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Nature Coast UnitarianUniversalist (NCUU) NewsNature Coast Unitarian Universalists7633 N. Florida Ave (Hwy 41)Citrus Springs, FL 34434352-465-4225Website: http://www.ncuu.orgMarch, 2020President’s MessageSometimes people ask me what I do when Imeditate. I read one of Pema Chodron'steachings in her book "Comfortable withUncertainty", and practice her meditativemethod. So I will relay part of her teachings. It’scalled ‘On the Spot Equanimity Practice.’ Whilewalking down the street with the intention ofstaying awake as possible to whomever wemeet. This is training in being emotionallyhonest with ourselves and becoming moreavailable to others. As we pass people wesimply notice whether we open up or shut down.We notice if aversion, or indifference, withoutadding anything extra like self-judgment. Wemight feel compassion toward someone wholooks depressed, or cheered up by someonewho's smiling to himself. We might feel fear andaversion for another person without evenknowing why. Notice where we open up andwhere shut down- without blame or praise-is thebasic of our practice. Practicing this way for evenone block of a city street can be an eye-opener.We can take the practice even further by usingwhat comes up as basis for empathy andunderstanding. Our own closedfeelings like fear or revulsion thus become anopportunity to remember that others getcaught this way. Our open states likefriendliness and delight can connect us verypersonally with the people that we pass on thestreets. Either way, we are stretching ourhearts.The long and short of what she saying is beaware of what is going on around us on a dailybasis. Be in the moment where ever you are.Thanks for all you do,Rob
SUNDAY SERVICE3/1/20 Speaker: Cathy DeWittBackground: Well-versed in many musical genres,Cathy DeWitt is an award-winningsinger/songwriter, pianist, guitarist, and harptherapist. She has been a Unity Music Director andtouring New Thought musician for over twentyyears, working with Revs. Sharon Connor, MarciahMcCartney, Peggy Hostetler, and more. She hasbeen a guest musician and speaker at churches,spiritual retreats and events throughout thecountry. She has been an activist for environmentaland human rights causes for many years, playingand writing songs for Save Our Springs, Veterans forPeace, Civic Media Center, Stetson KennedyFoundation, and many other organizations andgroups. Her songs and recordings have won awardsin Songwriting, Composition and Jazz Performancein national and international contests. She is thesenior Musician in Residence for Shands Arts inMedicine, having started the music program theretwenty years ago, and gives talks and workshopsthroughout the country on music and healing.3/8/19 Speaker: Bob BennerBackground:Bob and wife Jean travelback and forth to Florida during the wintermonths. They leave a hectic lifestyle for onethat is more linear and relaxing, working onprojects, reading, planning and enjoying fewphone calls, intrusions or you ‘shoulds’.Bob has had many hats and loves tryingunfamiliar options. His latest venture isworking up a Model TT, (Model T truck), foruse on and around their homestead on LongIsland. (Don’t get him started!)BA from Drew University, MA from NYU,Farmer, 43 years, educator, 60 years. Livesorganically as life presents itself.Topic: “Group Participation”Summary: (Getting to know you, 2) Our worldis changing. Rapidly!I’d like to probe the congregation ondevelopments that you feel have changedyour world in your lifetime. After somediscussion, we’ll look into what possibilitiesTopic: “Music of Women”the future might bring.Potential themes: Life expectancy, travel,Summary: Celebrating Women’s History Month,communication, wage equity, race,we will present a program of Women’s in Music.population, prices, education, immigration,Women have always used music as a way toguns, drugs, incarceration, leisure time,express their love, give people a way to grieve, andcursive, workplace, shopping, games, birthconnect with a higher realm. From singing lullabiescontrol, garbage, climate, parenting, religion,for babies to leading church choirs, from memorialstrade, conflicts, politics, water, marriage,and tributes to political movements, women’sinternet, food, tattoos, music, terrorism,voices have led the way in emotional musicaldating, transportation, space, family.expression. And their generosity of spirit in sharingtheir art is boundless. Just ask Sally! From my ownpersonal story, I’ve always felt a responsibility touse my talent for good, to create community andhope with music whenever I can.
3/15/20 Speaker: Rev. Phil Schulman3/22/20 Speaker: Lynne WestmorelandBackground: A life-long ecology, peace and justiceactivist, Rev. Schulman has participated in numerouscampaigns for civil and human rights of mentalhealth consumers, survivors and x-patients. Aftergraduating Star King UU Seminary in1989, heworked as an Addictions Counselor, creating a"Spirituality Assessment" that won praise from theJoint Commission for Accreditation of Hospitals. In‘98, he directed one of the nation's first "CrisisAlternative Programs" to reduce the use of forceand violence in mental health crisis response. Since2000, he has served as Minister to congregations inCal., NJ, St. John USVI, San Antonio and Houston TX.He coordinated a project that through the GreenSanctuary Program with 35 congregations plantingapproximately 3,500 trees. As Guest Minister andUUA consultant Phillip has facilitated “NonviolentCommunication" to UU leadership.Background: Lynne Westmoreland grew upas a Southern Baptist and is still in recovery.One of the gods that saved her in her originalalcoholic family was music. She taught pianoand was a professional pianist andaccompanist for 30 years, mostly in the D.C.area. Her encore career is in humaneeducation which examines theintersectionality of human rights, animalprotection, environmental responsibility andstewardship, and how media and cultureoften collude to entice us to live contrary toour most deeply held values. Lynnecompleted training as an end of life doula lastJuly and will be working toward certificationin that field when she returns to NY in thespring.Topic: “God’s Pronoun is They”Topic: “Salvation, Evolution and all that Jazz; UU acontemporary expression of a fundamentallySummary:We tend to limit ourhuman endeavor”conception of God to a much smaller versionof that mystery than is possibly true. In ourbinary culture of either/or, black/white,male/female, right/wrong, war/peace,love/hate, we lose all of the beautiful shadesand layers of this life manifested in us here onearth. Young people are beginning to identifythemselves with pronouns and fluid identitiesthat are probably much more appropriate tothe fullness of an individual. And we are each,as individuals, legion - containing manyemerging and remembered personas. If we ashumans are so complex and evolving, thencan God be simplified to a He or She,nurturing or punitive, all powerful butallowing such earthly suffering? How mightGod, when interviewed, describe the fullnessof being “the name whose radiance makes thespheres to dance”.
3/29/20 Speaker: Gaia and Kurtland DaviesBackground: At 75 and 80, Gaia and KurtlandDavies are surprised to find themselves still asking,“What do I want to be when I grow up?” Our bodiesmay be slowing down a bit, although Kurtland stillplays tennis 3 times a week and spends everyTuesday morning weeding, trimming and haulingtrash out of the natural woodland hammock at ourUU and Gaia manages to work out a few times aweek. And it seems sometimes that our brains aregetting so full that every time we put something in,something else has to fall out. But our willingnessto keep on learning is stronger than ever. Wecontinue exploring new paths and doing our work ofservice and remembering to play a bit along theway.Topic: “Escaping the Boxes of Life”Summary: Forty years ago, in the popular bookThe Three Boxes of Life, Richard Bolles suggestedthat as we move through stages of life, society triesto trap us into specific limited experiences. In youthwe must study and learn. As adults we have to workhard. And when we become elders, we are allowedto retire and play. We know, of course, that wemust make room for all these experiencesthroughout all the stages of our lives. But how weplay, learn and work changes over our lifespan. Aselders, how will we find work, play and learning thatfit who we want to be as we move toward the endof our lives? How can we escape the boxes of lifeand move on to our journey inward to the heart?
NCUU Board of DirectorsPresidentVice-PresidentClerkDirectorsRob DeRemerConnie HartJean McCauleyTom Hibberd, Bree Hill, Shirley Leonard, Linda Myers, Pam Ricker andSheila WoodsNCUU CommitteesAudio/VisualBuildingCalendarCaring CommitteeChoir DirectorDenominational AffairsFacebookFinanceGroundsLibrarianLong Range PlanningMembershipMusicNewsletterNominating us EducationSocial ActivitiesSocial JusticeSunday ServiceTreasurerWebsiteGordon HartMatthew Ciszewski and John ComerGordon HartConnie Hart, Abby MadeirosSally Smith-AdamsAvailableJohn Comer and Connie HartAvailableBree HillTom HibberdBob MadeirosHolly AlexanderSally Smith-AdamsAmy HaikenJudy Capone, Jeanne Wright and Peter FreemanGordon HartConnie Hart, Sally Smith-Adams, Sheila WoodsAvailableMatthew Ciszewski and John ComerAvailableAvailableDon WrightPam RickerJohn ComerGordon Hart, Amy HaikenBoard of DirectorsOur Board meeting is Monday, March 9th (Second Monday of the month) at 10:30 AM.If you want to place an item on the Board agenda, please send it to the clerk, Jean McCauley, about aweek in advance.
Announcements and NewsSt Patrick’s Day LuncheonMarch BirthdaysThe NCUU Social Activities Committee announcesIf Your Birthday Is In March,And Your Name Is Not On Thisits plans for their annual St. Patrick's corned beefList, Please Notify The Editor:and cabbage luncheon. It is scheduled for MarchAhaiken@Yahoo.Com. Birthdays Will Be15, right after the service.Celebrated The First Sunday Of Each MonthAcknowledging All Birthdays.It features a generous portion of corned beef,cabbage, potatoes, carrots, rutabaga, and onions.There will be bread, butter, dessert, andbeverage, all for only 10 a plate.Take home containers are available.Be sure to mark your calendars and sign the signup sheet for this amazing, annual event.Sorry, no shepherd's pie this year.Pam and MattCharlotte Langlely A. Rob DeremerHolly AlexanderPeg GotzJohn RushongJean McCauleyNewsletter DeadlinePlease Remember That The Deadline For TheNext Newsletter Is March 22 2020. PleaseAdhere To This Deadline, Otherwise TheNewsletter And Website Won’t Be UpdatedOn-Time. Send To: Ahaiken@Yahoo.Com AndPut ‘For Newsletter’ In The Subject Line.Service Leader TrainingThere will be a Service Leader Training onSaturday March 14 and again on Thursday March19 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm each day. If youare interested in becoming a service leaderplease plan to attend one of these sessions.Contact Jean McCauley atjeaniebeaniencuu@yahoo.com for moreinformation.Social Service Help LineWellcare, A Health Insurance Company, Has Set UpA Help Line For Social Services. If You NeedAssistance, Call 1-866-775-2192.Send Sunday Morning Announcements To:Contactncuu@Gmail.Com With ForAnnouncements In The Subject Line. DeadlineIs The Friday Before Sunday Service.
“Share the Plate”to be Initiated by NCUUPlease Join Us On A Committee. HelpNeeded!NCUU Needs Your Help And Assistance,Especially If You Don’t Presently Serve On AnyCommittees. Every Little Bit Helps, So.Please Talk To A Bod Member Of CommitteeChairperson About Your Interests In Joining InThe Work Of Our Congregation.On the second Sunday of each month we willtake a second offering that will be donated toa different local charity every month. Charitieswill be selected by the Social JusticeCommittee. “Share the Plate” is practiced bymany UU fellowships, suggested andsanctioned by the UUA, and will promoteUnitarian Universalists have been part ofmore visibility in our community.every movement in US history, and we areready to show up for the 2020 election likenever before. Our forebears and ancestorsGrounds & Gardens Daygave us the blueprints for seeking justice inthe world and speaking truth to power.The First Friday of every month is Grounds &Gardens Day at NCUU.Do you like to work outside in the yard andgarden? Whether weeding, trimming, planting,raking, the NCUU Yard and Garden Crew alwaysneeds help. Please come Friday morning.Bree Hill and others are usually there by sun up.(The rest of us usually are not.) We're normally doneby 10:30 - 11:00.Sally Smith-AdamsPress the control key and click on the image toview the following video.
Community ConnectionsCommunity Connections will now be available on theNCUU.org website!As a Member, do you have events that you areinvolved in to share with others who visit ourwebsite?Please email Amy at ahaiken@yahoo.com with yourevent or notice. Be sure to include the day, date,time and location.These notices can include volunteering, performing,receiving awards and joining or watching sportingevents. Please avoid adding events that are duringour Sunday services or promote a political candidate.She will add the events to the website once a week.If you would like to inform others of things you areinvolved in that others may like to join or attend,please let Amy know two weeks before the event oractivity if possible. Keep in mind that all visitors tothe website will be able to see these activities andevents.Let’s Connect!Wildlife Club MeetingReminder The Wildlife Club’s Next Meeting IsMarch 24, 2020, 7:00pm, At The Nature CoastUnitarian Universalists (NCUU) Fellowship.The guest speaker will be Sue Silber, fromNature World Rescue, who will be doing apresentation about rescue procedures andstories. She will tell how they helped andgeneral information about some local rescues.Door Prize - 50/50 Drawing -Free WildlifeHandouts And Refreshments.For More Wildlife Club Information Contact:Brenda L. Roberts, Wildlife Club PresidentBlr768@Tampabay.Rr.Com(352)746-2384Thanks To All - BrendaConnie Hart, Vice PresidentWireless amplifying headphones are nowavailable at the rear of the sanctuary. SeeGordon Hart for assistance on Sundays.Social Activities CommitteeThe Social Activities Committee is in need ofvolunteers to help plan potlucks and other funevents, bring goodies for after services andtake turns cleaning up the kitchen after coffeeand discussion. Please make sure you thankMatthew C and Pam R as well as severalothers for their services. Contact Pam orMatthew if you can help in any way even 1Sunday a month. Thank you!
New MembersCarole GoodwinCarole Goodwin was born in California toparents serving in the U.S.Navy, but grew up andlived most of her adult life near Chicago. Shegraduated from University of Illinois and earneda Ph.D in Sociology from the University ofChicago. After a few years of teaching, shedecided to follow a long held dream of owning abookstore, which she operated for 19 years.After closing the bookstore, she worked invarious positions at Replogle Globes, Inc., amanufacturer of geographic globes, retiring in2009. In 2011, when same-sex marriage hadbecome legal in Illinois, she and her partnerRenee DeMar were married. In 2016, afterseveral years of being snowbirds, Carole andRenee made Inverness their permanent home.They enjoy camping and other outdooràctivities. Carole is an avid fan of the blues andplays guitar a little. She was drawn to NCUUbecause she found a good “fit” in the warm,open, and spirited character of this Fellowship aswell as the seven UU principles.Art JonesArt Jones is the founder and president of OneRake at a Time Inc., a nonprofit that physicallyremoves Lyngbya algae, Hydrilla and otherinvasive weeds clogging up our springs andreplanting native eel grass.
Special Announcement - UUAHello! My name is Davis Senseman and I am honored to be supporting the important work ofUU the Vote by providing legal counsel regarding how congregations can engage in bold,effective electoral work fully within your rights and IRS status as 501c3 religious organizations.I’m collaborating with the #UUTheVote team to provide comprehensive guidance around theissue throughout the campaign.Here are four key questions that we’ve already heard from several congregational leaders:Question 1: Can we openly preach, teach, or act about being opposed to war, orsupporting the Green New Deal? Have these become partisan issues?Response: YES YOU CAN. Unless you are persuading people to vote for/against aspecific candidate, you are absolutely allowed to take a definitive stance on issues,including issues regarding actions of the current administration. Opposition to war,combating climate change, resisting oppression in all forms—these are foundationalUU beliefs.They can and should be at the center of sermons and congregationalwork.Question 2: Can we partner with an organization if they are not a 501(c)3?Response: YES YOU CAN. Congregations can partner with c(4) organizations orunions to carry out charitable, nonpartisan activities consistent with the church’s501(c)3 status and mission. For UU congregations, that includes activitiesadvocating for foundational UU beliefs.Question 3: Can Individuals from the congregation (especially the minister) publiclyendorse candidates?Response: YES THEY CAN. So long as the individual is not speaking at an officialchurch function, in an official church publication, or otherwise using the church’sassets, and does not claim to speak as a representative of the church, they are freeto endorse and speak publicly on behalf of any candidate.
Question 4: Can we ever host partisan activities in the congregation?Response: YES YOU CAN, as long as the event is consistent with pre-existing spaceuse policies (i.e. - you don’t charge for space use and aren’t charging the folksholding the partisan event, or you only allow groups invited by a member to use thebuilding). Furthermore, your policies can include a requirement that any groupusing the space hold similar values to UU principles to avoid having to host groupswhose partisan activities are contrary to UU beliefs.The UU the Vote team is here for your questions and looks forward to helping all UUcongregations engage in prophetic, nonpartisan work in support of our values in2020. Join us at our January 12 launch!Best,Davis Senseman, Esq.
meditate. I read one of Pema Chodron's teachings in her book "Comfortable with Uncertainty", and practice her meditative method. So I will relay part of her teachings. Its called On the Spot Equanimity Practice. [ While walking down the street with the intention of staying awake as possible t
