UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION OF WHIDBEY ISLAND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CALENDAR
March 4: 2:30 p.m.,
Worship Committee meeting at Trinity.
4:00 p.m.,
Sunday service and CRE.

March 9: Joint meeting of the Board and CFM. Time and place TBA.

March 10: 10:00 a.m., Board meeting at Peggy's.

March 11: 4:00 p.m., Sunday service and CRE.

March 17: 7:00 p.m., Movie Night place TBA.

March 18: 9:00 a.m., WICUUPS Eostar ritual and breakfast potluck at the LeBaron's. See item on page 3.
4:00 p.m., Sunday service and CRE.

March 22: 7:30 p.m. Slide show presentation and fundraiser for Edward Wesakania. See item on page 2.

March 25: 4:00 p.m., Sunday service and CRE.

March 31: 6:00 p.m., Stewardship Drive Kick-off Dinner. See item on page 3.

UPCOMING SERVICES Services begin at 4 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran church. Children's religious education and child-care are provided during the services unless otherwise indicated.

March 4 "Joyful Noise," with guest leaders Mike Lawson and Jack Brand
Mike Lawson and Jack Brand have been presenting variations of this mostly singing service for the past 3 years at the Woodinville Unitarian Universalist Church. Piano, guitar, and vocals will encourage all who attend to sing with gusto! Expect stories and inspirational messages as well.

Jack is a talented singer, instrumentalist, composer, and arranger, specializing in popular folk music. Michael directed the Woodinville UU choir for 3 years and specializes in international ethnic folk music.

March 11 guest UU minister Rev. Barbara Davenport
It's always a pleasure when Barbara can come to lead a service. A Harvard Divinity School graduate, she is a consulting minister with Skagit UU Fellowship in Mt. Vernon and South Fraser Unitarian Congregation in Surrey, B.C.

Note: Rev. Tim will be here Friday and Saturday of this weekend but will not be leading the service on Sunday. He will be attending the new building dedication for the UU church in Sequim instead. There will be no potluck. Tim will return to speak the first Sunday in April and also Easter Sunday in April.

March 18 "Theology and Environment: A Feminist's Perspective"
Join us as we conduct an imaginary interview with six feminist theologians and women of faith who are interested in the relationship between theology and the environment. The interview is based on writings of Carol Christ, Marija Gimbutas, Rosemary Radford Reuther, Starhawk, Susan Griffin, and Alice Walker. Al Grapel will be our service lay-leader.

March 25 "The Gift of Mindfulness: Lessons from the Buddha to the Wisdom of the West," with guest speaker Kurt Hoelting

Kurt will briefly address the practical relevance of Buddhist meditative practice as a tool for deepening the spiritual life of Judeo-Christian faith communities. He will focus on the common goals and benefits of contemplative practice as experienced in both Eastern and Western religious traditions.

Kurt is a graduate of Harvard Divinity School and an ordained United Church of Christ (UCC) minister who, for the past 20 years, has worked primarily with Zen Buddhist meditation as the core of spiritual practice. In 1994 he founded the Inside Passages Project, which organizes meditation-based wilderness kayak expeditions in Alaska and the San Juans.

UPCOMING SERVICES Services begin at 4 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran church. Children's religious education and child-care are provided during the services unless otherwise indicated.

The Eclectic Cleric
from Rev. Tim Jensen

AN EVENING WITH EDWARD WESAKANIA
Edward grew up in the rich loamy agricultural soil in Kenya. When he was young, the British farmers cultivated various crops very successfully on irrigated terraces, but after independence the Kenyans, who had little or no training, took over, and the land lost its productivity. Forests were cut down and the soil eroded, only corn was grown, the rich root structure died. The land was ever more subdivided to try to give sustenance to ever-larger families. Sustainable agriculture perished.

This all so distressed Edward that he decided to devote himself he runs a small farm with his wife and five children to learning and teaching sustainable organic (chemical-free) farming. He got the best local education he could, including certificates in bio-intensive agriculture. Edward then bravely sold his main asset, one dairy cow, and pursued his passion and calling by joining Kenya's Manor House Agricultural Centre for further training.

His diligence led to various trips abroad to attend courses on soil fertility, stream restoration and the like. As he was doing all this, he founded several local groups to teach environmental conservation, mostly using a video show, and his own little farm, to demonstrate the principles. He also made freely available his carefully assembled library.

He has focused on teaching women and local farmers to grow their crops in ways that are productive, sustainable, and environmentally sensitive, and he has done much work in replanting the indigenous trees that had all been hacked down. Edward notes that Kenyans grow and eat all their food locally (no supermarkets!) so it is essential that the crops are grown so they protect and nourish the soil.

Edward is now at the Mt. Vernon branch of Skagit College studying environmental conservation technology, with the aim of taking his knowledge back to Kenya to continue to spread the word there.

Please support this wonderful man and his cause by attending his slide presentation at Trinity Lutheran Church, Thursday, March 22 at 7:30 p.m., and hear more about his work and mission.

AUCTION HIGHLIGHTS
from Sarah R.

Folks had fun the night of the auction, arrangements for more fun later were made via the auction, and the auction was great for the church's coffers. Thanks to all the donors and purchasers without whom the workers would have felt fruitless. Big thanks to the auction laborers Anne W., Carol B., Rosie H., Bob W., Roy B., Ken M., Sandy W., Al G., Linda G., Leonard G., Chris P., Toyan C., and Malcolm F. These people worked hard to make this event a success. The final result was around $4,500 for the church.

"DARE TO DREAM" SUPPORTING OUR 2001 OPERATING BUDGET
The annual Stewardship Drive for our Operations Budget is upon us. This year the church will support a face-to-face canvass of all members and friends. The canvass visit will be an opportunity to deepen our relations and friendships with one another and to share our feelings about the our church community (as well as leaving the meeting with a signed pledge card.

Our Canvass Team Captains are Lynn H., Malcolm F., and Craig C. They are each recruiting four Canvassers and all will be trained by Marcia Sill, a professional, secured through the PNWD. On Sunday, March 18 from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., the canvassers will receive training. They will be taught to have fun and be joyous, to treasure and give thanks for each pledge, and to make each giver feel good about their support.

At 6:00 p.m. on March 31 at Trinity, we will have a great event The Kickoff Dinner. The food and drink will be free and the congregation will be pampered. All our members and friends will want to come. There will be fun, games, lively entertainment with a smidge of encouragement to open your homes and hearts to the canvassers who will be visiting your home the following week. Canvassing will be done April 1-April 7.

Sally K. and Gail A. are leading a great crew to make the evening a success. There will be six or seven hosts/hostesses who will contact each member and friend personally to extend an invitation. You all come.

Al G. & Baird B., Co-chairs, Stewardship Committee

WICUUPS UPDATE
WICUUPS rituals are held at the Pagan Circle located on the LeBaron's property. Planning meetings for each ritual are held at 6:30 p.m. on Mondays generally two weeks before the event. The planning meetings are held at either the LeBaron's home or Trinity Lutheran Church. For more information and specific planning meeting locations, call Ginger.

Monday Planning followed by Sunday Rituals

March 18, 9:00 a.m. EOSTAR Breakfast potluck

April 19, Beltane planning
April 30, 10:00 a.m. BELTANE Breakfast potluck

May 28, Litha planning
June 17, 11:00 a.m. LITHA Lunch potluck

July 9, Lughnasadh planning
July 29, 1:00 p.m. LUGHNASADH Lunch potluck

September, 3 Mabon planning
September, 23 2:00 p.m. MABON potluck

October, 8 Samhain planning
October, 28 4:00 p.m. SAMHAIN Dinner potluck at Circle

November 26, Yule planning
December, 16 7:00 p.m. YULE Dessert potluck

from Peggy's Pen
We have much to be grateful for as I write this on February 23. Last Monday a tragedy was averted by a few MPH. Susan C., one of our members, while picketing the Exxon development with others was injured by an out-of-control car, fortunately sustaining only a broken wrist and bruises. Our thoughts are with the family as Susan heals. Thank you, god, for having the children moved safely to the car a minute before and for merely scaring and muddying the others. I could have lost Seth, Baird, and Siri. Amazing Grace.

One of the wonderful things about this congregation is the spontaneous eruption of creative projects and ideas (picketing was one of them). Members step up and do something about it convening a committee for action, helping a student in need, looking into connecting with Jane Goodal's "Roots and Shoots" program for youth, or collecting for Planned Parenthood in a special offering. A lot happens when we "light a single candle rather than curse the darkness." But for some who are discouraged that the world has yet to be a perfect place and we not yet a perfect church in it, I will share this poem for my column. It seems appropriate as we negotiate "the winter of our discontent."

Take Something Like a Star
by Robert Frost

O Star (the fairest one in sight),
We grant your loftiness the right
To some obscurity of cloud?
It will not do to say of night,
Since dark is what brings out your light.
Some mystery becomes the proud.
But to be wholly taciturn
In your reserve is not allowed.
Say something to us we can learn
By heart and when alone repeat.
Say something! And it says "I burn."
But say with what degree of heat.
Talk Fahrenheit, talk Centigrade.
Use language we can comprehend.
Tell us what elements you blend.
It gives us strangely little aid,
But does tell something in the end.
And steadfast as Keats, Eremite,
Not even stooping from its sphere,
It asks a little of us here.
It asks of us a certain height,
So when at times the mob is swayed
To carry praise or blame too far,
We may take something like a star
To stay our minds on and be staid.

Onward to Spring. See you at church.

Blessed be. Peggy B. pres.

PNWD ANNUAL MEETING
from Sarah R.

Three Whidbey Island people attended the annual meeting of the Pacific Northwest District Chelsea M., Al G., and Sarah R. Starting with the procession of banners, with Chelsea carrying our beautiful banner, the meeting emphasized the issues around anti-racism and anti-oppresion. Al Grapel attended workshops on Creating Meaningful Worship Services and Dealing with Difficult People, while Sarah attended workshops on social action around anti-oppression/anti-racism. Chelsea was very busy with the youth group.

We came back with ideas and a few materials that should be useful to the church. A book, Common Fire, by Sharon Daloz Parks, Laurent Parks Daloz, Cheryl Keen, and James Keen and it's study guide (created by Beacon Press), Songbook 1 from the Signature collection of the UUA, Budget with a Mission by Jerald King, and The Mediator's Handbook by Jennifer Beer.

These district meetings are useful for connecting with district-wide resources and friends. There is a lot of creative work going on in the northwest, our district is admired throughout the continent for it's level of activity and innovation. Our own Tim J. was there and he worked with Kim Varney to work on a covenenting workshop. Kim, however, has been relocated to Denver, CO. It isn't yet decided as to whether he will be able to present the workshop for us or not. In any case we wish him well and hope his successor is as dedicated and jovial as he has been.

Two of the three candidates for UUA President were at the meeting as well as both candidates for Moderator. Bill Sinkford and Diane Miller campaigned by giving position statements and answering questions. Our congregation has a vote in their election, and somehow we have to indicate which candidate we support. They both have websites accessible through the UUA elections web site. Here are some of the highlights from their presentations which come mostly from the Q&A part:

They both addressed the issue of the Candian separation vote coming up. While both wanted to support the Canadians find their best way, they both seemed to prefer that they remain within the continental UUA. They recognize that this separation will be hard on our district because we have so much territory on both sides of the border.

Sinkford:
Currently Director of Congregational Services. He said UU's are currently .8% (less than 1%) of the worshipping US population. His motto is to be "Relentlessly Useful."

He's against Bush's plan to have religious entities provide service using federal funds. He sees that as a dangerous mixing of church and state and recommends the UUA refuse to participate.

He thinks it's ok for the UUA to adopt a prophetic role in the work of the UU's in general. He also thinks that the culture of the UUA staff needs to shift its focus from serving its own organization to serving the member congregations.

Support of a Youth Office is near the top of his priority list and wants to increase training of youth advisers.

He thinks UUA music hasn't been very supportive of music, but also feels the requests for more staff members outnumber the ability to create the positions. He asked music professionals to advise the UUA as to what real help would look like.

He would like to make use of technology to help with communications, eg. video conferencing.

He believes the UU's have a saving word for people and a transformative power for people's lives. That we should imagine that "we" can be as compelling as "I".

Miller:
25 years of ministry under her belt and she is currently Director of Ministry at the UUA. She was the minister that wrested the gas can out of the hands of a disgruntled man during a Sunday Service.

She agrees with Sinkford on Bush's plan to use religious institutions.

She wants to find ways to acknowledge work being done by congregations both in and out of UUA programs.

She was involved in writing the Purposes and Principles and is gratified to see they are still a strong force for UU's.

She wants staff to pay more attention to time zone differences.

Wants to support work towards international links to liberal religions in the world.

She is worried about the youth movement seeing itself as separate from the congregations.

Would like to adjust how UUA relates to professional musicians, support UUMN (UU Musicians Network) with underwriting for their conference. She would like to restructure some departments into one on professional leadership and increase music education.

Using technology she says worship web is coming and will have materials for congregations to use.

She wants us all to tell stories about how our lives have been changed by our involvement with Unitarian Universalism.

I was not able to stay for the Moderator's presentations, but their web sites are also available from the UUA's site.

SPRINGTIME AT ELIOT
Adventures in Wonderland

Eliot Institute offers a five-day, four-night, workshop-based conference for UUs of the Pacific Northwest District April 12-16 to celebrate the creativity in each of us. The theme is Adventures in Wonderland and each participant will select one of five workshops to attend: "Magic Illusion and Reality" with Ray Hyman, Ph.D., "Wonderful Windsocks" with Lezlie Gerrits, "Creativity and Spirituality" with Colleen Foye Bollen, "Through the Looking Glass" (a photography workshop) with Mark and Amie Stafford or "The Many-Storied Self" (personal narratives) with Shannon Applegate. The conference will be held at Seabeck on Hood Canal and will include many traditional Eliot Institute activities, such as daily worship services, optional craft activities, lots of singing, a book store, and performance opportunities, as well as a chance to soak up the peace and beauty of a wonderful natural setting. Since this conference is smaller than others sponsored by Eliot Institute it provides a good opportunity for teens and adults who are new to Eliot to learn about its programs and get acquainted with other UUs. Further information, including fees and application forms, is available from the Eliot Institute website at: http://eliotinstitute.org . Or send e-mail to: administrator@eliotinstitute.org

FOLKDANCE UPDATE
There have been many UU sightings at the South Whidbey International Folkdance classes: Baird B., Margaret M., Christy S., Gail and John A. among others. The folkdance group meets Fridays from 7:45-10p.m. at Bayview Hall. Everyone is welcome; no partner is necessary.

The Winter Session starts February 23 and ends with live music by Nisava on March 30. Mike Lawson who plays the accordian for Nisava will also be conducting our not-to-miss church service on March 4th. Talk about connections. He's a wonderful musician and person. Jerry Wade will teach February 23, March 2, and March 9. Neal Sandler will teach March 16 and March 23. Nisava will play March 30.

Along with a great lineup of instructors for our Winter Session, South Whidbey International Folkdancers is also going to try an exciting new format. Our new format is called "one taught, two danced," and it works as follows: Throughout the evening, every third dance will be a beginning level dance that will be taught for newcomers. Between the beginners' dances will be two other dances which will already by known by the regulars. That way beginners will be able to learn new dances and the regulars will be able to review dances familiar to them.

We will also have a set repertoire of 30 or so dances chosen from various countries: e.g. 3 dances from Israel, 3 from Serbia, 3 from Russia, 3 from Scotland, etc. This repertoire will be repeated throughout the year insuring continuity of dances taught and diversity of countries represented. With this new format, everyone is guaranteed to learn at least 2 or 3 dances per evening.

Call Gail, Inge, or South Whidbey Parks and Recreation at 221-5484 for more information.

PASTORAL COUNSELING WITH TIM
Our minister Tim J. is available for pastoral counseling. He is happy to meet with church members during the long weekends that he is with us on Whidbey. If you would like to schedule an appointment, call or e-mail Tim directly. Tim is regularly here the second weekend in the month, however, in April he will be here on Easter Weekend rather than the second weekend.

SATURDAY SUPPER REMINDER
The next Saturday Supper is March 24, with a Spanish theme. There still may be a slot or two open to attend. We also need a hostess/host for the Mexican theme Supper on May 5th, and there are several slots open for those who wish to attend. The feedack on past suppers has been great, so sign up on the designated clip board on the membership table at church and be prepared to enjoy yourself! If you have any questions call Gail A., Anne W., or Francie W.

BOARD NOTES
The Board met for four hours on February 10 for its regular meeting and to evaluate the results of the congregational surveys. At Tim's request the Board gave him a compilation of the surveys and gave him time to read them in private. Tim shared his thoughts and responses to the evaluations and answered questions. In summary: Tim would like to return next year if his personal situation will allow he should know in 60 days. At present he is not seeking an academic career. His goals include supporting the church through its canvass drive, continuing to get to know the congregation individually, supply workshops/ training as directed, and participate in a Board retreat. He shared that his involvement has been an intentional process of honoring the natural progression of getting to know one another and respecting our sense of direction and leadership.

Tim and the Board discussed the role of the Committee For Ministry. In a congregation of this size, does there need to be a CFM separate from the Board? A joint meeting of the CFM and Board was scheduled for the evening of March 9 to discuss the continuing dialogue of Tim's role with the congregation, and whether the work of the CFM as transitional support is complete.

Tim is planning to conduct a Covenanting/Conflict Management workshop in May with PNWD consultant Kim Varney collaborating.

The Board approved the Vision Budget as presented. It will be used by the Canvass Committee in the Stewardship drive. The Stewardship Canvass was given a budget of $800 to fund the Kick-off Dinner. This will be a free, catered dinner open to all members and friends of UUCWI. Plans for the Annual Stewardship Canvass were presented to the Board. A professional trainer, Marcia Sill, has been secured to educate the canvassers. A notice to all the congregation will go out late in March giving details of the Canvass and Kick-off dinner.

The Board agreed to underwrite publicity and rent expenses needed to put on a fundraiser to benefit Edward, the Kenyan graduate student, who has been stranded here without funds or tuition due to a bureaucratic snafu. Margaret Moore and Karen B. are organizing the project.

SMALL FELLOWSHIP RETREAT
Start planning for Pacific Northwest District Small Fellowship Retreat in Florence, Oregon April 20 - 22, 2001. The retreat will take place at Camp Baker just six miles south of Florence. The Camp is located in an old growth forest on Siltcoos Lake. Across Highway 101 are the nationally famous sand dunes and Pacific Ocean. Climb on the sand dunes, ride in dune buggies, hike in the woods and on the beaches or take boat rides on Siltcoos Lake. Rev. Anne Odin Heller will present the workshop "The M and M Retreat" (Money and Membership). The fee is $85 with discounts available for children or partial stay. For more information call Patricia Romanov at (541) 997 7216. Come join other Unitarian Universalists and their families in fellowship and fun!

SOAPBOX
from Ken M., newsletter editor

Twenty minutes after the great quake of aught one, I was sitting in my car on I-5 in a traffic jam that stretched, unbroken, from my car to one just like it on the Hollywood freeway interchange in Los Angeles. I was only half listening to the NPR callers as they told harrowing tales of their brushes with the temblor. I was too busy trying to get Sandy, or my parents, or anyone on my cel phone while a helicopter buzzed overhead like a myopic bee on speed. But as I sat there, creeping at 3.7 miles per hour toward L.A., a caller crystallized my thoughts, breaking though all the noise, frustration, and fear, and coming at me as if my own thoughts were emanating from my car stereo.

He said, "I left L.A. for Seattle to get away from riots and earthquakes."

How true.

Now, I didn't really leave Southern California to escape urban blight and subterranean fault lines, but I remember thinking, shortly after moving into my little house on South Whidbey, that virtually no helicopters would be shining spotlights into my bedroom at 3:00 a.m. And, although I loved San Diego and still think of it fondly, I've come to appreciate not living on a 500 square mile strip mall.

Yet L.A. follows me here, or is it that I invite it to come live with me? I'm sitting in a car, in a traffic jam, cursing to the ether because the cel phone plastered to my profile won't connect me to my wife. Thoreau said: "Most of the luxuries and many of the so-called comforts of life are not only not indispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind." Could I live without this stuff? My cel phone, my laptop, my car, my commute, my job, my livelihood? Obviously not all of it. I have to make some kind of a living. Like the crazy Russian fisherman in one of my favorite films, Local Hero, says, "You can't eat scenery."

I know I don't want my little corner of heaven to turn into an infinitely extending convenience store. So, I want to thank those quixotic souls among us who protest the Exxon station. True, we had a terrifyingly close call on that cornerand I'm filled with gratitude and relief that Susan and everyone else will be okaybut I hope we'll remember what Kathy Cado said at church the next Sunday: "We were there for a reason." And I hope we go back, if not to the exact spot, at least to back the cause.

Okay, I'm guilty of a bit of hyperbole here. I've tried to connect one little Exxon station to urban sprawl, rampant consumerism, and a police state. Well, all I can say in my defense is that McDonalds is looking at a building site near Casey's Market.