ORDER OF SERVICE

Sunday, April 27, 2008
9:00 am and 10:30 am

Greg Pelley, celebrant

Carol Yeats, pianist

Our footprint on the world

Intoning the Chime

Call to Gather

Shiloh Sorenson

Chalice Lighting

Leader:  Life is a gift for which we are grateful.
People:  We gather in community to celebrate the glories and mysteries of this great gift.
Leader:  So let us kindle now the flame of our liberal religious heritage.
People:  In its glow, may our reason and our passion lead us to be true to ourselves, true to each other and true to what we can together become.

Music

Mother Earth, lyrics by Eric Kaz, arrangement by Dennis Warner          My Roots Go Down by Sarah Pirtle

5^th Principle Singers  John Morrow, guitar

Welcome

Music

Listen to the Rain
by Stephen L. Lawrence

Chalice Children’s Choir     

Sharing our Abundance Offertory

Marian Whitaker, voice April Mu, piano

Meditation

   Spoken

   Silent
…Hymn #84

“Pollution” by Tom Lehrer

How Far Can Reach A Smile?

Marian Whitaker

Reading

“There Will Come Soft Rains” by Sara Teasdale

Kyle Hurst

Sermon

“If the world is your trash can, who will empty it?”

Sr. High Youth

Music

Wake Up by Melissa Etheridge

Closing Words

Madison Williams

*Extinguishing the

Flame

Leader:  I extinguish the symbolic flame of this gathering. May we carry its light into the world.
People:  Let us go from this place, open to life, expecting to love and prepared to serve.

*Closing in Song Hymn
*Please stand as you are able.

Hymn of Valor                         (see inside back cover of hymnal)

Special Thanks to Today’s Service Participants …

Greeters

Board Greeter

9:00 am     Lee Lynde and Sally Boeckholt; RE-Chris Paxson

10:30 am   John and Sally Sonnenburg; RE-Janet Hiatt

                  Tom Bierley

Ushers                

9:00 am     Tom and Janet Thurtell

10:30 am   Patrick Phillips and Denny Schrock

Coffee and Treats

David Proudfit, Sue Repplinger, Mary Hays, Suzanne Popson, Bev Westra, Harriet Aten

A warm welcome to all guests today. We’re glad you’re here! Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion with Jewish-Christian roots and many branches upon which members have searched for meaning. It affirms the dignity of all persons, advocates freedom of belief and the pursuit of advancing truth and provides a warm, open, supportive community. If you would like  to find out more about the church or receive our newsletter, stop in the entryway at the Visitor Information Table. We welcome the opportunity to meet you!

FORUM, 10:30 am, Channing Hall. “Spending the Miracle Donations” The Religious Education Council will be leading the forum at 10:30. We will be focusing on the current Religious Education programming, an update on the RE Council recommendations for use of the money raised by the R2B2 campaign and our plans for the upcoming year. We look forward to seeing all of you.  Harvey Harrison and Caroline Pelley.

Next Sunday Service: “The Question of God” with the  Rev. Dr. Marlene Walker. The past few years have seen a spate of books written by increasingly well received and honored  atheists such as Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and Christopher Hitchens. Where might our Unitarian Universalist under-standing of God ( a concept that is not believed by over half of all UUs according to a recent poll*)  fit in to this conversation? Rev. Walker has been serving as the Interim Minister at Peoples Church in Cedar Rapids for the past two years. She has previously served congregations in CO, IL, MA, VA, and MD. A native of Boston she has often referred herself as a living, breathing, walking interfaith organization. Raised jewish she became UU and christian in her 20’s, later adding buddhism, feminist, pagan and native american spirituality along the way. She is theologically multilingual. Rev. Walker received her M. Div. from Starr King School for the Ministry in 1992 and a D. Min. in Feminist Liberation Theology from the Episcopal Divinity School in 1999.  

Dr. Marlene's comments should be interesting given the increasing debate concerning the "language of Reverence" being pushed by certain increasingly vehement elements within the UUA..   

John Dart, ed. Surveys: 'UUism' unique Churchgoers from elsewhere. Christian Century.

Next Sunday Forum, 10:30 am. Leslee Cran, Outreach Coordinator from the Family Violence Center will discuss domestic violence, the impact on the family and what we as friends and family can do (Sponsor:  Amy Knudsen).

One-half of collections today go to First Unitarian Church.  One-half is given as dues to AMOS, UUSC, DMARC, Partner Church, Interfaith Alliance and Interweave Continental with the remainder divided between Hawthorne Hill Ministries and Family Violence Center.

UU Unsung Hero – Nominations are being accepted for this year’s Unsung UU award. Watch for ballots in the May newsletter and on the table in greeting area in May.

Sunday 4/27

9:00 am

10:00 am

10:30 am

11:30 am

11:45 am

Noon

Intergenerational Earth Day Service “If the Earth is your trash can, who will empty it?” with Youth …Auditorium.
Energy & Justice…Conference Room
Coffee/Social Time…Gathering Place
Fabulous Food Fundraiser…Channing Hall
5^th Principle Singers…Peace Library
Intergenerational Earth Day Service:  See 9:00 am service
Great Decisions…Conference Room
Forum…Greeting Place
Coffee/Social Time…Gathering Place
Fabulous Food Fundraiser…Channing Hall
Finance Committee…Conference Room
Youth Group…Room #4
Children’s Playacting…Auditorium Stage
Interweave Social…Off-site

Monday  4/28

7:00 pm

Philosophy Group…Conference Room

Tuesday 4/29

7:00 pm

Voting Place…Channing Hall

Wednesday 4/30

5:30 pm
6:30 pm

Wednesday Dinner…Channing Hall
Welcome Home Wednesdays…Multiple Locations
Children’s Playacting.  Auditorium Stage

Thursday 5/1

7:00 pm

Adult Choir…Channing Hall

Friday  5/2

7:30 pm

Scottish Country Cocert…Auditorium

Saturday 5/3

9:00 am

Exploring Membership Class…Mary Safford Room
New UU Children’s Class…Lower Level
Adult Choir…Channing Hall

Sunday  5/4

9:00 am

10:00 am

10:30 am

11:30 am


6:00 pm

“The Question of God” with Rev. Dr. Marline Walker …Auditorium.
Children’s RE…Lower Level
Coffee/Social Time…Gathering Place
Fabulous Food Fundraiser…Channing Hall
5^th Principle Singers…Peace Library
Service:  See 9:00 am service
Children’s RE…Lower Level
Coffee/Social Time…Gathering Place
Youth Group…Room #4
Children’s Playacting…Auditorium Stage
Windbreakers…Channing Hall

Interweave Social/Spring Wildflower Hike, TODAY, Noon. We will hike the trails of Margo Frankel Woods State Park to view and learn about the emerging spring woodland wildflowers.  We’ll include lunch. Meet in the church gathering area at noon and wear hiking boots or sturdy walking shoes. Difficulty level: moderate. Mark Metz at 515-274-0925.

Summer RE Planning Meetings-RE Greeting Area, Wednesday evenings, 6:30-8 pm, May 14, and May 28. April 30 is cancelled.

* * * * COMMUNITY NEWS / UPCOMING EVENTS * * * *

Web Redesign – Thursday, May 1, 6:30 pm in Conference Room

We’re looking at changing our website look – from tweaking to a full overhaul.  We need your perspective.  Please contact Lori Emison Clair 515-453-2999 or membership@ucdsm.org, if you’re interested. We will provide pizza   and soda. Thank you.

Bridge Game Night, Friday, May 2, 7:00 pm. Knowledge of the fundamentals of bridge is needed, but beyond that, skill levels range from novice to expert. Hosting each month is rotated among the group.  People RSVP to the hosts so that they can plan for tables of 4. Contact Ellen Taylor at 515-277-9715 or eltaylor@dwx.com for information.

Exploring Membership Class, Saturday, May 3, 9:00 am-12:00 pm, Mary Safford Room

Have you been visiting for a while and want to learn more about our church?  Join us as we discuss what UU’s believe, including reviewing the seven principles, reviewing our church organization as well as the wide variety of ways to get involved in our community.  We will have a light snack and beverages.  Let us know if you will need childcare and we will gladly provide it.  Please RSVP to Lori Emison Clair 515-453-2999 or membership@ucdsm.org.

UU Kids Class, Saturday, May 3, 9:00 am-12:00 pm, Room #3. Held in conjunction with the Exploring Membership class for adults this orientation course is designed to give visiting children a brief overview of what it means to be Unitarian Universalist in the same manner that we introduce adults to our tradition. There are four elements in this orientation: Who Are You? Who Are We? What Is True and Right We Need a Truthful, Fair and Free World.  Please RSVP for your children to Lori Emison Clair 515-453-2999 or membership@ucdsm.org

Windbreakers, Sunday, May 4, 6:00 pm. New to the church? Not so new? Looking for a way to make new friends or a night out with the guys? Newcomers, who are interested in good food and good company, are always welcome at Windbreaker meetings! For more information or a ride to the meeting, contact Bill Paxson at 515-274-0769, or paxson@mchsi.com.

New Family Orientation, Sunday, May 11 from 12:00-12:30 pm, RE Gathering Area:

On the second Sunday of each month we host an orientation to introduce new families into the religious education program. Contact Tracy Beck at 633-2289 or REprogramming@ucdsm.org.

Interweave Meeting, Sunday, May 11, Noon. Interweave is a UU group which offers social interaction for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender persons and allies, publicizes the church to the greater Des Moines GLBT community and helps the church further its goal of social justice.   Contact Mark Metz at scorpiored48@yahoo.com or 515-274-0925 for meeting information.

* * * * ADULT UU CONTINUING EDUCATION * * * *

Great Decisions Group, Sunday, April 27, 10:30-11:30 pm.  Great Decisions, a group that has met for many years at our church, is a discussion program produced by the Foreign Policy Assn, New York City, and featuring a briefing book titled “Great Decisions”.  People interested in foreign affairs are welcome to join, with or without the book.  Fred LaCroix at 515-277-8967. 

Philosophy Group, Monday, April 28, 7:00 – 9:30 pm, Conference Room

Bring snacks to share if you like, a welcome addition though not the focus, for this lively discussion of philosophical issues with both experienced sparring partners and “beginners” just as welcome.  Contact Terry Swanson at 515-277-5080 or tswanson@website-center.com.

Energy and Justice For All, Sunday, May 11, 30, 9 am to 10 am, Conference Room

Climate change threatens hundreds of millions of people and threatens to wreak havoc on Earth's natural cycles. Come explore the link between climate change, energy and justice; then work with us to help turn the world away from disaster.  Contact Jon Knapp McAlister at 515-961-2524 or jandjmcalister@hotmail.com.

Great Books Discussion Group, Saturday, May 10, 9-11 am . Using a shared inquiry method of discussion, we examine significant works of fiction, philosophy, political science, poetry and drama - probing the many questions raised by a text. Discussions are lively, engaging, friendly, sometimes contentious, enlightening--and a good deal of fun. This month’s discussion will be on Plato's "Crito." Greg Pelley will lead the discussion. Greg at 255-5696 or gspelley@msn.com.

Welcome Home Wednesdays:  5:30 to 6:15 pm: Come enjoy pizza, etc with friends. $5.00/adults & $2.00/child-maxof $12.00 per family.  RSVP to Lori at membership@ucdsm or 515-453-2999.

Programming starts at 6:30 pm:

     Movie Night: This Film Not Rated – An independent documentary firlm about the Motion Picture Association of America’s rating system and its effect on American culture.  WARNING:  This movie contains some graphic sexual content. Mark Campbell.

     Meditation Group: Join Gary Keast and Denise Daniels for a weekly mediation group.  Beginners and experienced practitioners are welcome.

     Singing Circle: Join Donna Wallace for informal singing of chants, folk songs and hymns. No experience necessary—just a love for singing.

      Knitting Circle This group is open to all those who want to teach, those who want to learn and those who want to sit and knit together.

      Youth Programming:  Join other UU youth ages 5- 95 as we explore the world of Harry Potter.

      Effective Parenting – A Facilitated Discussion – Starts April 30
Join other parents, grandparents, and caring adults in a lively discussion of parenting issues in the 21^st century. What are your issues? Saying “no” when the kids are saying, “everyone else is going/has one/gets to?” Setting expectations and sticking to them? How to discipline when expectations aren’t met? General topics will be: April 30 – Values; May 7 – Safety; May 14 – Behavior; May 21 – Family rituals & traditions. Please come prepared to share your examples of what has worked for you, or ideas you are considering and would like feedback about. Barb Royal will be your discussion facilitator, and brings her background as a parent, a child, a counselor, and experienced group facilitator.  Childcare/children’s programming are available.

If you would be willing to volunteer with any of these programming events for adults or youth, please contact Lori Emison Clair at membership@ucdsm.org or via phone at 515-453-2999.

32.  

Mexican Fiesta! Join us for an all-Mexican dinner including Salmon Vera Cruz and homemade Sangria. Each individual or couple will take home a jar of homemade salsa. Saturday, August 23, 2008. 630 p.m. Max of 6 guests. Hosts:  Judy Davis & Gene McCracken. $35/person.

33.  

Dinner and Games Galore. Enjoy an evening of hors d’œuvres, dinner, and dessert. After dinner, compete with fellow Unitarians playing Wii, pool, air hockey, pop-a-shot, or 160 electronic bar games. Take a break and belly up to the bar or enjoy good conversation in the sun room. Saturday, October 4, 2008. Max of 12 guests. $45/person. Hosts: Carol Hibbs & Rolland Riley.