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The Journey is BBUUC's monthly newsletter publication. For best reading experience, we recommend clicking on the link below to view the newsletter in its entirety.
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Services are held Sundays at 10:30 am
8447 Manresa Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32244
Church Phone: (904) 276-3739 • www.BBUUC.org
Check the BBUUC Calendar for information on other programming.
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March 3
Mandy Goheen
Director of Prison Ministry for the Church of the Larger Fellowship
“Doorway to Radical Welcome”
Worship Leader: Kris Kines
Accompanist: Gary Smart
Guest Musician: Linda Minke, Cello
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About Our Service:
What does it mean to be a welcoming congregation in 2019? What tools do we need to get folks to keep coming back? How clear communication, strong covenants, and good boundaries create a safe and welcoming space.
About Our Speaker:
Mandy Goheen is a mother of six, activist, minister, and writer. She lives in Montgomery, Alabama with her spouse, six kids, and a variety of pets. She has served the Church of the Larger Fellowship’s Prison Ministry since 2014 and is currently the director of that ministry. She is a 2017 Graduate of Starr King for the Ministry and will be ordained in Montgomery in May. Mandy is visiting a number of pulpits in the next six months with the question: What work do we need to do to radically welcome people into our faith?
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About Our Guest Musician:
Cellist Linda Minke hails from Rochester, Michigan. Before her move to Jacksonville in 1993, Linda was assistant principal cello with Memphis Symphony, created a Suzuki cello program there at Rhodes College, and performed with the Rhodes Piano Trio. Linda enjoys teaching, currently at the School of the Arts at Christ Episcopal Church in Ponte Vedra and in her home studio in Neptune Beach. In 2004, Ms. Minke joined the faculty at The Walker Family Band Fiddle Camp in Blowing Rock, NC, adding fiddle to her skill set, and continues to grow as a non-classical performer. She’s been studying and playing Celtic Harp since September 2017. She facilitates Florida Fiddle Fest every February at St. Paul’s By the Sea in Jacksonville Beach and performs with The Peninsula Music Festival in Door County, Wisconsin every August. Her website is www.acaciaartsacademy.com
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Pennies from Heaven is March 3
Please save all of your coins for the first Sunday of each month and remember, bills are welcome too! Pennies from Heaven donations are given to Meals on Wheels programs in Mandarin and Clay County and are alternated each quarter. Check out how much we have raised this past fiscal year.
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March 10
Dr. Mark Yount
"War of the Worldviews: The Next Generation"
Worship Leader: Caitlin Regan
Accompanist: Marilyn Smart
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About Our Service:
The next generation was buckling under insistent anxiety. Their physical world might survive a few more generations, but their cultural world was being torn asunder by the boomer wars. Old growth values, now uprooted, no longer sheltered either loyalty or idealism. No reality but virtual reality. No truth but 'post-truth.' And no end in sight to the War of the Worldviews. So, aided by elders who might not make the journey themselves, they looked to the unventured horizons of philosophical space. It's out there somewhere: in a constellation of meaning and value enough like ours to be habitable, with new ground to build sustainable human community. "Hey! Take a look at this..."
About Our Speaker:
Since joining BBUUC in 1997, Dr. Mark Yount has given over 100 sermons, chaired several committees, served on the Board as Vice President, and served throughout most of his years here as Youth Adviser, one of his great passions. Mark has a Ph.D. in Philosophy and taught college philosophy courses for many years. He works with Mental Health America of NE FL, helping homeless/at-risk people apply for disability benefits. He is writing a book entitled “Wisdom on the Way: Philosophy, Psychology and Spirituality for the Next Generation.”
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March 17
Karen Christiansen
“We are a people who choose.”
Worship Leader: Carole Hawkins
Accompanist: Eileen Morrison
Special Music: Job Meiller
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About Our Service:
We’re not a “chosen people” nor are we “people whose choices are made for us by theological authorities.” Where do we stand on choosing justice? We invite the Spirit of Life to come and “move in the hand, giving life the shape of Justice” in a song we sing most Sundays. What about choosing justice in Jacksonville?
About Our Speaker:
An educator for 31 years in Ohio, Karen Christiansen attended Meadville Lombard, our UU seminary in Chicago, from 2008-2010, and completed Clinical Pastoral Education training at the University of Chicago Hospitals where she became a chaplain. Now retired, Karen is enjoying cooking with her grandson each week, reading great stuff with two book clubs, caring for 3 cats and a dog, enjoying the kids in religious education here at BBUUC, and loving the Heart to Heart group where they share Heart to Heart. She and her husband Ken are both involved with ICARE, which is the Interfaith Coalition for Action, Rehabilitation, and Empowerment.
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About Justice with ICARE:
Karen is passionate about what that group has done for justice in the past, for listening to all 37 churches involved in bringing more justice to Duval County, and in looking for expansion to restorative justice in schools. They also partner with and hope to assist the Northwest Jacksonville Community Development Corporation with finding the means to open a grocery on property already owned, permitted, and partially developed on Moncrief, southeast of the intersection with Myrtle. The overall goal includes the development of space and support services for 30 small business entrepreneurs in the same building or adjacent buildings. A food desert is something to both rage about and try to solve. This year’s State and Criminal Justice Reform Committee will be working with our nine sister organizations across Florida to identify a state-wide problem within the criminal justice system that we can tackle together. The goal is to identify a problem to address by June 2019. Justice can take a while to appear, but it sure feels good when the injustice turns around and people can once again feel they’re being treated justly!
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About our Musician:
Job Meiller has loved the guitar for many years. It's usually in the car, tuned up and ready to play. He is often found livening up parties or local cafes with his rich baritone voice, interesting repertoire and guitar chords. And Job is always ready to help out with a song!
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March 24
Jax Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans (CUUPS) presents a deeply moving Pagan-themed Sunday Service
In Celebration of Ostara, the Vernal Equinox
Worship Leader: Meghan Kaminski
Accompanist: Gary Smart
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We will join together in community and worship to sing, meditate, and rejoice in the coming of the growing light. This worship service will include various readings and meditations on the meaning of the holiday, as well as a story of Spring for all ages, and a seed blessing ritual to cultivate what we would like to grow in our lives.
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March 31
Mx. Anunnaki Ray Marquez
"Born Intersex: we are human!"
Worship Leader: Grace Repass
Accompanist: Marilyn Smart
Special Music: Vocals by Dove, accompanied by Mike Bernos on piano
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About Our Speaker and the Service:
Mx. Anunnaki Ray Marquez is an intersex survivor, a parent of three kids, a spouse to James Bunce for twenty-nine years, and an intersex activist and educator. Anunnaki's activist and educational work focuses on an individual’s right to bodily autonomy, and the right to express their true gender. As a gender nonconforming androgynous intersex gay man, Anunnaki legally emancipated himself, and on September 17th, 2018, became the first in Colorado to receive an intersex birth certificate. This last October, 2018, he was honored to be picked as a TEDxJacksonville speaker and shared his intersex story at the Florida Theatre. He will be giving his TEDx Talk live for the congregation of BBUUC, and then his husband James will share about what it was like to be married to an intersex person who changes their gender identity. Both will allow time for questions and response. It is their hope to build bridges of understanding so that all people, no matter how they label themselves, be given self-determination over their own gender identity and be given dignity with human rights.
You can find our more about Anunnaki’s intersex story and educational services at www.anunnakiray.com and his TEDx talk at http://bit.ly/TEDxMxAnunnakiRayMarquez. He is an intersex advocate for Jax Youth Equality and is founder and president of The ANUNNAKI Foundation: www.TheAnunnakiFoundation.org.
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First Friday Potluck in March
The Green Team is sponsoring a FREE First Friday Potluck on March 1.
- Just bring a potluck dish and a place setting for everyone in your party (including silverware, a plate and/or bowl, coffee cup and/or glass, and a cloth napkin if you have one).
- Also bring a bag to take home your dirty dishes, etc.
- We will be having a "program" at the potluck, including:
- Jennifer Stokes will give an entertaining presentation: "Savings and Survival"
- Janie Dew will provide a brief update on Green Team activities, upcoming events, and her takeaways from attending the 5th Annual iCAN (Interfaith Climate Action Network) initiative
- Jim Wood will give us the results of the JEA energy and water audit.
- Brian Sibson will summarize the process for assessing BBUUC using biomimicry principles. If you don't know what that means, you are not alone. Brian's presentation will educate, enlighten, and excite you.
The church will provide ice, water, tea, juice, and coffee. Bring your own wine or beer if you would like.
- To sign-up, e-mail social_action@bbuuc.org; you will have to provide the number of people attending and whether you are bringing an appetizer, entree, salad, vegetable or other side dish or dessert. We will also need bread or rolls.
- HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
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Get Ready for Summer Swim Night
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Swimming Safari Swim School, along with the Religious Education Committee, would like to invite everyone for our Water Safety & Free Swim Event on March 9th. We will be having demonstrations, film, and all sorts of information about water safety. After this, everyone is invited to go for a swim where we can practice some of these techniques in the water, as well as have free swimming. Did I mention this is an indoor pool? Did I mention the temperature is 90 degrees? And did I mention it is Salt water, so it feels like a spa? Everyone is hungry after swimming, so hot, steaming pizza will be waiting for you!
When: Saturday, March 9th
Where: Swimming Safari Swim School
4775 Windsor Commons Ct.
Jacksonville, FL 32224 (indoor heated saltwater pool)
Time: 4-6pm
Cost: Free
Program: 30 minutes of interactive discussion/film about water safety on land. 30-45 minutes of water safety and free swim time in the pool. Pizza at the end.
To register, contact Chris Jarman dre@bbuuc.org or 904-568-1522 or
use the Sign-up sheet in the back of Sanctuary.
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March
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April
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Centering: Navigating Race, Authenticity and Power in Ministry, edited by Mitra Rahnema, is our book for March. Centering is one of two books that were chosen as UUA Common Reads for 2017-18.
Centering presents nine short essays, each paired with a responding essay, all written by persons of color who are pastors of UUA congregations or in other leadership positions in the UUA. Topics covered include “…how religious professionals of color can exercise power effectively, be relevant, and connect to others in culturally white settings…” This is an important book for all who feel diversity is important in our congregation and in the UUA generally.
We will discuss as many of the essays as we can cover in 2 hours on March 6. March 20 we will discuss any remaining essays and view the film, Wilderness Journey, produced by Ron Cordes and the Massachusetts Bay District Racial Justice Coordinating Council in 2003.
The connection is that while Centering features essays and responses by persons of color actively working in the UUA today, Wilderness Journey interviews black and white participants in what has been called the UUA Black Empowerment Controversy of 1967-70.
Two separate discussion sessions are scheduled 1-3 PM and 7-9 PM on both March 6 and on March 20. If planning to attend, please sign up in the back of the sanctuary or by emailing bookclub@bbuuc.org. If emailing, please include “book club signup” in the subject line. Centering is available for sale at http://a.co/d/jkaQbCG. Our DRE, Chris Jarman, also has two copies in the church office.
Book source information for April and May:
April: Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis, by J.D. Vance. Available at: http://a.co/d/aFvPSyo.
May: (UUA Common Read for 2017-18): Daring Democracy: Igniting Power, Meaning and Connection for the America We Want, by Frances Moore Lappe’ and Adam Eichen. Available at: http://a.co/d/dH5XLnB.
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Be-Moved Dance Classes
Be-Moved is a "Moving Meditation" where participants express themselves through movement both guided and non-guided in a non-judgemental space. BBUUC Member Kathleen Vought will offer Be-Moved classes on the second Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The next class will be Saturday, March 9. Classes will run through June. Cost per person is $15. Contact Kathleen to sign-up: kathrod.kv@gmail.com
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Monthly Drumming Circle
Join us on the 3rd Friday of the month 7:00-9:00 pm for Drumming Circle. The next one will be held March 15 from 7:00-9:00 pm.
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You don’t have to be an experienced drummer to participate. Beginners are welcome. Bring your drum and your energy. Don’t have a drum? We will have a small number of drums for folks to borrow. Don’t feel you can drum? Listeners and dancers are encouraged to come and feel the rhythm. Connect with your spirit and your community on a deeper level.
Learn about the 10 health benefits of drumming: https://www.drnorthrup.com/health-benefits-drumming/
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Last year we asked whether you wanted a minister and why (or why not).
This year we’ll start defining what professional ministry at BBUUC could be.
Please join one of our three
Minister Cottage Meetings
March 24, 31 and April 7
Noon – 2 p.m. at BBUUC
Sponsored by BBUUC’s Long-Range Planning Task Force
We will discuss in small focus groups (ICARE style) your vision for transitioning from a lay-led to a professional minister-led congregation.
- What would that look like?
- What would it accomplish?
We want everyone to attend, those who favor a minister as well as those who do not. What positive goals would you want for professional ministry, and what pitfalls would we avoid?
Your responses will be instrumental in developing a 5-Year Strategic Plan, helping this and future BBUUC boards make important decisions as our congregation grows and needs change. Please weigh in on one of the most important decisions we’ll make as a church at this stage in our development.
Sign-ups for the Cottage Meetings will begin mid-March.
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You are invited to attend a workshop on
An Introduction to
Shamanic Journeying
Date: Saturday – March 30, 2019
Time: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Cost: $40.00
Location: BBUUC
Instructor: Jim Wood
Shamanism is an ancient spiritual practice for healing (both spiritual and emotional), divination and restoration of personal power. It has been practiced since the beginning of mankind. Jim will be providing an introduction to Universal Core Shamanism which is a distillation of shamanic practices from many cultures.
The workshop will be primarily experiential with participants learning to “journey” to the world of spirits and meeting with spirit allies for healing, divination, and other activities.
Contact Jim at 845-337-8270 or RavenInTheWood@aol.com to register or for more information.
Jim Wood has been a practicing Shamanic Practitioner for 25 years and has trained with the Foundation for Shamanic Studies as well as noted Shamanic teachers Tom Cowan, Sandra Ingerman and Gwilda Wyiaka. He is authorized by Sandra Ingerman to teach Beginning Journey Skills and Soul Retrieval courses.
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 Child Dedication Ceremony, April 21st
Unitarian Universalists believe that every child brings new life and hope into the world. We set aside a special time, called simply the Ceremony of Dedication, for the community to bless the child and celebrate the blessing of this gift of life.
The ceremony does not make the life of the child sacred; we believe that life is sacred inherently. When we dedicate a child, we acknowledge the truth that each child's life is sacred and hold that truth in the light of our faith.
We understand that we are all part of the interconnected web of all existence. The church community has the privileged role not only of supporting the parents in the sacred task of nurturing life but also of weaving the threads of culture — history, values, arts, wisdom, visions — into a fabric that can enfold the family. The UU Community welcomes the child with love, into the human community, in the spirit of humanity's oneness, and into the fellowship of life (excerpted from We Dedicate This Child by Linda Olson Peebles, a UUA pamphlet.)
If your family is interested in having your child/ren dedicated during this special time please contact our DLRE, Chris Jarman directly or by emailing at dre@bbuuc.org.
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Time for Singing!
Easter and Earth Day are coming - at the same time!
"Choir of the Spring" will be taking part in the service April 21. We will have new fabulous music to learn and perform. Come and sing with us.
Rehearsals will be after the service on March 31, April 7 and 14.
Everyone is welcome!
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!Hospitality Needs Help!
Our sign-up sheet is blank! Would you be willing to help us serve food and maybe wash a few platters after service? Pick your date and your shift (Morning, Serving, or Cleanup) and please email Hospitality@bbuuc.org.
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The remainder of this fiscal year (now until July 1) is going to be a very busy time for Buckman Bridge UU. On February 10, sixty-seven members and friends attended the State of the Church Town Hall Meeting. We hope that you all either attended the meeting, or were able to review the presentation and speaker’s notes which were sent to you by email. The Town Hall shared completed initiatives and plans for future initiatives.
February/March - Stewardship Campaign
On February 24th, the Stewardship Committee began a series of short talks to share information about the strengths and needs of BBUUC.
This year's Stewardship theme is Growing Our Vision ... taking our initiatives of 2018/19 one step further. Included are a renewed emphasis on Adult and Youth Religious Education, Worship (including an outstanding music schedule), expanding communication to the congregation, expanding outreach through Social Action and Social Justice initiatives, and the general appearance and upkeep of our church building.
The campaign includes distribution of pledge packets on Sunday, March 10th. We will also be emphasizing the parallel need for volunteer participation throughout the church activities.
In addition to being a busy time, this is an exciting time. Our membership, Sunday attendance, and Adult and Youth Religious Education programs are growing. In order to continue to strengthen these areas, we need to increase our funding. Please take this into consideration as you make your pledges for 2019/2020.
March/April - Cottage Meetings
The Long Range Planning Team will hold Cottage Meetings to discuss what the congregation wants with respect to a minister. They will be held on Sunday, March 24, March 31, and April 7 at BBUUC. On each of these dates, two sessions of 8-10 members each will meet with Long Range Planning committee facilitators who will have specific questions designed to get your feedback.
The Cottage Meetings are recommended by the UUA and will help us build common ground on the issue of calling a minister. We will be advertising these meetings soon, with sign-up sheets. Please make sure to get your name on a spot.
April/May – Getting Ready for Elections
Applications will be due for Election of Officers, Trustees and Leadership Development Committee. We encourage members to self-nominate and hope you will all consider how you can serve BBUUC.
May - Annual Meeting – May 19
On May 19, after the service, you are invited to attend the Annual Meeting and vote on the following issues: Bylaw revisions, Approval of 2019/2020 Budget, and Election of Officers, Trustees and Leadership Development Committee. Lunch will be served. Child-care, lunch and fun activities will be provided for all of our children and youth. Members and friends are welcome to attend. Speaking and voting are privileges reserved for members. Please take advantage of this privilege.
We hope to see you at Sunday Services.
Grace Repass – on behalf of BBUUC Board
Respond to board@bbuuc.org
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Bringing it Home
The Worry Tree
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During February’s Children’s Chapel we heard the story The Worry Tree by Laura Wilkerson Spencer. The story talks about worries and how they can weigh us down. We shared about some of the things that worry us. What we do when we are worried and how we can share our worries to make their burden on us lighter. Our kids worry about things like taking tests, making friends, loved ones in the military, people they love who are feeling sick, scary things they hear in the news and on the radio. We took time to write down our worries on little slips of paper and took them outside to a Grandfather tree and asked the tree to hold our worries for us.
The Worry Tree gives our worries a boundary. They have been acknowledged and expressed by words or pictures, but they are filling a space other than our minds. Our worries don’t go away but they do become lighter, enabling us to go ahead into the day better prepared to face whatever comes our way.
This month’s activity is to create a Worry Box/Jar/Tree.
Decide where you will place your worries -- a box, a jar, or maybe a tree. Decorate your container as you see fit.
Talk about it: Explain to your child that this is a special place where they can put away their worries and they do not need to carry them through their day or when they are sleeping.
Let your child choose the place where the worry container will be kept. Letting your child make this decision helps your child gain some control over their worries.
For a beautiful, soothing picture book to introduce a worry box, read The Worry Box: A Picture Book for Anxious Children. Author Suzanne Chiew takes readers on a beautiful adventure with Murray Bear, his sister Molly, and his trusted worry box.
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Chalice Lighting
In the flame of this chalice
We find the hope of faith,
The glow of hope,
And the warmth of service.
May we ever grow in faith, hope, and service
As we kindle our own lights from its spark.
-Anonymous
Family Grace
Make me strong in spirit,
Courageous in action,
Gentle of heart.
Let me act in wisdom,
Conquer my fear and doubt,
Discover my own hidden gifts.
Meet others with compassion,
Be a source of healing energies,
And face each day with hope and joy.
-Abby Willowroot
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The Traveling Chalice:
Bringing the Light Home
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Purpose
The Purpose of the Traveling Chalice Program is to deepen our understanding of one of our most familiar Unitarian Universalist symbols. The light of the Chalice connects us all together and is a sacred element of our beloved community. The Chalice may also be used as a symbol of hope when one is feeling or experiencing a sense of darkness. We will learn about its history and how it brings people together through learning and love.
How the Program Works
Each week a family/household (not just those with children) will take home the Traveling Chalice, which will be inside a special Chalice Box. A sign-up sheet is located at the Membership Table in the back of the Sanctuary.
You may want to use the Chalice during your meals, family meetings, or as a bedtime ritual. Choose a reading from the materials provided or make your own.
Take a photo of the chalice and post it on the Unitarian Universalists of NE Florida Facebook page or send it to our DLRE, Chris Jarman at dre@bbuc.org (is the Chalice on your dining room table, mantle, next to a bedside table?)
Record your experience in the included journal. How did the chalice enrich your experience? In what ways was the chalice used? If you created your own reading, please share it in the jo urnal.
Bring the box and all of its contents back to church the following week so that the next family/household may use it.
The Box Includes
A Chalice; Special Cloth, Battery Operated Candle, Votive with Wax Candle, Pen, Journal, Chalice Lighting Readings, and a book titled A Cup of Light: All About the Flaming Chalice by Pamela Baxter.
Adapted from materials provided by Cory M. Ness, Director of Religious Education from the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Shenandoah Valley
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Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (March 6 - April 18, 2019), marking the beginning of the Christian tradition of the 40 days leading to Easter as a time that is full of meditation, prayer, and sacrifice. Lent is a time of devotion and a spiritual practice.
While this is not a practice that all UUs participate in, it is something from our history and something that we may wish to engage with to deepen our spiritual practices.
The question might come up, “is there a Unitarian Universalist way to practice Lent?” The answer is yes. A calendar has been created by Mr. Barb Greve and Alex Kapitan. The idea is to focus on a particular word each day during Lent and on Sundays to reflect on the word and encourage each other to enact it in our lives.
This is an opportunity to spend the Season of Lent engaged in a spiritual discipline of deep intention and appreciation of our world, our place in it, and an openness to Grace in our daily lives. Reflect on the meaning of the daily word to you. Take a photograph each day that speaks to you about the word, idea, practice, or concept. Share it on our Facebook page, Unitarian Universalist of NE Florida with the hashtag #UULent and celebrate the shared inspiration we bring to one another.
May this intentional practice and discipline impact your daily life in ways that bring you closer to your spiritual core and offer you resiliency for life.
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Mystery Pals
Mystery Pals is a program that matches children in preschool to 12th grade with a Mystery pal from the congregation who is an adult. Pals exchange notes, puzzles, small gifts, or other clever surprises in a mailbox (secretly) for four weeks, and then on the 5th Sunday we have a party to reveal the identity of the Mystery Pals and meet one another.
This is a great simple way to build some multigenerational community here at BBUUC, while having fun!
Sign up by March 31st, either by picking up a form at the RE Table in the Sanctuary or by emailing dre@bbuuc.org
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K-2 OWL Parent/Child Orientation
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Dear Parents,
I am excited to announce that RE is offering the K-2 OWL program this semester. Our Whole Lives: Sexuality Education for grades K-2 can help you educate your child about birth, babies, bodies, and families. You will be actively involved as your child learns through songs, stories, activities, and at-home projects that promote family dialogue. The Parent/Child Orientation will be held after church on March 10th, 12:00-2:30 pm. A pizza lunch will be provided.
Our OWL trained facilitators for this program are Annabelle Gallois-Bernos, Debbie Atkins, Erin Rogers and Rev. Pat Ray (mentor)
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From the February Family Potluck
A Book Spine Poem by Kennedy Rogers & Grace Wunderlich
The Empty Pot!
The empty pot owns the sky, I wish I were a butterfly.
Seeking out for a star, I hope it’s not too far. What do you do with a chance? Dance.
When I get back, I will tuck Mommy in and make her queen for a day. There will be a journey on the way.
When I was young in the mountains, giving thanks to every seed, everybody needs a rock to give thanks to the empty pot.
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 Love & Peace
Chris Jarman
Director of Lifespan Religious Education
dre@bbuuc.org
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ICARE Report
March 2019
by Ken Christiansen
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Upcoming ICARE events include:
- The RALLY, March 4, 7:00 PM, for all Justice Ministry Network members.
- The NEHEMIAH ACTION ASSEMBLY, April 1, 6:30-8:30 PM. This is where we gather People Power to accomplish greater justice in Jacksonville. YOUR PRESENCE IS NEEDED!
- Both events above will be held at Abyssinia Baptist Church, 10325 Interstate Center Drive, Jacksonville, 32218.
- A bus to the NEHEMIAH ASSEMBLY on April 1 will leave BBUUC at 5:30 PM and return after the Assembly ends at about 9:00 PM. Help with carpooling is also available for those living closer to Abyssinia Baptist.
Questions or comments may be addressed to ICARE@bbuuc.org.
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UU JUSTICE FLORIDA ACTION ALERTS
The 2019 session of the Florida Legislature convenes on March 5 providing a timely opportunity for UUs to advocate for passage of bills that are consistent with and codify UU principles and values. To receive Action Alerts from UU Justice Florida on bills your representatives will be voting on sign up at http://www.uujusticefl.org/action-network/sign-up
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Support Equal Rights for Men and Women
Did you know that Florida was one of 15 states that didn't ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to the United States Constitution? I didn't.
While the ERA failed to be ratified by the 1982 deadline, a few states, like Illinois and Nevada, have continued to ratify it as late as 2018.
Now for the good news! State Senator, Audrey Gibson, has again filed a bill in the Florida State Senate to ratify the ERA.
SCR 266: Equal Rights for Men and Women
SCR 266 Text of Resolution
Yes, it has been tried before and failed. Why should it be different this time?
- The current women-empowering environment - #MeToo
- The increase of women in legislative positions around the country
- The 2020 presidential election will include multiple women candidates.
- 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of Women's Right to Vote.
So, let's support this effort and make our Foremothers proud!
ERA Demonstrators in Front of the Florida Supreme Court 1982
Tell your State Senator, There is No Time Limit on Equal Rights!
Duval - Aaron Bean 850 487-5004
Duval - Audrey Gifford 850 487-5006
St. John's - Travis Hutson 850 487-5007
Clay - Rob Bradley 850 487-5005
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Make Your Money Talk
“Money talks!”
We vote for a president every 4 years, but we vote every day with our purchases of products. Unfortunately we are not aware of which companies are socially responsible and which are socially destructive. Oftentimes we don’t even know who produces the things we buy.
One of our objectives in the Social Action Committee is to help our members make informed decisions and choices. To that end, we will be highlighting how you can easily get information on the companies you do business with on a routine basis.
I recommend “The Better World Buying Guide Every Dollar Makes a Difference” by Ellis Jones. Jones uses a grading system from A+ to F. He has been publishing this guide since 2006 and updates it every year. Doing so has enabled him to track changes, including changes in ownership.
Some facts:
* Xfinity, AT&T, Microsoft, MSN, Internet Explorer and Comcast are all rated F.
* Southwest Airlines rose from a grade D+ in 2006 to a B+ in 2017.
* During that same period of time, Burt's Bees fell from an A to a C.
* Among beers, Sierra Nevada gets an A for being a Designated Climate Action Leader, numerous environmental awards and recycling 98% of production waste, while Budweiser, Michelob, Rolling Rock, and Corona all earned a D-.
I have put a copy of this book in our library. Also, you can go on-line at www.betterworldshopper.org for more information.
I will feature other guides and information in the future, and I welcome input from all members in helping us to become informed consumers. This will help us to buy products from companies that contribute to the enhancement rather than the destruction of human rights, environmental health, humane treatment of animals, community well-being and social justice.
Make your money talk - through what you buy!
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Rainbow Ministry is the new name for the Welcoming Congregation Ministry! We are a ministry for the LGBTQIA+ subset of our congregation.
Because there are two main functions of our ministry, we are meeting twice a month.
On the second Sunday of each month – which will be March 10 - we meet at 12:15 pm. This meeting will be primarily discussing/implementing the education and outreach aspect of our group. This year will be a focus on the Intersex part of LGBTQIA+.
The other meeting will be on the third Thursday of the month, March 21, at 7:00 pm at BBUUC. This one will be the ministry part of Rainbow Ministry. “Open” and “private” people identifying as LGBTQIA+ will meet for friendship/sharing/caring.
(Check BBUUC Upcoming Events for future dates)
Education/implementing/outreach goals:
- Becoming responsibly intersex inclusive.
- Making BBUUC more visibly LGBTQIA+ welcoming.
- Trying to get more LGBTQIA+ people to the church by reaching out to JASMYN and PFLAG, and being found on search engines. Community presence in Jacksonville (River City Pride parade, pride festival booth, JASMYN support, Spring run, etc.), including publicity on our welcoming congregation’s existence.
- Supporting the Rainbow Railroad and helping LGBTQIA+ people who are persecuted in other countries.
- Engage the church in supporting the values of our emerging ANUNNAKI Foundation, which will support the parents of intersex children, educate hospitals and lawyers, and even gift their children, similarly to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The ANUNNAKI Foundation’s mission statement is backed up by over ten human rights organizations.
Please email welcoming_rainbow@bbuuc.org if you have any questions.
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Volunteer Survey
The Social Action Committee will be distributing a survey to all members and friends of BBUUC to find out how we volunteer in our communities. This will be consolidated into a resource document to identify volunteer opportunities to our congregation. Once the survey is complete, the next step is for those volunteers to identify what ongoing or ad hoc volunteer opportunities exist in those organizations. From cleaning, after school tutoring, food bank distribution, Meals on Wheels or trash pickup on the St. Johns river, there’s a lot we can collectively do to support the community and let the community know that we at BBUUC care.
The survey is expected to start in early April.
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Recommended Recipe from the Hospitality Committee:
Zucchini and Corn Fritters
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Ingredients
½ c. all-purpose flour
½ cup cornmeal
½ cup shredded Cheddar cheese (optional)
1 egg
2 T. plain yogurt
2 t. baking powder
½ t. salt
¼ t. ground black pepper
2 c. grated zucchini
1 c. grated carrots
1 c. corn kernels
1/3 c. minced onion
2 T. vegetable oil, or as needed
Directions
- Mix flour, cornmeal, cheddar cheese, egg, yogurt, baking powder, salt, and pepper together. Add zucchini, carrots, corn and onion. Mix may seem dry at first, but be patient. It will moisten sufficiently to scoop.
- Coat the bottom of a large flying pan with oil. Heat over medium heat. Place spoonfuls of mixture into the hot pan, gently pressing down each fritter. Cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side.
Alternate directions: Use a small disher/scoop to scoop small balls onto parchment paper. Fry as balls or flatten into fritters. By staging the balls on parchment, you can move them around easily. This recipe makes about two dozen balls. We also used a Fry Daddy for speed and convenience.
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Welcome New Member Liz Baldwin!
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Liz told us “I was born in Munich (Dad was in Army) and grew up in Cortland, NY, which I left after college for grad school in Illinois. Finished a masters, and then drove to Colorado in an old Willys Jeep with a friend and multiple cats. Enjoyed three years of living with the Rockies in my backyard before joining the Peace Corps and serving in Barbados and Antigua. I spent the next 24 years in Washington, DC as a wife and mother and built a career lobbying for federal funds to support academic research. Moved to Jacksonville in 2006 for a job with FCCJ (now FSCJ).
I did not have a spiritual home when my son died in 2017, but had been intrigued with some of the teachings of Buddhism after visiting Bhutan in 2006. I was drawn to a church that was not doctrinaire and embraced all people of good faith. After attending a few services at BBUUC several years ago, I returned last summer seeking solace – which I have found.
I’m (for now) retired and enjoying life in Florida where no one lives more than 60 miles from the ocean.
My favorite things are (in no particular order) reading, trying challenging new recipes, hiking, anything in the mountains, music (classical, rock, jazz, pop, rainforest sounds), feeding my nerd with deep dives into current affairs and new technologies, exploring the world, movies, and deserted beaches.
My short term goals are mastering the NYT crossword puzzle and running in a 5K.
My lifetime Goal is spiritual growth and knowledge."
We’re so glad to have you with us, Liz!
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UUs attend AIDS Memorial Dedication
On February 14, 2019, a ceremony was held in Willowbranch Park by the AIDS Memorial Project of NE Florida to dedicate the opening of the new “Love Grove” there. The first three of 100 flowering trees planned for the memorial were planted in memory of the thousands of Jacksonville residents who died of AIDS-related illnesses.
Several members of BBUUC were in attendance, and our own Manny Andrade delivered a meaningful and heartfelt message, serving as a presenter in the ceremony. UU Minister Ron Hersom was also there and presented the benediction at the close of the ceremony.
Pictured above are: (front row, left to right): Robin Polizzi, Jake Yow, Rev. Ron Hersom, David Austin. Pictured back row, left to right: Judith Condon (Robin’s Mother), Linda Mowers, Manny Andrade, Rusty Turner, and Mary McDermott. It was a beautiful day, a lovely service, and a sacred space for our city was consecrated.
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Peter Hampton March 04
Kelly LoTempio March 06
Cliff Maskell March 08
John Knapik March 17
Ron Rothberg March 09
Tara Crisp March 12
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Kim Clontz March 15
Howard Miller March 18
Pam Richards March 25
Phil Dew March 25
Mary Hamilton March 26
Viqui Hilliard March 28
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Karen Roberts 03/01/1998
Lucy Warner 03/09/2008
Karen Christiansen 03/08/2011
Ken Christiansen 03/08/2011
Joshua Dean 03/09/2013
David Austin 03/24/2013
Kim Clontz 03/22/2015
Michal Ann Cox 03/25/2018
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Sydney Crisp 03/25/2018
Alyssa Halliday 03/25/2018
Jennifer Milam 03/25/2018
Judy Olevnik 03/25/2018
Peter Olevnik 03/25/2018
Nathaniel Samuels 03/25/2018
Kirsten Williams 03/25/2018
Jim Wood 03/25/2018
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Bill and Kris Kines March 11
Jay and Shanna Gardner March 19
John and Leslie Sheffield March 27
Don and Myrna Kissinger March 29
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Help us keep our records up-to-date! If you see birthday, anniversary, or membership anniversary that needs to be corrected or added to our list, please send it to membership@bbuuc.org.
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Our Mission:
Buckman Bridge Unitarian Universalist Church exists to create and nourish a loving community that seeks justice and respect for all.
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BBUUC Office Assistant Needed
Buckman Bridge Unitarian Universalist Church is currently looking for a part-time Office Assistant. The ideal candidate will be a self -motivated, professional person with a positive attitude, excellent organizational and communication skills, able to multi task and prioritize a variety of administrative and clerical tasks. The position is currently 10 hours per week, with possibility of increasing to 15 hours.
Hourly pay is $11.50 per hour.
Key responsibilities include:
- Check emails and respond, check outside mail box and post office box.
- Enter new information into Breeze database.
- Prepare and print Order of Service.
- Prepare the PowerPoint presentation for weekly slide show announcements.
- Schedule child care providers for Sunday Service and other meetings/activities as required.
- Maintain church calendar and assign rooms for meetings and activities.
- Provide support for the President, Board Members and Committee Chairs.
Position requirements:
- Good written, verbal, and Internet communication skills
- Identifies as a Unitarian Universalist or has knowledge of Unitarian Universalism and ability to discuss the faith with callers or visitors
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher, PowerPoint and Google Drive
- Self-motivation, reliability, and able to work independently
- Ability to pass skill tests, criminal background check, and drug tests
- Valid and current Florida driver’s license
- Maintain consistent weekly office hours at church. Hours can be negotiated.
(Current: Wednesday evening; Friday afternoon; Sunday morning)
If you believe that your skills and experience are a match for this position, please e-mail your resume to president@bbuuc.org.
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Are You Shopping on Amazon?
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This a great way to support BBUUC with no cost or effort!
Revenue we have received from Amazon purchases made through our BBUUC link:
- $93 from purchases made in March, received in May
- $142 from purchases made in April, received in June
- $156 from purchases made in May, received in July
- $179 from purchases made in June, received in August
- $113 from purchases made in July, received in September
- $244 from purchases made in August, received in October
- $137 from purchases made in September, received in November
- $178 from purchases made in October, received in December
- $130 from purchases made in November, received in January
- $199 from purchases made in December, received in February
- $199 from purchases made in January, to be be received in March
Remember to use the BBUUC link to Amazon every time you make a purchase, and ask your family and friends to do the same – you don’t need to be a Member of our church to contribute.
Just use this link (also found at the bottom of our webpage www.bbuuc.org)
http://amzn.to/1LcEwFZ
No special login or code is needed. How easy is that? |
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Meals on Wheels Collection Update
This basket represents a typical meal delivered to clients.
The average cost of a delivered meal is just over $5 day - 5 days a week. Every month we contribute about $150 so that's 6 weeks of lunches to folks who are unable to cook or simply in need
Collections for Pennies from Heaven this year have been:
July 2018 $134.62
Aug 2018 $121.82
Sep 2018 $213.42
A donation of $469.86 for these three months went to Meals on Wheels / Clay County.
Oct 2018 $174.28
Nov 2018 $154.41
Dec 2019 $167.91
A donation of $496.60 for these three months went to Meals on Wheels / Mandarin.
Jan 2019 $139.33
Feb 2019 $144.18
A donation for the Jan – Mar collections will be sent to Meals on Wheels / Clay County.
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Save the Date!
Universalist Convocation 2019
Hope . . . Not Hell
Save the Date May 17 – 19, 2019 for Universalist Convocation 2019 at Murray Grove Retreat and Renewal Center in NJ. Attending this Universalist Convocation is a perfect opportunity to learn the rich history of the other U in our UU faith tradition. This Convocation will explore the roots of Universalism in America with discussions on John Murray, Hosea Ballou and other early Universalist voices in America.
Speakers include: Rev. John Buehrens, UUA President 1993 – 2001, Rev. Richard Trudeau, former Universalist Convocations President and Rev. Liz Strong, retired Unitarian Universalist Minister of Religious Education and Minister Emerita of the First Parish UU Church in Ashby, MA.
Registration opens February 4, 2019 and closes April 30. Register early to take advantage of the Early Bird Discount.
Visit UniversalistConvocation.org for full details.
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For more information about monthly activities, click the pictures below:
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Childcare is available for many church activities but must be requested in advance when you sign up for an activity. Please contact the activity sponsor listed in the announcement for more information.
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Introduce Yourself!
If you are a recent member and we have not run an introduction article about you for the Journey yet, please feel free to contact publishing@bbuuc.org. We're interested in how you found BBUUC, what you like here, and what you would like other members of the BBUUC community to know about you.
We can help you write the article or you can write a 400 word or less article about yourself. We would also like a photo so that people know who you are and can introduce themselves to you during Fellowship Time after the service.
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The Journey is the official newsletter of the Buckman Bridge Unitarian Universalist Church. It is distributed monthly by electronic means to members and friends of the BBUUC community. If you would like to subscribe, please send an email to publishing@bbuuc.org.
Physical printouts of the Journey are also available at the Membership Table in the Sanctuary. (If a pledging member of the community does not have home Internet or computer access, a mailed printout can be requested from admin@bbuuc.org or by contacting the church administrator at 904-276-3739.)
If you have comments or suggestions about the format or content of the Journey, please contact the editorial team at publishing@bbuuc.org.
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P.O. Box 844
Orange Park, FL 32067
904.276.3739
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8447 Manresa Ave
Jacksonville, FL 32244
904.276.3739
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