March 2, 2011 The Exponent www.oruuc.

org 1

The Exponent
Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church

Sunday, March 6, 2011

"Theology as Pornography"
Rev. Jake B. Morrill, leading worship
March 2, 2011
10:00 Traditional Service
11:00 Connections
Noon Celebration Service INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
We'll discuss the effect of pornography on our
Message from the Minister 2
understanding of the erotic, and how the same effect has
gradually happened in theology, too. Message from the Board 4-5
Strategic Plan Update
Sunday, March 13, 2011
"Unearned Blessings" Message from the Director of 6-7
Faith Formation
Rev. Barbara Prose, leading worship Unleashing the Power of Love
10:00 Traditional Service Caught in the Act
8
11:00 Connections Membership Matters
Noon Celebration Service
Do you have a sense of grace? Sometimes we don’t Rummage Update 9

know where blessings come from, if grace is real, or how Movie Night
redemption can ever happen. Yet in the struggles of our Spring Retreat
Upcoming Events 10
lives, unexpected gifts emerge. Are these grace?
Barbara Prose is currently serving as Resident Minister
at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, OK. A former Amongst Ourselves 11

homebirth midwife, she received her Masters of Divinity

from Bangor Theological Seminary in 2009. She has
lived in Maine with her husband Rick and her daughters
Sophia and Celeste for the last twenty-two years.

PAY ATTENTION THIS MONTH!

This month of March is not only Women’s History Month. And it’s not only a time for basketball fans to dissolve into March
Madness. This month is also a time of church-wide conversations, in small groups and otherwise throughout ORUUC. Mem-
bers of the Board will discuss the Strategic Plan they updated, in response to small-group conversations with you last fall.
Staff-members and I will talk to you about how we believe we can best implement this Strategic Plan, in a way that invites
your creativity, through what we are calling “Open Church.” And the Giving Campaign wants to talk with you about
“Unleashing the Power of Love”—as we all come together to help build an institution that will grow and touch our wider com-
munity for the next sixty years, and beyond. Please make sure to come to an event this month—to hear about the Strategic
Plan, to discuss and help shape the “Open Church” model, and to make your generous Fair Share pledge for the next fiscal
year. We now return to your regular broadcast, Jake
 2 The Exponent www.oruuc.org March 2, 2011

A Message from the Minister

In 1648, our religious ancestors met in Cambridge, Massachusetts to create a sustainable,
cooperative way to practice church for free people. Two years earlier, their religious
cousins back in England had agreed on the “Westminster Confession,” outlining how what
was to become the Presbyterian Church was going to be gathered for the centuries to come.
Our ancestors in New England agreed with the theology—they were not yet Unitarian—but
weren’t so sure about the hierarchical way that the church was set up. So, breaking from
their cousins, they developed the “Cambridge Platform.” They didn’t want to choose
between free individuals and the call of community. So, they established a democratic way
of doing church that placed power in the hands of the covenanted community, and
encouraged the free agency of each individual, in accountable relationship with his or her
neighbor. This balance of autonomy and accountability for individuals was true, also, of
congregations. Each congregation was to govern itself; and each congregation was to be in
accountable relationship with its neighboring communities—when there was trouble at one, leaders from the neighbor
church were expected to come over for support and for counsel.
For hundreds of years, this has been our tradition, the ongoing question of the free church: how each generation can
find the invigorating balance between freedom and community. Here at ORUUC, as it is in every Unitarian
Universalist Church, this is also our question. Some of us, coming from backgrounds that restricted and constricted
us, came here seeking individual freedom. Some of us, coming from a sea of consumerism and meaninglessness,
came here seeking roots and tradition. All of us gather to better understand the ways of love in this world, with
ourselves, with one another, and out into the world. We do this through the various ways we volunteer; we do this
through the ways we apply what we learn here in this community back in our homes and workplaces. So, we have
different quests, and we have common values.
Sometimes, the question of how to balance individual freedom and coherent community can be confusing, leading to
different people operating under different assumptions. Sometimes, it can be frustrating, as people wonder how things
actually work around here—who decides, and how do they decide?
Over the last few years, I believe the leadership of the church has clarified the responsibilities and relationships
between many of the different roles at ORUUC. One of the main ways has been through the Board’s adoption of
“Policy Governance.” In general, governance is when a group of people, on behalf of an organization, do three things:
name the organization’s overall direction (the horizon it is moving toward); grant the power necessary for the
organization to move toward that horizon; and then monitor progress toward that horizon. A managing Board will do
this on a case-by-case basis, making operational decisions that they deem best; this is a way for the Board to keep tight
reins on the organization. Policy Governance is different. Under Policy Governance, the Board names the general
direction—the mission, vision, and goals (or “Ends”); sets the parameters within which these goals must be pursued
(for instance, saying that the minister can’t spend 200% of the budget in one single year!); and then monitors progress
toward those goals. As the Board sets the church’s largest goals, and the limits within which they can be pursued,
they delegate to the Minister and Staff the authority to manage the resources of the church to best realize those goals,
within those limits. The Minister and Staff, as you may have noticed, have some big ideas! Each of us has
professional education, and is in dialog with colleagues in other congregations who help us understand what has
worked elsewhere. So, in our professional roles, we have some expertise and some concepts and curricula to apply.
But you, the church, are the ones who are the stewards of this congregation; you have an innate understanding of what
should happen, not in general, but here, at Stoplight Eleven.
So, imagine: a staff-member comes to a meeting where you’re on the committee, and says, “All right, people, here’s
how it’s going to be.” The Staff-member might be in full compliance with the Strategic Plan, and with what his or her
supervisor was asking him or her to do. But you, as a committee member—and as a proud anti-authoritarian Unitarian
Universalist—might very well say, “Says who!” You might have some ideas of your own; you might have a sense of
the pulse of the church. You might have some creative impulse. You might know how a problem could be solved, or
how a challenge might be met. As a volunteer, you might not be so responsive to being told, “Follow the plan.”
So, that creates a bind, doesn’t it? The Board develops the Strategic Plan in response to the Congregation, but when it
comes back to the Congregation from Staff, it can understandably seem pretty “top-down.” Even if the Minister and
Staff have all kinds of expertise and rationale to back up what they’re saying, it just may be that it’s not where you
live. It just may be that it’s not what you dreamed up when you first signed on for this particular role in the church.
 March 2, 2011 The Exponent www.oruuc.org 3

It is the same old question that our ancestors faced: how can we sustain a community of free people? How can we
gather around common vision and purpose, while also inviting the greatest creativity and energy each of us has?
Is it a choice between anarchy or top-down control? Between inspiration and plan? Between ad hoc and coher-
ent?
From what I can tell, ORUUC now has three systems of authority that determine how things are decided—three
different ways to know if something is a “go.” The first kind is an organic informal authority that relies upon es-
tablished members knowing what needs to be done; consensus is built through informal conversation, and any an-
ticipated conflicts are resolved through checking in with whoever might be affected. The second kind is the for-
mal authority of the elected Board of Trustees, operating under Policy Governance, to which the Minister and
Staff are accountable. And the third kind is another kind of organic, informal authority; this is when someone has
an idea, is exhausted at the thought of engaging what seems the labyrinth of church hierarchy, so—perhaps check-
ing in with a few people—takes a risk, and just goes ahead and does something.
Each kind of decision-making has ways that it works; and each has ways that it drains energy from how we are
together. Each has ways it empowers people; and each has ways it disempowers people. Tightly following the
strategic plan, for example, allows us to allocate resources responsibly (budgeting, staffing, and focusing toward
certain goals), but doesn’t always make room for inspiration.
I’ve been thinking about this, and then talking with church leaders for the last two months. It seems to me that we
need to find a unified, coherent way here at ORUUC for church-members to know how to get things done. It
seems we need a way to connect inspiration to the larger direction named by the Board.
Through two months of talking with Board and with Staff, and with colleagues, I’d like to share with you a model
of authorizing inspired, member-led ministry. Having been reading about “open systems” in the last few months,
I am calling this model, “Open Church.”
Basically, it works the same way—at an operational level—that Policy Governance works at a governance level.
It asks that ministries of the church are oriented to the strategic plan; and it suggests norms of the healthy minis-
tries we’ve observed in the church (for example, encouraging working together, rather than Lone Ranger opera-
tions); it asks that people who are inspired communicate the resources they need—the money, the staff time, et
cetera. And it asks that the members of the church are the ones who imagine how the goals and mission will be
achieved. Thinking back over the last several years, it is often in the grassroots efforts, through the inspiration of
hard-working church members, that our most exciting and enduring ministries arise and unfold.
So, what of the Minister? What about the staff? In this “open church” model, I believe there is a fundamental
shift. Rather than the minister and staff implementing the strategic plan themselves, doing ministry in the name of
the community, the minister and staff now become those who inspire, facilitate, and equip the ministries dreamed
up, planned, and pursued by church-members. The minister and staff are those who might say, “How about this!
Or that?” We might have ideas for best practices. And we’ll continue to keep an eye on the big picture—the
budget, how things are parceled out. But, in this system, we do much less of generating ideas, programs, and min-
istries, and instead stand ready to support you in whatever it is you might have been wishing ORUUC would do
all along.
All of this may sound confusing. No worries. It has taken us all who’ve been thinking it through some time to
digest it. If you remember nothing else, remember this: creative freedom, in pursuit of the same goals. That’s the
basic idea. We’re going to take the month of March to talk about it together. I want especially to talk in person
with hard-working and established volunteers in the church. My hope is that this feels encouraging and supportive
to you, not like one more “top-down” change and upheaval. Through this conversation, the “open church” model
will evolve. March is the month to engage, to learn and to wonder together. By the end of March, I hope we have
arrived at what will work for the most of us, in support of the Strategic Plan.
Looking ahead, if we had some broad understanding of what “open church” meant by the end of March, that
would mean that April would be the time for those with vision for new ministries could begin to plan them. I
would hope to personally meet with those established groups and leaders in the month of April, to hear what they
foresee needing for this coming year, to hear what they’d like to accomplish, and how every group can feel sup-
ported and encouraged by the church to do work that is so very important.
Thank you, each of you, for your important part in building the Beloved Community. It is, I believe, what our
ancestors in Cambridge back in 1648 hoped most of all we would do.
Faithfully,
 4 The Exponent www.oruuc.org March 2, 2011

Board Updates Strategic Plan

Yes, change musters up mixed emotions for many; often it brings about anxiousness,
fear, anger, frustration just to name a few but when change brings about excitement,
opportunity, hope, joy and new perspectives well that’s the type of change most of us
would prefer to experience! So why is it that we tend to focus on the negative emotions
before the more positive aspects of change, because that’s what we choose. When we
choose to experience change in a positive way, it’s much more productive and we can
surf the waves with ease and grace. I’m sure you’ve read between the lines by now and
are anticipating that “a change is a comin’” and you’re right! The church Board has
reworked ORUUC’s Strategic Plan and as a co-author of those changes I’m really excited about them! Every fall,
the Board and Jake seek the input of the congregation about the direction of the church; in the winter, the Board
reflects on how that input and the Board's own sense of things should (or shouldn't) change the Strategic Plan; and
then, in the spring, the Board shares with the Congregation any updates it has made. Usually, the Board has some
kind of town-hall meeting, but last fall, the Board and Jake met with church-members in small groups to hear what
you dreamed of, and what you wanted this church to become. Then, we needed to make sense of it all. It started
with a visioning session with the Board and some great ideas for our future came out of that meeting but the
Strategic Plan didn’t really fit the energy and excitement. So, a group of us sat down one Sunday afternoon in
December, and dreamed and laughed and disagreed and compromised and stretched and borrowed and
brainstormed and out of that effort came a new vision for the future direction of ORUUC! Now don’t get too
nervous, we didn’t add or subtract much from the previous version, we just breathed some new life into
it. Whew!!

Over the next month, the Board will gather and invite all of you to hear about our “Open Church” plan. It is an
opportunity for you to hear about the goals in the strategic plan and how the mission, vision and goals and
objectives of each working group in the church fall in place with the plan. We want to ensure the ministry of the
church is supported and encouraged through these groups and recognize when it’s time to let go of a cause that is
taking more energy than giving. We will be posting these gathering opportunities very soon and we look forward
to sharing with you the latest in the positive changes coming for ORUUC.

Excitedly yours,
Lori Hetes
President-Elect, ORUUC Board of Trustees
 March 2, 2011 The Exponent www.oruuc.org 5

Board Updates Strategic Plan

Proposed Vision: Our vision is harmonious, respectful and loving relationships
with all of creation.

Proposed Mission: We are a diverse, religious community joyfully nurturing one

another in our lifelong spiritual journeys, and committing to transform ourselves
and the world around us through acts of compassion, love and social justice.

Goal #1 - We embrace our common vision and the Unitarian Universalist principles while encouraging
and supporting our diversity.
 We celebrate diversity by encouraging diverse groups (age, theology, cultural, ethnicity, etc.) to
intermingle through social events and learning opportunities.
 We encourage learning about world religion with the intention of understanding the worldwide community
of which we are a part.
 We engage in public activities that include members of neighboring faiths and cultures.

Goal #2 – Our spiritual and religious life is enhanced by quality worship and music.
 Worship services inspire thoughtfulness, a sense of renewal, and a spirit of joy.
 Worship services and church life are enhanced by excellent and inspiring music.

Goal #3 – We foster the lifelong development of spiritual and ethical Unitarian Universalists.
 Small groups are supported in their efforts to learn together, care for one another, and serve with each
other.
 Spiritual growth and religious education are supported through regular learning opportunities.

Goal #4 – We commit to transform the world around us through acts of compassion, love and social
justice.
 We will be recognized as a social action leader, continually advocating for positive social change by
working to improve human conditions and to make local, state, and federal laws more fair and just.
 We will forge strong relationships with the wider community by collaborating on social action and service
projects that promote love and justice.

Goal #5 – Our pastoral care is shared, intentional, and comprehensive.

 Individual and family needs will continue to be identified and responded to in a timely manner through a
strong pastoral care network.

Goal #6 – We have a loving, safe, and lively community that values belonging and connection.
 Newcomers have a path for growing connection and commitment to the congregation.
 Church members have opportunities to use their talents and develop skills that enhance their roles in the
church.
 Internal and external communications leverage current technology.
 Fellowship and fun activities connect our diverse community.
 An environment of "safe space" exists for all that is both physically and emotionally safe.

Goal #7 – Our campus is the outward expression of our mission.

 Our grounds and building are welcoming, functional, and attractive.
 We will move toward an energy efficient building.
 Our campus is capable of supporting the needs of a growing, diverse congregation.
 6 The Exponent www.oruuc.org March 2, 2011

A Message from the Director of Faith Formation

Over the course of my nearly fourteen (can you believe it?!) years as this congregation’s religious
educator, I have come to understand that effective religious education for the 21st Century cannot
be accomplished solely through high quality programming. Good programs are necessary, but not
sufficient. The nature of human beings, the nature of organizations, and the nature of religious
growth and learning collectively point toward building and sustaining a community of co-learners
who embrace life-long faith formation, not as an additional activity, but as a core practice.
If this sounds heavy-handed or too serious or too time-consuming, please know that I love to have
a good time and a good laugh, and I do not recommend endless navel-gazing as a means to
enlightenment! I see us laughing and sharing deep joy, crying and sharing deep sorrow, coasting
for periods of a time, taking sabbaticals, and even dropping back before we go forward at times.
What I don’t see is complacency or playing it safe. I see boldness; I hear prophetic voices; I feel engagement; I sense
intentionality and challenge. I see us continuing to do much of what is already happening.
I have also come to understand that if we want to have a significant impact on the faith formation of children and youth, we
need to focus on their parents, perhaps even more than on Sunday morning religious education groups. I do not mean that
these groups are not vital. I just mean that they are one piece of a larger endeavor. Our most regular Sunday morning
attendees experience something close to 40 hours in religious education per year. Contrast that with around 1000 hours in
school and around 3000+ hours in the home (not counting sleeping!) Several years ago, the then Religious Education
Committee embraced this expanded understanding of their role in the church. Acting on Kim Yount’s positive experience
with the curriculum “Parenting with Love and Logic,” the committee applied for and received an Endowment grant to
cover the costs of the curriculum. We have had two groups of parents participate in “Love and Logic,” thus far. The hard-
working Youth Faith Formation Team not only assures strong Sunday morning groups for young people, they are dedicated
to building a community of co-learners.
However, in this 21st century, we humans are all so terribly busy. Busy-ness is a major death-dealing plague of our times.
We die to spontaneity, to family time, to creativity, to replenishment, to the spirit. The last thing I want is to be a germ
repository for the plague of “busy-ness.” I do not want for church commitments to be “one more thing we have to do.” I
do not want to take part in burning out hard-working, dedicated people, So, how might understanding ourselves to be a
community of co-learners where everyone is invited to join us in life-long faith formation help us work smarter...perhaps
DO less but GROW more? I do not have the answers, but I am committed to searching with you and figuring this out
together. I have experienced the creativity and commitment of both the Youth and Adult Faith Formation Teams, and I feel
confident that we can build on the solid foundation and structures already in place.
In light of our evolution from a focus on programs to a focus on building a life-long learning community, as well as in light
of the 21st century plague of busy-ness, I am enthusiastic about the recent discussions of “Open-Church,” which have taken
place among church leadership. I understand “Open-Church” to be a way of organizing ourselves that builds on the work
church leaders have done on vision, mission, and goals. I understand it to be an opportunity for everyone in the
congregation to take ownership of the vision, mission, and goals—not as consumers, not even as faithful worker-bees, but
as co-creators. “Open-Church” says, “If this is where we are going, how do you want to get there? What matters to you?
What energizes you? What are your gifts you wish to share?” I would add, “How do you see yourself as part of this
community of co-learners on a journey of transformation?”
I see “Open Church” as a way to let go of what we may currently be doing that is having a net drain on our community.
Perhaps by taking some time to rest and reflect and NOT DO as much, we will make space for doing that which we really
need to do. I see “Open Church” as a way of resting when we need to rest and diving in when the time is right. We won’t
do things because “this is what we do” but because “this is what we are called to do.”
I look forward to conversations in the days and weeks ahead as we consider “Open Church” as a way of organizing
ourselves and of being accountable to and for each other. I believe we can build on what is healthiest in our existing
system and transform ourselves into an even more vibrant, collectively responsible community. May it be so.
In faithful partnership,
 March 2, 2011 The Exponent www.oruuc.org 7

Unleashing the Power of Love

In the past, you have seen shiny new items that a bigger budget could purchase. Last
fall, the Minister and the Board went out to talk with small groups throughout
ORUUC, to find out where you were most alive, to hear what most moved you. These
conversations resulted in an updated Strategic Plan, with goals that more closely reflect
where you are alive now. But more importantly, church leaders encountered a
congregation that is bubbling with energy, with trust, with hope, and with love. So,
instead of giving you a list of items, this Giving Campaign is saying that love is here in
this congregation, that there are big dreams among us, and that making them real will take your heart, time,
commitment, and generosity. If we all do our part, (and then maybe some more), we will be able to unleash the
power of love, with the tremendously healing and unifying power we have each known in our lives.
When you show up at church, you are not a customer. In the loving
community we sustain around here, from your very first day, you are a
collaborator. To be worthy of the name "love," how we practice being in
Why is pledging important?
relationship with one another and with the world takes imagination, patience,
and trust in the long-haul. It takes of each one of us a risk: to share
something that matters. We share our stories. We share our insights. We
share our skills and our gifts. And we share our money. About three-fourths
of ORUUC's money each year comes from the annual pledges of members
and friends. This is not about spare change. It is a commitment. With the
same care, thoughtfulness, and generosity that you have dared to share
yourself in this community, you are now asked to share your financial gift,
too. If you are new to church, or would like some help, you can find a "Fair
Share Giving Guide" on the uua.org website. You can talk to a trusted leader
of the church; you can talk to Jake. If money is a source of anxiety for you,
there is help. For instance, later this spring, ORUUC will once again offer
the popular "Financial Peace University," which has already helped ORUUC-
ians save tens of thousands of dollars and direct household spending and
saving toward deeper values.

What Are Our Goals This Year?

Everyone Pledges: If you participate in the ministry of ORUUC, you are expected to pledge. If you struggle with
making this commitment, please notice this struggle as the opportunity to have a creative, shame-free, solution-
finding conversation about why with a trusted church leader or Jake.
By the End of March, we are Done: You will hear about the campaign through February. You will be invited to
events during March, where you'll be asked to turn in your completed pledge-card.
Automatic Withdrawal Opt-Out: Most people do their banking online these days, with many bills paid online. We
ask you to do the same with your church-pledge. As well as evening out your own budget flow, it will help stabilize
the church's cash-flow.
Monthly Pledge: Most people budget on a monthly basis. We get our monthly bills. We budget how much to
spend on groceries each month, and so forth. So, we are asking you this year to consider what monthly amount you
will pledge.

Giving Campaign Events

 Afternoon tea at the home of Marti Adler-Jasney: This event will be held at 3:00pm on Wednesday March
09th. Please RSVP to the church if you would like to attend the event.
 Ice Cream Social: A yummy treat in exchange for a pledge card. The event will be held on Sunday March
13th at 11:00am.
 Beer and Pizza night hosted by the Bauers: The event will take place on March 19th at the church. Please
sign up at giving campaign table or RSVP to the church.
 8 The Exponent www.oruuc.org March 2, 2011

Caught in the Act

Heather and Eric Farragut are this month's recipients for Caught in the Act.
Although they are fairly new to our congregation, they have already stood
out as among our most revitalizing and energetic members. Heather and
Eric came forward and decorated our church beautifully this past holiday
season when no other person or group took up the task. They also have set
down new mulch in our playground area and bought new playground
equipment which they assembled themselves on a Saturday afternoon.
ORUUC would like to say thank you to two of our hard working members.

Roxana McNair

Congratulations also to our Volunteer of the Month, Cindy Holt! Keep an eye on the next
Exponent to hear more about Cindy and her wonderful work here at ORUUC!

Membership Matters
If you haven't heard Harold "Duck" Waddle has taken the helm of the Membership
Committee. To get us started he has called a meeting onTuesday, March 1 to get the
ball rolling. The goals of this meeting were:

1) To introduce the concept of a Membership Committee

2) To review the duties of this committee
3) To prepare for an Outreach Campaign by assessing our status in terms of welcoming
newcomers
4) To leave with an action plan.

Thank you for all who attended and we look forward to updating you all on our progress!

New UU Class
March 5, 2011 at 9:00 AM

If you are interested in knowing more about UUism and ORUUC and how to become a member, please join us
for a fun and lively time to explore. Rev. Jake, Dave Holt & I will be holding an orientation on Saturday, March
5 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00ish. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided. Please RSVP to angelinacarpen-
ter@oruuc.org by Thursday, March 3.
Save the Dates
March 22 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. a Membership Committee Appreciation Reception will be held in the Hearth
Room. This is a time to recognize everyone who has been assisting with the Sunday morning hospitality. After
socializing and celebrating we will discuss how hospitality fits in with membership and the spirituality of this
service.

March 30 at 6:00 is a Newcomer Dinner. For newcomers that have visited the church in the last year, we want
to get together and get to know each other better. We will have a fine meal prepared by Chef Ryan McCarley
and have fun while getting better acquainted. Please RSVP to angelinacarpenter@oruuc.org
 March 2, 2011 The Exponent www.oruuc.org 9

Another Successful Rummage Sale!

Thanks to the over 70 people who helped transport heavy items, set up the church for the sale, sort the
rummage, price the rummage, sell the rummage and clean up after the Rummage Sale, we have earned over
$7500. This is the same amount as our last sale, and about what we expected to do. I think it was a very
successful rummage sale! Some friends and members of the church put in a 40 hour work week to get the sale
ready! Thanks to all of you for your help and of course your contributions! We can't do this without you!
Betsy Bauer

ORUUC Film Series

"The Girl with a Dragon Tattoo" will be shown Friday, March 25, at 7:00
PM, in the Social Hall. This Swedish film is a compelling thriller based on
the international best-seller by Steig Larsson. The fascinating
heroine, Lisbeth, is a 24-year-old goth girl, who is small and fierce, with
body piercings and tattoos, and has the reputation as Sweden's best
hacker. She and a more traditional fortysomething journalist, Mikael, are
hired to investigate the disappearance 40 years earlier of the niece of an
elderly billionaire. In addition to their search of newspaper and legal
archives, Lisbeth uses her computer skills to track down the killer.
In Swedish with English subtitles. Recommended for adults due to sexual themes, nudity, and
violence. Running time: 148 min. Roger Ebert's rating: 4 stars.

All Church Spring Retreat

Our All Church Spring Retreat is April 15 - 17 at Fall Creek Falls State Park Group Lodge 1. Fall Creek Falls
State Park is located near Spencer, TN, a little more than 2 hours from Oak Ridge.
We will start with Friday evening supper, and continue through our worship service on Sunday morning. You
can come for all or part of the weekend, or even just come for the day!
We have reserved the Group Lodge 1, with its two large bunkrooms with bathrooms, and large meeting room,
dining hall and kitchen, and 4 landside cabins (a few miles from the Group Lodge 1) for our use. Sign up at
the Retreat Table, starting Sunday, March 13, from 11 AM until noon each Sunday through April 3.
Generally, the retreat is a great way to relax (or not, as you prefer) and get to know your fellow UU’s. Come
join the fun! There are a number of activities tentatively planned for the retreat, including bingo, a scavenger
hunt, a bonfire, toasting marshmallows, and much more. There are hikes, games, sports activities, and plenty of
time to talk and get to know people better. We all help prepare or clean up the meals we eat together, and we
all clean up our bunkhouse and common areas at the end of our stay, before our worship service on Sunday
morning.
The retreat committee will be set up at a table on each Sunday morning, March 13 through April 3, to help you
sign up for the retreat. Costs are low, and scholarships can be arranged. Please consider coming for all or some
of the weekend!
We will cancel our reservation for any unfilled landside cabins on April 4 – so if you are interested in staying
in a cabin (cost $115 per room, plus $10 meal cost per adult) you MUST sign up by April 3.
Please sign by Sunday, April 3, 2011, if possible, so we can plan for how much food we need to buy. If you
want/plan to come, and cannot sign up by Sunday, April 3, please contact Betsy Bauer.

Contact Betsy Bauer, bauerec@bellsouth.net during the week, if you have questions.
 10 The Exponent
Women’s Group
What would a Group of Women gathering
in one place look like to you? What would
it involve? What would you hope to gain
from such a gathering? Let’s try it!
ORUUC invites women of all ages to
gather in the East Room on Thursday,
March 10 at 7:15 p.m. If childcare is
needed for you to attend, please phone
Susan Rosenbaum by March 2. See you
then!
Contact Person: Annie Golson (457-1438)
Seder Dinner
ORUUC’s Annual Passover Seder Dinner
is scheduled for Tuesday, April 19, at
6:00 p.m. Everyone is invited to join us in
celebrating the Jewish holiday of Passover.
Passover is a time to celebrate freedom and
liberation, remembering the exodus of the
Hebrew slaves from Egypt. We will hold a
traditional Passover Haggadah and eat a
traditional Seder Dinner.
Please bring a side dish of vegetables or
fruit or dessert, following the traditional
Passover food restrictions:
No yeast products (e.g., bread)
No noodles, cereal, crackers, oats
Use of matzoh is okay!
Eggs are okay
Please R.S.V.P to Terry Haberman at
terynjay@yahoo.com or 865-483-5370 by
Saturday, April 16th.
www.oruuc.org March 2, 2011
Playground News
A big THANK YOU to Heather Ferragut and her family for updating
the equipment and mulch. Heather was asked to take over this project
just recently and jumped in with a lot of enthusiasm and leadership.
The overgrown vines were removed, old equipment cleaned, new
equipment purchased and placed in the young children's area. They
also placed badly needed mulch in this area. The children loved the
new equipment and had a great time playing this past Sunday. All of
this was accomplished within a short time of being asked and within
the monies earmarked for the playground. Heather, we really want to
thank you and say this is exemplary leadership.
—The Playground Committee
Conscious Consumption Group
The Locavore group, in an effort to reflect our expanding interests, is
changing its name to the Conscious Consumption Group. We will
explore how to become fully aware of, and intentional about, our
decisions as consumers. In that spirit, we will be begin our
exploration with the UUA's study guide, Ethical Eating. We have
chosen this topic in preparation for this year's General Assembly,
where we as an association will debate our responsibilities to
ourselves and our planet in relation to how we feed ourselves. This
debate will culminate in a vote to be taken on a Statement of
Conscience, the Draft of which is available on the UUA website.
This is a very broad topic, involving much more than 'organic vs.
traditional' and we invite all to join us as we being this new adventure.
We will also continue to discuss gardening, eating, cooking, finding
good food, and other scrumptious topics. We hope to see you at our
next gathering, Tuesday, March 8 at 7 p.m. in the East Room, to
discuss the first topic in the guide 'Environmental Justice.' Questions?
Please contact Donna Bass (djbass1000@aol.com) or Karen
Brynestad (kbrynestad@aol.com).
 March 2, 2011 The Exponent www.oruuc.org 11

Amongst Ourselves
ORUUC will host a service in memory of Naida Finane on Wednesday, March 23, at 5:00 PM, with a reception
afterward in the Social Hall. Because attendance is expected to be high, volunteers to help in a few different ways
are invited to contact service coordinator Marty Adler-Jasny at 483-9455 or adlerjasnym@bellsouth.net.

This past Saturday, at the First United Methodist Church, church-member Bob Pfeiffer married the wonderful Terry
Copeland, who is a member of FUMC. The ceremony was co-officiated by FUMC's Rev. Troy Forrester and
Jake. You should have seen the smiles on that couple! They are off for a week's honeymoon, before resuming life
together, which includes active membership in their respective churches. When you see Bob next, wish him well!

Beth Meyer’s niece, Myah, has been diagnosed with a brain tumor — here is an update from Beth.

Dear Friends,
First, I want to thank you all for your kind words, thoughts, and prayers for Myah and her family. We asked for
miracles and we are beginning to see what prayers and positive thoughts and energy can bring. Here is an update:

On Friday (2/11), Myah was rushed to the hospital after waking from her nap with severe balance and vision
problems. Children's Hospital (Columbus, Ohio) diagnosed an inoperable brain tumor with no possibilities of chemo
or radiation and life expectancy of one year for Myah.

Since then, Myah's family have been frantically making calls and doing research. To make a long story short, they
found hope through St. Jude's Hospital in Memphis. Myah's condition met all the requirements for some very
hopeful treatment at St. Jude's, and they just happened to have an opening... Miracle #1.

Myah and her parents and baby brother Kaleb (7 months old) are flying to Memphis today to begin a two month
chemo and radiation treatment. Children's in Columbus did not endorse this treatment because it is still considered
experimental. Our understanding is that St. Jude's has had great success with treating this type of tumor.

We are all so encouraged by this new plan, but as you can imagine, Myah and her family have a long road ahead.
Your thoughts and prayers are still very much needed and so greatly appreciated. Gina and I are planning on going
to Memphis during our Spring break in 3 weeks, so we will give a first hand report when we return.

Myah is such a happy energetic four year old. She doesn't know any strangers and her main concern at this point is if
she can take her princess dresses with her. She was happy to know that she was going to Tennessee, so that she can
be close to her Aunt Beth and "Captain Gina" (a nickname Gina acquired from Myah this past summer after we spent
a day together on a pontoon boat on Norris Lake).

Again, thank you all for your caring hearts... please keep Myah and her family in your prayers and positive
thoughts... and stand by for Miracle #2!

With love and appreciation, Beth

Mark Your Calendar for the 2011 UUA General Assembly! June 22– 26, Charlotte, NC

General Assembly (GA) 2011 in Charlotte will mark the 50th anniversary of the merger of the American Unitarian
Association and the Universalist Church of America.

Every summer, Unitarian Universalists from all over gather at General Assembly to learn, to get inspired, and to do the
business of the wider Association. This June, GA is in Charlotte, from June 22 to June 26. Registration is open, and
all are encouraged to consider joining the number of ORUUC-ians who plan to attend.
 Board of Trustees
12 Hal Hoyt….
The…………President
Exponent
Kim Yount…Past President
Lori Hetes………...President-elect
Martin Bauer……Finance Officer
Anne Scott…………..Secretary
Nathaniel Bass
Roxana McNair
Linda Sullivan
Marty Adler-Jasny
Ministers and Staff
Rev. Jake Morrill, Minister
Rev. Howard Box Minister Emeritus
Tandy Scheffler,
Director of Faith Formation
Angelina Carpenter,
Director of Community Life
Nancy Starr, Director of Music
Cyndy Bailes, Bookkeeper
Kimberly Donnelly, Congregational
Administrator
Margaret Hoff, Communications Coord.
Susan Rosenbaum, Nursery Coordinator
Jackie Whitehead, Custodian
Esther Berry, Sunday Morning Asst.
Paul Lee, Pianist
Judy Moyer, Pianist
Phone: (865) 483-6761 Fax: (865) 481-3646
The Exponent
Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church
1500 Oak Ridge Turnpike
Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830-6207
www.oruuc.org
If you are going through difficult times and wouldMarch 2, 2011
like emotional
support, or are in any situation where support and caring are
needed, please contact the Lay Pastoral Care Associates.
The Lay Pastoral Care Associates contacts:
Rev. Jake Morrill, Minister, 483-6761
Sal Smith, LPCA Team Leader, 483-5731
Kimberly Donnelly, Congregational Administrator, 483-6761
Office Hours:
If you need Monday through Friday
transportation, are ill 9 AM to 3 PM
and need support, or
Worship Services:
need home-health or 10 AM Traditional Service
baby equipment, please
12 PM Celebration Service
call the Caring
Coordinators for the Parents: If you need child care for an
month of March:
event, please call Susan Rosenbaum
(865-882-2372) or email
Linda Ellis (435-3635)
(MsClued@aol.com) at least 5 days in
and Judy Van Winkle
advance.
(483-4808).
E-mail: office@oruuc.org Web: www.oruuc.org