Newsletter for October, 2014
From Our Minister:
From Our Minister & DRE
We are a few weeks into our new church year now, and it is good to be together again. As you know, our Unitarian Universalist faith is covenantal. We do not subscribe to a common doctrine, and are instead made up of all who have chosen to “walk together” as members and friends of the church. When we gather, we welcome all who choose to join us, and we ask and depend on one another to create a safe and sacred space for all the children, youth, and adults of our community.
We also rely on one another to create, talk about, and implement policies that help keep our congregation healthy and ensure the safety and well-being of our members and visitors.
As we have just launched a new year of classes, we’d like to remind our members about the congregation’s existing safety procedures, policies, and plans, particularly as they protect the children and youth entrusted to our care.
Training: An important part of every year’s RE volunteer training is a review of our safety policies, including classroom procedures as well as a discussion of mandated reporting of suspected abuse. We also review the locations of fire extinguishers and first aid supplies, as well as evacuation procedures.
Screening: RE teachers and advisors fill out a screening form that provides background information and personal references as well as permission to perform a background check. We conduct this screening with new volunteers, as well as continuing volunteers once five years have elapsed since prior screening.
Evacuation Planning: Evacuation procedures for RE classes are reviewed with all volunteers, and the printed plans are included in every teacher notebook as well as in the attendance notebook for each RE class. In the event of an evacuation during class time, teachers will fill out a form with each child’s name, and parents are required to sign their children out when they are picked up.
Classroom Rules: All of our classes require two adults to be in the room – generally a lead teacher and an assistant. We installed windows in the doors of our upstairs classrooms during the renovation to make periodic classroom check-ins possible without disrupting class time. Parents fill out and sign registration forms that include permission to treat in an emergency if a parent is not immediately available, though this is an extra precaution, since our Sunday RE classes happen when parents are also on our campus. A special extra permission form which includes health information is required for any trips, or for events at UU Santa Monica when parents are not present. At least a 1 to 6 adult-youth ratio is required for any of these special programs (in addition to the 2-adult minimum). At no times are a child/youth and an adult in a one-on-one setting during activities offered or sponsored by UU Santa Monica.
First Aid/CPR: All RE Department staff (DRE, nursery supervisor, and preschool teacher) are First Aid/CPR
certified.
Finally, as written in our congregation’s Policy on Disruptive Behavior, while openness to a wide variety of individuals is one of the prime values held by our congregation and expressed in our denomination’s purposes and principles, we affirm the belief that our congregation must maintain a secure atmosphere where such openness can exist. When any person’s physical and/or emotional well-being or freedom to safely express his or her beliefs or opinions is threatened, the source of this threat must be addressed firmly and promptly, even if this ultimately requires the expulsion of the offending person or persons.
(For more information on this policy, please see http://old.uusm.org/about-our-church/governance/policies/
The time to make plans for how to respond to a breach of trust in our community is before such a breach happens. While the RE program has comprehensive safety plans in place, and much work has been done to develop helpful, clear policies such as those outlined above, there is more to do within the congregation as a whole to support our shared commitment to community well-being. As your Minister and your Director of Religious Education, we are committed to working with you and our leaders to continue to refine and improve safety policies and procedures, which will enable us to meet the needs of all in our community. Like many of you, we know this is hard, necessary, and sacred work.
— Rev. Rebecca Benefiel Bijur, Catherine Farmer Loya
From the Intern Minister - Living on the Edge
“You don’t get to choose howyou are going to die. Or when.You can only decide how youare going to live. Now.”— Joan Baez
Throughout our lives, from the moment we are born until we breathe our final breath, we are living on the edge between life and death. This beautiful life can be over in an instant, gone in a heartbeat, without notice or time to prepare. We don’t know how or when our end will come. Yet most of us live as though we are immortal, as though the song will go on forever.
Working as a hospice chaplain for several years allowed me the privilege of staring death in the face. No longer was dying something that happened just to old or sick people, tucked away in hospitals or homes, or the result of natural disasters, war, or crimes I read about in the paper.
Instead, I was visiting young and old alike who were in their final moments of life. It was an honor to sit with these people, to listen to their stories, their hopes, their disappointments and fears and stare the finitude of life squarely in the face.
It changed the way I live.
It made me so acutely aware of the preciousness of every moment, of the sun rising another day, of my child’s laughter, of family cuddles, and of the blessing it is to be alive. It helped me be more grateful for each day and year of life. It reminded me that we are not immortal, that our time will come, and since we never know when that will be, it’s important to live fully NOW. May we spend time this month, as we contemplate the pain and inevitability of loss, to be grateful for those around us and the precious moments we spend on this earth.
— Nica Eaton-Guinn
From Our President:
The topic of courage was introduced at our ingathering on September 7. On my card I wrote, “It takes courage to speak out when you are afraid.” I had an afterthought, which was, “It takes courage to listen when you are afraid.”
At our Board retreat on September 6, Roger Sorrow from Santa Barbara conducted a workshop on non-violent communication (NVC), also referred to as compassionate or collaborative communication. NVC recognizes shared needs and values and is a way to communicate that leads to connection and peace. As a congregation, bound in covenant with each other, we all have the opportunity to speak out, but we can learn tools that will help us to listen to our own hearts and to each other.
I am writing this on my way to French Polynesia, accompanying Ned to Pacific 2014, a conference on astro-particle physics. Did you know that the University of California runs the Gump research facility on Cook’s Bay on the island of Moorea?
— Patricia Wright
Featured Articles:
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
News & Announcements:
The Treasure Hunt is on!
There will be a special presentation of treasures for sale during the November 16 Craft Fair. All proceeds will benefit the church. If you have been wondering what to do with that jeweled scarf, Chanel handbag, handcrafted leather vest or your grandmother’s brooch, now is your chance to donate items to the treasure trove! Beverly Alison has many exciting surprises in store, and wants to add your contributions to the collection. Call Beverly to arrange for
a pick up or for more information.
Volunteer Day Saturday, November 1, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Come help beautify our church campus. On this workday, the congregation has a chance to roll up its sleeves for a while and make the place shine. On this day we will mainly be painting and beautifying Anderson Courtyard, sealing the outdoor benches, and pruning vegetation everywhere. Indoor jobs, too. Please come! Talk to Karl Lisovsky for more information. Everybody is welcome. Childcare available.
Artists and Crafters Wanted...
...for the Holiday Craft Fair on Sunday, November 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Art Committee is hosting this event and a percentage of the proceeds will go to the general fund of the church. For information or to sign up, please contact Bettye Barclay.
CareNet Can Help
CareNet offers meals, rides, and cards to church members and friends. If you have such a need or know of someone who does, please call the church office, call Karl Lisovsky, or send an email to carenet@uusm.org
Faith in Action News:
Maynor and his children visit UUSM!
Faith in Action sponsored our September 14 Second Sunday Supper. We were very happy to welcome Maynor S. and his children, Kimberly and Gerardo to have dinner with us and share the story of his release from immigration detention.
Maynor was held at one of the ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) detention centers in Orange County, CA for two years. The love of his family — his children, his sister, brother-in-law, nieces, and nephews — carried him through this very difficult experience. We (Roberta Frye, Peggy Rhoads, Carrie Lauer) got to know him through the Friends of Orange County Detainees, associated with CIVIC (Community Initiative for Visiting Immigrants in Confinement), part of a network of such programs throughout the U.S. We met his family at immigration hearings and continued to visit and attend hearings until he was released in August.
The joy of Maynor and his family at his release has changed our lives and made us realize the importance of support and advocacy for our brothers and sisters in detention. Our church’s work in fighting the gross racism
and nationalism of U.S. government policy toward immigrants will continue.
— Peggy Rhoads
The Hunger Task Force Needs YOU!
The Hunger Task Force is looking for volunteers to help with the monthly meal at Step Up on 2nd. Join us as we prepare a giant salad to accompany the hot meal we serve to the clients of Step Up. October 25th, 2-4pm. Contact hunger@uusm.org to volunteer. Must be 16 or over to volunteer.
...and so does Lunches for Bunches
Sunday, October 19th - after the 1st Service Meet under the shade structure in the courtyard. We’re assembling 100 bagged lunches for OPCC/Turning Point. Put your Faith into Action - join the sandwich brigade!
Green Living Committee:
“Did you know it takes more than 2,400 gallons of water to produce a pound of beef? You save more water by not eating a pound of beef than by not showering for 6 months!”
— The Green Living Committee
Splinters from the Board:
Meeting of September 9, 2014:
The Board had just attended its annual retreat three days prior to the meeting, so we were well prepared for constructive discussions with each other regarding the church’s mission, ministry, and modes of communication. Following check-in and approval of the previous month’s minutes, the Board reviewed a report from the Committee on Ministry. The Board appointed Sue Stoyanoff and Tom Peters to be new members of the Committee. The Committee 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.” Look for further communications in the months ahead.
We have one new member, Boyd Adams, and total membership remains at 380. Church administrator Nurit Gordon reported that the end-of-year finance reports are available on the website in the membersonly section. Monthly reports will be available after the Finance Committee reviews them. Director of Religious Education Catherine Farmer Loya informed the Board of the comprehensive Safety Policies and Procedures that are
followed by the RE programs.
The Rev. Rebecca Bijur reported on her many activities of the past month. She is meeting weekly with our intern minister Nica Eaton-Guinn (who attended the Board meeting). She is joining with Pledge Committee Chair Teri Bond to recruit new committee members. She and President Patricia Wright reported on a fundraising workshop led by Kim Klein. They discussed plans for greater involvement of the Board and the Finance Committee in
fundraising. Rev. Rebecca also presented a proposal for her sabbatical leave. She is eligible to take a sabbatical following completion of five years of service, which will happen on August 15, 2015. The leave accrues at a rate of 1 month per year of service. The Board must approve the dates of the sabbatical leave at least one year in advance. The proposed dates are September 21, 2015, to January 5, 2016 (three and a half months). The Board approved these dates. The Board also approved that Rev. Rebecca work with the Committee on Ministry to prepare a plan for hiring a sabbatical minister.
Treasurer Kit Shaw reported that year-to-date pledge receipts are $7,000 lower than the projected budget. August
is historically a low-income month for pledges. It is time for the yearly financial audit, and the Board approved Joyce Holmen, Rhonda Peacock and Carol Ring to conduct this audit. They are experienced in this process.
Patricia Wright led the Board in further discussion of the policy governance model and the book “Governance and
Ministry” by Dan Hotchkiss. The Board adopted a seven word mission statement in response to the modern idea that it is desirable to have a mission statement that everyone knows and can remember. It is based on our covenant: “Love generously; Seek truth; Serve the world.” The Board will read the last chapters of the Hotchkiss book, which describe a recommended process for implementation of the policy governance model. We will also read a 37-page document on leadership from the UUA website.
— Cynthia Cottam
Other UU News & Events:
GOZO Party at First Unitarian
You are invited to GOZO, a party to celebrate and support the programs of Urban Partners Los Angeles (UPLA). Sunday, October 5, at 5 p.m. at First Unitarian Church of LA (2936 W 8th St). Come hear violinist Vijay Gupta of the LA Philharmonic and Ryan Humphrey at the piano! Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, drink wine, win raffle prizes, and bid on amazing gift baskets. All for a GREAT cause! UPLA supports the people of the Koreatown/Westlake area with ESL
classes, math tutoring, and distribution of groceries to those in need. Tickets & info at http://uplosangeles.org/gozo or ask Karen Canady.
RE News:
Adult RE
Adult Programs invites you to join us for the conclusion of our “Long Strange Trip” film screenings about the history of Unitarians and Universalists. There is no admission charge for this event.
Part 6: Unitarian Universalism:
Wednesday, October 15 at 7 p.m. in Forbes Hall
This film tells the story of the century-long “courtship” between Unitarianism and Universalism as a classic love story. It details how they “courted” each other, sought out other partners, and finally consummated the merger. It discusses how Humanism helped bring the two movements closer together, and the role that Liberal Religious Education, especially Sophia Lyon Fahs, had on laying the groundwork for the merger. It then follows Unitarian Universalism through the 50 years of its existence and ends with some personal comments on what the future might hold. More information about the series can be found at uufilms.com
BLUESTOCKINGS a Feminist Salon for all genders
Sunday, October 26, Forbes Hall, 5 to 7 p.m.
“The Invention of Wings” by Sue Monk Kidd, traces more than three decades in the lives of a wealthy Charleston debutante who longs to break free from the strictures of her household and pursue a meaningful life, and the urban slave, Handful, who is placed in her charge as a child before finding courage and a sense of self. All welcome, please read book before you come.
Potluck supper at 5 p.m., followed by book discussion. For more info, contact Karen Hsu Patterson
Children’s RE
This month in the children’s RE program, preschoolers will explore symbols and images of Unitarian Universalism
and our very own UU Santa Monica community.
Kindergarten-2nd graders will jump into this year’s theme of sacred stories from the world’s religions by focusing on stories from our Jewish and Christian heritage, including learning about Noah and Moses.
Our 3rd-5th graders in the UUniverse Story program will discuss the purpose of religion and science, will learn about science as the best method we have developed yet to understand the natural world around us, and will begin to create timelines that help us place ourselves within the history of the universe, and build an understanding of how events in our own lives relate to other people, history, and events from as far back as the beginning of time.
Middle-schoolers in the Interfaith Quest class will set off on their year-long journey by taking a look at our own Unitarian Universalist faith, using it to build a framework for how we’ll learn about other religious traditions later in the year, and developing our own “elevator speeches” for explaining our UU faith to people of other faith traditions.
And in our 8th grade Coming of Age class, youth will explore UU history and then will begin thinking about the concept and practice of personal spirituality.
— Liza Cranis
PATIO CHAT
Sunday, October 26
10:10 a.m.-10:55 a.m. in the Courtyard.
Join us for a lively, thoughtful discussion of our monthly ministry theme. Info: Leon Henderson-MacLennan