November 2009 Powerline

							November 2009 POWERLINE
First Unitarian Universalist Church of Niagara
Sunday Services (11:00 am)
Regular Sunday Services

November 1: Living with Temptation - Rev. Theresa Kime
The Buddha and Jesus were both tempted and were able to resist. How did they do it
and what can they teach us about how we, too, can stand firm in the face of the things
that would draw us away from our best selves?

After the service, please join in a congregational conversation about religious/spiritual
words. What are the words that anger you or are meaningless or troubling: prayer?
God? sin? Let’s share our thoughts and experiences.

November 8: Thoughts About UU Growth in the Post-Christian Age – Prof. John Mayer
The consequence of reflections on why we seem not to be growing at the rate we ought
to, in an age wherein conventional Christianity appeals to an ever decreasing number of
thoughtful and educated adults.

November 15: The Prayer Always With Us - Rev. Theresa Kime
We sometimes wish there was a meditative tool we could have with us at any time that
might help us calm and center ourselves. Let’s explore what such a tool might be.

November 22: Family Fictions - Rev. Donald Reidell
Does the traditional family exist? And is it stable or dysfunctional?

November 29: Pandora’s Legacy - Rev. John Rex
As “hope” is a key element of both myth and religion, let’s consider how it has been and
may be understood by us, here, today.

~~

Minister’s Saturday Schedule

Saturday, October 31:
   10:30-noon: Worship Committee
   Noon-1:00: Bring a sandwich and join with Rev. Terry and others for lunch
    1:00-2:30: Caring Circle
    2:30-4:30: Calls and visits

Saturday, November 14:
    9:30-10:30: Children’s Religious Exploration Committee. All who are interested in
and/or have ideas for our children’s program are welcome to attend.
   10:30-11:30: By-laws committee meeting
   Noon-1:00: Bring a sandwich and join with Rev. Terry and others for lunch
    1:00-2:30: Growth Team meeting


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From Your Minister

Thanksgiving is perhaps my favorite holiday. I love this occasion of setting aside time
to remember and honor blessings, and to celebrate them with loved ones. The only
problem is that it’s too brief a time to hold all the acknowledgments. Seems you just get
started and the day is over.

So I’ve decided to consider November “Gratitude Month.” Rather than limit my
remembering and honoring of blessings to one day, this November I’ll spend time each
day of the month considering my many blessings. I invite you to join me in this venture.

Maybe each day we’ll make a list. Or maybe each family member might put one or two
things on a special calendar put up for this purpose. Maybe some days we’ll do a
narrative piece on appreciated things. I expect we might start with the many things in
our lives in general that are such blessings, and as the month goes on, we might focus
on the daily interactions and beauties we experience that make our hearts and minds
sing. It could be great to share our lists with our partner, family members or a friend to
give additional witness and connection to the glory around us.

I expect this will be an interesting spiritual discipline. I hope you participate and find it
so. Through it, we may expand our ability to see more clearly our treasures.

Wishing you joy,

Terry

President’s Corner

It is time to look at where we are and where we are going. For the last few years a
major effort of the Church has been its growth, at least to longer term sustainability. We
have recognized together that a new generation of Members is essential. Looking at the
number of younger Members we have attracted is very discouraging.

On the other hand we have realized that numerical growth will not occur until we operate
a Church which serves all its Members well. This means:

       Having high quality programs every Sunday.
       Treating each other well all the time.
       Offering programs beyond Sunday morning which appeal to our people.
       Being active in areas of social responsibility, both as individuals and together.
       Providing programs for children which will attract young families.
       Operating an efficient and effective Church institution.
       Making our building clean, comfortable, and attractive at all times.

We have much work to do in all these areas. We are working on each of them. I am
convinced that the future of our Church depends on how well we do. We each need to
commit, in our own hearts and minds, to work on the parts of the Church in which we are



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most interested. We also need to respect and encourage others to work in the same
areas or in areas of less concern to us. Our needs, interests, talents, and abilities are
diverse. This is a strength we have. Building the future of our Church allows each
person to work in the areas of their own concerns and passions. If we all do this, I think
we will succeed.

Peter Diachun
Denominational Affairs Coordinator

A person interested in coordinating communications and activities with the UUA, the
District, and other local UU Churches is sought. This job would include receiving and
dealing with communications from these groups and informing the Congregation about
denominational activities. Anyone interested in this job or in learning more about it
should speak to Peter Diachun. This is a great way to participate in Unitarian
Universalism beyond this Church.

Tree Removal?

The large maple tree in the front yard of the Church is causing problems and its removal
is proposed to the Board. Your reactions and thoughts are requested by the Board. The
roots of this tree penetrate and plug our sewage line. Its branches and leaves obstruct
the drainage of water from our roof. Recently these have both been responsible for
flooding the Church building. Its roots damage our sidewalks, lawn, and even the
foundation of our building. We have some reports that this tree is root bound and in
decline or approaching death which will make it dangerous to the building. Some people
feel it obstructs the view of our Church even while others feel it enhances its beauty. If
you have an opinion or strong feeling for or against the removal of this tree, please tell a
Board member so it can be considered in making this decision.

Fundraising Projects

The Church has engaged in many fundraisers over the years. In fact, this has been an
important way this Congregation has survived for 90 years. At times in the past, as
today, our pledges have not been enough to cover our expenses. We have engaged in
some very successful fundraisers including an annual bazaar (which was famous
throughout the city), producing world religion banners, operating a weekly bingo game,
and more recently our UU Niagara Experience. Other smaller fundraisers have been
conducted such as beer sales during an auto race, yard sales, flower sales, service
auctions, and many others. Fundraisers have bridged the gap between
pledges/donations and expenses and have allowed us to build a financial reserve which
we are now depleting every year. Our need for income from fundraisers is now greater
than ever. Any suggestions are welcome. Anyone willing to consider being a
coordinator of fundraisers should speak to Peter Diachun.


Forums

Many Church Members really like the forums which have previously been conducted at
the Church and would like to see them again. They are an important service to the


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community. In order to conduct forums someone or a small group must organize them.
A volunteer convener is needed. If you are interested, please see Peter Diachun.

Social Responsibility (Action) Convener

Ed McGreevy has agreed to be the convener of a Social Responsibility (Action)
committee. This will be an oversight committee to organize, coordinate, communicate,
and encourage participation as both individuals and groups in social action. See Ed with
ideas, hopes, and projects for social action.

Here We Grow

There is more to growth than numbers. Spiritual, maturational, and incarnational growths
are all important. Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth is
our third principle. We are called to find meaning in life, to ask the hard questions, and to
look for answers that make sense to us. "Seeking to understand our Unitarian
Universalist history and theology as well as the wisdom of the world’s religions, we each
come to discover our own path - in community."

One of the goals of our team for the next six months is to gather your stories and create
a visual representation of
     who we are.
     what we grew from - ethnic and faith tradition.
     where we now are in our community.

What memories of your time here bring smiles, feelings of pride, or excitement? And
finally, how have you matured in faith and chosen to share your gifts and talents here
and in the community?
Jean
Book Discussion Group

On Tuesday, November 10th at 7:00pm in Unity Hall, we will discuss The Saffron Kitchen
by Yasmin Crowther. This is a novel about an Iranian girl who moves to England,
becomes a woman, and suffers tragic results of her past which play out in the present.
On December 8th we will meet to discuss Stroke of Insight by Jill Bolte Taylor. This is an
account by a neuroscientist of her massive stroke and eight-year recovery. She is able
to describe living mostly in the right side of the brain.

Adult Reflection and Discussion

Continue Sunday mornings at 9:45am in the Founder’s Room. Discussions are lively and
it is not necessary to have done homework to come.

Evensong

This is a structured eight-week series of gatherings in which participants explore
individual life journeys through sharing thoughts, experiences, doubts, and beliefs about
traditional religious concepts. At each meeting the group follows an order of service with
the central event being a sharing time. If you would be interested in attending this please


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let Judi know and the days of the week and mornings, afternoons, or evenings that you
could attend. If there is enough interest we’ll do it.

Judi
CRE
Once again, CRE kids and grown-ups want to thank all the helping hands which made
the CRE room's new look possible! CRE kids recently constructed 40 paper sea shells to
decorate their "new" room for the Jewish holiday, Sukkot. If you haven't yet seen this, be
sure to take a peek in the CRE room soon! The kids have worked on a graham cracker
"haunted house” for coffee hour which they’ve hosted.
        Beginning November, the kids will begin to make their own UU candles, for which
they ask for donations of old, unused, unwanted candles or wax. If you wish to be part of
this or any other CRE activity, please feel free to join us on any Sunday morning.
        Got an idea for an activity you might like to try with the kids? Please share it with
either Erica, Ed, or the children. Many thanks to all.
Erica and Ed
Birthdays November
4th – Tom Bateson
18th – Jean Speck

Social
    Canine Helpers is having a Christmas open house & basket raffle
       Saturday Dec. 5th from 11:00am-4:00pm
       Canine Helpers Training center
       5699 Ridge Road (Route 104)
       Lockport, NY 14094     716-433-4035

       A wonderful opportunity to meet some of the dogs and see just how they are
       trained.

      Family Movie Nite is back
       Saturday, November 21st
       7:30pm show time

       "Shrek"

       Refreshments - CRE kids
      Coffee Hours
       If you are scheduled to put on a coffee hour by yourself, please ask someone
       else to work with you. Last year there were people who were scheduled for three
       coffee hours who did not wish to do an extra one. Others don't mind. The
       committee tried to schedule no one for more than two this year. This meant that
       some would be working solo. So find someone to help you this year so you don't
       have to work alone.
      THANKSGIVING
       On Thursday, November 26th, there will be a traditional Thanksgiving dinner at
       the church. We'll begin with a social hour around 3:00pm with dinner served


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       around 4:00pm. Please add your name and contribution to our sign-up sheet in
       the Narthex if you can volunteer to bring particular items. However, even if you
       can't bring anything, please join us. Just add your name to the list as attending
       so we have some kind of count. Please invite family and friends if they'd like to
       join us too. We should probably have a final count by Sunday, November 22nd,
       so we'll know how many to plan for. If you have any questions contact Betsy
       Diachun at 791-3416 or betsymd@juno.com.
Marie and Betsy
WNY UU Cluster Meeting

The UU Cluster of WNY meets the second Thursday of each month, excluding the
summer months. Our next meeting is November 12th at 7:00pm. We will be meeting at
the East Aurora UU church. Light refreshments will be offered.

We will discuss "Restorative Justice", Mark Flanders of East Aurora will facilitate the
Cluster Meetings. If you are interested in attending, please mark your calendar and
contact him directly at markflanders123@gmail.com. We would like to have an idea of
probable attendance and also any additional agenda topics.

In past years, we've met at the Amherst UU church. This year we're hoping to take turns
meeting at each of the churches in our cluster. In May, we met at the Hamburg UU
church and, in October, at the Niagara Falls UU church. These were great opportunities
for those of us who hadn't had an opportunity to visit these churches before. We really
had a nice time.
Mark Flanders
NOAH

Niagara Organizing Alliance for Hope (NOAH) is an interracial, urban-suburban
coalition of congregations and other faith-based organizations in Niagara County.

NOAH draws together people of many denominations and income levels to act
powerfully on local and regional issues of justice and equality through
community-building, negotiation with decision-makers, and direct action.

In cooperation with a wide range of other groups in the region, NOAH brings the
power of our shared faith-values into the public arena to shape decisions that
affect the quality of life throughout Niagara County.

Take a look at the web site www.noahniagara.org, or follow the link to NOAH
from the UU web page.

Marie




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Worship




During the past year we have modified our service to help us focus on ourselves as a
Community of Unitarian Universalists. One of the activities instituted was the ‘In this I
Believe…’ series of personal testimonials. To help us all remember each other we
started the use of ‘memory stones.’ We rearranged the front of the sanctuary with a
focus table where we place our flaming chalice at the center and flanked on the left by
the ‘Beliefs Book,’ a record of the personal testimonials for all to use as meditative
inspiration, and on the right the memory stones. Last month, during the Cluster meeting,
Mark Flanders took a picture of our focus table of sacred artifacts. Thank you Mark.
Yvonne


From the Archives Closet Day by Day in Depression-era Politics




The story of a clergyman who aspired to be assemblyman or mayor emerges from the
November Archives Closet.




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The Rev. Robert B. Day, second minister of the First Unitarian Church of Niagara Falls,
ran for state assembly in 1933 and mayor in 1939, losing both times. His successors,
George Marshall and J. Donald Johnston, wrote that the pastor-candidate nearly won
the mayoral election of 1939. The Niagara Falls Gazette disagreed strongly.
         Rev. Day joined the church in 1926. The longest serving minister, he endured the
Jazz Age, Depression, and World War II, departing for the UUA in Boston in 1946.
Previously the Archives Closet related the 1937 appearance of Socialist Norman
Thomas at Rev. Day’s Church Forum lectureship attracting (allegedly) 400 people. (The
Gazette devoted three separate stories to his talk.)
         Rev. Day’s name appeared in the Gazette’s printed ballot of 1933, running for
assembly on the Socialist line. In 1933, the paper devoted space to political meetings of
both major parties; by 1939 Democratic Party activities in the city had vanished from
coverage.
         At the annual church congregation meeting of 1934, Rev. Day admitted he was a
registered Socialist, “having registered as such…when I voted for Mr. Norman Thomas
in 1932.”
         The Board had admonished him for running for office in an official resolution at its
September 1933 meeting. They later rescinded the resolution partly influenced by “old
political wheel horses” in the church who said he could not win.
         It was very convoluted. Supposedly a Socialist organizer advised the minister
that he “could not run as a Socialist if another party had named [Day] as their candidate.”
Rev. Day said he was also running as a Democrat although this doesn’t appear in the
sample ballot.
         There were hard feelings. His baptism into politics, he ruefully said himself, was
accompanied by the desertion of his friends on the church board, betrayal of the
Democrats who had urged him to run, and the Socialists forbidding their members to
support him.
         Six years later, the minister “went through the ravages of a political campaign” in
a three-way mayoral race and felt the positions of both the church and himself were
strengthened by the experience (annual report, 1940.)
         Even to a stranger, the GOP bias of the 1939 Gazette is obvious, especially
during Roosevelt’s second term. Only Republican Party events were covered. One was
a Republican ladies rally with long anti-Socialist diatribes.
         One speaker advised that Rev. Day, “the synthetic Democratic candidate for
mayor…who once ran as the socialistic candidate for the Assembly,” would put into
practice the policies of the Socialist party which were “a subtle, underhanded attempt to
subvert the American form of government and radically change the American economic,
social and political system.”
         “I believe that the people of Niagara Falls are too intelligent to elect a mayor who,
because of his close association with socialism, cannot be relied upon to keep the
American flag flying over the city hall,” the speaker admonished.
         On Nov. 5, 1939, Rev. Day bought an advertisement which the Gazette ran. “My
hardest job has been my struggle against the newspaper… wholly Republican,” he
wrote.
         He admitted to voting for Socialist candidates in 1932. He said of himself that he
“was selected to run for Assembly by the Democratic Party…when I was on vacation.
The party filed for me on the Socialist ticket.”
         He vehemently was not a Communist. He “preached Americanism from [his]
pulpit for years.” During the Great War, he served his country as an officer of infantry,
not a chaplain.



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       When the votes were counted, Ernest Mirrington was elected mayor. The
Gazette chortled on Nov. 7, 1939:
       “Robert Day…poor showing in comparison with the two men on his ticket….” The
surprise of the election was Mirrington’s decisive victory over Rev. Day. The Gazette
went on, “Mr. Day ran consistently behind his own ticket.”
       We could not find exact tallies but, 70 years later, it seems that Rev. Day never
came close to being Niagara Falls’ mayor. He returned to his pulpit after World War II.
Janet




UU Niagara Activities - November 2009

 Sunday        Monday              Tuesday   Wednesday Thursday          Friday       Saturday
1          2                                             5            6            7
11a Sunday 6p Habitat for 3                  4           5p N/A       5p N/A       12p Recovery
Service    Humanity                                      Rehearsal    Rehearsal    Group
                                                         12                        14
                              10                         4p                        10:30a By-laws
8                                            11                       13
                              7p Book                    Rivershore                Committee
11a Sunday 9                                 5p N/A                   5p N/A
                              Discussion                 Inc                       12p Recovery
Service                                      Rehearsal                Rehearsal
                              Group                      5p N/A                    Group
                                                         Rehearsal                 1p Growth Team
                                                                                   21
15                                                       19           20           12p Recovery
11a Sunday 16                 17             18          5p N/A       5p N/A       Group
Service                                                  Rehearsal    Rehearsal    7:30p MOVIE
                                                                                   NITE/SHREK
22                                                       26           27           28
11a Sunday 23                 24             25          5p N/A       5p N/A       12p Recovery
Service                                                  Rehearsal    Rehearsal    Group
                                                                      4            5
29                                                       3            5p N/A       12p Christmas
11a Sunday 30                 1              2           5p N/A       Rehearsal    Bazaar
Service                                                  Rehearsal    5p Finance   12p Recovery
                                                                      Committee    Group



If you have comments, arguments or articles you may submit them to the editor either
electronically or on paper.
yvonnestocker@gmail.com
4118 Bell Street
Niagara Falls NY 14305-1606
716 278-0176
Yvonne




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First Unitarian Universalist Church of Niagara
PO Box 2566,
Niagara Falls, NY 14302
US

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         NOVEMBER 2009 POWERLINE
  First Unitarian Universalist Church of Niagara




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