Newsletter for February, 2022
From Our Minister:
Widening the Circle
It’s the community’s job to figure out how we can stretch into the so-called margins to broaden our understanding and the ability to be inclusive. Inclusivity is not ‘how do we make you a part of what we are?’ but ‘how do we become more of what you are?
-Sensei angel Kyodo williams
Blessings of the Lunar New Year, Black History Month, and the sacred Islamic month of Rajab [to be in awe]! I am meditating on the powerful words of Sensei Kyodo williams. She is the trailblazing author of Being Black: Zen and the Art of Living with Fearlessness and is the second Black woman to be ordained in the Zen tradition. She invites us to consider inclusion from the perspective of “how do we become more of what you are?” This highlights a common mistake that is often made in the work of countering oppressions and striving to create a multicultural beloved community. Often we define inclusion by the capacity for an oppressed person to be assimilated to the values, assumptions, embodiments, and cultures of the dominant group(s).
White supremacy, cisheteropatriarchy, ableist culture, and other “powers and structures of evil” remain entrenched in our society because of this harmful dynamic. It makes me think of the ministry of Isa ibn Maryam (peace be upon )–better known as our dear brother Jesus in this cultural context–and the ways that he challenged this dynamic by eschewing allegiance to the political, economic, and religious powers of his day and going instead to live with and among those without shelter and food, the persecuted and oppressed, and others outcast by society. I wonder how Unitarian Universalism might be transformed if we behaved likewise and sought to change ourselves to be more like our siblings who are different from “us” in any number of ways. Might we actually become more of ourselves through a deeper encounter with “the other?”
Our Soul Matters theme this month is “Widening the Circle.” Each month we reflect together as a congregation on a spiritual theme through some of our publications, discussions, and worship services. The theme asks us to consider questions of inclusion and how commitments to intersectionality, anti-oppression, and anti-racism can expand our inclusivity as a religious movement. The UUA Commission on Institutional Change published Widening the Circle of Concern (June 2020) to support congregations with this work and you can find this excellent resource here.
Our friends at Soul Matters invite us to consider the following questions as we deepen our exploration of this important theme and work in our congregations: When were you “saved” by someone who widened a circle to let you in? Who needs you to widen the circle for them? Has an experience of being excluded permanently left a mark on you? How has your definition of racism widened or shifted since you were younger? Has your sense of self ever widened so much that you’ve felt “one with the universe”?
Our Pastoral Care teams are available to provide support over these difficult days. They can provide a listening ear, a loving heart, and spiritual companionship. We also welcome contributions from our members and friends to our joys and sorrows to be shared on Sunday morning. Help us stay informed as we mourn, celebrate, and honor special times in your life as a beloved community. To confidentiality request support or share pastoral news with the congregation, please email pastoralcare@uusm.org.
Yours in ministry and love,
Jeremiah
Rev. Jeremiah Lal Shahbaz Kalendae
Developmental Minister
Featured Articles:
News & Announcements:
February Generous Congregation Recipient: Equal Justice Initiative
We come together for more than ourselves. This month, half of our Sunday Offering will go to Equal Justice Initiative. Founded in 1989 by Bryan Stevenson, a widely acclaimed public interest lawyer and bestselling author of Just Mercy, EJI is a private nonprofit providing legal representation to people who have been illegally convicted, unfairly sentenced, or abused in state jails and prisons. Just Mercy has also become an award-winning film. The organization challenges the death penalty and excessive punishment and provides re-entry assistance to formerly incarcerated people. EJI supports the Legacy Museum and Memorial in Montgomery, AL. Working with communities that have been marginalized by poverty and discouraged by unequal treatment, EJI is committed to changing the narrative about race in America. Thank you for your generous support of this beloved community and Equal Justice Initiative.
To give $10 right now, text “$10 GCC” (or another amount) to 844-982-0209. (One-time-only credit card registration required.) Or visit uusm.org/make-a-donation.
Faith in Action News:
Beloved Conversations informational session Thurs. Feb. 17
Two years ago, the UUSM Board of Directors authorized our congregation’s Intersectional Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Commission to begin laying the foundation for us to more effectively engage with this critical work. Our first programmatic offering is a series called Beloved Conversations. This faith-formation, anti-racism program offered by Meadville Lombard Theological School, the Unitarian Universalist seminary in Chicago, included more than 1,200 virtual learners in the first phase in 2020. In 2021, about 30 people from our congregation participated, many for more than one session.
Rev. Jeremiah notes: “In Beloved Conversations, we work to heal the impact of racism on our lives in order to get free together. Beloved Conversations is the signature offering of The Fahs Collaborative at Meadville Lombard Theological School — an opportunity for Unitarian Universalists seeking to embody racial justice as a spiritual practice. This amazing program is a chance to connect virtually with UUs from across the continent.”
The deadline to sign up for the spring semester of Beloved Conversations is next week, Tuesday, February 22nd. This is for one of four phases, called “Within,” and the meetings are scheduled from March to May. You can learn more about the program on their website or by attending our one-hour meeting:
Beloved Conversations Informational Session (Zoom)
Thursday, February 17, 2022, 6 pm
Come and learn more about the program from participants in our congregation and have a chance to ask any burning questions. Please email the church office at admin@uusm.org to be added to the participants’ list and/or to receive a link to our informational session now so you can join in this virtual gathering.
Program participants will meet online monthly for large group worship and discussion — with lessons published every two weeks — as well as in biweekly small-group check-ins. Partial and full scholarships for the program are available from both the Beloved Conversations team and from UUSM. Please contact Beloved Conversations through their website (which is where you register) and the church office for more information.
Additional information about the sessions offered during 2021 is available on our website: last spring and last fall. And our own Cheryl Barnett’s comments about the spring program are here.
Why Participate in Beloved Conversations?
REGISTRATION CLOSES FEBRUARY 22
The registration deadline for the next semester of Beloved Conversations is fast approaching – Feb. 22nd. The name may be familiar but if you haven’t yet participated, perhaps you might wonder why this program would or should be for you?
Beloved Conversations Virtual is an online course on anti-racism and anti-oppression from Meadville-Lombard Theological School, one of two Unitarian Universalist seminaries. It is open to everyone, and self-described as:
…the signature offering of The Fahs Collaborative at Meadville Lombard Theological School, a program for Unitarian Universalists seeking to embody racial justice as a spiritual practice. In Beloved Conversations, we are here to heal the impact of racism on our lives, in order to get free together.
So far, UUSM members and friends are participating in “Within,” the first phase of the program, which focuses on individual and internal learning, reflection, and growth. There are separate tracks for white people and for black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC). Once more of us have completed two terms of “Within,” we will look to moving onto the next phase.
The program is a significant commitment in terms of time and energy. Each lesson features a syllabus of reading/watching/listening material — essays, blog posts, poetry, music — along with questions and exercises for personal reflection, journaling, and meetings with a dedicated “pod” of fellow church members who are also participating. There are also dedicated worship services for the larger community of UUs across the country taking the course.
There is also a cost involved, and scholarships are available for those who need them. (Please contact the church office for more information.)
Here are some thoughts from a few of us who recently completed their second term…
Why did you sign up for BC and what did you hoped to gain by participating?
Lois: I signed up for BC because I wanted to do something and this is what church leaders said was a good thing to do.
Siobhan: The “Within” program idea really resonated with me, because over time I have definitely found that when I meant to be acting in allyship… I often just recapitulated supremacy and oppression. And that is a hard thing to realize and even harder to change. I felt that the “Within” program would give me some tools to figure out what lay deep inside me and how to work at uprooting it.
James: I joined BC because wanted to grow and deepen my understanding of anti-racist and anti-oppressive thought in our UU movement and how it impacts the social justice work we do in our lives as people and as a congregation. It was a fairly big commitment of time but, as the UUSM board and our Intersectional Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Commission (IAROC) had recommended it, I felt it was something I should do.
What was the experience like, and what do you feel you learned or took away? What might have provoked personal reflection or growth?
James: It was challenging in terms of the time and energy it required — a lot of reading/watching/listening/thinking. Much of the material was eye- and heart-expanding, provocative, and inspiring. Much of it I have bookmarked or saved to refer back to in the future. Some of it I am honestly still struggling with. The biweekly sessions with my local “learning pod” group (other UUSM members taking the course) were a great way to connect with one another, build trust, and reflect more deeply as a group.
Lois: Pod meetings are far and away the best part. Incredibly supportive and helping to reflect on my own learning and what others are seeing and experiencing that I missed.
Siobhan: There were too many things! I do keep coming back to the music of The Resistance Revival Chorus and the idea of holding joy and a positive future dream in mind while doing this work. Because it is challenging, sometimes exhausting — but it is all in service of a beautiful future.
Why would you recommend Beloved Conversations to other UUSM members?
Lois: I have found BC incredibly relevant in my volunteer work — leading to (hopefully) more effective outcomes and career advancement. It’s useful daily in understanding political discourse and in personal relationships.
James: From the POV of a white (male) person: I think you will learn a lot, be stretched in new directions, and perhaps see the world in new ways. It will provide much food for thought and learning for how we can grow together in our work as a UU community committed to equity and justice.
Siobhan: It will help you be better, if you let it. For me this learning has been an act of love, for others and also myself. I am reminded often of Khalil Gibran’s work ‘On Love’, excerpt below:
For even as love crowns you so shall (it) crucify you.Even as (it) is for your growth so is (it) for your pruning.Even as (it) ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun,So shall (it) descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth.(…)
All these things shall love do unto you that you may know the secrets of your heart, and in that knowledge become a fragment of Life’s heart.
Splinters from the Board:
February 2022 UUSM Board Highlights
FEBRUARY SPLINTERS FROM THE BOARD
The UUSM Board of Directors met Tuesday February 8, 2022 by way of Zoom.
Gathering – Beth Brownlie (President)
Jacki Weber lit the chalice and led in a reflection on the sixth principle and the sixth source. These concepts relate to the earth-centered traditions. They commemorate the sacred circle of life, urging us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature. The end goal is world community that embodies peace, justice and liberty for everyone.
Check-In
Board members shared events occurring in their lives with mindfulness of the month’s theme of how we might be expanding the circle of life. Members were encouraged to note how others have enabled us to be included.
Membership – Norm Richey
Our membership is 261.
Standing Reports – Beth
The board approved the January Board minutes as well as the following items:
- Membership report for February
- Generous Giving report for February
- Statement of Income and Loss for January
- Balance Sheet for January
- Sunday Service Attendance for February
- Administrator’s Report for January
Minister’s December Report – Reverend Jeremiah Lal Shahbaz Kalendae
Jeremiah introduced the theme “Our Soul Matters theme/Widening the Circle.” He spoke of our commitments to inclusion, anti-racism and anti-oppression as a congregation. Being inclusive involves us not just trying to make others a part of what we are but us becoming more of what others are (citing the author Kyodo Williams).
Worship
-- The first service taught the 8th Principle about our journey toward wholeness by taking actions which dismantle racism and oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.
-- The second service, by Rev. Kikanza Nuri-Robins, was entitled “Footprints,” covering last month’s theme of ‘Living With Intention.’ She described how our life’s goals define the legacy we leave behind.
-- The third service was a multireligious service on the Hindu Vaishnava tradition’s “The Bhagavad Gita: The Song of the Divine.”
-- On the fourth Sunday we welcomed Rev. Mathew Cockrum who spoke on the topic of “Widen the Circle of Healing.” Unfortunately, our internet was out for this service so we recorded it. We will use it for a future staffing shortage on some Sunday.
Pastoral Care
There is consensus of both the Pastoral Associates and the CareRing teams to unite into one larger Pastoral Care Team. The combined group will begin meeting next month to work on group responsibilities and goals. Linda van L. and Denise H. will co-chair the newly aligned Pastoral Care Team.
Board Retreat
Our Presidential Leadership Team planned the agenda for the Board Retreat. Retreat topics included:
Budget and staffing
- The first draft of the newly proposed bylaws
- Leadership development and succession planning
- Mission and vision development work (to be studied next year with the congregation)
UUA Meeting
Jeremiah consulted with Dr. Melissa James on ideas and resources to help our congregation.
Spirit-Level Matching Grant
We are pleased that we have raised $8,800 of the $10,000 matching grant.
COVID Steering Committee
We are still in the Very Severe Risk (COVID ActNow Data) category. The statewide mask mandate will be ending next week but LA County plans to continue to enforce it. The COVID Steering Committee will be meeting to discern when we can reopen for our regular events and services.
Bylaws Refresh Task Force
At the board retreat, drafts of the proposed bylaws were considered and a second draft is under consideration.
IARAO Commission
Beloved Conversation’s next semester begins on February 22 so we are encouraging people to sign up. Be on the lookout for more information.
Committee on Ministry
The formation of a Committee on Ministry was delayed because of the pandemic. Jeremiah has been working to identify members for this Committee with the intention of presenting the list to the board next month.
UCLA Hospital Ethics Committee
Jeremiah is continuing to meet with the Committee for clinical consultations throughout the month.
Conclusion
Jeremiah thanked the board for their dedicated service, grounded leadership, and compassion for our community and the world.
Stewardship – Jacki Weber
Jacki Weber spoke of preparations for a stewardship drive, similar to last year’s program . It will consist of a direct mail, a letter and response piece in addition to a voluntary phone tree outreach component.
Bylaws Refresh – Patricia Wright
Patricia Wright on the Bylaws Taskforce joined the Zoom meeting from Birmingham, Alabama. The board discussed with Patricia the overall process of the board engaging the congregation in reviewing drafts of the proposed bylaw modifications.
The board thanked Patricia and her taskforce for their many months of hard work on the national bylaws. Their work involved reviewing congregation’s bylaws, reviewing the recommendations and all the many proposals from around the country for improvements.
Treasurer’s Report – Vilma Ortiz
Vilma noted that our pledges are a little lower than budgeted but general income is doing fairly well. While there is a current deficit, it is anticipated that the income level will increase significantly in the coming months. Our expenses will be kept low, reducing the deficit amount. She said that we are operating as predicted.
Facilities – Abby Arnold.
Abby noted that the building plans have been in the city planning office for several weeks, waiting for approval. The city office is understaffed because of COVID but as soon as they confirm that we have made all the changes they requested, the final approval will come and we will begin construction.
Executive Session
The board began an executive session to discuss confidential matters. The meeting was adjourned with the extinguishing of the chalice.
RE News:
The Unthinkable Mind with Judith Martin-Straw, Thursday Nights
Hot on the heels of the very successful Artist’s Way group, Judith Martin-Straw is again offering a great workshop for the creative artist in all of us. “The Unthinkable Mind” will be rooted in Lynda Barry’s book “Syllabus: Notes from an Accidental Professor.”
The book is a remarkably fun, handwritten-style composition book filled with ideas, scribbles, color, and notes which serves to richly inspire authors and visual artists. You’ll find yourself flipping from wild page to wilder page with deepening amusement. But the goals are clear: you are coaxed into seeing things from new perspectives; making fascinating connections; drawing unexpected conclusions; and putting feelers into the unknown. Let your mind feast at the table of unlimited possibilities! And who better to partner in your creative journey, but with your UUSM family!
For the month-long, Thursday night workshop, Judith will treat us to fun exercises in perception, memory, some delightful cognitive gymnastics, and unbounded creativity.
Judith has been writing and teaching for decades. She has been a member of the church since 1999, and this is her first time using Lynda Barry’s book as a text for a creativity class. Sign-ups are limited to 15 people. So please, sign up soon! Here is also your chance to work with Judith if you missed her recent class on The Artist’s Way.
In addition, if you are of limited funds, we may have the ability to purchase the book for you. Let AdultRE@uusm.org know of your needs ahead of time when you sign up.
This workshop will be on every Thursday Night in February, from 7-8:30pm.
“Writing for Discernment” – A Contemplative Look at Monthly Ministry Themes
What does this month’s ministry theme – Widening the Circle – mean? How can we deepen our friendships, even those connections that challenge us? Where do we see areas in our social lives that encourage us to reach out, encounter, and lean into greater understanding?
Bettye Barclay is generously offering us a safe and nurturing online space to ask ourselves questions like these, based on the ministry themes of the month. In this program, “Writing for Discernment,” participants will receive ahead of time short readings and questions. Each person is invited to choose one thing that speaks to or touches them in some way and to write about it.
During the once-a-month Wednesday night meetings, there will be time for each person to read what they wrote prior to the meeting, in a safe and supportive group environment. There will then be a prompt with time for a brief writing response that people can then share. This isn’t a group that gives critique to one’s written word. All abilities and styles of writing are embraced.
The intent of the meeting is as stated in this lovely quote by Rev. Carol Meyer,
“May we hold one another in the deep and tender places with compassion, and may we grace one another by sharing our own vulnerabilities, being ever mindful of the divinity within that makes soulmates of us all.”
Why should we contemplate the monthly ministry themes? First, they are used to help focus the life of our wider congregation each month for worship, for RE programs, small groups, and other activities. This also helps create a broad and multigenerational connection among people within each church. Through “Writing for Discernment,” we can have a shared experience with our fellow UUSM congregants in contemplation of the themes.
The upcoming themes are: February – Widening the Circle; March – Faith; April – Awakening; May – Beauty; and June – Blessings. This will not be a drop-in group – you will be expected to attend all sessions and contemplate these themes together.
Since coming to UUSM about 10 years ago, Bettye Barclay has helped plan, develop, and facilitate small group programs, including the Heart to Heart program and the Chalice Circles. She led a weekly meditation group for two years, and for several years was the chairperson of the Pastoral Care Associates. She has organized and helped plan the holiday craft fair for several years and she helped plan the Empty Bowl event in two different years that raised over $2,000 each time for the Westside food bank.
Bettye is very excited to offer “Writing for Discernment” and looks forward to meeting interested members of the congregation and sharing this time together. The group will meet on the second Wednesday of every month from February until June, from 7:00 -9:00 pm on Zoom, starting this February 9th.
Please sign-up by contacting AdultRE@uusm.org soon!
Personal and Spiritual Exploration for Adults, February 2022
Come, come, whoever you are!
Welcome to an exciting journey of questioning, challenging, and celebrating life’s mysteries and wonders. For generations, Adult Programs at UU Santa Monica has welcomed seekers, exiles, and interfaith families along with those who have grown up in our own Unitarian Universalist tradition. We are a congregation made up of people who believe in God or a higher power, people who do not, those who are content to live with the mystery, and those who are ever searching for answers to the big questions. Most of all, we are enriched by one another’s life journeys, diverse beliefs, shared progressive values and uniting UU Principles as we learn and explore together.
Our Purpose and Our Guide
At its core, the purpose of our educational ministry is to provide opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to deepen their spiritual lives, and to live with compassion, integrity and joy as we nurture beloved community and work together for peace and justice in this world. Adult Programs offers classes, discussion groups, and special events on an array of topics relevant to the Six Sources and our congregation’s spiritual life. Some of these may include in-depth study of theology and spirituality, discussion of science writing or Humanist ideas, opportunities to explore music, arts and crafts, or chances to connect socially for fellowship and fun. Many programs are made possible through the time and talent of our members and friends.
An Invitation
Do you have an idea for a program or event? We want to hear it. Email the Adult RE Committee (AdultRE@UUSM.org) and we can work with you on presenting your ideas.
Special Workshop for February:
The Gifts of a Life: Review of Your Lived and Unlived Life for People 50+ - Friday, February 25
Dr. Connie Zweig is presenting a workshop for people in their midlife and beyond, who would like to explore not just their life in review, but adding the extra dimension: The Shadow – how we can connect what was expressed in our lives with what has been repressed. In this way, the unlived life moves into awareness, and participants can repair and reclaim some of what was sacrificed. We will be working out of Dr. Zweig’s book, “The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from Role to Soul.” Connie Zweig, Ph.D., is a retired therapist and writer. Her new bestselling book, “The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from Role to Soul,” extends her work on the Shadow into midlife and beyond and explores aging as a spiritual practice. It won both the 2021 American Book Fest Award and the 2021 Best Indie Book Award for best inspirational non-fiction. Connie has been doing contemplative practices for more than 50 years. She is a wife, stepmother, and grandmother. After all these roles, she’s practicing the shift from role to soul. This workshop will be held on February 25th from 7:00 – 9:00 PM on Zoom. If you are of limited funds to purchase the book, the Adult RE committee has some funds to help. Please contact AdultRE@uusm.org for your signup.
New Offerings Starting in February:
The Unthinkable Mind - All Thursdays in February
Hot on the heels of the very successful Artist’s Way group, Judith Martin-Straw is again offering a great workshop for the creative artist in all of us. “The Unthinkable Mind” will be rooted in Lynda Barry’s book “Syllabus: Notes from an Accidental Professor.” For the month-long, Thursday night workshop, Judith Martin-Straw will treat us to fun exercises in perception, memory, some cognitive gymnastics, and unbounded creativity. Judith Martin-Straw has been writing and teaching for decades. She has been a member of the church since 1999, and this is her first time using Lynda Barry’s book as a text for a creativity class. This class is scheduled for all Thursdays in February, from 7:00 – 8:30 PM on Zoom. Sign-ups are limited to 15 people. So please, sign up soon! If you are of limited funds, we may have the ability to purchase the book for you. Contact AdultRE@uusm.org for sign ups, and let us know of your needs ahead of time.
Writing for Discernment Wednesday, February 9
Participants in this writing group will be invited to explore the ministry theme of the month. Ideas and questions will be sent prior to each meeting that will serve as impetus for writing that will be read during the meeting. We will also do some brief writing from prompts during the meeting each month. There will be time to share your writings and people will be able to share what was most meaningful for them from the meeting. It is based very much on the format of a chalice circle, but the sharing is done by reading what has been written. This group will offer opportunities for self-discovery, being witnessed by others, for spiritual discernment. This is a recurring meeting with members expected to register in advance and attend each month. Bettye Barclay worked for many years as a psychotherapist and led a variety of workshops including career choice, stress management, journal writing, and meditation. It will be held the second Wednesday from February to June, from 7:00 – 9:00 PM on Zoom. Please email Adult RE at AdultRE@uusm.org for signups and the Zoom link.
Introduction to SoulCollage, An Intuitive Artmaking Process Saturday, February 12 – In person
SoulCollage® is a collage art endeavor founded by art therapist Seena B. Frost, MA, MDiv, in which the participants create a personal deck of cards. The method of creating cards develops one’s creativity, encourages self-discovery, and provides personal guidance. Using the cards can help access those inner and outer resources in difficult times, access the sacred, strengthen our awareness of our dynamic lives, make decisions mindfully, and help resolve personal or interpersonal conflicts. Community is also very important to the process as we explore our group’s imagery together. People who have done this program before, claim that the creation and usage of these self-crafted cards is transformative. This process is being shared across the world, in many languages, and enjoyed by people of all ages, genders, and cultures. So bring your curiosity, your wonder, your wisdom, your imagination and a beginner’s mind to this introductory workshop. This workshop is led by Adrienne Sumpter, who is a trained facilitator for SoulCollage®. We will meet on two Saturdays in the cottage: February 12, 1:00 – 4:00 PM and March 12 1:00 – 4:00 PM. It is okay to attend only one workshop. Please note that there is a 10-person maximum for groups held in the cottage. All participants need to be fully vaccinated, and people need to stay masked. Please sign up ahead of time. Please email Adult RE at AdultRE@uusm.org for signups!
Exploration of Ideas:
Science Non-Fiction Book Group Tuesday, February 15
We will discuss “The Wizard and the Prophet: Two Remarkable Scientists and Their Dueling Visions to Shape Tomorrow’s World,” by Charles C. Mann. As the prophet, William Vogt advocated cutting back—the world cannot support so many people. As the wizard, Norman Borlaug worked to make the world support more people-–not without its own consequences. All are welcome. We meet from 7:30 – 9:00 PM. Contact: Rebecca Crawford at sci-nonfiction@uusm.org.
UU Men’s Group Thursdays, February 3, 17
The Men’s Discussion Group provides a special opportunity to the men of the congregation and other like-minded men to join in thoughtful and stimulating discussion and meet others with UU perspectives:
- 2/3/22: If you were 18 years old right now in 2022, would you make the same educational and career choices that you did long ago? Why or why not? If not, what would you do instead? If you were more of a risk-taker than you are, what might you try?
- 2/17/22: What is your very earliest memory and what is your best childhood memory? How have you come to understand and interpret their significance to your life?
We meet from 7:30 – 9:00 PM. To request more information or to join us, please ask the church office for information about how to contact Jim Rheinwald or Richard Mathias through the Adult RE Committee email, AdultRE@UUSM.org.
Meditation:
Open Meditation Mondays, February 14 and 28
We gather and listen to brief readings, sit together quietly for twenty minutes, journal and share with each other what’s on our hearts. We explore the integration of meditation with ordinary life through reading and sharing. This is a non-guided, quiet meditation that may be deeply nourishing. A time to simply “be” amidst all the “doing,” calling off the struggle to become other than we are. We meet every 2nd, 4th, and if possible 5th Monday evenings, from 7:30 – 9:00 PM. Contact Bev Shoenberger or Carol Ring through the Adult RE Committee email (AdultRE@UUSM.org).
Open Meditation: Wellsprings All Wednesdays and Fridays
Taking time for quiet meditation and sharing in the intimacy of having sat in silence together can help sustain and ground us during these difficult days. We trust each of you will use this group in the way that fits your needs. We listen to brief readings, sit together quietly for twenty minutes, journal, and share with each other what’s on our hearts. We simply sit together in our shared humanity. We call off the struggle to become other than we are. 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. We meet every Wednesday and Friday afternoon from 12:00 noon – 1:00 PM online. Contact Bev Shoenberger through the Adult RE Committee email (AdultRE@UUSM.org).
Let’s Delve into the 7 UU Principles Together!
You’re invited to an exciting new program hosted by Camp de Benneville Pines and offered by our own Amy Brunell. Those of us at camp for our October weekend had a preview of this and wanted more. Here it is.
UU Principles — How do they go beyond an ideal?
Come join workshop leader Amy Brunell as we focus on the seven UU Principles and consider the proposed eighth principle. This 4-week virtual camp begins on Sunday, March 6th at 5:00 pm, with the final session on March 27th. Everyone 18 years of age and older is welcome to participate.
A Camp Connect Workshop with
Facilitator Amy Brunell
When Unitarians and Universalists came together in 1961, they adopted six principles, really our values, of what Unitarian Universalism strives to live by. However, in the 1970’s women UU’s started a movement to change the more sexist language. In 1984, the original language of the original six were reworked, and a seventh principle added that were almost unanimously agreed upon.
Now we’re considering an eighth principal to be included. How do these principles play a part in congregational life? How could they play a part in camp life? Could we use our principles as a guide when we don’t agree on something? Can they help us be more compassionate when we don’t agree? Could they be a sort of guide in how we carry ourselves with fellow humans?
Starting Sunday, March 6th, at 5:00 pm for four weeks, we will dive into two principles per workshop session. Workshops will be presented via Zoom and facilitated by Amy Brunell, one of our Camp Deans and a Professional Facilitator in navigating stimulating discussions.
Attend one, some, or all! We’ll focus on two principles each week, in sequential order. These workshops will be held at 5 pm on four consecutive Sundays: March 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!
If you have any questions regarding the content of this workshop, please contact Amy. Direct questions regarding registration to Laura Chamberlin.
We look forward to seeing you at Camp Connect, your camp away from Camp.
Laura Chamberlin, Registrar
Camp de Benneville Pines is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Federal Tax ID # 95-2143254.
Our Contact Information:
Camp de Benneville Pines
Janet James, Executive Director – director@uucamp.org – (909) 435-6298 (c)
Laura Chamberlin, Registrar – registrar@uucamp.org
Marianne Swift-Gifford – Camping Ministries Dir. – cm@uucamp.org
Angelus Oaks, CA 92305
(909) 794-2928
