UNIverse Weekly July 3-9, 2020


UNIverse Weekly July 3-9, 2020

 July 3-9, 2020 

 WORSHIP

July Worship Theme: Spiritual Practice
 
July 5, 10 am, join Rev. Misha Sanders and the NW Youth as they explore the Summer theme, Spiritual Practice. Access the service at bit.ly/NWUUC and afterwards at the coffee hour using this link: https://uuma.zoom.us/j/8016042973

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

CALL FOR CHALICE LIGHTERS!

WE ARE SEEKING CHALICE LIGHTERS FOR JULY. PLEASE SIGN UP! NWUUC welcomes children’s participation in the weekly Sunday service. Options to participate include lighting a chalice live via Zoom during the service or submitting a video to re@nwuuc.org that can be played during the service. LED lighting options can be used instead of a flame. Please use this link to sign up: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050f4aaeac2f4-nwuuc

MUSIC MINISTRY

 

With Liberty and Justice for All?
by Philip J. Rogers, D.M.A.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CR0HfVVqIwM
 
          In elementary school we began each day by standing and facing the American flag with our right hand over our hearts to recite The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.  It was not until I experienced real life as a black person in America that the words, “With liberty and justice for all.” possessed an unrelenting sting of untruth.  I was told to pledge my allegiance to a reality that in practice did not entirely include me or my kind.
 
          During those elementary years we sang songs like “America, the Beautiful” and “God Bless America.”  The truth of the lyrics, “And crown Thy good with brotherhood” as well as, “God bless America, my home sweet home” did not fully apply to me.  I could live and work here, but am charged higher home prices than whites in mostly white neighborhoods and paid 20 to 60 percent lower wages for the same professional position as my white counterparts thus preventing me from living the life that my accomplishments deserve and forcing me at times to take on additional employment in order to live comfortably. 
 
          So, as the Fourth of July approaches in a year that being quarantined due to Coronavirus allowed the world to see first-hand evidence of systemic racism in America, we are reminded of the years that we hoped to see an end to social injustice.  What is disheartening are the accusations by some politicians that those of us who publicly raise our voices against injustice are Marxist agitators who need to shut up and remain in our place of subjugation to their centuries old acts of racial superiority.
 
          As a U.S. citizen I would love to celebrate “liberty and justice for all” as my own reality, but the overt aggressive acts of police officers upon recent peaceful musician demonstrators gives me pause as I drive throughout Atlanta or choose to take a casual evening stroll.  Will I be the target of some rogue police officer or citizen who believes that my existence is a threat to their safety simply based on the color of my skin? 
 
To live with the fact that there are those who believe that persons who look like me should not share in the benefits afforded to “All” is an ugly and disturbing thought.  But I proceed diligently forward to participate in changing race based laws and encouraging each of my white brothers and sisters to educate yourselves regarding the tangible realities of black life in America. 
 
Have a happy, yet thoughtful Fourth of July!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZYl0AThQLk

OUR NWUUC FAMILY (CARE CORPS)

Would you like to schedule a private meeting with Rev. Misha? Please call the main number,
770-955-1408, to set up a time.

The Care Corps is in the process of making phone calls in an attempt to touch base with all members as we continue to  practice social distancing.  How to reach everyone?  Obviously we can’t call everyone in a matter of a few weeks, but our strategy has been to at least attempt to reach out to members based on the month of your birthday or your joining anniversary.  We just started this practice in May, so if you haven’t heard from one of us yet, rest assured that your time is coming.  Remember, if you have something you want to share with us or with the congregation at large, feel free to email or call one of us—we are happy to hear from you. 
-Your Care Corps Team

Dear all,

Kathy Miller is recovering at home following spinal surgery and Maria Drinkard is organizing a Meal Plan for Kathy for the next couple of weeks.  Cards and calls are welcome.

Rev. Misha is at home and recuperating from her recent colon surgery.   Cards of good wishes for Rev. Misha can be sent to her at PO Box 444, Clarkdale, GA 30111.  

Thanks, Maria, for remembering about adding the PO Box for Misha.

-Rev. Joan Armstrong
 

If you have a joy or sorrow you would like to have shared in the UNIverse please call or email Lil Woolf at 404-276-6189 or publications@nwuuc.org.

If you are going through difficult times and would like emotional support or are in any situation where support and caring are needed contact:
 Rev. Misha Sanders, Minister, 770-955-1408 
Rev. Joan A. Davis, Community Minister, 404-275-0236
Maria Drinkard, 678-644-6480
Karen Edmonds, 770-851-1354
Linton Hopkins, 678-938-8858
Valerie Johnson, 470-209-9864
Lil Woolf, 404-276-6189




(770) 955-1408    Office Hours M-F 9 am to 5 pm     office@nwuuc.org

 ANNOUNCEMENTS

As our new church year begins this month I would like to recognize and thank the retiring Board members for their service.  
 
Katy Lockhart has served as a Trustee at Large for two years and has been an innovator for several things, including the successful virtual plant sale this spring and for establishing Givlify, an online format for financial contributions to the church.  Katy continues to be part of the Communications Ministry as she helps maintain the website. 
 
Always a calm and reasonable presence, Hannah Cowart served as President elect, President and this year as Immediate Past President.  She served on the Board through the end of Rev. Terry Davis’ tenure, during the interim ministry of Rev. Jonathan Rogers, and as we transitioned to Rev. Misha Sanders’ ministry. During her tenure, Hannah began the practice of regular Town Hall meetings as a way of keeping the congregation informed. She ushered us through the building expansion planning and will continue to serve on the Building Expansion Steering Committee as we are closing in on the completion of the expansion.
 
And finally, a special thanks to David Stewart who moves into the Immediate Past President role.  This has been a most unusual year with a perfect storm of issues that needed tending all at once. Among other things, David had to shepherd us through the beginning of building construction only weeks before we needed to move to virtual services when Covid19 became a crisis and the campus was literally shut down. He persisted in moving us closer to opening a preschool that could be a true service to the community while giving us financial security.  
 
I look forward to working with the other returning Board members, Pam Freeman, Sandy Davis, Chloe Morgen and Larry Wallis, as we are joined by Lynne Dale and Grier Page.  Please remember we are your Board of Trustees and our job is to serve you, the congregation.  We all look forward to your support in return.
 
Lil Woolf, Board President


Fulfill your Pledge?
 

Have you paid your 2019-2020 pledge in full yet?  Our fiscal year ends June 30 and we hope to close the books on it soon thereafter.  There currently remains about $30,000 outstanding.  We know it is easy to forget to write a pledge check when we aren’t sitting together in the sanctuary on Sundays but instead are watching our virtual services, yet the bills do not take a holiday.  

The new pledge year begins July 1 and we hope you will begin paying on it as well. As you make any payments this time of year it is essential that you designate which pledge to which funds should be applied:19-20 or 20-21.

There are several ways to make your payments.  You can either mail a check to the church, text a payment to 73256 with DonateNWUUC in the text and follow the instructions, go to our website nwuuc.org, click on News and follow the directions there to use Givelify.  Thank you for continuing to support our beloved community.


Building Progress and Financial Status 

 

Building progress

Construction on Subramanian Hall and the sanctuary is scheduled to be completed in September. The photos here were taken on Monday, June 15, by Dave Zenner.

 
 
 
 
Finances – Now is the time!

We are scheduling the next payment to the contractor, per our agreement, reducing our cash on hand. All requests for payment are reviewed by the committee and visual inspections made to confirm accuracy of the request for payment. We are very pleased with the process and our relationship with the contractor. 

The difference between what is needed to complete the work and the cash on hand is $145,000. Four families are offering loans to Northwest at zero or low interest.  

The amount of unfulfilled promises to the building fund total $20,000. If those who promised funds to help pay for the expansion fulfill their pledges before the end of July, it will reduce the size of a bank loan to an amount authorized by the congregation.  

While it is a challenge to be headed toward completion of our beautiful new building expansion without the cash in our bank account to pay for everything, we might keep in mind a few things:

The congregation voted to approve loans for the project of up to $150,000, stipulating that payments on such debt not exceed $15,000 per year.

 The amount of debt that may be incurred for this project is a small percentage of the value of our property.

Northwest has no other debt.  

The amount of rental income we can reasonably expect in the future should increase significantly. Not only will we have a new space but we now have better mechanisms in place to market it and manage the rentals. 


Zoom Documentary Discussion
The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975
7pm on Friday, July 3rd

 

Watch the documentary The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975 on your own and then join a virtual discussion on Zoom!

The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975  

The film mobilizes a treasure trove of 16mm material shot by Swedish journalists who came to the US drawn by stories of urban unrest and revolution. Gaining access to many of the leaders of the Black Power Movement. The filmmakers captured them in intimate moments and remarkably unguarded interviews. Currently, it is available to watch on Amazon (free with trial or Amazon Prime) or Kanopy.

This event is open to all who are open to all and is not restricted to Atlanta or the United States. Please allow others to get their full thought out and ensure that any disagreement is voiced in a civil way. At the end we will decide together the topic for the next month’s film.

Please email Adam Hicks bryantadamhicks@gmail.com to be added to the documentary distribution list. The Zoom link will be emailed out the morning of the discussion. 


NWUUC Book Groupies
 

The NWUUC Book Groupies will  meet at 7 pm on Tuesday, July 14th, to discuss The Girl With Seven Names by Hyeonseo Lee who tells the harrowing story of her escape from her birthplace, North Korea, against all odds. 
North Korea is a country most of us know little about and that also makes this a particularly gripping read. We will be meeting on Zoom so, if you are interested in joining the discussion, please email Penny Raney at raneypb@cs.com, with Book Groupies in the subject line, and you will receive an email to link to the meeting as we get closer to that time.  Also, if you would like to purchase a copy of the book from our NWUUC bookstore, give Penny a call at 770 551 8817 and she will get a copy to you.


Information on Bellwether Bookstore
and we are still selling books!

Bellwether Books was started in 1985 by Esther Jensen and Penny Raney at a time when NWUUC was having financial problems not unlike what we face today. We knew that our members were intelligent and active readers who might be willing to donate their used books to raise some extra cash for NWUUC. The space that is now the kitchen had been the minister’s office and was vacant so we dove into that prime area to start our used book selling. Soon we had enough cash from sales to buy books from the UUA bookstore and Beacon Press as well as other popular and requested new books so that the profits which go 100% to NWUUC became hundreds of dollars  each year. Then along came Amazon and the gradual erosion of sales over the years. Now Amazon is struggling with delivery issues as are some other large booksellers but we little guys can get books to you often more quickly and we are willing to personally deliver to you with gloves, masks and books in paper bags often at a discounted price as well as free delivery in the metro area. Just call 770 551 8817, leave a message and Penny will get back to you. 


IT HelpDesk

We have a new IT Help Desk that is available to help members with issues of getting on line with Zoom, Realm or our Facebook Group page.  This desk is managed by Cameron Moore, Katy Lockhart, Kuru George, David Morgen and Russ Martin.  To reach one of them email your questions to techhelp@nwuuc.org.

JULY BIRTHDAYS AND JOINING ANNIVERSARIES 2020

 July Birthdays                                            July Anniversaries

 

Aruna Rao-McCann                         07/01
Sean Appel                                       07/02
Kitty Meyers                                     07/02
Richard DuBow                                07/04
Gabriel Stewart                                07/04
Dempsey Hickman                           07/06
Sarah Beth Nelson                           07/07
Sandra Niven                                   07/07
Brian Freeman                                 07/12
Beryl Grall-Petty                               07/12
Pam Zenner                                     07/12
Nick Barbagallo                                07/14
Lil Woolf                                           07/21
Shelton Chau                                   07/24
Pam Freeman                                  07/27
Shelia Manely                                   07/27
Ilene Goldman                                  07/31
Michael Manely                                07/31

 

Veta Tucker                      07/01/2018

 

 

 

CALENDAR

Sunday, July 5, Worship Service-Virtual 10 am
Virtual Coffee 11 am

 NORTHWEST LEADERSHIP

Board of Trustees 2020-2011

President                          Lil Woolf   president@nwuuc.org
President-Elect                 Lynne Dale
Finance Trustee                Pam Freeman  finance@nwuuc.org
Secretary                          Sandy Davis  board@nwuuc.org
Imm. Past President         David Stewart
Trustee at Large               Larry Wallis
Trustee at Large               Grier Page
Trustee at Large (youth)   Chloe Morgen
            
Ministries Team Leaders
Communications: Jenn Meunier Miller
Community: Brian Freeman 
Gardens & Spaces: Beryl Grall-Petty 
Justice: Dave Zenner 
Learning: Lead, Marilyn Matlock  Co-Lead: Sally Mitchell
Stewardship Lead: Cameron Moore, Co-Lead: Gwen Kahn & Melissa Niedermeyer

Staff
Rev. Misha Sanders, Senior Minister
Rev. Joan Armstrong-Davis, Community Minster
Adia Fields-Udofia, Religious Education Director
Dr. Philip Rogers, Music Director

Copyright © 2020 Launchpad, All rights reserved.