Other UU News & Events Archive
Dec 2006
Five Alaskan UU fellowships invite you to eco-culturalprograms in June right after the Portland GeneralAssembly or in July 2007. See the real Alaska with UUhomestays in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Seward, Juneau,and Sitka; UU-hosted parties; and UU-led tours. Wevisit Tlingit and Inupiat Native Alaskans and seewildlife from bears, moose, and caribou to whales, seaotters, and sea lions. We will also visit Denali and threeother National Parks. The tour is led for the twelfthyear by the Rev. Dick and Mary Weston-Jones. Reservationdeadline: February 28.
For more information: visit wuurld.org,e-mail alaska@wuurld.org, or call (888) 998-8753.
Nov 2006
Join us for the First Regional Unitarian-Universalist Service at the Arlington West Memorial in Santa Monica, Sunday,November 12th, Veterans Day Weekend, 4:00 PM. On the beach just north of the Santa Monica Pier.
Choirs ~ READINGS/REFLECTIONS ~ Intertribal Drum.
For information about theservice, contact Rev. Judith Meyer or Rev. Anne Felton Hines. For directionsand parking, ask your Social Justice/Faith-in-Action Chair. PLEASE BRING YOUROWN SEATING – COME EARLY TO ACCESS MOST CONVIENIENTPARKING. For information about the memorial, visit: arlingtonwestsantamonica.org
Unitarian's Ninth Planet Demoted
It's been a disappointing year for fans of Pluto,which was officially demoted to a dwarf planet.The decision was perhaps more disappointing forUUs who knew that Clyde Tombaugh, the manwho discovered Pluto in 1930, was a Unitarian.The Pluto demotion has sparked debate and outrage,both feigned and sincere, across the internet,including the comment pointed out by UUAPublic Information Assistant Erika Nonken onMSNBC's Cosmic Log, which read: "Pluto, whichpeople question whether it is a planet, was discoveredby a Unitarian, which people questionwhether it is a religion." (Newsweek 9/4/06)
- Carol Agate
Oct 2006
Come to the 22nd Annual Latin American Encuentro sponsored by UUSC. Thisyear’s event will feature Professor Raul Molina of New York Universityand of the Guatemalan Network for Peace and Development speaking on Immigrationand Globalization. Blase Bonpane will speak on democracy in Latin America. Blase Bonpane was called “the most underrated humanist of thepast decade” by the Los Angeles Weekly, and has campaigned tirelesslyto end unjust US intervention in Latin America . Nora Preciado of theACLU on Women and Immigration, and radio station KPFK’s Carlos Escorciawill be speaking on the situation in Nicaragua . The Encuentro will beheld at the UU Church of Long Beach, 5450 Atherton Street , in Long Beach onSaturday, October 14 from 10 am to 4pm.
Sep 2006
Special Election in September to Choose PSWD Trustee
In September, congregations of the Pacific SouthwestDistrict (PSWD) will vote for the new trustee to serve onthe UUA board. We will have a congregational meetingto cast our votes, and I am trying to arrange a forum at ourchurch for available candidates to speak. I will also beobtaining handouts stating their positions. Another optionfor meeting the candidates is to attend a district-sponsoredforum on August 24 at 7 p.m. at the Studio City UUChurch.
The candidates who have filed to run for the Trusteeposition are John Blue, Neighborhood Church, Pasadena;Nancy Edmundson, Unitarian Society, Santa Barbara; TomLoughrey, Orange Coast UU Church, Costa Mesa; andJoAnne Smith, Valley UU Church, Chandler.
The best way for you to find out their opinions now isto subscribe to PSWD-L. (Go uua.org,click on "Programs& Services," select "Communication Forums," select"E-mail lists" in left column, click on "Click here for analphabetical listing of all UUA Sponsored Lists," scrolldown to and select "PSWD-L.") If you have a question tosubmit to the candidates, e-mail it to gilajones at sbcglobal.net. She will pass the questions along to the candidatesand they'll be given about a week to submit theiranswers. The answers will be put into a single e-mailand sent simultaneously to the list.If you don't have e-mail or don't want tosubscribe, give me your question. I'llsend it in and give you theanswers.
- Carol Agate
Embracing Our TheologicalDiversity
The Pacific Southwest District Leadership Resources Team is happy to announcean exciting workshop to be offered at three locations across the District. Asa way of furthering the conversation around our diverse membership we willhost a workshop titled “Embracing Our Theological Diversity” withthe Rev. Dr. Tom Owen-Towle, Interim Minister Summit UU Fellowship and memberof the UUA Commission on Appraisal as our Keynote Speaker. Besides thekeynote talk there will be opportunity for participants to interact.
The workshop will run from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The workshop closestto our congregation will be held at the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbaraon Saturday, September 30. Registrationmaterial has been sent to each congregation and will be available on our websiteat pswd.uua.org. There willbe no charge for individuals to attend but we will be asking each congregationsending people to contribute $25 for the costs. If you have any questionscontact pswd@aol.com.
September 30, 2006 - UnitarianSociety of Santa Barbara, SantaBarbara, California
October 7, 2006 - UnitarianUniversalist Fellowship of San Dieguito, SolanaBeach, California
October 14, 2006 - ValleyUnitarian Universalist Church, Chandler,Arizona
Aug 2006
The UU-oriented nonprofit Pacific Southwest Instituteof Religious Liberals welcomes you to its annualadult week at Camp de Benneville Pines. Relax, swim, ortake part in a wide variety of workshops and activitiesfrom Sunday, August 20, through Friday, August 25.
The rich program (including a list of workshopsand their facilitators) is available at pswirl.org withan associated registration form.
USAS Victory: A Model for the Church
The United Students Against Sweatshops, a countrywideuniversity student organization, has just wonan impressive victory at the University of California,along with several other campuses. What they are tryingto accomplish could be a model for us in terms of how arelatively small, but determined group, can actually makea difference in increasing social justice.
The USAS campaign focuses on the fact that theglobal production of garments (as well as many other consumerproducts) is mainly occurring in sweatshopsaround the world. These factories typically employ youngwomen, often teenagers, for long hours under coerciveconditions and for very low pay. The system depends onsecrecy (no one knows where the factories are located)and mobility (if "labor trouble" arises in a factory, orwages go up in a country, production can easily be moved,resulting in a "race to the bottom"). The beneficiaries ofthis system are U.S. and European manufacturers andretailers (like Nike, the Gap, and Wal-Mart), who makehigh profits from the labor of the world's cheapest andmost oppressed workers.
USAS leaders realized that students have some leverageover this issue. U.S. universities "produce" the apparelthat bears their logos and is sold in their bookstores, aswell as campus uniforms of various kinds. Manufacturersacquire licenses from the universities to produce thesegoods. USAS decided that they could pressure universityadministrators to make sure their licensees did not producecampus-wear in sweatshops.
The process of eliminating sweatshops fromuniversity-related production started with campusdemonstrations that culminated in universities agreeingto develop Codes of Conduct for their licensees. Thesespecified such things as: publicizing lists of factorieswhere goods are produced (transparency), and settingstandards regarding child labor, hours of work, pay, theright to form independent unions, etc. The next step wasto create an organization, the Worker Rights Consortium(WRC) to ensure that the Codes were being enforced.Several successful worker organizing drives were conductedin global factories as a result.
Now the limitations of this model have been revealed.Licensees still shifted orders away from factories whereunions were established or wages were increasing. So nowUSAS has developed a "Designated Supplier Program"which ties the universities to a limited number of factorieswhich have an independent union and that pay a "livingwage." After major campus disruption by students,UC and others have finally agreed to this program.
What is important about this endeavor is that it is notonly symbolic: it actually changes an institution of globalcapitalism. If successful, it may create and sustain a set ofglobal factories that have escaped the "race to the bottom,"proving that it can be done. The challenge for thechurch is to find areas where we have real leverage tomake a change in institutions. Do such options exist forus? And do we have the political will to pressure thesechanges into existence?
- Edna Bonacich
Jun 2006
See Alaska from the Perspective of Alaskan UUs
Five Alaskan UU fellowships invite other UUs to their eco-cultural programsin June, July, and August. It's an opportunity to experience the real Alaska,staying in the homes of members of congregations in Anchorage, Seward, Fairbanks,Juneau and Sitka.
Visitors will see wildlife in their natural habitats - humpback and killerwhales, sea lions, seals and sea otters, bears, wolves, moose, caribou, Dallsheep, eagles, murres, auklets, puffins, and other birds in some of North America'smost beautiful scenery. Four National Parks are on the itinerary: Denali, KenaiFjords, Skagway, and Sitka. Native American and Eskimo art, dancing, and storytellingare featured in "living museums," and there is an optional trip to Barrow, thenorthernmost Inupiat village on the continent.
For a complete description including the cost of each trip, go to wuurld.org.
If You Will Be Heading East Here's How to See Chicago
The congregation of Countryside Church Unitarian Universalistinvites you to join us for a weekend getaway to the city of Chicago, June2 to 4.
For the two nights of your stay you'll be hosted in the northwest suburbs bymembers of Countryside's friendly and welcoming congregation. Your weekend includeshearty dinners with entertainment, breakfast at your host's home, and a full-dayvisit to the city.
The highlight of the weekend is the city's celebrated architecture. Countrysidehas arranged for guests to enjoy two of the best architecture tours the cityhas to offer. See the soaring towers of the downtown area, acclaimed landmarks,and the new Millenium Park, which features the work of world-renowned architects,planners, artists, and designers. After a busy Saturday in the city, you'llappreciate the peaceful setting of Countryside's award-winning building andprairie garden.
For details on this unique opportunity, e-mail ccuu@ccuu.org.
May 2006
The UUSC Human Rights Forum to Meet in Costa Mesa May 6
On Saturday, May 6, the OrangeCoast UU Church will host a UnitarianUniversalist Service Committee (UUSC) forum on "Human Rights Today: LaborRights, Water Rights, and Civil Liberties." Speakers will be:
Steve Rohde, attorney, past president ACLU: "Human Rightsand Presidential Powers"
Richard Gillock,Orange County ACLU, Coyotl Tezcalipoca,TonantzinCollective: "Labor Policies and Immigration"
Panel on Water Justice: Bill Lakin, BoardMember, UUSC, Southern California Unit; Chris Hill, civilengineer; Dorothy Green,Water Impact Network
Round Table on Women's Issues: Lucia Munoz,MIA (Mujeres Iniciando); Pat McCully, Circulo de Amigas
The Orange Coast UU Church is located at 1259 Victoria Street, Costa Mesa.The conference runs from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Attendance is $25 at the door,students $10, which includes lunch.
Apr 2006
First Church LGBT Service
Sunday, April 30, 11:00 a.m.
UUSM Interweave members and others are invited to First Church of Los Angeles,2936 W. 8th St., on Sunday, April 30th at 11:00am for a service featuring guestspeaker, Jonathan Boland, Field Organizer, National Gay and Lesbian Task Forceon "The Inherent Worth and Dignity of Every Person - In Practice." Find outthe latest news on the California Campaign Equality for All, the state-widereligious voting initiative, and volunteer opportunties for involvement. Mr.Boland will also share some personal reflections on his motivation and experiencesas an activist/organizer, and discuss other Queer/LGBT issues affecting ourlives as we live our faith. Following the service, Interweave will meet in theStarr King room to discuss upcoming campaign involvement for LGBT legislation.Potluck refreshments.
Our District Includes Las Vegas; We are Meeting There This Year
The District Assembly of the Pacific Southwest District (PSWD) will be at theGolden Nugget Hotel in downtown Las Vegas the weekend of April 28to 30. Join us under the canopy of lights that covers FremontStreet and enjoy a wonderful opportunity to gather with other UUs from acrossthe district.
Our opening celebration will feature a banner parade. Charlie Clements of theUnitarian Universalist Service Committee will be our keynote speaker.
On Saturday we will worship together and gather for 24 workshops. The afternoonwill include the annual meetings of the PSWD and Camp de Benneville Pines, anda banquet in the evening.
Further information is at http://pswd.uua.org.This year the district did not reserve rooms at the Golden Nugget. You are encouragedto stay in your favorite hotel or find the best price online.
District UUs Will Gather in Vegas for Our April District Assembly
If you have not been to a general assembly, you might want to start small witha district assembly. That is the annual gathering of members of the congregationsin the Pacific Southwest District, comprising Southern California, Arizona,and Southern Nevada. This year, for the first time, we will meet in Las Vegas.
The keynote speaker will be Charlie Clements, the presidentof the UU Service Committee,well known for human rights and public health advocacy. He is a physician anda graduate of the Air Force Academy. He was a pilot in the Vietnam War, andis the author of "Witness to War," published by Bantam and printed in four languages.He spoke at our church last year.
The dates are April 28 and 29. The themefor the assembly is "Imagine." There will be a full day of workshops, itemsfor sale, a banquet, and other events yet to be decided. If you might be interested,contact Carol Agate for more information or to arrange a carpool.
Registration is Now Open for Spring Rainbow Family Camp
Registrations for the Spring Rainbow Family Camp, Friday, April 7through Sunday, April 9, are now being accepted. E-mail lbarnes@lagaycenter.orgfor a flyer/ registration form for your family's use. Please note that completedforms must be returned to Laurel Barnes of the Family ServicesProgram at the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center. Only checks will be accepted. Theyshould be made out to "Camp de Benneville Pines." If you have any questions,contact Laurel at the address above for more information. We look forward toseeing all your families at camp.
Mar 2006
No matter what your involvement in our church, the Sixth National Conferenceof Midsize Congregation, to be held March 2 to 5 in Phoenix, AZ, can provideideas on how to do your job better.
Thirty-two stimulating workshops are on the agenda for the three-day event.The keynote speaker is William Bridges, an author and consultant who shows individualsand organizations how to deal more productively with change. The most recentof his ten books is an updated second edition of "Transitions," which, togetherwith his companion volume, "Managing Transitions," has sold over one millioncopies.
There will also be time to enjoy Phoenix attractions such as the Heard Museum'sannual Indian Fair and Market, the Desert Botanical Gardens, and Frank LlyodWright's Taliesin West, which served as his personal home, studio, and architecturalcampus from 1937 until his death in 1959.
If you are thinking about attending, contact Carol Agate. Further details areavailable at http://www.uua.org/cde/midsize2006/
Sexuality Education Advocacy Training is Being Offered by UUA and UCC
The Unitarian Universalist Association and the United Church of Christ, incollaboration with Advocates for Youth, will present a Sexuality Education AdvocacyTraining in Washington, DC, March 25 to 28.Youth, young adults, parents, youth advisors, and anyone with a passion aboutcomprehensive sexuality education and an interest in being an effective advocateare encouraged to attend. The sessions will cover current federal legislation,lobbying skills, media training, organizing techniques, and speaking from afaith perspective. The training will end with a lobby day on Capitol Hill. Onlineregistration for this event is available at connectuu.com.Contact Meredith Schonfeld-Hicks in the UUA Washington Officefor Advocacy at (202) 296- 4672 x 13, mschonfeldhicks@uua.orgfor more information. Cost is $50-100, based on a sliding scale.Scholarships and travel subsidies are available.
Feb 2006
An Online Dating Service for UUs Now Available to Browse or Join
UUsingles.com providesmatchmaking services for Unitarian Universalists and other like-minded liberalreligious thinkers. They make it fun to meet other singles while promoting theinherent worth and dignity of every individual - a fundamental principle ofUnitarian Universalism. Individuals age 18 and older of all sexual orientationsare welcome to join. Posting ads is free and membership dues are modest.
This matching service differs from other like matchmaking services in severalways: