Jun-08
From Our Minister:
The end of a ministryalways leaves somethingunfinished. Whether it's a projectwe hoped to see through together but did notquite complete, or regrets about what has beendone and can't be undone, or said or not said,every ending comes with unanswered questions.Some of them belong to the awkwardness andpain of saying goodbye. But not all of them. In fact,some questions can be answered and should be.
In the service Sunday, June 22, I will address thequestions that I can answer. Your questions. Aboutour ministry. Send them to me (by email or note inmy mailbox at church) and I will do my best toanswer them. If I cannot address them all in theservice, I will respond to them individually.
It's one way to honor the relationship we've hadand the work we've done together over the years.It's a good way to use some of our time togethernow. I look forward to hearing from you.
Love,
Judith
From Our President:
With the approval for thelandscaping by the congregationat the annualmeeting we look forward to completionof the landscaping projectthis fall.
A congregational meeting will be called to discussand approve plans for the refurbishing of ForbesHall.
We will begin September with our interim minister,Rev. Roberta Haskin. During her ministry wewill perform an extensive evaluation of what weare and what we want to become. Your participationin this process is important. The greater andmore diverse the input the more profound will bethe outcome.
In conjunction with our self evaluation severalitems vie for our attention as we continue our servicesand programs:
1. How may we enhance our Faith In Actionprograms to better address the considerable needof a changing and conflicted world?
2. How may we embrace and mentor our newmembers as they seek spiritual growth and connectwith us to be part of a community?
3. How may we evolve our services and programsinto the telecommunications age?
4. How may we support and expand the youthand adult religious exploration programs toenhance their usefulness?
5. How may we enjoy and make available tothe larger community our outstanding musicalprogram?
6. How may we transit from our internalattention to building and administration to ourgreater commitment to impact the larger world?
Our Congregation enjoys a plethora of intelligentand compassionate persons. Drawing on thetalents and creativity of our people, we canbecome what we profess.It is time to embrace what we can do to growour community both internally and externally.
It istime to decrease our focus on building our physicalstructure and get on with the work of buildingpeople.For what we are and what we will become,
- Ron Crane
Featured Articles:
Most of us will be getting economic stimulus checksthis year. The uncertain economy and writers' strikeand all have affected our church's budget for the nextfiscal year. Increasing gas costs have raised airfares,which is impacting our YRUU fundraising efforts forthe youths' trip to Boston this summer.
A friend from this congregation has tithed theentire amount of the stimulus check to the church.When I heard this, I was in awe of my friend's generousand selfless nature. Like many of us, I have beenanxiously counting my pennies this year. But I wasinspired to tithe 10% of my economic stimulus checkwindfall to the church and 10% to the YRUU Bostontrip expenses.
At the May 18, 2008 annual meeting, I challengedother members of this congregation to tithe some oftheir economic stimulus checks to the church or to aspecial church fund of their choosing. Some peoplehave already received their stimulus checks. Somepeople will not receive their checks until later on in theyear (especially if they have filed for extensions). I'msure that the church will welcome contributionsthroughout the year. If you want to help out with theYRUU trip expenses, though, time is of the essence.You can find out the amount of your forthcomingstimulus check online by using the calculator atirs.gov/app/espc.
I've been inspired by the leadership and generosityof many members of this community. In making mymodest tithe, I hope to acknowledge the gifts andexamples of my various mentors and role models.Would you care to join me in this tithing challenge?
- Katie Malich
Ode to Judith
Oh, Judith, you, our RE shining star, are such an inspiration.
We hold you beloved
As you have held us through these past 15 years.
Our RE program has grown rich
Supported and guided by your gentle hands
From the youngest babes to our teens moving to adulthood
We appreciate you and your support.As a proponent of our youth, Judith,
You have found many ways to help kids shine.
From lighting the chalice Sunday morning, or
Being part of the service
Delivering pulpit messages,
To listening to stories and being sung out with
"Go Now In Peace."
You have played a huge role in the development of our youth programs
And made our youth a well-loved integral part of
Our UU community.Oh Judith, you have opened your heart
As well as your home,
Embracing our youth in a multitude of ways:
Hosting our Coming of Agers for pizza and reading their Credos;
Supporting funding for a wonderful preschool teacher,
Giving a warm consistency for those who need it so;
Then taking our YRUU teens on a UU history tour of Boston,
Sharing your perspective on a subject and city you know so well;
Visiting many classes and speaking about your life experiences -
By describing your spiritual journey you have helped
Usher many of our youth toward their own spiritual quest.From the start, Judith,
You have been an advocate of the OWL program:
Helping to identify those perfect facilitators,
Requesting support from the board,
Enabling our church to have all five vital levels of OWL -
A feat that only a few church communities accomplish.
During these nine years, hundreds of lives have been touched and
Shaped by you through this important curriculum.Oh Judith, your grace, intelligence, and thoughtful ways
Shine as you have shared yourself with us.
We are all so grateful for your support and guidance.Thank you!
"We will always hold you dear."
- Margot Page
Wally Boag Caught in Spotlight
Long-time church member and entertainer Wally Boag danceswith our recent guest solo artist, Steve Zee.Wally's earlycareer was as a dancer on stage and screen.Wally Boag's stage credits included numerous comic roles.Here he entertains with balloons and patter.
Faith in Action News:
Please Contribute Toiletries to Common Ground in June
Interweave, our affiliate group for bisexuals, gays,lesbians, and transgenders, and their friends andallies, will be collecting travel-size toiletries for homelessyouth who seek services at Common Ground, theWestside HIV Community Center.
Please bring items to the Daybreak table in ForbesHall after services in June.
Common Ground, located at 2012 Lincoln Blvd. inSanta Monica, provides homeless youth basicresources (clothing, hygiene products, an address toreceive mail); medical, mental, and dental health services;HIV prevention; legal advocacy; and job/educationalsupport.
For more information about Common Ground andtheir needs, visit commongroundwestside.org, call(310) 314-5480, or e-mail info@commongroundwestside.org. Also contact our liaison with CommonGround, Judy Federick if you would like to help out or havequestions.
Green Living Committee:
Making Green History at the Ports
On March 20, the Port of Los Angeles unanimouslyapproved its landmark Clean Trucks Program.Major environmental and public healthgroups, harbor community residents, and port truckdrivers and their families cheered the Port of LosAngeles for approving a strong and sustainablediesel emissions-reduction plan. The program makesthe trucking industry permanently responsible forturnover to - and upkeep of - a clean-technologyfleet, in tandem with a progressive ban on old, dirtytrucks calling at the ports.
But Long Beach Harbor has rejected the comprehensiveand sustainable solution adopted by thePort of Los Angeles. According to the Coalition forClean and Safe Ports, "In bowing to corporate pressure,Long Beach Harbor commissioners are assuringthat kids in Long Beach will continue to sufferfrom asthma and respiratory illnesses."
The Green Sanctuary Committee has invited aspokesperson from Clean and Safe Ports to talk to usabout what we can do to help Long Beach Harbortake responsibility for cleaning up the pollutioncaused by goods movement and improve the porttrucking system.
Sameerah Siddiqui, lead organizer, will speakabout this topic from 11:30 to 11:45 a.m. in the cottageon Saturday, June 7. Join us to find out how wecan make a difference on this issue.
Reduce Unwanted Catalogs
There is a new website that will help you conserveresources by way of not receiving unwanted catalogsin the mail. To opt out of receiving these mailings:
- Make a pile of your catalog rejects that you wishnot to receive any more, or just rip off and save theaddress page.
- Log on to: http://www.catalogchoice.org
- Enter your name, the catalog name, and the customer# on the back of the catalog.
If you don't have a computer, ask a friend whodoes to help you reduce this wasteful use of paper.
Making Compost
Helen Brown, long-timeUUCCSM member, hasbeen making her owncompost for years. Shesaves her food waste in alidded crock in the kitchen,then adds it weekly to thecompost pile in her yard.The new food waste isadded to the top. The finishedproduct, compost,comes out at the bottom.
Sustainable Works statesin their workshop that youcan compost vegetablescraps, egg shells and coffee grounds - no meats orfats, please! Add grass clippings and pruning scraps, too.
Composting keeps waste out of the landfill and createshealthier soil by allowing vital nutrients to goback into the earth.
Visit smartgardening.com or call 1-888-CLEANLAfor information on composting and for informationon gardening workshops in your area.
Think Small When Recycling
It struck me one day about all the little pieces ofpaper, foil and plastic we use each day - wrappersfrom a tea bag, foil seals on food coffee cans andyogurt cups, candy packaging, cash register receipts.All these can be recycled and may often be overlookedas "just trash."
These small pieces should be contained in a largerbag so they won't fly out of the bin on trash pick upday. You can use a plastic bag to collect bits of plasticand plastic bags. A paper bag can hold paper scraps.Be sure to tie, tape or staple the tops before puttinginto the recycle bin so it won't become litter.
Packaging often has recyclable cardboard and plasticfilm, including such items as cereal boxes, plasticfilm from napkins, cleaned foil from treats or cooking,and so forth. Once you start paying attention to whatyou throw away, you'll be amazed at how much canactually be recycled.
In no time you will notice that there is less trash tothrow out each week. You are taking a step on yourway to having zero waste.
Re-Use Everything
- Disposable items can often be reused for thesame or different purposes - margarine tubs, glassjars and many food containers and bags.
- Paper that has been printed or written on oneside can be flipped over and the blank side used inthe printer or for writing drafts.
- Blank back sides of ads and coupons from mailingscan be saved, stapled together and used forlists and scratch pads.
- When printing from the computer, be sure to click"Print page 1 to 1", then turn the sheet over andinsert it into the hand feed to print "Print page 2 to2", for double-sided printing. Or set your defaultprinter settings to double-sided printing.
I am sure you can think of many more examplesof reuse than I have here. Doesn't it feel good to bethrifty and use fewer natural resources everyday?
Splinters from the Board:
Director of Administration Melinda Ewen providedthe monthly membership report whichshowed that Donald and June Jameson resigned,Helen Burns passed away, Hans and Nancy Millerwere reinstated, and that Liz Peterson and JuliePelino joined us, bringing total membership to 414.
Treasurer Rebecca Crawford reported that incomeand expenditures are relatively stable and it isexpected that there will be about a $2000 to $3000surplus at the end of the fiscal year on June 30, 2008.
Rebecca also presented the Finance Committeereport, which was approved for presentation to thecongregation at the Annual Meeting.
The board reviewed the agenda for the annualmeeting. It was approved with minor modifications.
The board reviewed and approved the structureand duties of the New Building Committee, with PatParkerton and Tom Hamilton as co-chairs. Continuingas consultant to the committee will be CarolKerr, legal services; Rod Lane, construction consultant;and Gene Balas, financial oversight.
RalphMechur will continue as architect and oversee construction.The newly constituted committee willcomplete plans and recommend construction of theopen areas and Forbes Hall. Pat and Tom will presentto the board regularly and encourage congregationalcommunication.Ralph Mechur presented four bids for constructionto be analyzed in selecting a landscape contractorafter congregational approval.
Chair of the Bylaws and Policies Committee,Kathy Cook, presented a board policy for managingthe procedures for engagement and supervision ofindependent contractors. The board adopted thepolicy.
Bronwen Jones reported that the Interim MinisterTask Force had agreed upon a candidate for the position.There was a general agreement that RobertaHaskin was right for our church. The board voted tohire her.
The Rev. Judith Meyer, retiring minister, reportedthat her last day in the pulpit will be June 29. She willbe available for pastoral support through the monthof August. Guest speakers will fill the pulpit throughAugust.
Director of Religious Education Catherine Farmerreported that the last day of the regular RE programwill be June 8. June 15 will be a fun day for all thosenot at Camp de Benneville. The summer programwill begin on June 22. The preschool group will befollowing the Summer of Seuss program, last offeredin 2006. Elementary levels and up will use "Wonder-Full World." Each week the young people will explorea different topic, from nature to what it means to begreen, to reducing energy consumption or pollution.As in the past, church members will be asked toassist one Sunday during the summer.
Music Director Steven Wight reported thatMichael Lamb was an important part of the choirconcert and will return as tenor section leader whenhe relocates back to this area in the fall.
Other UU News & Events:
There are Two Ways to Go to General Assembly
Last year's UUA General Assembly in Portland, OR, was apparently moreappealing to our congregation than this year's in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. We don'thave many people attending and won't be using all our delegate slots. If youwould like to attend, contact Carol Agate or see MelindaEwen in the church office.Each year virtual GA grows, and this year many events will be on line atuua.org/events/ga. The dates are June 25 to 29, so check in and see what'shappening.
- Carol Agate
Consensus Process Training Offered
If you are interested in learning the process forformal consensus,Westside Cohousing, a group thatincludes several church members, will be meeting onJuly 20 for a day of consensus training. Contact CarolAgate if youare interested in participating.
RE News:
From Our DRE
Families, and how to supportand nurture them, have beenon my mind a great dealrecently, not least because later this month my partner,Eric, and I will be heading off to San Franciscowith parents and siblings in tow to solemnize ourchoice to become family to one another. But my ruminationsabout "family" took hold earlier this spring,inspired in large part by the experience of spending aweek with my family in Georgia in April when mygrandmother died. The circle of family around her inthe days leading up to her passing, and the way thatcircle tightened as we held one another up throughthose first days of our loss, were profoundly sacred tome, in a way I had not experienced before.
What would our church look like if we truly treatedour community as an extension of our family? Howwould we support one another through change andtransition, and what would we offer to one another incelebration in times of joy and to shore one another upthrough loss and grief? What programs would we offer?How would we welcome newcomers? Where wouldthe children be? The young adults? The parents? Thesingles? The seniors?
Diana Garland, in her book "Family Ministry,"defines family as "the organization of relationshipsthat endure over time and contexts through whichpersons attempt to meet their needs for belonging andattachment, and to share life purposes, help andresources." This definition recognizes the validity offamilies of origin as well as families of choice. It also isbroad enough to allow us to recognize the ways inwhich our church community functions as a family,and to think about where that takes us.
Here at UUCCSM, we are already doing manythings very, ve ry well. Our congregation is healthy andvibrant, and is poised to move confidently into a newphase of our life together. But take a few moments todream with me: what more could we be doing tostrengthen our bonds to one another as a family offaith?
- Catherine Farmer
Music News:
Louis Durra Trio to Play June 8
The Louis Dura Trio performs Sunday, June 8, at 7 p.m.in the sanctuary. Don't miss Louis' final jazz concert ofthe season. $10 at the door.