… from the July 29, 2008 memorial service held at First Universalist Church for The Tennessee Valley UU Church in Knoxville, Tennessee, here are the Rev. Peter House’s words….

On Sunday, at the very moment that I was standing in this pulpit talking about the price people pay for daring to speak with prophetic voices, fellow Unitarian Universalists in Knoxville, Tennessee were PAYING the price.

The Rev. Peter House

A man entered their sanctuary at 10:15 and opened fire. Two are dead and more are injured. The man who was responsible for this did this because he hates liberals.

It is a sobering and uncomfortable thought and one that I never considered – that the very act of sitting in a UU church is a political act and one that could court danger.

We have taken lots of unpopular stances for justice. We have dared to speak the truth to power, and we have been out-spoken when people are disenfranchised.

But most of us have never considered the possibility that our words and deeds could get us killed. This is what is at stake. And if we have ever doubted our mission, an event like this shows us how high the stakes are and how much work needs to be done.

The other inescapable fact we have to face is that of our own fragility and vulnerability. This shooting could have been in any kind of church. If it had been in a Presbyterian church or Mosque, we would have felt badly. We would have said, “What a shame.” But the fact that it happened in a UU congregation brought it right to the threshold of our very souls. It really could have been any one of us.

There will be those in our movement who will say, “Well, we pushed this justice thing far enough. It’s time to back off. The stakes are getting too high.”

We must listen tot hem. We must acknowledge their concerns. We must have compassion for their terror. But we must never give in to their fear. The moment we do that will be the moment of our true death. For we don’t think about it often, but our words and deeds live on long after our bodies die.

The politics of oppression are always the same. And they nearly always include violence as a way to silence those who speak out for justice and speak the truth to power. Let us resolve right here and now to press on in spite of any feeling sof fear or vulnerability. A life lived in fear is a life not worth living.

I also ask that we try to find some compassion for the man who was so filled with fear that he acted out in such a destructive and self-destructive way. An act like his is an act of fear. Fear of people and causes that he does not understand and fueled by misinformation by so-called religious leaders on the right.

Most of all, we must hold the victims of this tragedy in our thoughts and prayers. They paid the ultimate price simply for associating themselves with a liberal institution which stands for justice.

Here are some events and activities you might like to put on your calendar.  For more information about St. Lawrence District (SLD) activities, contact the people and websites listed for events below or ask Michael Scott at First Universalist.

September 15 – deadline for Chalice Lighter Grants. The deadline to file an “Intent to Apply” is Monday September 15. An “Intent to Apply” must be filed with SLD in order to obtain a Chalice Lighter Grant application.

September 16, 2008 – Zhaxi Zhouma Rinpoche Lecture. Zhaxi Zhouma Rinpoche will be giving a free lecture at the First Universalist Church at 150 South Clinton Avenue, Rochester, NY, on September 16, 2008 from 7-9 pm. “Anyone interested in obtaining good fortune and happiness, becoming enlightened in this lifetime, and learning more about why and how Dorje Chang Buddha has come to America should attend this presentation.” Please visit www.zhaxizhuoma.net for more information.

September 18, 2008 – Causes In Common. Causes in Common, a program which focuses on GLBT community issues, is being planned for Thursday Sept 18th at First Universalist. For more information, please see Todd Plank at First Universalist.

September 19-21 – Unirondack work/play weekend. Have you ever visited Adirondack, our UU camp in the North Country? It’s a beautiful and reverence-inspiring place. Work/play weekends are a low-key way to enjoy the woods and contribute to the upkeep of the camp. Attendees spend Saturday morning cleaning and repairing facilities, and the rest of the weekend hiking, canoeing, or otherwise relaxing in the great outdoors. Cost is $15 for communal meals. Accommodations (cabins) are rustic. Contact director@unirondack.org.

September 27 – “Building and Sustaining a Strong Small Group Ministry Program”. Hosted by the First UU Society of Albany, NY, this workshop will provide inspiration and information for lay and professional leaders who are (1) beginning a Small Group Ministry Program, (2) in an existing program in need of revitalization, and/or (3) seeking inspiration and ideas on how to expand and grow an existing program. The workshop leader will be the Rev. Dr. M’ellen Kennedy of Strafford and Washington, VT. Cost is $40 ($35 for each additional person from the same congregation). Contact Rev. Deane Perkins: deaneperkins@gmail.com or (518) 793-3405.

September 27 – “Growing People of Prophetic Fire: Spiritual Osmosis and Social Justice”. Annual Fall Ingathering for Religious Educators to be held at First Unitarian Church of Rochester, 220 Winton Rd. South. The Rev. Richard Gilbert will be the keynote speaker. Cost is $10, which includes lunch. Contact Jacki Thompson: lepican@unitarian.ithaca.ny.us or (607) 273-7521 Ext 23.

September 28, 2008 – A Leap of Faith Reception to benefit Refugees.
A reception with photographer Chris Kogut will be held Thursday, September 28 5:30- 8:30 pm at Gallery Kunstler at Booksmart Studio, 250 N. Goodman Street to benefit Catholic Family Center’s Refugee Resettlement Program. Contact Cheryl Marshall at 262-7172 or cmarshall@cfrochester.org for more info or to register.

October 4 – Politics & Liberal Religious Values Campaign 2008. Hosted by the First Unitarian Society of Schenectady and presented by the St. Lawrence District Social Justice Council, this will be an opportunity for social justice people to consider the implications of their faith in a critical election year. Blair Horner, Legislative Director of the New York Public Interest Group (NYPIRG) will be the featured speaker. There will also be a panel and audience discussion, and various topical workshops. For further information, visit www.sld.uua.org.

October 10-11 – New York State Convention of Universalists annual meeting. Hosted by the UU Fellowship of Poughkeepsie, NY. Charlie Clements, President of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, will be the keynote speaker: “How Universalist Values Are Having An Impact In Every Corner of the World, Every Day”. There will be variety of additional workshops, worship services, social activities, and the annual business meeting. For further information, visit www.nyscu.org.

October 17-19 – Unirondack work/play weekend. Unirondack work/play weekend. A SLD activity, see the Sept. 19-22 description above.

October 17-19 – UU Weekend at Silver Bay, Lake George, NY. This popular annual event provides a wonderful cooperative opportunity to get together at Silver Bay with other UU’s from all over the Northeast, at a classic, 600-acre Adirondack resort. Hosted by the SLD, there will be optional workshops on topics ranging from the intellectual to the recreational; social events; a Saturday night talent show; hiking; boating; and lots of time to talk and relax. Friday evening entertainment will be provided by famed UU musician Jim Scott. Cost ranges from $102 to $318 per person, depending on age, accommodations, and meals. Financial assistance may be available. Contact Randy Rosette: rosette_jensen@juno.com or (518) 783-9202.

June 2009 — UUA Elections. Next June’s UUA General Assembly in Salt Lake City will be a watershed event in the history of Unitarian Universalism. Voting delegates from the Association’s more than one thousand congregations will elect a new president, moderator, and financial advisor as well as members of decision making boards, commissions, and committees.

As with the national political elections taking place this year, UUA elections will focus on a variety of issues as well as the candidates’ experience and approaches to leadership.

Please take a few minutes to get to know each of the candidates for president, moderator, and financial advisor by visiting the UUA’s election website and joining the UUA Election-l email list. Managed by Election Campaign Practices Committee Chair John Gibbons and UUA Secretary Paul Rickter, the list is a neutral place for open discussion of the 2009 UUA elections for President, Moderator, Financial Advisor, and other positions that will be elected at 2009 General Assembly.

Two UUA Presidential candidates participated in the UUA Candidates’ Forum at the 2008 General Assembly (GA). A video of this Candidates’ Forum as well as a transcript are available.

We hope you’ll join us in one or more of these events or activities.

Activities and events newly announced this week are:

• Sunday, Sept. 14, 2008 – SEM Food Ingathering. Donations of non-perishable food items, toiletries, and paper goods will be collected during the service to benefit the Southeast Ecumenical Food Cupboard.
• September 28 – October 5, 2008 – RAIHN Host Week at 1st Universalist. See our Social Justice sub-page under Congregational Life for details about RAIHN. There are many volunteer opportunities available for this host week. If you are able to help, please contact Matt Comeau.

Previously announced upcoming activities and events are:

Sunday, September 7, 2008 – immediately following the Ingathering Water Communion service, which starts at 10:30 a.m. and which will be led by the Rev Sally Hamlin, there will be a reception to welcome Sally. See our Sermons & Services sub-page under Worship for details about water communion.

Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008 – 9:15 a.m. — DROP-IN DISCUSSIONS coordinated by Phil Ebersole will resume. For a list of upcoming topics, visit our Drop-in Discussion sub-page under Congregational Life.

Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008 – REGISTRATION DAY FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (RE) PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH. Look for a sign-up table in the Clara Barton Lounge where you can register your children for our RE program. If you are unable to register on September 7th, please contact Marie Sidoti with the number of children you are planning to register. We look forward to meeting you and your children.

Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008 – during coffee hour after service – BOOKSTORE & LIBRARY. The Clara Barton Library and Bookstore reopens today and will remain open until the end of next June. You may buy or borrow books during coffee hour following each Sunday’s service.

Friday, September 26, 2008 – FRIDAY NIGHT MOVIES TO INSPIRE AND UPLIFT
“Entertaining Angels: The Dorothy Day Story” will be shown Friday September 26 at 6:30 p.m. in the adult lounge at First Universalist. Discussion will follow the movie. There is no charge, but donations of snacks to share are gratefully appreciated.

From the editorial review at amazon.com, “The title refers to the religious practice of treating all people, no matter how poor or humble, as if they were visiting angels. Day was a famous activist and philanthropist of the 20’s and 30’s. The film traces her growth – mostly spiritual and religious – as she left journalism to become a suffragette in Greenwich Village. Eventually, Day converted to Roman Catholicism and dedicated the rest of her life to helping the poor.”

RSVP to Linda Lorenzo.

October 7, 2008 to January 6, 2009 – A NEW SMALL GROUP MINISTRY based on the Seven Principles of Unitarian Universalism will meet on the first and third Tuesdays of the month beginning October 7th. Please contact Marti Eggers for more information.

COMPUTER GRAPHICS DESIGNER NEEDED. The Caring Committee is looking for a computer graphics designer who will help design a flier promoting a workshop the committee is sponsoring. The flier would be sent as an e-mail attachment. If you can help, please contact Marti Eggers.

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED FOR OUR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (RE) PROGRAM in the following areas: teachers, substitute teachers, classroom assistants, general assistants, special skills volunteers, and RE Committee members. Contact the R. E. Committee Chair, Paul Swiatek.

LAY SUNDAY SPEAKERS are needed for the upcoming church year. A description is at the Aug. 19, 2008 This Week, This Month announcement, below. If you are interested in being a speaker, or know of someone whose message would be of interest to our congregation, please contact Linda Lorenzo. (Note: as of Sept 30, 2008, the Lay Sunday speakers list for 2008-09 has been finalized.)

A CARING COMMITTEE REMINDER: When a family member enters the hospital, needs emergency meals, needs transportation to church, or wants home visits; please contact Marti Eggers or Christine De Golyer.

SAINT LAWRENCE DISTRICT has a wide array of events coming up in the Fall. A full list is on our “Outside 1st Universalist” Announcements August 22nd post or visit www.sld.uua.org.

The events outside First Universalist listed in the August 22nd post (see below) are still current.

Additional information about the June 2009 UUA Elections:

Next June’s UUA General Assembly in Salt Lake City will be a watershed event in the history of Unitarian Universalism. Voting delegates from the Association’s more than one thousand congregations will elect a new president, moderator, and financial advisor as well as members of decision making boards, commissions, and committees.

As with the national political elections taking place this year, UUA elections will focus on a variety of issues as well as the candidates’ experience and approaches to leadership.

Please take a few minutes to get to know each of the candidates for president, moderator, and financial advisor by visiting the UUA’s election website and joining the UUA Election-l email list. Managed by Election Campaign Practices Committee Chair John Gibbons and UUA Secretary Paul Rickter, the list is a neutral place for open discussion of the 2009 UUA elections for President, Moderator, Financial Advisor, and other positions that will be elected at 2009 General Assembly.

Two UUA Presidential candidates participated in the UUA Candidates’ Forum at the 2008 General Assembly (GA). A video of this Candidates’ Forum as well as a transcript are available.

We hope you’ll join us in one or more of our events or activities.

The activities and events from the August 22nd post (see below) are still current. This includes information about a variety of things happening on Sunday, September 7th.

New activities and events this week are:

• Sunday, September 7, 2008 – immediately following the Water Ingathering Service, which starts at 10:30 a.m. and which will be led by the Rev Sally Hamlin, there will be a reception to welcome Sally.
• The Caring Committee is looking for a computer graphics designer who will help design a flier promoting a workshop the committee is sponsoring. The flier would be sent as an e-mail attachment. If you can help, please contact Marti Eggers.