Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of St. Croix

 Newsletter May, 2013

 (The Fellowship meets at the Jewish Community Center in Hermon Hill the second and fourth Sundays October-May. Services and Sunday School are held at 10 AM.  Refreshments and conversation follow.)

MAY SCHEDULE:

 May 5 (Sunday) NO COVENANT GROUP. Roads are closed due to Triathlon.

May 6 (Monday) 3 PM: Board of Directors meeting at home of Emy Thomas.

May 12 (Sunday) 10 AM: Service & Sunday School & FLOWER COMMUNION. Marsha Shuman will speak on “Two Unitarian Women – One Created Mother’s Day, the Other Brought Americans the Flower Communion”. Everyone is asked to bring at least one flower; you will go home with another. For the social hour following the service you are invited (but not obliged) to “bring your mother’s favorite snack.”

May 19 (Sunday) 10 AM: Covenant Group (last one of the year) meets at home of Emy Thomas

May 26 (Sunday) 10 AM: Service & Sunday School & ANNUAL MEETING Outgoing President Gail Nealon will speak on “The Sacred Call: Personal Answers to Ultimate Questions.” The annual meeting follows the service. Everyone is urged to attend. All members may vote on new officers and other matters. Non-members are welcome to participate but may not vote.

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR TREASURER, Jim Nealon: Thank you for your continued support. We are currently slightly ahead of the budget. Good news! The 2013-14 fiscal year budget is being prepared for membership approval at the annual meeting in May. Appreciate early input for board consideration.

For fiscal year to date, June 1, 2012 to Apr 26, 2013:
Income = $ 17,900 ( budget $ 16,600 )
Expenses = $16,398 ( budget $16,827 )

QIYAMAH’S COLUMN

{Please see attachments for photos of Qiyamah’s preemie granddaughter she wants to share with us.}

I cannot believe that we are coming up on our one year anniversary, having hired me as your first paid minister in 26 years and that I will also be celebrating my first full year and new life here in St. Croix. It has been a good year for me personally and for the Fellowship. But come out and judge for yourself as you hear about our accomplishments and hopes and vision for the future at the Annual Meeting on May 26.  The Annual Meeting follows the worship service and social hour.  Gail Nealon, our outgoing President of the Board, will deliver the sermon talk titled The Sacred Call: Personal Answers to Ultimate Questions. Because the Annual Meeting marks the conclusion of our formal worship and church year, until we formally resume in September, 2013, I invite all of you to make a special effort to attend the May 26^th service. At the Annual Meeting we will vote on and welcome our new slate of Board Officers, and hear annual reports and overviews from officers and committees. We will also have a special art and photo display of our children and youth’s arts and crafts depicting some of their Sunday School projects in the overflow room. Come out and support them.

May is a richly significant month in other ways:

May 12 is Mother’s Day and along with honoring mothers and those that have mothered, we will observe Flower Communion. Please bring some flowers to contribute to this uniquely colorful Unitarian Universalist ceremony. Flower Communion is a ritual service common in Unitarian Universalism, though the specific practices vary from one congregation to another. It is usually held before summer, when some of our congregations recess from holding services. Each member is invited to bring a flower to the Fellowship and place the flower(s) in a large central vase. At the end of the service, each member will take home a different flower. This symbolizes the uniqueness of each individual, and the coming together in communion to share this uniqueness. This tradition was begun by Norbert Capek on June 4, 1923, a founder of the Unitarian Church in Czechoslovakia , and then brought to the United States by his wife, Maja Capek, in 1940.

The May 12^th service will also feature our own Marsha Shuman delivering the sermon talk and featuring her wonderful musical talents that we have been privy to over the years. Unfortunately, this service marks the end of Marsha’s tenure as our Music Director. Her resignation means we will no longer have benefit of her considerable musical talents. Still another reason to be present on May 12.

May holds many other points of interest: Cinco De Mayo – May 5 – originated with Mexican American communities as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride. Our Jewish neighbors and friends will celebrate Shavuot on May 15 and 16. This holiday commemorates the anniversary of the day God gave the Torah to the entire nation of Israel assembled at Mt. Sinai.

Other observances include: May Day – May 1; National Day of Prayer – May 2; National Teacher Day May 7; and Memorial Day May 27. May is also the month of observance for the following: National Bike Month; Physical Fitness and Sports; Mental Health Awareness; Healthy Vision and Arthritis Awareness Month!

See you in Church! Rev. Qiyamah

P.O. Box 3034, Kingshill, VI 00851 * http://www.uustcroix.org *

 340-277-8354.

Rev. Qiyamah: 340-513-3628 * revdocrok@gmail.com

Mothers Day and the traditional UU Flower Communion were celebrated together
by the St. Croix Fellowship on May 12. Marsha Shuman, a founder of the group
and musical director for many years, announced she is resigning and
delivered her final sermon. She and her husband Phil, who was fellowship
treaurer for many years, were honored with cards, a gift certificate and a bouquet of flowers.

Newsletter April, 2013

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!

The UU Fellowship of St. Croix celebrated a milestone Sunday, March 24, welcoming 10 new members into the Fellowship during an informal ceremony led by Rev. Qiyamah. Those present to sign the membership book were, from left, Janice Giles, Sue Filene, Rev. Qiyamah, Susan Kraeger, Irene Homa, Bob Filene, Frances Andrews and Board President Gail Nealon. An additional four will sign the book later: Sheila Scullion, Phyllis Charles, Ed Schell and Dorothy Flash.

APRIL SCHEDULE:April 7 (Sunday) 10 AM:  Covenant Group meets home of Emy Thomas

5:30 PM:  The Jewish and Unitarian Universalist communities are co- sponsoring a program marking Yom haShoah/Holocaust Memorial Day at the synagogue. The final version of the film, “Two Who Dared: The Sharps’ War,” will be shown, followed by a memorial service and a potluck vegetarian dinner. The film is about the Sharps, a UU minister and his wife from Massachusetts, who helped rescue thousands of Jewish children from Europe during World War II. They were the parents of Martha Sharp Joukowsky, a part time resident of St. Croix and  a member of our Fellowship. (To allay any confusion: This is an “in-house” program, for members of the Jewish and UU communities and our guests. A longer version of the movie will also be shown [without accompanying memorial service], with invitations extended to the wider community, at the St Croix Reformed Church on the following Sunday evening.)

 April  14 (Sunday) 10 AM: Service and Sunday School. Guest speaker: Nate Olive of Ridge to Reef Farm with an Earth Day message: “Growing for the Spirit that Moves Through All Things”

 April 21(Sunday) 10 AM: Covenant Group meets home of Emy Thomas

 April 28 (Sunday) 10 AM: Service and Sunday School. Rev. Qiyamah Rahman on “Let’s Talk About Evil”.

 WE’RE ON FACEBOOK!

Thanks to Phyllis Charles, the Fellowship is now on Facebook. Search for Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of St Croix and “like” the page, then youwill get all updates. Don’t forget we’re also on the web: uustcroix.org, thanks to Mandy Thody.

 DIRECTORY UPDATE—SEND NEW INFO

We will be updating the Fellowship directory this week. If you have any new information to add or correct please respond to this email. We’d like to include all our new members, so if you haven’t already done so please send as much info as you would like to share: name, address(es), phone(s), email and ICE (in case of emergency—name, relationship and phone number.)  Thanks.

REV. QIYAMAH’S COLUMN

The UUFSC concluded March on a celebratory note with a New Member
Ceremony that welcomed ten individuals into membership. Membership
denotes an important decision that invites individuals into the
intimate life of a community in order to invest and to work more
closely with said community. Like marriage, it signifies the readiness
of individuals to take things to the next level. They like what they
have seen and heard and now want to move to the next level of
involvement.
To those ten individuals I say – THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
I thank you for your trust and courage. It is not easy to make such a
big commitment. We honor your decision and we want to always uphold
the faith you have placed in us. We also want to help you find your
unique place in the community. To that end we will extend our
transparency that informs our decision making process so that you
might get a sense and feel of how things are run and how and where you
might want to be involved to make a good Fellowship great! You are
welcome to join in the life of the Fellowship at any and all levels. I
also extend this same invitation to all friends and visitors. Friends
and Visitors, you can avail yourselves of activities in the life of
the Fellowship at all levels except as Board members. You may attend
the monthly board meetings which are held in the Salt River area at the
Secretary’s home. Committee meeting times and locations will be posted
as they are scheduled. The next Board meeting is May 6 at 3:00 pm.
The Program Committee will soon assemble the church calendar for next
year to reflect themes and issues to facilitate the annual worship
experience and religious education (particularly adult religious
education). You will have an opportunity to voice your preferences as
we consider the needs of the membership and strive for a balance in
our diverse community with intentional learning experiences that link
worship, covenant groups, religious education, community service and
our giving to support our mission. You can contact me
(revdocrok@gmail.com) with ideas for sermons, guests speakers, themes
and workshops..
We are thankful for each and every one of you on this exciting journey!
See you in church!
Rev. Qiyamah
(Rev. Qiyamah shares a magical experience at the end of this newsletter.)

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR TREASURER, Jim Nealon: Thank you
fellowship for your continued donations and pledges. We are operating a little ahead of the game in preparation for the lower activity weeks ahead.
Donations and pledges accepted any time.

For fiscal year to date, June 1, 2012 to Mar 28, 2013:
Income = $ 15,379 ( budget $ 15,932 )
Expenses = $14,955 ( budget $15,515 )

P.O. Box 3034, Kingshill, VI 00851 * www.uustcroix.org * 340-277-8354.

Rev, Qiyamah: 340-513-3628 * revdocrok@gmail.com

Qiyamah’s Reflections
One of the first things I did upon arriving in St. Croix was to rejoin
the Writer’s Circle. Much of my writing is research based. However, I
had the opportunity to use a “stream of consciousness” technique that
is sometimes referred to as “automatic writing” where you put pen to
paper and do not lift it until a designated time has transpired. Ours
was one hour. This is what I wrote March 18, 2013:

I Remember the Time

I remember the time when I decided to magically love myself to paradise.

It was February, 2012 and I was two weeks into my visit as guest
minister at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of St. Croix. I knew
in the 2nd week that I wanted to live and work in St. Croix. It felt
so natural and I felt at home. It felt like a place that I could make
a life. It took me five months but I returned for good with my cat, my
car, my clothes and some of my books.

I remember the time when I decided to magically love myself to paradise.

The plane landed and Will Franks was waiting to pick me up and help me
begin my new life in his apartment in the LaGrange Community. Settling
in, my black-southern-work-ethic kicked in gear and my euro-centric
task oriented get-the-job-done me was at the Labor Department that
first week talking with my job counselor who I had corresponded with
over the summer

and I was job hunting and apartment hunting like there was no tomorrow.

Meditating and visualizing and engaging my spirit so I would not get
anxious and afraid.

I have friends; I have a life with a growing garden, a quirky landlord
and a lovely duplex unit…

I have attended birthday parties, and raggae fests and Hanakah
celebrations and carnivals.

I have watched sun sets and a few sun rises, walked along the beach in
my bare feet and played tag with ocean waves at tide.

I have sat with dying patients and comforted family members and
endured endless staff meetings and created a violence free work place
for myself

I have watched the ocean waves roll in and laid listening to the soft
and quiet sounds of the night ocean and heard gun shots and sirens.

I remember the time when I magically loved myself to paradise

and found a Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists that appreciate me
and might even love me a little bit.

A small Fellowship filled with individuals that have hopes and dreams
that some share twice a month in Joys and Concerns that we say mostly
in silence, but I speak aloud the name of my grand daughter, Malia and
my sister Betty, and my soon-to-be ninety year old mothers name, and
my patients names.

The choir sings hymns, some familiar and some not so familiar, and the
musician plays the preludes and postludes and offertory hymns mostly
from the classical tradition and each week I pray for inspiration and
the right mood and tone to guide the prevailing Spirit amongst us,

That someone who came wondering if their life was making a difference
- leaves knowing it is, if to no one but them – and that’s all right.
That someone who came hoping to be inspired leaves with a growing
glimmer that their life is good and their hope is renewed
that someone finds a kind face, a gentle smile, a reassuring hug or a
shoulder to lean into.

I remember the time when I magically loved myself driving down the
“superhighway” that I take twice a day from Frederiksted to
Christiansted and at the end of each day my cat, Ms. Lily greets me:
How was your day and can you get my food – pronto!

Ms. Lili is now an outdoor cat that is mastering her environment
including the visiting cat that thinks it’s alright to steal her food
and drink her water. She is not her friend and she and Ms. Lili fight.
The visitor is lean like most Crucian cats and Ms. Lili is fat and
well fed like most state side pets.
I remember the time when I magically loved myself as I garden year
round and tend my house and sit quietly on my porch swing and wonder
at my good fortune and…
I remember the time when I magically loved myself to St. Croix!

Rev. Qiyamah

The Jewish and Unitarian Universalist communities are co- sponsoring a program marking Yom haShoah/Holocaust Memorial Day at the synagogue. The final version of the film, “Two Who Dared: The Sharps’ War,” will be shown, followed by a memorial service and a potluck vegetarian dinner. The film is about the Sharps, a UU minister and his wife from Massachusetts, who helped rescue thousands of Jewish children from Europe during World War II. They were the parents of Martha Sharp Joukowsky, a part time resident of St. Croix and friend of our Fellowship. (To allay any confusion: This is an “in-house” program, for members of the Jewish and UU communities and our guests. A longer version of the movie will also be shown [without accompanying memorial service], with invitations extended to the wider community, at the St Croix Reformed Church on the following Sunday evening.)

Sunday, April 7 at 5:30 PM.

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of St. Croix

(The Fellowship meets at the Jewish Community Center in Hermon Hill the
second and fourth Sundays October-May. Services and Sunday School are
held at 10 AM. Refreshments and conversation follow.)

Rev. Qiyamah Rahman delivers the Easter sermon.

Ten new members joined the Fellowship March 24, 2013. Several of them are
pictured here. From left: Janice Giles, Susan Filene, Rev. Qiyamah Rahman,
Susan Kraeger, Irene Homa, Bob Filene, Frances Andrews and Board President
Gail Nealon. The others are Phyllis Charles, Dorothy Flash, Sheila Scullion
and Ed Schell.

Cat Frank’s children’s story.

MARCH SCHEDULE:

March 3 (Sunday) 10 AM: Covenant Group meets home of Emy Thomas

March 4 (Monday) 3:30 PM: Board of Directors meets at home of Emy Thomas

March 10 (Sunday) 10 AM Service: “In Our Sisters’ Gardens,” an
intergenerational service led by the Rev. Qiyamah Rahman. No Sunday School; children will participate in the service which will explore the contributions of UU Women.

March 17 (Sunday) 10 AM: Covenant Group meets home of Emy Thomas

March 24 (Sunday) 10 AM Service and New Member Ceremony &
Sunday School: Service: “Easter from a Unitarian Universalist Perspective” by Rev. Qiyamah Rahman.

New Member Ceremony (see below)

March 31 (Sunday): NO service or covenant group.

OPENINGS ON BOARD OF DIRECTORS
An important message from our president, Gail Nealon:
We talk a lot about sharing our gifts and serving our community.
Well, we have some wonderful opportunities for you. There will be three
board positions opening up for the next two-year term. Elections will
be held at the Annual Meeting at the end of May. We are now soliciting
volunteer nominees for Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. We are
pleased to announce that Jim Nealon has agreed to replace me as President,
providing we have a candidate to take over his current job as Treasurer.
I will be leaving as President after serving for seven years in leadership
positions, five as President and two as Vice President.

If you have the skills needed and are available for any of the other
offices, please step forward to offer your services before being asked. If you
are approached by a member of the Nominating Committee, please think
seriously about how your skills can benefit the Fellowship. It takes all of
us to make the Fellowship run smoothly, and if you serve on the Board you
can make a real difference! Thank you for considering these possibilities for
service. (Please note that you must be a member to serve on the Board. If
you are interested in being an officer but are not yet a member, you can join
at our next New Member Celebration on March 24. See details below.)
If you are thinking, as I was when asked, there is no way I can do that
job, here are some wise words from John Wayne that Sue Filene shared with
me this week: “Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.”
Current officers can answer any questions you may have, and I will be
happy to forward job descriptions for these positions. Contact me at
gailnealon@gmail.com.
Nominees are sought for:
Vice President: Nina York will be leaving the board, but will continue to
serve on the Program Committee.
Treasurer: Jim Nealon has served for three years and will move up to
President providing there is a new treasurer.
Secretary: Emy Thomas will be retiring from the board after several years
of service in the 90s and the current decade. (She has also been doing our
publicity and monthly newsletters. These jobs can be done by someone who
is not on the Board. We are looking for a volunteer for these jobs also.)

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!
As proof positive that the UU Fellowship of St. Croix is
entering a bigger and better era, largely thanks to the magnetic presence of
our new minister, the Rev. Dr. Qiyamah Rahman, an informal ceremony to
welcome at least six new members into the Fellowship will be included in
the service on March 24. After the workshop on “What It Means to Be a
UU” led by President Gail Nealon and Rev. Qiyamah on February 2, the
following attendees signed up to join: Bob and Sue Filene, Susan Kraeger,
Irene Homa, Sheila Scullion and Dorothy Flash. Anyone else who would
like to join in March is encouraged to do so simply by contacting Gail
(gailnealon@gmail.com). By popular request the “ceremony” will be
simple; the new members will stay in their seats as their names are read, the
congregation reads a welcoming message and the new members read a
response as a group. They will sign the Membership Book informally during
coffee hour.

REV. QIYAMAH’S COLUMN
March is National Women’s History Month. The Month provides us
with a wonderful opportunity and excuse to celebrate the role of women in
general, and particularly Unitarian Universalist women. The March 10th
service, titled “In Our Sisters Gardens: Exploring the Contributions of
Unitarian Universalist Women”: is a great way to educate ourselves about
the sometimes hidden role that women have played in our faith tradition
in earlier years when gender was an obstacle to women’s inclusion and
advancements.
Our sheroes are too numerous to name but we are going to attempt
to do just that in the March 10th service. It is an intergenerational service
and our young people will remain with us and participate in this exciting
celebration..
Additionally, March is National Kidney Awareness Month. Did you
know that 1 in 9 adult Americans suffers from Chronic Kidney Disease.
However, many don’t realize they have reduced kidney function. Therefore,
they don’t know they can take steps to protect their kidneys.
National Kidney Awareness Month is an opportunity to educate
yourselves and make a difference in your health.
To learn more about kidney awareness call the National Kidney
Foundation @ 1-800-622-9010.
The life you save could be your own!
Finally, in addition to learning about the various perspectives on
Easter, including Unitarian Universalists’, the March 24th service will
recognize new members joining the Fellowship. See you in Church!
Rev. Qiyamah

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR TREASURER, Jim Nealon: Thank you
fellowship for your continued donations and pledges. We are operating close
to break even currently. Donations and pledges accepted any time.

For fiscal year to date, June 1, 2012 to Feb 11, 2013:
Income = $ 12,763 ( budget $ 14,702 )
Expenses = $12,406 ( budget $13,197 )

P.O. Box 3034, Kingshill, VI 00851 * http://www.uustcroix.org * 340-277-8354.
Rev, Qiyamah: 340-513-3628 * revdocrok@gmail.com

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of St. Croix

Newsletter February 2013

(The Fellowship meets at the Jewish Community Center in Hermon Hill the second and fourth Sundays October-May. Services and Sunday School are held at 10 AM.  Refreshments and conversation follow.)

FEBRUARY SCHEDULE:

Feb. 2 (Saturday) 9:30-Noon: “What It Means to Be a Unitarian Universalist.” Workshop facilitated by President Gail Nealon and Consulting Minister Qiyamah Rahman at the Jewish Community Center, 5 Hermon Hill (Route 83),  third building on the left after Beeston Hill intersection. This program is primarily for friends of the Fellowship who attend our services but it is also open to interested guests and members.  Registration is requested by January 31. Contact Gail Nealon at gailnealon@gmail.com or call 277-8354.

Feb. 3 (Sunday) 10 AM: Special Service: Guest Minister Rev. Edmund Robinson on “To Be of Use” (reflections on the need for activities to occupy us, whether paid or unpaid, and to organize our time). His wife, Jacqueline Schwab, a renowned pianist, will provide music. The Robinsons visit St. Croix every two years with the English Country Dancers. They are from Chatham, MA. Sunday School will be held at the same time.

Please note: There is no Covenant Group meeting this day.

Feb. 10 (Sunday) 10 AM Rev. Qiyamah Rahman leads a “Black History Celebration”

Feb. 17 (Sunday) 10 AM. Covenant group at the home of Emy Thomas

Feb. 20 (Wednesday) 7 PM. Book reading and signing by Helen Engelhardt at the Jewish Community Center, 7 PM. Helen’s memoir, “The Longest Night,” about the death of her husband on Pam Am Flight 103 and the aftermath of that tragedy, is hot off the press. She will have hard cover, paperback and audio versions available.

Feb. 24 (Sunday) 10 AM: Guest Speaker Tracy Sanders, director of the hospice Continuum Care,  on “The Journey to Peaceful Life Closure”

Rev. Qiyamah’s  Column

While February is the shortest month of the year it does not lack a diversity of holidays. Here are a few monthly events celebrated during February:

American Heart Month; An Affair to Remember Month; Black History Month; Canned Food Month; Creative Romance Month; Great American Pie Month; National Cherry Month; National Children’s Dental Health Month; National Grapefruit Month; and National Weddings Month.

The holidays that invite my delighted attention every year include Leap year (2016), Black History Month, Random Acts of Kindness Day and Valentines’ Day. As a Baby Boomer, my generation of women never needed leap year to justify approaching a love interest. Lol Black History Month is a welcomed opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of individuals of African descent. There was a time when I was growing up that my education failed to include any information about individuals of African descent. You will have an opportunity to hear about Americans and Crucians of African descent in our February 10 worship along with some wonderful music.

Valentines’ Day can be an exciting lovefest if you have a romantic interest in your life. However, I encourage you to expand the commercial interpretation of Valentine’s Day. Isn’t it wonderful to have loving individuals in your life regardless of their relationship? Do not fail to tell your best friends, mothers, fathers, uncles, cousins etc. how much they are loved and appreciated.

Finally, I advocate that Random Acts of Kindness Day become a daily holiday. The world would be a better place if individuals committed random acts of kindness. Try it and make a difference! 

So come out and see some of your favorite people, including Rev. Robinson on February 3, and reflect on inspiring topics on Sundays 10 – 11:00 am at the Jewish Community Center. And bring a friend!

See you in Church!

Rev. Qiyamah

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR TREASURER: Congratulations, Fellowship. We made and exceeded our 2012 match for the Ministers’ fund. Thanks to our anonymous donor for that support. Also, we received $1,700 from the UU Southern Region Chalice Lighters Grant to help fund our efforts. We are currently operating in a deficit, but are hopeful an active winter season will make the difference. Donations and pledges accepted any time.

For fiscal year to date, June 1, 2012 to Jan 7, 2013:

Income = $ 10,588 ( budget $13,831 )

Expenses = $11,003 ( budget $11,431 )

P.O. Box 3034, Kingshill, VI 00851 * www.uustcroix.org * 340-277-8354.

Rev, Qiyamah: 340-513-3628 * revdocrok@gmail.com

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of St. Croix

Newsletter January 2013

MOMENTOUS OCCASION: The Rev. Qiyamah Rahman was installed as the
minister of the St. Croix fellowship on Dec. 9, 2012, by the Rev. Kenn Hurto, leader
of the UU Southern District. (Photo by Nina York)

*********

JANUARY SCHEDULE (& a bit into February):

(The Fellowship meets at the Jewish Community Center in Hermon Hill the second and fourth Sundays
October-May. Refreshments and conversation follow.)

Jan. 6 (Sunday) 10 AM: Covenant Group at home of Emy Thomas. Leader: Gail Nealon.

Jan. 8 (Tuesday) 5:30 PM: .Board of Directors meeting at Emy’s house,

Jan. 13 (Sunday) 10 AM: Service and Sunday School. Rev. Qiyamah Rahman on “The
Role of Renewal and Hope in Our Lives”.

Jan. 20 (Sunday) 10 AM: Covenant Group at home of Emy Thomas

Jan. 27 (Sunday) 10 AM: Service and Sunday School. Rev. Qiyamah officiating. Guest
Speaker Frandelle Gerard, director of CHANT (Crucian Heritage & Nature Tourism).

Feb. 3 (Sunday) 10 AM: Special Service: Guest Minister Rev. Edmund Robinson on “To
Be of Use” (reflections on the need for activities to occupy us, whether paid or unpaid,
and to organize our time). His wife, Jacqueline Schwab, a renowned pianist, will provide
music.
Please note: There is no Covenant Group meeting this day.

REV. QIYAMAH’S COLUMN
Happy New Year! It is January 1 – the first day of the new year and I am beginning my
sixth month of my new life on St. Croix. I have made several major transitions this year
that include: moving from Chicago to St. Croix; switching from community ministry to
parish ministry and leaving academia to re-enter the field of social work. Each of these
transitions contains multiple layers of changes and repercussions.
I am grateful for my family, friends and supporters, old and new, stateside and Crucian.
I thank each of you that have assisted me in my transitions. It would not have been
possible without each of you. I have not had one moment’s regret!
Many of you in the Fellowship have made transitions as well! You have hired your first
minister. And many of you are getting used to some of the changes that has brought. Let
me hear from you how you are doing with the various changes. I have really tried not to
make changes but my mere presence forced some of the changes. And others reflected
my efforts to blend me and we into the new.
The Fellowship started the new church year with added fiscal goals and responsibilities
as a result of hiring a part time minister. You have had your first Installation ceremony
and all the pomp and circumstance that accompanies such rites of passage. We are now
squarely on the radar screen of the Southern Region and the Unitarian Universalist
Association of Congregations in a way that brings a different status and awareness. We
actually figured out how to skype a conversation between our Lead District Executive,
Kenn Hurto, and the Board, thus eliminating the onerous dilemma of distance. The
Fellowship Board has applied for its first grant, the Chalice Lighters Grant from the
Southern District. We should receive a check soon. So we have begun to utilize some
of the benefits derived from our membership and “Fair Share” dues with the Unitarian
Universalist Association. There are more benefits that we can tap into and the Board
will be exploring ways to utilize as many of them as possible. Kenn Hurto reminded
members and friends attending both the morning and afternoon workshops on December
8 that in order to continue to be a viable community, as members and friends committed
to the Fellowship we want to ensure the continued giving of our talents, time and
treasure. I hope that each of you will take his words to heart and continue to support the
Fellowship’s vision to grow its mission and membership and become a viable presence in
the life of St. Croix and in each of your lives.
See you in Church!
Blessings! Rev. Qiyamah

CLERGY MEET AND GREET: The UUFSC and the Jewish Community Center will
be co-sponsoring a Clergy Meet and Greet January 31, 6 to 8:30 PM, at the Juan F. Luis
Hospital in the 3rd floor class room. Please pass this invitation on to any clergy you are
in communication with. Have them RSVP to Rev. Rahman (revdocrok@gmail.com) or
Rabbi Sapsowitz (mhsapsowitz@yahoo.com). Light refreshments will be served.

P.O. Box 3034, Kingshill, VI 00851 * http://www.uustcroix.org * 340-277-8354.
Rev, Qiyamah: 340-513-3628 * revdocrok@gmail.com

MOMENTOUS OCCASION:

The UU Fellowship of St. Croix and the Rev. Dr.Qiyamah Rahman shared an historic milestone Sunday, Dec. 9, as Rev. Qiyamah, who has been our minister since October, was officially installed into that position by the Rev. Kenn Hurto, lead executive of the UU’s Southern Region.

She is the first minister in the fellowship’s 28-year history.

Rev. Qiyamah now officiates at all our services and delivers the sermon at about half of them. Members of the fellowship or other community leaders are guest speakers at other services.

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of St. Croix                        

District Leader to Spend Weekend Here - 

Our New Minister to Be Installed

Church Service, Installation of Minister, Workshops and Potluck Lunch Planned

The Rev. Kenneth Gordon Hurto, Executive Lead of the Southern Region of the UU Association, which includes the Virgin Islands, will be on St. Croix the weekend of December 7-9 as part of our fellowship’s “start-up” with a new minister. On Sunday, Dec. 9, he will lead the service and the installation of the Rev. Dr. Qiyamah Rahman, the first minister in our 28-year history. (She has been recognized in the media recently. See her interview in the St. Croix Source that is attached.) His sermon title is “Turn the World Around”. The installation ceremony includes a covenant to be exchanged between Rev. Qiyamah and the fellowship board and membership. (If you get a call from Rev. Qiyamah asking you to participate she asks that you just say yes.) Other local clergy have been invited and the event is open to the public. A reception will follow the ceremony and service.

Other events planned for the Rev. Kenn’s visit include a potluck lunch and workshop at the home of Gail and Jim Nealon in the rainforest (directions below). Lunch is at 12 and the workshop, on “Making a Difference,” is from 1 to 3. It is open to UU members and friends. This will encompass the why, what and how of a faith community, the balancing of Me and We, creating positive norms and the transformative power of a faith community. He will also lead a workshop with the board of directors that morning. (Directions to the Nealons: From the town of Frederiksted go north along the beach road until you come to Creque Dam Road on your right (Route 58) Follow that for a couple of miles, until you come to Mount Victory Camp on your left. The Nealons’ road is just to the right of that. It’s a rough dirt road.  You will pass a couple of cleared areas. Keep going until you see their name and gate on the right.)

The Rev. Kenn has served Unitarian Universalist ministries for 40 years in congregations in Indiana and Iowa, northern Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Zealand and Australia — and most recently in Fort Myers, Florida. Widely sought out for his work with systems theory and congregational leadership, he has served as our District Executive since 2006. He leads a seven member field staff who provide organizational development and leadership training for the 230 congregations that make up the Southern District

About the installation: In our UU tradition, installation offers a blessing to a clergy person as she or he begins a new ministry and partnership with a particular congregation. As UUs, we are a part of the “free church” tradition that is characterized by congregational independence and autonomous leadership. In addition to being non-creedal and non-hierarchical, we are governed by “congregational polity,” that is our congregation’s final authority is vested in its legal membership. Congregational polity grants us the right to ordain, call and install our own ministers.  Thus, each congregation is free and empowered to install whomever it regards as an appropriate partner to lead it.

 DECEMBER SCHEDULE

Dec. 4 (Tuesday): Board meeting home of Emy Thomas 5PM

Dec. 8 (Saturday): Day with Kenn Hurto at the Nealons (details above)          Board workshop 10-12. Potluck Lunch 12-1. Workshop for members and friends 1-3.

Dec. 9 (Sunday) 10 AM (details above): Installation of the Rev. Dr. Qiyamah Rahman followed by Service led by the Rev. Kenn Hurto, Executive Lead of the Southern Region of the UU Association. Sermon: “Turn the World Around.” Sunday School is held at the same time. A reception for the Revs. Qiyamah and Kenn will follow the service.

Dec. 16 (Sunday): Covenant group at the home of Emy Thomas, 10 AM

Dec. 23 (Sunday) 10AM: Holiday Musical Tribute depicting the many holidays/holy days of the season – Christmas, Solstice, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. 

Volunteer Needed: The Jewish Community Center has asked us to provide a volunteer to open the center for the exterminator once a month—day and time at your convenience. If interested, contact Gail (gailnealon@gmail.com).

The UU Fellowship of St. Croix meets at the Jewish Community Center in Hermon Hill the second and fourth Sundays October-May at 10 AM. Sunday School is held at the same time. All are welcome.