade on April 15th!!! EVERYONE is welcome!! Please join us for our, upcoming activities, including Speakers and Workshops. For more information regarding our activities, please contact Marilyn Rutgers or Dave Roelant. Margaret McAlister & Sandy Howard PFLAG PFLAG Kendall meets at 12pm on the 2nd Saturday of each month at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Miami. PFLAG Homestead meets at 12pm the fourth Saturday of each month at St. Johns Episcopal Church,145 NE 10 Street in Homestead. For more info contact miamipag@hotmail.com June Harbett The Alliance

Dr. Anne Stewart will present a program on the history of chocolate at the Alliance's meeting April 7th, at 1pm. All are welcome to lunch at 12 and the program. A Hershey's Kiss included.
Buddhist Group If you are looking for a pause in your busy week why not come and experience Buddhist Reections? We meet every Tuesday evening from 6:30-7:45pm in the Emerson Room (the second Tuesday of every month is in the sanctuary). Discover your Bodhicitta. We begin with a seated 15 minute meditation, a reading or two, followed by engaging discussion. We close with a second 15 minute meditation. No commitment is necessary; come whenever you like. Everyone is welcome and no experience is necessary. Come and refuel for your busy week.

COMMITTEE NEWS AND EVENTS

APRIL 2012

Committee News and Events

Chancelside Chat April 1, 2012 1-2PM Sanctuary You are invited to join our minister, Rev. Wendy Pantoja, in an informal chat after worship. This is a time to get to know each other better and ask questions you have been meaning to ask. Pancake Breakfast Please join RE for an Easter pancake breakfast on Sunday, April 8 at 9:30 a.m. There will be a delicious breakfast to eat, crafts for the kids and an egg hunt! Breakfast is hospitality for the day and all proceeds will go to RE's special fund. Hope to see you there! Mediation Training, sponsored by Leadership Development Committee A mediation training session will be held on April 14, 9AM-12PM. The goal is to offer mediation services should conicts arise within the congregation, following the congregational Reconciliation Process laid out in the Policies and Procedures document. Those interested in becoming mediators should contact William (Bill) Turner, who will facilitate the training. Herrschaft Committee Event On Sunday, April 15th, at 2 PM in the Sactuary the Herrschaft Committee is sponsoring a showing of the stirring, award-winning documentary, "Trail of Tears". This is the name given to the forced relocation of Native Americans from East of the Mississippi to Oklahoma, and is most often associated with the Cherokee Nation, but also included Seminoles and others. This presentation is free and is open to all. It will be followed by a reception with refreshments. Miami Beach Pride 2012 On Sunday April 15 members of UU Congregation of Miami will march in the Pride Parade in Miami Beach. Some members of our congregation will be marching with Pridelines and others with PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). We need your help to show our congregations strong support for LGBT rights. We would like to have at least 5 of us marching for UU Miami and carrying our 2 banners. The parade begins at noon and marchers should be there by 10:30am. Please contact the ofce if you are going and also let Jessi know if you would like to carpool with others to the parade. Dave Roelant, Co-Chair of Welcoming Congregation Committee
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COMMITTEE NEWS AND EVENTS

APRIL 2012

Committee News and Events

GA Fundraiser Dinner Calling all to Dinner, Music, Games, and Entertainment on Saturday, April 21st at 6:30pm. Dress up as your favorite Social Justice Activist (or come as you are) and bring a dish to share. Amy Carol Webb will entertain and inspire us. There will be games and rafes and fun for all. Tickets will be pre-sold each Sunday from 10:15am - 11:00 am for $20/adult ($25 at the door); under age 18 is free. All proceeds are going toward travel, room, and board expenses for our UUCM delegates to the UU General Assembly in Phoenix. Please do your part to make sure we are represented at GA and buy your ticket this Sunday! Questios? Call Margaret McAlister at 305 989 1623 or email her at margmac55@yahoo.com. Worship Workshop Interested in leading a service this summer? Have you ever wondered how a worship service gets put together? How a sermon is written? Please join us on Saturday, April 28, 2012 for an all-day (9:00 AM-3:00 PM) worship workshop with Rev. Wendy in the Sanctuary. Music in April from the UU Jazz Committee We are very excited to share 3 musical offerings in April. The rst is the exciting AfroCuban fusion group Oriente with the great guitarist Eddie Balzola on Sunday afternoon April 29th. Admission to this last concert of our regular jazz series is $15.00 for adults and $10.00 for minors. (cash at door only) On Wednesday evening April 25th we are pleased to sponsor our rst Senior Recital from the University of Miami. Bryan Aguilar, a guitarist and poet, was born and raised right here in Miami. His former professor, jazz guitarist Randall Dollahon said of this CubanColumbian-American that his poetry is so excellent he may one day be our rst Latino Poet Laureate." We hope you will support this free concert with your presence. It begins at 8:00 PM. Mr Aguilar will have the support of a pianist and drummer. Lastly, we want to let you know about a very special benet performance. A 21-year old ballet dancer who was in a horric accident just over a year ago is now a quadrapalegic and without insurance her small window to regain some movement is slipping away. Laurence Elder, pianist and composer, has been organizing this fund raiser. To nd our more go to www. wavesfca.org. Presently, the concert and reception to be held on Monday evening April 30 has 3 tiers of nancial support for Margo Gignac. At this writing, Nicole Henry, Wendy Pedersen, Carlomagno Araya, Jamie Ousley and Laurence Elder are committed to perform. Another very special performer will be announced once his calendar has been cleared. Please check our the site above for more information about this special cause. Please note that if you go to the above website there is a link to our site so everyone can read about the purpose of this event. In addition to the benet concert and reception there will be a few Gourmet Trucks. It promises to be loads of fun and great music for a great cause.
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COMMITTEE NEWS AND EVENTS

APRIL 2012

Committee News and Events

Annual Budget Drive If you have not yet been contacted by a canvasser or made your pledge, please get in touch with Shawn Joost or David Roelant. Thanks! Seeking Board Nominees The Leadership Development Committee (LDC) is seeking engaged and thoughtful congregants to consider for a position on the Board of Trustees. This is a three (3) year term of service in the organizational governance of the UU Congregation of Miami. Potential nominees should be a member in good standing for no less than one year, and have a demonstrated commitment to the life of this congregation and our Unitarian Universalist principles. If you or someone you know would like to be considered for a Board position, please contact Selva Joseph or Bill Turner, LDC co-chairs, or LDC members Mara Poviones-Bishop, Art Friedrich, or Roxane Pickens. Selection of GA Delegates Your Board of Trustees is delighted to announcethe selection of 3 delegates to the UUA General Assembly in June: Bill Turner, Carrel Morgan, and Derrick Mustelier! We are grateful to them for this service. We are seeking an alternate to possibly attend or observe off-site via the internet. For more details, please speak with Barbara Woshinsky. Annual Gala Dinner Mark your calendar now: our Annual Gala Dinner is Saturday, May 19. This celebration will include a Variety Show; please see Barbara Woshinsky to sign your talent up!Our annual meeting is Sunday, May 20th at 1pm; agenda to be published soon. Interested in Becoming a Member? A few people have shown an interest in the Path to Membership orientation session that is required to become a member of this congregation. Although another class was not scheduled until next fall, we would be willing to add a one timeclass if we can get enough participants. If you are interested, please let Reverend Wendy know or contact Andrea Mustelier at (305) 299-9958 or andreamustelier@gmail.com. KUDOS DEPARTMENT John Bost Thank you Ben and Rick A big thank you to Ben Morgan for the donation & Rick Homers work to repair the folding doors at the kitchen. Setian Workshop Participants Thank you Janice McArthur for the wonderful workshop on Feb. 25th!

COMMITTEE NEWS & EVENTS

APRIL 2012

Social Justice Committee Update

On Friday March 9th the Social Justice Committee kicked off Immigration Justice weekend with a screening of the movie Made in LA. The movie was about three undocumented Latinas trying to improve conditions for sweatshop employees like themselves. After the movie Gene Wine led the enlightened discussions about how to prevent such conditions while also preventing the ow of work to countries without labor laws. The movie was great and Terry Lowmans popcorn popped the old fashioned way was good, too. The video can be checked out from the ofce if you are interested in viewing it. On Saturday morning the delightful artist Huong, full of energy and positivity, arrived with panels from the Immigration Wall of Borders Mural. We were all encouraged to write on the wall. Then Jonathan Fried, of WeCount! talked to us about how in Homestead it is hazardous to have indigenous facial characteristics as racial proling is rampant you are likely to be targeted for the most minor infraction such as tinted windows and then thrown into the immigration detention system. Jeanette Smith, from South Florida Interfaith Worker Justice, had just come back from a grueling legislative session in Tallahassee where she and others successfully prevented the law that would prohibit counties from passing wage-theft ordinances like the one we have in Miami-Dade. Jeanette Ocasio, of UnidosNow came all the way from Sarasota to talk to us about a program she leads called Know Your Rights. Maria Rodriguez, Executive Director of the Florida Immigrant Coalition, showed videos of all the Tallahassee protests organized by her group that recently succeeded in the rejection of the proposed Arizona-style immigration law in Florida. Maria also showed videos of the young undocumented students that walked to Washington, D.C. to try to get the DREAM Act passed by Congress. In Georgia the DREAMers were met by a group of KKK complete with white hoods and anti-immigrant posters! The nal speaker was FIU professor Dr. Alex Stepick of RISEP, who wrapped everything up nicely by dispelling myths such as Immigrants wont learn English with the statistics of academia proving the myths wrong. All present were overwhelmed with all the stories and information and motivated to act.These were people who dont just talk the talk they also walk the walk and get results and we were inspired. After a wonderful lunch thank you Bill Turner and Terry Lowman - we set off to work with our new partners. Two projects were initiated: We will partner with WeCount! to join a coalition to end S-Comm. We will also partner with South Florida Worker Justice to begin a Detainee Visitation Program. In addition the Artist Huong and Maria,who met at the forum, will team up to create some art panels in Spanish to take to Homestead. If you missed the forum, the whole thing was videotaped, thanks to Jeff Reiter. We will be working with Jessi to get the videos up on the uumia.org web site soon! On Sunday Rev. Wendy managed to sum up the whole weekend in a moving ve minute homily. We also heard stories of immigrants from the past as well as the story of Daniela Pelaez, the North Miami High valedictorian who was about to be deported. Join the Social Justice Committee and bring your ideas and ideals. Lidia Moore, Co-chair of the Social Justice Committee
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MEET OUR NEW MEMBERS

APRIL 2012

Meet Our New Members

Dorle (Dorothea) Fichtel Dorle was born in Frankfurt, Germany. Because her grandparents and parents were members of the Unitarian Church established in 1845 in Frankfurt, Dorle has been a Unitarian since birth. She moved with her family to Stuttgart, where she became a member of the Foreigner Club for foreign students and trainees which was established by Carl Duisberg (Bayer Chemical). There she made many worldwide friends and met her husband, Mickey. They married in 1961 and left Europe for the US. Dorles interests include traveling, reading, classical music, hobby weaving, collecting foreign cookbooks and cooking those dishes. Her present life is lled with maintaining two homes (Miami and Munich) and living as snowbirds for about year in each. Mickey (Wolfram) Fichtel Mickey was born in Bayreuth Bavaria, Germany. After nishing his education in mechanical engineering in Germany, he was offered a marketing job in the US in 1961. He and Dorle got married, left Europe and have lived in New York, Greenwich CT, the Berkshires and now Miami since 2005. As snowbirds they also live in Munich Germany. Mickeys interests are worldwide travels, ethnic foods, classical music, literature, books of ancient historical events and their effects, solitary mountain hiking in the Alps, and amateur photography. He believes in nature, universal ethics, humanism, logic and realism. He tends to reason this way rather than along religious lines. He became a Unitarian in Frankfurt, Germany in 1961.

Tricia Foster Tricia was born in Maine and has enjoyed living in Miami now for 11 years. She has a seven-year old daughter named Gabriella and is currently searching for a position in education as an adjunct professor. Tricia has come to the UU looking for a spiritual community that values diversity and religious tolerance. She enjoys painting, writing, reading, photography, and nature, but is most passionate about the liberal arts: art, music and literature.

Barbara Steeg Barbara is a newcomer to the Miami area but she is not new to the UU, having attended UU services in other cities for ve years. She spent most of her life in Norwalk, CT, but most recently came to Miami from Columbus, OH. Barbara currently works as a consultant for seven different magazines. She enjoys reading, travel, art, music, tennis, and dining out and has a 22-year old daughter (Nadia Abudi). She is passionate about truth, love, respect for our planet, and respect for the dignity of all people. Barbara came to us looking for a group of friendly, open-minded, and intelligent people and a place to continue to explore and grow deeper within her belief system. We know that she has come to the right place!!
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MEET OUR NEW MEMBERS

APRIL 2012

Meet Our New Members

Dick (Richard) Konicek-Moran Dick was born in Chicago, IL and has been married to his wife Kathleen for 21 years. They have eight children between them. He is an Emeritus Professor of Science Education and the author of Everyday Science Mysteries, a series of books and stories for inquiry-based science teaching. He and Kathleen have wintered in Miami for 11 years as volunteers in the Everglades, but recently bought a condo and expect to be here now from September to June. Dick enjoys woodworking and is passionate about environmental concerns. Kathleen Konicek-Moran Kathleen was born in Massachusetts and is a retired college professor (academic writing and critical thinking). She is now enjoying a second career as a Botanical Artist. Her interest in social issues, liberal theology and singing are what brought her to the UU and we are delighted that she and Dick have joined the choir. Kathleen also enjoys gardening, (electric) bass playing, weaving and other handcrafts. She is also passionate about environmental issues and dogs.

Rene Michelle Goertzen Rene Michelle was born in Minnesota and Florida is the 10th state in the US that she has lived in. She has been in Miami for two years now and is a Physicist. She and her husband, Andrew Pearson, have been married for three years. Rene Michelle enjoys cooking, reading, Indian classical dance and singing (she sings with the Master Chorale of South Florida). In her work she is passionate about helping more people see science as interesting and useful in their everyday lives and in making the eld of science more accessible for groups underrepresented in science. Andrew Pearson Andrew was born in Stafford, England and has lived in Miami for one year. He, like his wife Rene Michelle Goertzen, is a Physicist and they have been married for three years. Andrew enjoys xing and riding motorcycles, building things, and playing golf. He is most passionate about spaceships and animals.

Frank (Francis) Louis Szot Frank is somewhat of a rolling stone. Born in North Kingston, RI to a US Navy family, he moved to Panama before his rst birthday - then Jacksonville, WilkesBarre, Philadelphia, and Miami (for the rst time at the age of ten). He continued to bounce back and forth from the east to west coast and has now returned to Miami, hopefully for a while. Frank is a philosopher and computer systems administrator, whose passions include: higher dimensions, higher intelligence, altered states of consciousness, theology, cosmology, and the role of symbiosis in evolution. He enjoys gardening, residential remodeling projects, digital video, technology, politics, computers, astrology, and I Ching.
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CONGREGATIONAL NEWS

APRIL 2012

Iris Massey SUNDAY FLOWERS Do you want to honor someone with owers on Sunday at church? Just sign up and give Iris Massey the money for owers, about $20-$25 for a nice bouquet.

Tim Buchholz
CHOIR PRACTICE SCHEDULE CHANGES

The will be no Thursday choir practice in April. A rehearsal will be held on Wednesday April 11th at 7:30 in the Sanctuary.

Choir News Where I am from in Wisconsin, the thought of spring conjures images of melting snow, budding trees, and renewed life. Although we don't always see these signs as distinctly in Miami, we still feel the excitement of new life that the season brings. Like the new growth that happens every spring, we need your voice to help grow our budding choir. The UUCM Choir continues to grow and expand as we get together every Thursday night at 7:30-9pm to sing, rehearse, and enjoy each others' company while discovering new music. If you'd like to sing, please come join us! No prior choir experience or long-term commitment is required. We just ask that if you'd like to sing with us in a Sunday service that you come to the two rehearsals prior to that service (Thursday night and Sunday morning). In other choir news, I am happy to report that our UUCM Choir was well represented at the 6th Annual Florida District UU Choral Festival in Orlando during the last weekend in February. We had a blast making music with singers from 12 other UU congregations from throughout the state. The combined choir consisted of 85+ singers and was well received at both of the UU Orlando morning services. Every participant in the festival learned the same 4 pieces of music prior to arriving in Orlando, and the combined choir was directed by a different conductor for each piece. There was much fellowship, food, free music workshops, and talent shows. Sufce to say, a good time was had by all. Next year's festival will be in Clearwater, and I will be sure to announce the dates of the choir rehearsals in which we will be learning the music for the festival so all those interested in participating may attend. In music, Tim Buchholz NUTS AND BOLTS
Publication Deadlines

Keep others in the congregation informed about what your committee or group is doing. Make sure you submit your information before the following deadlines: Newsletter by the 15th of each month, Order of Service by Wednesday of each week, and the Weekly Update by Tuesday of each week.

UUCM Members facebook group Are you our friend on facebook? UUCM has recently began a members facebook group. You can join the group by logging into your facebook account and searching for UU Miami.

For more information please contact Jessi in the oce.

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CONGREGATION CALENDAR

APRIL 2012

Sun
1 9:30amSpiritual Reality, ER 11amWORSHIP, S 1pmChancel Side Chat, S 1pmWelc. Cong. Com., R3 1:15pmGrief Support, ER 6:45pmPopcorn Youth Theology, R4 8 EASTER 9:30amSpiritual Reality, ER 11amWORSHIP, S 1pmArticulating Our Faith, ER 15 9:30amSpiritual Reality, ER 11amWORSHIP, S 1:15pmGrief Support, ER 2pmHerrschaft Event, S 22 9:30amSpiritual Reality, ER 11amWORSHIP, S 1pmArticulating Our Faith, ER 29 9:30amSpiritual Reality, ER 11amWORSHIP, S 1pmArticulating Our Faith, ER 4pmLotz Concert Series, S 2

Mon

Tue
3 6:30pmBuddhist Reections, ER

Wed
4 12pmLunch Bunch, ER 7:30pmMembership Committee Meeting, ER 5

Thu

Fri
6 7:30pmYoung Adults Group, ER

Sat
7 11amAlliance, S

10 6:30pmBuddhist Reections, ER 8pmHumanist Group, ER

11 12pmLunch Bunch, ER 7:30pmChoir Practice, S

12

13

14 8:30amMediation Training, R4 12pmPFLAG, ER

16

17 6:30pmBuddhist Reections, ER

18 12pmLunch Bunch, ER 6:30pmBoard of Trustees, ER

19

20 7pmSocial Justice Committee Meeting, ER

21 4pmGA Fundraiser Dinner, S

23

24 6:30pmBuddhist Reections, ER

25 12pmLunch Bunch, ER 8pmBrian Aguilar Free Concert, S

26

27

28 9amWorship Workshop, S

30

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UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION OF MIAMI

NOVEMBER 2012 APRIL 2010

CONNECTIONS
Staff Schedule & Contact Info
The newsletters distribution is made possible with the help of John Asgeirson and Paul McCabe. Thank you gentlemen for proong, folding, labeling, stamping and distributing Connections to our community! Rev. Wendy Pantoja, Minister- Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 10 AM 2 PM*, Monday: day off, Thursday: Sermon writing day, Saturday: reserved for special meetings and other events. 305- 667-3697, RevWendypaz@aol.com Jessica Brautigam, Ofce Administrator- Monday-Thursday 9am-2pm Ph: 305-6673697, Fx: 305-667-9585, uucongmia@bellsouth.net Monica Rizzo, Director of Religious Education- mrizzodre@gmail.com Dr. Tim Buchholtz, Choir Director- timbuch@me.com Zoltan Bakos, Custodian, Ph: 305-667-3697 *It is always best to call for an appointment. If these hours do not accommodate your schedule, please do not hesitate to call for an appointment at a mutually convenient time.

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Miami 7701 SW 76 Ave Miami, Fl 33143

April 2012 Deadline for the May Newsletter Articles: 04/15/12 Suggested donation for annual subscriptions: $25 Sunday Service- 11am