Watch Parties/Pods for Fall 2024 Conference

The UURMaPA conference in October was available via Zoom or at one of three locations where folks attended the sessions with colleagues and friends. This allowed some face-to-face discussion time as well as opportunities to socialize and exercise tourist muscles. We spoke with the pod organizers at each location to better understand the amenities and attractions of each site.

Seabeck, WA
Jaco and Barbara ten Hove hosted the third consecutive Fall pod at the Seabeck Conference Center, about an hour west of Seattle. They said, “The Seabeck Conference Center on the Hood Canal has incredible views of the Olympic Mountains, an excellent campus with modern comforts, and nine delicious meals (and we don’t have to cook or clean up after ourselves). For three nights over four days, 30 retired colleagues and partners got to share meaningful face-to-face discussions, take walks and laugh together, and participate in the virtual conference on a large screen.”

Two photos of the assembled group at Seabeck are HERE (annotated with names) and HERE (a “crazy picture”).

Call Jaco ten Hove for more information, 206/200-5403, or send a message to jbthishere@gmail.com .

Wilmington, Delaware
Another pod was to be in Wilmington, Delaware, but had to be cancelled. Richard Speck, the organizer, is justifiably proud of Wilmington. He writes “The world famous Longwood Gardens bring people from all over the world. We also have Winterthur, a large museum dedicated to the American arts of furniture and collections of fascinating objects. The Brandywine River Museum of Art, the Delaware Art Museum, the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science are all nearby and easily accessible. There is much colonial-era history to explore, including Valley Forge and the Brandywine Battlefield.”

The First Unitarian Church of Wilmington, Delaware will host for both large presentations and small breakout groups. You might consider bringing a laptop or tablet for use during the breakout sessions. The church has a strong wi-fi signal throughout the building.

The church is about twenty miles south of the Philadelphia airport. Hotels are located 1-2 miles from the church. Some shared meals will be at the church with opportunities to go to area restaurants. Where possible, we will offer transportation from either location and from the church to the hotels.

For more information, write Richard Speck, rgspeck@comcast.net or call him at 302/239-6286.

Kingston, Massachusetts
If you live in eastern Massachusetts or Rhode Island, you might have made a short Drive to Kingston, MA, where another pod was organized by Judy Campbell. Why go to Kingston? Judy says, “First is to see and hug one another in person after several years of online conferences. Secondly, there are major attractions within an easy drive of the church. Coastal Massachusetts, Kingston and Plymouth, have any number of historic, and cultural attractions, not to mention some wicked good restaurants. The views of the harbor and ocean are stunning. Here is just a short list of attractions to tempt you to come:”

Go to www.Seeplymouth.com The official tourism site of Plymouth County

The Pilgrim Hall Museum offers outstanding early colonial history and a Wampanoag history and culture collection. Go to www.pilgrimhall.org

The Plymouth Guild for the Arts is a museum of local artists and features an elegant gift shop. Go to www.artsplymouth.org

Plimoth Patuxet is the oldest town in New England and their living history museum is fascinating. Go to www.plimoth.org

We met just a few miles north of Plymouth center at the First Parish Church in Kingston. More information is available by visiting www.kingstonuu.org The website has everything you need to know about the location and has a map, directions to the church, and pictures of the buildings.

Contact the organizer, Judy Campbell, at 781/422-6519 or 508/939-1391, or send a message to revdocmom@comcast.net

Waverly, Ohio
Nestled on 133 acres in the scenic hills near Waverly, Ohio, Bristol Village was the site of our 2024 Fall UURMaPA Retreat. We invited folks to join us for a laid-back retreat with no nearby 5-star restaurants, theaters, night clubs or loud music to entice you to leave the Bristol Village Campus.

We stayed in cottages with bedrooms, private and shared bathrooms, full kitchens, dining rooms and comfortable living rooms. There was a restaurant where you may have had breakfast and lunch, a swimming pool, walking paths and lots of private space.

The cottage where we met has two comfortable meeting rooms, a full kitchen, dining area, a pool table, and a large television screen for easy conference viewing.

For more information, give Sylvia Howe a call at 978-317-0013 or send a message to her: sylhowe42@gmail.com

Meadville Lombard Collecting Odysseys

A Message from Fred Wooden — September, 2024

Colleagues,
*****Most of us are familiar with the custom of inviting comrades to share their personal ministerial journey in what has been called an Odyssey. For many of us this is the highlight of our meetings. But owing to limits of time only a very few are able to share their stories aloud.
*****All of us have a story to tell, though.
*****After inquiring of the folks at Meadville Theological School, of which I am an alum, and due to improvements in information technology, they have agreed to accept and store all our ‘odysseys’ to serve as first person histories of the work we have done.
*****Tell your story, just as you would in person, in a document. To make it easier to index and catalog, it must be sent in PDF form and ideally be no more than 5000 words. You must fill out a form permitting ML to hold and share it, linked HERE, which will serve as a record of your contribution. Needless to say, our ethical obligations apply to what we write.
*****No course or book can equal the insight and value of how we faced ethical, institutional, and spiritual challenges. We are also each a witness to history in the making. These deserve to be recorded and remembered.
*****To take part, download and fill out the form, then submit it with your PDF Odyssey to the email address on the form. Your story matters more than you know. Please take part.

UUA/UUMA Community Organizers Join our Fall 2024 Conference Theme Panel on UU CATALYTIC SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT

Our UURMaPA Fall Conference theme for 2024, “Generative Eldering and Democracy’s Future” is responsive to the present critical moment in the story of American democracy. We are guided by the reflections of Dr. Sharon Welch in two of our three theme panels, along with reading together her book After The Protests Are Heard.

We are pleased to announce that our third theme panel on Tuesday October 22 (4:30 Eastern, 3:30 Central, 2:30 Mountain, 1:30 Pacific) will feature three UU clergy who are community organizers deeply involved in our faith-based efforts to reclaim and redeem what Dr Welch calls “the soul of democracy.”

Rev. Lisa Garcia-Sampson serves as the Executive Director of UU Justice NC, the UU Justice Ministry of North Carolina. In her ministry, she has the pleasure of organizing UU congregations across the state to powerfully contribute to the movement for justice through spiritual grounding, joy, imagination and partnership. Her work spans racial, economic, immigrant, environmental, LGBTQ, and electoral justice, and more. She is an affiliated community minister of the Community Church of Chapel Hill NC

Rev. Cathy Rion Starr is a queer & gender queer white minister, organizer, and parent of two amazing kiddos. Cathy coordinates Leadership Development on the Side With Love staff team at the UUA (formerly the office of Advocacy & Witness) and is married to Rev. Heather Rion Starr, the settled minister of the UUs of Southern Delaware. Cathy serves on their Small Town & Sidewalks committee and the Delaware Working Families Party State Committee. Cathy brings a passion for relationship-building, strives to hold complexity and contradictions honestly, and seeks more spiritually grounded justice work.

Rev. Joseph Santos-Lyons has been an organizer with and President of DRUUMM, a People of Color ministry in Unitarian Universalism. He has previously served as Executive Director of APANO, Oregon’s oldest and largest Asian Pacific Islander advocacy group. His most recent and exciting project is the $20 Million Mixed Use Affordable Housing and Cultural Center in East Portland. He currently shares time between the Pacific Northwest and the Philippines with his family. He works remotely on campaigns and special projects and directly in the Asia-Pacific region with civil society organizations.

The panel will discuss their experiences with the gifts and challenges involved in elder activists engaging with catalytic social change. Rev. Wayne Arnason will act as moderator for their conversation. Go HERE to register for the full UURMaPA Fall Conference October 21-23.

The Rev. Doddie L. Stone

The Rev. Doddie L. Stone died on September 26, 2024, at the age of 89 (1935-2024).

Doddie was born on October 2, 1935, in Champaign IL to Dorothea and Harold Johnson. She lived in Chicago IL before moving to Sullivan IN with her family. Doddie graduated from Sullivan High School, following which she received her Bachelor of Arts from Evansville College IN (1957). She taught 4^th grade for many years, receiving Teacher of the Year in California. In 1984, she earned her Master of Arts from John F. Kennedy University, CA. She then retired from her teaching to enter the Unitarian Universalist Seminary. In 1995, she graduated from Starr King School for the Ministry with her Master of Divinity.

The Rev. Stone was ordained to the UU ministry on March 31, 1996. She served her first ministry as a ministerial consultant to the Sierra Foothills UUs, Auburn CA (1995–1998). Thereafter, she was an interim minister for the UU Society of Laconia NH (1998–1999). From 1999–2002, Rev. Stone served the UU Congregation of the South Jersey Shore, Somers Point NJ. At South Jersey Shore, she helped to make the congregation and the larger movement visible through participation with interfaith clergy. In 2002, she retired from her active ministry.

The Rev. Stone was a leader in the UU Women and Religion (UUW&R) activities in the Pacific Central District. She was one of the writers for the UUW&R’s booklet “Revolution by Resolution: Celebrating 30 Years of Women and Religion.” She provided her services to the First UU Congregation, Terre Haute IN as their membership/growth chair (2008–2010). She preached once a month, served on the Pastoral Care Committee, and baked pies for their fundraising activities.

Doddie was a participant in the Shanti project working with AIDS survivors. She was a political activist and made three trips to Nicaragua and El Salvador. Her passions were Peace, Women’s Rights and Abolition of the Death Penalty.

Doddie is survived by her sons Donald Stone and Craig Stone; daughter Cindy Gatioan; as well as her nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at the First UU Congregation of Terre Haute, 1875 S. Fruitridge Ave, Terre Haute IN 47803.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First UU Congregation of Terre Haute, PO Box 3225, Terre Haute IN 47803, or to the Mt Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church, 55 Eckley Ln, Walnut Creek CA 94596. UURMaPA contributed to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

Notes of condolences may be sent to Sylvia Oster, 1101 E. Royse Dr., Terre Haute IN 47802.

The Rev. Patricia V. M. Tummino

The Rev. Patricia “Tricia” V. M. Tummino died on September 20, 2024, at the age of 75 (1949-2024).

Tricia was born on September 1, 1949, in Boston MA to Van Horne Morris and Marion “Betty” Gilmore. She was the middle of three children and was raised with her brothers in Hingham MA, where she nurtured an early love of nature, making frequent visits to the ponds to find turtles and snakes. She attended the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, received her Bachelor of Arts in English in 1971, and engaged in full-time high school teaching until 1979, thereafter doing part-time teaching for a few years while being primarily a mother and homemaker.

In 1991, Tricia discovered the First UU Society of Middleborough, Middleboro MA. She found a spiritual home that offered her the opportunity to be in significant conversation together, be present to one another during the hard times, and witness together the times of joy. She felt it was like coming home. She attended worship services and adult education programs, taught church school, served on the Religious Education Committee, the Parish Committee, and as a Chairperson of the Welcoming Congregation Committee. In January of 1993, she became an office administrator.

Tricia’s increasing involvement in parish and religious education committee work, and very satisfying and affirming opportunities to preach and lead other aspects of the church service, drew her to ministry. For her, being in the ministry meant sharing with others and walking together in community to find wholeness. Following this call, she graduated from Harvard Divinity School with her Master of Divinity in 1998.

Rev. Tummino was ordained by her home congregation, the First UU Society of Middleborough MA on September 27, 1998, where she returned as a settled minister (1998–2010). During her tenure, she skillfully and successfully modeled shared ministry and helped foster a very welcoming environment, supported growth, and encouraged participation at all levels. She planned programs for new members and sparked various new programs for all members. She helped develop a safe congregation plan, created the Safety Committee, and formed a Committee on Ministry. The church became a teaching church (a site for ministerial intern placement). Under her leadership, the church became a happening place, with attractive levels of activities and friendliness. In 2010, she retired from her active ministry.

Rev. Tummino’s meditations and sermons were always thoughtful, insightful, and accessible. She demonstrated compassion and kindness in listening and pastoral care. A 2004 article in the Middleboro Gazette described her as a “Champion of Difficult Causes” as she prepared to officiate same sex marriages after Massachusetts became the first state in the nation to legalize same sex marriage. She always stood for what she believed in and was ready to help people in need.

She served the denomination as the Ballou Channing UUMA Chapter leader. In community, she provided her services as a member and board of the Middleboro/Lakeville Community Counseling Center.

In her leisure time, Tricia enjoyed reading, hiking in the woods, walking, and listening to music. Her passions included folk music and rooting for the Red Sox team.

Tricia is survived by her brother Peter; husband Lawrence; children Annie, Ben, and Joe; and grandchildren Enzo, Lucia, and Asa.

A memorial service was held on November 2, 2024, at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Middleboro, 25 S. Main St, Middleborough MA 02346. Notes of condolences may be written here.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of one’s own choosing. UURMaPA contributed to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

Membership System Upgrade!

May, 2025

Some of you may already be aware that we have made a major upgrade to our membership system! The new system gives you direct access to make changes and update your information. We have created this new system to both simplify access to membership data and also make our information more secure.

The new system is straightforward and we hope you will have no problem updating your information. Here is a set of easy-to-follow instructions for “How to Enter UURMAPA.Churchcenter.com and Change Your Information.”

It is very important that you access the new system and verify that the information we have there is correct. This ensures that you will be able to receive all UURMaPA information, including messages from “Announce” and quarterly issues of Elderberries.

Here’s another way to learn about this new system:

Before you log into ChurchCenter, Jon Claney has prepared an informative video to help you do that. Watch it here:

youtu.be/_71ReowqTXk

Then, to verify and/or update your UURMaPA Membership information, please go to uurmapa.churchcenter.com

If you have a question or need assistance, Richard Speck has kindly agreed to be our “ambassador” for this transition and will do his best to assist you. Contact him at rgspeck@comcast.net.

The Rev. Robert J. Lewis

The Rev. Robert J. Lewis died on September 6, 2023, at the age of 92 (1931-2023).

Robert was born on July 25, 1931, in Heltonville IN, to the Rev. Paul S. Lewis and Lillie Lewis. Raised in the household of a fundamentalist Hoosier minister, he attended DePauw University in Indiana, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree (1953). He then pursued a Master of Divinity at Drew University in New Jersey, graduating in 1956. Following graduation, Robert served as a Methodist clergy member from 1956–1958. However, he soon realized that the Methodist Church was not the best fit for the development, application, and expression of his theology. Consequently, he transitioned to a role as a junior executive at Indianapolis Goodwill Industries (1958–1959).

During his college and seminary years, Robert was introduced to the Unitarian and Universalist theologies through books and encounters with Unitarian Churches. While living in Indianapolis, he began attending All Souls Church. This deepened his connection to Unitarian Universalism. It was there that he met Sylvia Kelsey while singing in the church choir. In 1959, he married Sylvia, and the couple moved to Hagerstown MD, where Robert ran the Goodwill Industries Office and served as a part-time minister of the Unitarian Fellowship of Hagerstown. Under his leadership, the fellowship grew, added new activities, and experienced renewed vitality. In 1960, Robert was welcomed into fellowship, paving the way for his ministry in the UU tradition.

In 1961, the Rev. Lewis accepted a call to become the first minister of the River Road UU Congregation, Bethesda MD. He served the congregation until 1968, with his inspiring leadership from the pulpit drawing people to church and fostering a growing community. During his tenure, the church building was built, the Religious Education program expanded, and active and effective leadership flourished within the congregation. Following his time at River Road, the Rev. Lewis served the UU Church of Silver Spring MD, from 1969–1973. His ministry there was marked by profound empathy and compassion, and his sermons moved many, leaving a lasting impact on the church community.

The Rev. Lewis held leadership roles within the broader denomination, serving as Chairman of the Greater Washington Association of Unitarian Universalist Churches and the Joseph Priestley District Annual Meeting Planning Committee.

In community, Robert served on the board of the Citizens for Clean Air, Greater Washington Area, and the Community Psychiatric Clinic in Bethesda MD. He was an active member of the ACLU, Maryland Suburban Fair Housing, Planned Parenthood, and the Association for Humanistic Psychology.

While he was not ministering to a congregation, guest preaching, performing weddings or memorial services, Robert occupied himself in many and varied jobs: employment counselor, cab driver, marketing bricks, as a night watchman at Maryland Clay, selling fish at Eastern Market, and day laborer, helping build Eleanor Roosevelt High School (Greenbelt MD).

Robert is survived by his wife of 64 years Sylvia; his children Janet Lewis (Wayne) and Drew Lewis; grandchildren Kelsey Strouse (Andrew), Lily and Lanni Solochek; great granddaughter Samantha Joy Litwin; brother Wilford Lewis; and many nephews, nieces, and cousins.

A memorial service was held on October 26, 2023, at the River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 6301 River Rd, Bethesda MD 20817.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of one’s own choosing or the Greenbelt Community Foundation or Unitarian Universalist for Social Justice. Notes of condolences may be written here.

The Rev. Carl Arthur Hover

The Rev. Carl Arthur Hover died on August 15, 2024, at the age of 88 (1936-2024).

Arthur is survived by his wife, Ellen Dionna; his two children: Carla Hover and Carl Hover; and five step-children: Jonathan Wolf, Carol Wolf, Pamela Wolf MacMahon, Adam Wolf, and Franklin Wolf. He was preceded in death by his two sons: Kenneth Arthur and Carson Monroe.

A memorial service will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at the UU Congregation of York, 925 S George St, York PA 17403.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the UU Congregation of York PA, or the Unitarian Universalist Society for Ministerial Relief, c/o Rev. Susan Suchocki Brown, 80 Mill Glen Rd., Winchendon, MA 01475.

Notes of condolences may be written here
<https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/c-arthur-hover-obituary?id=56218038#guestbook>.

A more complete obituary will follow.

Ann Clark Howe

Ann Howe, 99, of Raleigh and spouse of the late Rev. Dr. Charles A. Howe, died peacefully on August 14, 2024, after a brief illness, surrounded by family. Ann Elizabeth Clark was born in Richmond VA on October 18, 1924, to the late William Baker Clark and Louise Graham Clark.

Ann grew up on the family farm in Buckingham County VA. She entered college at age 16 and graduated from Westhampton College, University of Richmond, Phi Beta Kappa with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. She also earned a master’s degree in organic chemistry at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

She met Charles Howe at UNC after he returned from service in WWII and they were married in 1947.

Ann was an instructor in chemistry at the University of Puerto Rico – Mayaguez, worked as a research assistant at UNC, and then spent a decade at home with her children. She was an elementary science teacher at the Lab School at the University of Chicago while her husband was a seminary student.

Ann then received a Ph.D. in science education from the University of Texas at Austin in 1970. She was a Professor of Science Education at Syracuse University, the head of the Department of Math and Science Education at North Carolina State University, and the head of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Maryland. She was the first woman to hold a faculty position in her department at both Syracuse and N.C. State.

Her professional accomplishments are too numerous to detail here but included leadership roles in professional organizations, including President of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching (1983–84), a Senior Fulbright Scholar in Chile, editorial roles with professional journals, and the author of numerous journal articles and two books. In retirement, Ann became a painter and was a member of Cary Gallery of Artists.

She was a longtime member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Raleigh NC, where she served in various leadership roles. A person of great energy, curiosity and optimism, Ann balanced her professional achievements with a full family life, a love of travel, nature and gardening, and enjoying her many friends.

She was predeceased by her husband, Charles, and her brother, William B. Clark Jr. She is survived by daughter Judy Howe (Robert Harangozo) of Yonkers NY, daughter Margie Chenery of Raleigh, and son David Howe of Albany NY; grandchildren Patricia Chenery, Sally Howe, Nora Howe, and Caroline Harangozo; her sister, Martha Bell; her sister-in-law, Jean Clark; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, October 18, 2024 at the UU Fellowship of Raleigh, 3313 Wade Avenue, Raleigh NC.

Contributions in Ann’s memory may be made to Planned Parenthood South Atlantic or a charity of your choice.

The Rev. Walter S. LeFlore

The Rev. Walter S. LeFlore died on August 12, 2024, at the age of 72 (1952-2024).

Walter is survived by his wife Yvette LeFlore; his two children Alison LeFlore and Eric LeFlore (Audrey); grandchildren Nicholas Inferrara, Joseph Inferrara, and Elias LeFlore; brother Ivens LeFlore; and his two sisters Loretta Wells and Pat Francois.

There will be two celebrations of life services for Walter. One will be held at 1 pm on August 24, 2024, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Roanoke, 2015 Grandin Rd SW, Roanoke VA 24015. Another will be held at 2 pm on September 14, 2024, at the First Parish Church of Stow, 353 Great Rd, Stow MA 01775.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Roanoke Reparations Group. Checks can be sent to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Roanoke, 2015 Grandin Rd SW, Roanoke, VA 24015. Please mention Reparations in the memo
line. UURMaPA will contribute to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

Notes of condolences may be written here:
<https://www.lotzfuneralhomesalem.com/tributes/Walter-LeFlore#share-a-memory>.

A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after biographical research has been completed. It will be published in an upcoming issue of Elderberries and posted on the UURMaPA website.If any readers would wish to contribute information or reminiscences, we would welcome them. Please send them to UURMaPA’s clergy obituary editor, Rev. Jay Atkinson – jayatk40@gmail.com.