Text Box: R.E. News

we are, or to listen actively to the person's story of how and why they came looking for a Unitarian Universalist church. Many seekers come to our door, and often their story of who they have been, and what they have been through, and what it is they are hoping for might resemble your own story. What ultimately makes visiting a straightforward and simple task is that human beings share so much in common. The differences will always be there, but so too will the common ground. 

    Yours in faith,    John
Text Box: Not all visits are obvious or predictable. Among younger members of a congregation, sometimes there are losses to be dealt with--unemployment and divorce or separation come to mind. Sometimes there are family problems that wear a person down. And the church visitor doesn't have to have the skills to heal everything. He or she can simply sit and listen, and maybe repeat back what is being said to affirm that careful listening is indeed taking place. One of the main reasons why people join a church is so that they do not have to walk alone Text Box: when times of trouble occur. As a church grows in size, as ours has done, many of the newer members are less well known and their troubles could remain unknown if they don't go out of the way to tell us. That is why everybody needs to also be a member of the hospitality committee, making the time to greet and meet new people. Perhaps you have only been to our church five times and aren't yet a member. To a new person who just showed up today, you are comparatively experienced in the ways of the church and might know how to explain who Text Box: vegetable gardens or would like to do some research on native plants, we really need your help. You’d have many willing “Gardening Assistants”, both big and small. Please call me at 623-915-2678. – Kathy Abramowitz Text Box: The Jr Hi is taking a look at many different religious faiths this winter. In January, they studied Buddhism and took a trip to a Buddhist Temple. In February, they will be looking at the teachings of Church of the Latter Day Saints and Judaism. Our middle-group, Grades 2 – 5, spent the month of January discussing Tolerance, and in February, they will work on Responsibility, Happiness and Humility. The Fledgling Club has been Text Box: studying the sun. Did you see their shadows on the sidewalk in front of the church? Now they’re learning about plants. They planted seeds to take home and in February, they will be doing all sorts of interesting experiments on plants. We would love to plant a garden and already have a scarecrow. But we need someone to step up to the plate and volunteer to be our garden coordinator. If you have experience growing Text Box: The Minister’s Journal—continued from page 1 Text Box: Page # Text Box: