Everyone is cordially invited to attend our events and bring family and friends!

 First Friday Film—The Invisible War, June 7 at 7:00 p.m.

The Social and Environmental Justice Committee will host a free public screening and discussion of the documentary film, The Invisible Waron Friday, June 7 at 7:00 p.m. This groundbreaking documentary is a vital and frank expose on sexual assault in the U.S. military, shot by master filmmaker Kirby Dick. Young men and women join the armed forces to serve their country and we expect them to be honored and protected by their fellow soldiers. Instead, a federal court ruled in 2011 that rape is “an occupational hazard of being in the military.” Ginger Livingston, an advocate for Protect Our Defenders, will lead a discussion following the screening.

The Invisible War gives voice to soldiers who were sexually assaulted while serving the United States. Men and women share their stories of the physical abuse, and the skewed system of justice in the military. After an assault, the victim is to report to their commander, who has the choice of investigating or dropping the case. This self-regulating justice system does not work—no one up the chain of command wants to be the officer with a rapist in their group. The Department of Defense estimates over 20,000 rapes per year, 54% of which were men, who rarely report the assault. Of the 3,200 cases reported in 2010, only 157 soldiers were convicted and jailed. Quite often the victim’s reputation is tarnished and is discharged from service, while the attacker’s career has no setbacks.

The Invisible War not only documents these soldiers’ stories, but also has become part of the movement toward changing the military system of justice. The movie has opened the publics’ eye to the injustice and is now mandatory training in the Army.

Contact: Kris Acker at 302-537-0705 or email her.

Songwriter Roy Zimmerman Performs “Wake Up Call” Saturday, April 13, 8:00 p.m.

“It’s a big, big country full of all kinds of people,” says satirical songwriter Roy Zimmerman, “but there’s one thing we can all agree on. And when I find out what that is, I’ll let you know.” He’s bringing his show “Roy Zimmerman: Wake Up Call” to Lewes on Saturday, April 13 at 8:00 p.m. for a performance at the UUSD. Admission is at the door only, $18 (cash please) or pay what you can. The event is hosted by the Music and Capital Campaign Committees. Contact: Lee Summerville at 301-646-1795 or email her.

The world is full of funny songs, but Zimmerman’s hilarious, rhyme-intensive originals are also incisive calls to action, smart, savvy, and undeniable. “Wake Up Call” is ninety minutes of these songs—funny songs like “Abstain With Me” and “I Want a Marriage Like They Had In the Bible,” heartfelt songs like “Hope, Struggle and Change” and “I Approve This Message,” and impassioned comic commentary. In thirteen albums over twenty years, Roy has brought the sting of satire to the struggle for Peace and Social Justice. His songs have been heard on HBO and Showtime. He has recorded for Warner/Reprise Records. He’s been profiled on NPR’s “All Things Considered.” Zimmerman’s YouTube videos have amassed over seven million views, and he’s a featured blogger for the Huffington Post.

T0GA! TOGA! TOGA!

Yes, it is that time again for our biggest annual fundraising event of the year! As in the past, doors will open at 6:00 p.m. on March 9. Our Silent Auction starts at 6:00 p.m. and closes at different times for each of the three sections. A Live Auction will be held from 7:20 to 8:20 p.m. The festivities will also include a 50/50 Raffle with tickets on sale until 10 minutes before the drawing at 8:20 p.m. Childcare is available (advance signup required). You will also enjoy the delicious refreshments provided by UUSD members. Visit our bar for beer, wine, soft drinks, or bottled water for a nominal donation. Be sure to stay until the end of the evening for a special beach treat.

We appreciate and need your help—donations of goods, services, and those fabulous dinners and events, assistance with the event, etc. Go to our auction website at http://togetherauction.com/uussd where you can make your donation yourself and access last year’s auction catalog.

To make donations for this year, click on “Donate,” login with your phone number and pin, click on “Donate a new item,” and enter your information.

To see last year’s catalog, click on “Catalog” and in the “Other Years” box, click on “2012.” To see YOUR information from last year, click on “Donate,” login with your phone number and pin, and click on “2012” to bring up the list of things you bought and the list of things you donated.

The deadline for donations to be listed in the printed catalog is February 24. For more information or difficulty with logging in, email our Auction Coordinator, Barbara Barnette or call her at 443-397-5269.

“READY, SET, VOTE!—A REVUE OF POLITICS, THE ELECTORAL PROCESS AND OUR GRAND DEMOCRACY”

On November 3 at 8 p.m., UUSD presented its first theatrical fundraiser, “Ready, Set, VOTE!” This readers theatre revue of elections, politics, and democracy provided music, history, and comedy, all in one evening. The script was compiled by and directed by Deanna Duby. Jean Charles served as the Assistant Director, and Beryl Martin as Music Director. The acting company of six included Stephanie Allman, Maureen Downing, Linda Killion, Charlie Meyer and Rick Welk, all of Lewes, and Steve Twilley of Milford.

The production offered political satire, some history (primarily of the women’s suffrage movement), and a look at the current political scene, including the battle over voting rights laws in the states. This was “an opportunity to have a good laugh, brush up on your history, share some serious observations about the electoral process, and enjoy a little music to boot, all in one evening,” said Duby.

The production played to a full house and was a great success.  Over$1,000 was raised for UUSD.

Tastes of Fall

Eric’s Sushi Demonstration

The Tastes of Fall Fun-raiser Event was held on Saturday, October 13, 2012 at our Church. It was a fantastic event and no one went away hungry. Guests were tantalized with tastes that were prepared by our members and included appetizers; a variety of meat, seafood, and vegetarian entrée; and desserts. Children had a chance to be chefs when they decorated naked chocolate cupcakes with their favorite sprinkling toppings. There were demonstrations about how to prepare sushi, magic cookies, and a warm quinoa salad. Some of the tastes were recipes from the UUSD cookbook, which was available for sale.

Pam advertises the event.

Many thanks go to Pam Smith, who chaired the event, and to the committee members who made it possible: Kris and Dan Acker, Joel Bastow, Linda Bennett, Kathy Idziak, Tony Mattox, Betty Metzler, Anne Pikolas, Lee Summerville, and Gabriel Zepecki. Kudos to our additional helpers and chefs: Isaac Carney, Janice Clark, Joan Craft, Chuck Herbert, Beryl Martin, Pat Rocket, Rev. Mike Smith, Walt Smith, Eric Standifer, Bob Wallace, and Rick Welk. Pam noted that, “It takes a village,” and the villagers all really helped to make the Tastes of Fall a success!” Through the efforts of everyone, including guests (and we thank you all), we raised $921 for UUSD—well done, everyone!

Earth Day and “Clean Up Delaware Highways”

April 21, 2012

Highway Cleanups are sponsored by the Green Sanctuary Committee and Men’s Group. The first highway cleanup of 2012 was held Saturday, April 21. A big thanks went to our team of UUSD volunteers who met at the church and then spruced up our stretch of U.S. 9.

Saturday morning, October 20 was an opportunity to sleep in, but not for seven hearty souls from UUSD. Jeff Cordiano, our Highway Cleanup Coordinator, along with Jim Lesko, Evan Lesko, Paul Barnette, Joe Farrell, Ron Schaeffer, and Jean Charles with her super-dooper truck, were out on Kings Highway at 9:00 a.m. removing trash, plastic, cardboard, paper, wood, etc. from both sides of the road. The UUSD area of responsibility runs from the point where Route 9 begins at Route 1 (Community Bank is on the left) all the way up to Mr. P’s past the High School. This effort was part of the day devoted to “Clean Up Delaware Highways.”