The Flame

Early November 2001

All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church of Kansas City, Missouri

Service Schedule 11:00 am

Oct. 28 Pumpkin Sunday: Halloween Celebration –Jim Eller

Children will be wearing costumes and processing in our annual Pumpkin Parade. Adults are encouraged to consider wearing costumes this year too. The sermon will be a look at Frankenstein: Fears we create.

Nov. 4 - Burying Bones and Singing Songs – Mel Gunderson

Mel is a ministerial candidate from Shawnee Mission UU Church and is a chaplain resident at the VA Hospital.

Nov. 11 - Harry Potter: Myth, Magic, and Mystery – Ted Tollefson

A founder of the Mythos Institute and UU Minister will speak on how stories like these guide our footsteps in the dark.

Forum Schedule 10:00 am

Oct. 28 Stem Cell Research and Cloning: Boon or Bane? –Hans Uffelmann

Our speaker is Emeritus Professor of Philosophy and Medicine at UMKC. He will analyze the ethical problems surrounding this complex issue and offer suggestions for a constructive approach to decision-making for this and similar biomedical ethics issues.

Nov. 4 - Election Reform: Will the last presidential election controversy be a victim of 9/11? - Sharon Turner

Our speaker is Democratic Director of Elections in Kansas City and a member of Missouri's commission on election reform.

Nov. 11- Harry Potter Mania: Why Are Kids Nuts About Him?
- Sheelagh Manheim

Why are kids nuts about the Harry Potter series? The short answer is because they are human. Sheelagh Manheim will suggest a longer answer dealing with child development and the Jungian view of archetypes. She has a Ph.D. in educational psychology and worked 30 years as a child psychologist & Jungian psychotherapist.

Nov. 18 - Politics and Everyday Struggles in NAFTA-era Mexico
- Heather Williams

Heather Williams is Assistant Professor of Politics at Pomona College, Cal. Free trade and market-oriented policies have brought about many changes in the lives of average Mexicans -- some positive, some tragic, and some just bizarre.

Minister’s Considerations:

UUs are those who choose growth

"What makes UUs special or different than other churches or religions?" I have heard people ask. We are people who enjoy life. We are people, who not only enjoy it, but also welcome, celebrate and engage life. It does not surprise me to hear about our members traveling around the world or that UUs were instrumental in establishing the Elder Hostel movement. We believe in life long learning. Learning is a way of appreciating life, of even worshipping. We tend to be among those who welcome challenges or seek them out. We tend to be among those who welcome a little excitement and a certain degree of intensity. These are some of the things that make life worth living, for someone in love with Life.

I am a relatively physical person. I exercise to keep myself healthy. I also believe that our minds and spirits need exercise in order to remain healthy. At times I have been both a runner and a regular lap swimmer. Most of the time when I first hit the water I can hardly believe that I am in the water and making myself do this cool, cold, wet and a bit uncomfortable thing, swimming. But after a lap or two or five, I begin to get my rhythm. The swimming changes. By the time I get out of the pool, I am so glad I gave myself the gift of exercise. I feel better; I have more energy; and I am healthier.

They're a lot of ways that we grow, and they are not always comfortable. Health and growth require that we stretch ourselves a little bit. When we try a new program, a new way of singing or thinking or relating, the experience may not be natural or comfortable immediately. It may be like swimming a pool that seems a bit too cool at first, but given a little time we can and may well be grateful as we warm up to it.

Even though our bodies do stop growing, our interior self never stops growing, if we remain open to growth. This is the gift of having an inner life, or a spiritual life. It is a gold mine, if we are open to growth. This is the way of most UUs.

In the same way that the body maintains health and the spirit grows, so too do our institutions and this church. Our call to justice and human dignity invites us to reach out to new people. Our care to be a welcoming community means that we will be meeting people who are new and different. This is a gift and a challenge, but it is in part what it means to be UU. We are those who not only accept growth, we are those who seek it, for our church and ourselves.

Lifespan Religious Education

Harry Potter events

Educators Workshop - Sat. Nov. 10, 10am
Diagon Alley Festival & Hogwarts School Workshop - Sat, Nov. 10, 5:30pm
See Forum and Service schedule for more events!

RE needs buckets, etc.

Religious Education is looking for the following donations: sofa, 2 clean 5 gal. buckets w/lids, medium sized children's chairs, The Golden Rule painting by Norman Rockwell, frame size or wallet size. –Tom Gilbreath

Other Church News

Music event Nov. 13 to benefit ASUUC

At 7:30pm Tuesday, Nov. 13 in Bragg Auditorium join cellist Lawrence Figg and pianist and All Souls Music Director Leah Hokanson in an evening of classical music.

The program will include works by Benjamin Britten, Dmitri Shostakovich, and Anton Webern. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students, available at the door. Proceeds to benefit All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church. For more information contact Leah Hokanson at 531-2131 ext. 104.

Water Service For the Soul Nov. 2

Did you miss our traditional water service? We will try something new. After all we pride ourselves on being open to change and new experiences. Our much loved water service will be a part of the Friday Night Service For the Soul on Nov. 2. Experience the lay led service and regain an important All Souls tradition. This will give those who haven't checked out the Friday night service a chance to broaden their knowledge about worship opportunities at All Souls. This will give families a special time together. Coming Friday will also show members' interest in our unique water service. Let's keep this tradition alive! A soup dinner after the service will be available for a donation toward the cost of the meal.

Contacting Kim

Our new office administrator, Kimberly Buckley-Gordon, now has her own direct e-mail address that she uses in the office: kimberly0220@yahoo.com. Please use this address to communicate directly with her whenever your message is for her. She takes care of financial, order of service, room set-up, and calendar issues. She is handling almost all the calendar work now. Terry Wiggins, Communications Administrator

Church closing time 9pm

The church asks you to end your week-day meetings no later than 9pm, unless you have asked for an exception. The paid church staff is scheduled to leave at that hour, and has to perform building lock-up procedures. Thank you. –Terry Wiggins, Communications Administrator

Forms relocated

Can't find a form - for Building Use Requests (calendar), Reimbursements, Board Proposals, or Announcements? Look in the gray binder on the Communication Center Calendar. Terry Wiggins, Communications Administrator

Fun while fundraising

Who: 20 All Soulers, wearing white shirts/sweaters with black skirts/slacks.
What: Form a team to usher for Puccini's Tosca at the Lyric Opera on Wednesday Nov. 7.
Why: Our service earns $200 for ASUUC, and we get to see the production free.
Where: At the Lyric Theatre on 11th St., but we'll form carpools at 5:30 in the church parking lot. Call Joan Olsen to sign up or ask questions.

Dis your diet once more

Come to the Sunday ++ on Oct. 28 for a fabulous home made lasagna dinner after church. The Coming of Age parents will also be serving salad, bread, and desserts. All the items are being donated to maximize the profit. Support our COA program as they make a final push for their Boston trip. –Sharon Cassity

Kids shouldn't have all the fun!

Remember the last Halloween service at All Souls? You were jealous, admit it. The children got to come in costume. They got to carve pumpkins. They got a to parade their pumpkins around Bragg to great applause. Our children are learning about this holiday which began with the Celts over 2000 years ago in Sunday school this month. It is time for the adults to join in the fun. Wear a costume to church Sunday. Impress guests and friends alike with your creativity. Let's show the kids they aren't the only ones who know how to celebrate All Hollows Eve at All Souls. –Sharon Cassity

Harry Potter book talk group

The discussion of the Harry Potter books continues. Anyone 14 years of age and older who would like to join the discussion is invited to attend. On Thursday, Nov. 1 we will discuss Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The group will meet from 7-8:30pm. For more information contact Lee Ann Googe.

Hooray for volunteers and donors!

Please notice the new lighting on the Warwick steps. This is a very generous gift from Ron Field (he made and installed them himself, with a dusk to dawn electric eye). We thank you so much Ron!

A big thanks to Bob Miller, Geral Culp, and Louis Riemensnider for recently vacuuming Bragg. Bob is also our resident Bragg bulb changer. And thanks to Louis and Beverly Riemensnider for planting hostas in the planter just outside the Warwick door.

Thanks to Suellen Dice, Kathy Burns, and Corva Murphy for cleaning the lobby windows.

And a BIG welcome back to Kenneth Green, as custodian of All Souls. –Corva Murphy, Facilities

Keep Nov. 17 play-date open for children's shelter

Members of All Souls and our congregational partner Ward Chapel AME are invited to help plan and put on a partnership play party at the Salvation Army Children's Emergency Shelter 2-4pm Saturday, Nov. 17. We anticipate participation of children and youth from both congregations as well as parents and other adults. Tentative plans include face-painting, cookie decorating, dress-up with group picture taking, and arts & crafts, possibly relating to turkeys. In addition, the Shelter needs many donations of play-dough. To volunteer for planning, participation and/or play-dough donations, speak with Carol Field or Bev Riemensnider of the Racial Justice Committee or call Kathy Butterfield, 913-341-0654.

Prospect redevelopment project

A planning session for friends and members of the neighborhoods in the Prospect Corridor will be held 9am-12:30pm Saturday, Dec. 1 at Pioneer Campus, 18th & Prospect. Come learn how to help the community grow "from the inside out". All Souls and Ward Chapel plan to work together on the Redevelopment Project in the Ward Chapel neighborhood, 22nd & Prospect. All Souls' October 30 showing of the video "Holding Ground," on this breakthrough redevelopment shaped by the affected community members, to which Ward Chapel, and the general public were invited, also helps introduces volunteers to the process. For more information contact Jill Jarvis or Kathy Butterfield.

Men’s potluck Nov. 7

The Men's Group will meet at 6pm Wednesday, Nov. 7 in Simpson House for a pot luck supper, fellowship and program. The Rev. Vern Barnet, DMn, minister in residence of the Center for Religious Experience and Study (CRES), Unitarian Universalist minister and member of All Souls Church, will speak, and lead a discussion of Islam. All men of All Souls are welcome. Bring food for yourself and to share. For more information call Peter Griggs or Bob Jameson.

Coffeehouse has two events

The All Souls Coffeehouse in cooperation with CrossCurrents is bringing two great musical evenings to you in November. Friday, Nov. 9 at 8 p.m. Pop Wagner will bring western music and stories. This is old western historical style 19th & early 20th century, not contemporary country music.

At 8pm Saturday, Nov. 17 Dakota Dave Hull and Kari Larson will share wonderful instrumentals and vocals. Dave Hull on the guitar plays everything from ragtime to Appalachian to western swing. He has made many appearances with Garrison Keillor and is one of a few musicians who has had Doc Watson back him up on a recording.

Both evenings are for the whole family. Bring your friends. Refreshments. More information is posted at the church. –Walt Wells

Art in the Gallery

The November art show will be the watercolors of Cheri Alfrey.

Thanks for the food donations

Our donations to Harvesters last month will enable to food bank to provide 111 meals to people who are hungry in our community. Thanks, donors.

Church Council and Committee Information

Racial justice news in Conover

The RJ Committee is pleased to be the first to accept the invitation of the Communications Committee to kick off a "rotational" program for committees to use half of the Conover bulletin board. Ruth Geishen will be putting her considerable bulletin board skills toward establishing the first Racial Justice display during the next few weeks.

Long range planning

All Souls is growing, and the Long-Range Planning Committee is developing a plan to manage that growth, following the charge the Board gave us. We have been building on the work of the Growth Task Force and looking at our needs in terms of four types of growth: maturational, organic, incarnational and numeric (see the report of the Task Force for an explanation). We are planning for the next 2-5 years. Our recent activities have included:
•••Gathering data, for example, on trends in attendance, budgets and expenditures
•••Reviewing All Souls' last long-range plan, done in 1994
•••Discussing a book by Alice Mann entitled, “The In-Between Church: Navigating Size Transitions in Congregations”
•••Completing a survey of staff to determine pressures, needs and trends
•••Planning the process for congregation-wide discussion and input during January and February.

We still are aiming to have a document for discussion and adoption at the annual meeting in April. If you have ideas, talk with the committee members: Karen Medhi (chair), Michael Murphy, Ted Otteson, Bob Miller and Bruce Wiggins. We thank Leslie Ward and Anne McCleery, who have had to resign recently. –Bruce Wiggins

Denominational and District Information

Stories of Extraordinary Ministry

Amidst the destruction of the 9/11/01 terrorist attacks on the U.S., some stories of remarkable ministry have emerged. Readers can share in the reflections of the Rev. Jan Carlsson-Bull, Assistant Minister of All Souls Church in New York, as she offers chaplaincy support to the workers who toil during the night at Ground Zero, the ruins of the World Trade Center.

The report can be found on the front page of the UUA web site and in full at www.uua.org/news/91101/jcarlssonbull.html. The experiences of the Rev. Christopher McMahon, parish minister and boat captain who was pressed into duty shortly after the attack, and of the Rev. Susan Suchoki Brown, a parish minister and fire chaplain, can be shared at www.uua.org/news/91101/outofhell.html. And the reflections of four other New York ministers -- The Revs. Forrest Church and Galen Guengerich of All Souls Church, (NYC), Fred Wooden of the Unitarian Universalist Congregational Society of Brooklyn, and Rosemary Bray McNatt of Fourth Universalist (NYC), can be read at www.uua.org/news/91101/fourviews.html.

Reaching out to UUs online, President William G. Sinkford's letter of October 1 can be read on the web at www.uua.org/news/91101/sinkford10101.html. A wide variety of worship resources from our Unitarian Universalist clergy dealing with the tragedies continue to be offered on the web at www.uua.org/news/91101/clergy.html. The UUA's Washington Office continues to add resources to assist with outreach to Muslim, Arab, and Sikh communities and other valuable information, at www.uua.org/uuawo/issues/respond/index.html.

And, as reactions to the 9/11 experience settle in and UUs join those around the world in awaiting a U.S. response to the attacks, the larger UU community has come together to share responses through the bulletin board, "Creating Community Out of Chaos," at www.uua.org/911/index.html.

Additional resources will be added as called for; please check the UUA's main page for breaking news. Deborah J. Weiner Director of Electronic Communication, UUA

All Souls is a UUA Annual Program Fund Honor Society.