The Hate U Give Book Discussion
Short version:
Please join us on Wednesday, August 14 at 7pm in Forbes Hall to discuss Angie Thomas’ award-winning debut novel, The Hate U Give, which depicts the efforts of 16-year old Starr Carter to cope with personal and societal upheaval in the aftermath of the police shooting of a friend. Contact adultre@uusm.org.
Long version:
Adult Religious Exploration Committee presents a new book discussion group: ‘The Intersections of Social and Personal Identities: The Hate U Give.’ Please join us to discuss Angie Thomas’ award-winning debut novel, which depicts the efforts of 16-year old Starr Carter to cope with personal and societal upheaval in the aftermath of the police shooting of a friend. Issues of identity, including race, class and age, and the values of community, loyalty and integrity, are all implicated in this 2019 selection for Santa Monica Public Library’s Santa Monica Reads. While this offering is directed to adult participants, it is equally appropriate for mature teenagers, who are very welcome. Learning objectives include: Enjoy reading a good book, have fun together in a relaxed, intergenerational setting, voice our own perspectives and actively listen to differing opinions, grow community, appreciate the American experience through the lens of a Black teenaged girl, enhance our awareness of systemic oppression, and consider our obligations as UU’s in the struggle for justice. The class, facilitated by Melinda Ewen and Audrey Lyness, will meet in Forbes Hall on Wednesday, August 14, from 7-9pm. Books are available for sale at the R.E. Table in Forbes Hall, and please sign up there to attend. For more information, please contact us at adultre@uusm.org, including the book title in the subject line.
Date / Time:
Wednesday, August 14, 2019 - 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Contact Name:
Audrey Lyness
The Poetry of Mary Oliver
Theme:
Risk
Sunday, August 11, 2019 - 10:00am
Rima Snyder
Worship Associate:
Alison Kendall
Poet Mary Oliver lived a long and rich life, much of it in Provincetown, Massachusetts, where she wrote about the beauty of the natural world and her beloved Cape Cod. This morning we will learn about her early life, her philosophy and spiritual outlook. Some of her lesser known work will give us insight into Oliver's private and magical world.
When We Gather as a Faith
Theme:
Risk
Sunday, August 4, 2019 - 10:00am
Abby Arnold
Worship Associate:
Aubrey Sassoon, Dorothy Steinicke, James Witker
The theme of this year's UUA General Assembly is "The Power of We". Members who attended GA in June will share the most inspiring experiences in this annual gathering of 3,000 Unitarian Universalists from across the nation.
July, 2019
Faith in Action Art Wall & Craft Fair
Faith in Action's annual congregation fundraising Arts & Craft Fair Art Wall Reception is scheduled for Sunday, July 7 at Forbes Hall, during coffee hour after member Leonard Cachola's sermon titled "Journey to Community Starts From Within," as a commencement to the monthly worship theme, Liberation.
This annual event, hosted by Diana Spears, includes art created by our own UUSM members. Come down and see some of the amazing talent we have within our own community! A variety of mediums will be on display, including some for sale. From ceramics to paintings and photographs, there will be a whole lot of talent on display.
Artists for this year’s UUSM Member Art Wall include: Jeremy Arnold, Bettye Barclay, Ralph Martel, Tom Peters, Carol Ring, and Greg Wood and many other talented members of our community.
Activism has never been more important – so come and get inspired. The Faith In Action Commission (FIA) is an umbrella group composed of four committees – Peace and Social Justice (PSJ), Green Living, Hunger Task Force, and Interweave. Over the past year, FIA has participated in many events throughout Los Angeles, including the Women’s March, March for Science, the March for Our Lives, Interfaith Solidarity March, and more.
Action is based on careful research, analysis and thoughtful study embracing service, education, witness and advocacy issues through a range of activities including task forces, community organizing, study groups, alliance building, committees and ad hoc groups as needed. The Faith In Action Commission.
The mission of the Faith In Action Commission is to coordinate social action efforts in the church, empowering the congregation to choose social justice issues for study and action, and integrating those activities fully into the overall life of the congregation in a way that is rooted in the moral and ethical values of our faith, as expressed in our View sion Statement and the Principles and Purposes and Statements of Conscience of the Unitarian Universalist Association.
Liberation Through Surrender
Theme:
Liberation
Sunday, July 28, 2019 - 10:00am
Rev. Stefanie Etzbach-Dale
Worship Associate:
Kikanza Nuri-Robins
While perseverance (not giving up on ourselves and each other) is clearly the call of these times, knowing when and what to surrender in the process can make all the difference in our individual and collective liberation.
The Rev. Stefanie Etzbach-Dale returns to this pulpit, where she was ordained in 2005, as affiliated UU Church of Palo Alto Community Minister. After serving various congregations in the Pacific Southwest District and Pacific Central District, she is currently building a private and small group practice (TendingSpirit.com) as a Spiritual Director: fostering Spiritual Courage in a Disruptive World. She believes this involves deep reverence for the complexity of the human experience and the imperative of personal and societal transformation. As an artist and student of esoteric studies, Rev. Stefanie strives to weave holy curiosity, expressive arts, humor, reverence, magic, and inspiration into all that she does.
Humanist Voices: The Unfinished Dream & The Marketing of Liberal Religion
We will read and discuss an essay by renowned UU minister and seminary professor David Bumbaugh which provocatively argues that the Universalist quest for a defining theology in modern times was lost in the 1961 merger with the Unitarians. “By refusing to define itself, Liberal Religion surrenders its ability to stand in judgment on the idolatries of our time,” he writes. “If we are to serve our people, and the world in which we find ourselves, it is critical that we now take up the unfinished project. It is time for Liberal Religion to declare clearly the faith we hold.”
Date / Time:
Monday, July 15, 2019 - 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Contact Name:
James Witker
Humanist Voices: The Unfinished Dream & The Marketing of Liberal Religion
We will read and discuss an essay by renowned UU minister and seminary professor David Bumbaugh which provocatively argues that the Universalist quest for a defining theology in modern times was lost in the 1961 merger with the Unitarians. “By refusing to define itself, Liberal Religion surrenders its ability to stand in judgment on the idolatries of our time,” he writes. “If we are to serve our people, and the world in which we find ourselves, it is critical that we now take up the unfinished project. It is time for Liberal Religion to declare clearly the faith we hold.”
Date / Time:
Sunday, July 14, 2019 - 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Contact Name:
James Witker
Second Sunday Spotlight
An open mike featuring the usual suspects of performers, folk singers and poets.
Hosted by Greg Wood ( Not that other guy) and his guitar.
For more info please email gregwood@computerpersepctives.com
Date / Time:
Sunday, August 11, 2019 - 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Room:
Contact Name:
Greg Wood
Healthy Congregation Council Listening Circle: Transitioning with Love and Hope
Please join the Healthy Congregation Council in reflecting upon staff transitions occurring at UUCCSM. We will have the opportunity to listen to one another as we share our thoughts, concerns, challenges, expectations and aspirations for the coming church year. Please sign up at the Right Relations table, email us at RightRelations@uusm.org or speak to a Right Relations Team member about your interest. Contact Audrey Lyness at alyness@aol.com. >> details
Date / Time:
Sunday, July 21, 2019 - 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Room:
Contact Name:
Audrey Lyness
FIA - Lunches for Bunches
Date / Time:
Sunday, September 1, 2019 - 10:15am - 11:15am
Contact Name:
Patrick Meighan