• STATEMENT REGARDING THE NEW CHURCH BUILDING
~~ If you've ever bought a home, you know that the process doesn't go in a straight line. In looking for our new church home, we've already encountered a zig and a zag. We thought we'd be able to tell you about a potential new site sooner. However, large deals are even more difficult to close quickly than a house deal is. Everyone, including our broker, is confident that we will soon have an agreement that will allow us to announce our big news, but in the meanwhile, we're going to be talking more with the owner during this coming week. Our capable negotiating team includes Karen Gaffney, Patti Hansen, Jet Harris, Michael Mattick. As a result of this delay, our two Town Hall meetings have been tentatively rescheduled to Thursday evening, May 29 and Sunday after Second Service on June 1, and our congregational meeting to vote on the property is also tentatively rescheduled to June 8.

PLEDGES DUE
~~ As we finalize our budget for next year, it is important that we receive pledge cards from all who are planning to support the church in the coming year. Many of you already completed pledge cards during Celebration Sunday; thank you for that. Those who could not attend the event should have received a pledge card and pledging information in the mail recently. If you did not, please contact our pledge secretary, Barbara Berry barb@langwith.com or Patrick Phillips granex@mac.com for information. Or follow this link to a downloadable pledge card. You may also fill out a pledge card at the church office. All pledge cards should be submitted soon. As a reminder, in accordance with our bylaws, only members with signed pledge cards for the current church year are allowed to participate in congregational votes.

• NEW CHURCH LOCATION DECISION PROCESS
~~ ~~Visit <http://www.uueugene.org/building-proj/Progress.html> We’ve also developed a Q & A touching on the main points of the background of UUCE’s upcoming decisions about moving. You’ll find it at
~~ ~~ <http://www.uueugene.org/building-proj/Q&A.html>

• Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (UUA) General Assembly (GA) - June 25-29, 2008
Held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida Register here: <www.uua.org/ga/reg.html>
Comprehensive booklet
~~ <www.uua.org/events/generalassembly/updatesannouncements/14404.shtml>
(contains information about traveling to GA, Planned Programming, Information for First Time Attendees, the Tentative Agenda, and other related materials.)
Registration information
~~ <www.uua.org/events/generalassembly/registrationhousing/registration>
Childcare is available
~~ <www.uua.org/events/generalassembly/registrationhousing/registration/14768.shtml>
Housing reservations
~~ <www.uua.org/events/generalassembly/registrationhousing/housing>
Schedule
~~ <www.uua.org/events/generalassembly/programming/14599.shtml>
Accessibility services
~~ <www.uua.org/events/generalassembly/registrationhousing/accessibilityservices>

• FAIR TRADE COFFEE STORE - First and Third Sundays after each service
~ Can you buy the other products (tea, chocolate) elsewhere? Yep! So why buy them at UUCE? First, we’re showing support for our social justice activities at an international level. Second, the coffee store earns profits for our church, not for a commercial entity. How much profit? Over the past fifteen months, we’ve earned $1,213 for the general fund, averaging between $80 and $115 a month. That’s not a huge amount, but every bit helps. Stop by on the first and third Sundays of the month and see what we have: six kinds of tea, six kinds of chocolate bars, and eight varieties of coffee, both whole bean and dripground. All of them are organic and all are fair-traded.

• APRIL BABY SHOWERS - a SGM (Small Group Ministries) Service Project
~ Help us throw a small baby shower for mothers at risk. Our Small Ministry Group plans to provide care packages for mothers, serviced by the Family Early Advocacy and Treatment program. They will receive these packages when they leave the hospital. The packets will consist of a newborn or preemie outfit, diapers, a hat, a baby blanket, socks, baby shampoo, baby lotion, a small toy, and a loofah, bath gel, and body lotion for Mom. New or lightly used diaper bags are also welcome. There will be a box in the Social Hall on the Sundays in April. We hope you will join us in this opportunity to help young mothers. SGM with Barb Prentice, Carol Armstrong, Judie Hansen, Bonnie Richman, Angie Pebworth, Jean Coberly, Hilary Schloss, Lynn Smith

• BOOK SALE - June 6-7
~ Start saving your books to recycle and make $$$ for Social Justice

• ACCESSIBILITY TIPS
~ While most people can benefit greatly from properly fitted hearing aids, they don't solve all the problems of a hearing loss. 
To be heard,
~ ~ • Speak slowly, clearly, and as accurately as possible
~ ~ • Talk in a normal tone of voice (shouting does not make your voice more distinct)
~ ~ • Keep your voice at about the same volume and pitch throughout the sentence. 

• GREEN TIPS - In the Bathroom
~ ~ • If you take a bath, keep the water level low, and consider re-using the water before you let it go down the drain.
~ ~ • Fix those leaky faucets. You may think that a constant drip is just annoying, but it’s also a huge waste of water (you can lose about 20 gallons of water per day from a single drippy faucet!).
~ ~ • Install low-flow faucet aerators in your sinks.
~ ~ • When you wash your hands, turn on the water briefly to wet them, turn it off while you lather up, then on again to rinse. You’ll save water –and soap – this way.
~ ~ • If you’re in the market for a toilet, buy a low-flow model – they use as little as half as much water as normal toilets.

• MANY HANDS QUILT - To Inspire & Symbolize Diversity & Transition - May 2008
~~   With Rev. Steve's encouragement, Lynn Frost has agreed to design and create (with help from all of us) a Many-Hands Quilt similar to the one that she and other quilters made and gave to Rev. Carolyn Colbert upon her retirement. This quilt will be ours, with our own colors, and represent every man, woman and child at UUCE as we journey to the next exciting stage of our church community. Just imagine this beautiful piece of art inspiring us as we make the transition to our new church home! Participation details at http://www.uueugene.org/quilt.html

CONNECTIONS

• SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE PRESENTS - White Privilege Workshop - Sat., May 10, 12:30–5:30pm UUCE Sanctuary
~~  Everywhere I Go, I’m White: Facing the Responsibility of Privilege
Facing the responsibility of white privilege is essential work as we learn to become a community of allies.  Understanding privilege and racism – and our own role within these systems – can transform how we view ourselves and relate to others.  We will explore these issues through open conversation, workshop exercises, short readings, video clips, and creating goals for action.  Presented by the Undoing Privilege and Racism Training Collective: Ruth Wren, Neil Van Steenbergen, Judith Castro, and Beth Aydelott. This workshop is sponsored by the Social Justice Committee (SJUUCE).  Suggested donation: $10 – $35 (includes all workshop materials).  Part of the proceeds will be donated to the Centro Latino Americano children’s fund.   As space is limited, no registrations will be taken at the door.  For more information, contact Sandy Moses, 484-3960, jjacksonsmoses@msn.com or Kate Savannah, 344-4513, katesavannah@hotmail.com.

• BELTANE with CUUPs - Sunday May 11 from10am - 7pm MAP
~~  We'll meet at Jasper State Recreation Site, areas 1, 2 & 3 More Info: Grace 935-3708 and the News Tidbits far below, and
http://www.uueugene.org/CUUPs/Activities.html

• NEW EVENING READING GROUP STARTING - Wednesday May 14th from 7pm to 8:30pm.
~~  An evening book discussion group will meet for the first time on Wednesday, May 14. One person will provide pizza and I will provide beverages. Anyone else coming, please R.S.V.P., so there will be enough chairs. You are welcome to bring something to eat, likewise. At this first meeting, we will be discussing what night of the week (and which week of each month) we would like to meet, choosing a location that one interested party reminded me should be HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE, discussing the format for the group and how we will go about selecting a book (majority rules vs each person takes a turn, etc.). We will also be selecting a book for our next get-together in June. There are about 10-11 people interested—If anyone else wants to join us, please let me know. Thank you very much. I am excited about seeing an evening book group re-forming! Please contact Sandi Mann at 687-4753 for the location.

• WOMEN'S BELTANE FIRE CIRCLE - May 18th Sunday night at 7pm at Spring Willow Farm
~~  All women welcome. Bring finger food to share after ritual and your own dishes, something to sit on and dress for the weather, we will be outdoors... drumming will happen, drums and rattles welcome, too... watch the (almost) full moon in Scorpio rise during our singing. The poster is much more beautiful. Look for it on a bulletin board at UUCE on Sunday. Contact maria at 683-6691 for directions to Spring Willow Farm.

• 2008 PHOTO DIRECTORY - Photo shoots: June 4-7 (Wed. thru Sat.) at church
~~   Please sign up in the Social Hall ASAP to get the best appointment to fit your schedule. Each participating household will receive a free 8”x10” portrait. We look forward to seeing everyone in the directory!

• SOCIAL JUSTICE EMPOWERMENT WORKSHOP —November 7-8 at UUCE
Transforming Ourselves and the World!
~~  Please mark your calendars!  This all-congregation workshop is co-sponsored by the UUA and UUCE and will be led by two very experienced facilitators, Rev. Carole Ann Cole of Santa Barbara, CA and Rev. Art McDonald of Essex, MA.  It will bring us together to envision what we want in our social justice program and how it can be integrated into the larger life of the congregation, including worship, religious education and adult programming.  All UUCE members and friends are invited to participate!  More details to follow--contact Jeff Jackson at jjacksonsmoses@msn.com or 484-3960 if you have any questions.

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• REAL MEN WITH REAL CONCERNS - First & Third Wednesday evenings, 7pm in Rm6.
~ All men are welcome at this open Men's Group.
~~~~~ <http://www.uueugene.org/adults/Men.html>

• THUNDEREGGS - Thursdays from 2-4pm
~ Women "of a certain age" meet for conversation and way too much fun in the back room at Tsunami Bookstore, 26th and Willamette. Since 1997. Drop-ins and newcomers welcome!  
~~~~~ <http://www.uueugene.org/adults/Thunder.html>

• BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS - Satuday May 10 11:30 offsite
~ Next Saturday everyone is invited to celebrate Spring UU birthdays at Empire Buffet Restaurant on Franklin at 11:30am. Do join us to spread birthday wishes to our members! This outing really is fun! Ruth Duemler 484-6145

• INTERWEAVE DINNER AND A MOVIE - Friday May 9
     Potluck dinner at 6 pm in the Social Hall, the movie TransAmerica starts promptly at 7 pm

• WOMEN'S ALLIANCE POTLUCK LUNCHEON - Friday, May 14th at 12 noon, Social Hall
     All women are welcome! We meet the second Friday of each month in the social hall. Join us for good food and conversation. Bring your favorite dish to share for this special potluck. Questions? Contact Kathleen Dillon
(689-1620 or kadydid@juno.com)

• MAY ALL-CHURCH POTLUCK - Friday, May 16th at 6 pm in the Sanctuary
     We gather to socialize first, and dinner begins at 6:30 pm. This evening we’ll play a creative adaptation of the board game Taboo! The words have been changed to relate to disabilities, but the outrageous fun is still the same. We’ll learn how we describe disability and about some of the equipment people with disabilities use every day Questions? Call Phyl Peara at 684-8285.

• GREEN SANCTUARY MOVIE OF THE MONTH - May 18 at 6:30pm S
     The Green Sanctuary Committee will present the movie Affluenza, which examines the promises and perils of materialistic consumption as a way of life and suggests how to balance and prioritize consumption in our own lives. Popcorn and tea provided. Please contact the church office by May 12th if you need childcare during the show. See you there!

• PAGE TURNERS - Fourth Thursday Readers May 22 at 2pm
~ ~ The Fixer by Bernard Malamud. Contact Jean Coberly at 688-3009 or jcoberly@comcast.net for location and details

• YOUNG ADULTS
~ ~ * Sunday Night YA - discussion and activity group for 18 and up... This group meets at church from 6:00-8:00pm in Rm6.
~ ~ * Wednesday Night Campus group...Specifically for ages 18-25 (you don't have to be a student). We are meeting at the EMU on campus from 6:30-8:30 on a weekly basis. This group has decided to explore spiritual topics 2 or more times per month, and Candee will be meeting with them twice per month (1st and 3rd Wednesdays) for spiritual exploration...starting with some exercises from the UU curriculum "Building Your Spiritual Home".
 ~ ~ * Two listservs: Yammer (UUCE Young Adults) and YA-Announce (campus YAs). Subscribe at
~~~~~ <http://www.uueugene.org/mailman/listinfo>
~ ~ * New to CYF (Church of the Younger Fellowship)? This website is:
~~~~~ <http://www.uucyf.org/>

• MORNING DOVES - Tuesday mornings UU Birds and Breakfast group
~~  The Morning Doves are UUs and friends who have been unofficially gathering on Tuesday mornings for almost two years to get a little exercise, learn to recognize different birds, and socialize. Each walk lasts about an hour and then we go out for coffee or breakfast. If you would like to join us, contact Judie Hansen at <judie310hansen@comcast.net> . She sends out an e-mail each week ahead of time to let everyone know where to meet. Some of our regular sites are Fern Ridge, Skinner Butte, Alton Baker Park, and Delta Ponds.

BEHIND THE SCENES

NEWS TIDBITS

Daffodil rescue mission
... When a friend of mine was a girl she used to pass a yard on her way to school that was covered with daffodils in late winter. She thought people with so many daffodils were rich beyond imagining. Today she feels rich according to how many daffodils she has blooming in her yard... People say, “Bloom where you’re planted,” but things happen. Circumstances change. Development is not always controllable. Sometimes you have to move to bloom... Being transplanted brings hard changes if you’re a daffodil or if you’re a grown woman, if you’re a wild jonquil or a well-loved little boy.
http://www.uuworld.org/life/articles/107469.shtml?n

FactCheck.org
Q: What percent of taxes does the top 1 percent pay and what percent of the income do they make?
A: The top 1 percent of all households got 18 percent of all personal income and paid nearly 28 percent of all federal taxes in 2005, according to the Congressional Budget Office. The top 1 percent now pay a significantly larger share of taxes than before President Bush's tax cuts, and also have a larger share of income.
http://tinyurl.com/3tev5u

Praying parents charged
Two parents who prayed as their 11-year-old daughter died of untreated diabetes were charged Monday with second-degree reckless homicide. Family and friends had urged Dale and Leilani Neumann to get help for their daughter, but the father considered the illness "a test of faith" and the mother never considered taking the girl to the doctor because she thought her daughter was under a "spiritual attack," the criminal complaint said... Dale Neumann led Bible studies at his business, Monkey Mo Coffee Shop, and believed physical illness was due to sin, curable by prayer and by asking for forgiveness from God, the complaint said... http://www.bioethics.net/News/?id=5555

Beltaine - Make an altar to celebrate the senses
Beltaine, a time of fertility and growth, celebrates how our sexuality, spirituality, and creativity are all part of the same sacred source. During Beltaine, we celebrate this source within us as well as within all plants, animals, and life. It honors the Goddess and the God as the lovers of all things. They remind us to respect and protect our bodies and the earth's body. Use your five senses. This altar-decorating activity can be done in two ways: Go for a nature walk and try to find something that affects each of your five senses. Find something that smells good to you, something that feels good to your skin, something you like to look at, something that tastes good to you or reminds you of a good taste, and something that makes a pleasing sound. Say what you like about each thing as you put it on the altar. Find personal belongings that remind you of things, people, or events you have loved in your life. Bring them to the circle. Tell the story of each thing as you place it on the altar.
http://www.uuworld.org/spirit/articles/2751.shtml?n

Family Research Council Urging Pastors to 'Cross the Line' in Political Endorsements
A Religious Right spokesman with ties to the Southern Baptist Convention says he plans to counsel pastors to "cross the line" in telling church members how they should vote in the upcoming presidential election. Kenyn Cureton, vice president for church ministries for the Family Research Council, discussed his work with iVoteValues.org--a collaborative effort of the FRC, Focus on the Family and the SBC Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission to register and educate voters--in a radio interview April 22 with Faith2Action founder Janet Folger. Folger, a conservative Christian activist who supported Mike Huckabee for the Republican nomination for president, expressed alarm that so many people in her church seemed to be considering voting for Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton, despite both the Democratic candidates' liberal policies on gay rights and abortion... "Are you going to be suggesting who they vote for?" "Well we're going to go to pastors and say to them that we really believe that they need to challenge some of the thinking that we have going on in our society, which is that separation of church and state doctrine, that we really need to preach the Bible on these issues and apply them to the things that are going on in the culture today," Cureton said. Rob Boston of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State said the line being crossed might be a legal one....
http://www.ethicsdaily.com/article_detail.cfm?AID=10428

If God Is Dead, Who Gets His House?
The fastest-growing faith in America is no faith at all. And now some atheists think they need a church. The New York Magazine article mentions Ethical Culture Societies, Humanistic Judaism, and Greg Epstein (Humanist Chaplain at Harvard). It doesn't mention Unitarian Universalism but the online reader comments do.
http://nymag.com/news/features/46214/

World 0n the Web Magazine blog article on the NY Magazine article above
Atheists need their own church. It does mention Unitarian Universalism and the author writes: " ... ask really the most important question of the day: Should atheists have their own church? My initial response is, No, they already have the Unitarian Universalists and most of the mainline denominations."
http://www.worldontheweb.com/2008/04/23/atheists-need-their-own-church/

Marrying for health care
Some people marry for love, some for companionship, and others for status or money. Now comes another reason to get hitched: health insurance. In a poll, 7% of Americans said they or someone in their household decided to marry in the last year so they could get healthcare benefits via their spouse. "It's a small number but a powerful result, because it shows how paying for healthcare is reflected not only in family budgets but in life decisions," said Drew E. Altman, president of the Kaiser Family Foundation, which commissioned the survey as part of its regular polling on healthcare. On a broader scale, the survey found that healthcare costs outranked housing costs, rising food prices and credit card bills as a source of concern...
http://www.bioethics.net/News/?id=5556

~~Some of the above sites may require a "subscription" or a "signing in" - usually free. If you'd like to read the full story without signing in, try <http://www.bugmenot.com> and use the login information offered there.

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