Newsletter for January, 2008
From Our Minister:
The Committee on Ministryserves our congregation inseveral ways. They meet with me on a regularbasis, offering guidance, insight, and anannual review of my performance. Committeemembers are Victor Paddock, Karen Payneand Ren Renshaw. They are appointed by theBoard of Directors according to guidelinesrecommended by the Unitarian UniversalistAssociation.
The committee also looks at the entire ministryof the church, not just my own role asminister.We've sought to understand theneeds of older, more isolated members.We'veasked ourselves what we can do to keep themconnected to our community.
I've brought my goals and plans to committee,seeking their feedback. I've taken theiradvice more than a couple of times! I'vegained valuable insights from the annualreview and implemented suggestions offeredto me through that process.
The Committee on Ministry wants you toknow they serve you too. Feel free to speak toVictor, Karen, or Ren about our church and itsministry. They are committed to UnitarianUniversalism, our church, and working withme to provide the best ministry we can.
-- Judith Meyer
From Our President:
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
On doing that which we do best...
A new year (at least one of several culturalnew years) is upon us.
Adventures and making memories await us.We have much to do: building edifices, supportingmusic and religious exploration, actingon our Faith in Action, welcoming people,caring for our hurt and ailing, loving ourfriends and loving those we don't always findso friendly.
As we progress through the coming year,let's do that which we do best: sharing ouremotions and intellect through spirited discourse,and once decisions are made, cometogether to support these decisions - especiallythe ones with which we don't agree.
It's easy to practice democracy as a decision-making process. It's not easy to continuepracticing democracy when we find ourselvesin the minority of a decision.
I'm going to give special effort this year tosupport with enthusiasm any decisions wemake, with especial attention to those withwhich I disagreed.
I believe this will enhance life.
Will you join me?
For what we are and what we will become.
-- Ron Crane
Featured Articles:
I submit that the strength of the Unitarian Universalisttradition, and that of our church in particular,has come and will always come, not inspite of the Christian root system of our faith, butas a result of it. To consciously sing out a messageof humanism and liberal theology from the baseof the same tree that has sought to, and continuesto, question us, burn us, deride us, or trivialize us,has made our message stronger, not weaker. Somuch is implied, if not directly stated (I'll notinsinuate words out of her more than abletongue), in Judith's sermon of Sunday December16, 2007. Channing, and others who followed,made a conscious decision to acknowledge andspeak from the Christian soil they stood in, and toglean from it a new possibility of a more openendeddivinity (explicitly conscious of the otherfaiths/paths around it), and a Jesus who inspireddedication to humanism (as a living practice) - anew kind of "Word" per se.
Secondly, if the logic is that the word "Church"offends, how much more offensive is the word"Universalist," with its direct imputation of Salvationto all (forged in opposition to the draconianCalvinist plan), not to mention the word "Unitarian,"which originally derives from a response tothe doctrine of the Trinity. What references couldbe more "Christian" than those? To the avidhumanist maintainer of our UU decorum, wouldn'tthose be the first plants to be set outside? Inother words, Christianity, for better or worse, issurely our roots. (It's good to remember sometimesthat Dr. King and Mother Teresa, as well asPat Robertson, bloom from the same soil.)
Finally, it seems to me, considering the logicalarguments expressed for this change, that fundamentalism- as a principle - sometimes infectsthe rationalist (with honor and due respect tothose in disagreement here), as well as the Baptist.The latter becomes intoxicated with the slicingpower of the Bible's "Word," while the former,with the cutting power of his own rhetoric. Both,are at their peril when, a little unconsciously, perhaps,their instruments stray too close to theirown nose or feet.With deepest love and respect to all of mySanta Monica Unitarian (Yes) Universalist (Yes)Community (Yes) Church (Yes!) friends,
Jeff Greenman
News & Announcements:
Each Month...
...the status of the capital campaign and the expenditures to date is posted on the new building bulletin board in the Forbes Hall alcove.
Office Update
We have yet another change to report among thechurch office staff. I regretfully accepted the resignationof Carmen Haley, our previous RE-OfficeAssistant, in December. The silver lining to thatcloud is that Rima Snyder, who is active in ourchoir and Music Committee, has agreed to fill infor that position temporarily, until the PersonnelCommittee can complete a real "search" for thisjob.We are thrilled to have Rima on board!
- Melinda Ewen,Director of Administration
Westside Shelter and HungerCoalition Seeks Support
The Westside Shelter and Hunger Coalitionwould like to ask again for your support of theWestside Winter Shelter Program. As you mayalready know, the Winter Shelter program is a seasonalproject that operates from Decemberthrough March and provides shelter to 310 homelesspeople each night at the West Los Angelesand Culver City Armories. This year EIMAGO (adivision of the Union Rescue Mission) is operatingthe project and has subcontracted with NewDirections, Inc., to provide the evening hot mealand sack lunch distributed each morning. Thisyear we are requesting your assistance in the followingways:
Faith in Action News:
Faith In Action and the Peace & Civil LibertiesCommittee Event - Father Roy Bourgeois
Faith In Action and The Peace & Civil LibertiesCommittee present Father Roy Bourgeois,founder of the School of the Americas Watch. OnTuesday, January 8, come to see "The Struggle toClose the School of the Americas." Gather at7 p.m. for the program, which starts at 7:30 p.m.Special guests are Theresa and Blase Bonpane,and Frank Dorrel, with music by Jose-LuisOrozco. There is a suggested donation of $10 atthe door. For more information, visit School of the Americas Watch athttp://www.soaw.org
SOAWatch is an independent organizationthat seeks to close the U.S. Army School of theAmericas, under whatever name it is called,through vigils and fasts, demonstrations andnonviolent protest, as well as media, and legislativework. On November 16, 1989, six Jesuitpriests, their co-worker, and her teenage daughterwere massacred in El Salvador. A U.S. CongressionalTask Force reported that those responsiblewere trained at the U.S. Army School of theAmericas (SOA) at Ft. Benning, Georgia. In 1990SOAWatch began in a tiny apartment outside themain gate of Ft. Benning. While starting with asmall group, SOAWatch quickly drew upon theknowledge and experience of many in the U.S.who had worked with the people of Latin Americain the 1970s and '80s.
Today, the SOAWatch movement is a large,diverse, grassroots movement rooted in solidaritywith the people of Latin America. The goal of SOAWatch is to close the SOA and to change U.S. foreignpolicy in Latin America by educating thepublic, lobbying Congress, and participating increative, nonviolent resistance. The Pentagon hasresponded to the growing movement and to Congress'near closure of the SOA with a PR campaignto give the SOA a new image. In an attemptto disassociate the school with its horrific past,the SOA was renamed the Western HemisphereInstitute for Security Cooperation in January of2001.
Attend this event on January 8 to learn moreabout the work of SOAWatch. Park for free in theUCLA garage on 16th Street.
Green Living Committee:
We have completed four of our twelve projectsin the Action Plan to become a GreenSanctuary church. We have had our environmentallyresponsible investing class, taught byJoe Engleman. Our Transportation Survey wascompleted, the Green Concert with Jim Scottwas in October and we made holiday decorationsfrom recycled materials in December.
The projects we are still working on are:
1. Show a green film followed by letter writing
2. Do environmental education in conjunctionwith UU Emerson Church
3. Assemble home environmental audit kits
4. Develop guidelines for greener events
5. Establish a website for giveaways of useableitems
6. Encourage "reduce, reuse, and recycle"
7. Have green worship service
8. Work at a community garden and assembletake-home planting kits
9. (Extra Credit) Organize environmentallyrelated field trip
Practice Earth-FriendlyBeverage Service
The following are ideas from "Circle of LifeFoundation" on beverage service that is lessharmful to the environment.
Avoid using water from disposable plasticbottles. Bottled water has been shipped thousandsof miles before reaching us. The plastic inthe bottles can be recycled only once. Then itbecomes unusable and must be thrown out.Consider filtering tap water and putting it intolarge containers. Brita or other brand filters do agood job of making tap water taste better.
Use washable cups and glasses. If you areusing disposable cups, paper is better thanplastic. Paper eventually biodegrades. Plasticnever does.
Don't buy individual servings of water, soda,juice, iced tea, and so on as it creates largeamounts of trash/recycling. Disposing of trashand recycling both use energy and gasoline.Serve beverages from large sized containers.
In a busy world it does take extra effort to dothings differently. Thank you for makingchanges in your daily life that help the environment.
New Information About Plastic
We all have a good feeling about recycling.But there is a downside to it. An article in "CoopAmerica" magazine talked about a new term,"downcycle." Downcycle means a recycledmaterial that is changed into a lesser kind ofproduct, which often cannot be recycled again.
Some of the items in the recycling bins areremade into the same products over and overagain, aluminum, steel and glass.
Other products like office paper andnewsprint can be recycled six to 12 or even 15times. But after a while the fibers become tooshort to reuse and the remainder goes to a landfill.
Plastics #1 and #2 are downcycled after onecycle. They are then thrown away. Plastic bagsmay be recycled then downcycled. But oftenthey may be shipped overseas and incineratedor dumped in a landfill.
Make a commitment today to avoid plasticbags and bring your own reusable bags whenyou shop.
The Earth thanks you.
-- Sandra Trutt
Splinters from the Board:
Much discussion at theboard meeting on December11 surrounded the report byCarol Kerr and Alison Kendallon the next steps in the New Building Program.As Ron Crane's President's column indicatedlast month, modification in design will berequired to match the funds we have available.
The board approved a motion made byCharles Haskell that whatever changes aremade in the building plans, they be such thatno parking variance from the city be required.The board approved the appointment of anew Building Committee with Carol Kerr asGeneral Chair; David Denton and Rod Lane asCo-Chairs, Design and Construction; GeneBalas as Finance Chair; and Pat Parkerton, CongregationalConcerns Chair. Ralph Mechur, ourarchitect, and committee members will presenta revised building plan to the board at their Januarymeeting with a possible congregationalmeeting to be called in February toreview/approve the plan.
S.J. Guidotti reported for the Building andGrounds Committee that the clay soil and gradingaround the Cottage caused rain water to runinto the crawl space. The drainage planrequired by the city for Phase 2 of our buildingplans, included as part of the landscapingwhich will probably be the next step of theplans to be implemented, will eventuallyresolve the problem.
Melinda Ewen, Director of Administration,reported that Norman Vreeland, Otto Cahn, andDiedre Beckett resigned, making church membership 442.Melinda also reportedthat pledge income hasbeen a little behind budget,and that expenses are lower than expectedbecause of unfilled staff positions.
Treasurer Rebecca Crawford reported onFinance Committee activities. An internalFinancial Review (previously incorrectly termedan "audit"), which will review procedures forincome and expenditure confirmations, isexpected to occur in January.
Reverend Judith Meyer reported that she andCatherine Farmer are planning a "heritage" tripto Boston with our high school students in July.Along with visits to the UUA, the trip willinclude a walk on the Freedom Trail, a tour ofCambridge, a Red Sox game, and a Sunday serviceat one of the historic churches.
Catherine Farmer, Director of Religious Education,reported that the Preschool Teachersearch has identified a candidate, to whom theyintend to offer the position. Catherine hasmoved her office to the Cottage. Preparationscontinue to move the preschool and elementaryclasses to the Cottage in January. NeighboringFaiths and Coming of Age groups will continueto meet in the rooms above Forbes Hall.
Steven Wight, Music Director, reported thatthe search for tenor and bass Section Leaderscontinues. The first Saturday Spotlight of theyear was a success. The choir is preparing musicfor Christmas and for the Dining for Dollarsevent.
- Geralyn Lambson
Other UU News & Events:
UUA General Assembly is Coming
Ft. Lauderdale in June is not quite as delightfulas Portland in June, but this year that's where theUUA General Assembly is, so that should make itdelightful. We had a lot of people attending GAlast year in Oregon; I hope we can do the same inFlorida.
Before GA there is a program called "UU University."This year the focus is on learning strategiesand skills for leading theologically diversecongregations and how congregations can have apositive impact on a theologically diverse world.
Get more information on General Assembly atuua.org/events/uuuniversity
- Carol Agate,Association/District Representative
Enjoy a UU Vacation
Do you dream of inexpensive vacation travel tointeresting destinations where you can stay in thehomes of friendly people who share your idealsand are happy to provide directions and advicefor their area?
The UU bed and breakfast directory UU'reHome (formerly Homecomings) can fulfill yourdream. For 28 years, we've provided a network ofhosts in the United States (and a few abroad) whoenjoy meeting new friends and who are happy toopen their home to like-minded people.
You can also become a host and be listed in thedirectory. Contact us at info@uurehome.com and we will gladly send youinformation about listing your accommodations.
Host listings on the UU're Home website are updated wheneverchanges are made or new hosts are added. Thepaper edition is published every year in April (andhas some listings different from those on the we bsite).For a copy of the 2008 directory and a year'saccess to the website listings, please click on"become a member" to pay by credit card or senda check for $25 and your e-mail address to UU'reHome, 43 Vermont Court, Asheville, NC 28806.
RE News:
From Our DRE
January: new beginning, newhope, new year - a time forlooking forward, a time for makingplans. How many of us havemade New Year's resolutions?And how many have made resolutionsthat we really expect to be able to keep?A substitute ritual that tickles my fancy is borrowedfrom Robert Fulghum - he wrote thatone year, rather than making resolutions for theyear to come, he instead backdated a list ofthings he had accomplished during the year asresolutions from the previous January.
I've found that this practice, which at firstglance seems entirely silly, can be somethingquite lovely instead. No more lists of resolutionsdestined only to make one feel vaguelyguilty at the end of the year for having failedto fully realize them. Now we can celebrateour successes in a way that encourages us toexpect to accomplish great things in the yearto come. And that's the way to begin a year -why not tinker with tradition?
UUCCSM's New Year's RE solutions, 2007:
1. Staff the RE program with more than 50amazing volunteers.
2. Minister to our children and youth by providingmeaningful classroom, social justice, worship,and social experiences.
3. Put on three intergenerational Sunday servicesin our new and improved story-based format(Lessons of Loss, RE Sunday, Day of theDead) in order to worship together as one UUcommunity of all ages.
4. Complete construction on the cottage andbegin officially moving into our new RE space.
5. Put on a big celebratory Holiday Pageant inDecember, with more music than ever before,honoring both the Winter Solstice and Christmas,replete with our beloved Friendly Beastsand itty bitty Wise People on their Camels.
6. Spend the year laughing and learning andgrowing together.
(Add more of your own!)
That's a 100% success ratio - Congratulations,UUCCSM! As 2008 begins, let's look forwardto the many wonderful things that areahead of us, and start the new year with eagernessand resolve.
- Catherine Farmer
Music News:
Opera Coming to UUCCSM
The Celestial Opera Company returns toUUCCSM this spring with a new production of"The Bartered Bride," a comic tale of love andtrickery by Bedfiich Smetana. The opera will beperformed in English. Watch for dates.