“UU News and Views” The Rev. Walter LeFlore, Minister

Our Mission

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Poughkeepsie is a welcoming congregation rooted in the liberating message of Unitarian Universalism.

WE INSPIRE spiritual and intellectual growth. WE NURTURE a supportive and diverse community of members, families and friends. WE ACT in service to the broader community.

Our Nursery is available during all regular services. Please feel free to bring your young one there.

Information is available from the Greeter at the Welcome Desk in the lobby and the Usher at the door of the

main meeting room.

Volume 66 Number 1 Founded 1952 September 2018

Upcoming Services 9/2 "Through the Lens of the Holocaust: Theodicy and the Problem of Evil"

Wayne Cochran

9/9 “Mission Driven” Rev. Walter LeFlore

9/16 “So Who Are We Really?” Rev. Walter LeFlore

9/23 Retreat – “One with Nature” UUFP - Staycation

9/30 “Identity and No-Self” Dr. Leonisa Ardizzone

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UU News and Views” is published monthly (except July and August) by the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Poughkeepsie and is distributed to our members and friends without charge. Editor: Donna Polat email: uupoknewsletter@uupok.org

OFFICERS President Jolanda Jansen Vice President Ron Kamen Treasurer Jon Hodos Corp. Clerk Julie Colacchio

TRUSTEES AT LARGE Davyd Bullock Cori Cumming Eleanor Harmantas

YOUTH TRUSTEE Rosalynde Trammell

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Poughkeepsie (UUFP) 67 South Randolph Avenue Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 845.471.6580 Web: www.uupok.org email: office@uupok.org

Office Administrator: Donna Polat Office Hours: Tuesday – Friday 11am-2:30pm The UUFP is a member of the Society of the Unitarian Universalist Association, 24 Farnsworth Street, Boston, MA 02210-1409. www.uua.org and Central East Region of the UUA, 100 W 10th Street, Suite 1008 Wilmington, DE 19801 Primary Contact is: Andrea Lerner

alerner@uua.org | 484-201-4384

**September’s Calendar of Events** 9/2 Choir Rehearsal 9am (weekly)

Unicircles 9:15am (weekly)

FULL SERVICE 10:30am (weekly)

Zen Meditation 6pm (weekly)

9/4 Tuesday Meditation 7:30am (weekly)

9/5 Course in Miracles 6:30pm

Social Justice Meeting 7pm

9/6 Program Committee Meeting 7pm

9/8 Buildings & Grounds Work Day 9am

SoulCollage 12:30pm

9/9 Senior Group 12:30pm (2nd & 4th weeks)

9/10 Speaking of Books 7pm

9/13 Bridge Club 7pm

9/14 Drumming Circle 7pm

9/15 Coordinating Council Meeting 9am

Hudson Valley Folk Guild 7pm

9/16 Third Sunday Pot Luck/Lunch 12 noon

9/17 B&G Committee Meeting 6pm

9/18 Gillespie Forum 5pm

Coming Home 4 Mentor Training 6pm

9/19 Membership Meeting 6pm

9/20 Coming Home 4 Mentor Training 6pm

Finance Committee Meeting 6pm

Board of Trustees 7pm

9/21 UUFP Retreat - Camp Moriah 5pm

9/23 Sri Lanka Buddhist Group 4pm

9/25 Coming Home 4 Mentor Training 6pm

9/27 Coming Home 4 Mentor Training 6pm

LFD/RE Meeting 6:30pm

Bridge Club 7pm

9/28 Parkinson's Group 10am

Meal for Homeless Shelter 4:30pm

Hudson Valley Bluegrass Concert 7:30pm

9/29 Mooncatcher Retreat 10am

Mirage Theatre Company Performance 7pm

Annual Theme: Radical Acceptance Monthly Theme: Identity

Intern’s Corner September 2018

I'm delighted to be back at UUFP for "part two" of my internship. After a restful summer, I am looking forward to building our community while exploring different monthly themes that will help us grow more deeply into our UU faith and identity. I do hope that this year, some of you will take part in the Adult RE classes I will offer, as well as in some of the 'alternative' worship services I plan on providing. And, as the Project Manager for the annual retreat, do let me know if you are interested in offering an activity or workshop during the retreat. My email is leonisa@uupok.org

RENews September 2018

The LFD Committee has been very busy this summer, planning for the upcoming school year.

Are you ready for S’more Compass Points, Spirit Play, OWL, COA, Community, Exploration, UU Fun, 7 Principles, and 6 Sources?

From the Minister September 2018 The hymn, Here We Have Gathered, comes to mind as I write my first monthly letter for

a new congregational year. Our in-gathering Water Ceremony will be held on September 9. Please remember to bring some water that represents you and/or your family. We’ll again comingle our waters to signify a transformation from “I” to “We”, in Fellowship.

In conversation with Leonisa, our intern minister, and a few people who’ve agreed to serve as worship associates, we decided to use Radical Acceptance as our annual theme again this year. (Acceptance, NOT to be confused with agreement of approval). The twist for 2018-19 is that we’ll use each month to take a deeper dive in exploration of the theme. Our monthly themes are: Identity, Visibility and Invisibility, Gratitude, Sanctuary, Hope and Despair, Restoration, Humility, Salvation, Wholeness, and, Unity and Diversity.

For some, it may require Radical acceptance in order to be comfortable repeating last year’s theme! It’s the “radical” part of acceptance that’s often required to be in harmony with “what is” as opposed to what we believe “should” be.

Goodness knows there is much in our world these days that most of us would prefer to be otherwise. Sometimes, I need to reach for Radical acceptance in order to not feel alienated by my experience of the world around me. Sometimes I’m moderately successful. I intend to use this year to practice getting better at accepting “what is”.

Blessings, Walter

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RE hopes so!

The LFD is planning a get together for RE parents, children, and any other interested folks on the evening of Friday, September 7th from 6-8, with a pot luck dinner and activities for the children. For anyone who cannot make it at this day or time, we will offer this information session again on Sunday, September 16th, after our

3rd Sunday lunch.

Please RSVP to CREC@UUPOK.ORG as soon as possible

Also, registration forms will be available for your convenience at these two events, and also the first few Sundays in September, starting September 9th.

Stay tuned, because as always, it looks like we have an exciting year ahead, and we can’t wait to share it with

you!

UUFP Annual Retreat “A Gathering of Soul Seekers and Like-Minded Folks” Sept 21-23 | Fri 5pm – Sun 12pm Sharpe Reservation – Camp Moriah (Campground & Recreational Area) 436 Van Wyck Rd Fishkill NY, 12524

Refresh, Recharge, Renew Escape into the woods and welcome the turn of the season at the tranquil Sharpe Reservation. Enjoy mountain vistas, swim or paddle a canoe across Beaver Lake, wander along winding mountain trails. Play sports and join the campfire circle in the evening for a lively singalong. Take part in workshops exploring individual identity, and current societal issues. Or just bask in the peace and quiet, and drink in Nature’s serenity. We hope you will join us! To register: Sunday mornings after 10:30am Service, or by emailing the contact person below, with “2018 UU Retreat” in the subject line. Fri-Sun: $130/adult, $70/5-13 yr old, 2nd child free, $300 family cap Sat-Sun: $90/adult, $50/5-13 yr old, 2nd child free, $250 family cap Saturday Only (2 meals): $50/adult, $20/5-13 yr old, 2nd child free, $120 family cap Additional Meals: $10 /each (Breakfast or Lunch Sat, Breakfast Sun) or $15 (Dinner, Sat) Linens (Optional): $10 /each. All Fees Due first day of the Retreat. Fees are not required for registration. Contact: Merrill Sunderland, merrillsunderland2@gmail.com Sponsored by: Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Poughkeepsie 67 S Randolph Ave Poughkeepsie, NY, 12601 | 845-471-6580 | www.uupok.org

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September 2018

Welcome back! The Social Justice Committee has had a busy summer, getting ready for all kinds of exciting events and activities that we want to tell you about. In these times, inaction is not an option. "I know that I'm just one more grain of sand in this world, but I'd rather throw my weight,

however small, on the side of what I think is right, than selfishly look after my own fortunes and have to live with a bad conscience." - Pete Seeger The Social Justice Committee will hold its September meeting on Wednesday, September 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the Fellowship. All welcome. Voter Registration: The group Nobody Leaves Mid-Hudson is conducting voter registration at various times and places around the County. If you would like to assist, email vanessa@nobodyleavesmidhudson.org or call 845-326-6317. Coming Home: Coming Home 4 is set to begin on Tuesday, October 16. We are in need of mentors and of volunteers to assist in the kitchen every Tuesday through March 12. Assisting in the kitchen means setting the tables, helping the group bringing in the meal to set it up and get it ready to serve, eating with the community, and cleaning up afterward. Mentoring involves forming a relationship with one of the participants; getting to know him/her and helping him/her to set and achieve goals. You do not have to attend every Tuesday; there is a set curriculum and mentors are only involved approximately on alternate weeks. We also need small groups (3-4) to prepare dinner on an occasional Tuesday. If you are interested in volunteering for one or more of these rewarding tasks, see Pat Lamanna or Nick Garin. Coming Home Fundraising Concert: We are thrilled to announce that our intern minister, Leonisa, has offered her jazz band to perform a concert to raise money to support the Coming Home Program! Mark your calendar now for Saturday, October 13 for an unforgettable concert experience for a good cause! More details to come. Peace, Justice and Sustainability Film Series: On Monday, October 22, at 7 p.m., the Social Justice Committee will present “White Right: Meeting the Enemy.” Muslim filmmaker Deeyah Khan joins the frontline of the race wars in America. She sits face-to-face with fascists, racists and the proponents of the “alt-right” ideologies that have propelled Donald Trump to the presidency. From Breitbart’s darling, Richard Spencer to Jeff Schoep, leader of American’s largest neo-Nazi organisation, Deeyah’s need to find the deeper human causes of horrific social forces opens a different possibility for connection and solutions. Rather than dismiss these men as monsters, she’s determined to discover the men behind the masks. Fair Trade & Handmade Bazaar: The Dutchess County Interfaith Council has taken over management of the Fair Trade & Handmade Bazaar in 2019. Members of the Fellowship will still be involved in many aspects, and volunteers and vendors are welcome. The DCIC has so many events going on in the fall, they chose a spring weekend – the weekend before Mother’s Day – to hold the Bazaar. Mark your calendar now for the new dates: Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5, 2019, at the Hellenic Center, 54 Park Avenue, Poughkeepsie. As the time approaches, you will be tapped to volunteer, or to go shopping!

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UUFP NEEDS YOU!!!

1. Donate

• Please only sell-able Tag Sale items (clean and in good condition).

• Place at base of stairs near office.

• For large/unusual items, please contact Tag Sale team. 2. Signup:

• There will be sign-up sheets at Fellowship Retreat and after September Sunday services.

LET THE FUNdraising BEGIN!

The gears are in place; the wheels are beginning to turn. Check out below to find your best fit in preparations and sale days. Uncle UU needs You!

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3. Contact:

• Maggie Thakkar (914) 456-7059 | margaretthakkar@gmail.com

• Joyce Marra (845) 453-1188 | ajoy12601@hotmail.com

• Kathy Boone (845) 454-6288 | kathyboone@verizon.net

Many ways you can contribute. Please find a way to participate.

Do you sing? Come join the Helen Baldwin Choir. The choir meets at 9 or 9:30 most Sundays and we sing at the Service twice a month. It’s a nice group of people who will welcome you and we sing some very good songs. If you want to join, e-mail me at maosgood@gmail.com, or just come to a rehearsal. you’ll be welcomed.

New Office Hours I hope everyone had a fun-filled and relaxing summer. Now that the summer season is winding to a close, so will my summer office hours. The Fellowship Office hours (as of 8/27) are now Tuesday-Friday 11:00am – 2:30pm. Feel free to stop in the office during these hours or call (845) 471-6580. – Donna

HOSPITALITY Welcome back Sunday hospitality teams! Because of you, the congregation beams!

For two months of Sundays, each team treats friends and members to drink and eats

Hear ye! Hear ye! Look below for the team to which you’ll go If your name’s not on the list

It may be ‘cause it is your wish But if you think you’re on the brink

of signing up, then here’s a link anniel@hvc.rr.com

We will find a team for you Nothing else you’ll have to do

‘Cept be there for some kitchen fun One for all and all for one!

Team I: Sept/Feb Team leader: Anne Lancellotti Roseanne Ashby Tim Chamberlain Ellen Waggener

Team 2: Oct/March Team leaders: Pat Lamanna and Richard Mattocks Cathy Augello Laura Bracken

Team 3: Nov/April Team leaders: Linda Curtis and Ron Kamen Nick Garin Gayle Garin

Team 4: Dec/May Team leaders: Maureen and Joel Fisch Julie Colacchio John Colacchio Betsy Silverstein

Team 5: Jan/June Team leader: Kathy Boone Jane Bartik Eleanor Harmantis Reed Asher

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Paul Hirsch Carol Miyake Karl Volk Jon Hodos Len Marcus Kristine Welch Fran Sunderland

Carol Gustafson Thea Jensen Laura Price James Weisman Amy Strom Davyd Bullock Sooozie Nowak

Sue Sciacca Kevin Barnes Cori Cummings Terry Novick Kathy Duncan John Way Doris Weiss Bob Weiss

Paul Silverstein Mary Ann Osgood Paul Osgood Judy Dekun Margie Davis Betsy Vivas Meg Hesher

Jeff Asher Gerry Wilmot Jill Barasch Sam Barasch Fay and Asher Pacht Rachel Epstein Bruce Epstein Barbara Corona Carol Elkins

The Caring Circle is part of the UUFP caring community. Let us know how we can help

you and how you can help us. Thank you to all the members and friends who have sent cards, made a call, visited homes and hospitals, helped drive, cooked a meal, or done an errand for someone in our community during this past month! Caring Circle Coordinator: Betsy Silverstein edgsilver@hotmail.com

SPEAKING OF BOOKS We will be meeting on Monday, September 10th (the Monday after Labor Day) at 7 pm to talk about Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance. Hope this will generate some good conversation. For our October 1nd meeting, our book is The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. It’s a long enough book that you may want to begin it early because the October meeting is only three weeks after the September one instead of the usual four weeks.

The Mid-Hudson Library System has plenty of copies of both books. For more information contact Meg Hesher at mhesher@yahoo.com or Jane Bartik aubreysprite@yahoo.com.

NEW ARTWORK AT THE UU FELLOWSHIP There are 20 paintings by Alvin S Chiappolini They are simply-made with spray paint and a few hand touches. The Titles are what somehow make them/one could say more, but why say it? -Karl J Volk

News From UUA • New online course: Transgender Inclusion in Congregations. Is your congregation ready to take your

welcome to the next level?

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• College of Social Justice programs allow those passionate about social justice to experience this work in their areas of interest.

• Funds are Available to Take Your #PowertothePolls. The Fund for UU Social Responsibility is pleased to announce that grants of up to $500 are available for your 2018 Get Out The Vote projects!

• Support Black Unitarian Universalists. Since the Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism (BLUU) Sunday campaign kicked off, many Unitarian Universalist congregations have been excited about exploring the theme of The Promise and the Practice of Our Faith and making a pledge to BLUU by June 30.

• New publications from the UUA - Now available! Companion Resources to go with Revisiting the Empowerment Controversy: Black Power and Unitarian Universalism by Mark Morrison-Reed. September's Justice and Spirit Goodreads Book Club pick is Testimony: The Transformative Power of Unitarian Universalism edited by Meg Riley. Visit the Publications Page for details.

The Opportunities for Connection-CERUUA Update Sept 2018 newsletter can be read by using this link: http://uua874.activehosted.com/index.php?action=social&chash=feab05aa91085b7a8012516bc3533958.1964&s=5308acf0ff77eb758859bf207947b478

Inside and Out News Section for Members and Friends

Roseanne Ashby donates Bill’s piano to the Fellowship

Bill Ashby was the Choir Director at the Fellowship 12 years ago, after Helen Baldwin died. After serving as choir director for two years. Bill became terribly ill, and had to give that up. Bill is in a nursing home now and Roseanne, his wife, has decided to donate Bill’s Petrof grand piano to the Fellowship. This piano is one of the finest pianos available today. With it’s tiger mahogany case, it will be a joy to hear and see, and will be a wonderful addition to our Fellowship. In the meantime, Roseanne is in contact with a person at Dutchess Community College, who has said that they would like our present piano (which is in very good condition) for their music department. We agreed that would be the ideal new home as Helen Baldwin was music director there for 30 years. Walter Engel told us that In the early days of our Fellowship, the UUFP met for many years of it’s local existence in Bowne Hall, the original building converted to Dutchess Community College. Walter Engel and June Gillespie are generously donating money to make it possible for us to have the Petrof piano They gave us a remembrance of our present piano. It belonged to Emma Knauss (who was the aunt of Judith Knauss), and was given to the Fellowship about 1966, after the main meeting room addition was completed. June was quite excited about the aspect of our Knauss piano finding it’s new home at Dutchess. It seems that she and a few others were instrumental in initiating the colleges beginning. She was also involved in selecting Dr James Hall as the first president of Dutchess Community College. Our piano will be played by students in the music department and will have a good home there. Mary Ann Osgood & Joyce Marra

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Pat Lamanna Sighting Sunday, September 23 at 2 p.m., Cuneen-Hackett Arts Center, 12 Vassar Street, Poughkeepsie: The Hudson Valley Folk Guild presents "Beyond a Simple Folk Song," a very special concert, with Herstorians Pat Lamanna and Sharleen Leahey; Neil Okeson; Kevin Becker; and Helen Avakian. Advance tickets are $8; $10 at the door. Call 845-229-0170 to reserve tickets, or see Pat Lamanna for more information.

You Might Be Interested In:

Upcoming Dutchess County Interfaith Council Events 9/1: Crimes and Misdemeanors (A discussion on sin and repentance based on brief clips from the Woody

Allen movie, led by Rabbi Renni S. Altman.) 9/1: Selichot Joint Celebration (This is a joint event with Temple Beth-El and Congregation Shir Chadash) 9/10: Call for Entries: Submissions Due (Painting, Writing, Drawing, Sculpture or other art forms by people

currently or formerly incarcerated and their families/friends.) 9/11: 100 Cups of Coffee Community Gathering Topic: Making a Difference in Poughkeepsie 9/13: Faith Build Breakfast: Clergy Call to Action 9/14: Grannies Respond/Abuelas Responden Caravan 9/16: Temple Beth-El Shofar Over the Hudson 9/26: DCIC Freedom to Believe Story Slam in commemoration of International Human Rights Day

Please visit http://www.dutchesscountyinterfaith.org for updates on these events and more.

RECOGNITION Endowment

About six years ago, led by Richard Mattocks, the Endowment Fund began a revamping of

committee & program structure. With that effort, the Endowment Fund group moved into clearer guidelines of purpose and annual grants. Then three years ago, thanks in part to a “Matching Gifts”

program through the Shelter Rock Unitarian Universalist Congregation, the focus moved toward Legacy Gifting. Our highly successful campaign, whose original goal to acquire $100,000 in legacy

gifts, exceeded a $200,000 level. WAY TO GO!!!

As with endowments in general, annual giving of outright and legacy donations, will be ongoing. It’s time now to commence a Donor Recognition Program. The first such event is in the planning stage

with an anticipated date to be held in early November.

More details regarding this in weeks to come.

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DCIC FIRST ANNUAL GALA AWARD DINNER—TICKETS ARE ON SALE!

DCIC is gearing up for its first Annual Gala Award Dinner on Wednesday, October 24 starting at 6:00 p.m. at The Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel and Conference Center. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.dutchesscountyinterfaith.org or via check made payable to “Dutchess County Interfaith Council” and mailed to us at 9 Vassar Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. This year, our Gala will feature renowned author, The Reverend Dr. Bruce Chilton, as our guest speaker, and we will be awarding the first Rabbi Erwin Zimet Humanitarian Award. Rabbi Zimet was a founding member of DCIC, the longtime Rabbi of Temple Beth-El in Poughkeepsie, and a powerful force for bringing people together to address community issues of justice and faith. We are thrilled that the first recipients of the Award will be The Reverend Dr. Kennon and Mrs. Mary Moody, both of whom have been stalwarts in efforts to alleviate poverty, hunger and suffering in our community and beyond. SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONGREGATIONS, BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS

Please consider supporting this important event through a gift of sponsorship as well. Congregational and business sponsorship opportunities are available, and all come with attractive benefits. Please visit http://www.dutchesscountyinterfaith.org to view the summary of sponsorship opportunities. Alternatively, you may also support the Gala through a monetary donation of another amount. If you have any questions about the event, DCIC, or how else you might support the event and DCIC, please contact us at office@dutchesscountyinterfaith.org or call (845) 471-7333.

PART-TIME ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT NEEDED AT DCIC

Description: Dutchess County Interfaith Council, Inc. is seeking an experienced Administrative Assistant. Administrative duties and responsibilities include providing support to ensure efficient operation of the office; supporting the Board of Directors and the Executive Director through a variety of tasks related to administration, organization and communication; responsibility for confidential and time sensitive material; familiarity with a variety of administrative practices and procedures; ability to effectively communicate via telephone and email to ensure that all administrative duties are completed accurately and delivered with high quality and in a timely manner. Reliance on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals and a wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected. This is a part-time position. Qualifications: High school diploma or equivalent; Associate Degree preferred. 1-3 years of experience in the field or in a related area. Proficient in MS Office especially MS Word, MS Excel and MS Outlook. Knowledge of Adobe Dreamweaver preferred. To Apply: Submit cover letter and résumé via email to office@dutchesscountyinterfaith.org

Mirage Theatre Company will present a staged reading performance of the play THE KOMAGATA MARU INCIDENT featuring local actors on Saturday, September 29th at 7pm at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Poughkeepsie. Admission is free to the public. A Q&A will follow the performance.

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The Komagata Maru, a steamer carrying East Indian immigrants, sailed into Vancouver harbor in 1914. The months that followed were a nightmare of deprivation and suffering for its 376 passengers, who were refused entry by racist immigration officials. THE KOMAGATA MARU INCIDENT is a dramatic depiction of this appalling event, and a kaleidoscope of scenes directed by a carnival barker traces the explosive prejudices of early Vancouver. The immigration official, his informers, his lover, and an East Indian woman representing the Komagata Maru victims all spin in and out of the spotlight. Playwright Sharon Pollock has written numerous plays for stage, radio and TV. Her plays have been produced by theatres across Canada, including the Stratford Festival, The National Arts Centre, Edmonton’s Citadel, Theatre Calgary and the Vancouver Playhouse. For more information, contact June Prager: juneprager.mirage@gmail.com; 347-668-7666

Upcoming Newsletter Deadlines:

September 25, 2018 – October Newsletter Deadline

October 23, 2018 – November Newsletter Deadline

November 20, 2018 – December Newsletter Deadline

ARTIST OF THE MONTH for September is Alvin S Chiappolini

Live our UU Principles