Rev. VanderWeele selectged for Russell Lockwood Ministry Award

Rev. James VanderWeele, minister of Community Church Unitarian Universalist, has received the Russell Lockwood Ministry Award, which commemorates outstanding ministerial service to churches and communities within the Southwest Conference of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). The award, presented at the spring meeting of the Conference on April 27th, recognizes his untiring leadership of the post-Katrina recovery of the three New Orleans area UU churches and his involvement in interfaith social activist networks such as All Congregations Together and the Common Good Initiative. The church will honor Rev. VanderWeele at its worship service on Sunday, May 4^th, 11 a.m., at 316 38^th St. in Lakeview.

After 2 1/2 Years of Recovery: What Is Community Church Doing? What Is Happening with GNOUU?

Around the country many wonder about the recovery progress here in New Orleans.

One of my primary roles during the last few months has been sharing our activities with other UUs. As I visit with them, I find many have no idea about the difficulty of living in this area, or the work being done by the Greater New Orleans Unitarian Universalists (GNOUU).

I am sending my answer to the questions above, so those who we do not see will become familiar with our efforts.

GNOUU is a train running on two tracks.

With this metaphor I speak of three UU churches that formed a train that runs on two tracks. The first track is social justice. The second track is recovery.

Regarding social justice, we are planting seeds. We hope to improve ethics in government and revise local views on social justice issues.

We are well aware that our recovery will last for twelve to fifteen years, and maybe more. For this reason, we have begun to work with neighborhood groups, social action agencies, and our elected officials to share an essential of our faith: that all citizens should and will be treated with "justice, equity, and compassion."

This has not been a goal for many in our area. Some like the old patterns of behavior. They accept unequal treatment for the disadvantaged and oppressed. We are beginning to revise the focus in many local dialogs about social justice, planting seeds that point toward fair and equitable treatment for all. We expect to plant such seeds for many years to come.

CCUU has already been working with:

•   All Congregations Together,

•   Common Good,

•   the Beacon of Hope,

•   the Lakeview Civic Improvement Association,

•   City Park,

•   advocates for better mental health facilities,

•   advocates for affordable housing,

•   the Catholic Campaign for Human Development,

•   Unity of Greater New Orleans (homelessness),

•   and a local Truth & Reconciliation Commission.

In addition, our three UU churches are setting up the Center for Ethical Living and Social Justice Renewal, soon to have a 501(c) (3) status, so we can continue this work of addressing our local social justice issues.

At the same time, our other track leads to recovery.

CCUU's services are held in our annex, an improvement over our other post-K sites, yet a long ways away from a return to our church. First Church meets in a gutted-out sanctuary. North Shore lost members and pledges. We are asking other UUs for their help, so we can return to our places of worship as we continue to plant our UU seeds in the soils of our community.

Our fundraising effort will have its kickoff on the 29th of March. Materials are now being prepared. An updated GNOUU web site will soon be available. We have begun to make calls to large congregations.

The assistance of many will help us return to our places of worship. For those who are willing to help, you can make a donation to GNOUU at swuuc.org. Your support will be greatly appreciated.

With faith in life,

Jim VanderWeele

Guests from Westport, CT UU Church volunteer at UUSC Center

Guests from  Westport, CT, UU church, some of whom who are staying at the annex while they volunteer for the UUSC volunteer center.  They're enjoying a Sunday evening meal cooked by CCUU members - chicken maquechoux, salad, crawfish bread, cole slaw, cakes, and fruits

Each and every week we prepare an order of service. A detail that is always included is a photo that suggests our theme. On this past Monday I asked Serrina to find a picture of a "caduceus." I saw question marks in her eyes... (continued in "sermons" "Creative Growth...")

November 30^th--Redevelopment in and for New Orleans

Rev. Jim VanderWeele

My primary area of local involvement during this past year has been in building a support system for our new Inspector General. I was delighted to see this wish reach a transformational step for New Orleanians on the 27^th of November when our council offered unanimous support to our new Inspector General, Robert Cerasoli, who had previously held this position in Boston. (more can be read here)

November 18^th--Video Sermons launched. Thanksgiving lunch.

Look at the new menu entry "Video Sermons". See Rev. Vanderweele's November 18th sermon "Archetypes" in video!  Here are two photos of our traditional Thanksgiving pot luck lunch, held after church. As you can see, we were full, with people balancing plates on their laps.  We have a lot to be thankful for, and the help we receive from our partners is high on the list. 

October 27^th--Stewardship Dinner kicks off Canvass

We kicked off our canvass last night, Oct. 27th, with a festive Stewardship Dinner;  it was well attended and much enjoyed.  Dinner was catered; hors d'oeuvres and wine provided by our members.  Wilma hired the "Country Jews" to come entertain, and they provided music and energy.  Two of our artistic members, Mary and Ann, designed and provided the beautiful centerpieces.  Three of our newest friends attended, two of whom signed the membership book this morning.  So it's been a good weekend at CCUU and we look forward to a successful campaign.

October 14^th--Building renovation plans approved

At a congregational meeting on October 14^th, CCUU unanimously approved plans for renovation of our church building.  Our architect, Brian Gille, working with our building ministry, has designed a new look and floor plan to be built on the existing slab.  It will have windows, which were not included in 1972 because of fear of vandalism, and a new entrance.  The sanctuary will be enlarged and space which previously was for religious education will now be used for a fellowship hall.  All new code requirements for accessibility will be met. We are very excited about the plans and look forward to launching the fund raising campaign which will make the renovation possible.

Harriet Sheehy setting up new toddler space	Jim and Erik
Sunday School room being set up by Cynthia Ramirez and Harriet Sheehy

 

October 7^th--The Miracle of Metamorphosis-West Hartford

Rev. Jim VanderWeele recently shared another view on The Miracle of Metamorphosis while participating in a service at a Partner Congregation, The Universalist Church of West Hartford, CT. This address has a strong focus on the achievements we have already attained in the three churches who have joined the Greater New Orleans Unitarian Universalists. The copy of his text begins: "From the day the levees broke, dispossessing me of all my worldly possessions, I desired a brand new stole. I left for this year's GA knowing I would find one..." more of this address is available at: The Miracle of Metamorphosis-West Hartford

September 30^th--New Plans for our Sanctuary

The Ministry of Rebuilding at Community Church presented new plans for reconstruction of our sanctuary on September 30th.  Bill Malin, the chair of this ministry showed the model and drawings prepared by our architect, Brian Gille. 

The plans show a new entry, at the corner of our building, facing Fleur de Lis Drive and 38th Street.  This leads to a large opening hallway, an enlarged sanctuary and kitchen, a new fellowship hall, and a meditation garden.  In addition, the minister and administrator have offices at the front of the building, a library is also located near the front entrance, the restrooms will be handicapped accessible. there will be a crying room for families with infants or small children, and we will have a covered walkway between our two buildings.  These improvements are possible because CCUU decided to purchase our annex, projecting its future use for Religious Education.

We plan to vote on these plans at a congregational meeting to be held on the 14th of October.  At this preliminary viewing, our members seemed very pleased with the refurbished look of our sanctuary.  The item that received the most discussion was the need to convert much of our green space to parking space and the amount of concrete required to build a parking lot for 26 cars.  We will be pursuing several courses of action to determine if the City of New Orleans will make this a requirement.

In addition to Bill Malin, the other members of our Building Committee are: Ira Woodstein, Dilia Montoya-Palgrave, John Davenport, and Bill Fernandez. This group has one subcommittee for kitchen design: Helen Malin, Katherine Davenport, and Pat Woodstein.

The photos of our improved and revised, soon to be revived, space for worship and fellowship.

 

September 13^th--Rev. Vanderweele goes to Jena, LA.

Our minister took the First Unitarian of Baton Rouge bus to Jena, LA on Thursday. Forty seven bus riders joined 15 to 20 thousand people in a rally against racial injustice. This was a non-violent protest joined by participants from around the country. A common theme was the prejudices in the schools and the courts. After a rally in the morning, we had a 2 mile walk (8 in a row), to the town, the courthouse, and the jail.  

What an opportunity to bear witness to our faith! From near and far people arrived to join in this civic response to racial injustice in the heart of Louisiana. The experience was terrific. Those who were white were a minority, as you can see in the final photo, which shows a chalice in the background of the message.

A member from the congregation in Baton Rouge rented a bus and charged $30 a piece for the ride to Jena. We met at the Baton Rouge Church at 3:45 am, in order to be there for the rally at 8 am. Rev. Jesse Jackson stressed to the people that this would be a non-violent march and that it was up to each of us to keep our cool, particularly if there were hecklers. It was a beautiful, beautiful day.

 

 

 

more stories and photos continue