Jun-05
From Our Minister:
Here are excerpts from my annual report, delivered at our congregationalmeeting May 15:
This year, I note with appreciation how many members of our congregation havehelped to create an environment of shared ministry, which has made our churcha more caring and vital community. This year we have launched two new programs,the Small Group Ministry Program and the Telephone Outreach Program. These initiativesconfirm what we already know: that the ministry of our church is truly a collaborativeeffort.
I enjoy the challenges and opportunities of my ministry with all of you. Ispend most of my time preparing Sunday services, providing pastoral care toour congregation, creating rites of passage, and supporting church leadership,staff, and programs. The professional work of ministry takes my time as well.When the Rev. Kathleen Owens, the new assistant minister at Neighborhood Church,asked me to be her mentor, I readily agreed. The UU credentialing body, theFellowship Committee, requires a formal mentoring relationship for those intheir first three years of ministerial fellowship. After that, we're on ourown. It's a good reason to have a Committee on Ministry-Judy Federick, AnneGustafson, and Shawn Kerr-who keep me focused on my goals and suggest correctionsas needed.
I also serve on a UUA funding panel, the Fund for Unitarian Universalism, whichmakes grants to congregational programs. Locally I am involved in the faithbasedinitiatives supporting low-wage workers and the Unitarian Universalist LegislativeMinistry of California.
Next year will be a different experience for all of us. I will be taking afour-month sabbatical and you will have the Rev. Jim Grant as your weekend minister.A church provides both leadership and financial resources to allow a ministerto take sabbatical time and I thank each and every one of you for this opportunity.Most of all, I thank Carol Kerr for being willing to serve as president fora third term, which should help to minimize any disruption my absence may cause.
I read now the names of members of our church who have died in the past year.With each name is a lifetime of remembrances and gratitude for the time theywere among us. Will you please now rise in their honor:
Elizabeth Hoag
Esther Kalver
Diana Keller
Karen Raiford
Lois Thorne
Dean Voegtlen
May the spirit of these companions live on in us, as we carry forward our commoncommitment to a Unitarian Universalist way of life faithful to the words ofour covenant: "Love is the doctrine of this church."
-- Judith Meyer
Featured Articles:
Join the movement afoot to strengthen our community in ways we've always hoped.
"Stewardship begins when a first-time visitor arrives at church, becomes amember and extends throughout the life of the congregation, including estateplanning and bequest options. Stewardship is an essential ministry of the church,an integral part of congregational life . . ." writes Michael Durall, author,"The Almost Church."
The Stewardship Committee is interested in using stewardship's tools-service,community and charitable giving to transform lives. Inspired (and in some cases,agitated) by Michael Durall's book, the committee and friends who joined usfor a book discussion on May 11 came up with a number of initiatives to undertakein coming months.
Interested in finding out more? Join a new Yahoo Group and keep abreast ofwhat's happening. No need to join a committee. No need to make a commitment.(Unless you want.)
It's easy to join. Simply visit the stewardship website at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/uusm_stewardshipand click on "Join this group" in the upper right-hand corner. There you canregister for Yahoo Groups (if you haven't already) and then sign up for uusm_stewardship.You can receive posts as they are sent, or in daily digests (when there aremultiple posts in a day, you'll receive them all at once), or never. Then whenyou visit the page, you can see the conversations that have taken place anda calendar of upcoming stewardshiprelated activities.
If you don't have e-mail, but you're interested in stewardship's work, pleasecall me.
- Jacki Weber
Small Group Ministry -- View from the Inside:
How did the program come into being at UUCCSM?
It all began when Intern Minister Stefanie Etzbach- Dale got the green lightfrom the Rev. Judith Meyer to explore interest among the congregation. Stefanie'sintensive research ensured that we would have a solid foundation for the program,and Small Group Ministry (SGM) has become one of the important legacies of hertenure at our church.
After assembling the pieces from her research efforts, Stefanie started witha small group of church members, explaining the vision, purposes, and structureof SGM as it is followed throughout the UU community. Those interested membersbecame the core group to finally launch SGM at UUCCSM.
Covenant Groups, per se, are the tip of the SGM iceberg and they are the operatingunits and the raison d'etre. However they would be unable to function effectivelyif it weren't for the preparation and ongoing work done by the Covenant GroupImplementation Team (CGIT), the core group started to launch SGM and the committeethat now sustains it.
The CGIT, after a month of "learning" meetings and armed with a stack of paperwork,met as a task force to shape and define covenant groups for UUCCSM and givethem form and life. The CGIT took the blueprint and began planning, trying newideas, learning, and fleshing out our program.
The rest is history. Two new Covenant Groups are underway and the initial twoare still meeting. More new groups will form in September. The program is aliveand well, and the CGIT is the invisible hand at work behind the scenes to ensurethe continuing success of SGM at our church.
For example, the CGIT has developed and/or assembled the following items:
News & Announcements:
Save Items for Men's Group Rummage Sale on Sept. 23
The UUCCSM Men's Group has scheduled a rummage sale to raise money for thechurch. It will be held in Forbes Hall on Friday evening, September 23, forchurch members only, and opened to the general public on Saturday, September24, at 9 a.m. Meanwhile, it's not too early to start sorting and saving salableitems you no longer need. Contact Ed Field if you wish to donateitems for sale, or if you would like to help out. We could use extra hands,a dolly, and a truck.
Our Capital Campaign Need You
The Capital Campaign is in full bloom. Have you completed your pledge sheet?Members of the Capital Campaign committee are in Anderson Courtyard each Sundaybefore and after services. Walk right up and complete your pledge sheet. Nowis the chance to build our church and our community. Your participation is whatmakes it work. Contactl Ron Crane. Build now.
Volunteers are Needed for Stefanie's Reception
If you can donate finger foods (appetizers, small sandwiches, cookies, etc.)for the reception following Stefanie Etzbach-Dale's ordination, please contactKit Shaw. And don't forget you are all invited to the ordinationand celebration on Sunday, June 19, at 7 p.m. There will be enough time forthose who go to Camp de Benneville Pines to also attend the ordination.
Your Unclaimed Raffle Prizes May Be Picked Up on June 5
Many of the prizes in the shopping bag raffle remain unclaimed. The unidentifiedtickets are the following:
Trader Joe tote bag-2883
Japanese vase-2878
Museum stationery-2926
TV turntable-2813
Cassette player-3082
Hair brush-2900
Book light-2817
Cassette player with radio-2734
Combo drive-2733
Storage cabinet-2780
Lenox sugar and creamer-2736
Prizes may be picked up after both services on June 5. Check the order of serviceannouncements. Prizes that remain unclaimed after a few weeks will be addedto the September rummage sale.
The total proceeds from the raffle were $280, which will go into the church'sgeneral fund to make a tiny dent in this fiscal year's deficit. The raffle hada mix of costly and inexpensive items and showed that we do much better on costlyitems. A future raffle may be held for items worth at least $100. Please contactCarol Agate if you have something to contribute.
Learn How to Use the Web; Teach How to Use the Web
People who subscribe to the newsletter online receive it about a week earlierthan others and see it in color. Some people in our congregation don't subscribebecause they don't understand computers or cannot afford them.
Computers are available at the public library, and we may have members whowould like to receive their newsletters there. If you would like to give peoplea lesson in accessing the internet at the public library, please contact CarolAgate to volunteer. You don't have to be a techie. All you need dois show people how to open a free e-mail account on Yahoo, or one of the otherservices, how to get their e-mail after they have their account, and how toaccess the internet.
If you are one of the people who would like to see the newsletter in color,or have any other reason for wanting to learn how to use the library computers,also contact Carol.
Jobs, Anyone?
Our church youth are looking for summer employment and internships. If youor your company can employ intelligent, hard working, principled and eager youngpeople, contact Ron Crane. UU Youth are available for interviews.
Building News:
Our Building Fund Received..
...a grant of $25,000 from Spirit Level Foundation, a group of UUs in San Diegowho support worthwhile church construction projects.
From the Archives:
Here's a Brief Review of Our Building History
As we embark on remodeling our building and constructing a separate one forRE classes, it's a good time to review how we got here and what we have donesince we arrived. Here's an overview by our church archivist:
Splinters from the Board:
At its May 10 meeting, board members approved expenditures of $70,000 for theBuilding Committee to take the next steps in the building program.
They approved Church Administrator Marie Kashmer- Stiebing's new job descriptionfor the Weekend Sexton position, so that she can move forward with filling theposition.
The board members agreed to participate in Sunday Services by doing welcomeand announcements. This added lay participation in the service will give membersmore exposure to those who manage our church. The Rev. Judith Meyer reportedthat Anita Brenner and Michael Eselun trained a dozen volunteers and matchedthem to "buddies" as part of the Telephone Outreach Program.
Catherine Farmer, Director of Religious Education, reported that the EmptyBowls Project collected $900 to benefit the Westside Food Bank as this year'sSocial Justice Project by our young people. Hinduism was the interfaith studyfor 6th and 7th grades. Smitha Chandrabose shared her spiritual journey andSanjeev Jain led a tour of the Malibu Hindu Temple. Thanks to Pam Teplitz forcoordinating transportation.
May 22 marked the graduation of 11 students, the largest Coming of Age classthis church has ever had. Each 8th grade graduate presented a personal credoin a service designed by the group.
Classes are developing plans to present their activities during the June 5Sunday Service. Plans continue to have a Travel in Time program this summerto explore religious beliefs in many times and places.
Marie reported that church membership is now 465. She met with committees relatedto administration and met with representatives of two accounting firms to exploreoutsourcing some functions.
Marie supervised a Saturday work party for inside and outside maintenance.She also supervised electrical modifications and installation of a new copymachine to produce church documents, such as the annual meeting packets, andto produce the newsletter in-house as part of the cost cuts for a balanced budget.
- Gerrie Lambson
Other UU News & Events:
GA in Fort Worth, June 23 to 27
The Unitarian Universalist Association's general assembly is coming up again.Did having it in Long Beach last year whet anyone's appetite for going to Ft.Worth this year? The dates are June 23 to June 27, and information is availableat http://uua.org/ga. If you would likemore information, contact Carol Agate. And if you have decidedto go, let Carol know if you would like to be a delegate.
Three UUA Summer Conferences are Scheduled for Young Adults
Three UUA conferences this summer are great leadership development opportunitiesfor young adults 18 to 35. Due to an unprecedented outpouring of generosityfrom the community, a significant amount of money is available for scholarshipsthis year.
The first conference will be the Young Adult Caucus, held during the annualUUA General Assembly, June 23 to 27 in Fort Worth, TX.
Opus, the annual spiritual retreat for young adults, is a weeklong conferencein a camp setting and will be held August 6 to 11 in Boone, IA. ConCentric,the annual business meeting/leadership conference for young adults from theU.S. and Canada, will be held August 12 to 15 in Boone. Both events have worshipand workshops, and they are great ways to connect with other UU young adults,learn leadership skills, and have fun.
Additional information is available from the UUA young adult/campus ministrywebpage:
http://www.uua.org/ya-cm/index_js.html.
To submit a scholarship application online, go to
http://www.uua.org/ya-cm/conferences/Scholarship%20Application.html
The UUA is Honored for Leadership in Promoting the Freedom to Marry
The Religious Coalition for Freedom to Marry (RCFM) honored the Unitarian UniversalistAssociation with its Peace and Justice Award for "outstanding leadership inhelping gay and lesbian couples attain and preserve their civil right to marry."The award, presented by Rabbi Devon Lerner, Co-chair of the RCFM, was acceptedby the Rev. William G. Sinkford, President of the Unitarian Universalist Association,in a luncheon and ceremony at the Massachusetts State House. The Religious Coalitionfor the Freedom to Marry is a seven-year-old organization with 600 clergy andcongregations as members. More than 4,000 same-sex couples have wed in Massachusettssince such marriages became legal in May.
Visit the Wine Country with UUs This Summer
The UUs of Napa, CA, invite you to enjoy two of America's most scenic valleys,Napa and Sonoma, this summer.
Your hosts will help you choose from over 600 wineries and hundreds of worldclass restaurants, COPIA (the American Center for Food, Wine and the Arts),Jack London's home, Francis Ford Coppola's winery and movie museum, art galleries,miles of trails with breathtaking views and more.
Locally savvy UU guides will drive you to selected wineries, historic sitesand mountain trails with breathtaking views. You will stay in UU homes for goodconversation, good breakfasts and warm hospitality.
The wine country excursions are offered in June, July, and August. Plan onthree nights with two days of touring. Fees are well below market rate for similarservices. All proceeds benefit the UU Fellowship of Napa.
RE News:
From theDesk of the DRE
Summer is so close-I can almost feel the warm summer breezes, the hot summersun beating down on me. But wait: There is still so much to think about beforesummer really arrives. The RE Council and I have been busy planning our programfor next fall. And we have a question for all of you: Have you had a chanceto explore the UU principles lately?
It just so happens that kids in RE will be exploring the fourth and fifth UUPrinciples next year-the "Free and Responsible Search for Truth and Meaning"and "The Right of Conscience and the Use of the Democratic Process." We alsowill offer, for the second year, the "Neighboring Faiths" comparative religionscurriculum for 6th and 7th grades, "Coming of Age" for 8th grade, and our seniorhigh YRUU youth group at 11 a.m., as well as a new addition to our youth program,a contemporary issues-based class offered at 9 a.m.
There is no better way to learn and live your UU principles than by learningwith and teaching our youth and children. Presenting stories to them and listeningto their efforts to interpret and understand can be a wonderful way to explorethese issues and concepts for yourself. Without teachers, interesting curriculumis of no value. Over the next few weeks, we will be searching for more "RE ShiningStars" to help us create a vibrant RE program next year with our children andyouth.
Think about how sad a place UUCCSM would be without our enthusiastic kids.Consider the wonderful energy there is in an intergenerational community (amodel that is increasingly rare). Feel the warm arms of a child wrapped aroundyou in a hug.
And we need you. To fully staff our fabulous programs, we're looking for morethan 50 members of our congregation to volunteer to teach for one to two Sundaysper month, for the months of September to December and February to April. Teacherswill have a break in January and May when we offer our new month-long "intensive"programs; namely, Social Justice in January and the Arts in May.
Think about it. Think about teaching RE. Then visit the RE table in ForbesHall during coffee hour on Sundays this month to hear about our program in moredetail and let us know how you'd like to be involved. I look forward to hearingyour thoughts.
- Catherine Farmer
RE Starfor June: Celia Goetz
What makes a good RE teacher? Age and experience, you say? Five years ago,Celia Goetz was an eighth grader. That year, she and her brother, Noel, bothvolunteered to assist in the 11 a.m. kindergarten/ first grade class. Faithfullybringing juice and snacks and helping out with class activities, Celia and Noelbecame role models of youth participation in our church.
The following year, Celia and Noel became fullfledged members of the RE team,planning and leading their own lessons. As Noel grew busier in high school,Celia teamed up with her mother, Gretchen, and moved to the pre-school class.Celia's smile, warmth, and nurturing ways have provided a welcoming first experiencefor the three-and-four-year-old RE children. Sad to say, Celia is graduatingsoon from Santa Monica High School and is heading off to UC Berkeley. We wishher well but will miss her quiet and stable presence in RE.
Congratulations and good luck, Celia!