This was particularly unfortunate because many (most?) of the non-Christian religions were (are?) closely associated with nature and the natural world.  In the duality paradigm, Christians (emphasis in the spiritual world) = “good” and NonChristians (emphasis in the natural world)  = “evil.”  When Christians own the best weaponry, this is not going to turn out well for the religions who glorify the natural world.  Twas ever thus… at least since the 17th century.

Shawn told us about the modern Druidism movement.  It is way more interesting than you ever thought.  Their worship days are all tied to the seasons and the cycle of the year is the cycle of life.

Becca told us about the modern Eco-spiritual movement.  Much of which is a movement to save our precious little planet from the destruction of it by those who do not appreciate the spiritual world.  (one bit of hope, however, springs from the evangelical movement which is beginning to take note of the problem presented by God… who encouraged humanity to assert dominion over the created world, which probably did not include destroying it.

Thurmon talked to us about native American spirituality.  Native Americans have the distinction of practicing the only set of religions that the United States Government has ever declared to be outlawed.  It turns out that Americans are very bad at reading the Constitution.  George W. Bush tried to get the armed forces to declare Wicca as a non-religion, but the courts intervened.  The courts declared that Christians do not get to define other people’s religion as an evil non-religion.  I guess someone does know how to read the Constitution after all.

Imbolc is being celebrated by the Three Cranes Grove this afternoon.  See http://www.threecranes.org/ for details.

Peace,

Rick

Elizabeth told us about Evangeline Booth and the founding of the Salvation Army.  Booth arranged for the Salvationists to accompany the U.S. Troops into France in WWI.  They provided the army with much needed care, comfort, food and even entertainment… which the War Department had not seen fit to provide.  Clara Barton founded the Red Cross.  She started by caring for the wounded in the American Civil War.  Interestingly, she never took a side in any debate on politics or morality.  She saw suffering, and she tried to relieve suffering, whether brought on by war or by human error or deficiency.

Betty told us about John Lennon and his struggle to bring the idea of peace to the world.  She read several rememberances  about John Lennon from some very famous people.

The Three Cranes Grove is celebrating Imbolc on Jan 29 at Blacklick Park.  Come at 5:30 with Ceremony at 6:30.  They are at the heated shelter so don’t worry about the weather.

Next Saturday is the third Saturday (Jan 21) and that means our oun pot luck will be happening at the church.  It is National Hug Day, so that is the theme.

Shawn’s birthday is Saturday.  Jan’s birthday is the 17th.

Lars is walking now… hold on to your hats.

Dr Aukerman has some pretty strong feelings about food and nutrition.  He believes that food should be picked ripe instead of picked green.  This can manifest itself through the argument that canned green beans can be fresher and more nutritious than the the food in the produce isle.

 A lively discussion followed.

For those who have noticed my dwindling dedication to prompt correspondence, I apologize for my absence from posting News and Notes for each Sunday service.  I shall rededicate myself to timely publication of the chronicle.

This Sunday, we spent with personal rededication to the principles of the Unitarian Universalist.  Jim played a video that featured several prominent UU’s of the past and present.  There were a couple of early presidents of the United States who professed to be either Unitarian or Universalist (it is unlikely for anyone to be nominated for President today without much soul searching over religious convictions.)  Jim had a presentation wherein many people expressed dedication to UU principles.  After that, many of us in the congregation spoke of our own decisions to join in with this particular congregation.

Announcements:  The Sierra club sent us a thank-you for participation in their Bike to the Future event last fall.  They would also like our help in future events such as their campaign to tell ODOT  that Ohio needs more Transportation options. 

Betty announced that she is still seeking volunteers for bringing refreshments to share after each Sunday Service.

Please remember to sign up for the Kroger Community Rewards Program.www.krogercommunityrewards.com Our organization number is 80237

By the way, I recently read that over half of all UU congregations consist of fewer than 100 citizens.  So, although we are small, we are not so much the anomaly that those in the Meadeville district would have us believe.   Also, according to the latest treasurer’s report, (what? You haven’t been reading the treasurer’s report?) we are pretty much right on our budget target for the year.  We never seem to be so far ahead as to get comfortable, nor so far behind as to become panicky. 

Welcome to Winter in Central Ohio.

Rick

Shirley Jean den Broeder

January 11, 1936 – March 3, 2011

Shirley Jean den Broeder, 75, of Reynoldsburg passed away on Thursday March 3, 2011

She was born January 11, 1936 in Newark, Ohio to the late Murrell and Ruth (Robison) Orr.

She is survived by her son, Jody den Broeder, her brother Paul Orr, her sisters Nancy Channell, Caroline King, Elizabeth Williams, and Marjorie Bergstrom and many loving nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her brothers David Bline, John Orr and Lee Orr, and her sister Kathleen Orr.

Shirl will be remembered for her love for her son and family and her love for the outdoors. She could often be found tramping through nearby parks searching for mushrooms. She became an expert in identifying mushrooms (a mycologist).As a volunteer with the Metro Parks, she led hikes to teach others how to identify mushrooms and shared her love of the subject. A walk in the woods with Shirl made you open your eyes to the beauty around you.

She also loved history and could usually be found with a book in her hand (or more recently with a netbook in hand). She spent years researching family genealogy and always had a family story to share. Recently she developed a passion for raw foods and could often be found growing micro-greens and dehydrating whatever she could think of to dehydrate. She loved creating her own recipes and sharing the result with others.

More recently she found a spiritual home at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Reynoldsburg where she found others who shared her love of the environment. She led meditation groups and delivered the Thanksgiving service where she shared another passion – early American history and the life of native Americans. While her time there was brief, she spoke often of her delight in finding this new home and the friendships she made there.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be announced here later.

Donations are requested to Columbus Metro Parks, 1069 West Main Street, Westerville, OH 43081 in her memory.

http://www.edwardsfuneralservice.com/sitemaker/sites/Edward2/obit.cgi?user=329982denBroeder

Shirley had been planning a presentation on the life of Lydia Francis Child (1802-1880) so we did that today in her honor.   She was an abolutionist, women’s rights activist, author, and a Unitarian.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lydia_Child

In other news;  Please register to vote.  Last night’s pot luck was great, and special thanks to Elizabeth and Deepa for helping out.  Jim Crowley came over to rescue Thurmon’s virus infected computer, so Thurmon made a special donation to the church in his honor.  We are all Thankful for Jim’s assistance and we don’t stop to tell him often enough.  We lit a candle for Barbara, and one for Charlotte who has lost her job to a RIFF.  We also lit a candle for Gordon who is attending his nephew’s funeral this weekend.

If there is anything you would like to learn more about and you think it would make a nice topic for us all, you can take that idea to David Soliday and he will consider taking it on as a sunday sermon.

For a children’s story today, we played a video of  the “Over the River and Through the Woods” song.  The original poem was written by:  Lydia Francis Child.

Rick

Barbara is out of the hospital and is feeling better.  She is recovering at her home.  We lit candles for peace in the UK, people killed and injured in Indianapolis last night.  We lit one for the people in Somalia and for Elizabeth’s niece.  The three cranes group performed a Lughnasa at the Dublin Irish Music festival and drew 350 people….

There will be a pot luck after the service on Sep 28.  September 24 is a day in Columbus to move beyond fossil fuels.  There is an 8 mile bike ride leaving from Columbus, Franklin Park Conservatory at noon.  September 24 is also the day that David Soliday will be hosting Earth Dance at the Ohio Wesleyan college in Delaware (to start at 4PM).

The board authorized some picnic tables for the back yard.

Peace, Rick

Angel was raised in both the Church of God and the Disciples of Christ.  The conflicting views of Christianity caused a serious split within.  The love of history brought her to the old testament.  The Disciples of Christ taught her to question.  But not too much.  For instance, if thou shalt have no gods before me, then why do we pray to Jesus?  Reading the Bible can get one into trouble in some circles.  Next up: Gnosticism.

This week Lars celebrated his first birthday.  We sang Happy Birthday to him in church and he didn’t even cry.  This week Elizabeth started fixing the screen on the back porch.  New musical group is starting up.  Practice probably on Saturday.   Stan is going to have a pacemaker put in this week – this is now done as out patient surgery.  Barbara’s birthday was last week.  She is living at Wesley Ridge assisted living facility.

Peace,

Rick