Newsletter for August, 2016
From Our Minister:
What Kind of Church Are You Looking For?
One of my goals as your minister is to embody the interdependence between our congregation and the larger UU faith, and to continue to develop my professional skills, through regular participation in our national denomination and district/region, including congregational events such as ordinations, installations, and retirement celebrations.
This year, I participated as an offsite delegate in Ministry Days and General Assembly (GA), both annual conferences for UUs and UU ministers held this year in Columbus, Ohio.
We also sent onsite delegates Jessica Clay, Peggy Rhoads, and Rick Rhoads, and fellow offsite delegates Cathie Gentile and Roberta Frye. For the first time, we offered live-streaming of the Service of the Living Tradition here in the Sanctuary, thanks to Bob Dietz’s AV support, and advertised the events that were open to all. (If you attended or watched, please let me know.)
The keynote presentation at the UU Ministers Association Ministry Days was Rev. John Dorhauer, general minister and president of the United Church of Christ, who spoke about the paradigm shift from “modern” to “post-modern” congregations, which is dramatically reshaping the form and function of religious community.
John described the funding challenge to modern churches that is leading to the choice of “pastor or building?” He sees a shift away from full-time, authorized and credentialed ministers to spiritual innovators creating community for the common good in non-institutional settings. He talked about the lack of brand loyalty in today’s spiritual world (“I’ll join a church but not a denomination”) and themes in his generation (Boomers) of resisting authority and withholding trust from institutions.
In the sea of change, he asked, what must not change? What is the congregation’s purpose and mission? Churches that survive and thrive will answer the question, “But for us, what aspect of faith would be diminished or go extinct? What do we exist to perpetuate that faith could not be whole without?” What matters the most — mission or pipe organ? Mission or sermon? Mission or building?
Post-modern communities are “seeking to be touched” and a traditional modern education to create “experts” won’t get them there. Post-modern communities ask their leaders,“Do you have the capacity to place me in the presence of the holy?” and “How [will you teach or show me how to] expend my life’s resources to contribute to something that I’m proud of and will give me meaning?”
What kind of church are you looking for today, my spiritual companions — post-modern or modern? What kind of church do we have? It’s a question to ponder in these last long days of summer, and a question I hope we will come back to after we gather-in August 21.
See you at church,
Rev. Rebecca
Rev. Rebecca
PS: Here is a link to a study on the postmodern search for “something more” by Harvard Divinity School students Casper ten Kuile and Angie Thurston, with support from the Fetzer Institute. Be sure to check out their description of Sunday Assembly, co-founded here in Los Angeles by Ian Dodd. http://fetzer.org/resources/something-more/From Our President:
The Task Force on Right Relations
As I engage in our congregation’s Right Relations process I’m impressed with the number of differing perceptions that can be held by even a small group of people.
How we learn to allow those perceptions to be expressed, and influenced, is what we are engaging in the Right Relations process.
The invitations to the Long Term Right Relations Task Force membership have been made. More invitations will follow to fill the membership. The arc of the action will be given to you by Nancy Edmundson in the coming month.
We have no lack of capable congregants. We had over 40 names in nomination by the board. These numbers show the depth of people we have to call on in the next year as the process unfolds. Every name represented talent that we as a congregation need.
The time has come when you are invited to start thinking that we are in the process. “Right Relations” isn’t something that is going to happen in the future. It is happening now. I invite you now to watch for all those perceptions I was talking about. Attend to what is happening within the process. Share your perceptions and listen to the perceptions of others. There will be many future opportunities to engage with groups in our congregation in Right Relations conversations and process, and it all begins with each of us paying attention to our own perceptions and listening more deeply without judgment to others.
— Ron Crane
I like the scientific spirit —
the holding off, the being sure but not too sure,
the willingness to surrender ideas when the
evidence is against them:
this is ultimately fine —
it always keeps the way beyond open —
always gives life, thought, affection,
the whole man, a chance to try over again
after a mistake —
after a wrong guess.
WALT WHITMAN
Featured Articles:
Support Legal Defense of UU Anti-racists
As you may have heard, Hugo Contreras of our congregation, Mark Liddell of First UU LA, and friend and high school Spanish teacher Nikki Schop, along with four other anti-racist protestors, have been charged with various counts of misdemeanor assault, battery, and resisting arrest. The Klansman who stabbed multiple protestors faces no charges; the police claim he was acting in selfdefense. The charges, announced by the Orange County District Attorney June 30, stem from a demonstration opposing the KKK February 27 in Pearson Park, Anaheim.
Hugo, Mark, and Nikki appeared in court July 28 in Fullerton. Their arraignment was continued to August 8 to enable another defendant to appear. About 20 supporters demonstrated in front of the courthouse at 8 am, then packed the court room. This was the first of many court dates during which your support would be appreciated.
We have started a Faithify campaign to raise money for their legal fees. Faithify is a crowdfunding website by and for Unitarian Universalist ministries. Please give as you can and share the URL widely on social media. In order to get the funds donated via Faithify, we have to reach $5,000 by August 28. Otherwise the donations are returned to the donors.
www.faithify.org/projects/support-uu-anti-racists/
You can also make a tax-deductible donation via check to UUSM, memo line “Legal Defense.”
Standing up to racism is one of the many ways we put our faith into action. Please help support these anti-racists.
— Sarah Mae Harper
RIGHT RELATIONS - Practicing What It Means to Be Human
When I first started attending the Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica, our then-minister Rev. Judith Meyer would quote James Luther Adams at the beginning of each service: “Church is where we get to practice what it means to be human.”
Fifteen years later, I’m definitely still practicing. Now I’m on the board, serving as your vice president, at a time when we’re on the verge of something exciting. At one of our July services, secular minister Bart Campolo spoke of a “vision for community building” that got at the essence of Adams’ statement.
Rev. Campolo talked about our “one life” and the paramount importance of our relationships. He shared his vision of community building based on a desire for each of us to work together to use our precious time and resources to leave this earth better to the extent we can. He talked about kindness, and tolerance, and leaving a legacy of love, all of which Adams would surely hold dear.
So back to the “something exciting.” In April we engaged Nancy Edmundson, a fellow UU and a congregational consultant, to help us focus on strengthening this fundamental quest to be fully human with each other. And Board President Ron Crane has asked me to share the yearlong arc of Nancy’s work with us on our congregation’s long term right relations process. I believe it’s not only going to help us be better together, it’s going to change the way that we impact our local community.
When we talk about “right relationships” we refer to tending to relationships at all levels of congregational life — personal, interpersonal, institutional, and cultural or ideological. We refer to creating and maintaining environments that inspire growth and transformation in order to support individuals and the congregation to live out our deepest, most life-affirming vision, mission, and values.
Over the summer, a board-appointed Right Relations Task Force will come together. They are charged with assisting Nancy in supporting our congregation in a process of right relations designed to help bring us back to our better selves by listening and communicating deeply and respectfully with one another, even when we disagree. From this place the Right Relations Task Force will begin to discover and articulate the core values of our unique congregation and articulate a covenant of right relations. This covenant will be considered and adopted by our congregation and then we will develop processes to support and maintain our shared covenant.
The Right Relations Task Force will be learning from Nancy a process grounded in Appreciative Inquiry (AI), that they will then invite all of us to engage in. You can Google “Appreciative Inquiry” for more information, but here is the most basic definition from Case Western Reserve University: “Appreciative Inquiry is about the coevolutionary search for the best in people, their organizations, and the relevant world around them.”
AI will allow us to get at the heart of what we long for, what breaks our hearts, and what we can do as a community to become better and stronger together.
Where profound hurt exists, Nancy will advise us on oneon-one conversations with the aim of healing and deepened understanding as an outcome. Then this fall, the board, in concert with the Right Relations Task Force, will develop a Conflict Resolution Task Force with policies and procedures that will support us when we need to look beyond AI.
Come October, our board will begin a six-month process that looks at leadership roles, accountability, and governance. In January our board will also educate us on current UU best practices in assessment of congregational ministry, and by spring will approve a process for our congregation.
All the while, the Right Relations Task Force will be harvesting core values and developing a covenant of right relations in conversation with our congregation.
By the time spring arrives, we should have not only a congregation covenant to be adopted by the congregation, but a plan to keep it alive.
We expect all of this to help us clarify our vision so that by the time we move into summer we have a process of articulating a renewed mission and vision, and then a strategic plan.
Along the way, we will assess our progress and adjust as we go. Nancy reminds us often that our Right Relations process will be a responsive one, and what we have described is a “flight plan” to get us going.
Can you see why I’m excited? I hope you are too.
More next month…
— Jacki Weber
All-Church Camp Weekend September 16-18, 2016 SIGN UP AT CHURCH OR ONLINE
Each year, UUSM members and friends flock to Camp deBenneville Pines, an idyllic rustic paradise two hours east of Santa Monica (if you leave at the right time on Friday) for a weekend of reveling in nature, ping pong tournaments, dam building, s’mores, tie-dying and sing-along versions of every ‘60s song you know (or don’t).
You are invited to join us! Singles, couples and families young and old enjoy clean mountain air, lots of activities, great camp food and fellowship. Rustic heated cabins are clean and comfortable, with indoor plumbing and hot showers, for “roughing it, gently.”
Prices start at $145/person for adults, $85/person for kids and $110 for teens, and that includes all food and activities for the weekend!
This year we are also offering a limited number of financial aid “camperships” for those who need it. If that’s your situation, your camp fee is just half-price (down to a slight $70 per adult), and FREE for kids/teens. Or alternately, if you’re flush with cash, you could contribute to the campership pot, which’d help even more campers make it to deBenneville in September. A full camp is a happy camp and we aim to be very happy.
Contact Jacki Weber for more information.
A Personal Note About Camp
The first time I went to Camp de Benneville Pines, in Summer 2002, I was hooked. I felt so grateful for a sky full of stars at night, a gurgling stream a few hundred yards away, the sounds of birds and trees rustling, the feeling of peace at having some breathing room in nature, and the gratitude for a community that literally held my 10-month-old son so I could have a break to eat.
I treasure my own memories of camp over the last 14 years: playing Oh Hell! with Len Harris, making tie-dye with Linda van Ligten, hiking to “secret” streams with Jerry Moore, listening to Joyce Holmen’s beautiful voice, enjoying Joe Engleman’s clarinet.
I treasure these memories especially because they have enriched my life. I joined this church in part because I wanted to nourish intergenerational relationships. That is hard to do in 20 minutes between services. It’s easy to do when you’re eating and crafting and hiking and playing cards and worshiping together over a two-day weekend.
But it’s about more than me. I’ve now raised three kids at camp. We go to our own congregational camp. We spend Thanksgiving with UUs from across the region. The kids go on their own to middle school summer camp and high school winter camp.
Camp de Benneville is kind of the best vacation home ever. It’s always full of interesting and diverse people ready to drop the mask of who they are “down the hill” and just be playful spirits for a few days.
I invite you to join me this fall: September 16-18 at Camp de Benneville Pines. Kids 2 and under are free. Kids 3-12 are just $85, teens are $110, and adults start at $145. You’ll be roughing it gently, with cabin camping and all meals provided.
You can find out all about the facilities at uucamp.org or our own camp at tinyurl.com/2016uuccsmcamp
— Jacki Weber
“The mountains are calling and I must go!” — JOHN MUIR
News & Announcements:
HEART and SOUL A CONTEMPLATIVE WORSHIP SERVICE - Second Sundays, 5 to 5:45 pm in the Sanctuary
In consultation with our minister, we are continuing the Heart and Soul services, now led by Kikanza Nuri-Robins, Joyce Holmen, and Karen Hsu Patterson. With singing and instrumental music, statements and questions, silence and sharing, we’ll explore these themes:
August 14 — What Does It Mean to Be Community?
September 11 – A Community of Covenant
October 9 – A Community of Healing
November 13 – A Community of Story
December 11 – A Community of Presence (a virtual service: we’ll send resources by email)
Other committee members are Mary Romanek and Jacki Weber.
As the author Margaret J. Wheatley observes, “Nothing exists in isolation. We have to stop pretending we are individuals who can go it alone.” So let’s make some time to consider together what Community means to us.
Dining for Dollars announces tickets available to two fall events.
Look for a ticket table in Forbes Hall or contact Nancy in the church office (assistant@uusm.org).
September 3 — “Pig Roast with Filipino Rice” hosted by Mike Monte, in Forbes Hall starting at noon, appropriate for families.
October 22 — “Oktoberfest Beer Tasting” hosted by Karl Lisovsky and Alan Brunell. To be held at Casa Lisovsky starting at 6:00 pm. Twenty tickets available for $25. Adults only.
ARE YOU AWARE?
Sensitivity to chemicals and fragrances is an invisible disability that some people in our church experience. Perfumes and other fragrances and chemicals can cause breathing problems and allergic reactions.
You can help by using personal products that are fragrance free. Be aware that there are hidden, long-lasting fragrances in many cleaning products.
You can help by talking with the Disability Support Group and others in the church about ways to improve support for persons with disabilities in our church community or by sharing your concerns and needs.
Not sure whom to contact? Look for Mark Christiansen, Michael Young, Steve Young, or Sylvia Young.
Faith in Action News:
DA Lacey: Indict Clifford Proctor!
July 25 — Members and friends from UU Santa Monica and First UU Church of Los Angeles demanded that LA County District Attorney Jackie Lacey prosecute Clifford Proctor, the LAPD officer who killed Brendon Glenn in Venice May 5, 2015. The protest took place in downtown LA, outside the courthouse at 210 W. Temple Street, where Lacey’s office is located. Glenn, unarmed and prone in the street, was shot twice in the back by Proctor. For more on the ongoing campaign to seek justice for Brendon Glenn, please contact Rick Rhoads at fia@uusm.org or visit the Faith in Action table in Forbes Hall.
HOLD THE DATE:
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 7 PM, LOCATION TBD
What’s Love Got to Do With It?
A faith perspective on the LUVE initiative CLUE will present an educational forum on the LUVE (Land Use Voter Empowerment) initiative, which will be on the ballot in Santa Monica in November. More details in next issue.
“CLUE (Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice) of Santa Monica, a faith-based advocacy organization committed to good jobs, dignity and justice, opposes the LUVE initiative because, while it will not alleviate the traffic problem, it will create additional barriers to housing, ethnic diversity, and economic justice. The LUVE initiative will only exacerbate the suffering of those who are most vulnerable. Our diverse religious traditions unequivocally oppose adding burdens upon the downtrodden.”
50,000 Grocery Workers May Strike Soon; We “Adopt” Vons at Euclid & Wilshire
In 2011, UU Santa Monica congregants marched to — and through — the Vons at Euclid and Wilshire to let grocery workers know they had our support as they fought against draconian givebacks demanded by the supermarket chains. The 2011 contract ended in March of this year, and once again the companies are demanding givebacks. All SoCal United Food & Commercial Workers locals have voted to authorize a strike if necessary. The UU Santa Monica Peace & Social Justice Committee will once again organize support, particularly for the Vons workers at Euclid & Wilshire. More details in our next issue and at the Faith in Action table in Forbes Hall.
Splinters from the Board:
“We Covenant to Encourage the Best from One Another in Attitudes and Actions”
The Board of Directors met Tuesday, July 12 in Forbes Hall in an open configuration (reminiscent of a chalice) that included the 11 members of the congregation who attended as observers. Jacki Weber provided dinner to the board.
Ron Crane lit the chalice and, in his president’s remarks, made reference to the recent contentious Executive and Finance Committee meetings characterized by rancor followed by repair. He expressed hope for a better future and, to that end, first on the agenda was the board covenant that was initiated at the board retreat and subsequently drafted by Kikanza Nuri-Robins and Jacki Weber. Board members read the covenant aloud followed by discussion. “As directors of UUSM, we covenant to encourage the best from one another in attitudes and actions. We promise to show in what and how we communicate that we care about our church and the members of our congregation.” The entirety of the draft covenant will be posted with the board meeting materials on the members-only section of UUSM.org. The Board approved a motion to accept the draft covenant as a basis for incorporating comments made at the meeting. The challenge of the covenant is to put the words into action.
Dan Patterson and JoAn Peters, members of the DRE search committee, reported on the status and parameters of the search. Denise Helton, chair of the Personnel Committee, briefly explained the process of developing the DRE job description, which will ultimately be brought to the board for approval. The position’s job description has been posted on the LREDA (Liberal Religious Educators Association) website and two responses have been received so far. Advertising the position by word of mouth also helps. We will be looking to hire a full time DRE by August 15. If that does not happen, a “Plan B” can be considered. We will be hiring Emmalinda MacLean, DRE at Emerson UU Church, as a short-term consultant to train our teachers and essentially fill in the gap while we search for a new DRE. The board approved $850 out of existing RE funds.
Rev. Rebecca joyfully announced that Dr. Zanaida Robles, the top candidate for the Director of Music position, has accepted our offer.
Kikanza and I will be acting as a board subcommittee to locate and recommend conflict resolution consultants to work in conjunction with our ongong right relations activities. We will look to the UU Pacific Southwest District for suggestions and possible resources.
Joe Engelman, co-chair of the Investment Committee (IC) briefly presented the thorough and very well thought out charter of the committee. Although recommendations for investments must be presented to the Finance Committee and approved by the board, the IC is “bullish” about investing long-term funds in the UU Common Endowment Fund operated by the UUA and available to all UU churches in the U.S.
The final phase of the board meeting was an executive session to work on the selection of members for the Long Term Right Relations Task Force. President Ron will contact the individuals selected. When final responses have been received the board will take official action to appoint the task force.
— Patricia Wright
RE News:
Summer 2016 Adult RE Groups
GROUPS CONTINUING IN AUGUST
Thursday Night Centering Meditation
No classes in August
Monday Night Monthly Meditation
“An Enjoyable Dive into the Who and What We Are”
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. The class is open to everyone from beginners to experienced. No meditation experience required. Participants are encouraged to cultivate a regular meditation practice.
First Monday of the month (August 1).
Location: Forbes Room 1
Time: 7 to 9:30 pm Facilitator Bill Blake
Co-facilitator Dave Watson
NEW GROUP FOR AUGUST
The Inner Critic vs. Your Inner Compass
Each of us has inherent worth, wisdom, and beauty. And yet, as we take a step into the world, we are often beset by inner voices that belittle, discourage, and sometimes even paralyze us with fear. In this three-hour workshop we will find the original benevolent intent of these critical voices and explore ways to get a little wiggle room from the onslaught of criticism. Even a little separation can help us think more clearly and find our inner truth. The voice of truth can then be like an inner compass that guides us, and a refuge that we can stand on.
Saturday August 27th
Location TBD
9:30 am to12:30 pm
Facilitator Beverley Shoenberger
On July 10, We Said Goodbye to Our Beloved DRE, Catherine Loya - Photos by Carol Ring
Music News:
Zanaida Robles Will Be Our Director of Music
I’m delighted to announce that Dr. Zanaida Robles has accepted our offer to serve as our next Director of Music. Dr. Robles brings an impressive combination of professional preparation and experience, as well as personal warmth and vitality, to this role. She immediately won the enthusiastic endorsement of our Interview and Audition Panel (Kim Miller, Leonard Cachola, Rima Snyder, Karen Hsu Patterson, Rev. Rebecca, and Denise Helton from the Personnel Committee), as well as our choir, during her final audition July 14, and I am thrilled that she will be joining our staff team for the coming church year.
As Dr. Robles will be departing from a long-time position as a soloist and section leader with All Saints Pasadena (Episcopal) to come to UU Santa Monica, we will be fitting her start here around her previous commitments to All Saints. Thus, she will have a series of “start dates” on a calendar something like this: Dr. Robles’ first day in the office will be August 18 (surprisingly close to our originally projected start date of August 15); she will be introduced to the congregation at our Ingathering services August 21; start rehearsals with the choir September 1, and her first Sunday directing the choir at a service will be September 25. I know her work with the choir will be worth the wait and I look forward to introducing Dr. Robles to the whole church community August 21.
Zanaida Robles is a singer, conductor, composer, and music instructor born, raised, and educated in Southern California. She holds a Doctor of Music Arts degree from the USC Thornton School of Music, a Master of Music degree from CSU Northridge, and a Bachelor of Music degree from CSU Long Beach.
Dr. Robles has prepared choirs for performances with such artists as Josh Groban, Kristin Chenoweth, Audra McDonald and Wayne Brady. She is also in demand as a clinician and adjudicator for competitions, festivals, and conferences related to choral and solo vocal music. She is currently entering her fifth season as the Artistic Director of the San Gabriel Valley Choral Company in Monrovia, CA.
Dr. Robles has performed background vocals for artists including the Rolling Stones, Andrea Bocelli, and Juanes. She has worked as a singer and pianist on the hit Fox Television series “Glee.” Her film credits include “Tinkerbell: Pirate Fairy,” “Godzilla,” “Minions,” and “Creed.”
— Rev. Rebecca Benefiel Bijur
“Ah, music,” he said, wiping his eyes. “A magic beyond all we do here!” - J.K. ROWLING