Feb-04
From Our Minister:
One Sunday morning in January, I met with our Coming of Age group, young people(13 to 14 years old) in our congregation who are learning about what it meansto be Unitarian Universalist. It’s a time when religious identity andindependence merge and they begin to claim our tradition for their own.
There are 10 participants in the program this year. They are a bright, thoughtful,and creative group. One of them chose the program and our church entirely onher own. She is the only member of her family who is a Unitarian Universalist!
During the time I spent with the group, we talked about how we became UnitarianUniversalists. I asked them, “What is your story about how you came toour church?” And I told them my story.
As I listened to them, I realized how formative this Coming of Age year is.This is the time when the meaning of belonging, of being accepted, of formingopinions and values, all comes together. For me, it was a time when I beganto understand how much the Unitarian Universalist community meant to me. A lifelongsense of loyalty was grounded in my experience.
Who can say what will come of the experience our Coming of Age group has thisyear? Perhaps one of them will become a minister. More important, each of themwill become aware of the values that shape their lives and community. If theylearn how to enter fully into both, the program will have achieved its goal.
-- Judith Meyer
Featured Articles:
Planned giving is part giving and part receiving. As a church we have not decidedhow to go about the receiving.Many UU organizations have an endowment fund. Other UU organizations use a reservefund. Some allocateaccording to the governing board. Some allocate according to an Endowment Committee.Both forms require theeventual approval of the church membership.
What are we going to do?
The board of directors distributed a recent bequest in the way they consideredto be the best form of allocation.There was disagreement about that decision and discussion about the processthat we use or don’t use in such situations.
In a forthcoming revision of the bylaws, the issue of planned giving and allocationof received monies will be formulated.Proposals will be made. Discussion will be promoted. We will vote on bylawsand resolutions that will provide forthe will of our democratic community.
What is your opinion?
What are our choices?
If you give money to the church in the form of a planned gift, how do youwant it to be used?
If you receive money given to the church, how do you want it to be used?
There is much to be learned about giving and receiving. We’ll probablylearn something about ourselves in theprocess.
We need to talk!
For further information contact Ron Crane or call the churchoffice at (310) 829-5436.
—Ron Crane, Chair, Planned Giving Committee
Bidding Dates: Sunday, February 22, and Sunday, February29, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.; 12:00 to 1:15 p.m.
| Date | Host | Event | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, March 6 | Van den Beemt/McDonald | Swiss Fondue | 6:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, March 20 | Kernochan | Mediterranean Culinary Cruise | 7:00 p.m. |
| Sunday, March 21 | Rendeiro/DePaul | Ping Pong Tournament/Supper | 3:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, March 27 | Berry | Spring Brunch/Howlett Smith on Piano | 11:00 a.m. |
| Saturday, March 27 | Van den Beemt/McDonald/Guidotti/Ewen | Hike/Champagne Brunch | 9:00 a.m. |
| Sunday, March 28 | Trutt | Afternoon Tea & Victorian Party Games | 2:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, April 3 | Steinicke | Picnic & Wildflower Walk | 1:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, April 3 | Nyquist/Gates | Five Course Northern Italian Dinner | 6:30 p.m. |
| Sunday, April 4 | Jung | Rustic German Lunch with Ocean View | 12:45 p.m. |
| Sunday, April 4 | Elahi | Dinner with a Persian Accent | 7:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, April 10 | Lim/Shinno/Burrows | Celebrate This Chinese Year | 6:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, April 17 | Nardoni | Dinner at Our Enchanted Cottage | 12:30 p.m. |
| Sunday, April 18 | Olson | Sunday Brunch at the Bel Air Bay Club | 12:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, April 24 | Kory | California Cuisine on the Grill | 6:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, April 24 | Fels/Crane | Elegant, Intimate Dinner Party | 6:30 p.m. |
| Sunday, April 25 | Bonacich | Games, Volleyball, Croquet with Lunch | 1:00 p.m. |
| Sunday, April 25 | Loran | Northern Italian Dinner with a View | 6:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, May 1 | Bleak/Smith | Kentucky Derby/Mint Julep Brunch | 12:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, May 1 | Wright/Frank | Famous Artists' Favorite Foods Dinner | 6:30 p.m. |
| Sunday, May 2 | Bjornlie | Sunday Seafood Supper | 6:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, May 8 | Lisovsky/Goodwin | Bridge Buffet |
5:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, May 15 | Bamford | Dinner & a Movie: Lord of the Rings I | 5:30 p.m. |
| Friday, May 21 | Agate | Watch the Grunion Run/Chinese Buffet | 8:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, May 22 | Mengert | Sailing and Light Supper | 1:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, May 22 | Stone | Wine and Cheese in Rose Garden/Dinner | 6:00 p.m. |
| Sunday, May 23 | Boothe/Varga | Chef Richard's Turkey Lasagna | 5:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, May 29 | Hanson/McGuire | Italian dinner/Art, Music and Wine | 6:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, June 5 | Choir | Gilbert & Sullivan/English Tea | 7:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, June 6 | Lambson | Kosher Brunch | 1:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, June 12 | Voegtlen/Dietz | Bob & Dean's Super Pancake Breakfast | 10:00 a.m. |
| Saturday, June 26 | Foster | Sushi & Gourmet Fish Night & Walk | 6:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, July 3 | Beckett | Thai-Italian Dinner/Entertainment | 5:00 p.m. |
| Friday, July 9 | Pulliam | 4-Course Vegetarian Dinner | 7:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, July 10 | Anderson | Dinner at the Jonathan Club in Malibu | 6:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, July 17 | Van den Beemt/Giffen/McDonald | Spanish Paella Dinner | 6:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, July 17 | Donahue/Murphy | Retro 1950s Dinner & Cocktails | 7:00 p.m. |
| Sunday, July 18 | Ward | Brunch at Shanghai Red's Restaurant | 1:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, July 24 | Voegtlen | Sailing to Visit the Seals with Lunch | 11:00 a.m. |
| Saturday, July 24 | Foster | E steamed Evening & Moonlight Walk | 7:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, July 24 | Kashmer-Stiebing/Ring/Malich | Foods of Thailand Dinner | 7:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, July 31 | Chipman | Champagne Lunch | 12:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, July 31 | Crawford | Gourmet Greek Dinner | 6:30 p.m. |
| Sunday, August 1 | Nyquist | Ladies Night at the Heated Pool/Dinner | 5:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, August 7 | Arnold/Prichard/Lane | Southern California Wine & Food | 6:00 p.m. |
| Sunday, August 8 | Bickel | Mid-Summer Vegetarian Brunch | 12:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, August 14 | Kerr | Evening in Bangkik Thai Dinner | 7:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, August 28 | Giffen | Fourth Annual Gourmet Cajun Feast | 6:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, September 11 | Patch/Harati/Paddock | Beach Barbecue/Dockweiler Beach | 5:00 p.m. |
| Sunday, September 12 | Lisovsky/Goodwin/Van Ligten/Wood | End of Summer Picnic/Games for Kids | 1:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, September 18 | March/Clark | Renaissance Role-Playing Feast | 4:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, September 25 | Nakajima/Snyder | Sushi Making & Karaoke Party | 6:30 p.m. |
| Sunday, October 3 | Paddock | Napa Valley Brunch | 1:00 p.m. |
| Sunday, October 10 | Saldo | Italian Sunday Supper | 12:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, October 16 | Machnik | Oktoberfest Dinner/Beer, Wine & Music | 6:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, October 23 | MacQueen | Beach Walk at Sunset/Autumn Dinner | 5:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, October 30 | Van Ligten/Alison | Day of the Dead Celebration Dinner | 7:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, November 6 | Chipman | Autumn Penne Dinner | 7:00 p.m. |
| Bed/Breakfast | Layton | McKinleyville, CA (Humboldt County) | June/August/September |
| Camp de Benneville Pines | Two Weekends | ||
| Restaurants | Casa Blanca | ||
| Melisse |
News & Announcements:
Our Coffee and Tea Help Small Farmers
You may have noticed the Equal Exchange poster next to the coffee pots in ForbesHall on Sunday mornings. We are now buying all our coffee and tea through theUUSC Coffee Project, a program to help small farmers in Latin America, Asiaand Africa. For every case we purchase, Equal Exchange makes a contributionto UUSC programs which support the human rights and social justice work of communitybasedcooperatives in coffee-growing regions. So we are sharing fellowship with ourglobal neighbors as we help them to help themselves. “Every cup is a cupof justice!”
It would be greatly appreciated if everyone using the kitchen would returnthings to their original places. There is a list on the wall that is still prettyaccurate. I do come in once a week to check supplies and the cupboards. Somedays it is discouraging and takes me nearly two hours, but if the kitchen getscompletely out of order, it will be frustrating and a waste of time having tosearch for what you need.
Thank you for your cooperation.
—Ellen Boag
Undy Sunday Was a Big Success
Thanks to all who contributed so generously to the underwear collection onJanuary 11. While the need could be endless, we were able to contribute: formen 74 pairs of briefs/boxers, 22 crew neck shirts, and six pairs of socks;for women 91 pairs of underpants, six pairs of socks/hose, one bra; for childrenone footed sleeper, one one-piece romper, six onesies shirts, 30 pair girl’sbriefs, 15 pair boy’s briefs. The underwear will go to the Cold/Wet WeatherShelter.
— Gerrie Lambson
Who Wants to Be an Editor?
The newsletter needs new editors. We have a wonderful staff of writers, designers,and proofreaders. We now need someone to coordinate their work and put eachissue together. Two people who can alternate months would be ideal. Requirements:the editors be computer literate, experienced in writing/editing, able to meetdeadlines, able to coordinate and organize, and able to devote a good portionof seven days each month to edit, headline, and make a rough page layout ofthe newsletter copy before sending it to the designers. If you are interested,or have questions, please email us at newsletter@uusm.org.
—Carol Agate and Paula Bernstein
Building News:
Building Additions, Improvements Estimated at $1.8 Million
The congregation met on Sunday, January 25, to review plans and status ofthe building program. The good news is much progress has been made toward realizinga better and more usable facility for the congregation. Everyone who spoke alsoemphasized there is still much work to be done. The Rev. Judith Meyer said thatthe Building Committee has done tremendous work toward making additions andimprovements a reality.
Carol Kerr, board president, opened the meeting citing three truths: first,the congregation still must approve final plans, budget and process before constructioncan begin; second, design and costs will change, based on changes requestedby the city and by cost considerations identified by the contractor; and third,the true cost of the building program will not be known until the last invoiceis paid, because this is just the nature of construction projects. Current projectestimate is $1.8 million.
Barbara Kernochan, Building Committee Chair, described the process as a smallbuilding project with the complications of a large project, mostly the resultof its urban setting. She said that Wednesday, March 3 is the tentative datefor presenting the project to the Planning Commission and hopes that the congregationand neighbors will come out then to support the project. Barbara said the churchhas received a very supportive letter from UCLA Santa Monica Hospital. She anticipatesa second Planning Commission appearance before the plan can be approved.
Barbara said there is much planning still to do, including determining whetherto overlap construction of the 17th Street building with additions and changesto the church and Forbes Hall, which may shorten construction time but wouldimpose other logistics issues.
Architect Ralph Mechur presented plans and drawings describing the interactionthat must take place with the city and then with the contractor before constructioncan begin. If every step goes perfectly, construction might start this summerand would take between 10 and 14 months to complete.
—Nels Hanson
Faith in Action News:
Volunteersfrom our church provided casseroles and cookies for 150 homeless men and womenat the Culver City Cold/Wet Shelter on the evening of January 1. First theygathered at the home of Beverly Alison, the coordinator, who providedsnacks and drinks before the whole group delivered the dinners to the shelter.
Splinters from the Board:
Pledges are $17,000 behind forecast
Treasurer’s Report: Carol Agate reported that $94,000was received in December for the capital campaign fund. Operating pledge receiptsfor 2004 were $17,000 below the forecast. Receipts from scrip sales are lessthan were budgeted, stemming from the supermarket strike.
Interweave: Judy Federick presented preliminary artwork thathas been selected as a design starter for a banner to be constructed by a groupled by Joyce Holmen and to be used at events such as Gay Pride and within thechurch building. Display within the building will be coordinated with the Designand Decor Committee.
Bylaws and Policies Committee: Charles Haskell reviewed theevolution of the new Bylaws and Policies Committee since it was formed in Februaryat the request of the board. He emphasized that the regular first Tuesday meetingis open to guests as a model of transparency that the committee is fostering.The overall goal is a three-tiered manual with hard copies available in thechurch office and all documents available on the church website. Input is solicitedwhen new or changed policy is needed.
Nominating Committee: Kathy Cook reported on a project toprovide biographical information about nominees to help the congregation bemore comfortable about potential board members. Charles Haskell will help preparea one-page pictorial description of the slate. In May all officers plus members-at-large—except Ron Crane, Andy Stewart and Pat Parkerton, who are in mid-term—willbe elected at the annual meeting.
Accessibility Committee: An Accessibility Committee was formedto conduct a mini-audit of our building, grounds and attitudes about accessibilityto the disabled. Volunteers for this group include Pat Parkerton, Carol Agate,and Carol Kerr. Additional participants will be sought through the order ofservice and the newsletter.
Building Committee Update: Barbara Kernochan will facilitatethe January 25 Town Hall meeting to address the status of the building plans,city permit process, and capital campaign. Quarterly Town Hall meetings andregular newsletter articles are planned. Building plans have been posted inForbes Hall. These actions are designed to increase congregational awarenessof the committee’s work and to foster congregational feedback. It wasalso suggested that focus groups be conducted to consider design elements forthe project.
Carol Agate reported that one contractor has advised us that it will be cheaperto conduct work on the new 17th St. building and sanctuary remodeling at thesame time, rather than to phase the project. This may necessitate finding analternative site to hold services and meetings for a period of up to one year.
Carol Kerr reported that speakers are being lined up for the City Hall hearing.Charles Haskell may be asked to make an address about the contributions of ourchurch to the local community.
—Melinda Ewen, secretary, Board of Directors
RE News:
From theDesk of the DRE
On the first Sunday of every month, while adults are in the sanctuary, thechildren in our “Way Cool Sunday School” program gather for theirown worship service. It doesn’t look much like worship in the sanctuary,though. This one is messier, louder, more chaotic.
Worship, wrote Jacob Trapp, is “the mystery within us reaching out tothe mystery beyond.” Worship is coming together in celebration of thejoy and mystery and wonder of the world. With the kids, I call it “celebratingbeing you and being UU.” We celebrate special times of the year together,such as in October when we shared memories of special people and pets we wantto remember and then tasted the traditional Day of the Dead bread and chocolatedrink. We also celebrate being ourselves, as we did when we had a “gifts”worship and shared with one another what special gifts we bring to church justby being who we are, and then created gifts to take along on a visit to a localnursing home. We celebrate the wonder and beauty of life and living in all itsvibrancy and, yes, its silliness.
Think about what brought you to this church, about the things that make youfeel spiritually connected and electrically alive. Kids experience those thingstoo, and we need to be intentional about sharing a language of spiritualitywith them. That language includes ritual and tradition, but mostly, for kids,it is concerned with celebration and recognition that something special happenswhen we come together at church.
And that’s what I look for when I lead children in worship. I want tohave a room full of noisy, bouncy, silly kids who know how to play and laughand live together. That tells me that we’re getting it right – thatthe kids know that they belong, know that they are home. That church is safeand comfortable and fun. Our kids know what celebration is all about. They knowwhat worship is.
It’s time, though, to expand the horizons – what excites and inspiresyou? What can YOU bring in celebration to our kids? I’m in need of peopleto join me in dreaming up and carrying out these worship services. And here’smy big secret – spending a couple of hours each month playing in earnestwith a room full of children is part of what keeps me spiritually alive, remindsme what this faith, this community, this life are for. Could you use a reminder,too? If so, get in touch quickly because I’ve got space for only a fewof you. Find me on Sunday, call me at the church, or e-mail me. Come and play!
— Catherine Farmer
Come and Learn about RE
Have you ever wondered what Religious Education is all about? All newcomersto our church community, as well as interested members, are invited to attendan introduction to Religious Education at UUCCSM on Sunday, February 22, from12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in the sanctuary anteroom.We’ll explore RE philosophyand its embodiment of UU principles, as well as provide an overview of the programsand classes offered for our children and youth.
Whether you’re a parent considering becoming a member of UUCCSM, a memberinterested in learning about being an RE volunteer, or are just interested inlearning about what goes on upstairs on Sunday mornings, this is the place tofind answers to your questions. RSVP to Catherine Farmer.
Coming next month: Covenant Groups workshop
The Covenant Group Learning Series workshop will be held on four consecutiveWednesdays in March from 7 to 9 p.m. The dates are March 3, 10, 17, and 24.
This workshop is an opportunity to explore and experience the way CovenantGroups are grounded in Unitarian Universalist history and theology, and howthey actually work. Join us in taking this important step toward creating asustainable Small Group Ministry at UUCCSM.
Registration is limited to 12, and a commitment to attendance for each of thefour meetings is required. To register by the deadline, February 22, leave anote in the office for Intern Minister the Rev. Stefanie Etzbach-Dale,including your name and phone number.
Fun in the Mountains for Younger Children
The Pacific Southwest District (PSWD)/de Benneville Pines Elementary WinterCamp, “My Heart Is In the Mountains,” February 14-16, is a greatintroduction into the UU camp experience. The staff is headed by Karla Brockie,director of religious education at Northwest Tucson UU Church. Elementary-schoolchildren will enjoy snow play, hot chocolate, crafts, worship, capture-the-flaggames, and new friends from all over the district. Registration fee is $125.To download a registration form, visit http://www.debenneville.org.