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March 11, 2018 10:30 am Guest preacher Damon Governa, M.Div. UU, AA and I Worship Associate Anne Olsen
The Open Line is published monthly by South Nassau UU Congregation, 228 S. Ocean Ave., Freeport, NY 11520, 516-623-1204, snuuc.org
Coffee: Volunteer Needed Ushers: Rosemary Olander-Beach & Andrew Spatt Board Member on Duty: Ellen Zaehringer-Gach Greeter: Membership Team & You!
March 18, 2018 10:30 am Guest preacher Hollis Huston How Did We Get Here? Worship Associate Carrie Mason-Draffen
SOUTH NASSAU UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION
March 25, 2018 10:30 am The Rev. Linda Anderson Generosity and the Art of Balance Worship Associate Meghan LaDue
This Is a Whole-Congregation Celebration!
Coffee: Potluck! Bring something tasty to share Ushers: Robin Norris & Andrew Spatt Board Member on Duty: Barbara Singer Greeter: Membership Team & You!
Balance Is the Whole-Congregation Theme for March
Harriet Arnold, religious education coordinator, [email protected]
Meghan LaDue, youth coordinator, [email protected] Lisa Bryson-Brockmann, office manager, [email protected]; the office is open 10 am to 1 pm Tuesday through Friday, and every third Monday
Board of Trustees Rosemary Olander-Beach, president, [email protected] Ken Bellafiore, vice president Risa Centenni, trustee Barbara Singer, secretary Steve Underhill, trustee Ellen Zaehringer-Gach, treasurer
March 4, 2018 10:30 am The Rev. Linda Anderson The Virtues of Excess Worship Associate Laura D’Angelo
Coffee: Volunteer Needed Ushers: Andrew Spatt & Volunteer Needed Board Member on Duty: Steve Underhill Greeter: Membership Team & You!
Coffee: Volunteer Needed Ushers: Doris Brass & Andrew Spatt Board Member on Duty: Risa Centenni Greeter: Membership Team & You!
If snow cancels Sunday’s service there will be a message on the office answering machine. Call 516-623-1204 after 8:30 am on Sunday to hear if there is a cancellation message.
SNUUC’S BREAKING NEW GROUND
Ministry Team Update
By Rosemary Olander-Beach, president, Board of Trustees
As the Board of Trustees began planning Breaking New Ground: A Creative, Collaborative Approach to Whole-
Congregation Ministry for 2017-18, a leadership model for SNUUC in this year without a half-time minister, it cre-
ated a Ministry Team to lead the congregation. The team offers a monthly update in this space, rotating authorship
among team members. In this column, I share with you plans for the 2018-19 Stewardship Campaign.
When I began pondering — OK, wracking my brain — in February about a thought or a phrase to encapsulate the mis-
sion for the congregation’s 2018-19 Stewardship Campaign, it finally dawned on me that there was no reason to rein-
vent the wheel.
“Wait. We have a wheel?” you ask. Yes! It’s called Breaking New Ground. You just read about it at the top of this
column. And if you’re a SNUUC member or friend, you’ve been living it for the past several months.
We began this congregational year without the developmental minister we had hoped to hire. Yet here we are, making
progress on our “developmental goals.” Among those goals, which the Ministry Team is tasked with helping to keep
top of mind, is to sustain and grow our financial resources. In this way, we can build capacity to expand our mission
and presence.
As Unitarian Universalists, we are financially self-sustaining. Member and friend pledges are our congregation’s larg-
est single source of income – as they should be. Good stewardship practices tell us that we should derive 90 percent of
our operating income from pledges. By that measure, SNUUC’s pledge base falls somewhat short. The question be-
comes: How can we be inspired to transform our spiritual commitment into greater financial generosity?
One way is to embody stewardship, which is different from fundraising. Stewardship is the careful and responsible
management of something entrusted to one’s care. Stewardship is a spiritual practice born of commitment and gener-
osity. Stewardship grows as our commitment deepens.
Another way we hope to unlock greater financial generosity is with a different kind of stewardship campaign. For
2018-19, we are turning to a one-on-one canvass – a departure from the past several years when we held a Covenant
Feast, a worship service with a ritual meal during which we made our financial pledges. This year member volunteers
will be making personal Calls to Stewardship on other members. At the conclusion of the campaign, we will have a
stewardship celebration.
The 2018-19 Stewardship Campaign: Breaking New Ground — With Our Pledges will be introduced during wor-
ship on March 25.
Between now and when you receive the Call to Stewardship, please consider:
Breaking New Ground — With Our Pledges can give us the wherewithal to build up the congregation, lift up
our mission in the community, grow our financial resources. Might it give us the foundation for calling a three
-quarter-time minister? Such generosity would likely open us to new ministerial options.
What would it look like if your financial pledge to the congregation broke new ground? Would it be a 10 percent
increase? Or a 40 percent increase?
Imagine how energized members of this congregation must have felt in 1956 when they were breaking (new)
ground to build our beloved building in Freeport! Can you summon that kind of generosity?
Good stewardship asks that we give from our sustenance, not our leftovers. How much of your financial suste-
nance are you willing and able to redirect so that this congregation will be here for those who come after you?
As we move through the month of March, can our whole-congregation theme of “balance” help you reframe your
generosity? When you look at how you divide your financial resources, is SNUUC appropriately treasured?
These are questions that I hope will be deeply discussed during this year’s stewardship campaign. May the ground you
break provide a firmer foundation for SNUUC.
Hopefully by now you have heard the good news that
the proposed bylaws revisions were adopted by the
congregation at our Biannual Meeting on Jan. 28.
Thank you to everyone who helped this process along!
The bylaws changes primarily bring trustees’ terms and
the election of the trustees and the Nominating Com-
mittee into line with the “congregational year” and fis-
cal year — that is, from July 1 to June 30. The adopted
revisions also extend the vice president’s and the presi-
dent’s initial terms to two years, aligning them with
those of the other officers. There were also a smattering
of housekeeping-type changes. New copies of the by-
laws are available in the pamphlet rack outside the
foyer at SNUUC.
As the year continues, you will hear more about bylaws
revisions. The board has formed a Bylaws Committee
to take a deeper look at our governing document and to
propose additional changes. The committee members
are Risa Centenni, Jay Gach and myself. In the next
few months we will announce a series of informational
sessions that will be offered to get feedback from mem-
bers and friends. The board hopes that additional revi-
sions will be ready to present to the congregation for a
vote in January 2019.
Calling all committee and ministry leaders!
Please come to the Joint Council gathering from 10:30
a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 10. You will be
glad you did!
This gathering, facilitated by the Rev. Linda Anderson,
lead Sunday minister and consultant to the board, will
focus on helping committees and ministries develop
healthy processes and navigate conflict; it will also
serve as a way for the board to “check in” with com-
mittees and ministries as we roll into the second half of
the year.
While it is the board’s job to support the work of com-
mittees and ministries by promoting healthy congrega-
tional life, the board can’t do it alone. We need a whole
congregation for that! So, if you are a committee or
ministry leader, please plan to attend this workshop.
Ministerial search update
In January, the board submitted an application to the
Unitarian Universalist Association’s Transitions Office
for a half-time developmental minister. As you may
recall, the congregation voted to pursue this path in
early 2016, and the congregation’s search for such a
minister was unsuccessful last year.
It is important to note that a search for a half-time min-
ister of any kind can be difficult, so patience in the
watchword. The board might begin hearing of potential
candidates this month — although in our experience,
half-time candidates generally become available in late
spring.
We should take comfort in knowing that if we do not
find a developmental minister, we have a vibrant,
working model for congregational leadership, called
Breaking New Ground, that could serve us for another
year.
Finding ‘balance’ won’t be hard this month Finally, I was pleased as punch when I was thinking
about our 2018-19 Stewardship Campaign to learn that
the monthly whole-congregation theme for March is
“balance”!
How many of us struggle to find “balance” in our lives?
We want work-life “balance”; we want our “books to
balance”; organizing our lives has become “a balancing
act”; important, life-changing decisions seem to leave
our lives “hanging in the balance”; as champions of
democracy, we’re extremely interested in the “balance
of power”; and while we might not mind throwing
someone else “off balance,” we try to avoid the same
with ourselves.
Our 2018-19 Stewardship Campaign: Breaking New
Ground will launch on March 25. Curious? Please read
the Ministry Team Update on the previous page.
With gratitude,
Rosemary Olander-Beach, president, Board of Trustees
Correction: The February Boardwalk column incor-
rectly referred to the Rev. Dr. Linda Anderson’s role at
SNUUC. The Rev. Anderson is the lead Sunday minis-
ter and consultant to the board.
Senior Youth group, Benjamin Sekreta, left, Kayla
Crowder and Max Benson are all smiles following their
insightful and moving service at SNUUC on Feb. 11.
Their service was titled How Will We Choose to Persevere?
Longtime member Ken Lawson has moved to upstate New York to live with his daughter, Joyce Randall. A mem-ory book, consisting of 8 ½-by-11 pages created by SNUUC members and friends, was presented to him on Tuesday, Feb. 20, before he departed from Long Island the next day. Many thanks to all who participated in this fare-well gift to Ken. It takes a congregation to make something this special! If you intended to make a page for Ken’s book and/or make a financial donation to SNUUC in Ken’s honor, you can still do so. Supplies for the book and a donation box will be available at SNUUC through mid-March. We will mail additional pages to him at his new address: 7031 River Road, Mount Morris, NY 14510.
Enjoy "Stories and Songs" from the Irish Tradition dur-ing the month of March with Jim Hawkins. Check his web-site, jimhawkinsirishstory.com, for dates, locations and times. Please come up and say hello after the show! Jim and his partner, Greg Ryan, will be playing traditional Irish music and ballads at Kitty O'Hara's pub and restaurant on Merrick Rd in Baldwin on March 17 from 4 to 8. The food is good, the pints are tasty and the chat is always fun!
SNUUC committees meet regularly and welcome attendance at their meetings even if you are not a mem-ber of the committee. Speak with a board member if you would like to learn more about serving.
The Membership Team will meet on Sunday, March 4, at 9 am in the Minister’s office. Contact committee mem-ber Julie Buckley at [email protected] for info.
The Thrift Shop Committee will meet on Sunday,
March 11, at noon. Please speak with Anne Olsen, [email protected] or Bobby Granoff [email protected] to find out more about this committee.
The Social Action Committee is scheduled to meet on
Tuesday, March 13, at 6:30 pm in the RE wing.
The Board of Trustees will meet on Wednesday, March
14, at 7 pm in the foyer.
The RE Committee will meet Sunday, March 18, at noon
in the Brantley Wing. Speak with Sharon Pataky, commit-tee chair, for more information, [email protected].
We Love Coffee Hour Won’t You Help Make It Happen?
Thank you to all who have signed up to serve re-freshments at our Coffee hour after the service on Sunday mornings! More volunteers are needed. It does not have to be elaborate: Just bring a half-gallon of
milk and come at 10 am and make coffee. Any additional snacks are simply a nice treat! Ask a friend or a new member to do it with you. Committees are asked to do coffee hour as a group; this is a wonderful opportunity to publicize who they are and what they do. Also watch for “potluck" Sundays, the last Sunday of the month, when you can bring something tasty to share. Please choose a date to serve coffee and sign up on the sheet in the foyer or contact Nancy Levy, [email protected] Thank you!
Doris Brass poses for a photo after worship Feb. 18 with Abby Parker’s children, Neal Parker and Margaret Mihori. A former longtime member, Abby died Dec. 28. Neal and Margaret were warmly greeted by members who remem-ber their mom.
Health Fair The Caring Team is hosting a Health Fair on Sun-day, April 8, from 12:30 to 3:30 pm. We look for-
ward to everyone welcoming the larger community to SNUUC that day. The theme is Wellness and Preven-tion Education; a wide variety of information and speak-ers will be here. Some of the presenters are: Commu-nity Support Services, Holistic Health, Free Blood Pres-sure Screenings, Women’s Health, Children’s Mental Health and Hospice Care. Admission is free, healthy refreshments will be provided.
The Caring Team continues to support the con-
gregation in simple, meaningful ways. Doris Brass coordinates rides for people. JoAnn Fassman sends
out cards to members or friends on behalf of the con-gregation to offer support, or to celebrate a milestone. Rosemary Olander-Beach facilitates the sharing of joys and sorrows from the pulpit. Please send the Joys and Concerns you would like announced at the Sunday ser-vice by the previous Thursday morning. The telephone numbers for ministry team leaders can be found in the SNUUC directory or by calling the office at 516 623-1204. If you or a member you know needs compas-sionate help during a time of stress or would like to share during a time of celebration, please contact a ministry team leader listed here or email [email protected]. You may also contact the Rev. Will Feinberg, consultant to the Caring Team.
Compassionate Communication - Based on Marshall Rosenberg’s book “Nonviolent Com-
munication – a language of life,” the compassionate com-munication practice group meets on Saturday mornings in the foyer for 13 weeks every spring and fall to learn and practice Rosenberg’s process of listening empathi-cally and speaking honestly. Since the group began in 2005, close to 100 people have participated in at least one 13-week series and many have chosen to continue year after year. To learn more contact Anne Olsen, [email protected], or Barbara Singer, [email protected],
Wake up a little earlier on Saturday and join the Meditation Group (aka the South
Ocean Sangha). Our group practice meets at 9 am Satur-days in the Brantley Wing. This group is open to begin-ners. All you need to do is take a seat. For more info please contact Brian Larkin, [email protected]
SNUUC’s drumming ministry, the DrUUmatics, practices Thursdays at 6:30
pm in the Brantley Wing. Find more information on their website, www.druumatics.org, or find the DrUUmatics on Facebook. Speak with Sharon Pataky or Laura D’Angelo for more information.
The Working with Jesus Group meets on the second, third and fourth Sundays of the month, at
9:15 am in the Brantley Wing. If you’re interested in read-ing the Bible and other source books, and conducting a respectful, open, nondogmatic discussion about Jesus and our lives as Unitarian Universalists, please join us. Speak with Bob McGough [email protected].
Join us every other Tuesday, 10:30 am to 12 noon in the foyer for
a study of one prayer from the sacred literature of the world. We work with a process called lectio divina. This practice of scriptural reading, meditation and prayer in-tends to promote communion with our spiritual reservoir. The goal is to enter and share in the spirit of the prayer and its meaning rather than an analytical reading. Of equal importance is the sharing of joys and concerns. We will meet on March 13 and alternate Tuesdays thereafter.
The Women's Journaling group began in May 2017 when several women met to work
with the book Life's Companion - Journal Writing as a Spiritual Practice. An inspiring quote from the first chap-ter of this book says, "...we come together for community and connection....We join writing groups because we are looking for safety and freedom--the freedom to be who we are without pretensions or alibis, and the feeling of being safe in expressing who we are." -- Judy Reeves, Writing Alone, Writing Together. The women continue to meet, usually on the first Wednesday of the month, from 1:30-3:15 pm in the Brantley Wing. They welcome new members. For more information speak with Barbara Singer, [email protected] or Anne Olsen, [email protected].
Pilates classes at SNUUC take place on Mon-
days 4:30-5:30 pm and Wednesdays 5:30-6:30 pm, only $12 per class - no contracts to sign, no commit-ment, just come and stretch! Questions? Please speak with Lori at [email protected].
Spontaneity, Creativity, Fun! Improv classes continue at SNUUC on Sundays, 2-4pm
(beginners), 4-6pm (experienced). Cost is $125 for 5 classes. For more info, go to http://longislandimprov.com/
Linda Cucurullo offers a weekly series of Monday morning yoga classes at 9 am in
the foyer. These classes are aimed at developing strength, balance, and flexibility while building a gentle environment in which to practice and grow. The cost for the 6-week series is $75 ($60 to Linda and $15 to SNUUC). Please contact Anne Olsen at [email protected] if you would like to join.
Are you up for a night of drumming and dancing? The Rhythm Jam Drum
Circle, which ran for 5 years in Rockville Centre, now meets at SNUUC. Interfaith Minister, Rev. Tracy Hamil-ton, leads the circle the last Saturday of every month, March 31, at 8 pm in the foyer. The cost is $10 for teens and adults and $5 for kids 5 to 12 years old. 30% of the proceeds will go to SNUUC.
Spiritual Arts and Practices
Affiliated Programs
The SNUUC Mothers' Center is back this Spring with an exciting new discussion topic, Married Single Mom. Do you have a partner but sometimes feel like you’re doing it all solo? Come share or just listen. Meetings are on Tuesdays, March 6, 13 and 20, from 7:30-9 pm in the Brantley Wing.
Do you have clothes that your kids out-grew that need a new home? Come to the Spring Clothing Swap on Saturday, March 17, 10:30-2 pm in the Brantley Wing. Parents are encouraged to bring their clean gently used clothes. Donate what your child has grown out of and you're welcome to take what you need for the next season or size. If you don't have clothes to donate, you can still come and accept clothes! We're taking infant clothes up to size 16. In addition to clothes, we will accept clean toys. No stuffed animals please. Leftovers from the swap will be donated to the SNUUC Thrift Shop.
The Mother’s Center is a support network for mothers. We welcome moms of teenagers and tots, first timers and multiples. At each meeting we connect on the joys and challenges of motherhood and support each other through our own journey. The discussion is facilitated on a topic focused on moms and their needs. Childcare is not provided but children are welcome to come. Speak with Virginia Lawther for more information, [email protected]
In the RE Wing
The best and safest thing is to keep a balance in your life, acknowledge the great powers around us and in us. If you can do that, and live that way, you are really a wise man. Euripides
This month we present images instead of words for our March theme of balance and show the wisdom of some of our UU youngsters as they demonstrate their ability to balance, focus and enjoy themselves.
AJ Lawther
Kira Centenni
Perri Itts Gagliano
Kayla Crowder
Noah Dzienius Benjamin Sekreta
Bea Musto
Lorenzo Hilliard
Harriet Arnold, Religious Education Coordinator
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The mission of the South Nassau Unitarian Universalist Congregation is to provide a sanctuary
of beauty and harmony where: We search in freedom for meaning and truth; we draw inspiration
from many religious and philosophical sources while acknowledging the Judeo-Christian heritage of
Unitarian Universalism; we embrace diversity and welcome people of all ages, races, and
orientations; we affirm that our children and youth are an integral and important part of our religious
family; we strive toward a social awareness that leads to transformative action in our community
and to living in balance with the environment. Ours is a nurturing congregation where children and
adults find acceptance and fellowship, feel empowered and grow spiritually.
SNUUC South Nassau
Unitarian Universalist Congregation
228 South Ocean Avenue
Freeport, NY 11520
Joint Council gathering10:30 am to 1:30 pm, Saturday, March 10.
Shopping online? Click through amazon.snuuc.org
SNUUC gets 4-10% of your Amazon purchase.
It’s easy and doesn’t cost you a penny more!
Our Unitarian Thrift Shop at 22 W. Merrick Rd. is
a great place to volunteer, donate or shop!
The shop is open Monday and Tuesday from 10 am to 1 pm and
Wednesday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.
