Dec-03
From Our Minister:
By now most of you have met our intern minister, the Rev. Stefanie Etzbach-Dale.Her presenceon our church staff this year brings added skills and perspectives to our ministry.It is also an opportunity to participate in the formation of a new minister.An intern minister agrees to serve as well as learn, and Stefanie is eager todo both during her time with us.
To determine how Stefanie could best serve our congregation, we looked forareas in which she couldmake a contribution right from the start. Her introduction of “CovenantGroups,” small groups that meet for spiritual exploration, is one wayin which she is serving us. Stefanie is also working with the Caring Network(see her column this month for more on that topic) and the Adult Religious Growthand Learning Committee.
Stefanie is learning about leading worship and preaching, religious education,church governance and organization, and what life in a Unitarian Universalistchurch is all about.
Stefanie and I meet each week for two hours of supervision and communicatefrequently throughout the week. We debrief on her activities, review her goals,and reflect on what it means to be a parish minister.
What I have discovered in the first three months of her nine-month internshipis that this is a learning experience for me as well as for Stefanie. It’sgood to have someone ask me what it means to be a parish minister and why Ido what I do. The process allows me to revisit those questions, grow in my ownvocation, and perhaps even make some changes in the way I work.
I didn’t expect that my own ministry would change and grow as a resultof supervising an intern, but I can see now that it has and will continue todo so throughout the year. For example, I have learned that the addition of“Covenant Groups” to our church program will allow us all to extendministry to one another. I’ve had a chance to share with another ministerwhat my experience of ministry is and why it matters so much to me. I’velooked at my leadership style and thought of ways to be more intentional andfocused in what I do from day to day.
I’m happy for this opportunity to teach and to reflect and to have apart in the shaping of a new minister. I’m also happy for the opportunityto learn. As it turns out, the internship experience is for all of us.
-- Judith Meyer
From Our President:
A few months ago, I made an appeal in the order of service for someone (orsome group) to “Savethe Turkey.” Pilgrims Feast, a long-standing potluck tradition, was indanger of losing its spot on ourchurch calendar because there was no real committee or sponsorship for the dinner.
Happily, as we all know, the Pilgrims Feast lives on, and was enjoyed by manyon November 22. Inresponse to that appeal, volunteers stepped forward with both energy for, anda new vision of, the Pilgrims Feast as an “all-church” fellowshipevent. Many thanks to the volunteers, and special recognition goes to RichardBoothe for chairing the Pilgrims Feast committee and to Melinda Ewen for proposinga new intergenerational vision of Thanksgiving.
This is not the first time that a beloved tradition has faced the prospectof flaming out because of sheer exhaustion on the part of the volunteers. Shoulderingthe entire burden for one project for too long leads to burnout. The church’sde Benneville Pines weekend confronted a similar fate last spring, until CarolAgate spearheaded a group of faithful camp-goers and continued the weekend asa showcase for the talents of the members of our church.
It is possible to simply take the many wonderful events that we share at churchfor granted, and to assume that those events will continue in their belovedfashion year after year. But the truth is that each and every event at churchdepends entirely on the energy, commitment and enthusiasm of the volunteers.
There are many opportunities within our church to reinvigorate events andresponsibilities. Hopefully, the skills and interests survey that many of youcompleted will help everyone find an opportunity to be of service.
I see many examples of how new members are finding their way to interestingtasks by simply evaluating what they like to do and marrying that interest withwhat the church needs. (We have a brand new member who has already enthusiasticallyvolunteered to assume the mantle from Milton Holmen and keep track of our churcharchives.) There is a lot to do around the church, so don’t be shy aboutstepping up for something you want to do.
In this season of Thanksgiving and rejoicing, I want to extend my personalthanks to all of our members who have given and who continue to give so generouslyof their personal time and who make our church come alive. Without you, thischurch would not be the welcoming and wonderful place we all enjoy.
Happy Holidays!
-- Carol Kerr
Featured Articles:
This was Judith Meyer’s statement to Peggy Butler at the November14 reception honoring her for her years of service to the church.
Peggy, the group that is gathered here today is only a small representationof the people who have benefited from your service to the church over the years.You will never know how many lives you have touched. But you can be sure thatmany people have a good feeling about this church and our faith because of you.
The warmth of your friendly voice on the phone, the patience with which youdealt with all the different people you served, the accurate and concise explanationof Unitarian Universalism you gave over and over again to all the people whoinquired are also only a small sample of the good work you did with us. Youalso brought unerring good judgment and compassion to the pastoral needs ofour members. You always knew what to tell me and when. I guess that means youalso knew what not to tell me!
Peggy, you have my heartfelt appreciation for your loving service to our church.Thank you for the years of working together to provide ministry to our congregation,friends, and strangers who came through the front door. You were there for everyone.You were there for me. We shall always be grateful.
(View more pictures of this event!)
Internet Survey Results on Website and FIA Bulletin
This continues the report in the November newsletter giving the results ofthe survey of congregational opinions of our internet communications.
Website
Of our 72 respondents, 52 people have visited the church’s website,uusm.org. Of these, 24 said they use the site fairly regularly, and 22 use itevery few months. Those who visit the site most often look at information aboutservices and sermons (30 respondents), special events (30), the church calendar(25), activities (18), contact information (17), newsletters (11), sermon texts(10), and RE and ARGL classes (7).
Faith in Action Bulletin
The Faith in Action Bulletin is a relatively new publication, and we’vebeen looking for input that will help shape its future. Of our survey respondents,most of whom do not currently belong to any of the FIA groups, 32 people wouldprefer to see this publication issued quarterly, and published both in printand on our website. Seventeen people said they’d be happy with a web-onlypublication, which would be updated continuously instead of quarterly, and fourpeople said they’d prefer a strictly print-based, quarterly publication.
Conclusions
Based on these results, including the newsletter results published last month,it seems to make sense for us to continue our current method of publishing ournewsletter online: post the full version, but distribute the URL only to a subscriptionlist, without making the file publicly available.
To make it easier for members, friends and casual web surfers alike to findout what’s going on at our church, however, webmaster Liz Fuller has begunposting even more of the newsletter’s content on individual pages withinthe website. This information, which includes things such as sermons, our calendar,ARGL offerings, and information about activities and meetings of special interestgroups, is available to anyone who visits our site, while sensitive informationfrom
the newsletter, such as phone numbers and children’s names, remains unpublished.
Finally, thank you to everyone who responded to the survey. The results willhelp shape the development of our online communications, which are becomingincreasingly important to our church. Also, if you have not yet taken the survey,but would like to, you can still find it at http://archive.uusm.org/survey2.html.We’d love to hear from you.
-- Liz Fuller
“Plant trees” for the Future of the Santa Monica Church
“I have found comfort in the shade of trees I did not plant. I willplant trees that others might find shade.” —Anonymous
Planned giving is arranging for a portion of your assets to be applied toenduring beneficial purposes after you pass on. For our church, planned givingis a way of perpetuating our community and nurturing growth of our principles.Planned giving can be a bequest provision in your will, an income annuity gift,or naming UUCCSM as a beneficiary of your retirement or life insurance policy.The recent bequest by Earl Morgan has given us enthusiasm for our building programand is a sterling example of how Planned Giving can benefit our church community.
The object of planned giving is to make an enduring contribution, not to simplyhelp pay for routine expenses. Toward this end, the Planned Giving, Stewardshipand Finance Committees are developing a proposal, for congregational approval,
to establish an endowment fund to be a recipient of planned giving contributions.Your input will be a central part of this democratic process.
An endowment fund is a fund maintained and accounted for separate and distinctfrom the operating budget and all other church funds, such as general savingsand designated reserves. An endowment fund is a financial resource in perpetuitywhose earnings may be applied to enhancing our capacity to fulfill our missionand purpose.
To help in our planned giving development or to meet with a committee memberabout donations, please contact Ron Crane or call the churchoffice at (310) 829-5436.
Plant a tree.
-- Ron Crane, Planned Giving Committee
News & Announcements:
You’re needed December 10 The Westside Food Bank again needs our helpfor a food sort on Wednesday, December 10, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Food Bank,1710 22nd St., Santa Monica.
Last December, 26 people from our church broke the food bank’s recordfor sorting — filling 11 pallets with 528 boxes of food weighing 14,400pounds. We also had a good time organizing the food so that those who need itcan receive it. If you can join the food sorters, please call PaulaBernstein.
Buy Books and Music for Holiday Gifts
For holiday gift giving be sure to check out the church’s book cartin Forbes Hall. Many wonderful books and a variety of CDs, by members of thechoir and other talented church members, are available for your selection.
Join Women’s Alliance Before Dec. 15
Women’s Alliance memberships for the calendar year are still only $20and cover dues to both the continental and district Unitarian Universalist Women’sFederation (UUWF). If you’re interested, it’s important to signup before December 15, since we must mail our group’s dues to Boston.Please make check for $20 payable to UUCCSM and write in the corner “Women’sAlliance.” Put it in an envelope with the Sunday morning offering, ormail it to the church office. For information please contact Joyce Holmen,president,or Sue Moore, treasurer.
Faith in Action News:
To Serve Humankind in Fellowship
Our church board has chosen “reaching out to our greater community”as one of three major goals for this church year. This fits our covenant “toserve humankind in fellowship.” This month’s column provides a briefoverview and some questions about our progress in reaching this goal.
We have become more generous on Sunday mornings, direct 15% of each Sunday’scollection to a local charity. Sharing our collection has raised thousands ofdollars for charity. This is welcome news, but is it enough? Should we be expandingour generosity beyond the Sunday collection plate? Should we consider includingfunds earmarked for charitable purposes as part of our annual church budget?Should we plan on sharing a percentage of future bequestswith our community?
Hunger and homelessness continue to plague our community. We have respondedto these challenges by supporting the Westside Food Bank with food and assistancewith sorting food, Step Up on Second by preparing a monthly meal, and TurningPoint by providing meals for some holidays. We are becoming more involved withthe Westside Shelter and HungerCoalition (WSHC), which is a consortium of public and private social serviceagencies and faith-based organizationsdedicated to reducing the burden of hunger and homelessness in our community.A major new project of the WSHC is a pair of cold/wet weather shelters for homelesspeople in West Los Angeles and Culver City. Another project is a “VolunteerDay” in early February for faith-based institutions. These two projectshave arisen since our annual issues election in September and both are askingfor volunteer support. How should we respond to this call for volunteers?
The FIA speaker series is open to the public and we are planning two new outreachprograms. One is led by Cathie Gentile and deals with economic justice. Theother is led by Simon Huss, Rachel Donaldson, and S. J. Guidotti and involvesa UUSC program known as the Free Speech Project. Should we do more? Please sende-mail commentson this question to Charles Haskell.
-- Charles Haskell
Chair, FIA Commission
Calling all Food Sorters! You’re needed December 10
The Westside Food Bank again needs our help for a food sort on Wednesday, December10, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Food Bank, 1710 22nd St., Santa Monica. Last December,26 people from our church broke the food bank’s record for sorting —filling 11 pallets with 528 boxes of food weighing 14,400 pounds. We also hada good time organizing the food so that those who need it can receive it. Ifyou can join the food sorters, please contact Paula Bernstein.
Splinters from the Board:
Warren Mathews reported that we have received 120 pledge cardsfor next year, totaling $160,000. This is about 1/3 of the total number of pledges.The net increase by those pledgers already this year is 12%. If all other currentpledges remain unchanged, and the new pledges that have been received are takeninto account, the overall increase from 2003 would be 7%.
The 2003-04 budget assumed an 8% increase. Treasurer Carol Agatereported expenditures for guest musicians are over budget by $175. A total of$2049 was collected for district wildfire victims.
Marie Kashmer-Stiebing reported that a homeless person hasbeen discovered sleeping in Forbes Hall on several occasions. Police think hehas hidden in the building during evening events. Appointments with securityagencies have been made to consider options. Discussion ensued about creatingan environment of safety for our staff balanced by an awareness of not overreacting.The office will communicate expectations for closing the building with all personsholding keys.
Stefanie Etzbach-Dale reported her plans for creating CovenantGroups whose focus is relationship-building and spiritual growth. She is usinga model from many other UU congregations, 80% of which report increased enthusiasm,participation and donations as a result of the covenant project. A task forceis being planned to organize the training of group facilitators that will beconducted by Stefanie in the spring. The groups would begin in the fall underthe auspices of the facilitators and Judith Meyer. The board consensus was to support the project.
Marie reported that Milt Holmen, long-time church historian,has retired from this position. Rob Briner, a new member, hasagreed to take over the task from Milt. The board was pleased to accept thisoffer. Rob will work as archivist with help from Warren and Marie.
Carol Agate presented a resolution she has written in concertwith many national UU leaders who want the UUA to use an open and democraticprocess in their meetings. In order for the resolution to be presented for voteby the delegates at general assembly next June, 15 congregations need to certifyit. The board endorsed it with 10 affirmative votes and 2 abstentions.
Carol Kerr and David Knudsen reported ontheir work concerning implementing the goals for the board adopted at its Augustretreat. Three goals were adopted, and they will be a consideration in the reconstructionof portfolios for board members:
• Address insufficient income to cover operating expenses
• Increase the involvement and commitment of the congregation
• Improve our community outreach
These will be addressed at the December meeting.
Current membership is 478.
The 2004 annual congregational meeting was set for May 16.
-- Melinda Ewen
RE News:
From the Desk of the DRE
Can you believe that December is here already? Yes, the days are definitelygetting shorter, and the air is decidedly nippy; we’re headed into winter.As close to it as we get in this corner of the world, at least. With winter’sarrival, though, comes more than just long, chilly nights—it brings alsothe promise of spring to come, as celebrated at this time of year in many ofthe world’s traditions.
Yule, Christmas, Hanukkah, Divali, Kwanzaa—all celebrate, in their ownways, the return of light and hope in the dead of winter, and all are timeswhen families come together to remember and celebrate the things that are trulyimportant. In just a few weeks, I’ll be flying to Georgia to spend Christmaswith my own family. In the meantime, though, I’ve got a lot to accomplishbefore I get on that airplane, and I’m feeling a little frazzled already.No time to waste—I’d better keep busy!
I’m reminded of one of my favorite Christmas stories, Befana who visitsevery home to bring gifts and candy to the children, only she arrives not onChristmas eve, but on the eve of Epiphany, the celebration of the arrival ofthe three Wise Men in Bethlehem.
Befana, the legend tells us, was an old woman even two thousand years ago.She happened to meet the Wise Men on their way to Bethlehem, and they told herabout the child who had been born, and invited her to travel with them to seehim. But Befana was busy cleaning and sweeping her home, so they went on theirway without her. Before long, however, Befana changed her mind, and she setout to follow them, hoping to catch up in time to see the child. But Befananever found them, and to this day she travels the world looking in every homefor the Christ child, leaving gifts for all the children she encounters, recognizing(so I like to think) the spark of divinity in every one of them.
There are many things about Befana’s story that I enjoy, but the messagethat strikes me most deeply is this: don’t become so absorbed with littlethings that you miss out on the big ones! May we all, as we make our way throughDecember, be mindful of the true spirit of the season: celebrating life andliving, light and laughter, as one family. Happy Holidays.
-- Catherine Farmer
All Children, of All Ages, Welcome to Join New Choir
Our Sunday services are beautifully complemented by music, including LouisDurra on piano and organ, Steve Wight’s adult choir, and accomplishedvisiting singers and instrumentalists. Soon to be added to the mix will be achildren’s choir drawn from the congregation, directed by member (andalto in the adult choir) Judy Schonebaum.
We’ve had a children’s choir before, but not lately. Judy hasbeen working to reorganize such an ensemble since September, and hopes to schedulea first appearance before the end of the year (before the children’s storyat a Sunday service and/or at a seasonal event in December).
Judy began attending our church services more than 10 years ago and has beena member for many years. Her 15-year-old daughter, Hannah, has grown up in theRE program and credits her time here with helping her become a well-roundedyoung adult. Judy brings musical training, experience, and a passionate interestin the arts to the new children’s choir, promisingto grow an ensemble that will enrich the children’s lives, provide a vehiclefor them to become better known in the adult congregation, and affirm RE principlesincluding this year’s theme, “the inherent worth and dignity ofevery person.” Judy knows in her bones that music can accomplish thesethings.
The children’s choir rehearses between the two services, from 10:15to 10:45 a.m. on the second, third, and fourth Sundays of every month, upstairsin Room 4. Seven children from 6 to 12 have begun learning several songs, andall are welcome to join at any time.
Previous training in music is not required. Repertoire is open to suggestionsfrom people of all ages, especially those handed down in one’s familyor heritage. The children will learn musical techniques, such as rhythm, vocaldevelopment and elementary harmony.
The new children’s choir promises to be a place to “start at thevery beginning, a very good place to start. . . .”
-- Rob Briner
RE Updates
Council meeting update
The first meeting with Catherine Farmer, DRE, was held November 6. In attendancewere Cathie Gentile for social justice, Karen Patch for youth programs, BethRendeiro for OWL, Alicia Van Ooyen for curriculum , and Wendy Salz Johnstonas RE Council chair. Lisa Stewart, formerly the Events Committee chair was addedto the council. The council, with Catherine Farmer, aims to fill the secondseat by the next meeting. We also need chair for both the Worship Committeeand Events Committee. A motion was passed unanimously to hold open RE Councilmeetings. Since the council meetings will be held at members’ homes, wewould appreciate anyone interested in attending RSVP to the meeting host. Ifthere is an agenda item requested, please send an email or call the chair ofthe RE Council, Wendy Salz Johnston.
The next RE Council meeting will be held Wednesday, December 10, 7:30 p.m.,at the home of Beth Rendeiro. Please contact Beth to RSVP.
Work in progress
• Drafting a policy for acceptance of volunteers.
• Improving the visibility of the RE program— involving and engagingthe congregation with RE to benefit the church as a whole as well as each individualparticipant.
• Adding a new class at 11 a.m.—6th and 7th graders to be combinedonly at 11 a.m. and Way Cool curriculum be expanding to include this new agegroup.
Way Cool Sunday School
December 21 is the Social Justice Sunday. Children in both services will gocaroling to nearby senior citizen and nursing residences. Please bring scarvesand mittens to create that chilly winter effect. Permission slips must be signedand returnedto the RE office. Time of departure and places to go will be sent to each REfamily separately.
Head Start Gift Donations and Cookie Bake
Saturday, December 6, is the Cookie Bake. Sunday, December 7, is the last dayto bring your unisex toy. Our COA and YRUU kids will wrap them this morning.Remember, we need at least 36 gifts that are new and unopened to give to ourfavorite holiday recipients. Make sure your toy is part of our RE gift.
Want to get involved in RE? Contact Catherine Farmer or WendySalz Johnston.