Newsletter for April, 2020
From Our Minister:
Spiritual Liberation
“I call that mind free which jealously guards its intellectual rights and powers, which does not content itself with a passive or hereditary faith: which opens itself to light whencesoever it may come; which receives new truth as an angel from heaven.”
-Rev. Dr. William Ellery Channing
Our spiritual theme for community exploration this month is liberation. Theme-based ministry invites the entire congregation to reflect upon universal themes of religious life in creative ways each month. Liberation can be broadly defined as freedom from oppression. Spiritual liberation might be defined as freedom from those things which are oppressive to our spiritual well-being.
Liberation has taken on a variety of meanings in various religious traditions and we will explore some of those this month in worship. I hope you might include some reflection on this spiritual theme in your online meetings this month. Many meetings are now including a theme-based check-in question to support spiritual deepening in our small group gatherings. An example of a simple theme-based question to consider this month might be: “When on your life’s journey did you move from oppression to freedom?”
Our spiritual ancestors fought religious oppression for centuries. Our Unitarian forbearers rebelled against oppressive religious teachings such as original sin, trinitarian dogma, salvation by faith alone, religious imperialism, and interpreting scripture without reason. Our Universalist forbearers rejected the harmful religious teachings which imagined a god who destined some for heaven and others for hell. Many of our ancestors suffered greatly as they challenged the orthodoxies of their day to open hearts to more optimistic interpretations of the religious life.
Our humanist legacy further cemented the mission of our faith as a humanitarian endeavor. We became concerned not only with a loving and open-minded approach to religion but also putting the demands of liberal faith into action. This helped catalyze social reforms which included environmentalism, feminism, civil rights, and the LGBTIQ equality movement. Spiritual liberation in our liberal church has meant revolutions in thought, doctrine, and the social order.
In the midst of a global pandemic, we are once again invited to imagine in what ways our lives and the world might be liberated from outdated and oppressive paradigms. Circumstances are demanding we reevaluate our economic structures, worker’s rights, healthcare, and international relations, among many other important considerations. Can we seize this moment of so much suffering, grief, and loss to bring a better world into being?
I hope you will take some time over the course of this month to consider what a “world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all” might be like when we reach the other side of this pandemic. As we navigate through the fears and anxieties of this time, lets allow our creativity to become a wellspring of new hope.
With love and gratitude,
Jeremiah
Rev. Jeremiah Kalendae
Developmental Minister
Featured Articles:
2020–21 Pledge Drive Update, April 2
IGNITING OUR FAITH
Dear UUSM Family and Friends,
I hope this message finds you and your loved ones healthy and coping as well as possible.
We are now 2 weeks into the statewide order to stay at home. It is my sincere hope that in these uncertain times, you are finding comfort through small group ministry at UUSM and inspiration in streamed worship. I also hope you’ve had the opportunity to begin to find meaning in service to members of our community.
How are you?
For my part, I just found out that the Santa Monica–Malibu Unified School District is preparing us all to be “distance learning” through the end of the school year. The nerves in my household are rattled all the way around. I am grateful that I have my community to support me during this time; and I also feel a tremendous sense of purpose reaching out to fellows and offering support where I can give it. By getting out of my own head and being of service, I find my place in the order of things. I’m neither at the center of the universe, nor am I alone. If you want to share where you’re at, drop me a line at president@uusm.org. I’d love to hear from you.
I will tell you how the church is doing: beloved community is thriving on Facebook, in Zoom Rooms, through phone calls, and on YouTube. Some amazing people have stepped forward to facilitate this work: Communications Team, Children and Youth RE, Adult RE, Pastoral Care Associates, Care Ring, Worship Associates, and more. Staff continue to be the backbone of what we do in administration, worship, and Religious Education. Please extend your gratitude wherever you contact these wonderful people.
UUSM finances are okay. We have the good fortune of having money in operational reserves, and we are tapping it appropriately and as needed as we navigate this crisis. You likely already know that our biggest fundraiser, Dining for Dollars (D4$)—which has generated $30,000+ annually for years—was cancelled before the auction could take place. And we were counting on that fundraiser this fiscal year.
So we are now reaching out to ask bidders and hosts to convert what they would have spent on D4$ into straight-up support for the church. Please consider making a discrete D4$ donation this spring or adding to your 2020–21 pledge.
Speaking of which, great thanks to 49 UUSMers who’ve already pledged for the coming fiscal year. If you’ve made your pledge, thank you so very much. If you haven’t, you can go go online to uusm.org/2020pledgedrive and make it there. We hope to have 150 pledges secured by April 12th. Your response right now will make it that much easier.
Find a reminder of all the ways your support builds beloved community and a roadmap to abundance. You can also download a printable pledge form or make your own pledge online. Thank you for Igniting Our Faith by making your pledge today.
Sincerely,
Jacki Weber, President
Jacki Weber, President
News & Announcements:
April Generous Congregation Supports UUA COVID-19 Response Fund
STRENGTHENING OUR CONGREGATIONS
UU leaders across the country are tirelessly tending to our communities through the pandemic. The Unitarian Universalist Association is working alongside our congregations and supporting our UU religious professionals and administrative staff. The impact of COVID-19 is widespread, but some will be hit harder than others.
Gifts to the UUA’s COVID-19 Response Fund go to two resources. Together they allow our UU faith community to financially support those religious communities with greatest need.
- The Disaster Relief Fund allows the UUA to respond flexibly. Priority is given to congregations and related Unitarian Universalist organizations that are responding to the crisis with systemic, collaborative approaches, such as partnering with local organizations to provide assistance in the congregation’s local community.
- The Living Tradition Fund provides assistance to congregational staff and community ministers facing extraordinary health-related expenses, emergency housing needs, and other serious financial challenges in times of crisis.
Generous Congregation
Our practice here at UUSM is to dedicate half of our non-pledge Sunday offerings to organizations doing work in the world that advances our Unitarian Universalist principles; the other 50% of the offering is used to support the life of our church.
UUSM’s Generous Congregation supports our church community. And together, we uplift the reach and impact of vital organizations doing work we could not do on our own. This month, half of our Sunday offerings will go to the UUA COVID-19 Response Fund. Your donation will show our appreciation for those who are being impacted even as they continue to lead and strengthen our congregations. It is a concrete way to show support and love to the staff and communities most impacted by this health emergency.
Please consider supporting the mission of our church, and the UUA COVID-19 Response Fund. To give right now, text “$10 GCC” to 844-982-0209. (One-time-only credit card registration required.)
Update March 28: UUSM events during the COVID-19 emergency
UUSM IN TRANSITION TO ONLINE EVENTS
From the announcement email sent on Thursday, March 26.
Join us online again this Sunday as we co-create beloved community together in the midst of a global pandemic. We are suspending congregational worship gatherings until further notice to protect vulnerable members of our congregation and the larger community. You can watch our special live-streamed service on the church’s Facebook page at 10 am on Sunday morning, March 29. Our services are now reaching hundreds of people and are inviting us to be interactive in worship in new ways. In addition to sharing joys, sorrows, and milestones, you may want to light a chalice and singalong with our worship leaders in your home sanctuary. You do not need a Facebook account to watch the service live. Just visit the link. The services will remain available on our UU Santa Monica Facebook page, on our YouTube channel. If you need help getting online, please contact board member Eileen McCormack for assistance.
A YouTube link will be available after the service on Sunday, March 29
“Find a stillness, hold a stillness, let the stillness carry me…”
Join us this Sunday for a meditation on silence.
Church Facilities are Closed
Please note that church buildings and offices are now closed for business and services until further notice, and church staff members are working remotely. See above for online Sunday service information.
Scheduling Meetings
Although our current in-person meetings and events have been canceled/postponed, we are working on offering online gatherings and other ways of maintaining our community spirit. Please stay tuned as we work out the details.
In the meantime, if you need to schedule a church business group or committee meeting via Zoom, please contact Cyndee Hayes at assistant@uusm.org 310-829-5436 ext. 102.
Please provide the following details at least three days prior to the meeting. If you would like the meeting to be posted in the Weekly Email Announcements, please email Sibylla Nash at OOS@uusm.org by Wednesday evenings.
- Title of meeting
- Meeting’s host information
- Start time and end time
- Participants’ email addresses for an Invite.
Note that individuals can attend the meeting by phone if they do not have an email address.
Adult Programming
During this time of social distancing and uncertainty, the Adult Programs Committee is working hard to transition many of our groups and programs for personal and spiritual exploration to an online format, mainly via Zoom (but other platforms are a possibility). The plan is to get much of our regular programming up and running within the next ten days. We’ll also be providing assistance to those unfamiliar with how to use Zoom – just let us know you’d like help by emailing AdultRE@UUSM.org at least a few days before the program you’d like to take part in. Look for more information and links for programs on Zoom soon. We look forward to connecting with you!
Upcoming Events
CANCELED>> Adult Programs – Body-Mind Tune-up with Bruno, Saturday, March 28, 2020, 11:45 am – 12:45 pm, Offsite. Bruno Lacombe is conducting exercise classes for UUSM members who are seniors, super-seniors, and people with physical difficulties. Contact Bruno Lacombe at (310) 666-7387.
CANCELED>> D&D – Living in UUville, Sunday, March 29, 2020, 10:00 am – 11:30 am, Cottage NW. Contact Cleo Anderson for more information at DRE@uusm.org.
CANCELED>> Town Hall Meeting, Sunday, March 29, 2020, 11:45 am – 1:00 pm, Sanctuary. Review of 2020-2021 budget and current church finances.
ONLINE>> Lessons of Loss with Leon Henderson, Sunday, March 29, 2020, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Zoom Meeting. Please email AdultRE@UUSM.org for information. We will be holding our last two gatherings of this four session group on Zoom — March 29th, and Easter Sunday, April 12th. The Lessons of Loss is a Life-Span Curriculum developed by Unitarian Universalist Carol Galginaitis. We shall explore participants’ experiences to losses large and small including those associated with death. Reflecting on experiences, we shall also explore the consequences of both sharing and ignoring feelings of loss as well as relevant, related Unitarian Universalist theses from theologians and laypeople alike.
ONLINE>> Open Meditation Wellsprings, Monday, March 30, 2020, 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm, Zoom Meeting. Please email AdultRE@UUSM.org for the Zoom link and directions for using Zoom. These are drop-in groups. You are welcome to join us when it feels right to you. If you come in late or need to leave early, just do so quietly. These are exceptional times, and we trust each person to use the group in the way that fits their need. We listen to brief readings, sit together quietly for twenty minutes, journal and share with each other what’s on our hearts. This time of quiet meditation and sharing can help sustain and ground us during these difficult days – supporting us to pause and rest in our embodied experience, as it is. We simply sit together in our shared humanity. We call off the struggle to become other than we are. We meet every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon from 12:00 to 1:00 pm, AND every 2nd and 4th Monday evenings, from 7:30 to 9:00 pm.
ONLINE>> Open Meditation Wellsprings, Tuesday, March 31, 2020, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm, Zoom Meeting. Please email AdultRE@UUSM.org for the Zoom link and directions for using Zoom. These are drop-in groups. You are welcome to join us when it feels right to you. If you come in late or need to leave early, just do so quietly. These are exceptional times, and we trust each person to use the group in the way that fits their need. We listen to brief readings, sit together quietly for twenty minutes, journal and share with each other what’s on our hearts. This time of quiet meditation and sharing can help sustain and ground us during these difficult days – supporting us to pause and rest in our embodied experience, as it is. We simply sit together in our shared humanity. We call off the struggle to become other than we are. We meet every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon from 12:00 to 1:00 pm, AND every 2nd and 4th Monday evenings, from 7:30 to 9:00 pm.
ONLINE>> Check-in with the Minister at our Online Coffee & Teahouse Conversation, Wednesday, April 1, 2020, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Zoom Meeting. Email minister@uusm.org for the Zoom link. It will be sent out on Tuesdays and posted in our Facebook Group.
ONLINE>> Open Meditation Wellsprings, Thursday, April 2, 2020, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm, Zoom Meeting. Please email AdultRE@UUSM.org for the Zoom link and directions for using Zoom. These are drop-in groups. You are welcome to join us when it feels right to you. If you come in late or need to leave early, just do so quietly. These are exceptional times, and we trust each person to use the group in the way that fits their need. We listen to brief readings, sit together quietly for twenty minutes, journal and share with each other what’s on our hearts. This time of quiet meditation and sharing can help sustain and ground us during these difficult days – supporting us to pause and rest in our embodied experience, as it is. We simply sit together in our shared humanity. We call off the struggle to become other than we are. We meet every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon from 12:00 to 1:00 pm, AND every 2nd and 4th Monday evenings, from 7:30 to 9:00 pm.
ONLINE>> UU Men’s Group, Thursday, April 2, 2020, 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm, Zoom Meeting. Please email AdultRE@UUSM.org for information. The Men’s Group offers a special opportunity to the men of the congregation and other like-minded men to join our welcoming group in provocative and stimulating discussion and to get to know others with UU perspectives in a more meaningful way. The topics for April come from the Holstee “Reflection Cards” deck,”A deck of questions for meaningful conversation and reflection.” This evening’s topics will be: Who have you lost touch with but still wonder about, and is it better to let relationships ebb and flow in and out of our lives or intentionally try and maintain them?
CANCELED>> Adult Programs – Body-Mind Tune-up with Bruno, Saturday, April 4, 2020, 11:45 am – 12:45 pm, Offsite. Bruno Lacombe is conducting exercise classes for UUSM members who are seniors, super-seniors, and people with physical difficulties. Contact Bruno Lacombe at (310) 666-7387.
CANCELED>> D&D – Living in UUville, Sunday, April 5, 2020, 10:00 am – 11:30 am, Cottage NW. Contact Cleo Anderson for more information at DRE@uusm.org.
CANCELED>> Green Committee Meeting, Sunday, April 5, 2020, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm, Cottage SE. To inform others of the simple changes that can be made to decrease their carbon footprint, and to implement social action to green our community. Contact: Alison Kendall for more information.
CANCELED>> Faith Forward – Inquirers Group Faith Forward – Inquirers Group, Sunday, April 5, 2020, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm, Forbes Classroom 1. Session 6: Social Action and Community Service. Please come for an informative and very interesting presentation.
ONLINE>> Parents Group Meeting, Sunday, April 5, 2020, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm, Zoom Meeting. Please contact Chris Brown for more information.
ONLINE>> Adult RE Committee Meeting, Monday, April 6, 2020, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm, Zoom Meeting. Please contact: AdultRE@UUSM.org to get the Zoom link and instructions for logging on.
ONLINE>>Adult Programs – “An Enjoyable Dive into Who and What We Are”, Monday, April 6, 2020, 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm, Zoom Meeting. Please contact: AdultRE@UUSM.org to get the Zoom link and instructions for logging on. Bill Blake will present an enjoyable dive into the “who and what” we are. This on-going, twice a month class on the 1st and 3rd Monday is presented to help participants master specific meditation skills. We endeavor to answer the questions Who am I? (attitudes and beliefs) and What am I? (essence or true nature). This class will include meditations that explore participants’ spiritual goals. The monthly group meetings will also focus on insights gained throughout the month. It is expected that participants will develop and enjoy a regular meditation practice.
ONLINE>> Open Meditation Wellsprings, Tuesday, April 7, 2020, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm, Zoom Meeting. Please email AdultRE@UUSM.org for the Zoom link and directions for using Zoom. These are drop-in groups. You are welcome to join us when it feels right to you. If you come in late or need to leave early, just do so quietly. These are exceptional times, and we trust each person to use the group in the way that fits their need. We listen to brief readings, sit together quietly for twenty minutes, journal and share with each other what’s on our hearts. This time of quiet meditation and sharing can help sustain and ground us during these difficult days – supporting us to pause and rest in our embodied experience, as it is. We simply sit together in our shared humanity. We call off the struggle to become other than we are. We meet every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon from 12:00 to 1:00 pm, AND every 2nd and 4th Monday evenings, from 7:30 to 9:00 pm.
ONLINE>> Check-in with the Minister at our Online Coffee & Teahouse Conversation, Wednesday, April 8, 2020, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Zoom Meeting. Email minister@uusm.org for the Zoom link. It will be sent out on Tuesdays and posted in our Facebook Group.
ONLINE>>Open Meditation Wellsprings, Thursday, April 9, 2020, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm, Zoom Meeting. Please email AdultRE@UUSM.org for the Zoom link and directions for using Zoom. These are drop-in groups. You are welcome to join us when it feels right to you. If you come in late or need to leave early, just do so quietly. These are exceptional times, and we trust each person to use the group in the way that fits their need. We listen to brief readings, sit together quietly for twenty minutes, journal and share with each other what’s on our hearts. This time of quiet meditation and sharing can help sustain and ground us during these difficult days – supporting us to pause and rest in our embodied experience, as it is. We simply sit together in our shared humanity. We call off the struggle to become other than we are. We meet every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon from 12:00 to 1:00 pm, AND every 2nd and 4th Monday evenings, from 7:30 to 9:00 pm.
CANCELED>> R/E – Collage Group with Stan Bemis R/E, Saturday, April 11, 2020, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, Cottage NE. The goal of this group is to help foster personal worth and empowerment, entering into that holy place within and having sacred fun. The objectives are to create works of art and create cards for events or celebrations. Stan works to bring joy and peace into people’s lives by creating art. He has taught many who didn’t realize they had creative talent, from all across the world – from California to Palestine/Israel. He welcomes all ages.
CANCELED>> Adult Programs – Body-Mind Tune-up with Bruno, Saturday, April 11, 2020, 11:45 am – 12:45 pm, Offsite. Bruno Lacombe is conducting exercise classes for UUSM members who are seniors, super-seniors, and people with physical difficulties. Contact Bruno Lacombe at (310) 666-7387.
PENDING>> Passover Seder, Saturday, April 11. If you are interested in pursuing the idea of a “virtual” Passover using Zoom, please Contact Teri Lucas at uusmreassist@uusm.org. She’d love to see if we can come up with a plan to connect during this meaningful holiday.
CANCELED>> Dining for Dollars. With reluctance and disappointment D4$ announces cancellation of this year’s auction 2020. This decision eliminates both a major fundraising opportunity and denies all of us the pleasure and joyful opportunity to socialize and fellowship together throughout the year in special places and special ways. On a more positive note, the 12-member D4$ committee fully expects to rebound next year and be up and running, ready for a February 2021 D4$ auction once again. They hope that many of this year’s hosts might hold tight and be ready to resume their intent to host next year.
COVID-19 Cancels Dining for Dollars 2020
COMMUNITY AND FUNDRAISING LOSSES
With reluctance and disappointment, the Dining for Dollars Committee announces the cancellation of this year’s Dining for Dollars 2020 Auction. This decision eliminates both a major fundraising opportunity and denies all of us the pleasure and joyful opportunity to socialize and enjoy fellowship together throughout the year in special places and special ways.
The D4$ team worked for months in preparation for this year’s auction. The events themselves required the devoted attention and contribution of many of you (65 this year), who planned to host events and offer goods and services. All of that effort has been dissolved and deteriorated by the COVID-19 Pandemic, dealing a dramatic blow to all of us.
On a more positive note, the 12-member D4$ Committee fully expects to rebound next year and be up and running, ready for a February 2021 D4$ auction once again. They hope that many of this year’s hosts might hold tight and be ready to resume their intent to host next year.
This D4$ 2020 cancellation eliminates fundraising totaling at least $30,000 that supports UUSM programs and personnel. Please consider, as you are able, adding an amount that might have been spent on this year’s D4$ campaign to your annual pledge in our current Stewardship campaign.
Thank you for the difficult on-going work and dedication of the 2020 D4$ team: Rebecca Crawford, Farrokh Allen, Barbara Gibbs, Cheryl Barnett, Bob Dietz, Resa Foreman, Lucy Hahn, Emily Hero, Carol Ring, Haygo Salibian, Cathy Wolfson, and Patricia Wright.
Faith in Action News:
Faith in Action: Helping Feed a Community in Need
Community Services Unlimited (CSU), a non-profit providing healthy food options to South LA, has been facing challenges during the “safer at home” order in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
UUSM Faith in Action members from Green Living and Social Action have supported CSU in building a Seed Library and Classroom out of the Veggie Bus, which housed their offices during remodeling of the Paul Robeson Wellness Center on Vermont Avenue. This location houses CSU’s produce market, catering kitchen, community center, and staff offices. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, their after-school snack, exercise classes, catering, and all other programs except their produce program are shut down, reducing their revenue.
Francois organized a group of UUSM and USC folks who live on the Westside and arranged a CSU Produce Delivery to our garage in Santa Monica. The program complies with all the recommended precautions against COVID-19, and allows our 28 subscribers to continue to support CSU’s programs while receiving delicious organic produce every Friday! Those who want to further support Angelenos who have become food insecure can purchase an extra bag to go to a family in need.
The photo is of Devon, our CSU delivery person, with the rows of grocery bags waiting to be picked up by our UUSM and USC Supporter/Subscribers. We enjoy the great produce, the chance to wave and exchange news with friends at a social distance, and the chance to support the valuable environmental justice and healthy living programs CSU provides!
-- Alison Kendall and Francois Bar
Splinters from the Board:
Board Highlights March 2020
GEMS OF WISDOM AND CORONAVIRUS CONTINGENCIES
The board met on Tuesday, March 10. The theme of the month is Wisdom. In that context Rev. Jeremiah Kalendae asked board members to add a gem of wisdom that they had learned from. A few of the contributions were, “You cannot walk even one step in another person’s shoes.” Another was originally from Ray Kroc, “None of us is as good as all of us.” And then there was, “Remember self-care. Get enough sleep, protein and exercise.”
Rev. Jeremiah’s report is available here. Jeremiah expressed gratitude to Rev. Kikanza Nuri-Robins for her sermon contributions to our Sunday worship. Stewardship continued its behind-the-scenes work in preparation for the March 22 roll-out. Staff evaluations have begun. They will include a self-assessment portion.
Rev. Kikanza discussed her experience on the faculty of the UUA Leadership Experience. The Pacific Western Region has a leadership training program which starts with an intensive weekend of learning about being a spiritually informed leader. Part 2 of the learning experience has readings and discussions over six two-hour sessions via Zoom with ten people from UU churches of a similar size.
She felt that many in our congregation might benefit from the experience, and as a result be more comfortable stepping into leadership roles in the church. One of the things that is taught at the leadership experience is the “relationship conversation” as one way to build a more connected community. The idea is to have a 15-30 minute conversations with people you don’t know well, without asking them to do or give anything. These are conversations that could take place over a meal, at a coffee shop or in Forbes Hall after church. The purpose is to lay the foundation for a relationship—vital to sustaining a beloved community.
Our Treasurer, Vilma Ortiz, mentioned that pledge receipts were low for February, but this seems to happen yearly. Some aspects of the budget-planning process have been delayed in anticipation of Stewardship results. A Town Hall is scheduled on March 29, after church, to discuss specifics of the budget.
Secretary Norm Richey, wearing his Membership hat, gave an update on Faith Forward. The second set of classes has been very well attended. Week six, on April 5, will feature a question and answer session with Rev. Jeremiah – the most popular week in the first iteration. The program is not just for visitors. Members are encouraged to attend.
Much of the rest of the meeting centered around a discussion of coronavirus precautions. More sanitizers will be available around the church. The automatic faucets will stay on longer. The kitchen will be shifting to paper towels for a time. The staff and volunteers have put CDC precautions into effect.
Given the rapidly evolving situation, the Board recognized that additional measures might be needed, including live-streaming of the service – like what has happened in the sporting world: no spectators.