Dec-04
From Our Minister:
The holiday season involves travel for most of us. Whether we actually leavehome or not doesn't always matter. It's a change of our usual routine, whichhas advantages we do not always recognize.
As I write this message, I am on the East Coast, where I have been attendinga meeting at the Unitarian Universalist Association headquarters in Boston.I serve on a grant-making panel, the Fund for Unitarian Universalism. The panelreads proposals for innovative programs and awards $250,000 a year. The workis interesting and gives me ideas for projects we might consider in Santa Monica.
Whenever I get ready to leave home, however, I hesitate. I always feel a littleanxious, leaving David and Aki and all of you behind. But as soon as I'm onmy way, I realize that these short separations are a chance to stand back andappreciate how much all of you mean to me.
I also step out of my regular routine. That generates new ideas and a freshperspective on a problem or project. I read on the plane books that I wouldn'thave taken the time to read at home (this trip it is "What I Loved" by SiriHustvedt), I talk to people who don't live in California, and I come back justslightly altered from where I started out. I return happy to be home and gratefulfor my life.
The holidays offer all of us the same opportunity: to stand back, step out,and remember what makes us happy and grateful. Whether we travel across thecountry or simply take the time out to acquire a fresh perspective, it's anopportunity we should take each and every time it is offered to us. That timehas just arrived. Don't miss it this year.
-- Judith Meyer
Featured Articles:
Although the terms are often used interchangeably, "long-range planning" and"strategic planning" differ in what we can assume about the environment surroundingour plans. Long-range planning generally means the development of a plan foraccomplishing goals over a period of several years. It assumes that currentknowledge about future conditions is sufficiently reliable to ensure the reliabilityof the plan itself over the duration of implementation.
On the other hand, strategic planning assumes that we must be responsive toa dynamic, changing environment. It stresses the importance of making decisionsthat will ensure our ability to successfully respond to changes in the environment.Fundamental to this process is thinking that asks, "Are we doing the right thing?"
In either case, planning for our future is determined by goals, objectives,roles and responsibilities, timelines, etc., in the context of our UUCCSM vision,mission, and values.
At its spring retreat, the board authorized the formation of a long-range planningcommittee made up of board and non-board church members. In November, the boardratified this decision. There is work to be done and it's time to get going.If you would like to be part of this effort, please call me.
-Pat Wright
On Friday evening, October 29, approximately 75 members of the congregation,friends, and family members of Dean and Lee Voegtlen gathered in the sanctuaryto hear Dean talk about his life and a select few pay tribute to his nearly40 years of service to our congregation.
In attendance were two of Dean and Lee's sons, Alan and Brian; Brian's wife,Christy; and Dean and Lee's grandson, Miles Dean. Speaking in tribute were WarrenMathews, John Raiford, Charles Haskell, Ernie Pipes, and Karl Lisovsky. Themaster of ceremonies was the Rev Judith Meyer.
Warren reminded everyone that Dean has not only participated in and chairedalmost every standing committee of the church, including the Board of Directors,but in some cases has done so multiple times (Dean was president in 1977-78and 1993-94). John thanked Dean and Lee for offering solace and support in timesof crisis. Ernie highlighted Dean's calm leadership in stormy seas (figurativelyand literally, noting Dean's sailing skills). And Karl and Charles spoke ofDean's love of tennis and how the game may be seen as a metaphor for life.
Dean described his childhood growing up in New Jersey and summers in upstateNew York, his truncated academic career at the University of Michigan, followedby serendipitous success at the Hughes Company and elsewhere.
Dean's analytical knowledge in the fields of statistical quality control andvalue engineering has been much valued in business and industry. And we allknow Dean's musical abilities. There is so much more-the sum reaches RenaissanceMan status. Dean's reaction to the evening: "I had a lot of fun, and I hopeothers did so too." The audience's reaction: "Dean, you're the best."
-Rob Briner
If you have looked at our mural room in Forbes Hall you know it starts wheremodern UUism starts, with Frances David in Transylvania.
Transylvania is a geographic region of Romania directly east of Hungary. Underthe Ottoman Turkish occupation of Hungary during the 16th and 17th centuries,Transylvania was a semi-independent principality ruled by Hungarian princes,who were able to maintain a precarious independence from the Ottoman Empire.The country of Romania was formed relatively recently, in 1861, with the unificationof the principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia.
It is ironic that Transylvania, which today is a hotbed of ethnic discord,was a model of enlightenment and religious tolerance during the 16th century,when most of Europe was embroiled in religious wars. In 1568, Prince John Sigismundpromulgated the Edict of Religious Toleration at the Diet of Torda (an assemblyof nobles and landed gentry), which enabled the Unitarian religion to prosperamong competing faiths.
The Unitarian faith is a product of the Reformation and was introduced intoTransylvania by Francis David (D
News & Announcements:
Don't forget-this year's Cookie Bake will be on Saturday, December 4, from10 a.m. until 1 p.m. We're also accepting gift donations. Sunday, December 12,is the last day to drop off your unisex toy to give to children at this year'sHead Start holiday party. Remember, we need a total of 38 gifts that are new,unopened, and unwrapped. Drop them off in the Head Start box at the foot ofthe Arizona entrance stairs.
Board Meets Monthly; Members are Welcome
Our church's Board of Directors meets the second Tuesday of every month at6:30 in Forbes Hall. The next meeting will be on December 14. Members are invitedto attend. A tentative agenda is postedonline one week before the meeting, and on the door of the office.
Building News:
Architect Refines Building Plans After Members Discuss Designs
On Saturday November 6, the Building Committee hosted a "Refine the Design"workshop for members of the congregation to review the latest plans and to commenton them. About 20 members of the congregation participated, many of them longtimeactive members with a good understanding of the space needs for the many activitiesthat occur in our church spaces.
Facilitated by our architect, Ralph Mechur, and Building Committee members,our discussion began with the topic of RE facilities, including the locationof storage, preservation of the room 4 mural, provision of movable partitionsin upstairs rooms, and other issues. A discussion of open space generated ideasfor developing a flexible play area for older kids, a fenced area for youngerchildren, and a long courtyard providing direct access from the new kitchenand Forbes Hall to Anderson Courtyard to be used for outdoor events. The dayconcluded with discussions about the sanctuary area. Many additional topicswere discussed and many participant comments noted on the plans.
The architect is currently refining the plans in response to comments emergingfrom the workshop. We will be updating the "Building Our Dream" bulletin boardin Forbes Hall with the latest set of plans as changes are made. We urge membersof the congregation to post their comments on the message board or to e-mailthe Building Committee Chair.
Additional design changes are likely to occur as we consult with the SantaMonica city staff and start to look at the cost implications of our design.We will need to remain flexible, collaborative, and able to prioritize as wedevelop a design that meets our needs and allows us to move toward our dreams.
The Building Committee is now meeting every two weeks on Monday evenings at6:30 p.m. in 1248 18th Street. If you would like to attend, please contact meby e-mail to confirm the next meeting date.
-Alison Kendall, Building Committee Chair
Faith in Action News:
This month, instead of the usual Faith in Action column, Charles Haskell hasprovided photos of some of the congregation's community activities.
Our annual Halloween carnival is a fundraiser to support UNICEF.
The other picture shows Forbes Hall, dressed up for November 2. It was usedas a polling place on Election Day. In addition, many of our church memberswere active advocates for fair elections.
From the Archives:
Our Name Has Changed Several Times Over the Years
The original (1927) name of our congregation was All Souls Unitarian Churchof Santa Monica. In 1951 the name was officially changed to Unitarian CommunityChurch of Santa Monica.
In 1960 our congregation approved consolidation of the American Unitarian Associationand the Universalist Church of America, forming the Unitarian Universalist Association.In 1995, the name was officially changed to Unitarian Universalist CommunityChurch of Santa Monica.
-Rob Briner
Correction: The House Next Door Was Owned by Judge Taft's Grandson's Wife
At the end of March 2004 we purchased the property next door at 1248 18th Streetfrom the "Nadene Lynda Shutt Living Trust." The Shutt family had owned the propertysince the bungalow was built in 1914 by the family patriarch, Judge Fred Taft,a founding member of our congregation.
We were not sure of the family lineage, and mistakenly reported a few monthsago that the property was sold to us by Judge Taft's daughter. The real estateagent who brokered the sale told us that the woman who created the trust thatwas selling the property was an elderly woman living in a Santa Monica convalescenthome, and that, as trust administrator, she indicated her preference, or atleast signed off on selling 1248 18th Street to UUCCSM as a conciliatory gesture.This woman, Winnifred Shutt, passed away on July 20, 2004, at the age of 90(less than four months after the sale was completed). The published obituaryhas cleared up some questions, specifically that this elderly woman was NOTJudge Taft's daughter, Murial, but rather the wife of Judge Taft's grandson,Nado Shutt.
Nado, with whom Ernie Pipes periodically communicated when Nado was the ownerof record, died in 1990. The correct lineage is Judge Taft to Murial Shutt,daughter; to Nado Shutt, grandson; to Winnifred Shutt, Nado's wife; to NadeneShutt. (So Judge Taft was Nadene's great-grandfather).
Splinters from the Board:
Board member Pat Wright led the meeting. President Carol Kerr sent word thatmore bids are coming in on the sale of the 17th Street property. All bids arein the $1 million range. It is not uncommon for purchasers to have a periodin which to withdraw a bid, and the possibilities for a successful sale lookvery good.
The board approved a resolution introduced by Charles Haskell, chairman ofthe Bylaws and Policies Committee, to clarify the meaning of "contribution-of-record."There was discussion of the elimination of the post of Treasurer, but no decisionwas made. The board agreed to move forward in creating a Long-Range PlanningCommittee.
The Rev. Judith Meyer held a newcomer orientation in October and met with theBuilding Design working group to plan for presentation to members of the congregation.
Catherine Farmer, DRE, reported on a successful UNICEF carnival. Beverly Alisonarranged food for the event and Alicia Van Ooyen coordinated setup and cleanup.Children in each class successfully completed their portion of the event. Becauseof small RE class size in the early service, 9 a.m. preschool and K-1 classeshave been combined, with K-1 continuing to participate in the Worship and SocialJustice Sundays.
Marie Kashmer-Stiebing reported that membership now is 473. Marie has beenworking with Stu Moore to check the furnaces and make repairs when necessaryand with the gas company to check all gas appliances for function and safety.Marie also organized a relatively small work party during which Jos
RE News:
From the Desk of the DRE
Can you believe that it's December already? The holiday season is almost uponus. I seem to remember, vaguely, a time when Christmas seemed to take foreverto arrive. No more. That breathless anticipation I remember from my childhood,counting down each day by tearing another loop off of the red-and-green constructionpaper chain-it's long gone. I'm far more likely, these days, to find myselfcounting the days and wondering why there are so few left. My guess is thatI'm not alone in this. Maybe we're all busier and more frazzled than we usedto be. When I find myself recounting the days in the hope that I missed some,I know it's time to take a breath and slow myself down. That's not easy forme; it turns out I'm much better at hurrying than I am at meandering. However,it's at those moments when I do manage to stop rushing and to step back thatI remember what the winter holidays are really about.
This year, we'll be celebrating many of those holidays in our new "Twelve Daysof Winter" pageant on December 19. And while each of these holidays has itsown special rituals and stories, you'll find that they have many similarities.All celebrate, in their own ways, the return of light and hope in the dead ofwinter, and all bring families and communities together to remember and celebratethe things that are truly important.
I'm reminded of one of my favorite readings for the season, by Margaret Starkey:
With mounds of greenery, the brightest ornaments, we bring high summerto our rooms, as if to spite the somberness of winter.
In time of want, when life is boarding up against the next uncertainspring, we celebrate and give of what we have away.
All creatures bend to rules, even the stars constrained.
There is a blessed madness in the human need to go against the grainof cold and scarcity.
We make a holiday, the rituals varied as the hopes of humanity,
The reasons as obscure as ancient solar festivals, as clear as joy onone small face.
May you find much joy (and rest) in this holiday season.
-Catherine Farmer
What's it Like to Be a Teen at UUSM?
An Interview with Chris Marten
How long have you been going to UUSM?
I started going in 8th grade and was part of Coming of Age. I'm in 11th gradenow, so that is over 3 years.
Why do you come here?
At first, it was because I was friends with Daniel Teplitz and I had nothingto do on Sunday mornings. Now I come because there is a real accepting feelingand it's fun. We tried another church in my neighborhood, but it didn't feelright. Not like here.
How would you describe your beliefs?
Basically, it is earth-based religion, which is centered on helping others.I also believe in looking at the self and nature.
What activities do you enjoy in YRUU [our high school group]?
I am working with another teen, Jesse Figueroa, to find social action activitiesfor our group. Just recently I introduced to the church and youth a foundationcalled Neve Shalom/Wahat Al-Salam. This is a group in the Middle East dedicatedto promoting relationships between Israelis and Palestinians, Jews and Muslims.
What are you looking forward to in YRUU?
Keeping it fun. We are trying to find a balance between planning activitiesand just having fun together. I don't want it to become dull because I thinkthe fun aspect is really important. I really enjoy the social events we have,like lock-ins, where we just hang out.
Sounds like the church is pretty important to you.
Yes, in fact I plan to become a UU minister some day. Right now I am mainlya writer and am working on a novel.
- Karen Patch