Newsletter for May, 2015
From Our Minister:
Share in Leadership at Our Annual Meeting May 17
Dear ones,
One of my seminar professors, Marshall Ganz, taught me a lot about leadership, especially leadership in a spiritual community like ours, where we value a high degree of participation in our life together. As a young person, Marshall dropped out of Harvard to organize farm workers with Cesar Chavez, and he often spoke about the way this changed his perspective on the challenges of shared leadership and decision-making. He used to say, “Leadership is helping others achieve shared purpose in the face of uncertainty.”
And he reminded us that collective courage — like that of workers standing together for dignity and fair treatment — is always more powerful than individual courage.
On Sunday, May 17, at 11:30 a.m. we will gather for our Annual Congregational Meeting to practice our own approach to shared leadership and decision-making. In this congregation, we ask our members to come together at least once a year to remember our principles and purposes, and to make courageous decisions about our leadership and our shared future. This is part of a long and spirited tradition in UU congregations, where the democratic process relies on both the free voice of responsibility and reason, and the interdependence that connects us all. As we gather to adopt a financial plan for the coming year, share reports on our community’s accomplishments in the year that is ending, elect members of our Board of Directors and Nominating Committees, and discuss issues of mutual concern, we may find that we do not all agree or share similar positions. It’s important to remember that it’s OK to disagree, but it’s not OK to be disrespectful or disruptive.
Our Annual Meeting is also a time to express our appreciation for one another’s leadership in church administration and governance, particularly the time and commitment generously given to our church by tireless volunteers who serve on the Board of Directors, Finance Committee, Nominating Committee, Internship Committee, and other leadership committees. We simply could not be the community we are without their vision and dedication.
Thank you.
Every time we gather, for worship or for congregational meetings, we have another opportunity to hold one another with compassion, respect, and kindness, so that our shared leadership strengthens us, and allows us to keep weaving and reweaving the bonds of connection that hold us as one community, with many points of view.
It has been exciting to work with our Intern Minister, Nica Eaton-Guinn, and the Internship Committee this year, and I’m looking forward to celebrating the completion of her internship with us on May 10. It has also been wonderful to share the news with you all that Nica will be our part-time Summer Minister while I am on maternity leave from June 1 to August 24, and that Rev. Tera Little will serve as our part-time Acting Minister this fall while I am on sabbatical. Although I will be back with you between these leave times, for the last part of August and most of September, this will be my last newsletter column before departing for maternity leave.
As I will say again at the Annual Meeting, my thanks goes out to Nica, Rev. Little, the Committee on Ministry, and the Board of Directors for their leadership in our search process, and for their support in planning a smooth leadership transition. Because we are not quite sure when baby Bijur will arrive, the Committee on Ministry (Sue Stoyanoff, Tom Peters, Kris Langabeer, and Alan Brunell) will also be checking the minister’s voice mail and on-call to respond to urgent pastoral care requests this month. From May 18 to May 31, you can reach them directly at committeeonministry@uusm.org, or at (310) 829-5436 x104. After June 1, you can reach Nica at minister@uusm.org, or at (310) 829- 5436 x104.
Nica’s Farewell Sunday as our part-time Summer Minister will be August 23, and I will return to the pulpit on August 30. So many of you have expressed your good wishes and support for my family and me over the weeks and months of my pregnancy. Thank you, thank you! During my time away, I know you will continue to celebrate the gift of one another’s leadership and love, as well as the energy, care, and talents of our Summer Minister and our dedicated church staff.
Much heart,
Rev. Rebecca
Rev. Rebecca
From Our Intern Minister:
Thanks for Preparing a New UU Minister
This month, on May 17, I complete my work as your Intern Minister. A few days prior, on May 14, I will have graduated from Starr King School for the Ministry in Berkeley with my Masters of Divinity degree. And in April, I passed the UUA’s Ministerial Fellowship Committee final exam, at which I was granted preliminary fellowship as a UU Minister. I am thrilled, after 4 very intense and demanding years, to be confirmed now as a UU Minister. This call to ministry has been so clear to me all along, but many years of study and reflection, as well as psychological, intellectual, organizational, and institutional preparation are >needed to fulfill it.
It has been an extraordinary year here at UU Santa Monica. I feel grateful to have had the chance to develop my ministry in your midst. You have been so generous in giving me the opportunity to learn, grow, and be shaped by this engaging congregation. The Intern Committee composed of Barbara Kernochan (chair), Pat Gomez, Karen Hsu Patterson, Eric Huang, Rick Rhoads, and Cathie Gentile spent many hours observing and reflecting on my work, and has been extremely supportive throughout. In addition to preaching and creating worship almost monthly, I have had the opportunity to spend concentrated time in RE, to work with Faith in Action, to co-create the Heart and Soul service, and to participate in Board meetings and governance. Under Reverend Rebecca’s generous supervision, this internship has provided me with broad experience that I will be able to bring to the search for my first call in a congregation. UU Santa Monica has made a difference for the future of Unitarian Universalism by preparing a new minister to take our message of love and justice to the wider world. Thank you for your trust in me and for the opportunity to share in the ministry of this very special congregation.
It is with joy that I will spend my first few months as a qualified Minister serving you this summer when Reverend Rebecca is on maternity leave. I will be here part-time (about 20 hours per week) focusing on preaching twice a month, offering pastoral care, and working with the staff and Board. I look forward to being with you in this new capacity and to helping sustain the vibrant mission and >vision of this congregation during Reverend Rebecca’s leave.
— Nica Eaton-Guinn
From Our President:
Our Budget, Simply
I have mentioned “Ponderings on Tap” at General Assembly before. I just want to remind you of the program now.
There will be a UU Santa Monica (UUSM) presence at GA this year — the youth and their accompanying adults (I wouldn’t call them chaperones), two Board members so far, our summer minister, and various additional church members. I would love to know who you all are so that I can let you know where we can gather at the end of each assembly day. A daily gathering is optional, of course, but first evening’s beverages — on tap or not — are on me! I want to hear feedback about your day and especially any ideas to bring back to our congregation.
Now about that budget: Rev. Rick Hoyt-McDaniels wrote an article about his church’s budget in the April newsletter of the First Unitarian Church of Los Angeles. I loved the simplicity and straightforwardness of his article and asked if I could use his “template.” Here is my version for us (amounts are rounded).
December is the month when UU Santa Monica starts to create our church budget for the coming fiscal year (July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016). The Finance Committee creates a draft. The Board approves the draft at their April meeting. All church members approve a final budget at the May congregational meeting.
You’re welcome to learn as much detail about the budget as you like. Here are some highlights that all church members need to know.
Our projected annual expenses for the coming fiscal year are $592,000. By far our biggest expense is staff. We spend about $421,000 annually for a full time minister, full time Director of Religious Education, part time preschool teacher, two full time and one part time office staff, part time Director of Music, part time music accompanist and choir section leaders, and two part time sextons. Everyone is paid fairly. Full time staff also get paid time off, medical insurance, and retirement benefits.
The other $171,000 of our expenses goes mostly to the building and administration overhead, and programs and denominational support.
Our projected income is $547,000. About 70% of that comes from member pledges. Almost 15% comes from renters. We plan to take about $45,000 out of our savings (unrestricted funds) to pay for the rest of our expenses.
It is unwise to continue to erode our savings as the work of the Committee on Money will attest, so very quickly now we need to increase our income by increasing pledges and growing our membership. Reducing expenses would require cutting staff. But cutting staff would reduce our ability to increase membership and do our good work — so that’s not a desirable option.
We need to invest our time, energy, and money in strategies that will help us sustain and grow our membership and increase our pledges. Now’s the time to make that happen.
— Patricia Wright
Featured Articles:
The congregation charged the Nominating Committee in 2014 to form a Committee on Money to provide recommendations about how we should structure our financial reserves. The work of the committee was summarized and discussed at a Town Hall meeting on April 19 and will be presented at the Annual Meeting on May 17. A summary of their recommendations also appears elsewhere in this newsletter (page 3). This photo shows the members of the Committee on Money at the time of the Town Hall meeting.
Left to right: Ron Crane, Leslie Reuter, Vicky Foxworth, and David Olson. Also shown are Steve White (recording secretary) and Kenneth Alexander (member, inset photo). Photo by Charles Haskell.
FROM OUR NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Slate for 2015-2016
Voting will occurr at the Annual Meeting on May 17.
Board
For Vote
Patricia Wright, President
Dan Nannini, Vice President
Kimberly Miller, Treasurer
Emily Hero, Member-at-Large
Joe Engleman, Member-at-Large
Leonard Cachola, Secretary
No Vote Required
Cynthia Cottam, Past President
Rebecca Crawford, Member-at-Large
Beth Brownlie, Member-at-Large
Nominating Committee
For Vote:
James Witker
Bob Dietz
Rick Rhoads (replacing Teri Bond)
No Vote required:
Gretchen Goetz
Beth Rendeiro
Wendi Gladstone
Voting in Absentia
Voting members of the Church who do not expect to be present at the Annual Meeting on May 17 may vote in absentia in either of two ways:
• By designating another voting member, who will attend the meeting, as his or her proxy. No member shall hold the proxy for more than one absent member. There is a form to complete that the proxy presents when signing in for the meeting.
• By completing and submitting an absentee ballot. Please return Ballots to the church office in an envelope marked “Absentee Ballot” with your name on the outside. Deadline for submitting absentee ballots to the church office is Friday, May 15, at noon.
Both forms will be available in the front office starting May 1.
Report from the Committee on Money
At last year’s Annual Meeting, the congregation charged a new Committee on Money to present recommendations to the Board and Congregation regarding an Endowment Fund, the use of current and future Bequests and how to manage current and future operating Budget Deficits.
7 FINANCIAL RECOMMENDATIONS
The church’s 3/31/2015 Statement of Financial Position lists “Unrestricted Savings” of $661,000. The Committee on Money recommends that we establish designated Reserve Accounts to correspond to known commitments and contingencies. These reserves would be subject to re-allocation among the Reserves by either majority or two-thirds votes at a Congregational meeting.
The church has about $1,000,000 in cash assets, about 85% from bequests, including $874,761 received in 2013-14.
A1. Establish an Endowment Fund of $200,000 to produce income for new programs and growth.
A2. Establish Reserves corresponding to each approved expense, currently an Electrical Upgrade of $80,000.
A3. Establish Reserves corresponding to the Deficits Budgeted - $50,000 for 2014-15, $50,000 for the 2015-2016 and $20,000 for 2016-2017 to maintain church operations essential to our satisfaction and future.
A4. Establish a Catastrophe Reserve of $100,000 towards paying the $652,000 deductible on the Earthquake Insurance policy.
A5. Establish a Capital/Building Reserve of $70,000 for nonroutine building maintenance.
A6. Establish an Operating Reserve of $30,000, per the Board Policy, for the checking account.
A7. Establish an Unrestricted/Contingency Reserve of $60,000 for large expenses arising after budget approval.
6 POLICY RECOMMENDATONS
B1. Commit to a balanced Budget within two years, starting with the 2017-2018 Budget. UU churches which had deficits advise this, as does the UUA.
B2. Create Financial Reporting that make existing financial commitments visible and provide long-term perspectives for decisions.
B3. Adopt the Accounting Principles for Churches to provide guidance.
B4. Report Bequests and “Special Gifts” to the congregation, as well as all lump-sum gifts, and provide recognition for donors.
B5. Present this Report to the Congregation, as charged, for consideration at its May 17, 2015 business meeting.
B6. Incorporate the Recommendation principles and protections into the Bylaws to “establish key policies and procedures that may be changed only by the Congregation, not by the Board alone.”
— Steve White
Recording Secretary for the Committee on Money
FROM OUR INTERN COMMITTEE
Nica Completes Internship, Becomes UU Minister — Let’s Celebrate!
It has been a joy to work with our Intern Minister, Nica Eaton- Guinn. This past year we have observed her in myriad settings as she explored the complexities of ministry in order to more fully understand that role in preparation for her own ministry. It is the responsibility of the Intern Committee to give candid, evaluative feedback to the intern in a supportive manner, and to respond to issues and questions that she raises concerning her growing leadership roles. We have watched Nica grow in many ways, most remarkably in her utter devotion to her calling to ministry.
Nica’s internship with us has been exemplary. She has risen to every challenge, grown steadily in confidence in her ability to create and lead worship, even as she reaches out with pastoral care, interacts with RE and Youth, facilitates Build Your Own Theology workshops, engages in meaningful social action, and brings thoughtful consideration to the all-embracing theology of seeking that our community embraces. Our committee members’ feedback and suggestions have been enhanced by unsolicited notes and letters praising Nica’s ministry and personal engagement with many individuals in our congregation. She has a way of bringing discussions to the level of the profound with alacrity, honesty, and great warmth.
We have been so fortunate. Our congregational life has been enriched beyond measure by Nica’s many gifts and the work she has undertaken as our Intern. It has been a fascinating, mutual growth experience. Together we have served this congregation and also served the needs of our denomination by supporting this one
candidate’s desire and conviction to enter UU ministry.
We want to recognize and celebrate Nica and this year that she has walked with us. Please join us on May 10, both at our services and at the receptions following both services.
— Barbara Kernochan for the Intern Committee
FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY
The Rev. Tera Little will be Our Acting Minister This Fall
The Committee on Ministry and Rev. Rebecca are pleased to share the news that the Rev. Tera Little will serve as part-time Acting Minister during our minister’s sabbatical leave this fall.
The Committee on Ministry was particularly impressed with Rev. Little’s positive, collaborative, energetic leadership style and her ability to create worship that “touches people where they are.” This is important in a congregation like ours, with a diversity of theological commitments.
Rev. Little currently serves as the Minister of Throop Unitarian Universalist Church in Pasadena and as Director of Lifespan Programs of the Pacific Southwest District (PSWD) of the Unitarian Universalist Association, where for the past sixteen years she has provided coaching, training and support in all ages of faith formation, worship arts, justice ministry, campus ministry, and youth ministry. Rev. Little has also served as the PSWD liaison to our In-Care Program for seminary students, where she created and led service/learning/reflection events at least once a year.
This June, Rev. Little is stepping down from her position with the UUA/PSWD to focus full-time on her calling in parish ministry, and we are fortunate that she is available to bring her gifts and talents to UU Santa Monica to serve as our part-time Acting Minister. She will also continue to serve Throop UU Church parttime.
Rev. Little was ordained in September of 2011 and received her M.Div. from Meadville Lombard Theological School in May 2010. She is the proud mom of Adrian, age 21, and shares her life with Rabbi Jonathan Klein.
— Sue Stoyanoff for the committee
Easter Sunday, 2015
Photos by Carol Ring
You Can’t Pretend to Show Up
Did you happen to read the article in the spring issue of “UU World” magazine by UUA President Reverend Peter Morales based on this tee shirt slogan?
“You can pretend to care.
You can’t pretend to show up.”
Initially he relates this phrase to that time, 50 years ago, when hundreds of UUs did indeed “show up” and make that walk across the bridge in Selma, AL, including, by the way, our own minister emeritus, Reverend Ernie Pipes. In his article, Rev. Morales then brings that slogan forward to where you and I are. And we are right here, right now at the corner of 18th and Arizona in Santa Monica.
He asks us to do more than “voice” our care and concern. He calls on us to “show up!” For me, the most important indicator of how I show up is through my financial giving. Over the last nine years, I’ve asked myself more than once why I continue to raise my own level of financial giving. Why, even when in order to continue doing so, I’ve had to decrease my level of charitable giving to other worthwhile organizations.
I believe my best answer is that this church, this religion, holds me to a very high standard, encouraging me to seek truth and meaning in this difficult world. It asks not just to tolerate but instead to respect the diversity of thought and ideas, spiritual differences, sexual orientation, politics, and other factors, not only among the greater community but also in my very own UU Santa Monica community.
Speaking about love is simply not good enough. Indeed I am called upon to actively live in and through that love. I do not always succeed but the value of that high standard to which I aspire . . . that comes at a price. I’m called to put my resources into that which I value most.
Sustainability seems to have become a favorite buzzword of late. Buzzword or not, doesn’t our church consistently seek to increase its sustainability in order to maintain its excellence? Without significant financial support how can we sustain a minister, director of religious education, music director and accompanist, as well as those whose responsibility it is to assure proper administration and maintenance of this church campus and our infrastructure? These are all critical elements of a sustainable nonprofit organization with innovative programming for all ages and meaningful worship services to illustrate and explore what we stand for.
As church members each one of us is called upon to be a sustainable financial giver. We make pledges either on a weekly, monthly or annual basis. In the past, I did fairly well writing a check once a month, though I must admit that there were times when I had to catch up because I’d skipped or forgotten a month or so, even though I knew that I would not want to be responsible for the skipping of the monthly compensation of those whose work sustains me personally at church. Knowing how vital my pledge is to the daily operation of our beloved community, I now have it automatically deducted from my checking account every month, as I do with other bills I consider necessities. And yes, I do consider this a necessity. It is part of my response, given with gratitude for the abundance that UU Santa Monica brings to my life.
Every Sunday morning as I step out of the sanctuary following the morning’s worship service, I’m yet again spiritually uplifted and inspired. I’m revitalized, renewed and ready to meet the new week ahead, so very aware of how important it is for me to continue to “show up” in every way that I’m able for UU Santa Monica, a true force of love, care, and compassion in a world so badly in need of just that.
— Barbara Gibbs
My Financial Activism at UU Santa Monica
As UU’s, we all share a common purpose to make our communities and our world a better place. We take up causes, go on marches, carry signs, and vote.
When it comes to the financial health of our church, the activist road we march is closer to home. Part of my financial activism this year has been to encourage members of the congregation to ask our leaders to approve a budget that is transparent, with income based on fact, not formula, and deficits shown correctly as deficits.
I hope you will all attend the General meeting in May having studied the financial information provided you and participate in the process. I will once again be available on Sundays leading up to that meeting to answer questions you might have, about the budget and the eagerly anticipated draft report of the Committee on Money.
It is your church. Be active!
— Steven DePaul
News & Announcements:
Annual Meeting of the Congregation
Sunday, May 17
11:30 a.m.
After the Coming of Age celebration in the Sanctuary Vote for new members of the Board and Nominating Committee. Vote for the 2015-2016 Budget. Hear the Report from the Committee on Money.
New Member Recognition: Sunday, May 3, after both services. Forbes Hall.
Every year we join together as a congregation to celebrate and welcome the members who have joined in the
past year. On May 3, please join the Membership Committee in welcoming our new members during both services and at the special receptions afterward in Forbes Hall. Contact: Steve White for more information.
New Member Photos, May 3, between 10 and 11 a.m. in Forbes Hall South.
Smile! It’s time for new member photos, for inclusion in our UU Santa Monica directory. For further information contact Charles Haskell for more information.
Building News:
FROM OUR FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE:
What’s Happening in our UU Santa Monica Facilities?
Happy Earth Month! Our Sanctuary Upgrade and Lighting Project (SoUL Project) is moving forward and our UU Santa Monica Board approved the contract for our electrician on April 14. Work on replacing the electrical system in the Sanctuary will begin this spring. Please excuse our mess! You may see some dust and some open holes in the wall. This is all temporary. Our Sanctuary will be back to It’s beautiful self, as soon as possible. Last year in May, at the Annual Meeting, our congregation approved proceeding with this project using funds from two generous bequests that we received. Thank you for your kind consideration as we honor our seventh Principle and move our congregation towards energy efficiency and a reduction of our carbon footprint on our lovely Mother Earth.
If you see something that needs attention, please tell us. Our community thanks you for your help and understanding during our electrical upgrade.
Our Electrical and Lighting Task Force is Brad Hutchinson, Nurit Gordon, Beth Brownlie, Karl Lisovsky, and of course our Rev. Rebecca Benefiel Bijur.
— Beth Brownlie
Faith in Action News:
(l to r) Peggy Rhoads, Rick Rhoads, and Cathie Gentile participated in the march and rally for $15 minimum wage April 15 at 28th St. and Figueroa in Downtown LA. Photo by Gabriella Rosco.
Splinters from the Board:
Getting Ready for the Annual Meeting
The Board conducted a long and business-packed meeting on April 14, which mainly involved items presented in preparation for the Annual Meeting on Sunday, May 17. Several of us missed our bedtimes.
President Patricia Wright reported that the Rev. Dr. Ken Brown, Congregational Life Staff in the Pacific Western Region of the UUA, will spend the weekend of July 11 and 12 with us. He will conduct a Governance Workshop on Saturday morning and stay to give the Sunday sermon.
Our intern minister, Nica Eaton-Guinn happily reported that she successfully passed her interview with the Ministerial Fellowship Committee in Boston.
The Board passed the Consent Agenda, including the membership report. Brigham Johnson is a new member and Marjorie and William Anderson are reinstated members. Current membership stands at 330.
Alison Kendall and Ray Goodman gave a presentation outlining the proposal for the Arizona Garden Project from the Garden of Eternity and Green Committees. The Board passed a motion endorsing the proposal and approved its placement on the Agenda for the Annual Meeting for approval by the congregation.
The Committee on Money presented the Board with a draft report of its findings and recommendations. The Board expressed the need for time to thoroughly review the report and to hold meetings with the congregation. The Board voted to place a draft summary report of the findings on the agenda for the Annual Meeting. No action will be taken at the meeting.
Treasurer Kit Shaw presented the 2015-2016 budget. A town hall meeting to address the budget is scheduled for April 19. The Board voted to approve the budget and place it on the agenda for the Annual Meeting. The budget proposal will be mailed with the Annual Meeting materials.
The Board reviewed the Nominating Committee’s list of nominees for the 2015-2016 Board year. This list appears on page 1 of this newsletter and it will be mailed in the Annual Meeting packet.
Beth Brownlie reported on Phase 1 of the Sanctuary Lighting project. Phase 1 is concerned with safety, and will involve replacement of the Sanctuary wiring and placement of switches to enable all lights to be turned on and off. The Board approved a contract with Hakim Electric in the amount of $16,700.
The Board approved a Board of Directors Statement of Responsibilities, which is guidelines of general expectations for duties and responsibilities of Board members. The Guidelines are based on a document from the Annenberg Alchemy Leadership Seminar.
There will be an orientation session for new Board members on May 19.
— Cynthia Cottam
RE News:
FROM OUR DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Spend a Summer Sunday Morning with Our Kids
It’s hard to believe that we’re almost at the end of another church year, isn’t it? Our ministry theme for May is Freedom, and I am reminded that our commitment to religious freedom is deeply ingrained in the way we govern our congregations; the decisions about what we do and how we do it are made by our own members, and so we’re free to create the kind of programs we want to see. But that also means that we can offer only what we ourselves are willing to make happen through our own inspiration and effort.
What feeds your spirit, and where can you make your mark as part of our covenantal community? When you close your eyes and envision yourself as a volunteer at the church, what are you doing? Are you making coffee? Planning multigenerational worship and events? Singing in the choir? Facilitating a program on world religions for adults? Celebrating Earth Day with elementaryschoolers? Knitting with friends during coffee hour? There are so many ways to help us realize our vision for UU Santa Monica’s future.
If your vision included spending time with children or youth in our community or helping to craft the programs we offer to young people or adults, now’s a great time to talk with us about how to bring that vision to life. During coffee hour this month at the LRE table we’ll have lots of information about opportunities for volunteering in our RE programs, as well as the exciting curricula we have planned for all ages in our church in the next year.
We’re also looking for help with our summer programs. Members of the congregation who would like to spend a Sunday morning with our youngsters this summer are invited to sign up for one week, to lead our “elementary and up” participants in exploring and celebrating nature and ecology through hands-on craft projects, experiments and games. In addition to our leader each week, we need an assistant for this class, as well as our preschool and nursery — please consider helping out for a Sunday or two! Signups will be available at the LRE table, or you can contact me at (310) 829-5436 x105 or Catherine@uusm.org for more information.
We have a Lifespan RE program to be proud of here at UU Santa Monica, and its high quality is very much dependent on the generous gifts of time and energy given by church members who have volunteered to teach in RE classes, or coordinate special events, or serve on the LRE Committee, or help out in any number of ways
large and small. Thank you.
— Catherine Farmer Loya
Introducing a New Interview Series
For the next few issues of the newsletter, the Children and Youth Subcommittees of the Lifespan Religious Committee will highlight our programs for children and youth. With the goal of introducing this aspect of our church community to all those of you who may spend your Sunday in the Sanctuary, we want to let you know what goes on after the children and youth “Go Now In Peace.” This month we start at the beginning with a portrait of our Nursery and Toddler Teacher, ZaNyaa Lee.
— Sabina Mayo-Smith
Meet ZaNyaa Lee!
When you first walk into the Infant/Toddler Nursery in the Cottage, you may notice how warm and cozy it is. If it’s a Sunday, you will also be fortunate to experience the calm presence of ZaNyaa Lee, UU Santa Monica’s paid Nursery teacher.
A teacher here since September 2011, ZaNyaa brings all her wonderful knowledge, experience, joy, and enthusiasm to the youngest members of our church community and their families. Sabina Mayo-Smith recently had the pleasure of talking with ZaNyaa.
S: ZaNyaa, what other work do you do?
Z: For the last four years, I have been a service coordinator with the North Los Angeles Regional Center, working with children with special needs and their families.
S: How did you get involved with working with children?
Z: I have been working with children for most of my life. I am the oldest of four with a sibling who is 13 years younger than me. I am also the oldest cousin in an extended family. When I was a student in middle school, I had the chance to work with young children in a special education class and I loved it. Since then I have always worked with children, particularly those with special needs. I have a Masters Degree in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in early childhood education.
Z: I have been working with children for most of my life. I am the oldest of four with a sibling who is 13 years younger than me. I am also the oldest cousin in an extended family. When I was a student in middle school, I had the chance to work with young children in a special education class and I loved it. Since then I have always worked with children, particularly those with special needs. I have a Masters Degree in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in early childhood education.
S. What do you enjoy about working with children?
ZaNyaa: [Laughs] So many things! I love young children’s emotional intensity. I find their immediacy refreshing. And I love to watch them grow and learn.
S: Tell me about your Infant/Toddler Room.
Z: I want to provide a space that is simple and warm. I also want to offer opportunities for the children to learn and have experiences. What we do depends on the day and who is in the classroom, both the ages and personalities of the children present. I like to be responsive to what the children want and need. Sometimes we may have a group of lively toddlers who may want to play a game. Sometimes we take a walk around the courtyard observing what’s around us. Sometimes we have a story time. Or if there is just one infant present, I may spend the time rocking the baby. I love my baby time!
S: How are UU values part of your classroom?
Z: We start each group by “lighting” our felt chalice and singing “Little Chalice Burning Bright.” I also encourage
toddlers to explore their own solutions to small problems that may arise. And I talk with the children about
compassion. I have really enjoyed the energy of this church, and I like to bring it into the classroom.
S: What do you like to do with your free time?
Z: Since I am also starting my own Life Coaching business, I don’t have a lot of free time. But when I do, I like to read and exercise. I also like to go out to the movies with my husband, [singer] Babatunde Akinbobye, and our friends.
The Infant/Toddler Nursery is open from 10 minutes before each service until 15 minutes after each service. If you’re at a Sunday service, come by to meet and say hi to ZaNyaa Lee.
(No children necessary!)
Quotes about Freedom
Bettye Barclay has provided this list of quotes about our ministerial theme for May. Daily quotes also appear in the weekly electronic announcements.
Week 1. To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. — Nelson Mandela
Week 2. He who has overcome his fears will truly be free. — Aristotle
Week 3. No man has the right to dictate what other men should perceive, create or produce, but all should be encouraged to reveal themselves, their perceptions and emotions, and to build confidence in the creative spirit. — Ansel Adams
Week 4. Frederick Douglass taught that literacy is the path from slavery to freedom. There are many kinds of slavery and many kinds of freedom, but reading is still the path. — Carl Sagan
Week 5. I tell my students, “When you get these jobs that you have been so brilliantly trained for, just remember that your real job is that if you are free, you need to free somebody else. If you have some power, then your job is to empower somebody else. This is not just a grab-bag candy game.” — Toni Morrison
Week 6. All religions, arts and sciences are branches of the same tree. All these aspirations are directed toward ennobling man’s life, lifting it from the sphere of mere physical existence, and leading the individual towards freedom. — Albert Einstein