FLAME 4501 Walnut St. KC, MO 64111

816-531-2131 www.allsoulskc.org Like us on Facebook; open to all: All Souls Unitarian

Universalist Church, Kansas City, MO

For complete calendar: http://allsoulskc.org/happenings/calendar/

August 2015

Sunday Services 2 Minister’s Message 3 Religious Education 4 Office Staff 5 Adult Education 5 Committee on Ministry 5 Social Responsibility 6-7

Volunteer Opportunities 6 Membership 8 Fellowship 8 Caring Connections 9 Financials & Attendance 10 Solar Panels Usage 10 Art Gallery /Coffeehouse 11

Table of Contents

Special Musical Guest, Aug. 9, 11:15 am Willis White, Kansas City native, has performed on Broadway in “Hairspray” (also on the soundtrack), “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” and “In the Heights.” Willis also appeared in Julie Taymor’s film “Across the Universe.” You may remember Willis, when he sang the national anthem before a sold out crowd at Arrowhead Stadium for the Chiefs v. Broncos game, Dec. 2013. Willis debuted his digitally released single, "Sharin the Love" in 2013.

Don’t Let Your Special Water Get Away!

While you are making memories this summer, remember to save a few ounces of water from your special places to represent your favorite summer event. When we launch the All Souls program year Sept. 13, we will gather all these waters into our community fountain, and celebrate the new season. We won't drink it, but if you worry about growing something sludgy before September, you can always freeze it.

2

Aug. 2

Aug.

Sunday Services

9

11:15 Service:  “Science and Spirit—Take 2”                                                                              Keely Schneider When we allow science to lead us down a path of understanding the universe at both the macro and the micro level, we shi  into a world view that is defined and ruled by unity.  No longer is the universe and its opera ng system unsympathe c to our human existence.  Rather, we can find a comfor ng, universal truth that is scien fically sound, yet spiritually rich. 

Aug.

Aug. 23

Aug.

16

11:15 Service:  “Readers’ Choice: Words We Keep”        Sharon Grosshart and Barbara Griggs Hear stories of inspiration from some of the expressive and dedicated people who share their time and talents by reading at our All Souls Sunday Worship Services. Each participant will introduce and perform a favorite poem or quotation that has great significance to them. Sharon Grosshart and Barbara Griggs will weave together the individual readings with spoken words and music, which will include the               beautifully nuanced voice of All Souls leading alto, Shanna Jones. 

30

11:15 Service: “What Are those Wacky Jews Up to Now?”                                                 Rabbi Doug Alpert The face of Judaism, and par cularly progressive Judaism is changing.  Locally, there has been a decades‐long trend of synagogues moving further out to southwest Johnson County.  Hear how Congrega on Kol Ami is working to change the way in which progressive Jewish communi es come together. 

11:15 Service:  “Summer me and the Livin’ Is Easy”                                                           Rev. Diana Hughes Crea vity comes naturally to us – just watch a child playing with the box a er the present is opened.  This summer, let’s reawaken our natural propensity to revel in life’s crea on, even if we have reason to think we can’t.  We’ll celebrate with a Reader’s Theatre, wri en, directed, illustrated and performed by               talented All Soulers.  Special Music by Willis White  

Summer Religious Odysseys 2015, 10 am, Bragg

Aug. 2: “Khadijah and the White Guy" is a popular radio show that airs the first Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM on KKFI. The show addresses current topics concerning race in the Kansas City area. Khadijah Hardaway is also involved in several local activist organizations, an accomplished poet and owner of the Lasting Impression Beauty Salon in Raytown. Khadijah will share some of her experiences of living in the "east of Troost" area and her perspective of current and past relations between the races in our city. A very skilled and passionate speaker, Khadijah will provide us with a more realistic picture of what it means to be African-American in today's society. Aug. 9: Bill Schrimsher Aug. 23: Eloise Weatherford

11:15 Service: “Journeys of the Spirit Sophia Fahs Sunday”      Rev. Kendyl Gibbons  UU religious educa on programs for children have not always been as innova ve or experien al as we now take for granted.  Back in the day, they were memoriza on‐based, like other main line Protestant Sunday Schools.  One woman changed all that; her name was Sophia Lyon Fahs, and she created a           profound shi  in religious educa on in America, by taking children’s spiritual lives seriously.  Today we celebrate her memory, her legacy, and her inspira on. 

As a minister who has worked all my life in major metropolitan areas, I have never had the old-time luxury of knowing where “the” hospital is. Back in the day, I’m told, ministers or their assistants could do a daily check with the local hospital, learn whether any of their parishioners were admitted, and make arrangements to visit them. With today’s medical privacy laws, the hospitals can’t tell us anything, and it would take all day to call all of them anyway. This leaves us with only one option – you. When you know that you, or someone you care about, will be going into the hospital, please let the church know. Let us know which hospital – just saying St. Luke’s, for instance, doesn’t settle the question; and even if we call to check, they are not supposed to tell us whether someone is there. If you find yourself unexpectedly in the hospital, let us know. Ask the nurse to call for you, or visit with the hospital chaplain, and ask him/her to call the church office; they should be happy to do that. Your friends at All Souls want to know how you are doing, and we have folks who will be glad to drop by and visit if you are there for more than a few hours.

Sherry Anspach in the office is our pastoral care communications hub; talk to her, or leave a message for her, if you get a chance. Or be in touch with Cheryl Westra, the coordinator of Caring Connections. Let them know if it is okay to share with others where you are and what is happening with you; we try to err on the side of discretion if we are not sure, but that can be frustrating for your friends. And on the other side of the equation, if someone you know from All Souls is in the hospital, by all means drop in and see what they might need. Ask if the church can be helpful, and then give us a call – don’t just save the information, hoping that we will guess. And if you have an extra hour from time to time, and hospitals don’t intimidate you, let Sherry or Cheryl know that, too; we can always use folks who are able to visit our members in one of the many far-flung health care facilities in our region. Rev. Gibbons, Rev. Cady, and our intern ministers are happy to make calls as well; let us know if there is someone in particular that you are hoping to see.

Being hospitalized is stressful, even if the problem was minor, or the outcome is good. Make the All Souls community one of your resources at these times, and let us be a part of what is happening on your journey. Remember to keep us in the loop, and let us know when the hospital is in your plans, or part of what happens while you are making other plans! — Rev. Kendyl

Sunday Sermons in lobby and online: http://allsoulskc.org/category/read-sermons/

From the Minister Rev. Dr. Kendyl Gibbons

Next Board Meeting, Wednesday, August 19, 6:45 pm, Meeting

As usual, Rev. Gibbons has study and planning leave during July and August. She will be back in the church office August 24. Routine pastoral needs will be handled by Rev. Diana Hughes, Rev. Judith Cady, Cheryl Westra, or Jim Mitchell. Ruth Robarge, President of the Board, and Rev. Diana Hughes will be able to reach Rev. Gibbons in an emergency.

4

Children & Youth Sunday Morning Schedule 10:00—12:15 Nursery service is provided for babies and toddlers. 10:00—11:00 A time of creativity, conversation, and community for all ages. 11:15—12:15 Sunday School classes for all ages to explore our Unitarian Universalist faith and principles through storytelling, discussion, creative experiences, and service projects.

Keepers of the Earth Summer Camp

Through storytelling, art, song and dance, our children had a marvelous time learning about the Native American Indian culture at our summer camp in July. Through the wisdom and leadership of the Rev. Dr. Kara Hawkins, we explored the traditions of the medicine wheel and our oneness with all creatures on the earth. It was a fun and educational learning experience for all.

Thank You, Professors!

We are grateful to those volunteers who served as Professors at our Keepers of the Earth summer camp: Barbara Griggs, Shawna Fortunato, Barbara Tomlinson, Melanie Jackal, Susan Stevens, Andrea Jonson, Ralph Tomlinson and Isaac Comer-Wyrd. We appreciate their generosity and enthusiasm.

Thank You, Cooks!

Many thanks to the great cooks who provided excellent meals for our summer camp: Diane and Sharon Cassity, Tiffany Truster, Joe Robertson, Sarah and Alan Barlow, Nelson Maurice, Jessica Mattingly, Raegan Buatte, Jean Patterson, Sherry Anspach, Rae Ann Nixon, Bill Raney, Don Dickey, Mike Jonasson, Dick Dawson and Don Wakefield.

Thank You, Camp Helpers

We appreciate the many helpers who gave so generously of their time at our summer camp: Carol Adams-Wyrd, Ellie Dawson, Barbara Bemis, Erika Goss, Michael Adams-Wyrd and Joyce and Mike Jonasson. A very special thank you to James Warne for his dedicated help every day and night of the camp!

Religious Education Rev. Judith Cady

Rev. Judith Cady

Church Staff, Adult Education, Committee on Ministry

"The Coolest Thing" A number of All Soulers went to Portland, Oregon to attend the 2015 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association. They joined thousands of other UU's in a week of workshops, worship, celebration and conducting business of the Association.

This year the General Assembly passed an Action of Immediate Witness to support the Black Lives Matter movement. All Souls had already announced our support in the form of a new banner. Let this remind us that we are not alone in our questions or commitments, rather we are part of a larger movement, one that multiplies our voices into the public sphere....now that's the Coolest Thing!

To learn more about GA check out the bulletin boards.

From your Committee on Ministry: Lee Ann Bergin, Chris Davis, Rod Harsin, Barbara Griggs and Jean Patterson

Adult Educa on Classes Adult Sunday School: Resumes after Labor Day. Gnawing for Knowledge: Wednesdays, noon: video and philosophical discussion. Contact: Larry Bloomer. HUUmanist Book Club: Resumes September All Souls Movie Group: August 5, 7 pm, Conover; Movies: “Love and Mercy” (Brian Wilson biopic), “I’ll See You in my Dreams,” “Mr. Holmes” and “Jurassic World.” Agnostics AA Meeting: Thursdays, 7-8 pm, Mtg. Rm. & Tuesdays, 7-8 pm, Joseph Priestly Rm (Lower Level)

Farewell David Towery; Welcome Alice Ross

David (recent All Souls bookkeeper) moved to Florida the last of July to help Tim, his partner, realize a dream. All the details of the move working out so smoothly (i.e., Tim’s unsolicited job offer, and the timing of the offer and the sale of their home before going on the market) indicate that this move will be a positive adventure for David and his family, and we wish them well.

Meet Alice Ross, our new accountant: Alice has only recently moved to Kansas City, having lived in Los Angeles, Nebraska, North Carolina, Tennessee and Germany. She is an experienced accountant and brings a level of expertise and confidence to her new assignment. Her interest in the lives and problems of seniors led her to recently earn a Master’s Degree in Social Work and to become an Ombudsman for the state of Kansas.

Alice Ross: Sundays, 9 am—1 pm & Thursdays, 9 am—5 pm; accountant@allsoulskc.org

This was only possible because of the diligence, quick response and expertise of Roxanna Jones and Evelyn Maddox on our HR Team, staff and Bob Miller, volunteer.

6

    All Souls Connec ons Fair: October 11  

        Discover where U fit in…  

    Annual Connec ons Fair: 9 a.m. ‐ 1 p.m., Conover 

Here’s your chance to check out informa on tables and chat with members about various All Souls commi ees, interest groups, ac vi es, volunteer          opportuni es and more.  

Step up, sign up and get involved!  

All commi ee chairs, group and ac vity leaders will receive event details soon. 

New Year's Eve Party

Calling all volunteers who would be great at planning and coordinating All Souls' next NYE Party! We're looking for at least a team of two to get this thing off the ground and then recruit other help as the event draws nearer. This could be a dance, a dinner, a game night, costume party - whatever the team comes up with! Be creative, find a partner and contact me as soon as possible to sign up as the coordinators. If one of you is interested, contact me. I'll help you find a partner and we'll make this year's NYE event memorable!

Anna Sajovic, ASUUC Fundraising Coordinator, fundraising@allsoulskc.org

Social Responsibility, Volunteer Opportunities

Christmas in October and All Souls: Saturday, Oct. 10 For 32 years Christmas in October (CIO) has been helping KC's low income elderly, disabled and veterans with home repair, using community volunteers. Churches, banks, corporations, all are welcome to form a team to work on a property needing repair or remodel. Paint, trim over-grown shrubs, build a ramp. Like building a Habitat House, only quicker. This year's target date is October 10, Saturday. All Souls would form a team (ages 12 on up) and select from hundreds of choices the location and type of project we want to do. CIO provides supplies and we may borrow

some tools (except power tools). We will be covered both by All Souls insurance through Church Mutual, and CIO's volunteer insurance. The CIO website is www.christmasinoctober.org

Interested? Sign the clipboard at the SRB bulletin board, or put a note in the Social Justice box in communications center, or write caronwells@aol.com

 

 

 

 

Social Responsibility

Touching Young Lives If you had the chance to light up the mind and gladden the heart of a child, once a week for an hour or so, would you reach out for it or would you let it pass you by? The Carver Amigos take advantage of such opportunities at George Washington Carver Dual Language Elementary School on Elmwood Ave. in Kansas City. We fulfill the All Souls – Carver partnership: we provide tutors, mentors and assistants for elementary students K-6 in one of the best learning environments in the city. You can do anything from tending the plants in the gardens, learning the new math, to sharing the excitement of reading by helping a child read and explain a favorite new book to you. Somewhere in Carver it happens every day. Delighted little grins of discovery spread over young faces all the time. Sometimes the discovery includes the Amigo. Many Carver kids come from Latin-American cultures and are challenged by the process of learning a new language and coping with a new culture. Virtually all Carver kids are friendly, conscientious, appreciative young people who create a fertile learning environment for themselves and each other. For the low, low price of an hour or two or three each week, they will give you one of the most gratifying opportunities you’re likely to have, to do something valuable, meaningful, measurable and lasting.

Curious? E-mail Peg or John Maher, pmmaher @aol.com.

                             

  

Aug. 6, 5:30-7 pm, UMKC Miller Nichols Library: Opening of 2-month library exhibit. Aug. 9, 2 pm, Community of Christ Peace Temple: “Twilight of the Bombs” talk by Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Richard Rhodes, speaking at 1001 W. Walnut, Independence. Aug. 6 & 9 mark the 70th anniversary of the US nuclear bombings of Hiroshima & Nagasaki. Aug. 19, 7 pm, All Souls Bragg: “White Light, Black Rain” Movie on the Hiroshima/Nagasaki bombings.

8

Membership, Fellowship

Potluck &

Meeting

Tuesday

Aug. 18

6:00 pm

All Souls Men’s Group Thursday, Aug. 13, Conover

Hors D’oeuvres: 5:30 pm Dinner 6:00, Discussion 7 - 8:30

$8 donation for dinner Vegetarian available on request

Reservations strongly recommended. Don Dickey, donalddickey@earthlink.net

And Don Wakefield, donaldlwakefield@hotmail.com

Bridge: Friday, Aug. 14, 7 pm RSVP to Host: Ginger Powers, Snacks welcome

Martha Abuhadba Aaron Beargie Kellie Beargie

Mark Semet Jenny Semet

New Members

Welcome!

Enjoy Sunday Plus Lunches? Enjoy the food and camaraderie Sunday Plus Lunches provide? Do you breeze through the kitchen stacking your plate, after a team spent the morning preparing it for you? This is your chance to give back to that team - volunteer for OCCASIONAL clean up crew - not every week. Mark Gibbons and others who regularly make Sunday Plus Lunches happen need a break by the time the feast is over and YOU are just the person they need. Contact Mark to help on a specific date. To get on the list of potential helpers, contact Anna Sajovic, fundraising@allsoulskc.org. Or offer your services after a delicious lunch. All help is greatly appreciated!

60 Years and Counting 

Sunday, June 7, marked 60 years since my arrival in Topeka, KS, USA for 3-4 years of graduate work and Ph.D. I sincerely appreciated and was honored to share a glimpse of my life with many of you...especially Rev. Kendyl attending this celebration. Sara and I thank you for all the cards and contributions to the Global and Multicultural Education Founders Fund Endowment. In appreciation of so many of you who have supported my 45 years of United Nations activities at All Souls, I presented a large United Nations flag to Rev. Kendyl in recognition of the UU-UNO and the sixth UU principle to promote and affirm the goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all. Thank You! -- Manouchehr (Manny) Pedram

Caring Connections Congratulations to Kira Sauerbrei, and grandparents Melanie (pictured right with Jacob) and Chris Ragan. Jacob Nikolas Sauerbrei was born Tuesday, July 7, weighing 6lbs 14oz, 19.75" long. Both Kira & Jacob are happy & healthy. Bonnie Postlethwaite is at home, recovering from hip replacement surgery. Our thoughts go out to our friend Chloe Mason Seagrove. Her younger daughter, Bridgett, passed away on July 14. Rev. Jim Eller (All Souls Minister Emeritus) notified us that his mother died Saturday, July 12th in St. Paul, MN, at the age of 92. Memorial gifts should go to the UU Church of the Larger Fellowship. Our thoughts are with Megan Monroe whose family of choice for over 30 years, Barrie Rodgers (whom she helped care for), passed away last month. His funeral was July 10. Eileen Souder died peacefully July 5 in Santa Fe, NM. Eileen and her husband raised their children at All Souls and were very active in the life of the church. Dr. Betty Hall, a longtime member at All Souls and moved to SMUUCH when she entered Lakeview 15 years ago, died July 17. Her memorial service was July 25. Our thoughts are with Monarc, whose sister, Patricia Ann Powell, passed away July 16.

Caring Connections

10

Financials, Attendance, Solar Panels

June  2015 Fiscal Year End Pledged Income is $19,891 ‐ $4,692 under budget (19%). Total Dona on Income is $23,248 ‐  $4,543 under budget (16%). Total Income is $77,393 ‐ $4,532 under budget (5.5%). Total Expenses are $45,179 ‐ $1,957 over budget (4.5%). Total Income exceeds Total Expenses by $31,674 ‐ $6,489 under budget. 2014‐2015 Fiscal Year Totals: Pledged Income is $287,627 ‐ $7,374 under budget (2.5%). Total Income is $504,110 ‐ $14,877 under budget (2.9%). Total Expenses are $527,141 ‐ $8,153 over budget (1.6%). Total Expenses exceed Total Income by $23,031‐  $23,031 over budget. 

Attendance Figures for June 2015:

June 7 June 14 June 21 June 28

Service 98 120 111 92

UU Odyssey 50 33

Sunday School* 39 44 42 44

*(includes teachers)

Sunny Portal Info Report for PV System: All Souls Church as of July 25, 2015

This is a report of the power generated, revenue generated (power cost offset) and CO2 reduction during the first full month of the solar panels at All Souls. During the very rainy month of May, we more than offset the cost of the lease of the panels.

Monthly Production: 1913.11 kWh

Monthly Revenue: 181.17 USD

Monthly CO2 Reduction: 1.5 kg

Art Gallery, Coffeehouse

All Souls Gallery Presents: “Conversations” An All Souls/KCAI Invitational Exhibit

Sharon Gradischnig, Curator August 23—Sept. 17

All Souls First Viewing Reception: Sunday, Aug. 23, 12:15 Public Meet & Greet the Artists: Aug. 28, 7-9 pm

This is the first time we have reached out to our neighbor, the Kansas City Art Institute, in this manner. We hope you will show your appreciation, support, interest in their creative endeavors and sharing of their efforts and creative energy with our community. (Pictured above: “All in Open Air” by Crista Siglin, KCAI student) In keeping with the show title ”Conversations,” the artists were chosen on the basis of not only their ability to command their mediums and their individual aesthetic, but also for the collective diversity of their work and its ability to create an interactive dialogue.

Note: James Hardy’s show runs through August 20.

All Souls Coffeehouse

Friday, Aug. 28, 7:30 pm, Bragg No cover charge

Donations accepted for snacks Donations to Harvester’s

Barrel Welcome

We begin with a featured performer and follow with an open mic. You can hear All Souls members on a variety of instruments, as well as poetry. Some of the more polished performers around town drop in as well.

From Visual Arts Committee: Walt Wells is the new Chair of the Visual Arts Committee. We are interested in expanding the Committee.

If you wish to serve on the Committee (either continuing or newly joining) or wish to suggest someone else who might want to participate ... Please contact Walt Wells or e-mail the Committee: Gallery@allsoulskc.org.

12

CONTACTS Phone 816-531-2131

Fax 816-756-5651

Website allsoulskc.org

Minister: Rev. Dr. Kendyl Gibbons, minister@allsoulskc.org 816-531-2131, x 101

Board President: Ruth Robarge,

board@allsoulskc.org

Intern: Jordinn Nelson Long, intern@allsoulskc.org

Religious Education

Rev. Judith Cady, Minister LRD@allsoulskc.org

Administrator: Rev. Diana Hughes office@allsoulskc.org

Accountant: Alice Ross accountant@allsoulskc.org

Office Associate: Sherry Anspach: sherry@allsoulskc.org

Scheduling: Sue Trowbridge schedule@allsoulskc.org,

816-518-0925 (cell)

Music Director: Anthony Edwards music@allsoulskc.org

Facilities Mgr: Charles Dickinson,

simpsonhousekc@gmail.com Custodians: Elsafi Ahmed,

Miho Komatsu

Flame submissions deadline:

9am August 10

Sunday Morning bulletins & Friday e-mail deadline: 9 a.m. Wednesdays

Send all submissions to Rev. Diana Hughes: office@allsoulskc.org