Newsletter for February, 2020
From Our Minister:
From our Minister: Spiritual Resilience
FEBRUARY'S SPIRITUAL THEME FOR COMMUNITY EXPLORATION
This month our spiritual theme for community exploration is resilience. Broadly defined, resilience is our capacity to withstand challenges and recover from difficulties. Spiritual resilience might be defined as the capacity to remain centered; rooted in core values and principles, through the vicissitudes of life. Resilience is something that can be cultivated through practices such as setting good boundaries, self-care, community care, spiritual practice, counseling, optimism, gratitude, flexibility, and social action. This empowers us to make a difference in our lives and in the lives of others. Developmental Ministry is a period when communities learn what it means to be spiritually resilient by reinforcing healthy practices in community life and learning from mistakes. It takes time to create a new way of being that enhances our collective self-awareness and our capacities to treat each other with even greater sensitivity and compassion. This is challenging work because it is in direct opposition to so much of the political landscape and dominant culture in which we live.
Theme-based ministry in our community is an opportunity for everyone to consider universal themes of the liberal spirit each month to deepen our own knowledge and learn together in community. Although, I often implicitly include the monthly theme in many of the subjects I preach about each month, I am hoping to more actively engage with reflection on the monthly theme in these newsletter articles. I would like to invite you to also recommit to theme-based ministry in this new year. That can happen in small groups, after the worship services, in religious exploration, or in many other contexts of church life. One easy way to incorporate theme-based ministry into any group is to have a themed check-in time. A simple example of a themed-based check-in question would be: “How are you today and what has helped you to be resilient in life?” Theme-based ministry works on a multi-year cycle with the intent of providing a way of measuring spiritual growth as we compare how our understanding of any given spiritual theme has changed or grown over time.
As we expand our commitments to anti-racism and anti-oppression work within ourselves, our community, and the larger world, it is important to learn from those who had to learn resilience as a means of survival. The Educating to Create Just Communities that Counter Oppressions educational philosophy of our Californian Unitarian Universalist theological school states: “People of color have resisted white supremacy in many ways. Communities of color teach patterns of resistance. Each person who survives oppression has found and moved along a path of resistance. Those who “were never meant to survive” but have survived, extend to the larger human community the wisdom and ways, options and opportunities, sounds and rhythms of resistance and survival. Such people make their lives a gift of authentic presence and witness.” So as we learn to better practice resilience and co-create a sustainable and regenerative beloved community, let us listen to the reservoirs of wisdom among us and in our larger community, and let us live into our solidarity with all those who dream of a better world.
With love and gratitude,
Jeremiah
Rev. Jeremiah Lal Shahbaz Kalendae
Developmental Minister
Developmental Minister
News & Announcements:
February UUSM Generous Congregation Supports Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism
TEXT NOW TO HELP DISMANTLE RACISM
Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism (BLUU) formed out of several conversations among Black UUs at the July 2015 Movement for Black Lives Convening in Cleveland, OH. BLUU’s goals are to expand the power and capacity of black UUs within the faith; to provide support, information and resources for black UUs; and to focus on justice-making and liberation through the faith.
BLUU operates from a non-hierarchical model that embraces the gifts and talents of not only the individuals in leadership, but also of Black UUs that are a part of the BLUU community. There is no membership, and no one pays dues. A relationship with BLUU comes through working directly with the organizing collective on various projects. This fosters connection within justice movements and service to other groups, and provides spiritual nurturance for the Black UU community.
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 Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism. Your support will help us to live into a future that actively dismantles racism within our movement and in the larger world.
Please consider supporting the mission of our church, and BLUU. To give $10 right now, text “$10 GCC” to 844-982-0209. (One-time-only credit card registration required.)
Faith in Action News:
Asylum Seekers: An Opportunity to Live Our Principles
BY DOROTHY STEINICKE
Asylum seekers in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco photo by Daniel Arauz
There are more than a thousand detainees in the privately operated ICE detention center in Adelanto, near Victorville, CA. These immigrants fled their home countries and came to the United States seeking safety. For the past 6 months I have befriended and assisted some of these asylum seekers.
I started out as a pen pal to a young Cameroonian woman, then took a trip out to visit her. When I visited, the organization Freedom For Immigrants gave me names of some women in the same housing unit who had asked for visitors. So I visited them, too. The stories of these women are horrific. They have suffered traumas in their home countries that forced them to flee and seek asylum in another country. Many made harrowing journeys through Central America to arrive at the southern US border to request asylum. From there, they were locked up in a “processing facility” that can only be described as a prison. All the people I have met have been there for months, and I know of people who have been there for years.
Michele, my original pen pal, was granted release on a $5000 bond (all detainees are eligible for a bond hearing after being detained for 6 months). Her family was able to raise the money, and I acted as her sponsor. She stayed with my husband and me for about a month before traveling to the Washington, DC, area to be close to extended family. More recently, my husband and I hosted a young transgender man from El Salvador for 2 weeks.
There are many, many people detained at Adelanto. Their stories are dreadful. Their need is great. I am hoping that members at UUSM (or other friends and colleagues) might be interested and willing to provide some support. The assistance could be as simple as writing a pen pal, or perhaps making visits. Even just helping to orient someone who has made it out on bond or received asylum, someone now facing a completely unfamiliar and perhaps friendless world.
We could do so much more as an organized group than any of us can do as an individual. Please contact me, Dorothy Steinicke, at fia@uusm.org, to get involved. I will be speaking about this at the next FIA: Peace & Social Justice Committee meeting on Sunday, February 16. Please join us then to learn more about how you can help.
Splinters from the Board:
Board Highlights January 2020: A New Board Member and Prepping for the Pledge Drive
TREASURER AND STEWARDSHIP PREP FOR SPRING DRIVE
Say thanks to Larry Weiner for stepping up at a crucial time of year.
On January 14, the UUSM Board of Directors welcomed new Member at Large Larry Weiner. He replaces Nina Emerson, who resigned for health reasons. Attending board members took turns reading items from their new covenant, developed during their recent retreat.
The board did an initial run-through of the fiscal 2019–20 budget at a special meeting on January 7. At this early stage it was only possible to look at potential expenses. The income side awaits the results of the spring pledge drive.
The Rev. Jeremiah Kalendae reported that the sanctuary has on some Sundays exceeded capacity, and he is working with greeters and ushers to be sure seating is fully utilized. He was pleased with the reception of his “Jesus: The Radical” sermon, (email Sibylla Nash at oos@uusm.org to request a copy of the sermon $10) having received more requests for copies than any sermon he has preached (email Sibylla Nash at oos@uusm.org to request a copy of the sermon for $10). A safety plan was in place for the Christmas services, in order to coordinate responses in case of an emergency. Rev. Jeremiah instituted a more active staff appreciation effort around the holidays. He is currently working closely with the Stewardship Committee on the video portion of their pledge drive: they have already filmed a number of members’ comments.
UUSM Treasurer Vilma Ortiz reported that the Finance Committee will consider suggested changes to the proposed budget at its February 9 meeting. She proposed three motions: 1. to approve that the $30,000 from the estate of Ray Goodman be invested by UUSM in the Unitarian Universalist Common Endowment Fund (UUCEF), with earnings to go to the Minister’s Education Fund as per Ray’s wishes; 2. to approve that the pledge year be adjusted to match the church’s fiscal year, July 1 to June 30. Both these motions passed. Her third motion, to approve new procedures for rollover pledges (cases where Stewardship does not receive new instructions from a donor regarding their annual pledge), was tabled until February, so that President Jacki Weber could consult with staff at the Unitarian Universalist Association.
Member at Large Eileen McCormack, who is the board liaison to the Health and Safety Committee, reported the committee is well-staffed and actively working to develop a full-fledged safety plan.
Secretary Norm Richey presented a review of the first run of the nine-part Faith Forward membership-recruitment program. In general, it was well-received. He stated that, in addition to visitors, active members are encouraged to attend the next series of classes.
RE News:
Personal and Spiritual Exploration for Adults, February 2020
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES, PROGRAMS, AND WORKSHOPS FOR ADULTS.
Learning and exploration are about the transformation of the individual, our community, and the larger society. Participation helps us grow in wisdom, compassion, and ethical living. See our upcoming activities, programs, and workshops for adults.
To contact the facilitator in regard to any offering, you may email AdultRE@UUSM.org with the title of the group in the subject line. Your email will be forwarded.
Special Workshop for February
Prayer Bead Workshop Wednesdays, February 12, 26
You are invited to participate in a special, two-part workshop on prayer beads and spiritual practice. At our first meeting, Rev. Jeremiah will share the history of prayer beads in various cultures and religions–Rosary, Tasbih, Japamala, Catholic, Anglican, Islamic, Pagan, Buddhist. We will discuss types of prayer and ways to adapt them to fit various UU beliefs. Week Two: Keeping in mind what we have learned about the purpose, intention and symbolism of materials in prayer beads, we will make our own prayer beads. We will meet in Forbes Hall from 7–9 pm. Contacts: Bettye Barclay or Sue Stoyanoff.
Community Building Through Personal Development:
Collage Group with Stan Bemis Saturday, February 8
Do you wish to express yourself creatively in art, and yet may feel inadequate or untrained? Do you yearn to make an artistic statement, yet not sure how? Do you have too many catalogs, magazines, and advertisements, and haven’t a clue what to do with them? We welcome you to create your own collages with Stan Bemis! Stan works to bring joy and peace into people’s lives by creating art. The goal of this group is to help foster personal worth and empowerment, entering that holy place within and having sacred fun. We encourage you to bring your old magazines to work with as well. We will meet from 10 am-12 noon in the NE Cottage. Contacts: Stan Bemis or Sarah Robson.
International Folk Dancing with Instructors Saturday, February 15
They say that dancing is combining fun with exercise and friends. Learn international folk dancing with instructors Sandy Helperin and Teri Hoffman. Folk dancing is for anyone who loves to move to traditional music. New dancers are welcome – there are no partners required. Donations accepted. We are meeting from 7-8:30 pm in Forbes Hall. Enter through the Arizona entrance. Contact: Ellen Levy.
Ukulele Strum and Sing-Along Saturday, February 15
UU Ukes of Santa Monica presents a monthly strum and sing-a-long. Come and play Ukulele with us (or join with another strumming instrument) or come just to sing along. All levels welcome (from no experience to advanced). Bring a Ukulele if you can, chords and lyrics will be provided and we will share tips and support each other to strum and sing-a-long, pulling from a wide range of music. We will meet in Forbes Hall on the third Saturday of the month, from 10 am-12 pm. Contact: Kim Kalmanson.
Exploration of Ideas:
AAHS Freethinker Forum Sunday, February 23
AAHS (Atheists, Agnostics, Humanists, and Secularists) is an open group that meets for a lively and engaging discussion on topics of politics, science, religion, and philosophy. We also host occasional guest speakers, films, and outings. We are a home base for non-believers and questioners, but everyone is welcome. For many, atheism/agnosticism is a first step; Humanism is the thousand steps that come after. We’ll meet one hour after the service in the Warren Mathews Conference Room. Contact: James Witker.
Science Non-Fiction Book Discussion Tuesday, February 18
We will discuss “The Strength Switch: How the New Science of Strength-Based Parenting Can Help Your Child and Your Teen to Flourish,” by Lea Waters. There is more than one way to raise a child to an independent adulthood. Discovering strengths can be put to unexpected uses. All are welcome. We meet from 7:30-9 pm in Forbes Hall. Contact: Rebecca Crawford.
Interest Groups:
Body and Mind Tune-Up for Seniors Every Saturday
Bruno Lacombe is conducting exercise classes for seniors, super-seniors and people with physical difficulties for UUSM members. Classes are no-charge for UUSM members; non-members suggested donation $10 per class to UUSM. We meet from 12:30-1:30 pm in Forbes Hall. Contact: Bruno Lacombe.
Discussion and Support for Persons with Disabilities Sunday, February 23
Come and join us as we share stories, inspirations and find community with each other. The group offers a forum in which members can feel the benefit of its mutual support. Previous topics include: how to improve the quality of one’s life overall and how to use structure, aides and devices more successfully/productively/efficiently in one’s life. The Disability Support Group will be promoting a dialogue on a selected topic at each of its meetings throughout this church year. There is a different theme for each month. All church members interested in the topic are invited to attend. We meet on the fourth Sunday of each month a half hour after the service in the SE Cottage. Contact: Michael Young.
Parents’ Group Sunday, TBA
Come join us to discuss the joys and challenges of parenting in a group setting! Childcare will be provided. Contact Chris Brown for more information.
UU Men’s Group Thursdays, February 6, 20
The Men’s Group offers a special opportunity to the men of the congregation and other like-minded men to join our welcoming group with provocative and stimulating discussion and to get to know others with UU perspectives in a more meaningful way. The topics for Thursday, Feb. 6 are: If your father were alive today, what would he think of our advancements in technology. Is new tech improving our lives or is it distracting and isolating us? How can we fix this? The topics for Thursday, Feb. 20 are: If you could send a message back to yourself as a kid, what would you say? And what’s the best piece of advice anyone ever gave you? We meet the first and third Thursdays of the month from 7:30-9 pm in the NE Cottage. For more information contact Richard Mathias.
Meditations:
An Enjoyable Dive into Who and What We Are Mondays, February 3, 17
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. The class meets in Forbes Classroom 3 from 7:30-9 pm. Contact: Bill Blake.
Open Meditation Mondays, February 10, 24
We gather twice a month to sit together quietly for 20 minutes, to walk with gentle awareness for seven minutes, and to explore the integration of meditation with ordinary life through reading and sharing. Anyone who senses they would benefit from 20 minutes of silent, non-guided sitting is welcome to join us. We have found that this time of quiet meditation and shared exploration can be deeply nourishing – a time of simply “being” amidst all the “doing” of our lives. We meet in Forbes Hall, from 7:30-9:15 pm. Contacts: Bev Shoenberger or Carol Ring.
A Call for UU Humanist “Elevator Speeches”
AAHS: AGNOSTICS, ATHEISTS, HUMANISTS & SECULARISTS FREETHINKERS FORUM
Do you have a good Humanist or UU “elevator speech?” You know, a quick summary that explains a complex subject to someone who only has time for a brief exchange of words… such as might occur during an elevator ride?
Our next AAHS: Agnostics, Atheists, Humanists & Secularists Freethinker Forum is a fun chance to bring, test, or create your best elevator speeches in time for the next issue of UU Humanist Association’s journal. All are welcome, and if you would prefer just to listen to others’ ideas, that’s perfectly fine! More details below:
The Journal of Religious Humanism would like to challenge you to be creatively brief.
So, if you were asked, upon entering an elevator: “Hey, what is Humanism, anyway?”
And you had to reply before exiting, what would you say?
- In one floor? In 10-15 seconds? No more than a dozen words?
- In four floors? 20-30 seconds? No more than 50 words?
- In twelve floors? 45 – 60 seconds? 100 words, tops?
The Journal editors would love to include your positive description in our next issue. Please pick one of the elevator-ride durations as described above, and submit before Jan. 31, 2020, along with your name, phone number, connection to Humanism, and other succinct and relevant information.
We’ll try to include as many entries as we can, but reserve the right to edit, with your permission. We select and edit on a rolling basis, so earlier submissions have a better chance of being included.
Have a burning need to say more? To a four-floor speech you may optionally add up to 250 words of biography and details of what inspired you. To a twelve-floor speech, up to 750 words (also optional).
Secular Humanism. Religious Humanism. Plain ole’ humanism. Whatever you call it – tell us and our members/subscribers what it means to you.
Some unsolicited advice: perfection is rare and takes too long. We accept diamonds in the rough. Think fast, write just a little slower, revise sparingly, and send it in. Who knows? You could make us proud and we might make you famous (within a limited Freethinking universe).
If you can’t make Sunday’s meeting but still wish to submit your elevator speeches to the UU Humanist Association by Jan. 31, please email them to aahs@uusm.org and we will pass them along to Roger Brewin of the Journal of Religious Humanism.
Need some examples?
Here are some Humanist Elevator Speeches from a number of perspectives:
One-floor elevator speeches:
“Belief and trust in human effort.”
-John Dietrich, Minister, First Unitarian Society, Minneapolis, 1930s.
“Wonder, imagination, fulfillment, creativity, meaning: available to everyone – religious or not.”
-Marilyn Westfall, Humanist spokesperson and published poet, in “How to Thread a Needle,” Journal of Religious Humanism, 2015
“Religious Humanism celebrates individual rational choice in loving community.”
-Roger Brewin, UU Humanists Association Board member, 2019.
Four-floor elevator speeches:
“Engaged in the flow of life, we aspire to this vision: our informed conviction is that humanity has the ability to progress towards its highest ideals. The responsibility for our lives and the kind of world in which we live, is ours.”
-Stephanie Downs Hughes, DuPage UU Church, on Humanist Manifesto III, Journal of Religious Humanism, 2003.
“Humanism tells me human life is … worthy of respect and care. Environmentalism tells me: to be human is to be part of an interdependent circle of all life. Environmental Humanism compels me to work to reduce human practices that threaten the survival of life on earth.”
-Carol Hepokoski, Meadville Lombard Theological School, in “Being Human on a Warming Planet,” Journal of Religious Humanism, 2016
Twelve-floor elevator speeches:
“A humanist accepts the scientific worldview, its explanations of the origins of the universe and the evolution of humankind as a natural part of that universe. We believe those things for which we have found evidence, reflected on and refined by the use of reason and critical thought. It is through human will and human work that the ills in our lives can be overcome. That which we revere and find sacred is manifest in our human freedom to choose the good, our quest for truth, love of justice, practice of compassion, and creation and appreciation of beauty.”
-- Kathleen Korb, minister of the UU Congregation of Greater Naples, FL., UUHA General Assembly workshop: If Not God, What?, 2003
“As a Humanist I accept and rejoice in the reality of our world and our lives here and now. To me the idea of Heaven pales in comparison to the grandeur and majesty of this delicate planet on which we find ourselves. How can any notion of an afterlife be more compelling than the drama of our human experience: human emotions, sensations, struggles, triumphs, opportunities gained and lost? What could be more glorious than just being alive for whatever time we have, and how could we ever appreciate being alive without the sure knowledge of our eventual death?”
-- Susanne Werner, DuPage UU Church, in “Nature ‘N Us,” Journal of Religious Humanism, 2003
Rabbi Adam Chalom to Speak on Humanistic Approaches to Religious Traditions
SUNDAY, FEB. 2 AT 2 PM TO 4 PM IN THE SANCTUARY
AAHS (AAHS: Agnostics, Atheists, Humanists & Secularists) is thrilled to welcome Rabbi Adam Chalom to UU Santa Monica Sunday, Feb. 2 at 2 pm to 4 pm in the Sanctuary. He will talk about his work as Rabbi of Kol Hadash Humanistic Congregation and share his wisdom on humanistic approaches to historic religious traditions in today’s changing landscape of faith and practice.
Many humanists, agnostics, or the otherwise non-religious are emotionally attached to family and cultural traditions, from Passover seders to “holiday” trees, but can struggle to celebrate their heritage with philosophical integrity. What experience can 50 years of Humanistic Judaism offer towards open yet rooted cultural identities and communities?
Rabbi Adam Chalom has served as Dean for North America of the International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism, the leadership and rabbinical training institution of the world-wide movement of Secular Humanistic Judaism, since 2007. He has also served as Rabbi of Kol Hadash Humanistic Congregation in suburban Chicago, where he lives with his wife and two children. He is on the editorial board of the journal Humanistic Judaism and has served on the Advisory Council of The Humanist Institute.
Rabbi Chalom was raised as a Humanistic Jew at the Birmingham Temple in suburban Detroit, Michigan, the founding congregation of Humanistic Judaism. He earned his B.A. from Yale University in Judaic Studies, a Master’s Degree at the University of Michigan in Hebrew and Jewish Cultural Studies, Rabbinic ordination from the International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism, and his Ph.D. at the University of Michigan in Near Eastern Studies. His dissertation was titled “Modern Midrash: Jewish Identity and Literary Creativity.”
Rabbi Chalom has previously helped organize and spoken at conferences on theism and public policy, young adult children of intermarriage, the future of Jewish peoplehood, and more. He has contributed to several published volumes, most recently “Humanistic Judaism and Secular Spirituality” in Religion: Beyond Religion (MacMillan, 2016) and the entry “Humanistic Judaism” in The Encyclopedia of the Bible and Its Reception. Rabbi Chalom has also edited two books: Jews and the Muslim World: Solving the Puzzle (IISHJ, 2010) and Rabbi Sherwin Wine’s A Provocative People: A Secular History of the Jews (IISHJ, 2012). He also developed a 50-session adult education curriculum, Introduction to Secular Humanistic Judaism (IISHJ).
Contact: aahs@uusm.org
What’s Happening in Youth RE?
DRE CLEO ANDERSON'S JANUARY REPORT TO THE BOARD
Religious Exploration (RE) is in full swing now. There are many, many programs and events that comprise the RE program but not many detailed records. And so, as I began my tenure here, I began to build records and infrastructure to streamline planning and execution. The RE Committee has also begun to look at what we want new parents to know as they join our community. Overall, this first three months has been an exploratory time of growth for the RE program.
RE in General
The Christmas Pageant went really well. We had a mix of enrolled RE families, new families and congregants who make a special trip just to see the kids.
We covered Hanukkah and Kwanzaa in general RE with many of our nursery-age kids joining the elementary kids for story time and holiday crafts.
Up next will be our Second Fun Sunday: Board Games and Popcorn.
Our Whole Lives (OWL)
We have a full class at 11 students. The final session for Grades 5/6 was January 26. We’re planning the K/1 six-week program for the spring. And we’re putting together a plan for a OWL training here at UUSM in late June/early July — as well as sending interested folks to be trained for Adult OWL in March in Orlando.
Coming of Age (COA)
COA is still going along. COA journals are going to be distributed next session. We have an excellent tapestry of teachers filling in and even have two brand new kids joining this week and next. This brings us up to eight teens total!
Programming
We’re looking into purchasing some new curricula to use for summer. And we are looking at the logistics of running a Spring Break camp for RE and neighborhood kids that is staffed by our teens.
Attendance
When at full attendance (which has happened twice) we have 29 (soon to be 31) kids and teens onsite on any given Sunday.
RE still averages eight or nine but is frequently hitting the 12-kid mark. This variable makes lesson planning hard, but the kids are always game to adapt activities for number or ages.
But… we do only have 15 kids who have turned in RE Registration forms. Starting in February, we’ll be instituting a policy that will prohibit kids from attending class if they don’t have a completed registration form. Visiting families will be given a day-of contact form.
Thank you all for your contributions and support to our RE program!