My mom had a stroke on Feb. 26. She slowly started to come back, first
slurring her words, then speaking a little, slowly moving her left hand and
leg; everything happening slowly. She spent seven weeks in the hospital the
last two weeks were long days of waiting, waiting for a bed to open up in
rehab so she could start her recovery in earnest. Finally last Thursday I
helped her move to the rehab center. The elevator has a sign in it that
says “This door remains open for 15 seconds”. Fifteen seconds is a long time
for a physically healthy person, who is always in a hurry doing things and
going places. I read the sign and thought about how I am always rushing, moving, in a hurry to
get to the next place. For me that sign was a reminder to slow down. Enjoy the moment, even if
it’s not a comfortable moment, it is a moment in life and it needs to be appreciated for what it is.
My mother can no longer be that person in a hurry. Even if recovery is great, there will be things
to slow her down, and maybe, just maybe she will be happy slowing down, enjoying the moments.
I share this with you to remind you that spring is here, breathe, spend time with your family
and appreciate the moments. Good and bad.
Peace, Thea

I would like to report to you on the progress of the Canvass that we began
two weeks ago. We are halfway to our goal and that goal includes the
funds needed to hire a part-time minister for next year. So, if you have not
been able to respond to the pledge requests, now would be a wonderful
time to return your pledge sheet with either a pledge amount or a request
to meet with a canvasser to discuss your pledge.
We had five strong applicants for the ministerial position but one dropped
out because she took a position elsewhere. The time is coming when these
fine people have to make their own decisions about their futures. So, it is now up to all of us to
act as a community to achieve our objectives. Once our financial destination has been reached,
we will then move into the decision making phase. While the Board has been charged by you to
make the final decision, we would like to have your input. We will be holding a Congregation
Conversation in early May to go over the candidates. You will have heard most of them speak to
us by then and we will summarize their resumes. Your voices will be heard and we hope to reach
some sort of consensus or at least a strong direction. Thank you all for your involvement as both
as congregational members and as friends.
Bob Rougvie, President

Title: Filene\’s Basement Night at Locke Street
Location: 6 Locke Street
Description: Women of UUCiA….
It\’s time to clean out your closets and gather up all your old, gently-worn, never-worn or justabout-
worn-out-and-no-longer-wanted clothes for our first-ever UUCiA women\’s clothing swap
night! Be prepared for a fun-filled evening of shopping, socializing, laughing, and modeling some
new/old treasures… and best of all, it\’s free! All sizes, all seasons; all clothes, shoes, jewelry and
accessories welcome. Whatever remains at the end will be donated to women in need. Wine and
snacks will be provided by your hostesses, Sandy and Sherry.
Start Time: 19:00
Date: 2009-05-09
End Time: 21:00

Title: Habitat for Humanity
Location: 6 Locke Street
Description: Help us provide lunch (preparation and delivery) for Habitat volunteers from
other groups on Saturday, April 25. We need a few people to bake desserts
ahead of time, make sandwiches at Locke Street on Saturday morning from
10 a.m. to12 noon, and make $5.00 donations to cover food costs. To sign
up, please contact Gail Ensdorf or Carol Rougvie
Start Time: 10:00
Date: 2009-04-25
End Time: 12:00

Title: Passover Seder CANCELLED
Description: The Passover Seder on Saturday April 11, has been canceled at Locke St. Matthew Handelman will host a Seder at his house if you are interested please contact Matt for more information.
Start Time: 18:00
Date: 2009-04-11
End Time: 20:30

Title: Sunday Service: Earth Day
Location: 6 Locke Street
Description: Our Earth Day celebration with Suzanne Robert, guest speaker
Start Time: 10:30
Date: 2009-04-26
End Time: 11:30

Title: Sunday Service: New Growth
Location: 6 Locke Street
Description: Rev. Jeremy Taylor Melvin, guest minister
Spring is here and signs of growth are in the air – and in the soil and on the branches and just
about everywhere we look! But it is not only in the spring that we think about growth, it is
always: economic growth is a constant topic, especially in difficult times; in our churches growth is
the mantra chanted by every minister and committee year in and
year out; individually, we are all searching, striving to grow spiritually, intellectually, even
physically. We talk about growth all of the time, but what do we mean by it? What does it mean
to grow? And are all growths good? Is growth itself a goal, or is it a means to another end? If it
is, is it the only or always the best means to that end?
Start Time: 10:30
Date: 2009-04-19
End Time: 11:30

We have just completed a wonderful Canvass KickOff Weekend and praise and many thanks are due to the many people who participated and assisted.  The dinner on Saturday was delicious thanks in great part ot the efforts of master chefs Debbie & Joe Zahka with an assist from Lorraine Luise.  Apps and salads were provided by many willing and proficient hands and the Oreo Cookie Trifle by Joe Zahka was a perfect ending to the meal.  The music portion of the evening was a great performance by Patty Braden on jazz vocal and John Finbury on piano.  We can’t thank them enough for sharing their talents with us.

Sunday morning – Stewardship Sunday – was highlighted by a sermon by guest speaker Rev. Victor Carpenter.  No ranting and raving, just simple truths about why Unitarian Universalism and our community are worthy of our financial support.  At times both amusing and deeply serious, Rev. Carpenter shared with us his many years of experience in dealing with the ‘money’ side of religion.  His message was thought provoking and uplifting.

The bottom line, to use a financial term, is that we DO need your financial support to keep our congregation and our community viable.  As many of you know, we have lost a portion of our membership over the last few years and while we have welcomed some new members recently, we have a way to go in our efforts to reinvigorate our community.  Trying in vain not to sound like one of the hosts on an NPR radio fund raiser, we need your support!  The canvas is our main fund raising activity of the year and your participation is critical to our success.

The mechanics of the Canvass are a little different this year.  Each of you will receive a letter and pledge form in the mail with several options for giving.  You can return the pledge form with your name and the amount of your pledge and you will have completed your participation in the Canvass with our thanks.  You also have the choice of having personal contact with one of our canvassers by either phone or a personal visit.  Simply note which will work for you and note on the pledge form when would be a good time to contact you.  Then, mail the form to or drop it off at Locke Street.  We will then contact you.  What works for you is very important.

We hope everyone can let us know their preferences within a two week time period.  If we are to hire a part-time minister to start next September as was voted at the Mid-year congregational Meeting, we have to know what funds are avialable and we have to make a choice among several excellent candidates in a reasonable time frame.  We risk losing a candidate if we delay too long so your quick response would be most appreciated.  Thanks to all who participated  this past weekend and thanks to all of you who are part of our UU community.

I will be away this Sunday.
Sherry Lundquist will be doing yoga with the children and youth in RE this week. I hope your children can join her.

David Grober and I will be putting together the traditional UUCiA Passover Seder on April 11th, 6:30 PM, in the Sanctuary. Please email David at dgrober@gmail.com to let him know you are coming and if you can bring a side dish to share.
There will be a $5 per person charge, $15 per family to cover the cost of the chicken.