Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of St. Croix

Newsletter September 2013

Welcome back! We will resume regular scheduling this month. Some of us were able to keep in touch this summer thanks to two discussion groups run by Rev. Qiyamah and one memorable evening of kayaking through the bioluminescent bay in Salt River. Your Board of Directors and the Rev. Qiyamah are planning an interesting and stimulating year for us. The schedule for the rest of the calendar year follows.

SERVICE SCHEDULE for 2013

(The Fellowship meets at the Jewish Community Center in Hermon Hill (Route 83) the second and fourth Sundays September-May. Services and Sunday School are held at 10 AM.  Refreshments and conversation follow.)

Sunday, September 8, 10 AM: Water Communion Ceremony (see description below).

Sunday, September 15, 10 AM: Covenant group led by Rev. Qiyamah at home of Marge Tonks – RSVP to Rev. Rahman (704-458-7676 or email revdocrok@gmail.com)

Sunday, September 22, 10 AM: “Reconciliation as a Spiritual Practice” by Rev. Qiyamah and Olu Massey. 

9/8 Water Communion Ceremony

9/22 Reconciliation as a Spiritual Practice

10/13 Exploring Theological Diversity: Inner and Outer Journey

10/27 Sankofa: Using the Past to Inform the Future

11/10 War and Peace

11/24 Practicing Gratitude

12/8 Standing on the Side of Love: Justice Sunday

12/22 Holidays and Holy Days: Musical Tribute

WANTED: Religious Education Teacher

Wanted – Individual to teach Religious Education for children’s Sunday School at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Croix in Hermon Hill on 2nd and 4th Sundays 10 am to 11 am. Using existing curricula and adapting lesson plans, the individual will carry out the following duties:

Work with minister to adapt and deliver one hour lesson plan to children ranging in ages from pre-school to twelve years old.

Submit a short monthly report to Religious Education Committee plus annual report in May, 2014.

Experience – class room teaching, previous Sunday school or student majoring in education or religion.

Only serious applicants apply with resume to Rev. Qiyamah A. Rahman: P.O. Box 912 Frederiksted, VI 00841

 

New Music Accompanist

 

The Church has hired Jemille Vialet as accompanist for the coming year.  Jemille was referred by Marsha Shuman, our recently retired musician. Jemille studied with Marsha from 1999-2009.  He is a member of Elyte Band (2009-present) as leader, piano and vocals.  The band plays R&B, Reggae and Ballads. He has played at the casino and twice for Divi Hotel for New Years.  Jemille has played various recitals for Shuman Piano Studios, for a number of shows and on local television programs backing up singers.  Jemille has recently finished a bachelors degree in physics and is on island for one year.  He promises to be a nice addition to the church’s music program this year.  Welcome.

QIYAMAH’S COLUMN

I trust each of you has had a great summer and that you are ready to resume the Fellowship year with gusto.  For the majority of Unitarian Universalists stateside the church year begins in September. So starting 2013 we will begin our services in September. We will continue to meet the 2^nd and 4^th Sunday of the month through May, 2014, when we break for summer. It is my dream that one day soon we will continue services over the summer.

Water Communion

Each year many Unitarian Universalist congregations begin the new congregational year with a water communion. This Unitarian Universalist ritual invites each member to bring some water symbolic of a summer memory, trip etc. to briefly share. The water is poured in a common container – thus holding and blending all the memories into one as we begin our year together as one community.  You can take a cup of water from the welcome table if you forget to bring your own water. We will later invite the children to take the water outside to pour into the garden – thus nurturing the plants with our summer memories.

Interfaith Coalition (IFC)

As the Fellowship-appointed representative to the Interfaith Coalition Board I have been occupied with various responsibilities that include the Multicultural Film Series and the Interfaith Steele Drum Youth Summer Camp. The Summer Camp concluded with a student performance showcasing their newly acquired musical skills with attendance from their doting parents.

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

Rev. Qiyamah:  revdocrok@gmail.com 704-458-7676