Dec-07
From Our Minister:
Nearly every week I receive a thank you note fromone of the non-profit organizations we havedesignated to receive a "Generous Congregation"offering, a percentage of our weekly Sunday servicecollection. We started this practice in 2002. A coupleof church leaders were inspired by the example of othercongregations and proposed that we try it here. Westarted out by giving 15% away; now we give 25%.
Each donation goes out with a letter that reads:
Our church has a practice of donating twenty-fivepercent of our weekly offering to a local charitableorganization. It is our way of affirming our belief that aUnitarian Universalist congregation serves not only ourown membership, but also the larger community.Weseek to grow in generosity and in service to others.
Your organization was selected recently to receive acontribution from our offering. The enclosed check isour gift to you. It comes with our gratitude to you for thegood work you do.
While some weekly offerings are larger than others,the cumulative effects have been huge. We have developedand strengthened our relationships with localnon-profits and made new contacts in our community.And every group that receives a donation from uslearns that this practice is part of our Unitarian Universalistphilosophy.
I am proud of the ways we give back to our largercommunity. Whether through the "Generous Congregation"offering, the hours of volunteer services we provideto local agencies, or our commitment to learningmore about what others need, our generosity is the singlemost important statement of faith we can make.
-- Judith Meyer
From Our President:
Building
1. Phase I of the building program, "the Cottage," iscomplete. Watch for tours and a celebration soon.
2. Phase II: the initial bid has been received with acost estimate of $2.7 million. Other bids are beingsolicited.
3. A condition of Phase II construction requiresunderground infrastructure for water retentionand drainage in the new courtyard area, estimatedto cost an additional $340 thousand.
4. We have capital campaign funds (received andpledged) in the amount of $1.3 million. We havereserve funds in the amount of $300 thousand.
5. The Building Committee, Ralph Mechur our architect,and O'Connor Construction are performing"value engineering" (that means looking for placesto cut costs) for Phase II and the courtyard construction.
6. The Building Committee will present a proposal atthe December board meeting on alternativeapproaches to the building program.
7. The Finance Committee is exploring the possibilityof a loan for the Building Program.
8. The Building Committee is being restructured intofour sub-committees: (1) Construction, (2) Design,(3) Finance, and (4) Congregational Concerns. TheNominating Committee is active in this process.
9. We have a great deal of research, discussion, anddeciding to do in the near future.
10. Concurrently, we have people and programs, theessence of our community, to support and tobuild. Our community is a very busy place.
During these Holidays, may you find pleasure ineach other.
With appreciation for what we are and for what wewill become,
- Ron Crane
Featured Articles:
UUCCSM Members and Friends Join March Against the Iraq War
Aspirited group of Unitarian Universalist CommunityChurch of Santa Monica members and friends joined thousandsof anti-war demonstrators marching in downtownLos Angeles to call for an end to the U.S. War on Iraq. The October27 protest was sponsored by a coalition of anti-war groups, led byANSWER.
Although our numbers were small (11), we raised the churchbanner high for everyone to see. Members of half a dozen other UUchurches greeted us when they saw our banner. Our hand-letteredsigns related the genocidal, anti-Muslim aspect of this war to theracist treatment of the African-American victims of Hurricane Katrinaand to the closing of Martin Luther King Hospital in Los Angeles.Along with many other demonstrators, we linked the war to theU.S. drive for control of theMiddle East and its oil wealth.
The L.A. march was small,around 10,000 people, comparedto the march in SanFrancisco, where 30,000 protesterscommandeered thestreets, but the commitment ofthe local demonstrators wasclear. We were disappointedthat more of our Unitarian-Universalist brothers and sistersdid not join us in thisprotest. Although there aremany ways - petitions, e-mailcampaigns, letters and visits tomembers of Congress - tovoice our opposition to thiswar, mass demonstrations arethe most impressive way toexpress the outrage that billionsof our dollars are beingspent to subjugate an entirepeople, and that thousands ofyoung working men andwomen are returning home toface a very difficult future - ifthey return home at all.
- Margaret Rhoads
Accessibility Committee Says, "Thanks"
We Heard You!
The accessibility committee thanks the 70 churchgoerswho responded to our October survey on accessibility.We are gratified to know that the Sunday servicesare more comfortable for many thanks to enhancementsalready in place, such as shortened pew rows toaccommodate wheelchair users, FM sound system, andlarge-print orders of service. However, you let us knowthat we should do better. Ratings showing "needs toimprove" included accessibility of the sanctuary (21%),seating (32%), hearing (28%), visibility of all parts of theservice (33%), restrooms (26%), and events held outsidethe church (26%). We also appreciate receivingindividual comments focusing on particular needs.
Committee members are eager to use these resultsto build on earlier improvements. Some will becomepart of longer-term projects. Carol Agate's "ChairChoice" article in the November newsletter explainedthe issue regarding seating. More immediately, work onthe ramp to the chancel should resume soon.
Also, Warren Mathews has generously agreed tolook into difficulties with the speakers and sound system.We encourage members to check out the assistivelistening devices, available in the office. No matterwhere you sit, you'll be able to hear just about everything.
The improvements identified above are largelyphysical. Accessibility means also that people with specialneeds should feel that they are fully accepted as anintegral part of the church. So we ask: if you have specialneeds, please explain them and ask for help. Andall of us should be sensitive to the needs of our fellowchurchgoers, and help them find the time, the space,and the accommodations that they need. As the Rev.Judith Meyer reminds us each Sunday, we intend tomake our congregation a welcoming place for all.
Committee members Sara van Dyck and Peggy Rhoads would welcome commentsor suggestions.
- Sara van Dyck
Letters to the Editors: "Shall We Change Our Name?"
We, the members of the Santa Monica YRUU, havediscussed the issue of the name change and would liketo share with you what we came up with. YRUU standsfor Young Religious Unitarian Universalists and is ourhigh school group. Please keep in mind, most ofus grew up in the church, went through Comingof Age, and many of us are members. We are lifelongUUs and have some strong feelingsabout this.
The first thing we did was look up"church" in the dictionary. American HeritageDictionary says "church - a buildingfor public worship." Using that definition,we are a church! Any attempt to somehowcover that up doesn't make any sense.Sure, the term "church" carries some baggagefor people, but hopefully by beingpart of our church, they can see the positivepart of going to church. What are we scared of?We are what a church should be - welcoming, supportive,and caring.
Also, what would we say instead? "Sunday morningI went to that religious community I belong to." Andwhat would Judith be the minister of? It just doesn'tmake sense and "church" really expresses who we are.
So in conclusion - we don't want to change it. Weare the Unitarian Universalist Community Church ofSanta Monica. It says it all.
- YRUU of Santa Monica
As I have been on my spiritual journey, the UUChurch of Santa Monica has been an important supportfor my exploration and learning about what isholy in our world.
For the past few years, I have felt an increasingrejection and lack of respect for the Christian traditionsthat many of us find meaningful. The statement is usuallythat "Christianity has hurt people deeply," but Idoubt that there is a faith tradition that hasn't hurtsomeone deeply, yet because of our shared traditions,it is easier to trash Christianity than, say, Buddhism orJudaism.
Last night I looked up Unitarian and Universalismin the Larousse Dictionary of Beliefs and Religions, andI was reminded why I chose the Unitarian UniversalistChurch as my chosen faith. Here is what it says:
"Unitarians: A religious group which, although inmany ways akin to Christianity, rejects the doctrines ofthe Trinity and the divinity of Christ."
"Universalism: The religious belief that all peoplewill be saved. It implies rejection of the traditionalChristian belief in hell. A feature of much contemporaryProtestant theology, it is motivated by moraldoubts concerning eternal punishment, and by arecognition of the validity of other non-Christian worldfaiths."
These definitions feel comfortable and perfect forme!
The simmering anti-Christianity and an evengreater atheism culture at the UU Church of SantaMonica has alienated me. Whilewe respect other religious traditions,we are snarky and dismissiveof Christian traditions.Although I do not believe Jesuswas more divine than, say,Jimmy Carter, I believe thatboth of these men reflect thehigher power of unconditionallove, the holiness ofcommunal action, and the worshipthese god forces deserve. Iwould never admit to these beliefsin a Sunday service, which is morelike a meeting or performance thanworship. The announcements, recognitions,applause, and whole servicesdevoted to non-worship activities are not what I wantto do on Sunday mornings! The removal of the multifaithbanners and the consideration of eliminating theword "church" from our name drive me further frommy spiritual home at the UU Church of SM.
In my independent religious exploration I havefound some brilliant and moving work by UU ministerswho identify as Christian. I wish they weren't in placeslike Kansas! I am a Unitarian Universalist who followsthe Universalist tradition of "recognizing the validity ofnon-Christian world faiths," as well as the Christiantradition. Like other faith traditions, Christianity hasmuch to teach us. I am especially interested in findingthe overlaps among the great faith traditions (grouppractice, kindness, self-reliance, and meditation cometo mind). Christianity deserves the respect of a UUcongregation, whether it calls itself a church or not.
I choose to belong to a church that is characterizedby ecumenical spiritual exploration and acceptanceof differing beliefs. I want my church to participatein the National Council of Churches, and as anadvocate for separation of church and state. I lovebelonging to a church that is a leader in welcoming allkinds of people, and that believes in sanctifying marriagesbetween two people who love each other,regardless of gender. I am proud to be part of a churchthat is a leader in the Religious Coalition for ReproductiveChoice. I am inspired by the variety of religioussymbols welcoming those of all faiths to our church.Most of all, I strive to respect and honor the truths andthe practices common to all world faiths. Churchshould be where that can happen.
-- Abby Arnold
How to Become a Member of the Church
There are many people on staff and in volunteerpositions that can help you with the decision of membership.Depending upon your interests and/or questions,you can set up a personal visit with our minister,the Rev. Judith Meyer; the volunteer coordinator forcongregational life, Marsha Smith; the director of religiouseducation, Catherine Farmer; our membershipcoordinator, Ofelia Lachtman; or our president, RonCrane.
To be a member you must reside within the PacificSouthwest District (PSWD) of the Unitarian UniversalistAssociation. You also must be at least 18 years ofage, or have successfully completed the church's Comingof Age program, and make a financial contributionof record, or a pledge to do so, to the Church. Havingmet these criteria, the specific path to membership isoutlined in the following steps:
Pick up and sign for a membership packet at theoffice or at the "Ask Me" center after the service. Whenyou sign and receive the packet, a person from ourmembership committee will contact you by phone toset up a membership appointment.
Decide upon your financial commitment level.Financial information on pages 15 and 16 of the packetwill help you with that decision. We understand this isa personal decision for you and one that can changeover time and as your situation permits. To be a memberof record you must pledge as little as one dollar peryear. Our fair-share giving guide, a part of the newmember packet, is what we ask our members to reviewbefore making their decision.
Sign a statement of intent to participate as a memberin the community life of the church.
Fill out the various forms in the membershippacket including the skills and interests survey so thatwe might better understand you and introduce you tothe programs and activities that align with your interests.Meet, if you like, with the minister of our congregation,the Rev. Judith Meyer.
Attend a 30-minute sign-in session where you willofficially sign the book of record and turn in your completedforms. Have your photo taken ata time convenient for you.
Be confirmed at the nextboard meeting (the secondTuesday of the month).
Receive a confirmation ofyour membership from ourpresident, currently RonCrane.
Be introduced by name tothe congregation in thenewsletter and at the firstservice following the boardmeeting.
Join the Women's Alliance
Continue the living tradition of women's programsat the Unitarian Universalist CommunityChurch of Santa Monica
News & Announcements:
Thank You...
Volunteers who areworking for our StewardshipProgram onthis year's operatingbudget drive: BronwenJones, RhondaPeacock, Laurel Bleak,Marsha Smith, Sanjeev Jain,Beth Rendeiro, Sue Bickford, Amy Thiel, Phyllis Kory,Linda Van Ligten, Julie Kinsinger, Karen Patch, JackiPaddock, Patricia Wright, Phil Bonacich, Rob Briner,Victor Paddock, Carol Agate, Jacki Weber, Ron Crane,Ofelia Lachtman, and Carlos Morales.
Adults who helped with the YRUU (Young ReligiousUnitarian Universalists) Halloween Dance: MargotPage, Dorothy Steinecke, Leah Moore, Iris Jue,MelissaWeaver, Jacki Paddock, Linda Van Ligten, Debbie Menzies,Kris Langabeer, Gretchen Goetz, Cindee Hallinan,Anne Hanson,Tom Kafka, Chris Brown, SarahGaillot, Karen Patch, Janie Spencer, and Liza Cranis.Their support of our youth program is a great gift toour entire congregation and to UNICEF, which receivedthe $400 raised that day.
Thanks to the people who helped us with the task ofclearing everything out of the 17th Street property,which is set to be demolished shortly: Sanjeev Jain,Cheyton Jain,Marv Pulliam, S.J. Guidotti, Ron Crane,John Fels, Kathy Cook,Melanie Sharp, Karl Lisovsky,Bill Dimpfl, Ren Renshaw, and Sandra Trutt.
Thanks also to people who helped to move and sortmusic and religious education materials: Beth Rendeiro,Liza Cranis, Bronwen Jones, Rima Snyder, NorbGallery, and to our conscientious staff, who madeevery deadline.
Undy Sundays are Coming
In the past you have provided hundreds of underwearitems for men, women, and children in need.While used clothing is distributed regularly, underwearis not included. That is why new underwear is so welcomefor those who finally get access to a shower.
Underwear you have contributed has been distributedto the OPCC, the Access Center, Sojourn, Step Upon Second, and the rape crisis center at Santa MonicaUCLA Hospital.
As you go about shopping for the holidays, keep aneye out for sales in underwear. Your contributions willbe collected on every Sunday in January. Let the spiritof the holidays extend to those most in need.
- Gerrie Lambson
From the Archives:
Peace Site
On May 4, 1986, this congregation approved the followingresolution, designating this church as a peace site:
Be it hereby resolved that we, the members of theUnitarian Community Church of Santa Monica, identifyour church as a "peace site" and that we commit ourselvesto being "peacemakers." By virtue of these designationswe dedicate ourselves and our church to the pursuitof peace in the nuclear age. This shall include, but not belimited to, learning to live together in peace as individuals,as well as learning to live in peace with all ofhumankind.We do not expect this process to be simple oreasy and we make this commitment with the full understandingthat our world is diverse and complex. As muchas anything this represents a new commitment to fullyunderstanding the complexities of the nuclear age and todoing our best to use our knowledge and insight for thecommon good and for the survival of the human race.
This dedication was celebrated here on October 5,1986.
We Say Farewell to Pulpit Custom-Built for Ernie Pipes
In the fall of 1967, board chair Roscoe Guernseyand member Frank Rohloff delivered a new pulpit toour church. It was designed by Mr. Rohloff as a gift, toaccommodate a 6' 1" minister, the Rev. Ernie Pipes. Itwas used in our sanctuary until January 2002, when anew, adjustable pulpitwas dedicated inmemory of EdwardRutowski. Fortyyears later, in thefall of 2007, the"Pipes' pulpit" wasgiven to Camp deBenneville Pinesalong with othersurplus furnitureand items that couldnot be saved or usedin UUCCSM's newbuilding plan.
- Rob Briner
Green Living Committee:
Holiday Gatherings with the Earth in Mind
As the holiday season is upon us, let us be mindfulof the environment as we gather with friends and family.Here are some things we can do to ease the impactof our lifestyle on the rest of the world.
1. Try to reduce buying in general and reuse what youalready have.
2. Think about your trash output ahead of time andsee if you can reduce the amount of trash yourevent produces.You can:
Splinters from the Board:
Joyce Holmen and Melissa Weaver presented thenew banners to the board, along with the plan forhanging them. The board was delighted with the resultsof the Committee on Religious Symbolism and madeplans for hanging the new banners and presentingthem to the congregation.
Melinda Ewen reported that Richard Boothe andRuth Robinson-Deen have moved, and Joshua Foutsresigned. Erin Temple, Jenniffer Glover, P. Susan Dillon,and S. Jade Bailey have joined our congregation, givingus a total membership of 445.
Melinda also reported that we are solidly in theblack at this time, largely because of advance paymentof pledges, increases in rental and savings income, andsavings on positions yet to be filled.
Rebecca Crawford reported for the Finance Committeethat plans for the annual audit are progressing,and they are investigating the possibility of taking out aloan to complete the next step in the building plans.
Carol Kerr reported that final inspection of the cottageis proceeding and the Certificate of Occupancy isexpected any day. Plans for Phases II-III are to be formalized.Ron Crane agreed to present the status to thecongregation in the newsletter.
The board approved the job description for the preschoolteacher position.
S.J. Guidotti presented a proposal for restructuringthe Building Committee with four subcommittees forDesign, Construction, Finance, and CongregationalConcerns. The Nominating Committee is to identifyindividuals with skills and interest on these areas, andthe board will approve appointments. The CongregationalConcerns Committee will address issues of leavingas small a carbon footprint as possible, limitingwater usage, and ensuring accessibility to facilities andprograms. Unlike the other committees, this subcommitteewill be open to any member of the congregation.The board approved this proposal.
- Geralyn Lambson
Other UU News & Events:
23rd Latin American Encuentro -- Immigrants: The Call for Justice
The 23rd Latin America Encuentro, sponsored bythe UUSC (Unitarian Universalist Service Committee)Southern California Unit, addressed the question: howcan the UU community respond to the threatening situationconfronted by immigrants, who have been subjectto raids at their homes and workplaces, detentions,and deportation, in many cases resulting in separationfrom their children and other members of their families?Moises Escalante, of the Interfaith Coalition forImmigrant Rights, described the immigrant experienceand pointed out the contributions of immigrants,including the fact that undocumented immigrantscontribute an estimated $7 billion to Social Securityand $1.5 billion to Medicare annually.
In the keynote address, the Rev. Alexia Salvatierra,executive director of CLUE (Clergy and Laity Concernedfor Economic Justice) stressed the importanceof making immigrants visible and giving them a voice,and described the trajectory of four undocumentedimmigrants who have sought sanctuary through theNew Sanctuary Movement. There are now 37 cities thathave sanctuary churches, and there are five in SouthernCalifornia. At least two of them have been targetedby demonstrations by Minutemen and other right winggroups. (Further information on the New SanctuaryMovement can be found at www.newsanctuarymovement.org)
Peter Schey, attorney and president/executivedirector of Center for Human Rights and ConstitutionalLaw, discussed the need for a comprehensive immigrationreform that would, among other provisions, provideopportunities for undocumented immigrants witha clean record to legalize their status, and create a systemfor a rational distribution of visas that meet laborneeds in the U.S. Several immigrant rights, labor, andcommunity groups met in January 2007 and drew up aproposal, the Unity Blueprint for Immigration Reform,available at www.unityblueprint.org, identifying theissues that should be included in such a reform.
Conditions in the San Pedro detention center, oneof the centers where immigrants rounded up by immigrationauthorities are held pending deportation, weredescribed by Dominique Quevedo, an attorney. As shepointed out, many immigrants have been forcibly separatedfrom their families through roundups at theirhomes or workplaces. Those whose hearings are pendingare entitled to be bonded out; the Immigration TaskForce of the Southern California UUSC is trying to raisefunds for bond money. (A few days after the Encuentro,the San Pedro center was shut down without warningto detainee families or their lawyers, and detaineesmoved to other detention centers as far away as Texas.According to authorities, the measure is a temporaryone for preventive maintenance and the center will bereopened in four to six weeks.)
The Encuentro, which took place on October 13,also included workshops indicating how people canbecome involved in different initiatives on behalf ofimmigrants.
- Nora Hamilton
RE News:
From Our DRE
As the holidays approach eachyear, I think more and moreabout what makes a placehome. California has been my home for a dozen yearsnow, but still I "go home" to Georgia to visit my familyfor the holidays. My home at the church has been thelittle office upstairs for the past four years, but now I'mmoving out, into the new space in our newly finishedcottage. How long will it be before it feels like home?
This month we're thinking hard about our buildingplans as well as how we'll live in the space that we havefor the time being. Everything's in flux, and as we graduallymove our RE program over to the cottage I'mmindful of the importance of creating a welcominghome for the children and youth of our community.This move is a big step in the right direction, and wewant to make sure that from the moment our youngpeople step into their new classrooms they know thatthis is a home that we've created just for them. As weget the rooms ready, some of the older classes willbegin meeting in the cottage right away, but our preschooland elementary programs will wait to start thenew year in their new space, so we have time to get itjust right. So this month we'll be moving furniture, puttingup bulletin boards, filling shelves with books andsupplies, and decorating the walls in anticipation ofour official launch of RE in the cottage at the beginningof January.
We may have some hard decisions to make aboutour facility in the future, but I know that whatever wedecide, this church will continue to be a safe and nurturinghome for all of us as we live our liberal religiousvalues both within our own community and out in thelarger world. I look forward to the next year, and manymore, at home here at UUCCSM with all of you.
Holiday Toy Drive
On Sundays, December 2 and 9, we'll be collectingtoys for the Santa Monica Head Start program's holidayparty. This year we need approximately 35 unisex giftsthat are new, unopened, and unwrapped for three- tofive-year-olds. This year we're taking signups so weknow how many gifts to expect. Please sign up onNovember 25 or December 2 at the Head Start table inForbes Hall during coffee hour, or contact Catherine.
-- Catherine Farmer
December RE Star - Zac Geoffray
Did you know that December REShining Star Zac Geoffray representedthe Boy Scouts soap-boxderby contest on theJay Leno Show?Well, his car wasn't thefastest, but it was the mostcreative. He used a bird themeincorporating a beak and feathers.Because of this creativity his carwas chosen above all others. Theproducers were so impressed byZac that they invited him back again the following year.WOW! He can now be found cavorting with the youngstersin the kindergarten through second grade class at9 a.m. His positive disposition, creativity, confidence,and sense of humor serve him well in working with hisyoung students.
Zac is "giving back" to our community in the veryclass he first attended when his family joined our community11 years ago. He had enjoyed his experience asan RE student so much that during his Coming of Ageyear he started assisting in the preschool class. Heassisted almost every week for two years. Then Zactaught a wonderful lesson to the K through 2nd gradeclass on one of the Five Senses last summer. During hisclass on taste his young charges had a great timetouching a plastic tongue and tasting a variety of foodswhich were sweet, bitter, or salty. The kids thoroughlyenjoyed themselves.
Zac is a sophomore at Santa Monica High Schoolwhere he enjoys Latin and Choir classes. He also lovesacting and will be performing in SAMOHI's upcomingproduction of "Bye Bye Birdie." He has also performedwith the Santa Monica Shakespeare's productions of "AComedy of Errors" and "Richard III." Next summer hewill move from volunteering with kids to a paid gig as ateaching assistant at Rustic Canyon Performing ArtsCamp, combining two of his loves - kids and theater.
We are grateful for Zac's work with our children andhope that he will continue. He is a shining star in somany ways.
Friendly Beasts Pageant Update
The Friendly Beasts,preschoolers through5th graders, will continuetheirrehearsals of TheFriendly Beasts Song" for the holidaypageant, which occurs December 23 at both services.
Below is the rehearsal schedule:
Dec. 2 and 9 - Preschoolers and K