Featured Articles Archive
The congregation charged the Nominating Committee in 2014 to form a Committee on Money to provide recommendations about how we should structure our financial reserves. The work of the committee was summarized and discussed at a Town Hall meeting on April 19 and will be presented at the Annual Meeting on May 17. A summary of their recommendations also appears elsewhere in this newsletter (page 3). This photo shows the members of the Committee on Money at the time of the Town Hall meeting.
Left to right: Ron Crane, Leslie Reuter, Vicky Foxworth, and David Olson. Also shown are Steve White (recording secretary) and Kenneth Alexander (member, inset photo). Photo by Charles Haskell.
FROM OUR NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Slate for 2015-2016
Voting will occurr at the Annual Meeting on May 17.
Board
For Vote
Patricia Wright, President
Dan Nannini, Vice President
Kimberly Miller, Treasurer
Emily Hero, Member-at-Large
Joe Engleman, Member-at-Large
Leonard Cachola, Secretary
No Vote Required
Cynthia Cottam, Past President
Rebecca Crawford, Member-at-Large
Beth Brownlie, Member-at-Large
Nominating Committee
For Vote:
James Witker
Bob Dietz
Rick Rhoads (replacing Teri Bond)
No Vote required:
Gretchen Goetz
Beth Rendeiro
Wendi Gladstone
Voting in Absentia
Voting members of the Church who do not expect to be present at the Annual Meeting on May 17 may vote in absentia in either of two ways:
• By designating another voting member, who will attend the meeting, as his or her proxy. No member shall hold the proxy for more than one absent member. There is a form to complete that the proxy presents when signing in for the meeting.
• By completing and submitting an absentee ballot. Please return Ballots to the church office in an envelope marked “Absentee Ballot” with your name on the outside. Deadline for submitting absentee ballots to the church office is Friday, May 15, at noon.
Both forms will be available in the front office starting May 1.
Report from the Committee on Money
At last year’s Annual Meeting, the congregation charged a new Committee on Money to present recommendations to the Board and Congregation regarding an Endowment Fund, the use of current and future Bequests and how to manage current and future operating Budget Deficits.
7 FINANCIAL RECOMMENDATIONS
The church’s 3/31/2015 Statement of Financial Position lists “Unrestricted Savings” of $661,000. The Committee on Money recommends that we establish designated Reserve Accounts to correspond to known commitments and contingencies. These reserves would be subject to re-allocation among the Reserves by either majority or two-thirds votes at a Congregational meeting.
The church has about $1,000,000 in cash assets, about 85% from bequests, including $874,761 received in 2013-14.
A1. Establish an Endowment Fund of $200,000 to produce income for new programs and growth.
A2. Establish Reserves corresponding to each approved expense, currently an Electrical Upgrade of $80,000.
A3. Establish Reserves corresponding to the Deficits Budgeted - $50,000 for 2014-15, $50,000 for the 2015-2016 and $20,000 for 2016-2017 to maintain church operations essential to our satisfaction and future.
A4. Establish a Catastrophe Reserve of $100,000 towards paying the $652,000 deductible on the Earthquake Insurance policy.
A5. Establish a Capital/Building Reserve of $70,000 for nonroutine building maintenance.
A6. Establish an Operating Reserve of $30,000, per the Board Policy, for the checking account.
A7. Establish an Unrestricted/Contingency Reserve of $60,000 for large expenses arising after budget approval.
6 POLICY RECOMMENDATONS
B1. Commit to a balanced Budget within two years, starting with the 2017-2018 Budget. UU churches which had deficits advise this, as does the UUA.
B2. Create Financial Reporting that make existing financial commitments visible and provide long-term perspectives for decisions.
B3. Adopt the Accounting Principles for Churches to provide guidance.
B4. Report Bequests and “Special Gifts” to the congregation, as well as all lump-sum gifts, and provide recognition for donors.
B5. Present this Report to the Congregation, as charged, for consideration at its May 17, 2015 business meeting.
B6. Incorporate the Recommendation principles and protections into the Bylaws to “establish key policies and procedures that may be changed only by the Congregation, not by the Board alone.”
— Steve White
Recording Secretary for the Committee on Money
FROM OUR INTERN COMMITTEE
Nica Completes Internship, Becomes UU Minister — Let’s Celebrate!
It has been a joy to work with our Intern Minister, Nica Eaton- Guinn. This past year we have observed her in myriad settings as she explored the complexities of ministry in order to more fully understand that role in preparation for her own ministry. It is the responsibility of the Intern Committee to give candid, evaluative feedback to the intern in a supportive manner, and to respond to issues and questions that she raises concerning her growing leadership roles. We have watched Nica grow in many ways, most remarkably in her utter devotion to her calling to ministry.
Nica’s internship with us has been exemplary. She has risen to every challenge, grown steadily in confidence in her ability to create and lead worship, even as she reaches out with pastoral care, interacts with RE and Youth, facilitates Build Your Own Theology workshops, engages in meaningful social action, and brings thoughtful consideration to the all-embracing theology of seeking that our community embraces. Our committee members’ feedback and suggestions have been enhanced by unsolicited notes and letters praising Nica’s ministry and personal engagement with many individuals in our congregation. She has a way of bringing discussions to the level of the profound with alacrity, honesty, and great warmth.
We have been so fortunate. Our congregational life has been enriched beyond measure by Nica’s many gifts and the work she has undertaken as our Intern. It has been a fascinating, mutual growth experience. Together we have served this congregation and also served the needs of our denomination by supporting this one
candidate’s desire and conviction to enter UU ministry.
We want to recognize and celebrate Nica and this year that she has walked with us. Please join us on May 10, both at our services and at the receptions following both services.
— Barbara Kernochan for the Intern Committee
FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY
The Rev. Tera Little will be Our Acting Minister This Fall
The Committee on Ministry and Rev. Rebecca are pleased to share the news that the Rev. Tera Little will serve as part-time Acting Minister during our minister’s sabbatical leave this fall.
The Committee on Ministry was particularly impressed with Rev. Little’s positive, collaborative, energetic leadership style and her ability to create worship that “touches people where they are.” This is important in a congregation like ours, with a diversity of theological commitments.
Rev. Little currently serves as the Minister of Throop Unitarian Universalist Church in Pasadena and as Director of Lifespan Programs of the Pacific Southwest District (PSWD) of the Unitarian Universalist Association, where for the past sixteen years she has provided coaching, training and support in all ages of faith formation, worship arts, justice ministry, campus ministry, and youth ministry. Rev. Little has also served as the PSWD liaison to our In-Care Program for seminary students, where she created and led service/learning/reflection events at least once a year.
This June, Rev. Little is stepping down from her position with the UUA/PSWD to focus full-time on her calling in parish ministry, and we are fortunate that she is available to bring her gifts and talents to UU Santa Monica to serve as our part-time Acting Minister. She will also continue to serve Throop UU Church parttime.
Rev. Little was ordained in September of 2011 and received her M.Div. from Meadville Lombard Theological School in May 2010. She is the proud mom of Adrian, age 21, and shares her life with Rabbi Jonathan Klein.
— Sue Stoyanoff for the committee
Easter Sunday, 2015
Photos by Carol Ring
You Can’t Pretend to Show Up
Did you happen to read the article in the spring issue of “UU World” magazine by UUA President Reverend Peter Morales based on this tee shirt slogan?
“You can pretend to care.
You can’t pretend to show up.”
Initially he relates this phrase to that time, 50 years ago, when hundreds of UUs did indeed “show up” and make that walk across the bridge in Selma, AL, including, by the way, our own minister emeritus, Reverend Ernie Pipes. In his article, Rev. Morales then brings that slogan forward to where you and I are. And we are right here, right now at the corner of 18th and Arizona in Santa Monica.
He asks us to do more than “voice” our care and concern. He calls on us to “show up!” For me, the most important indicator of how I show up is through my financial giving. Over the last nine years, I’ve asked myself more than once why I continue to raise my own level of financial giving. Why, even when in order to continue doing so, I’ve had to decrease my level of charitable giving to other worthwhile organizations.
I believe my best answer is that this church, this religion, holds me to a very high standard, encouraging me to seek truth and meaning in this difficult world. It asks not just to tolerate but instead to respect the diversity of thought and ideas, spiritual differences, sexual orientation, politics, and other factors, not only among the greater community but also in my very own UU Santa Monica community.
Speaking about love is simply not good enough. Indeed I am called upon to actively live in and through that love. I do not always succeed but the value of that high standard to which I aspire . . . that comes at a price. I’m called to put my resources into that which I value most.
Sustainability seems to have become a favorite buzzword of late. Buzzword or not, doesn’t our church consistently seek to increase its sustainability in order to maintain its excellence? Without significant financial support how can we sustain a minister, director of religious education, music director and accompanist, as well as those whose responsibility it is to assure proper administration and maintenance of this church campus and our infrastructure? These are all critical elements of a sustainable nonprofit organization with innovative programming for all ages and meaningful worship services to illustrate and explore what we stand for.
As church members each one of us is called upon to be a sustainable financial giver. We make pledges either on a weekly, monthly or annual basis. In the past, I did fairly well writing a check once a month, though I must admit that there were times when I had to catch up because I’d skipped or forgotten a month or so, even though I knew that I would not want to be responsible for the skipping of the monthly compensation of those whose work sustains me personally at church. Knowing how vital my pledge is to the daily operation of our beloved community, I now have it automatically deducted from my checking account every month, as I do with other bills I consider necessities. And yes, I do consider this a necessity. It is part of my response, given with gratitude for the abundance that UU Santa Monica brings to my life.
Every Sunday morning as I step out of the sanctuary following the morning’s worship service, I’m yet again spiritually uplifted and inspired. I’m revitalized, renewed and ready to meet the new week ahead, so very aware of how important it is for me to continue to “show up” in every way that I’m able for UU Santa Monica, a true force of love, care, and compassion in a world so badly in need of just that.
— Barbara Gibbs
My Financial Activism at UU Santa Monica
As UU’s, we all share a common purpose to make our communities and our world a better place. We take up causes, go on marches, carry signs, and vote.
When it comes to the financial health of our church, the activist road we march is closer to home. Part of my financial activism this year has been to encourage members of the congregation to ask our leaders to approve a budget that is transparent, with income based on fact, not formula, and deficits shown correctly as deficits.
I hope you will all attend the General meeting in May having studied the financial information provided you and participate in the process. I will once again be available on Sundays leading up to that meeting to answer questions you might have, about the budget and the eagerly anticipated draft report of the Committee on Money.
It is your church. Be active!
— Steven DePaul
Blessing of the Animals - March 15, 2015
Our two ministers and our DRE participated in “The Blessing of the Animals” on March 15.
Dining for Dollars (D4$)
The 2015 D4$ season was the most successful in our church’s history and, as we’ve also said to our 60 some hosts, “We could not have done it without all of you!” All of you who so enthusiastically bid on the auction events themselves, that have earned well over $30,000, the final total to be announced once all outstanding bids have been collected. The D4$ team wishes to express our enormous appreciation to the committee’s leader, Farrokh Allen, along with her hard working assistant, Garland Allen. And a very special note of appreciation to our technical wizard, Melinda Ewen, who was key to this year’s success. Their tireless efforts did not go unnoticed and we salute them — all three. — Sheila Cummins, Sue Moore, Nancy Howell, Barbara Gibbs (D4$ Team Members)
The D4$ program has become an important part of our congregation’s culture. Almost 80 church members are hosting 2015 Dining for Dollars events. They are:
Abby Arnold
Alan & Amy Brunell
Amy & Bruno Lacombe
Barbara & Denny Kernochan
Barbara Gibbs
Beth Brownlie & Bryan Oakes
Bettye Barclay
Beverly Alison
Bob Dietz & Ellen Levy
Bonnie Brae
Charles & Christine Haskell
Chris Jones
Christie & David Ferreria
Cynthia Cottam & Tom Early
David & Gretchen Goetz
David & Kitsy Olson
DeReau Farrar
Dorothy Steinicke
Edward & Patricia Wright
Elizabeth Fuller & Daniel Kegel
Farrokh & Garland Allen
Faz & Lucy Elahi
Francois Bar & Alison Kendall
Glen & Nancy Howell
Heather & Skip Brittenham
Helen E. Brown
Ian Dodd & Margot Page
Jacki Weber & Lorenzo Pelayo
James Witker
Janet Goodwin & Karl Lisovsky
Janet James
JoAn & Tom Peters
Joanne Brownlie
John Zinner
John & Melissa Weaver
Jonathan Bijur
Julie Nyquist
Karen Canady
Karen Patch
Katie Malich
Kay Ward
Kenneth & Crystal Alexander
Kikanza Nuri-Robins
Laurel Bleak & Marsha Smith
Len Harris
Linda van Ligten & Greg Wood
Liza Cranis
Louis Hutchinson
Lucy Hahn
Margaret & Yacoub Kharraz
Marjorie & William Anderson
Marjorie Annapav
Mark Warkentin
Mike Monte
Natalie Sue Kahn
Patrick Meighan & Amy Thiel
Peggy Rhoads
Rebecca D. Crawford
Resa Foreman |
Rhonda Peacock
Sheila Cummins
Steven DePaul & Beth Rendeiro
Susan Bickford & Daniel Nannini
Sylvia Young
Teri Bond
The Henderson-MacLennans
Vicky Foxworth & Jeff Pressman
CONDUCTED BY THE COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY: Results from the 2014 UU Santa Monica Community Building Survey
Background on the Survey
As part of its mission to evaluate the ministry of our church, the Committee on Ministry (CoM) developed a plan in the fall of 2014 for ongoing conversations in the church regarding several topics that are part of the church’s ministry and mission. It was our hope to achieve three outcomes from these conversations: (1) a culture of open, honest communication in a loving, supportive community, (2) a channel for continuing the ongoing dialogue and planning about what the church is doing well, what it can do better, and what it should be doing that now it’s not, and (3) a proactive approach for the CoM.
At least once every two years, the CoM plans to select one to three topics for conversations. The nature of the conversations may take several forms, for example, a newsletter article and request for response, surveys, conversation groups, pulpit messages, and/or one-on-one meetings.
The CoM also came up with a number of potential topics for these conversations: Sunday service, administration, religious education/exploration, community building within the congregation, external community relations, social justice, financial stewardship, minister’s relationship with congregants, mission, spirituality, diversity, outreach, participation in the larger UU community, and communication with one another.
The topic we decided to explore at this time was community building within our congregation, and we decided to explore this concept through an informal survey of congregants. An underlying question that we had in mind was “How well are we walking together as a congregation?”
In preparing for this conversation, we reviewed the “2013 Report on Visioning,” which is accessible to church members at http://archive.uusm.org/sites/default/files/members-only/uusmvisioningreport1213.pdf. The 2013 visioning process resulted in a list of thoughts and suggestions from congregants regarding what was termed as the “breadth” of the church, that is, “reaching outward to others within our community.” We included some of those thoughts and suggestions in our survey.
The Survey
The four questions in our 2014 Survey on Community Building within our Congregation were:
1. What are we at UU Santa Monica doing right when it comes to community building within our congregation?
2. Where are we lacking when it comes to community building within our congregation?
3. We have included…ideas generated during the 2013 Visioning Process. Please indicate the 3 ideas you most support. Also, please tell us of any new ideas that you have for community building. (See Appendix A in the web version of this report at http://archive.uusm.org/sites/default/files/members-only/2014communitybuildingsurveyreport.pdf for the full survey.)
4. What specific areas of community building within our church are you able to help out with and in what capacity?
We also asked respondents what their relationship to the church was (member, friend, visitor, or “other”) and how long they had been attending UU Santa Monica. Providing one’s name on the survey was optional.
Survey Distribution
The survey was part of an article in the November 2014 newsletter. A notice about the survey appeared in the church announcements for a number of weeks, and members of the CoM were in Forbes Hall after all services in November passing out the survey to congregants and encouraging them to respond. The survey was belatedly posted on the church members-only website; our apologies for that delay and the lack of publicity regarding that posting.
The plan was to collect responses until the end of November, but survey responses were accepted through mid-February. We hoped to receive 80 responses to the survey. We actually received only 31 responses, and we admit that the low number of responses precludes firm conclusions. We do think, however, that some valuable information was obtained from the survey and that we learned lessons for conducting future surveys.
Survey Results
A compilation of survey results can be seen in Appendix B of the web version of this report (at http://archive.uusm.org/sites/default/files/members-only/2014communitybuildingsurveyreport.pdf). Two themes emerged:
We value our social events, which deepen our sense of community and belonging.
We feel a need to learn ways to resolve conflict in a constructive, compassionate manner so all are welcome and valued.
THEME 1: We value our social events, which deepen our sense of community and belonging
We value the Second Sunday Suppers and would like to see them continue
The Second Sunday Suppers were supported by almost half of the survey respondents. Since the Suppers began several years ago, many dedicated volunteers have hosted and coordinated hosts for these fellowship dinners. We are currently recruiting a new coordinator for this valuable program, as the current coordinator, Beth Rendeiro, will be stepping down in June. If your calling is to build community and feed our community, and you have a vision for the future of our Second Sunday Suppers, please reach out to Beth or to Rev. Bijur at minister@uusm.org or (310) 829-5436, ext. 104.
We value our small groups
Our small groups (e.g., Heart to Heart Circles [formerly known as Small Group Ministry], knitting, SuperSeniors, caregivers, writers, drop-ins regarding the sermon/monthly themes, etc.) are valued, especially Heart to Heart Circles. In addition, our Faith in Action, Peace and Social Justice, and Hunger activities, as well as our Dining for Dollars program are valued for their community building. We recommend continued nurturance of existing groups and support for members creating new small groups.
We support Friendship Dinners
The survey found significant support for reinstituting Friendship Dinners (neighborhood dinners held at congregants’ homes). This would require a person or committee that would be willing to handle the logistics of getting this program going again.
Camp de Benneville Pines
Some respondents would like us to have a second church weekend at de Benneville Pines Camp (our district’s UU camp in the San Bernardino mountains near Big Bear), a bus to transport people to our camp weekend, and more scholarships or a slidingscale fee for attendees.
Committee on Ministry Note: Jacki Weber, who has for a number of years been organizing our church weekends at de Benneville Pines as well as the camp’s Thanksgiving weekend, would love to have help. Please contact Jacki or Rev. Bijur if you’re interested.
We want to improve/expand our use of technology to connect with each other
Survey respondents would like to see greater use of technology to share joys and sorrows, announce events, post memorials, and connect volunteers to opportunities.
THEME 2: We feel a need to learn ways to resolve conflict in a constructive, compassionate manner so all are welcome and valued
The need for a process to improve relations
Some of us expressed concern that diversity of spiritual views is not welcome, particularly in regard to the theist/nontheist divide, and that diverse points of view in general are not welcome. Others noted that community building depends on the ability to have open communication and resolutions. Still others felt their voices had not been heard and expressed a desire to nurture more open dialogue and to find ways to communicate grievances in a compassionate manner.
Committee on Ministry Note: This is an area of concern to the Committee on Ministry and the Board, and work is being done to seek ways to facilitate open, compassionate communication.
The Committee on Ministry thanks all who participated in this survey, and we look forward to continuing our conversations. If you would like to help in any of the above endeavors, please contact the Committee on Ministry at CommitteonMinistry@uusm.org.
— UU Santa Monica Committee on Ministry (Rev. Rebecca Bijur, Alan Brunell, Sue Stoyanoff, Tom Peters, Kris Langabeer)
Good News: Nica Eaton-Guinn Will Be Our Summer Minister
The Committee on Ministry and Rev. Rebecca are delighted to announce that Nica Eaton-Guinn has accepted our offer to serve as Summer Minister while Rev. Bijur is on family leave June 1 to August 24. Since she came to us last August, Nica’s caring pastoral ministry, dynamic and thoughtful worship leading, and ability to engage the congregation have been hallmarks of her ministry. These were also skills that were named as particularly important to attract in our Summer Minister, and we are delighted we did not have to look too far from home. To allow us to fully celebrate what we have accomplished and shared together as a Teaching Congregation with our Intern Minister this year, Nica will complete her internship with us on May 17. She will then take two weeks off to celebrate her graduation from Starr King School for the Ministry with her Master of Divinity degree and to take a well-earned rest, before returning as our parttime Summer Minister on June 1. Please mark your calendars for a celebration of Nica’s internship on May 10 after both services.
Unfortunately, Nica is not able to stay on with us through Rev. Bijur’s sabbatical leave this fall, due to other life and work commitments. The Committee on Ministry has extended our timeline for the search for a Sabbatical Minister to serve the congregation during that time, and we look forward to sharing good news about that position in the near future.
— Committee on Ministry (Sue Stoyanoff and Tom Peters, Co-Chairs, Kris Langabeer, Alan Brunell, Rev. Rebecca Benefiel Bijur)
A Community You Can Count On, Always There When You Need It
I was a minute or two late arriving to church one Sunday morning — but the sanctuary doors were open, the choir was singing and my heart swelled as I took my seat. The service spoke to me deeply through music, chalice lighting, readings and sermon. This beautiful service and many other opportunities to gain insight, to grow and to be supported are gifts given to us by our church community and are there whenever we need them, day after day, week after week.
This year, I’m on the Commitment Campaign Committee (also known as stewardship). I’ve been humbled by the work of our ministers, staff and church leaders on behalf of us all. I’ve learned in depth what it takes to keep our church doors open and support our dynamic programs today and long into the future.
Unfortunately, we have not yet met our pledge fundraising goal for the year. We’re working to close this financial gap. That is why we are reaching out to you again.
Please reflect on what our church means to you. If you’re waiting to make a pledge or donation, it’s not too late — please act now! Keep in mind, you don’t have to be a member to make a meaningful financial gift. If you’ve already made a pledge, we’re so grateful and hope you might consider giving more.
Spiritual renewal, music and community are always available to me at church on Sunday. I want these gifts to be there whenever you, or any of us need them — now and in the future. Please call or email me, or any of us on the committee, to discuss increasing your pledge or making a one-time donation. The church office team can put us in touch or supply you with a current directory.
With gratitude,
Gretchen Goetz and Abby Arnold, Rebecca Bijur, Teri Bond, Barbara Gibbs, Kit Shaw, and Patricia Wright
Quotes about Renewal
Bettye Barclay has provided this list of quotes about our ministerial theme for April. Daily quotes also appear in the weekly electronic announcements.
Week 1. Be willing to shed some old habits. Erase what has gone before. Take risks. Let go! Clear the deck! Jump right into the water! — Mary Todd Beam
Week 2. Every generation renews itself in its own way; there’s always a reaction against whatever is standard. —Sol LeWitt
Week 3. I had become a new person; and those who knew the old person laughed at me. The only man who behaved sensibly was my tailor. He took my measure anew every time he saw me, whilst all the rest went in with their old measurements and expected them to fit me. — George Bernard Shaw
Week 4. We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us. The old skin has to be shed before the new one can come. — Joseph Campbell
Week 5. We don’t even know how strong we are until we are forced to bring that hidden strength forward. In times of tragedy, of war, of necessity, people do amazing things. The human capacity for survival and renewal is awesome. — Isabel Allende
The Rev. Rebecca Benefiel Bijur with pulpit guest speaker Candace Haskell Swirkal on Sunday, February 15. Rev. Rebecca’s sermon was the third in a series of sermons about God, with this Sunday devoted to ways of thinking about God as used in the many 12-step programs that call our church home. Candace was joined by a number of church members in one or more of these 12-step programs who shared their perspectives on God. Photo by Charles Haskell
Turning Towards Lent: Trying on Change
For the three major religions of the Western World — Islam, Judaism, and Christianity — there are periods in the year that deal specifically with self-improvement. For Islam it’s Ramadan; for Jews it’s Rosh Hashanah; and for Christians it’s Lent. Both Unitarianism and Universalism are historically liberal Christian faiths with distinctive theologies. Unitarians looking back to the time of Jesus have seen him as an inspired human being rather than a deity. They followed the traditional Jewish idea of one and only one God. The Universalists focused more on the reconciliation of God with all humanity after Jesus was sacrificed. Both came into existence rejecting the negative Calvinistic view of human depravity and inspired by our human potential for goodness. In the last 100 years, Unitarians in particular began cutting their ties with Christianity, attracted to a humanistic perspective that leaves theological questions up to each individual and focuses on common values. They said, in effect, “Let’s not worry about whether our ethics and morals came from divine revelation or social construction. Let’s put them into action for the good of the world.” In our rush toward liberating ourselves from the confines of theology that is no longer relevant, we’ve discarded rituals, traditions, and practices rich with meaning. Lent is one of them.
For me, Lent is a manageable period of time to try on change. A time to turn away from oppression and turn towards dignity and respect. I have chosen to “take something on” rather than “give something up” — but it’s all semantics, as when taking something on, something is given up in return.
It’s a time of self-discipline and self-reflection where I try on change, deepen my commitment to self-care, and spiritual growth. It’s a time to reflect on who I am and who I want to be. It’s a time of re-balancing. And it’s “just” for 40 days. What would you like to turn away from and turn towards?
This year, UU Santa Monica is trying on Lent. February 18 marked the beginning of the Lenten period, and we started with an Ash Wednesday service: remembering that we are made of ashes from the dust of the Universe. We meet each week for reflection and meditation, and to check in regarding how we’re doing with our “turning.” The Lenten period concludes with a Maundy Thursday service, UU style, on April 2. For more information about this new program contact either Rhonda or Rev. Rebecca.
The Rev. Sam Trumbore’s blog was a resource for this article.
— Rhonda Peacock
Photos from February Dining for Dollars Bidding
Thank-You from the Coastline Community College Foundation
Turning Towards Lent: Trying On Change
For the three major religions of the Western World — Islam, Judaism, and Christianity — there are periods in the year that deal specifically with self-improvement. For Islam it’s Ramadan; for Jews it’s Rosh Hashanah; and for Christians it’s Lent. Both Unitarianism and Universalism are historically liberal Christian faiths with distinctive theologies. Unitarians dating back to the time of Jesus saw him as an inspired human being rather than a deity. They followed the traditional Jewish idea of one and only one God. The Universalists focused more on the reconciliation of God with all humanity after Jesus was sacrificed. Both came into existence rejecting the negative Calvinistic view of human depravity and inspired by our human potential for goodness. In the last 100 years, Unitarians in particular began cutting their ties with Christianity, attracted to a humanistic perspective that leaves theological questions up to each individual and focuses on common values.
They said, in effect, “Let’s not worry about whether our ethics and morals came from divine revelation or social construction. Let’s put them into action for the good of the world.” In our rush toward liberating ourselves from the confines of theology that is no longer relevant, we’ve discarded rituals, traditions, and practices rich with meaning. Lent is one of them. For me, Lent is a manageable period of time to try on change. A time to turn away from oppression and turn towards dignity and respect. I have chosen to “take something on” rather than “give something up” — but it’s all semantics, as when taking something on, something is given up in return.
It’s a time of self-discipline and self-reflection where I try on change, deepen my commitment to self-care, and spiritual growth. It’s a time to reflect on who I am and who I want to be. It’s a time of re-balancing. And it’s “just” for 40 days. What would you like to turn away from and turn towards? This year, UU Santa Monica is trying on Lent. February 18 marks the beginning of the Lenten period, and we’ll start with an Ash Wednesday service: remembering that we are made of ashes from the dust of the Universe. We’ll meet each week for reflection and meditation, and to check in regarding how we’re doing with our “turning.” The Lenten period concludes with a Maundy Thursday service, UU style, on April 2.
For more information about this new program contact either Rhonda or Rev. Rebecca.
The Rev. Sam Trumbore’s blog was a resource for this article.
— Rhonda Peacock
February is Dining for Dollars Month
"Frozen" Sing-a-Long Kickoff Event: Saturday February 28 6 p.m. in the Sanctuary Featuring: *Gourmet hotdogs (including vegan dogs) from Let’s Be Frank *Nachos *Popcorn *Candy *Elsa, Anna, and Olaf singing all your favorite songs about ice and winter and letting stuff go.
All are welcome! Pay what you want!
For more information, contact Patrick Meighan.
Dining for Dollars is an annual silent auction that raises income essential to meeting our budget goals. Everyone is encouraged to participate in this fun (and delicious) way to get to know the people at UU Santa Monica. Join us at the church on February 28 for this year’s kickoff event, a “Frozen” sing-along with hot dogs and theater food, hosted by Patrick Meighan and Amy Thiel. (Donations will be accepted at the door.) Look over the other events listed below. More are being added every day. We still need yours! And come to Forbes Hall on February 15 and 22 to place your bids! QUESTIONS? Contact Farrokh Allen , Barbara Gibbs or Sue Moore.
Dining for Dollars 2015 Event List
Day Date Time Dining for Dollars Event Description Hosts
Sat. Feb. 28 - 6 p.m. Movie “Frozen” Sing-along with Gourmet Hot Dogs Patrick Meighan & Amy Thiel
Sun. Mar. 15 - 7 p.m. Dinner with a Persian Accent Faz & Lucy Elahi
Sat. Mar. 21- 7 p.m. Vernal Equinox Celebration with 7-course Meal Kikanza Nuri-Robins
Sat. Mar. 21 - 6:30 p.m. Saint Patrick’s Day Dinner Cynthia Cottam & Tom Early
Sun. Mar. 22 - 11 a.m. Musicantica Studio Zanni at The Music Center & Lunch Nicole & Leon Henderson-Maclennan
Sat. Mar. 28 - 4 to 8 p.m. Lucy’s Poker Party & Fish Dinner Lucy Hahn
Sat. Mar. 28 - 7 p.m. Simply Delicious Feast of Ancient Greece Barbara Kernochan
Sat. Apr. 4 - 6 p.m. Guatemalan Food & Viewing Movie “El Norte” Patricia & Ned Wright
Thu. Apr. 9 - 12 noon Lunch & Tour of NPR West Studio in Culver City Peggy Kharraz & Katie Malich
Sat. Apr. 11 - 1 p.m. COLOR! (create your own watercolor painting) Bettye Barclay
Sat. Apr. 11 - 5 p.m. “Thin Man” Cocktail Party with Professional Bartender Abby Arnold
Wed. Apr. 15 - 11 a.m. Homeboy Industries Tour & Homegirl Café Lunch Peggy Kharraz & Nancy Howell
Sat. Apr. 18 - 11 a.m. S.M. Historical Tour & Huntley Hotel Lunch Kay Ward & Natalie Kahn
Sat. Apr. 18 - 6:30 p.m. Beatles and Gourmet Pizza Karl Lisovsky & Janet Goodwin
Sun. Apr. 19 - 4 to 6 p.m. Renaissance Music by Strolling Minstrel with Food Ellen Levy, Bob Dietz, & Barbara Gibbs
Sun. Apr. 19 - 1 p.m. Downtown L.A. Historic Walking Tour John Zinner
Fri. Apr. 24 - 6 p.m. Scrabble & Snacks Night at Joanne’s Joanne Brownlie & Lois Hutchinson
Sat. Apr. 25 - 11 a.m. Beach Bike Ride & French Picnic Francois Bar & Alison Kendall
Sat. Apr. 25 - 5 p.m. Authentic Louisiana Crawfish Boil Jacki Weber & Lorenzo Pelayo
Sat. May 2 - 12 noon Zuma Canyon Wildflower Walk & Picnic Dorothy Steinicke
Sat. May 2 - 6:30 p.m. Breakfast for Dinner Sue Bickford & Dan Nannini
Sun. May 3 - 1:30 p.m. Creative Reuse Art making for Kids Jonathan Markowitz Bijur
Fri. May 22 - 7 p.m. Craft Beer and Food Pairing Christie & David Ferreria
Sat. May 23 - 9 to 10:15 a.m. To Your Health Yoga Class & Refreshments Beth Brownlie & Bryan Oakes
Sat. May 23 - 7 p.m. Japanese Cuisine at Sake House Patio Resa Foreman
Sat. May 30 - 10 a.m. The Last Dean’s FABULOUS Pancake Breakfast Bob Dietz & Ellen Levy
Sat. May 30 - 6 to 9 p.m. Casual BBQ Vicky Foxworth & Jeff Pressman
Sat. May 30 - 6:30 p.m. Gourmet Greek with Food Chemistry Explanations Rebecca Crawford
Sat. June 6 - 7 p.m. Mexican & Margaritas Gretchen & David Goetz
Sun. June 7 - 1 p.m. Bridge Buffet Karl Lisovsky & Janet Goodwin
Sun. June 7 - 5:30 p.m. Ladies’ Night in the Heated Pool Julie Nyquist
Sun. June 7 - TBD AAHS Spaghetti Dinner Ian Dodd & AAHS
Sat June 13 - 7 p.m. Motown Choir Concert DeReau Farrar
Fri. July 17 - 7 p.m. Gourmet Dining Under a 130-year-old Oak Tree Heather Brittenham
Sun. July 19 - afternoon Hollywood Arclight Movie & Dinner Bonnie Brae
Sat Aug. 15 - 7 p.m. Hollywood Whenever Movie & BBQ Marsha Smith & Laurel Bleak
Sun. Aug. 16 - 12:30 p.m. Jonathan Beach Club 4-course Champagne Brunch William & Marjorie Anderson
Sat. Sep. 12 - 12 noon Filipino Dinner Mike Monte
Sun. Sep. 13 - 5 p.m. 11th Scrabble Tournament & Alphabet Soup Dinner Elizabeth Fuller & Dan Kegel
Sat. Sep 26. - 5 p.m. Brazilian BBQ Ian Dodd & Margot Page
Sun. Sep. 27 - 5 p.m. Charades and Supper Steven DePaul & Beth Rendeiro
Fri. Oct. 2 - 7 p.m. Haute Cuisine Dinner Circa 1955 Beth Brownlie & Bryan Oakes
Sat. Oct. 3 - 2 p.m. Sugar Skull Making for Dia de los Muertos Katie Malich & Amy Lacombe
Sat. Oct. 3 - 7 p.m. 1001st Night at Shahrazad’s Persian Restaurant Farrokh & Garland Allen
Sat. Oct. 10 - 6:30 p.m. Vegan Feast with Wonderful Palate of Spices Ken & Crystal Alexander
Sun. Oct. 11 - 12:30 p.m. Brunch at the Beach (Bel Air Bay Club) David & Kitsy Olson
Sat. Oct. 17 - 6:30 p.m. Epicureans Unite! (6-course dinner and wine pairing) Rhonda Peacock
Sat. Oct. 24 - 7 p.m. Monty Python Fun & Trivia with Dinner Melissa & John Weaver
Sat. Oct. 31 - 7 p.m. Dia de los Muertos Beverly Alison & Linda van Ligten
Sun. Nov. 1 - 3 to 5 p.m. Snaps & Snacks (portraits in a studio setting) Charles & Christine Haskell
Fri. Nov. 13 - 11 a.m. Tour St. Sophia Cathedral & Papa Cristo’s Lunch Sheila Cummins & Katie Malich
Sat. Nov. 14 - 7 p.m. All American Dinner Marjorie Annapav
MORE: Play reading of “Harvey” (Liza Cranis); Back on Beach GC (Chris Jones); Computer consulting (Mark Warkentin); Hand knit socks (Helen Brown); Hand knit item (Karen Patch): Quick Breads (Sylvia Young & Peggy Rhoads); Scones (Katie Malich)
Renewal and Growth for Rev. Rebecca
UU Santa Monica has a long history of sending its ministers on sabbatical. Sabbaticals are used to seek spiritual renewal as well as to pursue study, education, writing, meditation, and professional and religious growth. Both Rev. Judith Meyer and Rev. Ernie Pipes took sabbaticals, to the benefit of our ministers and our congregation, and this year Rev. Rebecca will take a sabbatical, from September 21 to Jan 5, 2016.
Rev. Rebecca is planning to be on family leave from approximately June 1 to August 24, depending on when baby Bijur arrives. During her family leave time, Rev. Rebecca will be focusing on her family and the new baby. This, too, will be a time of growth!
In between her family and sabbatical leaves, Rev. Rebecca will be back with us for the month of September.
During Rev. Rebecca’s leave times, we plan to work with a part-time Acting Minister to lead worship, provide pastoral care, supervise our church staff, and support other key ministries in our congregation. Many of us recall Rev. Erika Hewitt’s time with us during Rev. Rebecca’s family leave in 2012, and the ministry of Rev. Jim Grant during Rev. Judith’s four-month sabbatical in 2005. The Committee on Ministry is working on finding the right Acting Minister(s) for us and looks forward to sharing news of that individual or individuals in the coming months.
As we prepare for these special times of leave, renewal, and growth, we know it will be an exciting year for Rev. Rebecca and our church. Please let us know if you have questions or concerns.
— Committee on Ministry (Kris Langabeer, Alan Brunell, Sue Stoyanoff (Co-Chair), Tom Peters (Co-Chair), Rev. Rebecca), committeeonministry@uusm.org
Thanks From Our Minister
A big “Thank You” to all those listed below who made a gift or pledge for 2015 by December 10, 2014. We appreciate your support! For those who would still like to make a 2015 pledge or gift, please visit archive.uusm.org/make-a-donation or complete a pledge form at archive.uusm.org/for-members/online-pledge-form-pledge-only-no-payments
Boyd Adams
Elizabeth & Leonard Adler
Kenneth & Crystal Alexander
Abby Arnold
Kirk Attebury
Nancy Babbitt
Francois Bar & Alison Kendall
Bettye Barclay
Susan Bickford & Daniel Nannini
Rebecca & Jonathan Bijur
Harvey & Sheila Bjornlie
Edna & Phillip Bonacich
Teri Bond
Bonnie Brae
Anita & George Brenner
Rob Briner
Helen Brown
Patrick Burrows & Nancy Shinno
Natalie Burton
Leonard Cachola
Bryan & Lisa Cahill
Teresa Castelli
Jessica Clay
Clara & Ruth Cooper
Cynthia Cottam & Tom Early
Rebecca Crawford
Sheila Cummins
Lois D’Asara
Steven DePaul & Beth Rendeiro
Sanna Egan
Joe Engleman
Michael Eselun
Melinda Ewen
Jan & Bruce Ferguson
Dwight Flowers
Tascha Folsoi & Steve Neilson
Resa Foreman
Clayton Fossett
Roberta Frye
Elizabeth Fuller & Daniel Kegel
Steve Garboski
Barbara Gibbs
Wendi Gladstone
David & Gretchen Goetz
Patricia Gomez
Rayma Greenberg
Len Harris
Charles & Christine Haskell
Denise Helton
The Henderson-MacLennans
Emily Hero
Joyce Holmen & Mort Postel
Glen & Nancy Howell
Mark Huberman
Lois & Brad Hutchinson
Jay Johnson & Rachel Sene
Chris Jones
Natalie Sue Kahn
Cynthia Kelly
Berbara Kernochan
Margaret & Yacoub Kharraz
Phyllis & Robert Kory
Robert Kwan
Geralyn Lambson
Kris Langabeer & Debbie Menzies
Julie LaRue
Eleanor Long
Audrey Lyness
Katie Malich
Joyce & Warren Mathews
Patricia & Richard Mathias
Patrick McGuire
Patrich Meighan & Amy Thiel
Kim Miller
Mike Monte
Francine & Stuart Moore
Helene & James Morison
Susana Nierlich
Beth Brownlie & Bryan Oakes
Vilma Ortiz
Allee Harati & Karen Patch
Dan & Karen Hsu Patterson
Rhonda Peacock
Ernest Pipes
Adriana Poblano
Barbara Powers
Joan Reighley
Joan Reitzel
Carol Ring
Christine Suarez & Mark Rizzo
Sarah Robson
Carolina San Juan & Wendell Pascual
Kim & Nalani Santiago-Kalmanson
Kristina Schauer & Eric Treat
Carol Serling
Melanie Sharp
Kit Shaw
Catherine Gentile
Diana Spears
Dorothy Steinicke
Isabel & Bayard Storey
Ellen Stuart
John Sussman
Beth TenPas
Pamela Teplitz
Erika & Steven Valore
Joan Verdon
Kay Ward
Mark Warkentin
John & Melissa Weaver
Jacki Weber & Lorenzo Pelayo
Larry Weiner & Laura Carlson-Weiner
Jenifer Westbay
Joanna Woods-Marsden
Edward & Patricia Wright
John Zinner
Finance Report
The finance committee consists of Kit Shaw, chair; Charles Haskell; Christine Haskell; Alan Brunell; Abby Arnold; and Jacki Weber. Our last meeting was on December 7.
We are halfway through our current fiscal year (ends June 30, 2015), which has an operating budget deficit of $72,000. To date, we are on track with our planned budget (less than $500 variance from the budgeted deficit). The church’s rental income continues to remain strong, as groups continue to seek out our beautiful campus to hold their meetings. As the end of the year approaches, we will soon know whether members have fulfilled their 2014 pledge commitments. In December, we were approximately $50,000 short of collecting the $410,000 pledged by members for 2014.
The church’s accounting books also recently underwent an internal audit by church members Joyce Holmen, Rhonda Peacock, and Carol Ring. The audit committee did not find any major deficiencies but had several very useful suggestions, which will be shared in a written report. The report has not yet been completed, but it will be available in the office when finalized.
As we head into 2015, the Finance Committee is discussing ways to improve the budgeting process. We are working closely with the Commitment Campaign Committee, headed by Teri Bond, since church income is so heavily dependent upon member pledges. In fact, four members of the Commitment Campaign Committee also regularly attend Finance Committee meetings, either as a member or a guest. The 2015-2016 fiscal year budgeting process begins January 2015, and our hope is to be able to maintain quality church programs with realistic input and goals from the Commitment Campaign Committee.
We are also eagerly waiting for the report from the Committee on Money, which was established at the 2014 annual meeting to research the following: (1) a method for dealing with future budgets where expenses exceed income, (2) the percent of unrestricted reserves that may be prudently used for operations, (3) use of current large donations or bequests, (4) utilization of future large donations or bequests, and (5) the pros and cons of establishing an endowment fund. Recommendations of the Committee on Money will be important to discussions of next year’s budget.
— Kit Shaw
Holiday Spectacle...
The annual parade of Friendly Beasts assembled on the chancel for the Winter Holiday Pageant on December 21. The children were led in singing by Kris Langabeer.
From Our Music Program
Eve Ahlers, Sammy Nunan, Tommy Nunan, Mari Nunan, and Piper Redman playing “Greensleeves” at the Winter Holiday Pageant on December 21.
Ministry Theme for January is Blessing
Bettye Barclay has provided this list of weekly thoughts about our ministerial theme for January.
Week 1. There are not many occasions in a typical Unitarian Universalist worship that call for a blessing and that is perhaps too bad. The simplest definition of a “blessing” is that it is a religious sign of approval. We could do with more of that in the world — both recognizing more things as blessed, and recognizing ourselves as capable of blessing. A blessing then, lifts up, honors someone or something, and calls it good. — Eric Walker Wikstrom
Week 2. The most important choices we make are the thoughts and feelings we choose to entertain, moment after moment, day after day. They shape our lives more surely than any outward circumstance. So why not opt for an experience of blessing — of blessing life moment after moment? Each moment is the repository of infinite possibilities, ever renewed. — Pierre Pradervand
Week 3. An early morning walk is a blessing for the whole day. — Henry David Thoreau
Week 4. To a fireman, wind is a curse. To a sailor, wind is a blessing. — Mokokoma Mokhonoana
Week 5. The thing to do, it seems to me, is to prepare yourself so you can be a rainbow in somebody else’s cloud. Somebody who may not look like you, may not call God the same name you call God — if they call God at all. I may not dance your dances or speak your language. But be a blessing to somebody. That’s what I think. — Maya Angelou
Community Life
Thanksgiving Feast
Holiday Bazaar
Winter Holiday Pageant
Dia de los Muertos
Nica Eaton-Guinn, Vilma Ortiz, Rev. Rebecca Benefiel Bijur, DeReau K. Farrar, and Catherine Farmer Loya (not shown) officiated at our annual Dia de los Muertos service on November 2. Photo by Charles Haskell.
From Our 2015 Commitment Campaign Committee: Our 2015 Commitment Campaign Explained
We come to church on Sunday, and the doors are open, the restrooms are clean, the Religious Education classes are in session, there is wonderful music, and the minister delivers an inspiring sermon. All this happens because we have the infrastructure — our staff and the supplies they need — to create the experience we seek when we come here. The staff salaries and supplies are paid for by our church budget. It will cost $616,462 to operate the Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica for the fiscal year that ends on December 30, 2015.
That $616,462 in annual operating costs comes from sources listed above.
The pie chart below shows how your commitment, especially your annual pledge or gift, supports our core programs in worship, education, community building, and outreach.
Please make a 2015 pledge that is meaningful to you, for the life of our spiritual community! To make your pledge, please return your pledge form, or complete a new pledge form in the office or during coffee hour, or visit archive.uusm.org/make-adonation
From Your 2015 Commitment Campaign Team:
— Abby Arnold, Rev. Rebecca Benefiel Bijur, Teri Bond (Chair), Barbara Gibbs, Gretchen Goetz, Kit Shaw, and Patricia Wright
Emily Linnemeier and James Duckman on the pulpit November 19 talking about “what the church means to me” as part of the 2015 Commitment Campaign. Photo by Charles Haskell.
Small Group Ministry
Small Group Ministry (SGM) SGM participants meet monthly to practice deep listening and to share from the heart their thoughts about a particular topic. Each group also contributes two service projects during the year. Further information about SGM appears below. Photo by Rhonda Peacock.News from the Intern Committee
The Intern Committee has been working with and in support of our ministerial intern, Nica Eaton-Guinn, since her arrival in August. We have usurped Nica’s column for the November newsletter in order to tell you a little more about her
activities this year.
Ministry, for Nica, is a true calling. She sees ministry as an opportunity to combine her desires to lead, counsel, organize, teach, be joyful, and inspire and to deepen spiritual growth in others. With the life experience and academic background already under her belt, she has a great deal to offer us, and has been doing so steadily since her arrival. This, her final year of her Master of Divinity degree and final preparation for UU ministry, makes extraordinary demands on her. She has dozens upon dozens of books that must be read and digested, papers that must be written, topics to be reflected upon, and enormous examinations to prepare for. As our intern, she creates and leads worship every month, writes and delivers a sermon, serves as pulpit host as needed, meets regularly with numerous groups including the Board, RE, Faith in Action, and the Intern Committee, offers pastoral care, and writes this column. On the denominational front, she is expected to attend
ministers’ meetings and retreats, continue her participation in an Intern reflection class, and attend the Intern Minister gathering at Starr King. The goals of her internship with us include deepening her understanding of Religious Education, engaging personally in social justice activities, working closely with Rev. Rebecca to lead worship and reflect on her understanding of her own theology and of ministry itself. She has also taken on a leadership role as acting minister for our Camp de Benneville Pines weekend, offering a parenting workshop, and she is assisting in membership development, while also developing alternative worship services, preparing to officiate at various rites of passage, and teaching adult and children’s RE …
All this, and find the time to care for her family, continue her own spiritual practices, and remember the deep spiritual calling she feels for this work that she has chosen — and get an occasional night’s sleep.
Nica is delighted to be with us, to learn from a UU minister who is herself raising a family, and to utilize the opportunities we can offer her to grow into full-fledged ministry.
With so many extraordinary demands on her time, not to mention her weekly commutes from Santa Barbara, we hope you will offer her your support and friendship, as well as your understanding of the challenges she faces.
— Nica’s Intern Committee:
Cathie Gentile, Pat Gomez, Eric Huang, Karen Hsu Patterson, Barbara Kernochan, Bill Nunan, Rick Rhoads
Photos from Coming Out Sunday - October, 2014
Photos by Carol Ring
Committee on Ministry Invites Conversation on Community Building within Our Congregation
The October newsletter notes from the Board meeting (“Splinters from the Board”) indicates the Committee on Ministry (CoM) “… is charged with evaluating the church’s ministry as a whole, and is developing a plan for engaging the congregation in ongoing conversations about the church’s ministry. For this coming year, the topic will be ‘community building within the congregation.’”
To that end, the CoM is developing a plan for ongoing conversations in the church around topics that are part of the church’s ministry and mission. We hope to achieve three outcomes from these conversations:
• A culture of open, honest communication in a loving, supportive community
• A channel for continuing the ongoing dialog and planning about what the church is doing well, what it can do better, and what it should be doing that it’s not doing now
• A proactive approach for the CoM.
At least once every two years, the CoM will select one to three topics for conversation. The nature of the conversations may take several forms, for example, a newsletter article and request for response, surveys, conversation groups, pulpit messages, one-on-one meetings. The committee will identify the method(s) of conversation to be used for each topic.
In preparing for this conversation, we reviewed the “2013 Report on Visioning” (accessible to those with church-member-level website accounts). The 2013 UU Santa Monica visioning process resulted in a list of thoughts and suggestions regarding what was termed as the “breadth” of the church, that is, “reaching outward to others within our community.”
Some of the observations and suggestions regarding community building delineated in that report include:
• Small groups promote connection; ideas for additional small groups included a senior group, an over-55 group, drop-in groups, a social group for parents.
• Camp de Benneville Pines is great for connections; a second church weekend, more scholarships, bus transportation were suggested.
• Church-wide work days and other church-wide events promote community.
• It is not good if the only time we reach out to people is to ask for money.
• We need to reach out to each other one on one.
• Reinstitute Friendship Dinners (neighborhood dinners held at congregants’ homes).
• Phone trees, neighborhood groups, a lay ministry program, a drop-in general conversation corner at coffee hour or one focusing on the sermon, more attention to joys and sorrows in the service, a van to bring people to church.
• Improve the way we relate to each other, including holding workshops such as on nonviolent or compassionate communication; continuing to work on respecting differences, including mental or physical disabilities and beliefs; striving for true acceptance, not just tolerance; creating a structured program to deal with conflict.
• Make better use of technology (e.g., website, Facebook) to connect and care for each other (e.g., to announce events, share joys and sorrows, post memorials, connect volunteers with opportunities).
• Improve the physical plant (e.g., audio-visual, phone, database systems, new outside sign, elevator for Forbes,
rainbow banner out front, good cleaning, reorganized closets, better parking, more bike racks).
In response to some of these thoughts, our church has made improvements in the past year. These include the creation of the Super Seniors (80+) group, a new sound system in the sanctuary, continuing work on the Arizona Avenue side of the church, and our continuing or new free/low-cost church-wide events (e.g., Second Sunday Suppers, the annual Pancake Breakfast and Movie Sing-a-Long, the Summer Interweave/Women’s Alliance Picnic, the Dance the Night Away event).
To continue this conversation, we would like to ask you for your thoughts about four questions (see below). We look forward to hearing from you and welcome this opportunity to continue our conversation about community building in our congregation.
Thank you for your participation and contributions.
— UU Santa Monica Committee on Ministry
(Rev. Rebecca, Alan Brunell, Sue Stoyanoff, and Kris Langabeer)
UUSM Congregational Survey on Community Building Within our Congregation
1. What are we at UUSM doing right when it comes to community building within our congregation?
2. Where are we lacking when it comes to community building within our congregation?
3. Which of the suggestions from our Visioning process for community building do you support or not support? What new ideas do you have for community building?
4. What specific areas of community building within ourchurch are you able to help out with and in what capacity?
5. What’s your relationship to the church (e.g., member, friend, visitor), and how long have you been attending
UUSM?
Your printed name (optional)
___________________________________________
You may respond to these questions by:
• Emailing CommitteeonMinistry@uusm.org,
• Dropping off your responses to the Committee on Ministry folder in the bottom right mail box in the church office, or
• Filling out a questionnaire in Forbes Hall after each service in November.
We ask that you submit your responses to us by November 30.
One of the CoM members will be at the Committee on Ministry table in Forbes Hall after church services in
November, and we welcome the opportunity to talk with you about your thoughts and feelings about
community building here at UUSM. Thank you for your thoughts.
Sanctuary
Bettye Barclay has provided this list of weekly thoughts about our ministerial theme for November.
Week 1. The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service to others. — Mahatma Gandhi
Week 2. You are what you do, not what you say you’ll do. — C.G. Jung
Week 3. Love is not patronizing and charity isn’t about pity, it is about love. Charity and love are the same – with charity you give love, so don’t just give money but reach out your hand instead. — Mother Teresa
Week 4. Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the very purpose of life, and not something you do in your spare time. — Marian Wright Edelman
Week 5. As long as there are ways we can serve, then we have a job to do. — Marianne Williamson
Finance Report: October 2014
The Finance Committee consists of Chair Kit Shaw and members Charles Haskell, Christine Haskell, Alan Brunell, Abby Arnold, and Jacki Weber. We last met on September 7, with Board President Patricia Wright and Church Administrator Nurit Gordon in attendance.
As you may recall, at the May 2014 annual meeting the congregation approved an operating budget deficit of $72,000 for the July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015 fiscal year. This year, the committee will continue to work with the Pledge Committee when developing next year’s fiscal budget, since more than 75% of the church’s income comes from pledges by members and friends.
We are two months into the current fiscal year (as of this writing, September 2014). Thus far, expenses are largely as budgeted (-$300), but income is a little short of budget (-$5,000). Because the majority of the church’s income is from donations (more than 89%), which includes pledges, and is usually not paid on a regular schedule, it is hard to predict whether income will continue its current deficit trend. The committee will continue to monitor this situation. The financial health of the church depends on the generosity of its members and friends!
Traditionally, the church is very conservative with investing its assets. We currently hold five one-year CDs at
different banks, which are staggered to mature at different times throughout the year. This strategy is to ensure that there will always be some cash on hand, if needed, but also to make sure that the money is protected and invested in interest-bearing accounts.
It is also time for the annual audit of the church’s accounting. This internal audit is conducted by three members of the church and is performed after the previous fiscal year’s accounting has been closed. Committee members are recommended by the Finance Committee and confirmed by the board. Melanie Sharp, who has headed this audit committee for the last two years, is unavailable this year. This year’s committee is headed by Joyce Holmen, with Rhonda Peacock and Carol Ring assisting. The audit usually takes place in October. (Note: all past audit reports
are available by request from the church office.) The Finance Committee will meet again on December 7, when we will begin the discussions for planning next fiscal year’s budget.
— Kit Shaw
Committee on Ministry Welcomes Two New Members
The Committee on Ministry welcomes new members Sue Stoyanoff and Tom Peters, who were appointed to the committee by the Board of Directors at their September 9 meeting after being recommended by the current members of the Committee on Ministry—Rev. Rebecca, Alan Brunell, and Kris Langabeer.
Sue Stoyanoff has been a member of UUSM for more than 25 years. She and her husband, Steve White, met at church and were married by Minister Emerita Judith Meyer in 1994. Sue was a member of the Pulpit Committee in the early 1990s and served as a member of the Ministry Committee early in Rev. Meyer’s tenure at UUSM. She is honored to be a member of the current Committee on Ministry and to serve during this exciting time at our church.
Tom Peters, his wife, JoAn, and their daughter, Elisabeth, officially joined UUSM in February of this year. They thoroughly enjoyed a week at de Benneville Pines last year and plan to attend camp every other year. Tom would be more than happy to share his knowledge of web accessibility and assistive technologies with the church from his work at Santa Monica College in the Center for Students with Disabilities. Last April, Beverly Alison curated Tom’s artwork for the art wall. Tom says that his family feels at home at UUSM.
Committee on Ministry members who ended their service to the committee this year were Gerrie Lambson, who served on the committee for two years, and Dan Patterson, who served for three years. A big thanks goes to Gerrie and Dan for their contributions to the mission of our church through their service to our ministry.
The Committee on Ministry monitors the health of the ministry of the congregation, provides support for the minister, and serves as a liaison between the minister and the congregation.
— Kris Langabeer
Rev. Rebecca to Take Sabbatical Leave in Fall 2015
Many religious communities, Unitarian Universalist congregations included, offer their religious leaders the benefit of a sabbatical leave of absence.
Sabbaticals are used to seek spiritual renewal and refreshment as well as to pursue study, education, writing,
meditation, and professional and religious growth. Sabbaticals run from months to years, depending on such things as the amount of time the leader has earned during their employment, their specific plan for the sabbatical,
and the needs of the congregation.
While congregations often hire a sabbatical minister for that period, the absence of the full-time minister offers
unique opportunities for congregational members to step up as leaders, for existing leaders to draw together, and for all members to support and care for one another in new ways.
Ministers returning from sabbatical often come back with renewed energy, new ideas, and a suitcase full of experiences and anecdotes to share with the congregation.
UUSM has a long history of sending its ministers on sabbatical. Both Rev. Judith Meyer and Rev. Ernie Pipes were able to take sabbatical leaves, to the benefit of our ministers and our congregation.
On September 9, the Board of Directors approved Rev. Rebecca’s request to take a sabbatical leave from September 21, 2015, to January 5, 2016. Per Rev. Rebecca’s contract, she could take a five-month sabbatical
at that time, but has chosen to take a sabbatical of three and a half months.
The Committee on Ministry has begun working on a sabbatical plan, which includes hiring a sabbatical minister for that period. Additional costs, including for a sabbatical minister, will be covered (in whole or part) by the previously established, Board-designated Sabbatical Fund ($22,400 as of August 2014.)
The Committee on Ministry will provide reports about the sabbatical plan progress as we prepare for next fall without Rev. Rebecca and as she prepares for a time of growth and renewal.
— Kris Langabeer
Sandy Banks Will Speak on Healing Broken Families
FOSTER CARE: BEHIND THE HEADLINES
The Pain and Promise of Broken Families – How We Can Help Them Heal
Saturday, October 25, 7:30 p.m.
The Pipes Lecture Committee is honored to present Sandy Banks, award-winning columnist for the Los Angeles Times, in a rare public address as this year’s guest speaker.
We consider this to be quite a coup for our congregation! No doubt many of you are familiar with Ms. Banks’ in-depth analyses of the issues confronting our region in her twice-weekly columns. A main focus of concern for her has been children – especially those within our struggling foster care system – as well as helping their families gain the ability to thrive. The ongoing tragedies involving foster youth have caused some observers to wonder if we as a society demonstrate more concern for neglected pets than we do for abused children.
In addition to the topic for her address, Ms. Banks has written insightful articles about problems in education which have spurred recent actions, particularly about the iPad fiasco within the Los Angeles Unified School District. And
her heartfelt commentaries regarding the civil unrest in Missouri and elsewhere have garnered much needed attention.
Ms. Banks is The Greater Los Angeles chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists “Distinguished Print Journalist of the Year” for 2014, and a member of the Pulitzer Prize winning team that covered the 1992 LA riots. She is a regular contributor to CNN, PBS, and NPR, and she will be the 23rd speaker in our annual series. The Pipes Lecture is an annual event which was established to honor our minister emeritus, the Rev. Ernie Pipes. We strive to present speakers who will interest our congregation and the surrounding community. Suggestions for future speakers are welcome; contact Patrick McGuire, chair.
We look forward to welcoming you to the church sanctuary Saturday, October 25, at 7:30 p.m. for this free event. Refreshments will be served afterwards; parking will be available in the UCLA parking structure on Arizona Avenue off 16th Street. Please invite anyone who is interested in children. See you on the 25th!
— Patrick McGuire
The Veil of Mahalia - Sunday, October 19, 2 p.m.
Linda Alvarez, composer, vocalist, and actress, has written and performs a two-act musical on the life and songs of internationally renowned gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. Dr. Severin Behnen, professor, composer, performer, and Music Director for Pacific Unitarian Church, provides musical direction and arrangements.
Choral accompaniment will include members of our own choir as well as Pacific Unitarian Choir and others.
Mahalia Jackson was called the “Queen of Gospel”. She was a civil rights activist who often performed when Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke. She became famed internationally for her powerful contralto voice. She said about her singing of gospel music, “It makes me feel free... it gives me hope.” She started singing in church, first as a child in New Orleans where she was born and then in Chicago where she moved after her mother died. She began touring churches when she met Thomas A. Dorsey, “The Father of Gospel.” In 1948, after her “Move On Up a Little Higher” sold 8 million copies, she started touring in concert halls with arrangements expanded from piano and organ to orchestral accompaniments.
— Diana Spears
Ministry Theme for October is LOSS
Bettye Barclay has provided this list of weekly thoughts about our ministerial theme for October.
Week 1. Don’t grieve. Anything you lose comes ’round in another form. — Rumi
Week 2. Loss is nothing else but change and change is Nature’s delight. — Marcus Aurelius
Week 3. The garden is growth and change and that means loss as well as constant new treasures to make up for a few disasters. — May Sarton
Week 4. Most of us need time to work through pain and loss. We can find all manner of reasons for postponing forgiveness. One of these reasons is waiting for the wrongdoers to repent before we forgive them. Yet such a delay causes us to forfeit the peace and happiness that could be ours. — James E. Faust
Week 5. No matter how hard the loss, defeat might serve as well as victory to shake the soul and let the glory out. — Al Gore
Call for a Humanist Banner
In Spring of 2013 noted Humanist author/blogger and LGBT activist James Croft stepped to the podium of UU Santa Monica, looked around the Sanctuary, and said, “I love your worship space. These banners are beauti…wait! Where's your Humanist banner?” Where, indeed? The symbols of most of the world's faith traditions festoon the upper walls of our Sanctuary, but in James' (and, no doubt, many UUs') view, there was something missing.
Unitarian Universalism and religious and secular humanism share a lot of DNA. In many ways modern Humanism is a direct descendant of Unitarianism. Humanism, in its simplest form, is a positive life stance that affirms the ability and responsibility of humans to lead ethical, compassionate and fulfilling lives, guided by reason and free of creed or dogma. Sound familiar? It should. In 1933 the original Humanist Manifesto was authored by Unitarian minister Raymond Bragg and signed by 34 philosophers, theologians, and clergy, 15 of them Unitarians. Humanism and Unitarianism led parallel lives throughout the civil rights and anti-war movements of the '60s, the women's movement of the '70s, and the gay rights movement beginning in the '80s.
In 1984 the UUA adopted the Six Sources of the Living Tradition, the fifth of which is: "Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit."
Humanism was the default worldview at UU Santa Monica for many years. In a 2009 congregational poll of the membership, nearly half (47.7%) self-identified as Humanist, the largest single bloc, followed by the next largest bloc who identified as agnostic, atheist, or freethinker. Humanists were the "silent majority" for much of the church's history. In recent years, UU Santa Monica has mirrored the UU denomination nationwide, taking a more broad-based, "big tent" (in the words of Rev. Rebecca) approach to tolerance and inclusiveness to people from all faith traditions and beliefs. This is symbolized by the parade of colorful banners that decorates our Sanctuary walls.
But even while Unitarianism is opening its doors to people from a broader spectrum of beliefs, membership has remained flat or grown only slightly over the decades and still represents only 0.03% of the American population. At the same time, the growth among Humanists, agnostics, atheists and other non-religious people, the so-called “rise of the nones,” has been explosive, doubling in just the past decade to one in five Americans (one in three of those under 30). Much of this growth is a reaction to the conservative political activism of the Religious Right and the military response to 9/11. Today the “nones” are the second largest religious group in America and the fastest-growing. But while most of them feel no particular compulsion to join an organization, there are still some seeking a community, a home.
Imagine one of those seekers coming to visit UU Santa Monica. She has heard that Unitarians respect an individual’s personal search for truth and meaning and she expects to find, if not people who think exactly like her, at least people who share her values of ethics, compassion and social justice. Upon entering the Sanctuary she will immediately see that Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus and Pagans are openly welcomed. But where is the invitation to her, the Humanist? Moreover, where is the acknowledgement of the nearly half of the existing membership who already identify as Humanists? How would she know they are here?
In the coming weeks, AAHS: Agnostics, Atheists, Humanists & Secularists, the free-thought group at UU Santa Monica, will be asking the Board to consider a proposal to add a Humanist banner to the panoply of perspectives already represented in the Sanctuary (1) to acknowledge the rich shared history of Unitarianism and Humanism and to remember Humanism is one of the Six Sources of the Living Tradition, (2) to ensure that Humanists, agnostics, atheists, and other freethinkers know they have a place at the table at UU Santa Monica, and (3) to remind the rest of the UU Santa Monica community that, while we hold no belief in the supernatural, we are bound to all UUs through our shared values and that we are a vibrant and vital part of this church community.
If you agree with us that Humanism — and humanists — deserve an overdue place alongside the other great faith traditions honored on the sanctuary walls and would like to support a gesture of inclusion and “big tent”-ism at UU Santa Monica, stop by the AAHS table in Forbes Hall during coffee hour, talk to an AAHS leader (Ian Dodd, James Witker, or Mark Warkentin among others), check out our Photoshop mock-up of what a representative banner might look like on the Sanctuary wall, and sign our petition of support. Whether or not you share our worldview, we love being in community with you, and we appreciate your support.
This article was written by Ian Dodd, Len Harris, Mark Warkentin, and James Witker. The photo is a digital mock-up of one possible design for a Humanist banner created by James Witker.
Towel Stampede!
Beverly Allison with some of the many towels for the homeless donated to OPCC at the Towel Stampede in her home on August 24. Peggy Kharraz helped organize the event, which attracted about 45 people. Photo courtesy of W. Murrell.The Interweave/Women's Alliance Picnic
The Interweave / Women’s Alliance all-church picnic on July 20 was a resounding success. There was wonderful food and socializing following the single summer service. Shown here are the three main food areas: a table with a wide selection of salads and side dishes, a barbecue station, and a table resplendent with desserts. In addition to the food, the organizers collected $2,439 for two of our families in need. Photos by Charles Haskell. Additional photos by Carol Ring are available for viewing at https://plus.google.com/photos/114510043120183201877/albums/6039415179685931857
We are a Teaching Congregation Once Again
A few short years after our ministerial search process for a settled minister, this congregation knows the importance of having prepared and capable ministerial leadership in our UU congregations. This year, we have accepted the commitment to support one future minister in her preparation for ministry.
She is Nica Eaton-Guinn, candidate for the Master of Divinity degree at Starr King School for the Ministry in Berkeley. Nica brings to us a very diverse background, including studies in sociology and work in theater, management of classical musicians, creative arts therapy, life coaching, and spiritual counseling in hospice settings. She will be working to deepen her own theology and build her professional parish ministry skills, particularly in the areas of religious education, creation and leadership of Sunday services, and social
justice work.
The Intern Committee and members of the congregation accept the responsibility to support Nica in her work as Intern Minister. Our Minister, leadership, and staff members will be finding many opportunities for Nica’s professional skills to grow and flourish. And members of the congregation are invited to offer their support through constructive and thoughtful feedback for the work she does.
The eleven-month internship will be a time of mutual benefit and learning for our Intern Minister and for the congregation, and we are eager to launch this new collaboration. We will introduce Nica on August 10, her first Sunday with us, then hold a reception in her honor once we return to two services. We hope you will take these opportunities to introduce yourselves and welcome her warmly.
— Barbara Kernochan
Second Sunday Suppers Super Popular
Our monthly Second Sunday Suppers (SSS) are a huge hit. They are family-friendly (we offer child care), delicious (all food made by the host committee and you), and a wonderful opportunity for relaxed socializing with friends and less-known, soon-to-be friends.
These suppers were begun by Ron Crane and John Fels as a support to the congregation during the serious economic woes of 2008 to 2010. Sue Bickford, in her role as President, joined Ron and John, followed by Alan and Amy Brunell who are part of the SSS establishment. It is a big task to pull together a dinner for 40 to 90 people, so we now count on church committees to do the hosting.
During church year 2013–2014 the following committees ably and generously hosted Second Sunday Suppers: Amelia Monteiro’s Small Group Ministry (SGM) group, the Membership Committee, Amy Thiel’s SGM group, the Board of Directors, Rhonda Peacocks’ SGM group, Dan Patterson’s SGM group, the Green Committee (twice!!!), the Lifespan Religious Education committee, Interweave, the Finance Committee, and Knitters and Friends.
Thank you all for your warm hospitality, superb food preparation and responsible cleanup. Those of us who attend truly appreciate what you do to bring us together in celebration of our abundance.Would you like to become part of this wonderful community activity?
Let coordinator Beth Rendeiro (in the directory) know of your committee’s interest in hosting. If your committee is fewer than five people, join with another group to host. Also let her know if you would like to attend but need transportation or just a friend to attend with. Upcoming SSS dinner hosts include the SGM Facilitators (August), Faith in Action (September), the Membership Committee (October).
We need YOUR group to join this wonderful team of hosts.
Watch for announcements of second-sunday-of-every-month-suppers. Note whether there are activities before or after the supper; sometimes there are crafts or games; other times the suppers are followed by music or a movie. These monthly gatherings offer great food, stimuating conversation, and a night off from meal prep. They begin at 6 p.m. in Forbes Hall. Join us! Bet you can't wait; I know I can't!
-- Beth Rendeiro