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

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.

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.

                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.)

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