UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION OF WHIDBEY ISLAND
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P.O. Box 1076, Freeland, WA 98249 360-321-8656

CALENDAR

June 2: 7:30 p.m., Chamber music. See article on page 3.

June 3: 4:00 p.m., Sunday service and CRE.

June 10: 1:30-3:30 p.m. "To Build A Church: Develop A Vision" workshop at Trinity. See article on page 4.
4:00 p.m., Sunday service and CRE.
5:15 p.m., Potluck Farewell Reception for Tim, Trinity. See article on page 3.

June 16: 6:00 p.m.,
Potluck and Worship Feedback workshop. See article on page 4.

June 17:11:00 a.m., WICUUPS Litha Lunch potluck at the LeBaron's 579-2067
4:00 p.m., Sunday service and CRE.

June 18: 7:00 p.m., Anyone interested in Social Action meets. See article on page 4.

June 24: 4:00 p.m., Sunday service and CRE. 5:30 p.m., Annual Meeting at Trinity.

July 3: 5:00 p.m., Potluck and fireworks. See article on page 3.

June 3 "The Human Genome: An Owner's Manual,"
guest UU minister Reverend Amanda Aikman

A look at some of the ethical and religious issues emerging from the extraordinary developments in genetics. Special music from the Chaminade Trio.

Rev Aikman has been with us several times; she is the former Minister in Marysville, and now part-time minister at the Sequim fellowship.

June 10 "Adios, Adieu, and Godspeed," from Reverend Tim J. The process of saying "farewell" is never easy. On my final Sunday as your part-time consulting minister, we will devote the service to the topic of leave-taking, as we say to one another "go with God." Special music from vocalist Nancy Nolan. This service will be followed by a potluck farewell reception for Tim.

June 17 "I Have Received a Burning Kiss from God," guest UU minister Reverend Botond "Boti" Koppandi

We are excited to host Rev. Botond Koppandi. A visiting minister from Transylvania, Rev. Botond is a graduate of the Protestant Theological Institute in Kolozsvar (where Unitarian ministers are trained), and this year's Francis Balazs Scholar at Starr King School for Ministry. For the past three years, Koppandi has served a 350-member church in the village of Torockoszentgyorgy (Coltesti), a sister church of the East Shore Unitarian Church of Bellevue, Washington. Special music from violinist Teo Benson. Arrive early for a special prelude piece.

June 24 "A Celebration to Welcome Summer"
Summer is a time of letting go. The summer sun draws us out of our houses, encouraging us to enjoy walks along garden paths, a day at the beach, a picnic in the park. Share your memories of summers past during this intergenerational Earth-centered service.

Annual Meeting, Sunday June 24, 5:30 p.m. at Trinity. The agenda includes electing a new Board of Trustees and officers, and approving a budget for next year. More information will be mailed out. Be there!!

UPCOMING SERVICES Services begin at 4 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran church. Children's religious education and child-care are provided during the services unless otherwise indicated.

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The Eclectic Cleric
from Rev. Tim J.

"I Once Knew a Man from Nantucket...."

As most of you by now must already know, last month I was offered a full-time position as the interim minister of the Unitarian Universalist Society on Nantucket Island in Massachusetts, and for various reasons both personal and professional, I have decided to accept it. This was not an easy decision for me. My new ministry possesses many compelling features which make it very attractive to someone in my situation, but I will also be very sad to leave my ministry here on Whidbey Island, and the many good friends I have made here in the last twelve months. I am very excited about your future prospects, and would have liked very much to have been a part of making them happen. As it is, I will have to watch and encourage you from afar, and celebrate vicariously as step by step you achieve the success you deserve.

Perhaps the complexity of my own emotions is best illustrated through an anecdote. Nantucket is a resort community with a summer population of perhaps 50,000, and a year-round population of only about 9,000. The retiring minister served that community for 28 years, and I think he must know every one of those 9,000 year-round residents by name. When we had breakfast together a few weeks ago, not more than two or three minutes went by at a time without someone stopping by our table to say hello. The Nantucket church is almost two centuries old, but when Ted arrived there to begin his ministry, it was a congregation which struggled to keep the doors open. Now it is a thriving religious society, and its refurbished meeting house is a community landmark.

These are the fruits of three decades of excellent parish ministry: a legacy of mutual trust and support forged by year after year of day to day interaction. It's not the sort of thing that you can learn to do in school and then list on your resume, and it's not something that you buy or hire either. It just takes time. There will always be a part of me that would have liked to have tried to become this kind of minister here on Whidbey Island, where you have made me feel so at home during my brief, weekend visits here. But the timing just wasn't right, and so in a few months Parker and I will be driving together across the country to take up residence in a century-old parsonage fifty feet behind the meeting house of Unitarian congregation on another island on the other side of the continent. A twenty-second walk to work will be a big change for me after my four-hour commute from Portland. But know in your hearts that a part of mine will always be here on Whidbey Island, wishing you well in whatever the future may bring your way.

2000-2001 A GREAT YEAR FOR UUCWI
from Gail A.

We have had an amazing year with so many things to be thankful for in our church community. I'd like to thank Peggy, the Board, and all the committees for all their hard work. Listed below are some of the accomplishments of UUCWI this year followed by a reading from our hymnal.
· Thoughtful, inspiring church services every week
· Formation of a large Facilities Committee to plan our building
· Our first quarter-time minister
· Helping those in our congregation who were in need
· Continuation of our successful CRE program
· Ongoing Women's Group
· Book Group
· Great newsletter
· Competent, energetic church secretary
· Increased membership
· Saturday suppers
· Purchase of property
· Movie night
· Our first very own web page

Reading 728 from our Hymnal: "Blessed Are Those"

Blessed are those who yearn for deepening more than escape; who are not afraid to grow in spirit.

Blessed are those who take seriously the bonds of community; who regularly join in celebration and learning; who come as much to minister as to be ministered unto.

Blessed are those who bring their children; who invite their friends to come along, to join in fellowship, service, learning, and growth.

Blessed are those who support the church and its work by their regular, sustained, and generous giving; and who give of themselves no less than their money.

Blessed are those who know that the church is often imperfect, yet rather than harbor feelings of anger or disappointment, bring their concerns and needs to the attention of the church leaders.

Blessed are those who when asked to serve, do it gladly; who realize that change is brought about through human meeting, who do the work of committees and stay until the end.

Blessed are those who speak their minds in meetings; who can take and give criticism: who keep alive their sense of humor.

Blessed are those who know that that the work of the church is the transformation of society; who have a vision of Beloved Community transcending the present, and who do not shrink from controversy, sacrifice, or change.

Blessed are they indeed.

John Buehrens

from Peggy's Pen
May 26, 2001 Where has the year gone? It was only a little while ago when I felt winter would never loosen its grip, but now, we are blessed with a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend, and "All is forgiven." I'm a complete pushover for a beautiful summer day. And the "High Holy Days of Summer" here on our beautiful Whidbey are ahead.

My year as Board president has been something like this year's weather for me. A certain amount of dismal weather and rough water followed by wonderful, joyous, patches of sunshine and smooth sailing and destinations reached. And now, the boat is almost ready to tie up at the dock for me to gladly disembark. "All's well that ends well," Shakespeare said, (at least in voyages and terms of office.) Whatever, I'm pleased with where UUCWI has arrived after this year's journey. Such a year of growth and change and challenge to old ways of being. And so many accomplishments. Here's my list:

I'm proud of our numerical growth, which has given us new members with new talents to share. I'm proud of the return to church of members we haven't seen for awhile. I'm proud of our successful fundraising projects and Annual Stewardship Canvass, which gives us financial strength and confidence. I'm proud of our stepping up to the plate on acquiring our own property. I'm proud of the energy, talent, and enthusiasm on the re-born Facilities Committee, which is planning for our own building. I'm proud of the inspiring leadership that Rev. Tim Jensen has brought to us in the pulpit and through his work with Board, committees, and individuals. It has been challenging for us as a congregation to rise to the new needs of ministry and a minister. I'm proud of the lively enthusiasm for taking on new projects that is surfacing. I am proud of the fun we've had just getting together at Saturday Suppers, Movie Nights, the Auction, the Kickoff Dinner, in the Book Club, the Artists' Way group, and the potlucks and picnics. I'm proud of our adorable children, their weekly presence at church and their age-inclusive inspired puppet play of "The Land of Lavender and Rose" so delightfully prepared by CRE Coordinator, Siri. I'm proud of the many inspired worship services we have shared this year both lay- and minister-led. I'm proud that UUCWI has reached again and again into its pockets to support families in need at Christmas, community development in El Salvador, pet food donations, UUSC's Guest at our Table program, an African graduate student, Planned Parenthood, and other causes. I'm proud of an activist membership that is not afraid to picket Exxon at great risk to life and limb. I'm proud of an involved membership that shows up to be counted for important congregational meetings and is earnest and articulate in its differences. This is not an apathetic church.

Now to my list of Gratitudes. Thank you for giving me the honor of being president this year and for supporting me in my efforts. Thank you to my hard working Board: Sarah, Mitch, Bill, Cheryn, Ken, Ann, and our most excellent recorder, Sandy. Thanks to Rev. Tim for giving the most consistently fine sermons I've heard in over 30 years as a UU, and to his wise personal counsel. Thanks to all you committee chairs and members and friends who do the work of the church. And, thanks to Linda G. and to Jean H. for the always-wonderful music. Thanks to our gifted Newsletter Editor, Ken M., for making our news so interesting and readable. And last, but not least, to Sandy W., our indomitable Church Coordinator for covering all the bases behind the scenes with efficiency and skill.

I'm looking forward to returning to the life of a "retired" person and I wish the new Board and Officers calm seas and fair winds.

Blessed be, Peggy B. pres.

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CHAMBER MUSIC
June 2 at 7:30 p.m.

The Chaminade Trio plays music of women composers Cecile Chaminade, Rebecca Clarke, and Carol Sams to benefit UUCWI. A few tickets remain, call Mavis C. Suggested donation $10 - $15.

FAREWELL RECEPTION/POTLUCK FOR TIM
On June 10 following his final service with us, we will have a potluck and reception honoring Rev. Tim J.'s year with us and the successful completion of his PhD. Dessert provided.

NEW MEMBERS
Kim J. grew up in the UU Congregation of Whidbey Island and now returns to membership as an adult with a brand new baby, Owen. Her husband, Mike, works on Island. Kim is the daughter of Brenda and Dan Cole.

Don W. joins the congregation because he likes the people and wants to be involved in a church that is on the move. Don is a retired UW Law Professor but keeps his hand in legal matters by working as a Mediator. He is married and has a grown son in the Seattle area and a daughter in California.

Let us extend a warm welcome to these fine people.

FIREWORKS AND POTLUCK
July 3 - 5:00 p.m.
Come and have a shore-side seat for the Holmes Harbor display at Peggy and Baird's in Freeland. If the weather is warm, bring bathing suits and swim off our float. Your safe and sane fireworks are welcome. The fireworks don't start until dark, about 10:20 it's cool by then so bring appropriate clothes and folding chairs, too.

Bring generous amounts of food to share (last year we ran out) and your favorite beverage. Paper plates, cups and table service will be provided. A Weber grill will be going.

SOAPBOX
from Ken M., newsletter editor

"Leading a Unitarian-Universalist congregation is like trying to push a wheelbarrow full of frogs." -Dave Maynard: MinisterWest Seattle Unitarian-Universalist Congregation.

Leadership is always a difficult proposition. We all want itat least we think we want it. We need itdon't we? And yet when we come face to face with itwe resist it. We are very demanding and particular when it comes to our leadership. If they provide too much of it we feel railroaded; too little and we feel jipped.

This is especially true in groups of people who prize and celebrate their individuality. It's an essential part of our natures to approach leadership with a healthy dose of cynicism, mistrust, and doubt. I've experienced this on both sides of the fence in this congregationfirst as a reluctant follower, then as a resisted leader.

One thing I've learned is that it's much easier to be the Monday-morning quarterback and second guess the policies and decisions of our leadership than it is to make those policies and decisions. Criticism is reactive. Leadership is creative. And creative processes demand a certain amount of sticking your neck out. If we as a congregation approach the risk-taking our leadership must engage in by chopping off the heads at the ends of those exposed necks, we will soon run out of people willing to lead.

That's not to say we shouldn't disagree with or challenge our leadership. Leaders need this energy to grow and mature. I'm simply suggesting that it is in our best interests as a group to provide our leaders with positive, proactive, and generous supporteven when we disagree with themespecially when we disagree with them.

Here are some guidelines I'd like to propose: - Communicate: Just in case we're unclear, this is a two-sided activity. Steven Covey has some great advise here: "Seek first to understand . . . then to be understood." Listen; get all the facts; talk it over. Sometimes conflict lies in the form and not in the substance of what we say to each other. Try to winnow meaning out of semantics. And don't be afraid to agree if you figure out your saying the same thing.

Most of all, assume that those who take on the responsibilities of leadership are doing so out of a sincere and fervent desire to act in the best interests of UUCWI. Support them. Nurture them. Be kind to them. Remember, in a congregation of our size, one day, them will be you.

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ANNUAL WORSHIP FEEDBACK WORKSHOP
This year the Worship committee will host its annual Worship Feedback Workshop beginning with a potluck at Trinity on Saturday June 16 at 6:00 p.m.open to all members and friends of the congregation. You bring a dinner dish to share, we'll provide the cheese and wine appetizer. Once we're all sufficiently satiated, we look forward to hearing from each of you what you have particularly liked about this year's services and what ideas you have to improve next year's services.

Those who wish to skip the potluck but attend the workshop should arrive by 7:00 p.m.

FACILITIES COMMITTEE ON THE MOVE
May 20 Potluck to "Celebrate the Land" a Success!

Approximately 35 people joined together on Sunday, May 20 to celebrate the land with a potluck at the church's newly acquired property just north of Freeland on Hwy 525.

There was plenty of opportunity to walk the property with a topographical map (thanks, Al G.) in one hand, and one's eye on the bright orange string that wound around the land to its various corners (thanks, Craig C.). People were invited to write their comments and wishes on a large piece of paper afterwards. The weather was astonishingly perfect and the food ranged from the ridiculous (hot dogs and marshmallows) to the sublime (rhubarb crisp, spinach salad with toasted pecans, Indian chicken, to name a few). It was all terrific, regardless of which end of the spectrum you preferred. It was a great moment of fellowship and community and there was talk of a church campout and pancake feed, an outdoor church service, and other fun ideas. Got your own idea? Share it with the Facilities Committee, Roy B., chairperson. Thanks to all who made the first potluck on our new property a huge success.

Facilities Committee Web Page
Pictures from May 20's picnic have been posted on the Facilities Committee web page http://www.whidbey.com/uucwi/committees/bc.html. Thanks to Sarah R. for making this possible. Below the pictures are links to recent committee meeting minutes which is one way you can keep track of what we're doing. Also listed are the current members of the committee for you to contact if you have any thoughts or other suggestions.

A Vision Gathering for our New Building
The Facilities Committee hopes you'll be able to attend this upcoming event. On June 10, from 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran, we're hosting a gathering called "To Build A Church: Develop A Vision." At this gathering, we will continue the process of developing a vision that was started at the property potluck. This will be the first of a number of summer gatherings and it is vital that as many people as possible attend so that our collective wisdom and knowledge comes together for the benefit of our new church facility. Please get involved!

SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE
SURVEY & CALL TO MEETING

This is an attempt to discern the social action interests of our congregation. Hopefully we can arrive at a theme or themes that appeal to a number of our members and which we could support. As individuals we probably have many social action causes that we are involved in. Please take a few moments to answer the following questions. This will be a jumping off place for the newly forming, newly revived Social Action Committee to start planning for the coming church year.

1. What organizations/groups/causes do you currently support/contribute to financially? (Please code the group as either: environmental (E), community (C), people (P)). We are not asking for dollar amounts.

2. What organizations/groups/causes do you currently support as a volunteer? (Please use the same coding.)

3. How do you think UUCWI should approach social action?

You can respond by bringing your answers to church next time or mailing to Duke L. A summary of responses will appear in the July newsletter.

There will be a Social Action Committee meeting at Duke L.'s on June 18 at 7:00 p.m. Please attend if you have ideas or are interested in being on the committee. Thank you.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BOARD NOTES
(summary)

From May 1:
- Welcomed visitors to meeting
· Discussed future contract with Rev. J. and planned for Congregational meeting
· Authorized Linda G. and Worship Committee to have informal conversation with possible future choir director
· Approved recommendation from Pastoral Service Committee for Al G. to be Chaplain
· Reviewed new Facilities Committee "charter" and agreed to visit their meeting on May 7 to dialogue with them
· Authorized the Finance Committee to begin to prepare a draft budget

From May 16:
· Treasurer reported that this year's successful canvass assures that the new budget can be formulated without tapping into reserves. Requested information from all committees for FY 01-02. Finance Committee will have a draft budget ready for next meeting
· President read letter from Rev. Tim reporting that he has accepted a full-time interim postion for next year on Nantucket Island. He gave his heartfelt appreciation of the support and friendship shown him this year. President has reported to Ann Heller and David Maynard regarding our situation and that we plan to elect a Search Committee on May 20.
· Appointed Ken M. as liaison to Nominating Committee
· Discussed pros and cons of Pastoral Services' proposed in-house mediation team.
Recommended they follow "mediation guidelines" but include some outside source and to check with churches of similar size for their experience with in-house mediation.
· Authorized $250 of $500 budget requested by Facilities Committee and asked them to itemize requests and report expenditures.
· Gratefully accepted gift of play equipment from the C. family. Discussed insurance ramifications of its installation and status of shack on property.
· Authorized president to recruit a five-person slate for a Ministerial Search Committee
· Discussed policy on special offerings as requested by Worship Committee and Linda G. regarding Saratoga Woods. Agreed to encourage individuals to give to various causes, by posters and newsletter, but that it was not appropriate to commit the church to raising a set amount for an outside organization. For now, requests for special offerings should be directed to the Worship Committee and will be limited to one a month in separate envelopes in the collection basket.
· Authorized Mitch H. to convene a By-laws Committee
· Next meeting: June 6 at 6:00 p.m. at Peggy's to work on the budget, June 20 to wrap up and plan agenda for the Annual Meeting on June 24.