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Greetings!

On September 1, I arrived, unpacked my things in the office, and eagerly set out to learn more about the friends and members of Unitarian Universalist of Clearwater. I want to know more about you. Perhaps you want to know about me?

I am a mother, a wife, a bi-sexual woman, a lover of nature, and a person who has always claimed that “art is the color of my skin.” I am entering my fourteenth year of UU ministry. My earlier work history involved twelve years as an art teacher, four years working for Scholastic Publishing Company and two years as the director of a state-wide arts organization in Indiana. As I made my way through seminary, pursuing two degrees - a Master of Theological Studies (MTS) with research in Religion and the Arts and a Master of Divinity Degree (MDIV) - I worked 30 hours a week for four years as the Director of the formerly titled “Munce Art Center” in Zionsville, Indiana. What have I gleaned from all that experience? Whatever I think I know, there exists at least a hundred times more that I don’t know! The older I get, the humbler I become.

There is this one truth however, that seems unmistakable. We human beings can do so much more together than any of us can do on our own. Nature is a wonderful teacher with so much wisdom to offer. For example, consider colony creatures such as honeybees.

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First, this fact. We all know bees work together. With their speed-defying wings and tiny bodies, they fly amazing distances, communicating as they go. The little buzzers pollinate flowers and trees and then, return to make honey. Our lives are made sweeter with one sip of the delicious amber joy-juice the bees create in their honeycomb homes.

Now for the second fact. How much honey do you think a single honeybee makes in its lifetime? Are you ready for this? An average worker bee makes 1/12 of a teaspoon of honey in its lifetime. One twelfth of a teaspoon! So that means it takes twelve bees their twelve lifetimes to make a teaspoon of honey together.

Finally, consider this one. How much honey do you think a bee colony can make in one year? Ready to hear the answer? One bee colony, community, or congregation can produce between 60 and 100 pounds of honey per year. Can you visualize how big that is?

As my colleague, the Rev. Cathy Rion Star said,

“The world feels really big sometimes. And it can be hard to believe that our small contributions and deeds can make a difference. However, like the bees, we gather together all that we have to offer. We commit ourselves to the same task, the same hopes for a sweeter world filled with more justice, and by some miracle of connection and cooperation we are capable of more than we ever believed was

possible. In those moments when you feel discouraged or too small to make a

difference, I want you to remember the honeybees. Like them, we can do this

together.”

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Rev. Amy Kindred

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UUC is seeking a Pianist/Accompanist/Music Coordinator

(for the nine months from September 2022 through May 2023)

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Duties: Provide live music three Sundays per month as a soloist and as an accompanist for vocalists and/or instrumental musicians. Schedule/coordinate music for the 4th (and 5th) Sundays. Help to develop the choir.
Requirements: High-level piano skills, conducting skills, ability and willingness to collaborate with the minister and other members of the worship team.

**Not required** to provide music for rites of passage such as memorials, weddings, etc. but may contract privately for such events. If you're interested in applying, please send your resume to: music@uuc.org