Upcoming Events at UUFR

Dear Friends,

Those of you who were at UUFR last Sunday were a part of something transformational. Some of it happened during the 11:00 service – I have never had a response like that to a sermon! Another part of it happened during the Red Cross Blood Drive where we gave 59 pints of blood -- far more than was anticipated. And much of it happened afterwards, in the stories of teachers and parents who are saddened (and even frightened) about what is happening in our schools.

But the reason I believe that Sunday was transformational is that I believe that the events of last Sunday gave us a glimpse of what we might become as a spiritual community and how we could truly serve Raleigh and Wake County in so many ways – through prophetic witness, social action, with passion and joy and (sometimes) literally giving our life’s blood for those who need it. We have enormous potential, and I believe that this is time we have been waiting for -- and as the saying goes, we are the ones we’ve been waiting for as well!

And I also firmly believe that UUFR must be a safe place – safe not only for the teachers and others who are so deeply concerned about what is going on around them, but also safe for those who may have honest disagreements with the strong words I spoke last Sunday. I will stand by my words, but I also welcome hearing from those members and friends who feel differently.

I will be touching on the issue again this coming Sunday, in a humorous and indirect way during the 9:30 Together service and the 11:00 Story for All Ages – and then we will move on to other things. The following Sunday I plan to take a hard look at economic diversity, both in Raleigh/Wake County and within our own congregation as well. And on the last Sunday of the month, March 28th, the national Moderator of the UUA, Gini Courter, will lead the Sunday worship with me.

This is a good time to come to church, to bring a friend, and to be a part of a truly transformative experience!

With Faith and Joy,
Tom

p.s. If you missed it on Sunday, read my March 7 sermon here.

Thursday, March 11th
7:15 p.m. -- UUFR Choir Rehearsal
Sanctuary

Friday, March 12th
6:15 p.m. -- Second Friday Potluck and Friday Folkie Forum
Don’t miss our once monthly Friday Potluck this Friday in Clara Barton at 6:15 p.m. As always, bring a dish to share. All are welcome! After the food, come, bring your songbooks, voices, and instruments for an informal evening of fellowship and music beginning around 7:00. It's a great, low-budget evening!

Saturday, March 13th
9:30 a.m. (in Apex) -- Family Trip to NC Zoo in Asheboro
This is a great zoo and a good time to visit (before it gets too hot and the animals hide in the shade). We'll carpool or caravan from the Lifestyle Family Fitness parking lot in Apex at 1040 Vision Dr, just off Hwy 55, 1 block north of US 64 (behind KFC). To RSVP or for help with directions contact Chris Breivogel at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . For more information on other family activities, visit groups.yahoo.com/group/UUFRFamily

Sunday, March 14th
(don't forget to pick up your Silent Auction catalog and register for child care today -- the auction is on March 27th!)
9:30 a.m. — Adult Discussion Group:
Who/What is on our Supreme Court? Video clips from Bill Moyer’s Journal exploring the Supreme Court's decision regarding campaign finance reform.
9:30 a.m. -- Together Worship
"St. Patrick and the Snakes," with Rev. Tom Rhodes. Please note that we will also have a conversation about how we can enrich our 9:30 time together and attract more people to worship at this time.
11:00 a.m. -- Traditional Service:
"Driving Out The Snakes: Celtic Spirituality Redefined" Kate Dennis and Friends
St. Patrick was instrumental in the successful conversion of the Irish to the Christian faith-or was he? Today we're going to explore what happened to the 'snakes' -- those practicing pre-Christian spirituality - and how that translates to the popular interest in Celtic Spirituality today. Rev. Tom offers a funny and poignant Story for All Ages
12:15 p.m. -- UUFR Young Adults
Between the ages of 18 and 35 in age or in spirit? Join the Young Adults after the 11:00 service for a potluck lunch in the Clara Barton Room of Peace Hall. If you don't have a dish, you can pick something up at Whole Foods and join us -- and visitors are definitely invited!
7:00 p.m. -- Mom’s Night Out Extravaganza
Join UUFR Moms for a “create the calendar” night when we’ll build a year’s worth of future Moms' Night Out. After brainstorming over snacks & drinks, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up for a month to host or organize. We’ll plan beach trips, contra dancing, and more. Join us on Sunday, March 14th at 7 p.m. at Jenian Gebeaux's house (130 Barclay Valley Dr. Cary). If you wish, bring a drink or munchies to share with the group. Email Jenian Gebeaux at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Tuesday, March 16th
7:00 p.m. -- UUFR Young Adults: Going Bowling!
This Tuesday we're going bowling at The Alley (formerly Western Lanes, at 2512 Hillsborough St. in Raleigh). E-mail Emily at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information. Hope to see you soon!

Wednesday, March 17th
6:15 p.m. -- Wednesday Night Dinner
Join us on March 17th for dinner catered by Baba Ghannouj. The menu includes chicken curry with rice, spinach, chickpeas with tomatoes, salad, hummus, pita bread, and dessert. The line opens at 6:15 p.m. Please sign up in the foyer by 12:30 on Sunday or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by 5 p.m. on Monday.
7:00 p.m. -- Introduction To UUism Class
The next session on the introduction to Unitarian Universalism and UUFR will take place on two Wednesday evenings, March 17 and 24, in the Emerson room in Peace Hall from 7-9 p.m. The sessions will explore our individual religious journeys and hopes, our religious beliefs, past, present and future; UU principles and history, and the organization and activities at UUFR. The sign-up sheet is on the welcome table upstairs in the Sanctuary foyer. Contact Bob Butler at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with questions. Childcare is provided!

Thursday, March 18th
10:30 a.m. -- Fellowship Friends Film and Potluck
On March 18 we will view The World’s Fastest Indian — based on a true story of a 67 year old New Zealander, Burt Munro (Anthony Hopkins), who flies across the Bonneville Salt Flats into the record books to set records on his customized Indian Scout Motorcycle. Bring a dish to share for our potluck. Clara Barton Room at 10:30. For more information contact, Barbara Michos at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Saturday, March 20th
9:00 a.m. -- Raleigh Ramblers help spice up Peace Hall for our children and youth, and ourselves! This project runs from 9 am - 1 pm. Contact: Karen Goldfarb (467-3195 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).
9:00 a.m. -- Men’s Breakfast
If you haven't attended one of our monthly breakfasts, it's a great way to connect with other men. At our next breakfast we'll have a short check-in about what's been going on in our lives, and then we'll share "Who were your mentors or heroes when you were growing up?" Later in the year we plan on having a couple of group activities outside of the breakfast. Breakfast is from 9:00 - 11:00 in Founders Hall. Please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you plan to attend so that we know how many bagels to bring.

Sunday, March 21st
9:30 a.m. — Adult Discussion Group:
Video clips from Bill Moyer’s Journal with Greg Mortenson, author of Three Cups of Tea, who argues that there's a better path to peace than weapons: building schools and nurturing local communities.
9:30 a.m. -- Together Worship with Eric Kaminetzky
11:00 a.m. -- Traditional Service: "Living on the Edge," with Rev. Tom Rhodes
Last Sunday's service (3/7) was direct and hard-hitting. This Sunday Rev. Tom returns with an equally compelling story about a family who is "living on the edge" in his own neighborhood, and more questions about what it really means for us to be a diverse community -- in our own spiritual home as well as our society.
7:00 p.m. -- Intergen Spring Equinox Service
Ostara is a pre-Christian celebration focusing on the return of Spring and the awakening of the Earth after the long Winter. Many of its attributes were adapted and re-imaged by the early Christian Church and incorporated into the celebration of Easter — bunnies, eggs, and spring flowers. The Worship Committee and Terra Sancta Circle will be hosting an intergenerational celebration of the Spring Equinox on Sunday, March 21 at 7 p.m. with music and ritual/service. A reception with goodies will follow. Donations gratefully accepted, but optional. Come as you are!

Coming Up soon:

Tuesday, March 23rd
Reverend Morrison-Reed to speak at UUFR
The Reverend Mark Morrison-Reed can shed a unique light on the persistent question of race in America. A Unitarian-Universalist minister, Reverend Morrison-Reed is the author of three books, including his latest, In Between: Memoir of an Integration Baby. He has been a janitor, waiter, dish-washer, community organizer, teacher, security guard, assistant manager, thinker, parish minister, leader, writer, speaker, and groundbreaker. He is someone you want to hear. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. and a book signing and reception will follow.

Saturday, March 27th
UUFR's Silent Auction and Dinner
Save Saturday evening, March 27, for a fun evening at the Silent Auction. The auction already has over 100 items, including dishes, paintings, embroidery, art items, jewelry, a weekend in Blowing Rock, a women's weekend at Smith Mountain Lake, a Monkey Joe's party for up to 24 kids - and the list goes on and on. You can pick up Part I of the Silent Auction catalog on Sunday and start planning your bidding.

Dinner will include barbecue chicken, salads, and cornbread, as well as wonderful desserts homemade by UUFR cooks. Please purchase your dinner tickets by Monday, March 22, so that we can plan for enough food. Dinner is at 6:00 p.m.

We need many volunteers, so please sign up to help with room setup, dinner setup, check in, cashiering, and take down at the end of the evening. Finally, for all parents -- the deadline for free childcare signup is today - sign up on the auction table in Founders Hall lobby. Questions? Contact Pat Ward.

Please Note:
If you have received this e-mail in error or no longer wish to receive communications from us, please e-mail Jenny Buckman at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Thanks!