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The News is, of course, dominated by news of the terrible earthquake and tsunami in Japan in the first week of March, but here, for us, the news is dominated by the loss of Shirley DenBroeder. Shirley Jean denBroeder, 75, of Reynoldsburg, passed away on March 3, 2011.
She was born January 11, 1936 in Newark to the late Murrell and Ruth Orr.
She is survived by her son, Jody denBroeder; her brother Paul Orr; her sisters, Nancy Channell, Caroline King, Elizabeth Williams, and Marjorie Bergstrom. She is preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, David Bline, John and Lee Orr.
Shirly graduated from Newark High School. She was a volunteer with the Columbus Metro Parks. Donations are requested to Columbus Metro Parks, 1069 West Main Street, Westerville, OH 43081 in her memory.
A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held later.
In other news, the church (almost) monthly potluck is to be held Saturday March 19. It will be a St Patrick’s day theme, and all who have any kind of music making equipment or a voice should come. We have decided to see if we can actually sing… and St Patrick’s day is the excuse to find out. If it doesn’t turn out well, maybe some merciful person will bring a movie to pop into the DVD machine.
The monthly (really, we do this every month… much more reliably than we do the potluck) congregation board meeting was held Mar 13. Old business: we decided not to have the $200 energy audit but we decided to spring for the $25 energy assessment by AEP. Stay tuned for ideas. On the subject of rental of the facility, we charge $50 for half a day of use. However, we don’t charge the members to use the grounds. So it turns out we don’t collect much because most of the people interested in the place are our members. So we are all encouraged to make use of the facility whenever it makes sense for you.
New Business: Marko is doing well in his new home in California. He is going to be a Father in July. Marko generously paid for 3 years of our website fees, so THANKs MARKO!
We need more people to step up and help with the building. Some more people need to come early and help set up or stay and clean up. We are a small group folks, we can all help a little more so we don’t require the same generous people do these chores week after week.
John Martin is going to be ordained as a minister for the UUCE congregation. We talked about the task of putting on the ceremony, which, for obvious reasons, we don’t often do. Jan found a little guide book online for these kinds of ceremonies, but she thought it a tad sanctimonious. Folks, sanctimony is not our strong suit at UUCE. We need help with this.
And, FINALLY, we are going to have an “Open Forum” Sunday in April. We debated whether the “Open Forum” should be open, or whether the “Open Forum” should be targeted at a topic. We decided that we should use the day to address Earth Day and related environmental subjects. Nevertheless, “Targeted Topic Forum” just doesn’t have the zesty feel of inclusiveness that “Open Forum” has. SO we are going to call it “Open Forum” anyway.
Now aren’t you sad that you did not attend the congregation’s board meeting?
Peace, Rick
Posted 1 year, 2 months ago at 9:12 pm. Add a comment
The principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves. Compassion impels us to work tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of our fellow creatures, to dethrone ourselves from the centre of our world and put another there, and to honour the inviolable sanctity of every single human being, treating everybody, without exception, with absolute justice, equity and respect.
It is also necessary in both public and private life to refrain consistently and empathically from inflicting pain. To act or speak violently out of spite, chauvinism, or self-interest, to impoverish, exploit or deny basic rights to anybody, and to incite hatred by denigrating others—even our enemies—is a denial of our common humanity. We acknowledge that we have failed to live compassionately and that some have even increased the sum of human misery in the name of religion.
We therefore call upon all men and women ~ to restore compassion to the centre of morality and religion ~ to return to the ancient principle that any interpretation of scripture that breeds violence, hatred or disdain is illegitimate ~ to ensure that youth are given accurate and respectful information about other traditions, religions and cultures ~ to encourage a positive appreciation of cultural and religious diversity ~ to cultivate an informed empathy with the suffering of all human beings—even those regarded as enemies.
We urgently need to make compassion a clear, luminous and dynamic force in our polarized world. Rooted in a principled determination to transcend selfishness, compassion can break down political, dogmatic, ideological and religious boundaries. Born of our deep interdependence, compassion is essential to human relationships and to a fulfilled humanity. It is the path to enlightenment, and indispensible to the creation of a just economy and a peaceful global community.
Posted 1 year, 2 months ago at 8:31 pm. 1 comment
Please remember our Church fundraising program through Kroger foundation and the Kroger plus program. Our identifying number is 80237 .
Go to www.kroger.com
Click on the “Plus Card” in the upper right had corner of the screen
Follow the proceedures in “Create a new account” and when you get to the place where they want you to enter the number from your affiliated organization, enter 80237 for us.
Posted 1 year, 3 months ago at 1:21 am. Add a comment
Proclamation 8537 of June 18, 2010
Father’s Day, 2010
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
From the first moments of life, the bond forged between
a father and a child is sacred. Whether patching
scraped knees or helping with homework, dads bring joy,
instill values, and introduce wonders into the lives of
their children. Father’s Day is a special time to honor
the men who raised us, and to thank them for their
selfless dedication and love.
Fathers are our first teachers and coaches, mentors and
role models. They push us to succeed, encourage us when
we are struggling, and offer unconditional care and
support. Children and adults alike look up to them and
learn from their example and perspective. The journey
of fatherhood is both exhilarating and humbling–it is
an opportunity to model who we want our sons and
daughters to become, and to build the foundation upon
which they can achieve their dreams.
Fatherhood also carries enormous responsibilities. An
active, committed father makes a lasting difference in
the life of a child. When fathers are not present,
their children and families cope with an absence
government cannot fill. Across America, foster and
adoptive fathers respond to this need, providing safe
and loving homes for children facing hardships. Men are
also making compassionate commitments outside the home
by serving as mentors, tutors, or big brothers to young
people in their community. Together, we can support the
guiding presence of male role models in the lives of
countless young people who stand to gain from it.
Nurturing families come in many forms, and children may
be raised by a father and mother, a single father, two
fathers, a step-father, a grandfather, or caring
guardian. We owe a special debt of gratitude for those
parents serving in the United States Armed Forces and
their families, whose sacrifices protect the lives and
liberties of all American children. For the character
they build, the doors they open, and the love they
provide over our lifetimes, all our fathers deserve our
unending appreciation and admiration.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, in accordance with a joint
resolution of the Congress approved April 24, 1972, as
amended (36 U.S.C. 109), do hereby proclaim June 20,
2010, as Father’s Day. I direct the appropriate
officials of the Government to display the flag of the
United States on all Government buildings on this day,
and I call upon all citizens to observe this day with
appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities. Let
us honor our fathers, living and deceased, with all the
love and gratitude they deserve.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
eighteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord two
thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.
(Presidential Sig.)
Posted 1 year, 11 months ago at 2:51 pm. Add a comment
Open Forum: Presented by the Fellowship.
September
The months passed by quick this year
And now you see September’s here.
There’s a whispered secret in the wind
As you feel the breeze against your ear.
Listen close and you will find
The hidden wishes in your mind.
The dreams abandoned months ago
No longer wish to be denied.
Gently they return again
In the soft September wind
To sooth your fears and warm your soul
So open up and let them in.
Take some time and share with me
The man that you have grown to be.
And by the time September’s passed
You’ll see true love is here with me.
(At Last)
Copyright Darla Holt 2007
Posted 4 years, 8 months ago at 11:00 am. Add a comment