Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Contributions to Haiti

Our congregation offered our collection last Sunday to help in the restoration of Haiti. And you were generous. Our current total is $3,918.20. We will be sending this money to the UU Service Committee, and along with contributions from our fellow UU's, these monies will all go to direct relief in Haiti. (it is not too late to contribute, just make out the check to First Unitarian, and fill in Haiti at the bottom of the check where it says "for".)

I received a poignant note from one of our generous contributors , which accompanied his check. I believe Henry speaks for all of us, as we do what we can.

"Dear Rev. Merritt,

The present calamity to befall this ravaged land is truly staggering in its magnitude of death and destruction. This earthquake is a cataclysm, of truly Biblical proportions. I have been told that the near-total destruction of Haiti's capital city, and financial heart is the greatest visitation of ruin of any major city since the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan, in 1945.This small gift is a token: one person has grasped the horror and grief of 3 million inhabitants of an already struggling city, and of the urgency of swift action to forestall an exponential surge in death, disease, and social collapse.

Yours Very Truly, Henry W. Keyes"

Cabin Fever Coffee Club

WHAT: Come and join fellow UU’s and friends for a morning of coffee, coco, convo and more. It’s a great chance to socialize and simply hang out with folks. Feel free to bring games (cribbage, chess), poetry, knitting, friends, whatever…

WHERE: Jumpin’ Juice and Java, 335 Chandler Street, Worcester, MA 01602-3441(the former Tatnuck Bookseller)

WHEN: Saturday, January 30th , 10:00am- 12:00ish Come for the whole time or for a quick pop in. (If people are interested we can continue this during the winter months on an ongoing basis where people can just drop in at a designated coffee shop on Saturday mornings and hang out.)

Organizers- Diane Pingeton, Christine Croteau, Jay Lavelle

Questions/Comments/Suggestions- contact First Unitarian by email office@firstunitarian.com or by phone 508.757.2708.

China in World History Adult Ed Course

China in World History 5-week adult ed. course at the Worcester Art Museum

Based on his forthcoming book China in World History, Paul Ropp will survey the political, social and cultural history of China from its beginnings to the present, with special attention to China's interactions with the outside world. A visit to the newly installed Chinese Decorative Arts gallery will enrich your learning experience. The course meets Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00, and begins on January 20. To register for this course, click on this link: https://educationreg.worcesterart.org/CourseStatus.awp?~~10WAHST370

By-Law Amendment

The By-Law Committee is recommending several changes to Article 2 of our By-Laws, clarifying when a person becomes a member of the Church, stating some of the benefits and responsibilities of membership, and providing a procedure for an annual updating of our membership list before we report our membership total to the UUA every year. The full text of the recommended changes, and the explanation of the reasons for each change, will be available at Annual Meeting.

WhaleCoast Alaska 2010

Four Alaskan UU fellowships invite you to experience our eco-cultural and spiritual program this summer in our 14th year! See REAL Alaska, with UU homestays in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, and Sitka. UU’s host events and lead tours. Experience Native Alaskan culture. Observe wildlife, including bears, moose, caribou, whales, sea otters and bald eagles. Visit Denali National Park. Dave Frey, a 29-year Alaska resident, leads the programs. Visit www.whalecoastak.org. Don’t delay, the program usually fills by March 10. Email dfrey@whalecoastak.org for information, or call 907-322-4966. We would love to share our Alaska with you!

Winter Wonderland Ball

Rev. Schade has purchased a table for 10 at the Winter Wonderland Ball, a benefit for the Safe Homes Project of the Bridge, Inc. Safe Homes provides housing and other forms of support for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Youth in Worcester County. This a critical need and one frequently cited by Dr. Peter Levine. A steady stream of GLBT youth lose their homes because of their parents' rejection. The Ball will be held on Friday, February 5th at 7 PM, at Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge. If you would like to attend and show your support, please contact Rev. Schade as soon as possible. The cost per ticket is $65 for one, $125 for two. If you can't swing that, pay what you can and come along. Contact office@firstunitarian.com if you plan to attend.

First Unitarian and Solar Electricity - An Update

Two years ago our parish attempted to implement the installation of solar electric cells on the roof of Unity Hall. The electric power generated would reduce our utility bills, and we would be doing our part, however small, to “save the planet” by reducing our carbon footprint.

That attempt was unsuccessful – our application for financial grant assistance from a state program did not survive, largely due to issues of separation between church and state, and a very competitive field. Without that grant, we faced too great a challenge to our finances, and the idea was set aside.

The picture in the renewable energy arena has changed substantially since then, however. The price of solar photovoltaic cells has dropped, the state has modified its grant program in ways that makes it more attractive, and the federal government has entered the picture by offering generous tax credit incentives to those who install renewable energy hardware.

That term tax credit applies only to those for-profit entities that pay taxes. We, as a tax-exempt organization, are thus not eligible for the federal incentive support. But if the solar hardware were to be bought and installed by a for-profit entity (other than the church), we would become eligible for the federal tax credit. That entity would in turn sell the electric energy to the church at a reduced rate, and realize a small revenue stream that would be its profit. In consideration for the use of the Unity Hall roof as a site for the solar collectors, this for-profit LLC (Limited Liability Corporation) would sell its energy to the church at a pre-determined discounted rate, relative to the public utility’s charges.

The formation of such an LLC has been proposed, and has been reviewed and approved by our church attorney. The church’s Prudential Committee has expressed interest and approval to proceed, subject to review and final approval by the congregation. The next step in this process is to solicit interest in this rare investment opportunity, and to assemble the member/ investors of this LLC. It must be emphasized at this point, that the preliminary analysis shows this would be a low-return, low-risk venture. It would offer church members a way to participate in a “save the planet” initiative.

If this opportunity interests you, please attend an information and discussion session at noon on Sunday, January 24, in the Chapel.

Sincerely, Jim Demetry

For further information email office@firstunitarian.com