Newsletter for July, 2022
From Our President:
From Our Minister: Spiritual Quest
We are mourning, enraged, and pondering our next steps in the wake of the travesties of justice committed by the U.S. Supreme Court. The rolling back of fifty years of human rights progress with the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the attack on the separation of church and state, and the dismantling of the Environmental Protection Agency’s capacity to address the existential threat of climate change, have ushered in a new era of religious fundamentalism and extreme ideologies imposing themselves upon our lives and those of our neighbors.
Our liberal religious movement has championed reproductive freedom, fought for the separation of church and state, and professed a deep commitment to the wellbeing of the planet for generations. Such horrific decisions are an affront to our liberal values; they infringe upon our religious freedom and undermine our democracy. We must resist these injustices and provide care and support for those most harmed by these decisions. All are invited to heart and brainstorm in the coming weeks and months how we might shift our spiritual priorities, leverage our liberal religious movement’s resources, and collectively strategize with our many partners. We must protect and serve the most vulnerable while defending our cherished religious values of reproductive freedom, bodily autonomy, consent, religious liberty, democratic process, and justice for all.
Our spiritual theme for contemplation this month is “Quest.” Throughout the church year, we reflect upon engaging religious themes in some of our group activities, publications, and worship services to build community and provide opportunities for spiritual deepening. The Cambridge Dictionary defines “quest” as “a long search for something that is difficult to find, or an attempt to achieve something difficult.” In light of the recent decisions of the Supreme Court, we are now embarking on a new communal quest for justice and to serve those in harm’s way. In many ways, it is a continuation of our journey towards wholeness in a society maligned by white supremacy, cisheteropatriarchy, ableism, colonialism, religious imperialism, and many other deadly afflictions.
The spiritual quest is often taken in the work of repairing the world and in our journeys into the depths of our very beings. We move inward to restore, replenish, reflect, and connect with the spirit of life, and we move outward carrying forth the transformation from within. Society’s brokenness can wear us down as is evidenced by the high degree of burnout in helping professions and communities of activism. It is therefore important that we balance our profound commitments to service and justice-making with respite, spiritual practice, art, play, appreciation of beauty, and other activities that replenish and restore our spirits.
As we enter our summer weeks of rejuvenation, all are encouraged to identify and embrace what will sustain them in the months and years before us. Our worship leaders, Board of Directors, and other church groups will be taking time to cultivate spaciousness and renewal over the next few weeks so that we begin our new church year rested and ready for the next length in this spiritual quest. If you are in need of confidential spiritual support over the summer or would like to share news with the congregation, please email our Pastoral Care Team Co-Chairs at pastoralcare@uusm.org.
We have much to celebrate, to mourn, and to achieve in the new church year, so let’s seize the warmth, sunshine, and lifegiving energies of summertime and prepare ourselves for the challenges and opportunities we will continue to face together.
With hope, faith, and love,
Jeremiah
Rev. Jeremiah Lal Shahbaz Kalendae
Developmental Minister
Featured Articles:
2022 UUSM Annual Meeting IN PERSON ON JUNE 12, 2022
The Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica had its annual meeting on Sunday, June 12, 2022, celebrating its year in ministry and launching its coming commitments.
The Gathering
The meeting began with Delany Hutchinson singing “Home to You” by Sigrid.
Chalice Lighting
Rev. Jeremiah Kalendae lit the chalice and opened with a reading from the gray hymnal, “Blessed Are Those” (#728).
Call to Order, Quorum, and Appointment of Officials
Beth Brownlie called the meeting to order and announced that there was a quorum. She appointed the following officials:
Process Observers: Amy Brunell and Cassie Winters
Ballot & Hand Counters: Nurit Gordon and Karl Lisovsky
Inspector of Elections: Ken Alexander
Check In: Nurit Gordon and Joyce Holmen
Timekeeper: Bev Shoenberger
Parliamentarian: Lois Hutchinson
Resolution 1
The UUSM Congregation adopted the Rules for the Meeting. The resolution to adopt the Rules of the Meeting was voted on by hand vote and passed unanimously.
Call to Covenant – Eileen McCormack
Eileen called us to covenant, reminding us that we all belong to each other.
Presentation of minutes from 2020 and 2021 meeting – Beth Brownlie
Resolution 2
The UUSM Congregation approved the minutes from the Annual Meeting on June 28, 2020 and ratified the meeting. The 2020 Annual Meeting was held virtually in light of the COVID-19 Global Pandemic.
Resolution 3
The UUSM Congregation approved the minutes from the Annual Meeting on June 27, 2021. The congregation ratified the 2021 Annual Meeting which was held virtually in light of the COVID-19 Global Pandemic.
Motion
Both resolutions 2 and 3 were voted on by hand vote and passed unanimously.
Acknowledgement of 2021-2022 Board and Nominating Committees
Beth Brownlie read the names of the members of the Board of Directors and the Nominating committee, thanking everyone for their service.
Presentation of the Annual Congregational Awards
Beth Brownlie presented Jacki Weber with a plant in an inscribed vase. Jacki is leaving the Board after eight years of service.
Eileen McCormack presented a Lifetime Recognition Award to Beth Rendeiro for her years of work in coordinating the OWL program at our church as well as many other accomplishments she achieved for UUSM. Beth accepted the award naming the numerous OWL facilitators who she said were the actual heroes of the program.
The following people received the second annual version of their awards:
Jacki Weber awarded Aubrey Sassoon with the Distinguished Service Award.
Jeremiah awarded the Distinguished Leadership Award to Patricia Wright.
Beth awarded the Unsung Hero Award to Lois Hutchinson.
Resolution 4
The UUSM Congregation approved the amendment to the Bylaws stating “During an emergency, when large group gatherings are prohibited or discouraged, the Congregation may hold online or virtual meetings to make important decisions. Rules about participation (e.g., quorum) will apply.”
Resolution 5
The UUSM Congregation approved the amendment to the Bylaws stating, “The Secretary, Treasurer, and Members-at-Large shall be eligible to serve for a maximum of four years.”
Resolution 6
The UUSM Congregation approved the amendment to the Bylaws stating, “The Nominating Committee shall consist of five (5) members who have been voting members for at least a year at the time of the Annual Meeting.”
Resolutions 4, 5 and 6 were modified to remove the sentence concluding each of them “Adoption of this Bylaw amendment strikes and removes those Bylaws which conflict with this amendment.” Once modified, all three resolutions passed.
Presentation of the Board of Directors & Nominating Committee Candidates
Beth introduced the candidates on the ballot for this year’s election. Votes were cast and collected and counted.
Minister’s report – Rev. Jeremiah Kalendae
Jeremiah expressed gratitude for a number of accomplishments this year.
- Our virtual GLAM Summer Road Trip services with sibling congregations around Los Angeles
- Our Spirit-Level Grant and personal contributions of $20,000 to rebuild our technological infrastructure
- Outstanding leadership of our Board of Directors, our talented staff and many exceptional congregational leaders
- Our Presidential Team consisting of Beth Brownlie, Eileen McCormack, and Jacki Weber and their resilient leadership during this pandemic
- The continued process of revising our bylaws to be voted on in the coming months
- Our Intersectional Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Commission
- The Pastoral Associates program and our CareRing Team now merged into a unified Pastoral Care Team
- The newly formed Leadership Development Steering Committee for emerging leadership training
- Dr. Kikanza Nuri-Robins’ leadership of our Worship Associates program and her monthly preaching schedule
- Our leadership in our intersectional, anti-racist, and counter-oppressive ministry
- Our extraordinary music ministry has returned to our newly opened sanctuary
- Our Communications Team’s powerful presence through online messaging and a renovated website nearing its launch
- The enduring work of our ongoing committees which have enabled us to endure the harshness of the pandemic
- A matching grant of up to $50,000 for next church year to offset costs and help preserve more of our emergency reserves
An important work that faces us is the rebuilding of our religious education program for our children including the Our Whole Lives sexuality education program (OWL). Rev. Dr. Kikanza Nuri-Robins will serve as our consulting minister for that project.
Another challenge we face is the significant depletion of incomes caused by the pandemic. The loss of our established in-person fundraising efforts and the rental income has created a significant challenge.
Lastly, I conclude with offering the names of the beloved members of our community who died in the past year. Let us honor their spirits and memories, and the spirits and memories of all the members of that mighty cloud of witnesses — our ancestors — that surrounds us now and always.
Sanna Egan
Sherman Neusom
Because they are remembered, they live.
President’s Report – Beth Brownlie
“Jacki Weber, Eileen McCormack and I have been working as a tri-presidential team. We took turns running meetings and made decisions collaboratively. Together we worked on refreshing the bylaws. We were delighted that Abby Arnold shepherded the Arizona Entryway project. We are pleased with the growing success of the FAHS Collaborative to engage our congregation in the Beloved Conversations Programs. We look forward to rebuilding your Youth Religious Education Program. We are grateful that we have been able to transition to a hybrid worship experience. The re-designed website and the ongoing newsletter are exceptional. Small groups, task forces and committees have made our community rich and vibrant. We are blessed by our outstanding staff: Rev. Jeremiah, Music Director, Saunder Choi also, the spectacular Nurit Gordon, Cyndee Hayes, Sibylla Nash and Tom and Kevin our sextons. I want to express my deep gratitude and thanks to all of you for your gifts, talents and faithful commitment to our community.”
2022 Annual Meeting Treasurer’s Report – Vilma Ortiz
Vilma Ortiz presented a PowerPoint slideshow with details of expenses and income for last year and projections for next year.
Savings
We have a significant amount in savings as of the end of March 2022. These are allocated into various funds including the Emergency Fund and the Catastrophe Fund. Several years ago, we also established an Endowment Fund.
Investments
Approximately half of our savings are held in CDs at Self-Help Federal Credit Union. The SHFCU CDs have staggered maturity dates so that a CD matures every three months.
We also have several account with the UU Common Endowment Fund, a diversified fund designed for long-term investments managed by the UUA.
Building Project
We are currently renovating the Arizona Street Entrance because of structural foundation issues. The project is expected to cost approximately $225,000. We applied for and have received a grant from the Spirit Level Foundation. The Foundation prioritizes funding construction projects and provides grants of up to $50,000, requiring congregations to raise matching funds. We expect to raise at least $25,000 and hopefully close to $50,000, as matching funds.
2021-2022 Overall Financial Status
Pledge income is lower than we had anticipated while other donations from church members are as expected. Fundraising was low because we were unable to do our traditional fundraisers. Rental income was low because our church building has been closed.
We continue to have many of the same expenses. Staff involved in worship — minister, DRE, music — continue to work producing our high-quality Sunday services. We spent this year transitioning from online services to hybrid services to meeting in-person while still streaming our services. Our office staff continues to run our church. Some of our expenses are lower because we did not meet in-person all year.
2022-2023 Overall Budget
We anticipate developing a robust fundraising effort that includes both in-person and online strategies. We expect that rental income will increase now we are open.
We do not expect significant changes to our expenses. We will have some reduced expenses (for example, the office assistant’s hours were reduced).
Conclusions
We have weathered a global pandemic and economic crisis for more than two years, yet we remain a strong community. We — the Board, Finance Committee, and Minister — will continue to work diligently to monitor the financial status of the church and to address issues that arise. We appreciate your gifts to our beloved community.
Resolution 7
The UUSM Congregation approves the budget presented for the 2022-2023 fiscal year.
Resolution 8
The UUSM Congregation approved the transfer of identified funds from the Emergency Fund and from the Catastrophe Fund to the Deficit Reserve Fund.
Resolutions 7 and 8 were passed by unanimous hand vote.
Announcement of Election Results
All candidates on the ballot were elected.
UUSM 2022-23 BOARD OF DIRECTORS & NOMINATING COMMITTEE: Back: Vilma Ortiz, Treasurer; Norm Richey, Vice President; Siobhan Braybrook, Board Member-at-Large; Karl Lisovsky, Nominating Committee; Rev. Jeremiah; Larry Weiner, Secretary. Front: Dan Patterson, Nominating Committee; Eileen McCormack, President; Linda Van Ligten, Board Member-at-Large; Mike Monte, Board Member-at-Large. Not pictured: Abby Arnold, Board Member-at-Large; Beth Brownlie, Past President; Teresa Castelli, Nominating Committee; Sheila Cummins, Nominating Committee; Wendi Gladstone, Nominating Committee
Installation of Elected Officers
Eileen congratulated the elected officers.
President-Elect’s Closing Remarks
Eileen thanked everyone for their participation and their patience. She said that she was looking forward to working with everyone in the coming church year.
Process Observers Report
Amy said that what was present in the room was the “desire to be kind and have love.” She spoke of so much love and thanked Jeremiah for the space he has created for our congregation.
Extinguishing the Chalice
The chalice was extinguished, and Eileen adjourned the meeting.
UUSM Art Wall Artist on Display at The Cheech Center
LEGENDARY CHICANA ARTIST MARGARET GARCIA
In March 2018, UUSM Art Director Beverly Alison brought amazing works by highly acclaimed Chicana artist Margaret Garcia to our Art Wall. The show came to the attention of Chicano art collector Cheech Marin and he bought two of Garcia’s works from the UUSM art show. Those two paintings are now on display at the newly opened The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture of the Riverside Art Museum in Riverside, CA. One month after The Center opened, on July 15, Beverly visited the museum to see the purchased artwork.
The 2018 press release included this information about the artist:
Garcia relates of her childhood and artistic viewpoint: “I grew up in Boyle Heights / East L.A. … the refuge of many displaced residents of Chavez Ravine. Considered a haven for some of the lefties, Jews, Russians, Japanese, African-Americans, and Mexicans, I learned tolerance, which was reinforced by a diversity of teachers as well as my father and grandmother; I flourished and appreciated the differences…Yet with all of that it wasn’t until 1969 that I learned and embraced the term Chicano. The term allows me to embrace all facets of my culture and became like a rebirth of my identity. It doesn’t mean that every work of art I do must be culturally identifiable, political, representational, or even colorful. Though I don’t avoid those things, I define Chicano Art by producing it.”
Margaret Garcia is a practicing and regularly exhibiting artist and teacher in Los Angeles. Her work is represented in museums and collections such as the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, National Museum of Mexican Art, and the Cheech Marin Collection. She received the William Comfort Tiffany Foundation Award, the Feitelson/Lundberg Award, and, California Community Foundation Grant, among others. As a mentor, she nurtures and teaches and has taught a good number of artists in her community.
Contact our Art Director Beverly Alison at artwall@uusm.org for further information about exhibiting or purchasing art on our Art Wall. Watch the Announcements for more information about our exciting upcoming monthly Art Wall art shows.
News & Announcements:
Dining for Dollars Bidding Opens This Sunday
IT'S SILENT AUCTION TIME!
Coming This Sunday, July 3!
It’s time for our summertime silent auction, where you can choose from an array of delicious food and drink events, goods and services including beautiful arts and crafts. But don’t delay! Bidding is only open for one week.
Just like last time, bidding will take place at the Auctria website. You can register easily HERE, and then view the delightful range of offerings generously provided by members and friends of our congregation. Dining for Dollars helps build our community as people get to know one another, one-on-one and in small groups. Let’s have some fun together.
Bidding Opens this Sunday, July 3 at 12:00 Noon
The social value of D4$ is just as important as is the money raised to support our mission and programs. So, if you can, “Bid high and bid often”!
If you have questions, email us at dining4dollars@uusm.org or visit our table in the Courtyard after Sunday Worship.
Bidding Closes next Sunday, July 10, at 6:00 pm
In keeping with the spirit of Covid safety at UUSM, we expect that all who participate in D4$ will be able to provide proof of fully up-to-date vaccination. Please be mindful that an event may have to be rescheduled or cancelled for Covid safety reasons.
Thank you!
The Dining for Dollars Committee
Karl, Pat, Greg, Resa, Barbara Gibbs, Farrokh
Karl, Pat, Greg, Resa, Barbara Gibbs, Farrokh
A Shady Santa Ynez Canyon Hike with Views of the Humboldt Lily
Our next hike will be on the last Saturday of the month, July 30. We will gather at 9:00 am at the church and then carpool to the trailhead for Santa Ynez Canyon. The hike is easy, 2.7 miles round trip, but there are some areas where you have to decide whether to go over a big branch or under since the trail seems to be a bit unmaintained. Also, there is poison oak, but it is easy to avoid. I recommend good hiking shoes, long pants just in case, and all the usual good things to have like water, a hat, and snacks. And the Humboldt Lily is spectacular! If you are thinking of coming on the hike or if you have any questions, email me at hiking@uusm.org.
UUSM Weekend at Camp de Benneville Pines Is Sept. 16 to 18 - THE MOUNTAINS ARE CALLING
de Benneville Pines weekend
Registration now open
UU Santa Monica Church Camp at de Benneville Pines
Friday to Sunday, September 16 to 18
Dear UU Santa Monica Church Community,
Great news: We will have the annual weekend at our beloved Camp de Benneville Pines! Let’s venture to beautiful Angeles National Forest near Big Bear and refresh our spirits in the mountains.
Camp de Benneville Pines is a rustic, forested retreat shared by the UU congregations in Southern California and Arizona where weekends for art, music, yoga, and ideas happen, as well as programs for elementary, middle school, and high school kids take place. It’s just 100 miles from the corner of 18th and Arizona, and the weekend of September 16th to 18th, beginning with dinner on Friday, is dedicated to UU Santa Monica.
Families and adults of all ages will get together to enjoy a weekend of music, hiking, worship, puzzles, games, art, workshops, and UU conversation and community. All while just being in the spaciousness of the trees and sky.
If you have not been to Camp, ask around; probably the first person you ask will share a story. And take a look at the article and photos of our weekend last Fall.
Sundays after the Worship Service, look for the de Benneville Pines poster in the Courtyard and talk to planning committee members in person, even sign up then and there. You can register online here. And we hope you will. Note the “Comments” section at the end of the registration form: please tell us about any special circumstances. We want to hear from you!
Proof of COVID vaccination will still be required for all participants.
We collaborate to create the weekend’s activities ourselves — and encourage carpooling. We can also help people financially, so everybody who wants to go to Camp can go to Camp; if you need help, please talk to us.
Questions, concerns, program ideas and offers: email us at debenneville@uusm.org.
The mountains are calling. Let’s go!
Amy, Karl, Sunni, Judith, Chela, Larry, Greg, Linda, Joyce
Dining for Dollars Bidding Is Over — Time for the Fun to Begin
SILENT AUCTION RESULTS
Thank you to those who stepped forward to offer an event or a good/service for this summer’s Dining for Dollars! And thanks to all of you who participated and “bid high and bid often.”
Our church needed the support, and we congregants will get to enjoy the community and conversation that meals shared will bring. We raised $7,574.03 in bids, most of which, but not all, has been paid. Statements have now been sent out. Winning bidders, please pay your outstanding balance. If you have questions, email us at dining4dollars@uusm.org.
We’re grateful to you all for supporting our church. The social value of D4$ is just as important as is the money raised to support our mission and programs. Let the fun begin!
The Dining for Dollars Committee
Karl, Pat, Greg, Resa, Barbara Gibbs, Farrokh
Faith in Action News:
UUSM the Vote 2022 Update - THANKS FOR YOUR INTEREST!
About Us:
We are the UUSM contingent of the “UU the Vote” – an initiative of the Unitarian Universalist Association (info at www.uuthevote.org) We are working together to address participation in our democracy in a values-driven nonpartisan way.
We are working to pass pro-democracy bills, take action to support voting and combat voter suppression, and work towards the elimination of barriers to building political power in marginalized communities.
This is a plug-and-play program. We’re providing the organizing muscle: the opportunities, the lists, the materials, even the stamps for postcard writing!
Overall Priorities:
Generally speaking, we are mobilizing to promote democratic participation. Especially in Arizona, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Texas, Wisconsin, and Florida. We are also responding to specific requests to support the For the People Act, John Lewis Voting Rights Act, and DC Statehood.
Current Campaign:
We are working with UUA partner the Center for Common Ground’s Reclaim Our Vote Program (reclaimourvote.org). We are participating in their campaign to contact and get out the vote for 1.2 million registered but infrequent Black voters in St. Lucie County, Florida, in advance of their August primary. Postcards will mail August 1-8, 2022!
- We are urging early voting and bringing ID to avoid Election Day challenges and intimidation.
- Primary voting greatly increases the likelihood of voting in the General Election.
- Florida voters are at risk of being de-registered, should they miss two federal elections.
- Contacting these voters with reasons to vote and polling information helps reverse the cycle of disenfranchisement and underrepresentation.
Dollars and Cents:
There is no cost to participate in this program! We are accepting donations to cover postage, materials, and organizing efforts. Make checks payable to Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica and put UU the Vote in the memo line. You can also drop cash in a donation box at our Sunday table and you can go online to uusm.org and click on Make a Donation or text to give at 844-982-0209 with the amount you’d like to donate and the letters UTV (e.g., to give $20, text “20 UUV”).
For More Info:
- Join the UU the Vote Organizing Team or get letter writing materials – Jacki Weber (uuthevote@uusm.org)
- Host a Postcard Party – Judith Martin-Straw
- Pick up materials in your area:
- Santa Monica – JackI Weber
- Culver City – TBD
- Mar Vista – TBD
RE News:
Personal and Spiritual Exploration for Adults, July 2022
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 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 Activities:
Introduction to SoulCollage®: An Intuitive Artmaking Process Saturday, July 9
Soul CollageSoulCollage® is a collage art endeavor founded by art therapist Seena B. Frost, MA, MDiv, in which the participants create a personal deck of cards. The method of creating cards develops one’s creativity, encourages self-discovery, and provides personal guidance. Using the cards can help access those inner and outer resources in difficult times, access the sacred, strengthen our awareness of our dynamic lives, make decisions mindfully, and help resolve personal or interpersonal conflicts. Community is also very important to the process as we explore our group’s imagery together. People who have done this program before claim that the creation and usage of these self-crafted cards is transformative. This process is being shared across the world, in many languages, and enjoyed by people of all ages, genders, and cultures. Bring your curiosity, your wonder, your wisdom, your imagination and a beginner’s mind to this introductory workshop. This workshop is led by Adrienne Sumpter, who is a trained facilitator for SoulCollage®. We will meet in person in the cottage from 1:00 – 4:00 pm on the second Saturday of the month. If you are new to the process, we ask that you come 15 minutes ahead of schedule. Please note that there is a 10-person maximum for groups held in the cottage, so please sign up asap. All participants need to send proof of vaccination to the office, and people need to stay masked at all times. Please contact: AdultRE@uusm.org
Nature Journaling Sunday, July 31
Ferns are non-flowering, non-seed producing plants that reproduce by spores. They are an ancient lineage of plants that existed on earth long before the dinosaurs. They are interesting because they are different from all other plants. They are also exceptionally beautiful. Participants in this session are encouraged to have a fern or piece of a fern with them in order to make direct observations. They are also encouraged to have a magnifying glass in order to get a closer look. Photos will be provided if it is not possible to have an actual fern. Do have a pencil and eraser ready! No level of drawing ability required. A lifelong lover of the outdoors, Dorothy Steinicke has spent years encouraging people to experience the natural world. She leads hikes for children and for adults in Topanga Canyon, Ballona Wetlands, and Dockweiller State Beach. We will meet from 2:30 – 4:00 pm. To reach Dorothy for the Zoom link, contact AdultRE@uusm.org.
Exploration of Ideas:
Science Non-Fiction Book Group Tuesday, July 19
We will discuss “The Human Age: The World Shaped by Us,” by Diane Ackerman. Humans have affected the world for better and worse. An optimistic look at how we have changed the world. To receive the link, you will want to be on the group email list. Contact Rebecca Crawford for this month’s book read, sci-nonfiction@uusm.org. We meet from 7:30 – 9:00 pm. All are welcome.
UU Men’s Group Thursday July 7, Saturday July 23
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 July via Zoom on Thursday the 7th at 7:30 pm and our second meeting of July on Saturday the 23rd at 1:30 pm under the outdoor pavilion on the grounds of UUSM. The discussion topics will be:
7/7/22 (Thursday evening via Zoom): Great joke tellers are prized but seem to be few and far between. Do you have some good jokes to tell (we will likely have time for 3 to 5 jokes each)? Do you remember where you heard them?
7/23/22 (Saturday afternoon in person): Have you experienced failure, despair, and/or defeat and, if so, how did you find your way back? Did the event leave a painful scar or did you become a stronger or better person as the result?
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.
Meditations:
Open Meditation Mondays, July 11, 25
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 evening, from 7:30 – 9:00 pm. Contact Bev Shoenberger through meditation@uusm.org
Open Meditation: Wellsprings All Wednesdays and Fridays
Taking time for quiet meditation and sharing the intimacy of sitting 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 meditation@uusm.org.