Newsletter for November, 2019
From Our President:
Single Sunday Service at 10:00 am will Continue through 2019
At the board meeting on November 12, the Board and Rev. Jeremiah agreed to keep the number and time of Sunday services at one at 10:00 am at least through the end of the calendar year.
There are many reasons to do this indefinitely (e.g., the energy at one service feels really good and the attendance at our single service is not so crowded that we’re turning people away).
Having said that, it’s not clear that congregants are excited at sticking to a single service. Preliminary survey results from 80 respondents indicate that a not-insignificant number of 11:00 folks like 11:00 services and 9:00 folks like 9:00 services. Some are fine with a single service at 10:00. Most volunteers love a single service because there’s less work going into running one service than two.
So what’s a congregation to do? It bears investigation and consideration and wondering and pondering. There are no easy answers.
We’ll share more during December as we investigate and consider and wonder and ponder what to do come January 2020. In the meantime, we’ll continue at one service through the end of the year.
Share your feedback by taking our survey.
Wishing you a good holiday season, whichever holidays you celebrate!
— Jacki Weber, President UUSM
Featured Articles:
What do we mean when we talk about shifting from an “I” church to a “We” church?
ACKNOWLEDGING "THE INTERDEPENDENT WEB" OF THE CONGREGATION
From the brilliant Rev. Tandi Rogers at the UUA.
“The US economy is built on — is literally counting on — the notion of radical individualism coupled with consumerism. But what if [religious institutions like UU Congregations] are where we come to understand that we are more than enough …we can have enough in community …[we come to] acknowledge the “interdependent web of all existence” [and] learn to feel it in our very bones, and live accordingly? …When we surrender to the larger community, we can find our authentic self.”
Rev Tandi’s post helps us understand what that shift is all about. May we begin the discussion.
Meet the Nominating Committee 2019-2020
AND HELP IDENTIFY FUTURE CHURCH LEADERSHIP
You are invited to talk with one or more members of the Nominating Committee. These informal talks will support the committee’s role in the important work of building our healthy and vibrant church future.
The Nominating Committee consists of six members, each serving a three-year term. Each year two members rotate off the committee and two new members are elected to the Committee. Members who complete a three-year term may be re-elected for a subsequent three-year term. Committee members elect the Chair of the Nominating Committee.
The responsibilities of the committee include identifying potential leadership candidates from among the voting members of the congregation and putting together a slate of candidates to fill open positions on the Board of Directors and the Nominating Committee. Nominees are elected by the congregation at the Annual Meeting held in May. The Nominating Committee is also responsible for filling positions on the Board that may be vacated during the church year. And, the committee recommends to the Board qualified church members to serve on the Personnel, Investment, and Finance Committees as positions are vacated. In any year that a Ministerial Search Committee is to be formed, the Nominating Committee’s task is to put together a full slate of candidates for election by the congregation.
Pat Gomez has been a UU all of her adult life and has been a member of UUSM since 2004. She has served as Membership Chair, was part of the team to start what we now know as Heart to Heart groups, worked with interns, served on the Board and on a Ministerial Search Committee, and currently serves as Chair of the Nominating Committee. She is happily retired and enjoys spending time with her two young grandsons when she is not traveling the world learning about other cultures and making new friends.
Linda van Ligten has been a member here for over 20 years. With her husband Greg Wood, they raised their daughter in this church and try to live the Seven Principles. She is a retired nurse, participates in RE as an OWL teacher, also ushers, is a coffee barista, and participates in a couple of committees. For fun she like to hike and take classes at Emeritus College.
Barbara Kernochan began attending our church in 1981 and has served the congregation in many capacities, from napkin folder to Board president. She is a long-time usher and began her tenure with the Nominating Committee and with our Chalice Lighters program this past June.
Alison Kendall is an architect and planning consultant specializing in sustainable design. She is chair of the Green Living Committee. She also serves as a Worship Associate and member of the Facilities Development Committee and Nom Comm. She has been a church member since 2003 with her husband Francois and two children now in their twenties.
Karl Lisovsky has been a member of this congregation for 25 years, raised his kids in this church, and tries to live the seven principles. He is a husband, father, teacher, songwriter, union organizer, and pretty good handyman.
Nalani Santiago (pronouns: they/them/theirs) has been a church member here since January 2011 and has been an active Lifespan Religious Exploration Committee member for almost as long. Their work on the Committee is centered on our Church’s youth programs (junior and senior high) and includes being a RE teacher and OWL facilitator, volunteering as program staff at de Benneville Pines for three junior high winter camps, developing/writing curricula, and being an advisor on youth trips. Nalani is a proud member of the UUSM choir. They have also worked on UUSM’s Safety Task Force and the Right Relations Support Team.
~ Karl Lisovsky
November UUSM Generous Congregation Supports the UU Justice Ministry of California’s Work on Climate Justice
TO GIVE RIGHT NOW TEXT $10 GCC TO 844-982-0209
Thousands of Unitarian Universalists participated in September’s Global Climate Strike actions. But what comes next? Well, the Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry of California (UUJMCA) has deep roots in California’s environmental justice movements.
Climate change is having a profound impact on California’s water supply and quality. In turn, how much energy we use to pump and treat water can have a profound impact on our carbon footprint. Through their Environmental Justice Action Team, UUJMCA is building support for a climate and water justice ethic. UUJMCA organized for 6 years to pass the Human Right to Water Act. Now they are working to ensure its fair implementation, while working with community leaders to alleviate environmental injustices, advancing meaningful climate legislation and tackling race-based land use planning.
UUJMCA creates collaborative justice in both the water and climate sectors by connecting and using the powerful network of UUs in California. Their focus on training grass-roots activists and partner organizations to advance environmental justice multiplies their efforts statewide. To participate in events, leadership, and online training, visit the UUJMA website.
Generous Congregation
Our practice here at UUSM is to dedicate half of our non-pledge Sunday offerings to organizations doing work in the world that advances our Unitarian Universalist principles; the other 50% of the offering is used to support the life of our church.
UUSM’s Generous Congregation supports our church community. And together, we uplift the reach and impact of vital organizations doing work we could not do on our own. This month, half of our Sunday offerings will go to the Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry of California’s work on climate justice.
Please consider supporting the mission of our church, and the UU Justice Ministry of California’s work on climate justice. To give right now, text “$10 GCC” to 844-982-0209. (One-time-only credit card registration required.)
Building News:
Courtyard Fountain Removed
PHYSICAL PLANT MAINTENANCE UPDATE
The Facilities committee decided to remove the crumbling courtyard fountain in Anderson courtyard because of the exposed metal rebar. The plan is to replace it with a chalice shaped planter. UUSM member Karl Lisovsky took the lead on the demolition and also spent time painting the stucco planter walls and stucco benches. Thanks, Karl, for all you do for UUSM!RE News:
Launching Faith Forward
NINE-SESSION INQUIRERS SERIES OPEN TO ALL
Many folks come to UUSM with a host of questions ranging from “What is Unitarian Universalism?” to “What do UUs believe?”. Our Inquirers Series, developed by the UU Church of Dallas specifically for visitors and new members, is designed to help answer these questions and many others.
A total of nine sessions will be presented consecutively each week from Sunday, October 13, through Sunday, December 8. They will be held in Room 1 on the second floor of Forbes Hall from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm after the Sunday Service. It is not necessary to attend them in sequence nor is it necessary to attend them all, although we hope you do so. The entire series of nine sessions will be offered again beginning January 12, 2020.
The following is a list of classes:
10/13/19 Session 1: UU Principles, Sources and Historical Overview
10/20/19 Session 2: Campus Tour, Orientation and Church History
10/27/19 Session 3: Worship and the Liturgical Year
11/03/19 Session 4: Q & A with the Minister, Rev Jeremiah Kalendae
11/10/19 Session 5: Practicing our UU Faith — Small Group Connections:
Heart to Heart
Our Whole Lives (OWL) program
11/17/19 Session 6: Q & A with the Minister, Rev Jeremiah Kalendae
11/24/19 Session 7: Social Action and Community Service
12/01/19 Session 8: Pastoral Care
CareRing
Healthy Congregation
12/08/19 Session 9: Membership 101 and Congregational Life
Everyone is welcome, with priority given to visitors and new members. Registration will be limited to 15 participants. Other members are welcome on a space-available basis.
Please note: Visitors attending our Church for the very first time are warmly invited to attend the Visitor Meetup in the Cottage at 11:30 am after the Sunday Service.
Registration will be held at the Adult RE table in Forbes Hall during Fellowship after the Sunday Service and at the conclusion of Visitor Meetup for first-time visitors.
Personal and Spiritual Exploration for Adults, November 2019
Learning and exploration are about the transformation of the individual, our community, and the larger society. Participation helps us grow in wisdom, compassion, and ethical living. See our upcoming activities, programs, and workshops for adults.
To contact the facilitator in regards to any offering, you may email AdultRE@UUSM.org with the title of the group in the subject line. Your email will be forwarded.
Community Building Through Personal Development:
Gentle Yoga Mondays
We will explore traditional yoga poses in a safe, compassionate, non-competitive environment that is welcoming to all who can get up and down from a yoga mat. We will be working on traditional yoga poses with a focus on creating a safe, productive, compassionate, non-competitive environment that is welcoming to all. We will work on strength, flexibility, restorative poses, and deep relaxation. We recommend the following props for the best experience: Yoga mat (required); two yoga blankets or beach towels (required); two yoga blocks (suggested); yoga strap or any belt (required); yoga bolster (recommended). For more information, drop by the Adult RE table on Sunday or email AdultRE@UUSM.org The group meets from 6-7 pm in Forbes Hall on Mondays.
Collage Group with Stan Bemis Saturday, November 9
Do you wish to express yourself creatively in art, and yet may feel inadequate or untrained? Do you yearn to make an artistic statement, yet not sure how? Do you have too many catalogs, magazines, and advertisements, and haven’t a clue what to do with them? We welcome you to create your own collages with Stan Bemis! Stan works to bring joy and peace into people’s lives through creating art. He has taught many who didn’t realize they had creative talent, from all across the world – from California to Palestine/Israel. He welcomes any age, from youths to older adults. The goal of this group is to help foster personal worth and empowerment, entering that holy place within and having sacred fun. The objectives are: 1. to create works of art; and 2. to possibly create cards for events or celebrations. We encourage you to bring your old magazines to work with as well. We will meet from 10 am-12 noon in the NE Cottage. Contacts: Stan Bemis or Sarah Robson.
International Folk Dancing with Instructors Saturday, November 9
We are back! They say that dancing is combining fun with exercise and friends. Learn international folk dancing with instructors Sandy Helperin and Teri Hoffman. Folk dancing is for anyone who loves to move to traditional music. New dancers are welcome – there are no partners required. Donations accepted. We are meeting from 7-8:30 pm in Forbes Hall. Enter through the Arizona entrance. Contact: Ellen Levy.
Exploration of Ideas:
Science Non-Fiction Book Discussion Tuesday, November 19
We will discuss “Clean Meat: How Growing Meat without Animals Will Revolutionize Dinner and the World,” by Paul Shapiro. All are welcome. We meet from 7:30-9 pm in Forbes Hall. Contact: Rebecca Crawford.
AAHS Freethinker Forum Sunday, November 24
AAHS (Atheists, Agnostics, Humanists, and Secularists) is an open group that meets for lively and engaging discussion on topics of politics, science, religion, and philosophy. We also host occasional guest speakers, films, and outings. We are a home base for non-believers and questioners, but everyone is welcome. For many, atheism/agnosticism is a first step; Humanism is the thousand steps that come after. We’ll meet one hour after the service in the Warren Mathews Conference Room. Contact: James Witker.
Interest Groups:
Discussion and Support for Persons with Disabilities Sunday, November 24
The Disability Support Group will be promoting a dialogue on a selected topic at each of its meetings throughout this church year. This month’s topic is “Personal Boundaries.” All church members interested in the topic are invited to attend. We meet on the fourth Sunday of each month a half hour after the service in the NE Cottage. Contact: Michael Young.
UU Men’s Group Thursdays, November 7, 21
This group offers a special opportunity to the men of the congregation and other like-minded men to join our welcoming group in provocative and stimulating discussion and to get to know others with UU perspectives in a more meaningful way. The topic for November 7 is: What was the most alarming thing that happened to any of your children? If no children, what alarming/serious thing happened to your significant other – or to you? The topic for November 21 is: How did you meet your wife/significant other and when did you know that you wanted to be together as long as possible/marry? We meet the first and third Thursdays of the month from 7:30-9 pm in the NE Cottage. For more information contact Richard Mathias.
Meditations:
An Enjoyable Dive into Who and What We Are Mondays, November 4, 18
Bill Blake will present an enjoyable dive into the who and what we are. This on-going, twice a month class on the 1st and 3rd Monday is presented to help participants master specific meditation skills. We endeavor to answer the questions Who am I? (attitudes and beliefs) and What am I? (essence or true nature). This class will include meditations that explore participants’ spiritual goals. The monthly group meetings will also focus on insights gained throughout the month. It is expected that participants will develop and enjoy a regular meditation practice. The class meets in Forbes Classroom 3 from 7:30-9 pm. Contact: Bill Blake.
Open Meditation Mondays, November 11, 25
We gather twice a month to sit together quietly for 20 minutes, to walk with gentle awareness for seven minutes, and to explore the integration of meditation with ordinary life through reading and sharing. Anyone who senses they would benefit from 20 minutes of silent, non-guided sitting is welcome to join us. We have found that this time of quiet meditation and shared exploration can be deeply nourishing – a time of simply “being” amidst all the “doing” of our lives. We meet on Monday November 11th in Classroom 3, and Monday November 25 in Forbes Hall, from 7:30-9:15 pm. Contacts: Bev Shoenberger or Carol Ring.
Highlights of additional interest groups meeting in November
Knitters and Friends NOTE: on hiatus until further notice. If interested, contact: Linda Van Ligten.
Body-Mind Tune Up for Seniors This group is for seniors, superseniors, and people with physical difficulties. Now on a new day of the week! Each Saturday from 12:30-1:30 pm in Forbes Hall. Contact: Bruno Lacombe. Note: Free for church members, $10 suggested donation for nonmembers.
AAHS welcomes Vanessa Gomez Brake, 2019 UU Humanist Award Winner and Associate Dean of Religious Life at USC
For our November Freethinker Forum, AAHS is honored to welcome Vanessa Gomez Brake, Associate Dean of Religious Life at USC and recipient of the 2019 UU Humanist Association’s Person of the Year Award.
This month, we’ll meet in the Sanctuary on Sunday, November 24 at 12 Noon.
Vanessa is the first Humanist chaplain to serve in her capacity at any American university. In her role, she works to support and promote university religious and spiritual life broadly conceived. She helps oversee more than 90 student religious groups and 50 religious directors on campus. She also provides confidential counseling and support to immigrant and international students.
Vanessa received the Person of the Year award at the UU Humanist Association’s annual meeting at UU General Assembly in Spokane, WA, in June. The UUHA board has roundly expressed gratitude for Vanessa’s role in higher learning, which reaffirms the value humanism brings to any spiritually and religiously diverse community. Amanda Poppei, President of the UUHA, frames Vanessa’s work and role on even grander terms. “Vanessa’s work as the first-ever humanist university religious affairs official highlights the growth of humanism as a core part of America’s religious landscape.”
Awarded annually, the UU Humanist Association Person of the Year Award honors individuals whose work affirms, promotes, and advances the ideals of Humanism within the Unitarian Universalist Association or in society at large. It recognizes leadership and effort in promoting values reflected in the UU Humanist Association’s Mission.
All are welcome to join us for a lively discussion moderated by James. Contact: aahs@uusm.org
More about Vanessa:
Vanessa Gomez Brake is the Associate Dean of Religious Life at the University of Southern California. She is the first humanist chaplain to serve in this capacity at any American university. By the recommendation of Provost Quick’s Advisory Task Force on Immigration, Vanessa also provides confidential counseling and support to immigrant and international students.
Previously, Vanessa worked at Stanford University’s Office for Religious Life, where she helped lead campus programming and worked closely with numerous student religious groups. At Stanford, she organized ceremonies, events, programs, and worship services at the historic Stanford Memorial Church and CIRCLE: Center for Inter-Religious Community, Learning, and Experiences. Additionally, she played a supporting role at the Windhover Contemplative Center, and the campus-wide series Contemplation-by-Design. Vanessa also coordinated a delegation of Stanford students and staff to attend the Parliament of World Religions in 2015.
As an accomplished Filipino folk dancer and multi-instrumentalist, Vanessa has performed at the White House and Carnegie Hall for Filipino American History Month celebrations. Her folk artistry is an extension of her interfaith work, as her performances showcase the diverse traditions, rituals, and beliefs of Muslim, Christian, and indigenous peoples of the Philippines.
Vanessa received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Studies and Psychology from Arizona State University. She received her Master of Science degree in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University. She is currently completing her Master of Divinity degree at the Chicago Theological Seminary (CTS), where she also received the 2018 Rabbi Herman E. Schaalman Interreligious Leadership Award. In 2019, she was the recipient of the Unitarian Universalist Humanist Association – Person of the Year Award. She holds a Certificate in Humanist Studies & Leadership from the Humanist Institute, and is endorsed as a humanist chaplain by the Humanist Society.