Newsletter for January, 2020
From Our Minister:
From our Minister: Blessings for the New Year!
RESOLUTIONS FOR OUR BELOVED COMMUNITY
Photo by Jamie Street on Unsplash
Rev. Jeremiah KalendaeWe once again find ourselves upon the threshold of another orbit around our home star. The holiday season brought with it many gifts and challenges and hopefully rekindled our spirits in the midst of the wintertime. As we lit the candles of the menorah and told ancient stories of resistance and liberation, so many of our Jewish siblings were being victimized and targeted. Let us hold the Jewish community in our hearts as begin this new year as stewards of peace and defenders of justice. Many of us are ready to turn the page on this chapter of human history and are dreaming of new ways to create community together both in our congregation and in the wider world. Many of the old structures of the social order which harmed and oppressed people are passing away and we are working to create ways to revitalize our communities and our threatened planet home. It is important that we shelter those most vulnerable in our liberal faith communities, speak out for humanity and our environment, and provide spiritual leadership in a world that is still navigating its way through so many societal challenges and advances.
The New Year is a good time to engage in some self-reflection and consider what it is we want for ourselves now and in the future. What are your resolutions for the new year? We so often make aspirational promises to ourselves at this time because it is one of the many opportunities we have to listen to our deepest callings in life and catalyze changes. I’ve been thinking about what some the hopes for our beloved community are this year. When I arrived, we identified some cultural work that would serve as the foundation for this next stage of developmental ministry. Although this work happens in congregations, it also speaks to the challenges facing humanity more generally in this time of challenge and uncertainly. I share with you these resolutions for our community which will hopefully help us to enhance the ways we minister together and our capacities to create effective change in the world.
Sustainability & Regenerativity
As our global communities begin to explore what it will be like for humanity to make the shift to paradigms of sustainability and regenerativity, we also need to do the same as a beloved community. We need to shift to a paradigm of sustainability and regeneratively that will allow us to live beloved community in ways that are spacious, restorative, and healing for the community. This will allow for greater reflection by the community on its many achievements and help it to move from feelings of brokenness to wholeness. This is necessary to fully integrate and practice what has been learned in the past few years and to chart a course for the future that emphasizes the quality of our relationships in community as least as much as it values the work and ministering we do together. Are we practicing self-care and community-care? Are we slowing down and letting go of that sense of unending urgency? Are we having fun together? Are we making time for silence and for regeneration? Are there spiritual exercises which sustain us?
Intersectional Anti-Racism & Anti-Oppression Commitments
We are living in a time of mass mobilization for change in our religious communities and in the world at large. Movements for social justice are once again receiving the attention they deserve. From Black Lives Matter to Standing Rock, the Climate Movement to Occupy Wall Street, LGBTIQ Rights to Me Too, we are living in an era of increased consciousness, communication, and strategic organization for change. Our larger UUA movement is coming to terms with white supremacy and legacies that have harmed marginalized populations (and everyone else) in our movement. May activists are beginning to find a spiritual foundation for their activism and are beginning to understand that the many forces of oppression and liberation in society are related to each other. The queer womanist writer and activist, Audre Lorde, had correctly observed a generation ago: “There is no such thing as a single-issue struggle because we do not live single-issue lives.” Unitarian Universalism has an important collective experience to bring to such work and we also need to engage with it in our own communities and in our own time. How are we engaging in the work of anti-racism and anti-oppression? Are we learning to think intersectionality and to understand how the struggles for liberation are interwoven? We we preparing ourselves well to be agents of justice, love, and transformation in our society?
Hospitality & the Multireligious Embrace
As Unitarian Universalists, we are a tradition with many sources that welcomes people from a variety of spiritual paths. We encourage the free and responsible search for meaning and support many groups in our congregations who find meaning in particular religious traditions, theologies, and philosophies of life. Unitarian Universalist communities flourish when they welcome and encourage a diversity of beliefs rooted in our common principles, history, and shared values. One characteristic of white supremacy culture is either/or thinking which can be reductive and erase our complexities and nuances. To move beyond polarized and either/or reductions, we will need to move towards a mosaic model of multireligiosity which honors the diverse beliefs, practices and traditions inherent to Unitarian Universalism, shelters people, philosophies, traditions and wisdom that is threatened by our dominate society, and encourages us to understand the complexities of our religious paths and identities as individuals and as a beloved community. Are we exploring the story of our liberal faith tradition and engaging with it in all of its complexity and nuance? Are we making space for people who may be different than us in some beliefs but with whom we share common liberal religious values? Are we stretching ourselves to have greater fluency in the great religions of the world and systems of philosophy and ethics? Are we as inclusive as we can be?
Let’s make this a year of sustainable and regenerative living, deepening justice in our world, and a broad and inclusive embrace!
With love and gratitude,
Jeremiah
Jeremiah
Rev. Jeremiah Kalendae
Developmental Minister
Featured Articles:
An Update on Developmental Ministry from the Board of Directors
WHAT WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED AND WHERE WE'RE GOING
In fall of 2017, UUSM embarked on a journey of developmental ministry: the process of becoming a more “heart healthy” congregation during the period between settled ministers. This required the board of directors to put forth a set of developmental goals so our Unitarian Universalist Association could pair us with a minister with specific strengths to help us achieve our goals and attract a settled minister to help be stronger in bringing more love and justice into the world. After finishing a two-year stint with Rev. Greg Ward we’ve made much progress…and we have much more work to do.
Rev. Jeremiah Kalendae will help us undertake this work ourselves and support us in a ministerial way when it’s appropriate. A full list of the goals we set in Spring 2019 when we chose Rev. Jeremiah to work with us is at the bottom of this article. For now, let’s focus on all we’ve accomplished this first year of Rev. Jeremiah’s ministry with us and what we’ll be undertaking over the next six months.
Developmental Work
Sunday Worship for Transformational Change – We moved to one service to literally bring people together and create a common worship experience. We are evolving the liturgy (the flow of our Sunday worship) to be more interactive. Topics guided by our developmental goals thus far are geared to help break down polarized thinking, provide multi-religious exposure, and introduce anti-racist/anti-oppression concepts to the congregation.
Healthy Congregations – This term comes from the UUA. It’s relatively intuitive, but represents a congregation that is fully grounded in covenantal relations through Healthy Congregation Policies. Our own Healthy Congregations Team (formerly Right Relations) has carried a heavy load helping the congregation develop a Covenant of Right Relations over the first two years of developmental ministry. We’re so grateful for their service. They’re taking some downtime but are ready to be activated when needed.
Membership Development with the Faith Forward program – This vital program is helping provide 360-degree understanding of our UU faith and our Santa Monica congregation to members and visitors new and old. We’re also now offering weekly visitor meetups. We’re excited to be planning a new member celebration to be held very soon.
New Adult Religious Education Model – To live a UU religious life, we are called to embrace religious practice in a variety of ways. A new Adult RE model will collect and reflect back to the congregation all that we do in mind, body, heart, and spirit. Stand by for more!
New Comprehensive Pastoral Care Model – Eventually every congregation member will have a Pastoral Care Associate and Care Ring Associate to provide support and connection to the congregation. This will require a significant amount of training and program development so the first step is to have an executive Pastoral Care Team — minister, Care Ring lead, and Pastoral Care lead — supported by a per diem chaplain who can both provide direct pastoral care and training for a large pastoral care team.
Developing Children’s Religious Education – We are training staff and volunteers to strengthen Children and Youth RE.
Continue Grounding the Congregation in Covenantal Relations with Ministries and Programs Self-Assessment – Rev Jeremiah introduced the Eight Elements of Effective Ministry to the congregation in November. We will be engaging in self-assessment and reflection across the congregation in coming months and then doing it again periodically in years to come.
Congregational Stewardship Video to begin the Mission and Vision Process – More to come on this as we head into pledge drive season in February and March.
Creating a Culture of Sustainability/Regenerativity, Anti-Racism/Anti-Oppression, and Multi-Religious Inclusion – This is being woven into worship and leadership development across the congregation.
Creating a Culture of Abundance – We are working to celebrate and support staff and volunteer leaders in more meaningful ways, as well as looking to find new revenue streams to support our congregation. (More on a new fall fundraiser soon!)
Reducing Reliance on Reserves – After our Spring Pledge Drive we will project income out five years to have a better sense of how quickly we can support ourselves without reliance on reserves.
Increase our Support of the UUA Annual Program Fund – Our UUA helps UUSM connect to our larger UU faith. We are better able to amplify our voice by being a part of the larger movement and need to increase our support year-by-year.
Restructuring Board Roles and Responsibilities – We are working to make board service to the community more sustainable so that volunteers are nourished by service rather than burned out by it.
That’s a LOT of work and it will continue into the coming church year. But we believe in this community’s power to nurture transformation for all who come through our doors so that we can alleviate suffering in this world one weary heart at a time.
Peace,
Jacki
By the way, here are the goals as of Spring 2019 when we selected Rev. Jeremiah to work with us.
1) Continue Grounding the Congregation in Covenantal Relations
a. Assist leaders in creating the emotional space where people speak up and feel invited, connected, supported and involved.
b. Develop the strength and skills to address ineffective communication and maladaptive behaviors among congregants, staff and leadership.
c. Deepen the entry into our UU pluralistic heritage, continuing to overcome polarizing ideologies that had gone unchecked in the past.
d. Learn better ways to express hurts and discontent without blame, shame or triangulation and without threats or statements of withdrawal and stone-walling.
2) Mission and Vision Development
a. Re-examine and re-develop our congregational mission and vision and create congregational alignment around to-be-established strategic goals.
b. Explore ways to move beyond “I-church” and begin to understand how a shared ministry is possible.
3) Examining and Redeveloping Systems and Structures
a. Work to complete establishment of charters for committees to clarify decision making authority, reporting, communication and begin clarifying governance structure.
b. Develop a clear path from visitor to leader that conveys rights, responsibilities and meaning of membership.
c. Teach leadership in all aspects of volunteerism including how to think systemically and work interdependently.
d. Address the over-functioning of the staff and key lay leadership by spreading volunteer responsibilities more evenly throughout membership.
e. Re-write policies (especially bylaws) to move beyond a hierarchical cultural distrust of authority and into a transparent, simple, clear and directive for staff, board, committees and lay leaders to work interdependently and cooperatively together.
4) Financial Unity, Vitality and Commitment
a. Ground financial planning and commitment in mission and vision.
b. Continue to raise financial awareness, reduce shame about money and more evenly support the shared ownership of the congregation’s mission.
c. Continue to clean up restricted funds and eliminate directed donations into the operational budget.
d. Develop a planned giving program to cultivate bequests and contributions to the endowment.
e. Continue on the path to end deficit spending by 2022. Become a Fair Share congregation paying full dues by 2022.
5) Deepen Relationships to Self, Others in the Congregation, and with the Larger Community
a. Develop Adult Faith Formation (and RE for people of all ages) to cultivate curiosity and cultural competency.
b. Explore the range of UU identities, cultivating appreciation for perspectives that are uUnfamiliar.
c. Practice empathy, humility and compassionate communication as a path to honesty, inclusivity and ways to move through conflict constructively.
d. Deepen and encourage broader ownership of a shared pastoral care program.
Christmas Eve 2019 at UUSM
ANNUAL PAGEANT AND CANDLELIGHT SERVICES
For a full photo album from this year's Christmas Eve pageant and services, by Carol Ring and Roy Patience, see http://news.uusm.org/christmas-eve-2019-at-uusm/
Dispatch from the Board of Directors Retreat
DEVELOPING RELATIONSHIPS AND GRATITUDE
2019-2020 UUSM Board of Directors: Beth Brownie, VP; Barbara Andres, Member at Large; Abby Arnold, Member at Large; Vilma Ortiz, Treasurer; Norm Richey, Secretary; Eileen McCormack, Member at Large; Ron Crane, Past President; Nina Emerson, Member at Large (resigned); Jacki Weber, President. Not pictured: Larry Weiner, new Member at Large.
Saturday, January 11, UUSM’s Board of Directors retreated! We spent a day deepening relationships, exploring where we’re at in our developmental ministry process, and looking at our upcoming work for the next few years with Rev. Jeremiah.
I am so grateful for this amazing group of people: past president Ron Crane, vice president Beth Brownlie, secretary Norm Richey, treasurer Vilma Ortiz, members at large Eileen McCormack, Abby Arnold, Barbara Andres, and our newest member Larry Weiner, who came aboard as of January to finish Nina Emerson’s term. (By the way, we miss you, Nina!)
(Side note, if you ever have an opportunity to have Abby Arnold cook for you, take it. She’s fantastic!)
So what’d we do for seven hours? Here’s a quick recap of my take on our discussions in the order of our agenda for the day.
Covenant – We are a liberal religious faith, grounded in covenant rather than creed. We are concerned primarily with how we treat our fellows and how we practice our 7 Principles in daily life. As we reviewed our board covenant, we agreed to add the following language to center Anti-Racist/Anti-Oppression work: We will endeavor to work in an anti-racist and anti-oppressive framework actively challenging racism and oppression within ourselves, our congregation, and society.
Leadership Development – We talked about shared leadership: being invitational, collaborative, and thinking about how we can pass the torch to others. As a congregation (and as your board/staff leaders) we are calling forth ways to celebrate service to our community more, with an intention that everyone who contributes their efforts to build beloved community feels appreciated for their vital contributions. This past Sunday’s service, Thresholds to Spiritual Leadership, was intended to celebrate leadership throughout the congregation. (Note, Religious Education is SO important it will get its own service later in the spring!) Did Rev Jeremiah’s sermon inspire you? Are you ready to roll up your sleeves and create more love and justice in the world? Email president@uusm.org. I’ve love to talk with you.
Governance – We have a couple years of developmental work to do before we address governance officially, but we are beginning to explore ways of being more intentional about our style of governance. Governance is really just the way we function as committees and the board. Check out the “6 styles of congregational governing boards.” We are an amalgam, which is fine, but it would be great to have a shared understanding so we can spend more energy on mission and less on understanding who’s responsible for what when questions arise.
For now, we agreed that having leaders from committees across the board convene this past fall and calendar the church year was really beneficial and we’d like to do something like that again.
We’re also exploring how we can reorganize ourselves as a board so that the president, treasurer, and secretary positions are more sustainable and members at large participate more fully in leadership within and beyond the board.
Developmental Goals – We reviewed our developmental goals, the logical timeline for accomplishing those goals, and what’s been done so far.
We are building a more vital community together. The work is slow but as we continue to come together and cherish ourselves and each other we’ll become a greater force for good in the larger community. May it be so!
Peace,
Jacki
Jacki
News & Announcements:
January UUSM Generous Congregation Supports the Trans Lifeline
TEXT NOW TO SUPPORT TRANS PEOPLE IN CRISIS
Transgender people face unique stressors, particularly when their gender identity is not affirmed in their family or in their community. Trans people also experience high rates of discrimination and harassment and, as a result, tend to experience poor mental health outcomes. Studies have shown that they are at greater risk for suicide as they are twice as likely to think about and attempt suicide than LGB people. Because gender identity is not recorded on death certificates, the exact number of trans people who die by suicide each year is difficult to determine.
Trans Lifeline is a grassroots hotline and microgrants organization offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis—for the trans community, by the trans community. Founded in 2014, the Hotline remains the only peer-support service in the country in which all operators are transgender. The Hotline has evolved into a comprehensive resource that employs trans people working as paid operators and team leads.
In time, Trans Lifeline came to recognize that the epidemic of suicide in the trans community is inextricably tied to the economic justice issues trans people face at alarming rates, and that meaningful emotional support often requires financial support as well. The Microgrants program offers low-barrier grants to trans people for legal name changes and updated government identification documents, as well as specialized support for incarcerated and undocumented trans people.
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 life-changing work of Trans Lifeline. With your support, we can keep these vital services available to those in our community who need them most.
Please consider supporting the mission of our church, and Trans Lifeline. To give right now, text “$10 GCC” to 844-982-0209. (One-time-only credit card registration required.)
Showcase Sunday: January 12, 2020
EXPLORE CHURCH ACTIVITIES ON SHOWCASE SUNDAY
On Sunday January 12, 2020, after the service, Forbes Hall and the Courtyard will be alive with bustle and information about our church’s committees and activity groups.
Find out what committees and groups exist, what they do and how you might fit in. Would you like to know about greeters and ushers and the Membership Committee? Did you know we have a Young Adults group, a group called AAHS — find out what those letters stand for. Maybe you would like to be a part of our Care Ring, or work with our fun fundraiser, Dining for Dollars.
We invite every member and friend of the church, and others curious about the doings at UUSM, to come to Showcase Sunday after the services on January 12th, when people from all committees will answer your questions.
Good food, too.
Find out what the committees do, how often they meet, what skills are required or helpful, and what it would take to get on to the committee — sometimes all you need to do is ask.
Or… Maybe you yourself have an idea for how to fill a need in our community. Would you like to start a social action or a postcard-writing effort? Come check us out.
Sponsored by the Nominating Committee along with the Membership Committee.
If you have any suggestions or would like to help on the day of the event, please contact us.
Finally, for some great photos of last year's event, see http://news.uusm.org/showcase-sunday-january-12-2020/
Faith in Action News:
“How to Be An Anti-Racist” Book Study and Discussion
STARTING SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2020
To Commemorate MLK Day 2020, the Peace & Social Justice Committee offers a study and discussion of the timely and important new book from Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, who previously became the youngest winner of the National Book Award for his previous work, “Stamped From the Beginning.” Print or digital copies of the book may be acquired from your local library, and can be purchased online or from the Faith In Action table in Forbes.
Kendi, a professor of history and international relations and founder of the Antiracist Research and Policy Center at American University, argues that a redefinition of terms — focusing on policies rather than attitudes and feelings — is in order of we are to properly confront the historical legacy and ongoing harms of racism. And drawing on his personal story of struggle and awakening, he writes that “being an anti-racist requires persistent self-awareness, constant self-criticism, and regular self-examination.”
From the publisher:
Ibram X. Kendi’s concept of antiracism reenergizes and reshapes the conversation about racial justice in America–but even more fundamentally, points us toward liberating new ways of thinking about ourselves and each other. Instead of working with the policies and system we have in place, Kendi asks us to think about what an antiracist society might look like, and how we can play an active role in building it.
In his memoir, Kendi weaves together an electrifying combination of ethics, history, law, and science–including the story of his own awakening to antiracism–bringing it all together in a cogent, accessible form. He begins by helping us rethink our most deeply held, if implicit, beliefs and our most intimate personal relationships (including beliefs about race and IQ and interracial social relations) and reexamines the policies and larger social arrangements we support. How to Be an Antiracist promises to become an essential book for anyone who wants to go beyond an awareness of racism to the next step of contributing to the formation of a truly just and equitable society.
Join us for:
Part 1 of the discussion: Sun., Jan.19 at 3-5PM in Forbes OR Thurs., Jan. 23 in the Cottage
Part 2 of the discussion: Sun., Jan. 26 at 3-5PM in Forbes OR Thurs., Jan. 30 in the Cottage
Contact: justice@uusm.org
Racial Justice Dialogue Circle to be held at UUSM on MLK Jr. Holiday
FORBES HALL, MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2020 AT 11:30 AM
A non-church friend recently told me that, while she appreciated the celebrations marking the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, she wished there were more emphasis on education and advocacy as a way to commemorate his life’s work. In response, I invited her to the workshop, entitled “Confronting Structural Racism in Traditionally White Spaces: A Facilitated Dialogue,” that I will be co-facilitating in Forbes Hall on Monday, January 20, 2020, from 11:30-2:30 pm. You also are welcome to register at https://www.racialequityla.org/programs-events/2020/1/20/confronting-structural-racism-in-traditionally-white-spaces-a-facilitated-dialogue.
This event, one of many that will be held nationwide during the National Week of Racial Healing, is coordinated by Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Los Angeles (TRHT), and is open to the Los Angeles community. Initiated by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, TRHT is a comprehensive, national and community-based process to plan for and bring about transformational and sustainable change, and to address the historic and contemporary effects of racism. TRHT seeks to unearth and jettison the deeply held, and often unconscious, beliefs created by racism – the main one being the belief in a “hierarchy of human value.”
When I proposed the dialogue circle at the November Board meeting, the attending members voted to sponsor and support this endeavor, consistent with the 6th of the Eight Elements Rev. Jeremiah is encouraging our committees to explore: “Each group engages in Anti-Racism/Anti-Oppression/Social Justice work on personal, interpersonal, congregational, and societal levels.” We are grateful for the fine work our Faith in Action Commission and Peace and Social Justice Committee perform both within and without our congregation. At the same time, it is important not to rely solely upon that small, dedicated group to fulfill our social justice commitments, but rather we are each called by our faith to consider how to contribute to the work of racial equity.
This MLK, Jr. Holiday dialogue circle will offer an examination of structural racism through the lens of whiteness and privilege. There will be a limited didactic and resourcing aspect, but primarily we will focus on questions encouraging self-reflection and discourse on issues of fragility, microaggressions and personal and collective responsibility for racial literacy, reconciliation and justice. We hope you will consider spending the holiday with us in this important effort.
Splinters from the Board:
Board Highlights December 2019: Survey Says Single-Service Sundays Will Continue
The UUSM Board of Directors met on December 10, centered on a mission of fostering a culture of caring.
The board announced a new member, Rita deBoer, and encouraged congregants to welcome them on Sundays and to invite them into our work. In his Minister’s Report, Rev. Jeremiah Kalendae commented that November and December are particularly busy months. He is taking care that staff are not overextended.
With regard to Sunday services, Rev. Jeremiah contacted UUSM Minister Emerita Rev. Judith Meyer for her insight on two services. The congregational survey indicated that about half of us are happiest with one service at 10:00 am; the remainder spread over other options. The board determined that UUSM will continue with one service only on Sundays at 10:00 am, for the foreseeable future.
Jeremiah also reported that his 8 Elements of Effective Congregational Ministries has been well-received. The idea is for individual groups in the church to consider how to include each of the eight different elements in their ongoing work and relationships.
Our new-member program, Faith Forward, completed its first 9-week run. One of the best attended sessions included a conversation with the minister. Rev. Jeremiah reported that it was fun, and that he will start a practice of having a conversation with each prospective new member.
Rev. Jeremiah has been approached by We Are Uno, an outreach program committed to feeding the homeless. As part of their mission, they serve vegan meals and could potentially use our kitchen.
Taking a step toward fostering a culture of caring, Rev. Jeremiah is seeking a congregational chaplain, who may receive a per diem through ministry funds. This person would need to be knowledgeable in counseling and other pastoral care services.
In her treasurer’s report, UUSM Treasurer Vilma Ortiz stated that pledge income is up this month, as expected. She proposed three policies regarding 1. rollover pledges, 2. how to determine member numbers for UUA reporting and the UUSM Fair Share contribution, and 3. new member pledges. During budgeting, we give our best estimate of future pledge income, and instituting policies could help. After some discussion, the proposals were moved to the January agenda.
UUSM Board of Directors President Jacki Weber reported that a Stewardship Committee is now reconstituted and energetic, thanks to the profound impact of the shared study of the book The Soul of Money. The pledge calendar and beginning budgeting will start on January 7. Likewise, Member at Large Eileen McCormack reported that the ad hoc Health and Safety Committee has six energized members and will begin its assignment to implement new policies.
RE News:
Personal and Spiritual Exploration for Adults, January 2020
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 regard to any offering, you may email AdultRE@UUSM.org with the title of the group in the subject line. Your email will be forwarded.
Special Offerings for January
Esoteric Spirituality “The Diamond Approach” Saturday, January 11
The Diamond Approach offers an immense and precise body of knowledge about the nature of reality and the process of spiritual realization. Many levels of engagement with this approach are available ranging from online courses to three day retreats. Vince Draddy will give us an introduction to this approach along with a Q&A session. From 4-6 pm in the Sanctuary, with a reception in Forbes from 6:30-8 pm. Parking available at the lot at Arizona and 16th. Contact: Mark Berlin.
How to be an Antiracist Sundays, January 19 and 26, or Thursdays, January 23 and 30
Ibram X. Kendi’s concept of antiracism reenergizes and reshapes the conversation about racial justice in America — but even more fundamentally, points us toward liberating new ways of thinking about ourselves and each other. Instead of working with the policies and system we have in place, Kendi asks us to think about what an antiracist society might look like, and how we can play an active role in building it. In his memoir, Kendi weaves together an electrifying combination of ethics, history, law, and science — including the story of his own awakening to antiracism — bringing it all together in a cogent, accessible form. He begins by helping us rethink our most deeply held, if implicit, beliefs and our most intimate personal relationships (including beliefs about race and IQ and interracial social relations) and reexamines the policies and larger social arrangements we support. How to Be an Antiracist promises to become an essential book for anyone who wants to go beyond an awareness of racism to the next step of contributing to the formation of a truly just and equitable society. Part 1: Sunday, January 19, 3-5 pm (Forbes) or Thursday, January 23, 7-9 pm (Warren Mathews Conference Room); Part 2: Sunday, January 26, 3-5 pm (Forbes) or Thursday, January 30, 7-9 pm (Warren Mathews Conference Room). Sponsored by Faith In Action: Peace & Social Justice Committee. Contact: James Witker.
Community Building Through Personal Development:
Collage Group with Stan Bemis Saturday, January 11
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 by creating art. The goal of this group is to help foster personal worth and empowerment, entering that holy place within and having sacred fun. 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, January 18
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:
AAHS Freethinker Forum Sunday, January 26
AAHS (Atheists, Agnostics, Humanists, and Secularists) is an open group that meets for a 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.
Science Non-Fiction Book Discussion Tuesday, January 21
We will discuss Astrophysics for People in a Hurry, by Neil deGrasse Tyson. Today, few of us have time to contemplate the cosmos. So Tyson quickly gives us just what we need to be fluent for the next cosmic headline. We meet from 7:30-9 pm in Forbes Hall. Contact: Rebecca Crawford.
Interest Groups:
Discussion and Support for Persons with Disabilities Sunday, January 26
The Disability Support Group will be promoting a dialogue on the topic, Seasonal Affective Disorders. We meet on the fourth Sunday of each month a half hour after the service in the SE Cottage. Contact: Michael Young.
Parents’ Group Sunday, January 26
Come join to discuss the joys and challenges of parenting in a group setting! Childcare will be provided. We meet from 11:30 am-1 pm in the NW Cottage. Contact: Chris Brown.
UU Men’s Group Thursdays, January 2, 16
The Men’s Group offers a special opportunity to the men of the congregation and other like-minded men to join our welcoming group with provocative and stimulating discussion and to get to know others with UU perspectives in a more meaningful way. The topic for Thursday, January 2 is: What New Year’s resolution would you like to achieve – and/or what reflection on the New Year, or the one just passed do you have? The topic for Thursday, January 16 is: Which of the cities, towns or neighborhoods you have lived in is your favorite, and why?
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, January 6, 20
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, January 13, 27
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 in Forbes Hall, from 7:30-9:15 pm. Contacts: Bev Shoenberger or Carol Ring.
Highlights of additional interest groups meeting in January
- 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. Each Saturday from 12:30-1:30 pm in the Warren Mathews Conference Room. Contact: Bruno Lacombe. Note: Free for church members, $10 suggested donation for nonmembers.
Brave Spaces: Mindful Social Practice and Authentic Allyship
SAVE THE DATE - SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2020
Please join the Healthy Congregation Council in welcoming Jeremy Arnold, son of Board member Abby Arnold, to our church for a workshop on the topic of Microaggressions. Derald Wing Sue, Ph.D., defines these as “brief, everyday exchanges that send denigrating messages to certain individuals because of their group membership.” The persons making the comments may be otherwise well-intentioned and unaware of the potential impact of their words. Jeremy will share tools for navigating fraught conversations, around marginalization, and maintaining positive relationships with fellow community members.
Jeremy, who was raised in our church, is currently Program Director at Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE), an interfaith worker-justice nonprofit. At Tulane University, he studied critical perspectives including Critical Race Theory, Feminist Studies, Queer Theory, Marxist Analysis, New Media Theory, and New Historicism, and was the Community Outreach Director for the Tulane chapter of Amnesty International. Throughout his time in college, he worked in the restaurant and bar industry as well as with the local hotel workers’ union, Unite Here Local 23. In his role at CLUE, he supervises a team of community organizers who educate, organize, and mobilize religious communities to support workers and immigrants in Los Angeles and Orange counties.
We will meet on Sunday, February 2 at noon in the Warren Mathews Conference Center. For further information, please contact rightrelations@uusm.org.