The Unicorn - Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Boca Raton

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The Unicorn - Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Boca Raton
May 2021
The Unicorn
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Boca Raton Newsletter

                                Page 2
                            Sunday Services

                                Page 3
                              Board Corner

                                 Page 4
                              From the DRE
                               Book Group

                                Page 5
                             Healing Justice

                                 Page 6
                        SE Florida Cluster Event

                                Page 7
                      UUA Annual General Assembly
            Allen’s Place Community Garden Grand Opening

                            Page 8
              June Newsletter Submission Deadline
       Open Door Acupuncture Community Acupuncture Clinic

                                Page 9
                           What’s Happening

                                 Page 10
                                 Calendar

 Links for Zoom events are provided in our weekly emails.
Not getting the emails? Send a request to admin@uufbr.org.

Free in Faith   Diverse in Thought   United in Caring   Committed to Action
The Unicorn - Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Boca Raton
Virtual Sunday Services
                          at 10:30am

                           May 2
               One Humanity: All In This Together
  This past year has been filled with uncertainty, which has taught us many lessons. For
instance, we have learned to demonstrate our optimism whereby using statements such
 as: “we’re all in this together!” The reality is that together we have the ability to redeem
                         ourselves, and create a future of possibilities.
                             Reverend John Smith
                                   May 9
                              Hey Ma, I’m Home
On this Mother’s Day and my first Sunday back from Sabbatical, some thoughts on the
mothering we have all received, and the mothering we are called to give.
                  Reverend Harris Riordan, preaching
                                  May 16
                            Looking For Wisdom
                  Reverend Harris Riordan, preaching

                                       May 23
                                      A Legacy
               Bill Jensen, Judy Keiser, Louise Malusis
                                        May 30
                       It’s almost here - Our Future
  As the world begins to open up again from the pandemic constrictions, what hopes,
       what insights, what wisdom will we keep close as we leave our bubbles?
                     Reverend Harris Riordan, preaching

                                  June 6th
                             Flower Communion
 We close this fellowship year with Flower Communion online. To celebrate the gifts of
   this community. Send in a photo of you holding a flower, - just a selfie would do.

 May 2021                                                                                 2
The Unicorn - Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Boca Raton
UUFBR
         BOARD OF TRUSTEES
                       CORNER
 Together with Rev. Harris, your Board looks forward to reopening the Sanctuary building
 for Sunday service and other activities this fall, though service will still be available over
 Zoom and on Facebook. Two impediments to reopening have arisen since the last
 congregational meeting at which our annual budget was approved. 1. Our trash
 collection company can no longer reach our dumpster due to low-lying power lines, so
 either the lines or the dumpster must be moved. 2. Boca has now advised us that we
 must install a fire alarm system in the Sanctuary building before we can gather there. Your
 Board is working on potential solutions to these problems. We invite you to a town hall
 meeting on Thursday, May 6, starting at 7:00 PM to discuss these issues, how they arose,
 what can be done to address them, what the likely costs may be and how we might
 finance such costs. Your Board is in the process of formulating a plan to deal with all of
 this but invites you to join in the discussion and have a chance to provide your ideas and
 suggestions.

 Your Board will then call a special congregational meeting on Sunday, May 23, at noon to
 present its plan to resolve the issues and to seek your approval of such plan. Details will
 be provided to you in the notice of the meeting.

 Zoom links for the Town Hall gathering and Special Congregational Meeting will be sent
 out in the weekly email messages you receive. We hope you will join us at these important
 events. We are confident we can find a way to handle the challenges we face working
 together. As always, we are grateful for our wonderful congregation and your support.

                              UUFBR Board of Trustees
                                Louise Malusis, Co-President
                                Sandy Troiano, Co-President
                                 Patrick Larson, VP-Facilities
                                   Louis Merlin, Secretary
                                    Paul Libert, Treasurer
                               Carlton Devot, Trustee at Large
                                 Ron Lovell, Trustee at Large
                              Barbara Messick, Trustee at Large
                                Carrie Viles, Trustee at Large

                      Contact the UUFBR Board of Trustees by email:
                           uufbr-trustees@googlegroups.com.

                    Read everything that is posted by and to the Board:
                        https://groups.google.com/g/uufbr-board.

May 2021                                                                                          3
The Unicorn - Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Boca Raton
From the DRE
         By Amy Wright Glenn
         Director of Religious Education

Dear UUFBR Members and Friends,
I hope this finds you all in good spirits.
We had a wonderful time with the Spring "May Day" Drum Circle. Thanks to all who attended! Special
thanks to Judy Kieser and Dave Van Camp for their leadership in pulling it together.

                                         Also, more amazing/good news ~ the children in RE have
                                         wrapped up a year of studying World Religions! Yes! From
                                         Taoism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism,
                                         Christianity, and Islam ~ we have learned so much! Whew!
                                         This month we return to our roots. Our UU roots.
                                         In honor of our study of Unitarian Universalism, we will be
                                         gathering all together for all of the Sundays in May.
                                         So, parents, please note that all of the Religious Education
                                         children will be meeting with me at noon each Sunday of May.
                                         The Zoom link remains the same. Contact me to request the link
                                         at: dreuufbr@gmail.com
                                         Peace,
                                         Amy

                         For more information about Religious Education at UUFBR:
                                https://www.uufbr.org/religious-education/

                                                  UUFBR Book Group
                                                  Wednesday, May 19, 7:00pm

        Book Title: Uncomfortable Conversations With A Black Man by Emmanuel Acho
        Presenter: Carolyn Brown

 May 2021                                                                                              4
The Unicorn - Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Boca Raton
Healing Justice supports and promotes antiracism. Clearly. Completely. No doubts in the minds of
any of us that we choose to be antiracist and will continue to promote antiracism at all levels...
individual (within us as individuals) and systemic (in all of our organizations and systems, to include
our communities, our faith, our cultures, our many faceted institutions...). However, like all things and
persons who are Unitarian Universalists (UU), we have different ideas about what this means. This
year we have been exploring the 8th Principle and antiracism work within the UU faith. For those of
you who are new to UU work, the 8th Principle brings to life the idea that all people, all races, are
welcome in Unitarian Universalism. You can explore the origin and development of the 8th Principle at
https://www.8thprincipleuu.org/ . Below is the text of the 8th Principle.

“We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and
promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved
Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and
our institutions.”

Over the next few months, HJ plans to provide more opportunities for us to dialogue about the
meaning of antiracism work and the 8th Principle. We know that some UU members believe we do not
need another principle, thinking that the 7 we already have are enough to cover everything required to
support diversity among us, to be fully welcoming to all, including BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and
People of Color) and be antiracist. Our plan is to create opportunities at UUFBR for deep dialogue, a
space where all are welcome; where we can learn from one another. When some hear that we are
having yet ANOTHER sermon, ANOTHER discussion group about racism, they may feel that our
worship, our fellowship has become about social justice and thus, less spiritual. Let's talk about why
social justice work fits with spiritual work, how each intersects and supports the other. There are many
concerns and ideas that we need to talk about.

In order to have full and meaningful dialogues, I believe we will need to welcome our own diversity of
thought. One way to do this would be to adopt The Reverend Kierstin Homblette Allen's idea
preached about on Sunday, April 25 in her sermon, All of Us Need All of Us to Make It. Let's create a
space that is brave, where people can take risks and remain a part of the whole. The space will not
be "safe" if by "safe" we mean a place without controversy, where we will not express our different
thoughts and emotions. We know we need to continue to talk with one another about how we want
to dismantle racism. In our congregation we need to consider adopting the 8th Principle. Over the
past few years, we have come to know so much more about how racism pervades all that we are and
stand for in the US. We need to talk about what we are willing to do to change it. We need to create
spaces where we are willing to talk openly, honestly, with curiosity and without fear of being
disrespected and shut out because we think differently. We need to bring to life the idea that "All of
us need all of us to make it."

Watch for UUFBR e-blasts for these conversations. Join in with open hearts and minds. UUFBR will
become stronger as we engage with one another in deep conversations.

Healing Justice meets next at 7:00pm on May 20. Join us. All are welcome and needed.

May 2021                                                                                               5
SE Florida Cluster Virtual Event
                     Saturday, May 22, 9:30am - 3:00pm
                       Free. Registration is required.
    The Cluster is a voluntary association of Unitarian Universalist congregations
   in southeast Florida who covenant to transform ourselves and make the world
                                   a better place.

We will feature a speaker from the UUA Commission on Institutional Change as we "Widen
the Circle of Concern". The Commission was formed in 2017 to address problems of
racism within the Association. How can we move forward in addressing the perennial
problem of racism and white supremacy in the Association even though it is not seen as a
theological mandate? The Commission has begun a process of truth and reconciliation.
We will have interactive breakouts, rituals, new tools, music, fun and connections with
other cluster congregations. The Rev. Marcus Fogliano, Project Manager for the
Commission will deliver the keynote and will take questions.
Please register at this Registration Link.
For more info, Contact: (305) 281-4089 or Email: info@SEUUCluster.org.

May 2021                                                                                   6
June 23-27, 2021
                                        General Assembly (GA) is the annual
                                        meeting of our Unitarian Universalist
                                        Association (UUA). Participants
                                        worship, witness, learn, connect, and
                                        make policy for the Association
                                        through democratic process. Anyone
                                        may attend.

           Click here for all the details on this year’s virtual GA.

May 2021                                                                  7
12 noon on Wednesday, May 26
                                   is the submission deadline for the June 2021
                                                           Your cooperation is appreciated❣
                                                                                    -Gail

            Open Door Acupuncture, Community Acupuncture Clinic
                      Rockberger Room (back building)
      Erica Siegel, A.P. Acupuncture Physician and Doctor of Oriental Medicine
                                             Clinic Hours
                          Sunday: 8:30am-10:30am and 12:00pm-3:00pm
                          Monday: 10:00am-2:00pm
                          Wednesday: 9:00am-2:00pm and 5:00pm-8:00pm
                          Thursday: 8:00am-2:00pm
                          Saturday: 9:00am-3:00pm

I’m still here for you!
Community Acupuncture (treatments in a group setting) has become popular in the United States
over the last few years because patients pay on a sliding scale, therefore allowing the opportunity to
receive treatments as often as needed.
Unfortunately, during this time of Covid-19, the community acupuncture model is not an optimal
situation for receiving treatments. The information that we have thus far about this virus has
encouraged us to physically distance as much as possible. In keeping with these guidelines, I am
seeing patients privately until the virus numbers become much lower. An exception to this rule
would apply if a family or group of people who have been isolating together visit me at the same
time for treatments.
In keeping with necessary guidelines, practitioner and patient both must wear clean masks. The
clinic is aired out and disinfected between patients with medical grade products. I also keep the
door open as much as possible to keep the air circulating. Even though I am seeing patients
privately, I am keeping my fee lower than a usual private treatment fee. I feel that it is imperative at
this time for us to all keep working on our overall health, boosting our immune systems and
reducing stress.
My fee right now for an initial consultation including an acupuncture treatment is $75. Acupuncture
treatments are $50. If two people who have been isolating together come for treatment at the same
time, the cost is $75 for both patients. I am also available to discuss herbal options for those who
are interested in boosting their immunity.
Please remain healthy, mentally and physically. It is a very challenging time, but we each have much
to be grateful for.
Much love, Erica
718-541-4931 ericasiegel_acupuncture@yahoo.com

 May 2021                                                                                                  8
What’s Happening!
               Zoom links for these regularly scheduled events are provided in
                      our weekly emails and on our website, uufbr.org.
                Not getting the emails? Send a request to admin@uufbr.org.

Sundays
Worship Service at 10:30am: We gather in worship to find meaning and to live more deeply. Worship
creates connections within, among, and beyond us, calling us to our better selves, calling us to live
with wisdom and compassion.
Religious Education at 12:00pm: Stories, songs, games, connections, and the lifting up of our UU
Principles and Purposes will strengthen our children at this time.
Mystics and Metaphysics, monthly on the 2nd Sunday at 6:30pm: This adult group meets to
deepen and share their individual spiritual quests.
World Religions for Adults, monthly on the last Sunday at 2:00pm: Lecture, Q&A, and breakout
room conversations.
Chalice Circle for Pre (and young) Teens, monthly on the last Sunday 3:15pm: All 12 to 15 year-
old UUs and Friends of UUs are welcome to join DRE Amy Wright Glenn for 45-minutes of heartfelt
support once a month.
Tuesdays
Morning Coffee & Tea at 10:00am: Enjoy your favorite brew at home and share your thoughts in a
group conversation with no agenda.
Wednesdays
UU Compline at 8:30pm: Join this half hour of music, time just to breathe together, and for sharing
of words to lift the spirit. This is meant to be a time of meditation, a time of prayer. It is not a
discussion group. If folks want to check in with each other they may starting at 9:00pm. The Zoom
room will stay open till 9:30pm.
Book Group, monthly on the 3rd Wednesday at 7:00pm: Read the selected book and join the
discussion.
Thursdays
Morning Coffee & Tea at 10:00am: Enjoy your favorite brew at home and share your thoughts in a
group conversation with no agenda.
Nonviolent Communication, monthly on the 2nd week at 12:30pm: NVC is taught as a process of
interpersonal communication designed to improve compassionate connection to others. It aims to
support change on three interconnected levels: within self, between others, and within groups and
social systems.
Fridays
Happy Hour at 5:00pm: You and your spouse, partner, buddy or whatever are invited! BYOB & snack
(Virtual sharing).
Saturdays
The Forum at 10:00am: Engage in spirited group discussion of social and political issues.
Movie Matinee Discussion at 3:00pm: Watch the selected movie on Netflix at your convenience
prior to the 3:00pm Discussion Group and join the discussion on Zoom.
                               Dates and times are subject to change.

May 2021                                                                                               9
UUFBR
                  May 2021 Fellowship Calendar
         Sunday             Monday         Tu e s d a y   We d n e s d a y     Thursday        Friday       Saturday

                                                                                                           May 1
                                                                                                           10:00am-The
                                                                                                           Forum
                                                                                                           3:00pm-Movie
                                                                                                           Discussion
                                                                                                           Group

May 2                     May 3          May 4            May 5              May 6            May 7        May 8
10:30am-Worship Service                  10:00am-         8:30pm-UU          10:00am-         5:00pm-      10:00am-The
12:00pm- Children’s                      Facility         Compline           Morning Coffee   Happy Hour   Forum
Religious Education                      Maintenance                         & Tea                         3:00pm-Movie
                                         10:00am-                            7:00pm-Town                   Discussion
                                         Morning                             Hall Meeting                  Group
                                         Coffee & Tea

May 9                     May 10         May 11           May 12             May 13           May 14       May 15
10:30am-Worship Service   7:00pm-        10:00am-         8:30pm-UU          10:00am-         5:00pm-      10:00am-The
12:00pm- Children’s       Special        Facility         Compline           Morning Coffee   Happy Hour   Forum
Religious Education       Called Board   Maintenance                         & Tea                         3:00pm-Movie
6:30pm-Mystics and        Meeting        10:00am-                            12:30pm-                      Discussion
Metaphysics                              Morning                             Nonviolent                    Group
                                         Coffee & Tea                        Communication
                                                                             Meeting

May 16                    May 17         May 18           May 19             May 20           May 21       May 22
10:30am-Worship Service   7:00pm-        10:00am-         7:00pm-            10:00am-         5:00pm-      10:00am-The
12:00pm- Children’s       Finance        Facility         Book Group         Morning Coffee   Happy Hour   Forum
Religious Education       Committee      Maintenance      8:30pm-UU          & Tea                         3:00pm-Movie
                          Meeting        10:00am-         Compline           7:00pm-Healing                Discussion
                                         Morning                             Justice                       Group
                                         Coffee & Tea

May 23                    May 24         May 25           May 26             May 27           May 28       May 29
10:30am-Worship Service   7:00pm-        10:00am-         8:30pm-UU          10:00am-         5:00pm-      10:00am-The
12:00pm- Children’s       Board of       Facility         Compline           Morning Coffee   Happy Hour   Forum
Religious Education       Trustees       Maintenance                         & Tea                         3:00pm-Movie
12:00pm-Congregational    Meeting        10:00am-                                                          Discussion
Meeting                                  Morning                                                           Group
                                         Coffee & Tea

May 30
10:30am-Worship Service
12:00pm- Children’s
Religious Education
2:00pm-World Religions
for Adults, Unitarian
Universalism
3:15pm- Young Teen
Chalice Circle

 May 2021                                                                                                           10
The Unicorn                                                                                  May 2021

                                 Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Boca Raton
                                           2601 St. Andrews Boulevard
                                             Boca Raton, FL 33434
                                                  561-482-2001
                                   www.uufbr.org        email: admin@uufbr.org

            BOARD OF TRUSTEES
             Louise Malusis, Co-President                                  STAFF
             Sandy Troiano, Co-President               The Reverend Ms. Harris Riordan, Minister
             Patrick Larson, VP-Facilities           Amy Wright Glenn, Director of Religious Education
                Louis Merlin, Secretary                Stephanie Monsour-Nixdorf, Music Director
                 Paul Libert, Treasurer                      Robert Duchemin, Bookkeeper
            Carlton Devot, Trustee at Large               Gail Larkin, Administrative Assistant
             Ron Lovell, Trustee at Large
           Barbara Messick, Trustee at Large                            Ellen Cormier
             Carrie Viles, Trustee at Large                Director of Religious Education Emerita

           UUFBR Board of Trustees email:
          uufbr-trustees@googlegroups.com

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
of Boca Raton
2601 St. Andrews Boulevard
                                       Time Dated Material–Please Expedite
Boca Raton, FL 33434
                                       Change Service Requested
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