Newsletter

(No minister's letter this month).

Even while hailstones hammered the skylight---even while under a tornado watch--even while the roof began to leak or "rain on our parade"----the Coming of Age Recognition Ceremony continued. In late May we recognized and honored thesix teens who completed the COA program.As the mentors related their thoughts about their young partners, we began to realize what a unique group the mentors and mentees created in the last nine months.

The mentees presented their views on spirituality through essays, music, and art. If you would like to hear their comments you can check out the audio tape from the office. Congratulations again to Shannon Kane, Thomas Keinert, Steph Enloe, Jessica Egli-Davis, Cole Peiffer, and Carter Slagell. And of course, many thanks to their mentors--Delphine Douglass, Curt Struck, Mark Runquist, Reggie Greenlaw, Liz Weber, and Nancy Schroeder.

Other thanks go to Sam Wormley for running the sound equipment and to the Women in the Round under the direction of Ginny Molgaard who provided beautiful music. Also, thanks to Sarah Carlson and Leslie Hanft for helping with set up and clean up ,and to Nancy and Bert Schroeder for help with clean up.

A special thanks to Gretchen Guffy, the first young person I mentored 10 years ago, for coming from Chicago to attend the ceremony. It was wonderful to have her there as well as other former COA participants--Leslie Hanft, Jess Peiffer, and Abi Struck-Marcell. The web of community continues.

I look forward to starting another Coming of Age Program in the fall with about 25 7th-9th graders. How delightful it was to have an equal number of adults say, "Yes!" when asked to be mentors.
Have a good summer!

Benette

As we wrap up another lively and successful program year at the UUFA, I am thankful for the big changes that have been made fairly smoothly and the many people who have made this possible. The new building addition, the Friendship Circles, the reinvigorated youth program, and the informative and satisfying sabbatical programs were carried out very well in Brian's absence; just to name a few.

Of course I am also thankful for those who lead the stimulating activities that are ongoing and for those who perform the necessary tasks that are crucial to our existence.

I would like to thank the outgoing treasurer, James Pritchard, for four years of diligence and enhanced presentations. I also thank past president Liz Weber for advice and great help; and the three board members whose terms are ending: Dennis Dake, Terri O'Berry, Nancy Schroeder and Jessica Maher-Lewis. Thank you, everyone, for making the Fellowship a lively, vibrant institution!!

Looking ahead, I see that I can continue to lead on a mission of outreach for the Fellowship, as well as provide advice for the new president, Brenda Witherspoon, and the new vice-president Sue Ellen Tuttle. It's going to be a good year - and better yet, Brian will be back!

An outreach event coming up the evening of September 15 will be a celebration of Mexican Independence, when guards released political prisoners so many years ago. This event will attract some of the Hispanic community and reveal us to those among them of a liberal bent. It will also be a fun event for us UUs- we like the unusual diversions.

Once we attract new people to visit, it is important for every one of us to engage our visitors in conversation and find commonalities that can provide a connection for them to feel more that just welcome. Another facet of getting visitors to come back are the little but important things of having extra chairs set up, having a tidy facility, and many other details which will draw them in rather than repel them, (a major point made at the Prairie Star District Conference).

That brings us to beginnings: the beginning of warmth and sunshine, the beginning of summer vacations, and the beginning of new life adventures.

For our Fellowship, this time marks the end of our minister's sabbatical, a sabbatical that is ours, as well. And it's the end of another Coming of Age program and the end of RE classes. We begin a new fiscal year, 10 AM Sunday Services with multi-age "Celebration" Sundays for children, and look forward to a community wide open house to share our Fellowship expansion with our friends and neighbors.

Thank you all for contributing to another successful year together. With all these transitions, I hope you will take time for the "now" moments between the beginnings and endings. Enjoy the summer we have anticipated for so long.

Breathe deeply, walk leisurely, smile easily.

Rich

Trevor Nelson

Ashley Kyber

Joe Eisenmann and Beth Herbel-Eisenmann

Alissa Stoehr

Chris Morphew

Cindy Anderson

Denise Lindstrom and Peter Butler

Joel Geske

Nature Hobbies Series: Bird Watching

by Mary Doud

I was once asked to speak at a UU Sunday program on what birding, or bird watching, means to me. I was not able to speak at that program as I had another "birding" commitment (I had volunteered to work at the annual Pelican Festival at Jester Park near Saylorville). But just being asked to speak on this topic provoked thoughts of what I might have said.

My introduction to birds started early in childhood. My dad, a farmer who is observant of nature and its elements, would often point out the local birds,
and sometimes imitate their songs. I also had a kindergarten teacher who taught us about the resident winter birds of Iowa. I casually observed birds growing up, but as an adult became interested in watching them more closely, eventually joining a local birding organization. Pursuing this hobby has brought many things into my life. Audubon presentations I attended were like mini-seminars on birds or other environment-related topics. I met new people and made friends who not only offered companionship, but also taught me many birding skills. Exposure to their
perspectives helped to increase my awareness regarding conservation and political issues, and I still look to many of these people as my mentors.

I have gained leadership skills by serving on Audubon Society boards and committees. Field trips have offered opportunities to travel and explore
natural habitats, discovering new species of birds and various other plants and wildlife. Watching thousands of Sandhill Cranes fill up the Platte River, silhouetted by the sunset, is just one example of the many wonderful experiences I have had. I even met my spouse through bird watching, and together we share this common interest and plan many of our travels around exploring new areas and finding new birds. Traveling to watch birds provides great adventures, but it's a hobby you can also enjoy close to home.I like birding on my everyday walks with the dog. We have feeders and birdbaths in the yard, so I anticipate each trip to the window, wondering what I'll find. I keep a life list of species seen, and on occasion, take time to sketch or paint birds.

So whether it is adding a new species to my list, seen in a place far from home, or just admiring the cardinals as they return to nest in our back yard, I continually marvel at these wonderful creatures. As you can see, this nature hobby has been and continues to be a big part of my life. I find in it meaningful pursuits and causes as well as time for relaxation and enjoyment of beautiful surroundings. Watching birds and participating in other related activities has actually been an extension of my joy in being in nature. This appreciation has inspired me to learn more about the environment and how I can help to preserve and restore our dwindling natural areas.

In several articles I have written, I have asked you to think about what actions you might take to preserve the environment, but in this article, as motivation for these actions, I ask you to think about what nature has to offer you.

Look for more Nature Hobbies Series in future Green Corners. The Green Sanctuary Committee (Social Action and Responsibility) would like to invite you to share your nature hobbies or other environmental interests with us. If you would like to submit an article, please contact Lynne Van Valin or Mary Doud.