Hope Unitarian Church - Childrens Religious Education

Sunday, May 4, 2008
“A New Unitarianism?”
Sermon by Rev Jack D. Bryant

Sunday, May 11, 2008
“The Paradox of Religion”
Sermon by Rev. Jack D. Bryant

10 a.m. Adult Religious Education

From the Study

On Sunday, May 11 we will celebrate the one unique ritual of Unitarianism. Yes, there is just one - and most of our sister churches will be joining with us in its annual observance. (Some of our churches will celebrate it on a different day.) This special ritual is the flower communion that was created by Norbet Capek, leader of the Unitarian movement in Czechoslovakia before World War II. Capek, recognizing that Unitarianism was rapidly moving towards or was already a “Post Christian” religion he sought to create a meaningful ritual that could be a bridge to the past as well as a sign post for the future. The result was the flower communion. On May 11 I hope each of you will bring a cut flower to church. They will be placed in a common basket (or baskets) and then distributed at the end of the service. The individual flowers represent the beauty and worth of the individual. Collectively they are the congregation and the diversity of the flowers represents the diversity that exists amongst us and our ability to join together notwithstanding our differences. The act of bringing a flower and then taking a different flower symbolizes the acceptance of the individual by the congregation and in turn our individual acceptance of one another. The flowers also represent a deposit and withdrawal from what Capek called the treasury of grace - the idea that grace is something that comes to us when we don’t deserve it. Sometimes we give grace to others, at other times we are its recipients.
I hope you will bring a flower and a friend to this special ritual that reflects so much of what we are as a church and also honors the memory of Norbet Capek, a martyr of the free church who died in a Nazi concentration camp during World War II. As is our custom some of our service music on that day will include a hymn written by Capek who was probably the most prolific Unitarian hymnist of the 20th Century.
For free church,
Jack Bryant

Music Notes

The fifth of May, also known as Cinco de Mayo, is not Mexican Independence Day. On May 5, 1862, 4,000 Mexican soldiers smashed the French and traitor Mexican army of 8,000 at Puebla, Mexico but the victory only delayed the French occupation for a year. (The French were expelled of Mexico in 1867.)
The holiday of Cinco de Mayo is primarily a regional holiday in Mexico, and for the most part the celebrations combine food, music and dancing. However, In the United States, Cinco de Mayo has taken on a significance beyond that in Mexico, as a date to celebrate the culture and experiences of Americans of Mexican Ancestry rather like St. Patrick's Day, Oktoberfest and the Chinese New Year are used for other groups.
Sunday the fourth of May, the Singers of Hope will celebrate the fifth of May by singing “Somos El Barco.”
May 11, the Singers of Hope will perform one of our fave tunes: “We Are One”. Canadian Brian Tate wrote the lyrics, which he calls a free adaptation of Deuteronomy 6: 4-9. He also wrote the music with its slow, singing gospel feel. It is filled with the joy of community and the solemnity of our promise to children.
Susan Swatek, Music Director
Generosity Committee - Sunday Plate Collections

May 4 - Youth Summer Camp Scholarship
May 11- Emergency Infant Services
Amounts raised for previous recipients:
April 20 - Up With Trees - $259.00
April 27- TMM - $169.85
Generosity Committee - Sunday Plate Recipients

Sunday, May 4 - Youth Summer Camp Scholarship
Poverty comes in many forms. It is not just a lack of money, but also decreased access to opportunity and experience. On May 4 the generosity of Hope Church will increase the access for low-income students at Hamilton Middle School to participate in quality summer camp programs either as campers or junior leaders. All plate funds collected will be used to fund scholarships to local YMCA camps. Each $100 raised will send a young teen to a one-week camp. Money collected above the $100 increments will be used to purchase minor camp necessities such as bug spray, sunscreen, swim towel, sneakers. Although camp experiences are intended to be fun, they can also provide valuable opportunities to practice leadership, teamwork, sportsmanship and other life skills in a supportive environment. Be generous with your donations to enrich a child's opportunities this summer
Sunday, May 11 - Emergency Infant Services
The mission of Emergency Infant Services is to meet the basic human needs of infants and children through five years of age, whose families are in crisis. Each year Emergency Infant Services serves about 4,800 families in financial crisis, providing essential care items to over 6,800 needy children across northeastern Oklahoma, primarily in the Tulsa Metropolitan Area. Unique in its mission, this non-profit organization cuts through the barriers of appointments, income qualification, and complex paperwork to provide immediate access to needy parents enduring any of the follow financial setbacks: unemployment or under-employment, illness or injury, spousal and/or child abandonment, home losses due to natural disasters such as tornadoes, floods or fires. Emergency Infant Services works to stabilize families in crisis through a series of four visits within a calendar year. Even on their first visit parents leave the agency, usually within an hour, with tangibles in hand such as diapers and pull-ups, baby and toddler foods, children's and maternity clothing, infant formula, medications, hygiene items, linens and cribs and car seats (by referral). Donations will be greatly appreciated to help our littlest Tulsans.
Women of Hope

Thursday, May 1
Social 1/2 hour 6:30 p.m. dinner 7:00 p.m.
Cost $5.00 for supplies and donation to Finca Bank.
Join us for a wine tasting presented by Mikael Harp of Stone Bluff Cellars.
Bring a heavy hors d'ouvre or dessert to share.
For reservations sign up at the Secretary's Desk or call
Marcia Schaefer, Carol Kamp, or Barb Edson
Family Movie Night

Friday, May 2, 7pm- Showing Disney Pixar movie "Cars" Rated G. Refreshments on Sale. Bring blankets, pillows. Hosted by Kael Marsh.
Chick Flick

Wednesday, May 14 - The movie for May will be Pavilion of Women based on a Pearl S. Buck of the same name. This is a real love story and stars William Dafoe and Yan Luo. Bring a friend or a date and join us for refreshments at 1:30 and movie starting at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14.
Red Hat Ladies

In May the Red Hat Ladies will be meeting on Wednesday, May 21 at 11:30 am at the Elephant Bar Restaurant located at 71st and Memorial. Bring a friend and join the fun. If you need more information call Lynn Bryant.
Hope Annual Barbecue

The Hope Annual Barbecue with John Eagleton, Chef, will be held Saturday, May 31 at Hope Unitarian Church, 8432 S. Sheridan.
Live music will be provided.
Nibbles at 6:00 p.m., Dinner at 6:30 p.m..
Cost: Adults with reservation $12.00 (must be reserved by noon 5/28), Adults without reservations $15.00, Children 12 and under $6.00.
This year baby back ribs will be available for take home for $25.00 per slab prepaid. A total of 25 slabs will be sold.
For reservations call: Jan Mattinson or Barb Edson
Hogwarts Summer Camp

July 21-25
children aged 6-12
$100 per child, $75 per sibling
more information call Jackie Portman or Melinda Suttle
Please Bring Diapers

Please bring Diapers for Hope's newest baby, Franklin Dill. There's a box for them in the Fellowship Hall. We'll be having a Diaper Shower on Sunday, April 27.
Fair Trade Corner

Stop by and purchase some coffee or tea or chocolate.
Tulsa Day Center Needs

The Day Center is in need of women’s underwear and bras - all sizes, towels (used or new) for shelter use, and adult reading level paperbacks. In addition, as they help their clients find affordable housing they try and help them with basic household needs. Some of the items needed are skillets and saucepans; shower liners and shower curtain rings; can openers; alarm clocks and batteries (if required); twin sheet sets and bath towels. I
f you have any donations (new or in good condition) for the Day Center please leave them in our donation box in the Fellowship Hall
Church Office Hours

Please note: New Church Office hours - Mon-Thurs: 9 am-2 pm (The church will now be closed on Fridays.)
Focus on the Future

Tuesdays, 11.30 am, Brown Bag Lunch and Class with Rev Bryant
Wednesdays, 7pm - 9pm, Hope Singers, Choir rehearsal
Thursday, May 1, 6.30 pm, Women of Hope, Dinner & Program
Friday, May 2, 7 pm, Family Movie Night
Wednesday, May 14, 1.30 pm, Chick Flick, Pavilion of Women
Saturday, May 17, Program Council
Saturday, May 17,2.30 pm - 6.30 pm, Feed the Homeless, at Hope and Tulsa Day Center
Sunday, May 18, after church, Annual Meeting & Teacher Appreciation Lunch
Wednesday, May 21, 11.30 am, Red Hat Ladies Lunch, at the Elephant Bar Restaurant

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