Hot weather. Cool water.

We're having another pool party, so bring your water wings. We're starting early, about 3:00, and plan to start eating about 4:30. You might want to bring rafts and pool toys, if you have 'em!

Please bring a potluck dinner item, finger foods, drinks, etc. There'll be some grilled food and drinks provided, but It'll be an open grill, so bring something to grill if you wish. And hey, please come without if you don't have time. Your company's more important than your food. We probably won't eat till 4:30, or so, so don't worry about being exactly on time. After dinner, those that wish can settle down and have some discussion.

Oh, Kathy has asked us to be careful about getting the chlorinated pool water on the carpet and furniture inside the house, and would like us all to bring a set of dry clothes or make sure our swim suits are completely dry before coming inside to sit down. So let's be thoughtful about that. :)

Discussion Topic:

• Life Passages: Our Own Death and Funeral
  Important events in our lives are regularly celebrated by religious events. How do you as a Naturalist mark or celebrate these passages?
  
• This is a topic suggested by Kathy Kelley. Here is what she wrote when she proposed it to me:
  
• While it's a sad topic, we all have to think about and have some sort of ideas in mind for our memorial services. Because of our new-found beliefs, we would prefer it on neutral grounds outside of any church, and certainly not have a Christian religious service. But what kind of ideas are out there in our group; has anyone else thought about it and what plans have they come up with; are they concerned that all their Christian friends and/or family members wouldn't come or be totally uncomfortable with it or should this matter; is there a way to make both sides comfortable; who would conduct the service? Maybe it could be a dual responsibility here between a UU minister and the Christian minister (in a non-sectarian manner) that we've known for so many years and our children are comfortable with. It's something I've been thinking about to talk to my children about someday soon, but right now I have a daughter who is struggling to understand our new beliefs, and is very uncomfortable with them. Maybe in 10 yrs. she will be a different person and be more comfortable with it, and maybe she won't be. Dying is part of life, and since the direction that all of us are going is to die, then these end-of-life decisions are valid to consider for part of the living to deal with or be comfortable with. Even in death, hopefully we can nourish souls, and thoughts, and comfort in a non-sectarian service.
  
• Future activities brainstorming.
  

Looking forward to seeing everybody,
David