President’s Message by Briana Greenemeyer

S pring has sprung! Every-

thing around us is grow-

ing again and it serves to remind us

of what we want to grow in our

lives and in our community in the

coming months.

We have seen many new visitors

and thankfully new members in the

past few months to grow our com-

munity. I'm thankful that we can

serve as an oasis for those looking

for something different in our com-

munity and our world.

April 8 is our annual pledge dinner,

when we ask our members to sup-

port our

church by

pledging

their dona-

tions for the

upcoming year and letting us

know how they can serve our

community and our church

with their service as well. Eve-

ryone is invited to the pledge

dinner. It will be a potluck,

and there is a sign-up sheet on

the table in the foyer. Please

come join us for great food

and discussion. The theme is

Kentucky derby, so wear your

best hat and we will see you there!

Inside this issue:

100 Questions & Answers 10

Calendar 7

Channing Groups 6 Fun Stuff to Do 4

Forum 3 Game Night 5

Joys & Concerns 6 Outreach 3

President’s Corner 1 Speakers Schedule 2

Not so Regular Features

A UU Easter Story 8

Clean UP Announcement 9

Earth Day Websites 10

New Member Alert 2

Pledge Dinner 5

Channing Channel

Channing Unitarian Universalist Church—Edmond

April 2017 We are a Congregation

And now a word from the Youth of Channing... “The Channing Youth Group will be hosting a bake sale on Sunday, the twenty-third of April 2017.

The Bake Sale will be hosted at Channing Unitarian Universalist Church. Our financial goal is $500. These funds will be used for books, movies and other media.

Contributions of baked goods will be accepted now through Sunday, April 23rd at 9:30am. Financial contributions can be made directly to Channing Unitarian Universalist church,

care of Channing Youth Group.

We appreciate your support. We look forward to seeing you at the Channing Youth Bake Sale on April 23rd at 12:30

Bake Goods will be appreciated including: Cupcakes, brownies, lemonade powder, cook-

ies, cake, pies.”

April 2017 We are a Congregation Page 2

April 2nd—Anna Holloway—"Why is talking about mindfulness

an oxymoron?"

Sometimes it isn't, but it very often is. Let's spend a little time ex-

ploring why we do so much talking about it, and a little time trying to

practice mindfulness.

April 9th— Jim Eller—Being Present, Being Mindful, Just Being

Thich Nhat Hanh, the Vietnamese Buddhist monk, has helped popu-

larize the practice of Mindfulness. It is not magic. It is not difficult

or complex. Mindfulness is a matter of being present and being aware

and being in the moment. This Sunday we will hear a few Thich

Nhat Hanh stories and practice being Mindful.

April 16th—Wayne Leslie—Mindfulness - Mindfulness is a way

to be in contact with ourselves through meditation. It is done through

various means and I will touch on a few of them. We will also learn

some techniques to make changes in our daily routine that will enable

us to achieve a degree of relaxation and calm

April 23rd—Scot Harvey—Intent Mindfulness is good. Monkey mindfulness, not so good. Many of us

need tune-ups from time to time...almost like a maintenance schedule

for an automobile. A regular disciplined approach is desired but

sometimes just a walk in the outdoors can be healing. Take ad-

vantage of the times you can live in the present.

April 30th—Catherine Spearer—More than Knowing

The Channing Channel is the monthly newsletter of Channing Church, a UU

Congregation in Edmond, OK 2800 W 15th Street, Edmond—

324 NW 164th Street, OKC Newsletter Editor:

Eva Mahoney Newsletter deadline is the 25th

of preceding month Email: wnyokie@cox.net

Church Officers 2016-2017:

President: Briana Greenemeyer

Co-Presidents Elect: Betty Rasmussen &

Pam Dizikes

Secretary: Pam Dizikes

Treasurer: Nancy Jefferis;

Trustees:

David Pasto Steve Pace Lisa Griggs Harriette Porter

Our Mission Statement

Through individual efforts and by encouraging collaboration throughout our community, Channing Church provides opportunities for individual and groups to achieve their fullest potentials. In addition, Channing offers a loving, ac-cepting and support place for all those seeking truth and meaning in their lives.

Our Vision Statement

Warmth and caring fuel our commitment to all who seek an intellectual and open spir-itual and religious home.

Channing Unitarian Universalist Church Sundays—11:am -12:30 pm Channinguuc.org

Speakers for April 2017 Theme is Mindfulness

Liturgist: Dave Pasto

New Member Alert! Channing welcomes new

members to our congregation.

After signing the book in

March, we are happy to an-

nounce that David & Juanita

Smith have become members

of Channing. So happy to

have you here!

April 2017 Channing Channel Page 3

Outreach with Harriette Porter

Forum for April 2017

East vs West – the Myths That Mystify. TED talk with Deodutt Pat-

tanaik

April 2nd

We Can Recycle Plastic TED Talk with Mike Biddle; and also Aston

Cofer- a young inventor’s plan to recycle Styrofoam

April 9th

Van Jones – the Economic Injustice of Plastic April 16th

A novel idea for cleaning up oil spills with Cesar Harada April 23rd

For a change of pace in Forum: What do you want done with your body

when you no longer need it? A TED Talk about A burial practice that

nourishes the planet by Caitlin Doughty.

April 30th

Note from Harriette: Contact has been made with Black Lives Mat-

ter asking if they would like to present at Forum, but as of this print-

ing I have not heard back. Will change schedule as needed if they

can come. Watch on Channing Happenings.

Dr. Harriette

April 1st— Believe 5K – Mitch Park 9am. Benefit for D-Dent of OK: provides dental care to low

income people.

April 8th—Arcadia LAKE Sweep – 7am-10am, annual lake clean-up. Bring Gloves.

April 19th—Remembrance Day for the OKC bombing. Ceremony at the Memorial ~8:30am.

(Note: Marathon on the 30th)

April 19th—Cox Community Day – Free admission to the OKC National Memorial Museum.

April 22nd—Earth Day, but it is also the day for the March for Science in Washington DC and a

supporting rally here in OKC. It is at the State Capitol but time not yet posted. (Wait for Chan-

ning Happenings)

April 29th— People's Climate March in Washington DC and here in OKC. In OKC it is at

Harkins Plaza in Bricktown from 1pm-3:30pm. Multiple groups are joining into one large rally

with guest speakers, a march and a sacred water ceremony at the Oklahoma River.

April 30th OKC MEMORIAL MARATHON. Find a good spot in the shade and cheer on the

runners.

April 2017 We are a Congregation Page 4

Fun things to do in April

Events Around Town – EDMOND

2nd—- UCO Powwow – Sponsored by the Of-

fice of Diversity at the UCO Athletic Fields

1pm-10pm. Native American dances, corn stew

and fry bread and much more.

14th—Movie Night at Mitch Park. “Trolls”

7pm outside (bring chairs) or if rain in the

MAC.

15th— Heard on Hurd – downtown Edmond,

food, music, shops, etc.

20-23rd—Upstage Theater: “Bring it On “,

Mitch Park. No other info available.

27th— Eroica Trio, Armstrong Auditorium

Events Around Town – OKC

Mar 29-April 2nd—Lyric Theater at the Plaza

on 16th. “I Am My Own Wife”- A Transvestite

surviving in Nazi and then Communist East

Berlin.

April 1st— MetroFamily (Magazine) Kid’s Fest.

Cox Center, Kids free, Adults $6— Interactive

activities, petting zoo, face painting, fun for all.

April 2nd—Opening Weekend for the Cruises

on the Oklahoma River in Bricktown

Mar 30-Ap 2 and Ap 6-9— Lyric at the Plaza,

James and the Giant Peach by Ronald Dahl, Co

-produced with Adventure Theater in Washing-

ton DC.

April 2— Canterbury Voices presents Handel’s

Israel in Egypt

April 6-9 — “Ovo”, the newest from Cirque du

Soleil, Chesapeake Arena

April 6 — OKC Philharmonic Pops with the

group “Under the Streetlamp”

April 9 — An Evening with Bill Maher, stand-

up comedy at its best. Civic Center

April 15 — OKC Philharmonic Gala with Maes-

tro Levine. The year’s Finale, and the Maestro’s

retirement concert.

“Reel Classics” at the Paramount, 4p and

7p. “The Adventures of Robin Hood”.

April 21 – 23 — OKC Ballet, “A Midsummer

Night’s Dream”

April 22— Hefner Fest 2017. 11-4 at Boat

House, Lake Hefner. Sailing, games, music and

more.

April 25-30 — 11am daily, OKC FESTIVAL OF

THE ARTS. Incredible array of arts from large

scale sculpture to delicate jewelry, murals to

miniature portraits, music on multiple sound

stages and international foods. If you’ve never

been, you’ve really missed something!

April 29 — Opening of Summer Concert Series

at Frontier City with “For King and Country”

April 2017 Channing Channel Page 5

April 2017 Goodies April 2nd—Soup Sunday

April 9th—Open

April 16th—Debbie Allen

April 23—BAKE SALE

April 30th—Open

Mark your Calendars for...

Friday, April 21st 6pm-8:30ish

Just bring something to drink & a friend

Pizza provided by Channing UU Church

Click HERE to RSVP (let me know how many in your party)

Able Community

Based Services is sell-

ing Easter lilies. A sign

-up sheet will be made

available soon for

those who wish to

purchase lilies to decorate the church for Easter

Sunday. Cost will be determined. They may be re-

planted for your continued enjoyment next

year. Thank you for supporting our services to

adults with developmental disabilities. See Linda

Gray for more details.

It’s Almost Easter Lily Time!

Pledge Dinner “Kentucky Derby” Date: Saturday April 8th

Time: 6:30 pm

Wear Your Best Hat!

IT’S A POT LUCK

IMPORTANT This does work!....Practical use of technology: If your legislators aren't saved in your phone yet, text your ZIP code to 520-200-2223. You'll get a text back with everyone's contact info within seconds. It gives you federal and state information.

Please Note…

CAKES FOR THE QUEEN OF HEAVEN pro-

gram has been postponed until the fall.

April 2017 We are a Congregation Page 6

Ladies Food Group & Social Hour—Tuesday,

April 18th—6:30pm at: Jerusalem Mediterrane-

an Cuisine—38 E. 15th St. (SE corner of 15th

and Broadway—east of Big Lots and west of

Goodwill.) Here is their menu: MENU. Please

let Eva know if you plan to attend. 408-6588

The Stitchers Group will meet Saturday, April

8th at 1:30 at the home of Eva Mahoney.

Book Group— The group has decided to change

the meeting day to a Saturday to allow for those

who work. The next meeting is Saturday, April

22nd at 2:00 pm at Liz Duncan's home, We will

discuss The Nest by Gail Sweeney

Choir practice will take place every Wednesday

from 7:30 to 8:30.

CUUPs—CUUPs will celebrate Beltane on Sun-

day evening, April 30.We will have a May Pole

to celebrate May Day (May 1). 6 pm....with

potluck and ritual and dancing around the May

Pole.

Channing Groups

Joys & Concerns:

3/5

Steve Pace told us he starts his

new job.

Michelle Madison is traveling to

Dallas with her students on the

Robotics Team.

Dana Spears gave a sermon to his

class and came out to the class.

He had applied for a fellowship in

Germany but was not accepted.

Hal Yocum told us his mother in

law is celebrating her 91st birth-

day, She was a French war bride

and still drives a little.

Angie Brown told us her uncle

died which means her mother,

Rose, has lost all of her siblings.

Eric is doing much better on new

seizure meds.

Nancy Jefferis told us she loves

this church and life with Elouise

is never dull.

Anna Holloway told us Ed Kess-

ler died. He helped develop cli-

mate science and was an active

member of the community. He

will be greatly missed.

3/12

John Dickey told us he was leav-

ing to return home.

David Smith advised he has had

stents put in.

Nancy Jefferis told us a friend

Susan Stamons died unexpected-

ly in Tanzania.

Betty Rasmussen informed us

that her son Eric was recently di-

agnosed with diabetes and hyper-

tension and was briefly admitted

to the hospital. She asks for

thoughts for him as he needs to

readjust his life style.

Mick Howard told us his son had

shoulder surgery. His other son is

a rugby player and had a seizure.

Jana Leslie told us her son is get-

ting married.

Briana Greenemeyer's friend

Kelly has lost both parents in the

last nine months.

3/19

Kathleen Joslin welcomed Pat

Hervey back to church after her

extended illness. She also told us

Donna Compton's son, Charles

Warren died this past week.

3/25

Linda Gray's aunt died in Alice,

Texas and there has been an un-

fortunate misunderstand among

her three daughters. Her grand-

daughter who has autism was

scammed recently and it has tak-

en some work to get things

straightened out. Linda is consid-

ering retiring as the fireworks

firm with which she has been as-

sociated for over thirty years has

made some significant decisions

which affects her business.

Dana Spears said Sue's sister in

law died and they attended the

memorial which was well done.

He is also experiencing some

physical illness.

Jana Leslie said her son is married

and they had the reception at the

church. She and Wayne pur-

chased a new faucet for the

church's kitchen sink and had it

installed.

Nancy Jefferis said Elouise sends

us greetings.

Wayne Leslie has an angiogram

on the thirtieth.

Please send positive and congrat-

ulatory thoughts to these people.

April 2017 Channing Channel Page 7

April 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

30 April Birthdays

Shanda Shawnee 4/1 Suzi Robnett 4/15

Kathleen Joslin 4/3 Nancy Jefferis 4/21

Dee Welch 4/5 Melissa Case 4/24

Michelle Madison 4/7

CC Deadline

Pledge Dinner

6pm

Forum

Scot Harvey

Board Meeting Choir Pract.

7:30pm

Shanda Shawnees

BD

Choir Pract. 7:30pm

Choir Pract. 7:30pm

GAME NIGHT 6pm

Co-Op Pick up 4-7pm

Dee Welch’s BD

Soup Sunday

Forum

Jim Eller

Book Group—2pm @ the home of

Liz Duncan

Stitchers—1:30 at Eva’s home Forum

Anna Holloway

Suzi Robnett’s BD

Choir Pract. 7:30pm

Kathleen Joslin’s

BD Michelle Madison’s BD

DISCUSSION GROUP - 6:15pm

Spiral Circle CUUP's Beltane Celebration 6:pm

Forum

Catherine Shearer

Forum

Wayne Leslie

Ladies Food Group and Social Hour

DISCUSSION GROUP - 6:15pm

DISCUSSION GROUP - 6:15pm

DISCUSSION GROUP - 6:15pm

Nancy Jefferis’s BD

Melissa Case’s BD

Earth Day!

Tween Youth Bake Sale

April 2017 We are a Congregation Page 8

Adapted from a story by Jim Wallace

A group of friends of various religious

denominations were seated in fellow-

ship discussing the true meaning of

Easter one Sunday when the Baptist said:

“I believe we place too much emphasis on

chocolate bunnies, colored rabbits and Easter

eggs instead of the spiritual aspects, which is

the real meaning of Easter. That’s what I be-

lieve.”

“Me too,” said the Methodist.

“Me too,” said the Lutheran.

“Me too,” said the Catholic.

“Me too,” said the Nazarene.

And the Unitarian Universalist was silent.

“I believe the real meaning of Easter is that

Christ died on the Cross for our sins,” said the

Methodist.

“Me too,” said the Nazarene.

“Me too,” said the Lutheran.

“Me too,” said the Baptist.

“Me too,” said the Lutheran.

And the Unitarian Universalist was silent.

“I believe the real meaning of Easter is the tri-

umph of Jesus over the Grave,” said the Lu-

theran.

“Me too,” said the Catholic.

“Me too,” said the Nazarene.

“Me too,” said the Baptist.

“Me too,” said the Methodist. –And the Uni-

tarian Universalist was silent.

“I believe the real meaning of Easter is not only

what each of you have said, but also that all

people who believe in the sacrifice and Resur-

rection of Jesus are cleansed of original sin

through baptism and are restored to the favor

of God and many share in His eternal Life,”

said the Catholic.

“Me too,” said the Nazarene.

“Me too,” said the Baptist.

“Me too,” said the Methodist.

“Me too,” said the Lutheran.

And the Unitarian Universalist was silent.

“I believe the real meaning of Easter, in addi-

tion to what has already been said, symbolizes

that the bodies of all people will be resurrected

and joined to their souls to share their final

fate,” said the Nazarene.

“Me too,” said the Baptist.

“Me too,” said the Methodist.

“Me too,” said the Lutheran.

“Me too,” said the Catholic.

And the Unitarian Universalist was silent.

The group then turned to their Unitarian Uni-

versalist friend, whom they all recognized as a

little strange, and said,

“Your silence is a mystery to us. Just what do

you believe as a Unitarian Universalist is the

real meaning of Easter?”

The Unitarian Universalist … said:

“I believe the real meaning of Easter is the ap-

preciation of life’s renewing cycles and, that for

all things there is a season. I believe the real

meaning of Easter is the acknowledgment, with

its accompanying sadness, of a very human Je-

sus who was forced to die on the Cross because

of his liberal religious views and beliefs. But

most important of all, I believe the real mean-

ing of Easter is the Celebration of Thanksgiv-

ing for the presence of the sacred in each and

every living person and thing; for the presence

of the sacred in the birds that sing; for the

presence of the sacred in the flowers which

sway and the grasses which rustle in the gentle

breezes of spring. This is what I believe is the

real meaning of Easter,” said the Unitarian

Universalist.

“Me too,” sang the birds.

“Me too,” waved the flowers.

“Me too,” rustled the grasses.

“Me too,” sighed the wind.

And all the rest were silent.

A Unitarian Universalist Easter Story

April 2017 Channing Channel Page 9

Come one, Come all… April 15th

Channing’s Annual Spring Clean Up

9am to 2pm

Lunch will be provided!

Something for every-one to do no matter your age or ability.

What you can do…

Raking

Sandbox cleaning

Planting

Trimming

Clearing

Mulching

Watering

Fertilizing

Weeding

Gutter cleaning

Screen fixing

Tree trimming

Heavy flower bed

cleaning, removal

and relocating

Dusting

Sweeping

Organizing

Windexing

Cleaning

Purging

Corner cleaning

Cabinet cleaning

Sanctuary Chair

cleaning

What you can bring..

Rakes

Shovels— Big and

Small

Leaf Blower

Garden Gloves

Screen repair kit

Pruning sheers

Cleaning supplies

Polish

Dusters

Hand vacs

Cobweb duster

Wheelbarrows

Your back brace

Come for some awesome fellowship

April 2017 We are a Congregation Page 10

100 QUESTIONS THAT NON-MEMBERS ASK ABOUT UNI-TARIAN UNIVERSALISM—Part VI The UUA BY John Sias

THE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST ASSOCIATION

In 1993, the UUA General Assembly celebrated 200 years of Universalism in America. One

of the old-time Universalists who hadn’t been happy with the merger said, “You know,

there never was a real merger with Unitarianism. Actually, the Unitarians gobbled up the

Universalists.” Thinking aloud, he added, “But I guess it’s really no problem, since you are

what you eat!”

What world-wide goals and values does the

Unitarian Universalist Association promote in

its Statement of Purpose and Principles?

Every person is worthy and should be treat-

ed with dignity.

People should treat each other with justice,

equality and compassion.

We should accept the differences that tend

to separate us.

Everyone should have the freedom and re-

sponsibility to search for the truth.

We should strive to use democratic process-

es both within UU congregations and the

world at large.

We should work for peace, liberty and jus-

tice for everyone.

We should acknowledge and respect how

interdependent every one of us is.

Where are the headquarters of the UUA? The

Association’s headquarters are at 25 Beacon

Street in Boston. We elect a full-time president

every four years who manages the organization

and represents it in the religious and secular

world. Each June, delegates from congregations

throughout the nation meet in a five-day Gen-

eral Assembly to hear reports, elect officers and

take positions on public issues. There are ap-

proximately 1,025 congregations in North

America (and a few in other parts of the world)

who are affiliated with the UUA. Compared to

most mainline Protestant denominations, we

are quite small. However, we have enjoyed a

slow but steady growth since the late 1970s.

How is the president of the UUA selected? Eve-

ry four years at the UU General Assembly, the

delegates and recognized proxies elect a presi-

dent, who probably began campaigning 18

months earlier for the full-time office. If eligible

for reelection, the president usually runs unop-

posed for one additional four-year term.

Earth Day 2017 Important Websites

Earth Day is Saturday April 22nd 2017. Check out these

websites on activities and information on Earth Day in

Oklahoma and the United States..

Earth Day in Oklahoma City—2017

Eventbrite Earth Day Activities—2017

Keep Oklahoma Beautiful—Earth Day

EPA—Earth Day

Please Note: The Con-

gregational Meeting is

Sunday, May 21st af-

ter the service. Please

plan on attending. We

will need a quorum.

We’re on the web at: channinguuc.org

Church of the Open Mind

Channing UU Church P.O. Box 2382 Edmond, OK 73083-2382

Quote of the Month

Upcoming Channing/UU Events at a Glance

April 2017

4/2— Forum at 9:45am

Speaker: Anna Holloway at 11:am

Soup Sunday

4/5 — Constitution Study Group at 6:15

Choir Practice at 7:30

4/8 —Stitchers—1:30 —- at Eva’s Home

4/9 — Forum at 9:30am

Speaker: Jim Eller at 11:am

Board Meeting at 12:45

4/11 —Ladies Food Group & Social Hour—

Mediterranean Cuisine at11:30a

4/12— Constitution Study Group at 6:15

Choir Practice at 7:30

4/15—Spring Clean up—9-2p

4/16 —Forum at 9:45am

Speaker: Wayne Leslie at 11:am

4/19— Constitution Study Group at 6:15

Choir Practice at 7:30

4/20— Co-Op Pick Up 4-7pm

4/21 — Pizza Friday and Game Night 6pm

4/22 —Book Group 2pm at Liz’s

4/23 - Forum at 9:45am

Speaker: Scot Harvey at 11:am

4/25— Channel Deadline

4/26 — Constitution Study Group at 6:15

Choir Practice at 7:30

4/30—Forum at 9:45am

Speaker—Catherine Shearer