During the bunch you will have a chance to let the Committee on Ministry know how you are feeling about our worship services, ministry, and other aspects of church life. We hope you will join us!

As the final step in gathering the necessary information, the VTF is now distributing a VOLUNTEER SURVEY to all FUUN members and friends to complete. The answers you give will guide the VTF in designing the ways of improving the volunteer experience that it recommends to the FUUN Board.

The VOLUNTEER SURVEY can be completed at the FUUN Webpage online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FUUNVTF  or between or after services, in the social area, on May 13th or 20th, where VTF members will be distributing forms.

PLEASE COMPLETE THE VOLUNTEER SURVEY.  We need your input.  Thank you!

WEDNESDAY CLASSES

Worship Workshop

May 2 – 9

Wednesdays, 7-8:30 p.m. (Fireside Room)

Participants in this workshop, led by our ministers, Gail Seavey and Jason Shelton, will explore the purpose, substance, and style of UU worship, and examine the roles of music, readings, meditation and prayer, and sermons and liturgy, both as individual elements and as parts of the whole. This will be a creative, hands-on workshop.

UU Roots: Where Do We Come From?

May 16

Wednesday, 7-8:30 p.m. (Fireside Room)

Join Paige DeBenedittis for this workshop offering an overview of Unitarian Universalist history. We’ll focus on famous Unitarians, Universalists, and Unitarian Universalists and their roles in developing the Unitarian Universalism of today. We’ll also take a look at a bit of FUUN history, as well as our personal histories with faith communities.

Acts of Faith: The All-Church Read

May 30

Wednesday, 7-8:30 p.m. (Palmer Living Room, Morgan House)

Eboo Patel, president of Interfaith Youth Core and a member of President Obama’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based Neighborhood Partnerships, has an interesting take on nonviolent conflict resolution. In Acts of Faith, he works from developing his own identity as an Asian Muslim American to his conclusion, “Saving Each Other, Saving Ourselves” via interfaith and the responsibility of young people. Discussion facilitated by Dana Perkins. Books are available for sale on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings (see Dawn Thornton).

Nonviolent Communication Practice Groups

May 9 and 23

Wednesdays, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. (*note change in start time)

Norris House Conference Room

NVC is “nonviolent communication,” exploring connections between language and violence. NVC is “compassionate communication,” creating more intimate relationships. Our own UUA offers a curriculum called “Heart Talk for Kids,” helping them learn to think-feel-speak this “compassionate communication.” One good way for us adults to try to keep up with the next wave of UUs and to deepen our connections with each other is by participating in an NVC Practice Group. Two, so far, have formed here at FUUN: first and third Sunday mornings, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and second and fourth Wednesday evenings, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Both run April through October 2012; childcare is available. Contact Joanna Carnahan for more information (see directory).

SUNDAY CLASSES

Love Changes Things…Even in the World of Politics

May 13

Sunday, 10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. (Fireside Room)

Caroline Cottom has spent many years as a political activist, including a tenure in Nashville. She has tackled issues like racism, nuclear disarmament, community education, and peace-making. She has written a book based on her experience of taking unconditional love into the Washington political arena and will share what she has learned through her spiritual-political work.

Nonviolent Communication Practice Groups

May 6 and 20

Sundays, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (*note change in start time)

Palmer Living Room (Morgan House)

NVC is “nonviolent communication,” exploring connections between language and violence. NVC is “compassionate communication,” creating more intimate relationships. Our own UUA offers a curriculum called “Heart Talk for Kids,” helping them learn to think-feel-speak this “compassionate communication.” One good way for us adults to try to keep up with the next wave of UUs and to deepen our connections with each other is by participating in an NVC Practice Group. Two, so far, have formed here at FUUN: first and third Sunday mornings, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and second and fourth Wednesday evenings, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Both run April through October 2012; childcare is available. Contact Joanna Carnahan for more information (see directory).

SPECIAL SATURDAY OFFERING

Islam and the West: A Personal Journey

Saturday, May 5

7 p.m. (Sanctuary)

Please join us in welcoming Imran Ahmad, author of The Perfect Gentleman: A Muslim Boy Meets the West. Imran will discuss his personal spiritual journey, as well as the need for a “re-humanization” of the relationship between America and the Muslim world. He is an engaging public speaker, and a big fan of UUs! More information can be found at www.perfect-gent.com/

On a related note, Denominational Affairs would also love to hear from you if you would like to serve as a delegate to the Mid-South District 2012 Assembly, which will take place in Huntsville (April 20-21). The keynote speaker is Rev. Bill Schulz. Please be sure to check out Gail Sphar’s letter in the October newsletter about changes that are afoot – you will likely be voting on behalf of FUUN regarding some of these!

Last but not least, the Mid-South District Faith Development Summit will take place at FUUN on January 28, 2012. We will need many different kinds of help both before and during the event, and we need people to offer home hospitality. Contact Marguerite Mills at mmills@firstuunashville.org or at the church to ask questions or to volunteer. Thanks!