Newsletter

Several years ago when our children were little John and I were planning a trip to the Northeast. That was when gas was $1.50 a gallon in South Carolina so driving made more sense than flying.

As we read our various AAA guides we came across this bit of travel philosophy “Remember that no matter what happens the main goal of your family vacation is just being together.

After that whenever we were stuck for hours in a traffic jam, or the kids were fighting or bored, or the hotel turned out to be terrible, we would look at each other and with both irony and sincerity we would say in unison “Remember the main goal of a family vacation is just being together.”

This month I will be on vacation from August 10th-24th. Although I have learned a new word which is “staycation” and that is pretty much what I’ll be doing.

I plan to spend some special time with my family and maybe take some day trips here and there.

I know that we are not the only folks hit by high prices these days. There are so many of us who need to modify our lives in order to get by. Even so, in the face of whatever sacrifices we make, we can still count on the friends and family that we love. Keeping company with those we love doesn’t have to cost us anything but time. Because remember the main goal is just being together.

Blessings, Jennifer

August 3, 2008

Speaking in Parables

Why did Jesus convey so many of his teachings in parables? What did he mean when he told his disciples that the people didn’t understand the full meaning of these parables but they would when he was gone?

August 10, 2008

Guest Speaker: Shelle Baker

August 17, 2008

Guest speaker: The Rev Patty Hanneman

Rev. Hanneman is was recently ordained to the UU ministry.

August 24, 2008

Guest Speaker: The Rev. Justin Lapoint

August 31, 2008

Fifth Sunday: No Services.

In July we in children’s RE had a great time learning about Sacagawea. We made a mural, made our own design on t-shirts (they turned out really cool), and built a teepee. We know Sacagawea chose to go with Louis and Clark to see the big water but we’ll hear all about it and attempt a papier-mâché whale on the 3^rd. The rest of the month we’ll cover a colorful character named Mike Fink. He’s a tall tale hero who’s not to be taken too seriously. I think Claire and Joe will really enjoy Mike Fink’s antics. I so enjoy teaching class and look forward to it all week. I hope the kids feel the same. Peace, Shelle

The annual meeting will be held after the worship service on September 14^th. It is important that all who are able participate in this very important expression of congregational rights.

On Sunday July 27th two of our churches in Knoxville Tennessee, Westside and Tennessee Valley joined together to worship and enjoy a children’s service.
As they sat together in fellowship a gunman entered the sanctuary and began shooting.
Two people were killed and several were seriously wounded. None of the children were hurt.
There is no understanding the motive for something this tragic, although many who knew the man said he hated the liberal stances that Unitarian Universalism affirms.
The UUA and the TJD have established the Knoxville Relief Fund, for more information contact the UUA development office at (888) 792-5885 or campaign@uua.org.

Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church
2931 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, TN 37919-4624

Westside Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
616 Fretz Road
Knoxville, TN 37934-1604

Those on our prayer list include: Cortelle Jackson, Bettie Merritt, Alice Merritt, Stacy Perterson, Roland Matthis, Monroe Matthis, Jean Souza and Lester Souza.

The Rev Jennifer Slade can be reached at 919-682-5522, 919-451-7221 or by e-mail REVJS36@aol.com