CHALICE

CONNECTIONS

April 2015

The official newsletter of the Aiken Unitarian Universalist Church

Inside this Edition

Special Reports: Pg. 2

Sunday Worship: Pg. 3

Women’s Book Club: Pg. 4

Seeking the Waterfall: Pg. 5

Celebrations: Pg. 6

Remembrances: Pg. 7

Announcements: Pgs. 7-8

I Love April!!!

Spring—an experience in immortality. —Henry D. Thoreau

I love April. My wife’s birthday is in April (April Fools’ Day -which

suits her). Spring Break is in April, which makes for a great excuse to

take some vacation time. It’s when my teacher wife and student kids

first begin to spy summer vacation. It’s when it begins to truly become

warm (although I’m one of those that enjoys South Carolina’s July and

August heat)! But I also enjoy the showers and thunderstorms that the

month is known for. Really the only thing April has going against it is

that horrible pine pollen that paints everything yellow.

At AUUC, April is pledge month. There is nothing more glorious than

the sweet smell of generous pledges rolling in from our members and

friends! After a couple of weekends of enjoying food, drink, and

conversation at our cottage meetings; I’ve realized that there is so much

to look forward to in the future. Like enjoying more food, drink, and

conversation with our members and friends! April is our month of

promise and possibility. I just wish that somehow a little bit of April

could be bottled and saved so that we could enjoy it throughout the year.

Except for that horrible yellow pine pollen of course…

Thomas Drake

AUUC president

AUUC Mission Statement:

Working together to create a

welcoming and inclusive

community which supports

spiritual growth, ethical

living, and open-minded

exploration of religion.

We are located at:

115 Gregg Avenue

Aiken, SC.

Contact us at:

AUUC

P.O. Box 2231

Aiken, SC 29802

803-502-0404

www.aikenuuchurch.org

April 2015 Page 2

APRIL STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN

Be sure to complete your pledge form and turn it in in April

AUUC held multiple Cottage Meetings in March to give members and friends the

opportunity to actively discuss this year's stewardship campaign and participate in

strategic planning. If you attended a Cottage Meeting, you received a pledge

form at that time and you had the option of giving the form to the meeting hosts that

day. If you still have your form, you can turn it in on any Sunday morning in April

by putting it in the collection basket.

If you were not able to attend a Cottage Meeting and/or you have not yet received

your pledge form, please contact AUUC President, Thomas Drake, at

thomas@drakeflock.com / 803-644-3304 or Renee Kauffman at rdjtck@yahoo.com /

269-277-6890 to get a form. You can also make your pledge by sending either an email to president@aikenuu.org or

president-elect@aikenuu.org. You may also pledge by sending a written note with your name, address, and pledge

amount for the upcoming church year to: Aiken Unitarian Universalist Church, P.O. Box 2231. Aiken, SC 29802.

Please also feel free to include your comments and suggestions for our future here at AUUC.

Remember, our budget will be set based on pledges received. Do your part now! Thank you!

SERVICE

&

OUTREACH

Mission Statement of SOM:

To foster Compassion, Kindness and Love through Service

that builds relationships and empowers action within our

congregation, our community, and our world.

On Sunday, March 15, AUUC held its first SOM

meeting for 2015! The meeting was a vibrant and

energetic time of brainstorming. Result: Some great

ideas! We have identified 2 goals for 2015. We look

forward to sharing these with you in the near future.

Please join us for our next meeting on April 19th.

PFLAG AIKEN

On February 26th, South Carolina Equality and

PFLAG Aiken hosted a “Know Your Rights” forum

at AUUC. Alexis Stratton from South Carolina

Equality presented the program. The forum had

twenty individuals in attendance. The attendees

learned about issues related to the LGBTQI

community. This information included: Relationship

Recognition and Protection; Non-Discrimination

Policies; Safe & Just Schools; Transgender Inclusion,

and Hate Crime & Violence Prevention. Please plan

to join us at our next PFLAG meeting, Thursday,

March 27, 7 pm. PFLAG Aiken Needs You!

April 2015 Page 3

SUNDAY WORSHIP IN

APRIL

April 5th: Hang on Little Tomato!

by Thomas Drake, AUUC President

For Christians, Easter represents resurrection and eternal life. Originally a pagan holiday honoring the Saxon

goddess Eastre, it celebrated the rebirth and renewal of Spring. Sometimes, maybe, the promise of Easter

already exists.

April 12th: Sleeping with Bread: Holding What Gives You Life

by Naomi Frost-Hewitt

We Unitarian Universalists often describe ourselves as honoring questions more than answers. Might the

Examen prayer tradition of St. Ignatius help us locate a more focused direction in our lives, whether we may be

nontheist, polytheist, traditional monotheist, humanist or radical seeker?

April 19th: Lessons from Church - Forrest That Is

by Rev. Dr. Sid Gates

Rev. Dr. Sid Gates will expound on various insights of the late celebrated Unitarian minister, Dr. Forrest

Church. Dr. Church was revered in so many areas of societal debate during his career as the senior minister of

All Souls UUC in New York. The son of a progressive U.S. Senator (Frank Church), Church had a unique and

fearless voice in this country that melded spiritual principles with informed utilitarian thought. Reflecting on Dr.

Church and his work Sid offers: “Forrest Church has long been a hero of mine and hearing him preach at All

Souls in 2004 during MLK Weekend was a real thrill. Church has had a profound effect on my theology, world

view, political and societal positions, and my own sense of purpose.”

April 26th: A Journey to Membership

by Ginger Rybicki, Marcy Vernon and Renee Kauffman

A Journey to a Unitarian Universalist Membership can begin as early as birth, or it may begin during the last

years of a long and fulfilling life. Even though the journey of a UU membership does not necessarily coincide

with a human life cycle, it does have a life cycle of its own. During this service, we will explore and celebrate

the journey to membership including a new member ceremony! Come and explore where you are on this

spiritual life cycle and celebrate with others who are at the beginning of their UU journey!

April 2015 Page 4

WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB

The Women’s Book Club will meet at AUUC from 12:45 – 3:00 pm on April 11th

This Month’s Selection: The Aviator’s Wife by Melanie Benjamin

For much of her life, Anne Morrow stood in the shadows of those around her, including her millionaire father

and vibrant older sister. Then Anne, as a college senior, travels to Mexico City to spend Christmas with her

family. There she meets Colonel Charles Lindbergh, just back from his solo flight across the Atlantic.

Drawing on the rich history of the twentieth century—from the late twenties to the mid-sixties—and featuring

cameos from such notable characters as Joseph Kennedy and Amelia Earhart, The Aviator’s Wife is a vividly

imagined novel of a complicated marriage revealing both its dizzying highs and its devastating lows. With

stunning power and grace, Melanie Benjamin provides new insight into what made this remarkable

relationship endure.

Come join the discussion!

Next Month’s Pick: How Lucky You Are by Kristyn Kusek Lewis

AUUC MEMBERS MARCH IN BLACK HISOTRY PARADE!

On February 21st, members of AUUC supported Black History

Month by participating in the annual Black History parade. Sally

Evans, Sam Dack, Lynne & David Harrison, and Janeth Welch

represented AUUC in the march. Mary Miller also attended but

marched with the Democratic Women of Aiken by prior

commitment. Rev. Dr. Gaye Ortiz also attended. Unfortunately, it

was too windy for participants to use the big "Standing On The

Side of Love" banner, but the marchers did carry a smaller banner.

Sam Dack also put magnetic signs on his truck. Turnout at the

parade was good, and the crowd was enthusiastic in their response

to AUUC’s presence (lots of waving and smiling back and forth).

April 2015 Page 5

A Change in Plans, Sir? Greg Clapp

I had just boarded the train in Ottawa heading back to Toronto. My seat was in a group of four- two facing two. Just

after I sat down, a young grandmother and two children joined me. Five-year old Bradley sat next to his gran and three

and a half-year old Charlotte sat with me. Both of the children had their snack packs, and both carried their boarding

pass to show the conductor.

The train pulled out of the station. Each time the train whistle blew, Bradley would get up from his seat, call Charlotte

to the window, and count the cars waiting at the crossing. In between the whistles, both played with a toy from their

backpack.

About thirty minutes into the ride, Bradley burst into song. He very loudly and very clearly sang all the verses to

"Jesus Loves Me, This I Know." All conversation in the railway coach stopped. I love the spontaneity of children!

Two seconds after he finished, Charlotte sang out her rendition of "Jingle Bells."

It was lunchtime for me and snack time for the children. Charlotte and I started playing with the folding table to see

how many positions we could make. We finished our food. Charlotte found us a garbage bag and I then pulled out a

children’s book of silly poems and sketches. We looked through it deciding which pictures looked most like her and

her brother.

The train pulled into small town Brockville. We could see their grandfather waiting on the platform. We said our

goodbyes, and off they went. I waved to them as the train pulled out.

I was thinking about the singing and fun I had just had when the conductor stopped by my seat with a quizzical look

on his face. "Change of plans, Sir?" he questioned. I must have looked puzzled. "Your family got off, but you didn't."

I laughed. “I don’t who they were. I guess they were lent to me for an hour to make me smile. I am just returning

home after seeing how our daughter is handling her operation to remove a brain tumor. She is doing well.”

Quote of the Month:

“One of the wonders of UU church life is that the

boundaries between the sacred and the secular need not

exist. Spiritual encounters can take place anywhere.” –

Barbara Wells, UU minister

April 2015 Page 6

Angela Drake - April 1st

Arlean Tessler - April 3rd

Barbara Gregory - April 5th

Neil Miller - April 18th

Sam Dack - April 24th

Patty Labbe - April 24th

Anya Hommel - April 29th

Donald & Claire-Helene Horne - April 2nd

Tom & Sandy Brandner – April 3rd

NEW ARRIVALS

Tristian Gareth Woodward

Born 2-10-15 at 7:19 p.m.

Rowan Babcock

Parents: Ashton and Dave

Babcock

Born 2-26-15 at 7:26 p.m.

Stone Will Robinson

Parents: Bluejay and Mary Katherine

Evans

Born Feb 18 weighing 6 lbs

April 2015 Page 7

IN FOND MEMORY

Helena Schilling

We are sad to announce that Helena Schilling, a longtime member of AUUC,

died on Saturday, February 28th at the age of 94. She was born on August 9,

1920 in Brooklyn, New York, into the Jewish faith and later in life she chose

to affiliate with The Unitarian Universalist Church. In 1974, she met and

married Burt Schilling, who predeceased her. Mrs. Schilling loved to

socialize, travel, sew and play bridge. She was a talented, professional

interior designer.

Helena’s memorial service was held at the George Funeral Home on March

3rd. Members of AUUC were present to say goodbye to Helena and assisted

with the memorial. Renee Kauffman served as the primary officiant. Naomi

Frost-Hewitt did the meditation. And, Sharon Preston performed the Jewish

ritual prayers. Mrs. Schilling was interred at the Beaufort National Cemetery.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

If you are interested in either becoming a member of

AUUC or would like more information about

expectations of membership, please contact Ginger

Rybicki at naturegirl9090@gmail.com.

On Sunday, April 26TH, we will be having a New Member

Ceremony to honor those who have recently chosen to

become members at AUUC. If anyone would like to part

of this ceremony, please contact Ginger.

EASTER BREAKFAST POTLUCK & EGG HUNT

Sunday, April 5, 2015

Everyone is welcome!!

Potluck starts at 9:30 a.m.

Egg Hunt starts at 10:30 a.m.

Easter service starts at 11:00 a.m.

Plastic eggs will be provided. Take and fill as

many as you want. Remember! Kids like little

toys as much as candy. For questions, please

contact Ginger Rybicki at 803-270 2659 or

naturegirl9090@gmail.com.

IT’S TIME FOR THE AUUC YARD SALE!!

Spring is in the air and it’s time for the yard sale! The sale will take place at AUUC on May 2nd from 8:00

a.m. to 1:00 p.m. We need help with set-up and pricing on April 31st in the evening and on May 1st during the

day and in the evening. We also need donations for the sale itself! Donated items may be brought to the church

on either April 31st or May 1st. Please do not drop off donations at the church before April 31st. If you can help,

if you have a donation and need storage or if you have any questions, please contact Ginger at 803-270-2659

naturegirl9090@gmail.com.

April 2015 Page 8

AUUC’s 2nd Quarter local charity for 1/4 of collected unpledged offertory donations

PAWS to Save Them All

by Joya J. DiStefano, PAWS Servant Leader

Once we communicated with all animals as our equals, and we had great respect for all forms of life. Then, one day a

chasm began to open between the worlds of humans and animals. While the chasm was narrow, the dog pondered its

options, to stay with the humans or to go with the animals. The dog jumped with his animal friends. As the chasm

widened he jumped back and forth between the animals and the humans, unable to decide. Finally, as the last

opportunity to jump arrived, the dog took the final leap to join his fate with the humans. The cat, of course, has never

had to choose. – from a Native American legend

The Cities of Aiken and North Augusta, along with Aiken County Animal control impounded over 6,000 dogs in 2013,

and well over 5,000 in 2014. These impoundment numbers defy hopes to shelter, adopt or transfer our way to no-kill

status (+90% live release). PAWS is principally dedicated to unwanted litter prevention and well-homed pet retention,

while aggressively pursuing last-chance rescues from the public pounds, but we have begun to do a great deal more .

Palmetto Animal Welfare Services, Inc. (PAWS) is a public charity organized and directed by representatives from

many of the existing animal welfare organizations in our area. PAWS’ mission is to assist any and all animal welfare

efforts in and around Aiken County to end the unnecessary killing of companion animals. Our critical focus is on low-

cost (even no-cost) spay neuter services for qualifying households in Aiken County. Through “Heartbeats,” PAWS also

funds the board/foster, rehab and transport for heartworm positive and other unadoptable impounded dogs. PAWS

provides pet food donations to county-wide food banks and sponsors “Love on Leashes” pet therapy program serving

the ill and infirm in Aiken County.

PAWS counts on community support. PAWS seeks volunteers for transports, temporary foster care for rescue and for

disrupted households with pets. In our area, there is better than a 50:50 chance that a dog will get heartworm if it is not

on a preventive medicine all year long? How can poor folks afford that? What about help with humane confinement,

like fencing and runs? For any animal lover, there are many ways to help: money, time and in-kind resources,

networking and fundraising ideas and assistance. Phone (803) 634-1272 or 0564, or go online to

www.paws4nokill.org, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and soon in the Save Them All Report!

ACTS in APRIL

The featured food item for ACTS in April is pasta

sauce. Donations may be placed in the box in the

sanctuary. You are also welcome to make a cash

donation in lieu of a food item. Monetary donations

may be placed in the offering basket on Sundays

using an envelope marked ACTS.

YOGA WITH ACCOMMODATIONS

Starting April 7th, both the Tuesday and

the Thursday sessions of Yoga with

Accommodations will begin at 11:00

a.m. The instructor for Yoga with

Accommodations is Cate Dopson. If

you are interested in knowing more

about the class, Cate can be reached at

803-270-6144.

AIKEN UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH

115 GREGG AVENUE

AIKEN, SC

Our Seven Principles

We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote:

The inherent worth and dignity of every person;

Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;

Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;

A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;

The right of conscience & the use of the democratic process within our congregations & in society at large;

The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;

Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.