Welcome to the Harbor Unitarian Universalist Congregation

Late last week I was present when Warren Mcfearen passed away. This was a 1st for me. Warren's family was with him and the love and good memories were evident.

I spoke at the well attended Memorial Service on behalf of HUUC. I mentioned that without folks like Warren and Betty who have been strong presences through our 1st 50 years I would have nothing to be president of. We must continue their work.

I also mentioned that Betty was the one who recruited me to serve on the board. 4 minutes on the phone with Betty and that's all she wrote. So if you're looking for someone to blame....it's Betty.

Betty spoke movingly and humorously of her life together with Warren. And that's how I will always think of Warren together with Betty. I can't separate them and I don't think they ever wanted it any other way.

As I said of Warren, an avid sailor, at the memorial service- may the wind be at your back whereever your journey takes you.

This Sunday is the kick off to our annual canvass. While this is nobody's idea of their favorite it event it should be everybody's idea of what's necessary for the business of the church.

VP & Finance Chair Andy Fink gave an interesting sermon. Andy pointed out that funding allows us to do things like Supper Hourse, Loftus School & more. And when anyone of us is out in the community the rest of us are along with them. Our Congregation always needs time and funds. If you can provide for the church with a
generous pledge you will allow us to do the maximum possible with members time.

Canvass time may also time to consider what Nana mentioned in a recent sermon that you should save 10% of your money, use 80% for living expenses and give away 10%. If you can manage to be charitable with 10% of your income, that is wonderful. If you can direct some of those funds to HUUC all the better.

When considering your pledge remember there are multiple aspects to HUUC. There are the weekly Sunday worship services at which you can carry on your spiritual seeking. There are adult enrichment classes where you can participate as a life long learner. There are service projects such as Loftus school & Supper House where you can impact your community. When considering your pledge take all these aspects into consideration.

From 8 to 10 April the Heartland District will have it's annual meeting in Cincinnati. Nana assures me that the hotel and site is 1st class. HUUC needs to send 2 delegates to this event. If you are interested in going please contact me. We need to have our delegates selected by 15 March. For more on this see
http://www.heartlanduu.org/newsite/programs/registrations/2005AnnualMeetingBrochure.pdf

Help Wanted: We are looking for a new chair for the Worship Committee and for someone to fill a volunteer coordinator
position.

The Worship Chair works to ensure we have consistently excellent worship services. Duties include: Ensuring volunteers such as worship coordinators and sound technicians are filled, recruiting guest speakers, making changes and updates to our services and more. Anyone who is turned on by our weekly worship services should see me to interview for this position.

If you look at our new membership directory (thanks Marv) you'll see a listing of committees and task forces. All of these are filled by volunteers. It's important that all positions are filled and it's important that new members and friends are involved to ensure a smooth running congregation. If you are a people person
who would like to have a wide affect on the good of the congregation see me to discuss this vital position.

At our new member Sunday in February we gained 4 new members. Congratulations to Rebecca, Kurt, Paul & Barbara. That brings us to 79 members. Don't be shy in sharing the good news of HUUC. Each new member increases our abilities financially, spiritually and operationally!

Recently I sailed from Jamaica to Florida. During this time my world was little and blue- both sky and water. You feel as though you can see forever. Yet mathematically the height of your eye means you can't see forever. Larger waves mean you can see more, wave troughs reduce your vision.

That's a lot like life on shore, a blending of ups and downs. While I was away I missed the Sunday services, the coffee hour, and the opportunities to help others. So although I thought I could see forever I couldn't. Although we'd like HUUC to always be on top of the swell we can't always be. In both case one can grunt
up, get on with things and have a lot of fun trying to see forever.

'What the Bleep Do We Know' had a short run at the Harbor Theatre.

It was a profound and interesting film going far beyond normal movie concepts. Questions like Do all realities exist simultaneously were asked.

Another portion of the film talked about the word God as a placeholder for all spiritual aspects and possibilities. Often we UU's go through a litany/disclaimer such as: God, Spirit of Live and Love, the Unknown, Prime Mover, and so on. Maybe we could save some time if we all just said God knowing it could mean that whole list.

The film also said that quantum physics is the science of possibility. I'd like to think that UUism with it's openness and flexibility is the faith of possibility. I like to think of UUism as a spiritual search party, open to all routes and possibilities.

We invite you to come walk with us.....What's this all about? It's all about our moving forward and having a clear idea of what we want to do and how to get there.

Facio Populus
Ike Stephenson