Newsletter for November, 2021
From Our Minister:
From Our Minister: Our History
It brought me great joy to spend a week visiting my grandmother, family, and friends in Ohio as the scarlet oak, sugar maple, and flowering dogwood trees transitioned to their autumnal splendor. I went for many long walks on the beaches of Lake Erie and through the deep and beautiful forests that were my childhood haunts. Family and friends gathered together for meals at some of my favorite restaurants, and we even found time for roller coasters! It was a relaxing and restorative visit after so many months of partnering with our many congregational leaders to lead our beloved community through such a challenging period of history.
Connecting with one’s roots can be a grounding experience that provides perspective and it can help one connect with one’s deepest self. Ordinarily, we can get so caught up in the immediacy of our lives that we forget our beings stretch through time and we leave pieces of ourselves everywhere we’ve been. Strolling on my college campus, exploring the natural world, and spending time with beloveds helped me to remember the richness of my life and the many important people, places, events, and communities that formed me into the person I am today.
Our Soul Matters theme for spiritual reflection this month is “Holding History.” Each month, our congregation aspires to reflect together on themes of religious significance through our publications, small groups, and Sunday worship services. November is always a month for me to reflect on the blessings of my life even as I remember and grieve the pain and suffering of my Indigenous siblings that is so often erased in this season of giving thanks.
Holding History asks us to reflect on our roots and to remember all that brought us into being, and that holds us in our living, and to offer thanks for it all. Some of the great guiding questions you’re invited to reflect upon in exploring this month’s theme include: What memory holds your truest self? What memories help you hold on to yourself? What memory will die with you if you don’t pass it on? What memory has been with you the longest? What does it want from you so badly that it has held onto you for so long? Have you figured out the story you want to be remembered by?
Let’s continue to prioritize sustainability, regenerativity, and spaciousness in our lives as we move towards the winter months. The stresses, anxieties, and fatigue are all realities for many of us, so we must center the life-giving activities, spaces, practices, and people that are helping us to weather this pandemic. This would be a good time to have a holistic check-in and consider how you’re doing in heart (emotionally), mind (mentally), body (physically), and soul (spiritually).
Remember to ask for help if you need it, to remain hopeful, and to practice good boundaries to manage the challenges of life. Our Pastoral Associates are available to support you if you’re in a difficult space and they can be confidentiality contacted at pastoralcare@uusm.org. We also want to acknowledge life’s triumphs and sorrows so please do let us know if there’s anything you’d like shared on a Sunday morning by using the same email address.
Yours in love and ministry,
Jeremiah
Rev. Jeremiah Lal Shahbaz Kalendae
Developmental Minister
Featured Articles:
More Ways to Give to UUSM
CONTRIBUTE TO UUSM WHEN YOU BUY GROCERIES AT RALPHS
Opportunities to set up automatic giving to our church keep growing. Previously, we showed you how you can direct Amazon to automatically donate money to UUSM, based on your purchases. Now you can do the same with Ralphs (owned by Kroger).1
Ralphs is the largest subsidiary of Cincinnati-based Kroger. Their Community Contribution Program allows shoppers to contribute to non-profit organizations.
Take these two steps to set up your Ralphs account for donations to the church
You need your own personal Ralphs Reward Card to begin.
Have your card handy because you’ll need the number on the back of the card (see red arrow in picture below):
1. Create a Ralphs Digital Account
Log into the Ralphs website by going here.
On this screen, you see that you could sign in with an already existing online account (see red arrow in the screen shot below). But for the sake of these instructions, we’ll assume that you have not yet created a Ralphs online account. So click on the “Create an Account.” (See the green arrow in the screen shot below.)
In the “Create an Account” screen, fill in the form shown below and enter your Ralphs card number (see the red arrow in the screenshot below).
Be sure to check the two check boxes and when the form is complete, click on the blue “Create Account” button (at the bottom.)
2. Link your Card to UUSM
In the “Community Contributions” page, look toward the bottom for the “Find an Organization” field (See the red arrow in the screen show below).
Type in the name of our church to see that it is already registered with Ralphs. In our case, type in the church name (as shown below) and click on the magnifying glass (see red arrow to the right).
When you see the organization in a rectangle, select it by clicking on the blue “Enroll” button (shown by the red arrow in the screenshot below).
Back on the “Community Contributions” page, it shows your selection. The blue “Change Organization” button is only for changing the non-profit organization if you change your mind.
You have made your selection for charitable contributions from Ralphs.
The last thing you might want to do is update your profile for your new Ralphs account. Look to the upper left menu and click on Profile. Spend as much time as you wish to complete your profile.
At this point, you’ve set everything up for UUSM to automatically receive contributions from Ralph’s when you shop using your Ralphs card. Once it is set up, you never have to re-visit the site.
To exit their website, look to the upper right and find the person graphic (which has your name under it). When you hover over it, the menu drops down and simply click on the “Sign out” button (shown below on this screen shot.)
Congratulations. From now on, every purchase you make at Ralphs will accrue revenue for UUSM.
Further information on this program can be found on the Ralphs website. Should you have further questions or concerns, feel free to contact them at 1-800-576-4377 (1800-KROGERS).
1 This benefit is under Ralphs/Kroger “Community Contribution” program. It does not award the church a set percentage based on an individual’s purchases. Instead, the church receives a contribution based on two factors: 1. the total number of Ralphs cardholders who have designated the church as their favorite charity and 2. the total amount of purchases made by those using their Ralphs card who have designated the church as the beneficiary. At the end of each quarter, Ralphs divides up to $500,000 to donate to nonprofits, using the two-tier formula (above). So while it is not a fixed percentage (but rather this complicated formula), the church would receive contributions each quarter. This information is not well known to local store management but derived from their regional and national offices.
UUSM Weekend at Camp de Benneville Pines
HIKES, WORKSHOPS, GAMES, MEALS, AND MORE
It happened. Even after we thought it might not happen, it happened. A small group of Santa Monica UU’s made it up the mountain to Camp de Benneville Pines as just the third weekend camp to use the site in more than a year.
Our slice of September that became a slice of October was amazing. The weather was perfect, with crisp fall air bringing in the scent of the pines. The moon rising over the forest in the dark was so magical it was almost indescribable.
The drive up the mountain revealed many of the difficulties that have been facing the forest — not just wildfires — but also trees lost to bark beetles. Mudslides have increased the danger of rockslides. The good news is that recovery is already in process with ocotillo and chaparral covering the ground in fresh green, the healthy trees still standing, and many that have survived both recent fires.
Janet James was there to greet us, and the weekend was full of hikes, workshops, games, and meals. More than one camper expressed how wonderful it was to simply sit and share food with friends they had been missing.
There was music-making, and hours were spent singing and playing around the hearth in the lodge. A gentle hike to the lake opened up an afternoon of blue skies and autumn leaves. There was meditation and yoga on Saturday, and a powerful discussion of the Seven Principles led by Amy Brunell on Sunday morning.
The Santa Monica campers were joined by some work weekend volunteers, who shared our meals and took care of some of the tasks of camp — tree limbs trimmed, leaves raked, and walls painted.
The camp that we love will take all the support we can offer to keep things going through this difficult time.
Thanksgiving Camp is already sold out, and folks will get to continue the decades old-tradition.
Camp will be closed December through March by direction of the Board, but there will be space for volunteers and work parties.
De Benneville Pines is a unique treasure. If you are a member of the congregation who goes often, you already know. If you have not yet been, put it on your calendar for next year. If you can contribute — with funding or skills, time, and sweat equity — this is the time for you to offer.
Not every church gets a bit of wilderness to cherish and to steward. Keeping our camp takes effort, and the benefits are almost indescribable.
For some more great photos of our weekend, see https://news.uusm.org/uusm-weekend-at-debenneville-pines/
News & Announcements:
November Generous Congregation Recipient: Community Services Unlimited (CSU)
We come together for more than ourselves. 50% of our Offering in the month of November will go to Community Services Unlimited. Recent events and the pandemic underscore the extreme inequalities which impact the health and lives of black and brown communities in Los Angeles. UUSM’s Faith in Action Committee has supported the ongoing health and environmental justice efforts of CSU to provide healthy organic food, preventive health services while building community capacity to address issues of unsustainable resources and unequal impact.
Volunteers from our congregation helped CSU refurbish their Veggie Bus classroom and seed library and remodel the nonprofit’s headquarters in the Paul Robeson Community Wellness Center. The Center includes a produce market, café, catering kitchen, and community center promoting environmental and social justice and health. Please join us in a generous contribution to CSU, so they can continue their important work to help South LA communities. Thank you for your generous support of this beloved community and of Community Services Unlimited.
To give $10 right now, text “$10 GCC” (or another amount) to 844-982-0209. (One-time-only credit card registration required.) Or visit uusm.org/make-a-donation.
November 2021 Generous Congregation Supports Community Services Unlimited
CONTINUING TO HELP BUILD HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES
Recent events and the pandemic have underscored the extreme inequalities that impact the health and lives of black and brown communities in Los Angeles. Food deserts — areas where residents have limited access to a variety of healthy foods — were already problematic in low-income areas of Los Angeles.
Community Services Unlimited, based in South Central Los Angeles, has been working to build a healthier local community since 1977. CSU helps local families apply for food aid via CalFresh. But their primary focus is to work against the injustices of a food system steeped in unsustainable charity and based on poor-quality and unhealthy foods. Founded on community self-reliance, CSU coordinates local food production. Among many health initiatives, CSU distributes organic produce, much of which is grown on their urban farm. During the school year, children tour the farm and colorful Veggie Bus, learning how to grow food at home, and why healthy, locally grown food is so important.
Over the past five years, UUSM’s Faith in Action Committee has supported the ongoing health and environmental justice efforts of Community Services Unlimited. UUSM volunteers provided expertise and connections to raise funds to convert an old school bus into the Veggie Bus learning center, and pitched in with some hands-on labor. UUSM was pleased to connect CSU leadership with the Los Angeles Chapter of the US Green Building Council (USGBCLA) and the Self Help Credit Union (where substantial UUSM reserve funds are invested) as they undertook a substantial renovation of CSU’s Paul Robeson Community Wellness Center (PRCWC). The center includes a produce market, cafe, catering kitchen, and community center, and created a model for sustainable development and self-sufficiency. The PRCWC and the urban garden are the base of operations for CSU’s work in the community.
CSU continues to provide healthy organic produce at affordable prices from their Expo Park garden and other local organic producers. UUSM members have organized a Santa Monica drop-off point for CSU produce bags, which enables congregants and friends to receive a weekly bounty of organic fruits and veggies grown by local farmers. These weekly deliveries to Santa Monica support CSU’s ongoing programs, including discounted produce sales to households in South LA. It also gives us a chance to greet some of our (masked) church friends every Friday afternoon as we pick up our produce. (If you are interested in ordering a weekly organic produce bag at the Supporter rate, first email greenchair@uusm.org and then sign up on the CSU market site choosing the UUSM Private Drop Site).
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 Community Services Unlimited. Your support will help provide healthy organic food and preventive health services, while building the South LA community’s capacity to address issues of unsustainable resources and unequal impact.
Please consider supporting the mission of our church, and the great work of Community Services Unlimited. To give right now, text “$20 GCC” to 844-982-0209. (One-time-only credit card registration required.)
Building News:
November Update on the Arizona Lobby Repair Project
PLANS ARE UNDER REVIEW BY THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
Plans for the renovation and improvement of the Arizona entrance and lobby are now under review by the City of Santa Monica.
The foundation under the lobby has shifted over time causing the exterior doors to stick and stop opening. At the same time, the windows next to the exterior doors are in poor repair and starting to fail and the floor is cracked.
This is also a good time to install a glass door into the Garden of Eternity. The city is requiring us to make the Arizona entrance fully compliant with current accessibility standards.
Project components include:
- Replacement of the building foundation under the Arizona lobby
- Replacement of the flooring
- Replacement of the double doors onto Arizona
- Realignment of the pathway to the Arizona doors to meet accessibility standards
- Replacement of the windows facing Arizona with double-glazed, energy efficient windows
- Installation of glass door into the Garden of Eternity
In the interim, a temporary door has been installed at the Arizona entrance so the entrance can be used to enter Forbes Hall.
We expect to start construction in January 2022.
The project is led by Nurit Gordon, our church administrator, with support from Bryan Oakes from the Facilities Committee and Abby Arnold from the church Board of Trustees. Funding for the project was authorized by congregational vote in June, 2021, with money allocated from our reserves.
Splinters from the Board:
UUSM November Board Meeting Highlights - SPLINTERS FROM THE BOARD RETURNS!
The UUSM Board of Directors met Tuesday, November 9, 2021, at 6:45 pm, by way of Zoom.
Online meetingGathering – Beth Brownlie (President)
Eileen McCormack performed the chalice lighting and did a reading about the Third Principle. Members were asked to reflect on their well-being and in accordance with this month’s theme of “holding history.” The group shared the memories which embodied the truest sense of themselves. Some fondly remembered the years with their significant others, their siblings, and other relatives. Others celebrated their accomplishments. Some expressed gratitude that things can change for the better. Several noted thankfulness for Camp de Benneville Pines and the fond memories it holds. There was even gratitude for the simple joys of dancing and singing. Philip Siddons was introduced as the volunteer who will post summaries of board meetings in the News Magazine going forward.
New Members – Norm Richey
The additions of Resa Foreman and Kelly Hatfield have brought our membership to 264.
Standard Reports – Our administrator has been on family leave. We didn’t have committee reports available for this meeting. They will be discussed and approved at the next board meeting. The board approved the minutes of the October 12, 2021 board meeting.
Minister’s Report – The Reverend Jeremiah Kalendae
Rev. Jeremiah spoke on our reflection of the month: holding our own history. He urged us to reflect upon the many lives and ministries that have gifted us with this cherished community. There were services honoring the season of the dead and the lives of those who died this past year. There were sermons about Unitarian Universalist history. The seven Unitarian Universalist principles were summarized as our denomination’s theological and philosophical foundation. He indicated there are UU studies considering adding an eighth principle encompassing our commitment to intersectionality, anti-racism and anti-oppression values.
Our gratitude, he says, rests on the foundation of our ancestors of body and spirit and the great web of being that holds us in worship. This gratitude is evident in all of the services and sharing in the small groups of members and friends both in our sanctuary and in the larger group that attends the online streamed services.
Jeremiah noted that we’ve entered a new worship rhythm, making the preparation and coordination of the services less stressful than earlier in the pandemic. Challenges remain with the limitations imposed by changing weather and the unstable nature of the pandemic.
Certainly, the regional COVID designations of “Medium or “High Risk” force continual evaluations of the safest ways to offer worship. Rev. Jeremiah expressed gratitude for the impressively talented congregational musicians and technical leaders for helping to steer us through the many challenges with skill and grace. Gratitude was also expressed for the leadership of everyone on the anti-sexism, anti-racism, and anti-oppression commission.
Jeremiah regularly meets with our pastoral associates and the caring team to reinforce the importance of self-care. This is how we all foster resiliency in these stressful times. Together, the pastoral associates and caring team are preparing a pastoral mailing to check in with everyone before the holidays.
In a wider community ministry, Jeremiah described his year-long membership on the UCLA Hospital Ethics Committee. This group deals with the hospital’s ethical decisions, often regarding unrepresented patients who tend to be unhoused or transitory. Typically, there is no one available to make decisions on their behalf.
Building Renovation – Abby Arnold
There was a detailed summary on the progress of the building renovations. Plans have been submitted to the city and we are waiting for their response and approval. Their approval will require a small realignment of the path into the Arizona door to aid those accessing the church by wheelchair. The City Planning Department is providing guidance. We will have to modify the foundation, flooring, doors and windows on the Arizona entrance to comply with the building codes. There are also plans for adding a small lift to facilitate accessibility.
Camp de Benneville Pines Update
Karl Lisovsky was unable to attend and present a report at the board meeting, but numerous board members filled in. The camp is undergoing repairs to prepare for the coming colder weather. Because indoor activities will be increasing and to mitigate the COVID risk, they have decided to postpone winter camps until March.
It costs $50,000 a month just to run the camp and they are not getting any income during this time. Their fire insurance soared from $10,000 to $60,000. The camp board is hoping that all the affiliated churches will do their share to raise some funds in support through the matching funds campaign.
Since UUSM is in the midst of our own fundraising campaign, camp lovers are encouraged to make contributions between now and the end of December to maximize the available matching grant funds. Larry summarized how this can be done through the uusm.org website. [Top right: Click on “Make A Donation” / Next, click on the blue “Make A Donation Now” button / Then, scroll down to the “De Benneville Pines Camp” line / indicate your donation amount and in the field to the right, type “Matching Grant Donation.”]
The meeting then went into Executive Session.
RE News:
Personal and Spiritual Exploration for Adults, November 2021
Come, come, whoever you are!
Welcome to an exciting journey of questioning, challenging, and celebrating life’s mysteries and wonders. For generations, Adult Programs at UU Santa Monica has welcomed seekers, exiles, and interfaith families along with those who have grown up in our own Unitarian Universalist tradition. We are a congregation made up of people who believe in God or a higher power, people who do not, those who are content to live with the mystery, and those who are ever searching for answers to the big questions. Most of all, we are enriched by one another’s life journeys, diverse beliefs, shared progressive values and uniting UU Principles as we learn and explore together.
Our Purpose and Our Guide
At its core, the purpose of our educational ministry is to provide opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to deepen their spiritual lives, and to live with compassion, integrity and joy as we nurture beloved community and work together for peace and justice in this world. Adult Programs offers classes, discussion groups, and special events on an array of topics relevant to the Six Sources and our congregation’s spiritual life. Some of these may include in-depth study of theology and spirituality, discussion of science writing or Humanist ideas, opportunities to explore music, arts and crafts, or chances to connect socially for fellowship and fun. Many programs are made possible through the time and talent of our members and friends.
An Invitation
Do you have an idea for a program or event? We want to hear it. Email the Adult RE Committee (AdultRE@UUSM.org) and we can work with you on presenting your ideas.
Community Building Through Personal Development:
Nature Journaling: Pumpkins, Gourds, Squashes, and Melons – Sunday, November 21
Embrace the season of the harvest by spending some time learning about and journaling on pumpkins, squash, gourds, and melons. These are some of the oldest known domesticated plants and they also have fascinating shapes. Please come to our Zoom journaling session with paper, pencil and bring a member of this plant family. While we normally meet on the final Sunday of the month, this month we will meet on November 21 so as not to intrude into the Thanksgiving weekend. This group is facilitated by Dorothy Steinicke, who has more than twenty years experience encouraging people to deepen their love for the natural world. It will be held from 2:30-4:00 PM on the Sunday. To receive the Zoom link for this program contact Dorothy Steinicke, through the Adult RE Committee email (AdultRE@UUSM.org)
Exploration of Ideas:
A History of God, Book Discussion - Saturdays November 6, 20
How and why have concepts of God changed over time and across cultures, yet remained resonant and important? How have the three great monotheistic religions — Judaism, Christianity and Islam — shaped the image of God in their own ways? How have these faith traditions influenced each other? Join us for a theological and historical exploration of monotheism in its myriad forms and possibilities, guided by Karen Armstrong’s classic, “A History of God.” This group is facilitated by both Sarah Robson and James Witker, and will be held from 9:30-11:30AM on the Saturdays. Contact: AdultRE@uusm.org for the zoom link.
Science Non-Fiction Book Group - Tuesday, November 16
We will discuss “The Crash Detectives: Investigating the World’s Most Mysterious Air Disasters,” by Christine Negroni. The author explores common themes in air disasters and how what is learned is used to make planes safer. All are welcome. We meet from 7:30 – 9:00 PM. Contact: Rebecca Crawford at sci-nonfiction@uusm.org.
UU Men’s Group - Saturday, November 6, Thursday November 18
The Men’s Discussion Group provides a special opportunity to the men of the congregation and other like-minded men to join in thoughtful and stimulating discussion and meet others with UU perspectives. We will hold the first meeting of November on Saturday the 6th at 1:30 PM at an outdoor location to be announced and our second meeting via Zoom on Thursday the 18th at 7:30 PM. For November 6th, we will ask: In what form do you think the president’s proposed $3.5T bill ultimately will be passed by Congress? What compromises should be made to gain the support necessary to pass the Senate? How will the success or failure of this initiative affect the results of the 2022 midterm and 2024 presidential elections? For November 18th, we will ask, Do you have a “bucket list”? If so, what are the top two things on it? To request more information or to join us, please ask the church office for information about how to contact Jim Rheinwald or Richard Mathias through the Adult RE Committee email, (AdultRE@UUSM.org)
Meditation:
Open Meditation - Mondays, November 8, 22, 29
We gather and listen to brief readings, sit together quietly for twenty minutes, journal and share with each other what’s on our hearts. We explore the integration of meditation with ordinary life through reading and sharing. This is a non-guided, quiet meditation that may be deeply nourishing. A time to simply “be” amidst all the “doing,” calling off the struggle to become other than we are. We meet every 2nd, 4th, and if possible 5th Monday evenings, from 7:30 to 9:00 PM. Contact Bev Shoenberger or Carol Ring through the Adult RE Committee email (AdultRE@UUSM.org)
Open Meditation: Wellsprings - All Wednesdays and Fridays
Taking time for quiet meditation and sharing in the intimacy of having sat in silence together can help sustain and ground us during these difficult days. We trust each of you will use this group in the way that fits your needs. We listen to brief readings, sit together quietly for twenty minutes, journal, and share with each other what’s on our hearts. We simply sit together in our shared humanity. We call off the struggle to become other than we are. These are drop-in groups. You are welcome to join us when it feels right to you. If you come in late or need to leave early, just do so quietly. We meet every Wednesday and Friday afternoon from 12:00 noon – 1:00 PM online. Contact Bev Shoenberger through the Adult RE Committee email (AdultRE@UUSM.org)