Florida District Unitarian Universalist Annual Awards – 2000

There were more entries this year than in days of yore, and that indicates a broad spectrum of many truly fine UU efforts throughout our District. Maurea Sleesman, Awards Chair, thanks all entrants and judges, and looks forward to even more next year ; virtue is its own reward, of course, but it’s worthwhile to applaud each other, and to learn from shared ideas and results.

Special this year are two posthumous awards, and a re-categorizing in the ‘newsletters’ slots: awards will henceforth be given for LARGE, Medium, Small, and also non-hi-tech, making four newsletter awards. That’s because all of the newsletters are splendid, and there are so many entrants!

NEWSLETTERS—judged on such points as content, readability, layout, computerese, overall “looks,” graphics, calendar, and committee “reports,” new member profiles, milestones, mailability, etc. Non-hi-tech newsletter award—“News of the UU’s”—UU Church of the Treasure Coast, Stuart, Editor—Suzan Kaehler Small size congregation newsletter— “UNIVERSE” UU Fellowship of Marion County, Ocala—Editor Joyce Mills Medium size congregation—“The New Outlook”—UU Fellowship of Charlotte County, Editor Bob Norton Large size congregation—“Naples UU News”—UU Congregation of Greater Naples, Editor Sandy Keeler

Unsung Unitarian Universalist—UU Fellowship of Charlotte County, Dr. Bill Wharton, Past president, active in many committees and boards over the years, countless small jobs behind the scenes, tirelessly and quietly, from sound man to janitor, repairs, phone system, furniture mover, you name it, always….

Lifetime Achievement Award—UU Fellowship of Bay County, Panama City – Nancy Roberts. Nancy taught RE for children, formed adult RE too, served on Thomas Jefferson UU District Board, Chalice Lighter promoter, All Member Canvass Chair, past church president, VP, active in the UU Human Rights Council esp in early school integration programs, newsletter editor and mailer, church phone inquiries & answering machine, active in many other commit tees and volunteer work, since the 1950s and ongoing!

Special Lifetime Achievement Award— Nancy Campbell (posthumous), most recently of Lecanto/Nature Coast UUs, died this January. A lifelong UU, born in Massachusetts, Nancy really lived her Unitarian Universalist principles. She was a firm patriot, yet critical of social policies, and an activist for change. Nancy believed in the political potential of women, and was a lifelong worker for, and promoter of the League of Women Voters, and was exemplary for her volunteerism and teamwork assertiveness, UU and all ways, always. She was also a great musical mom and choir singer and its cheerleader.

Jim Barrett Social Justice Award— (presented by Steven Jens-Rochow, Social Justice/UUSC co-chair) Nancy Bass, Unitarian Universalist Church of Tallahassee. Among other efforts, Ms. Bass was key as church president in 1994 in establishing their Racial & Cultural Diversity Committee, and since then the group has organized wide study circles, rebuilt burned churches, led interfaith worship services, and currently, they support 27 families in the area with various outings, counseling services, and interaction and discussion groups, ongoing. Also, a December potluck is held which honors all winter holidays, with people, foods and events from many cultures. What a good outreach idea! Excellence in

Religious Education Award—Madalyn Rankin, Unitarian Universalist Church of Ft. Myers. Ms. Rankin has been an RE volunteer extraordinaire for over fifteen years, teaching preschool classes almost every Sunday, foregoing her being with adults in the main service!!! During summers, she works with children of all ages. Every year she plots such fare as Watermelon Sunday, Bubble Sunday, and “everyone’s favorite, Ice Cream Sunday!” Madalyn especially emphasizes teaching children proper behavior and self-control. ( And she must be saintly to be so generous with her time!)

John DeWolf Hurt Levity Award- (presented by Mary Louise DeWolf) Sarasota claims hahas this year, as Mary explains. “Sarasota held a canvass event, ‘uuREuu 2000,’ directed by Esther Martin, an all-ages canvass kickoff, with choir, band, dancers, a UU creed, and audience participation. The entry included its playbill, pictures, a script, and a video.” (Wow!)

Special Posthumous Award—Blue Lunden (1936-1999), UU Fellowship of Key West. This outstanding woman truly deserves both the Lifetime Achievement Award AND the Jim Barrett Social Justice Award. A quote from the entry letter: “Her life was a tribute to the causes of justice, fairness, nonviolence and sexual discrimination.” Sampling: began speaking at Gay AA meetings in 1972, very involved in The Peace Movement (70’s), arrested for civil disobedience at UN Session on Disarmament, formed DON’T (Dykes Opposed to Nuclear Technology), and took active part in major demonstrations such as Womens Pentagon Action 81, Women’s March (‘83/NY). A video was done of her life by ‘Women Make Movies’ in ’98, title ‘Some Ground to Stand On.’(contact Key West Fellowship for loan: would make a good Sun. program)

Clarence R. Skinner Award—for an outstanding sermon exemplifying UU principles. “A New Religion,” by Mitchell Modisett, Unitarian Universalist Church of St. Petersburg. This sermon reminds us that UU has no creed, and that we are all pilgrims on a life-time religious and philosophical journey. ( Judges notes: “And now, the Grand Prize, the essay that I gave an A+, not just because I agreed with every word, but because it embodies the elements of good writing – organization, clarity, unity, coherence- and also has the elements of good speaking logical thinking, humor, good research, provocative assertions, memorable stories from today’s news, and just two simple, clear thoughts: ring out the old and ring in the new.” All of the entries are very good, and notes were written about each, to be given to the entrants. Congrats!

Outstanding website: We hope to have more of us up and running soon. Meanwhile, this year’s winner is informative, and updated, and imaginative par excellence! http:\\www.uuf.org (Gainesville)

Women and Religion Honors—The Olympia Brown Honor, named for the first woman to be ordained by a denomination in June 1863, is being given this year to women standing in UU pulpits across Florida, the carriers of the Olympia Brown flame, by Florida District Unitarian Universalist Women & Religion. Bravo, Ladies! Rev. Mary Higgins, our District Director, serves as a UU minister to us all, so we awarded hers first, followed by: Rev. Harris Riordan, UU Fellowship of Boca Raton; Rev. Linnea Pearson, Eastside Unitarian church, Miami; Rev. Gail Tapscott, UU Church of Ft. Lauderdale; Rev. Marni Harmony, First Unitarian Church of Orlando; Rev. Kristen Harper, UU Society of Daytona Beach area/Ormond Beach; Rev. Amy McKenzie Quinn, UU Church of Tallahassee; Rev. Judith Morris, UU Congregation of Greater Naples; Rev. Dee Graham, UU Church of St. Petersburg; Rev. Barbara Child, UU Church of Tampa; Rev. Susanne Nazian, interim, UU Fellowship of Charlotte County, Port Charlotte; Rev. Carol Yorke, Spirit of Life Unitarian Universalists, Oldsmar; Rev. Danielle Greene, Sarasota; and Rev. Lansing Moran.

— MAUREA SLEESMAN, AWARDS CHAIR