Newsletter for November, 2016
From Our Minister:
Keeping Our Kids Safe
This month’s column is written with our new director of religious education, Kathleen Hogue.
Dear members and friends,
We are a few weeks into our new church year now, and it is good to be together again.
As you know, our Unitarian Universalist faith is covenantal. We do not subscribe to a common doctrine, and are instead made up of all who have chosen to “walk together” as members and friends of the church. When we gather, we welcome all who choose to join us, and we ask and depend on one another to create a safe and sacred space for all the children, youth, and adults of our community. We also rely on one another to create, talk about, and implement policies that help keep our congregation healthy and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our members and visitors.
As we have just launched a new year of classes and welcomed our new DRE to our church, we’d like to remind our members about the congregation’s existing safety procedures, policies, and plans, particularly as they protect the children and youth entrusted to our care. Additionally, we understand that our Board of Directors has also identified a goal of further review and improvement of our Safe Congregation policies in the coming year.
Here is what we have in place already:
Training: An important part of every year’s RE volunteer training is a review of our safety policies, including classroom procedures as well as a discussion of mandated reporting of suspected abuse. We also review the locations of fire extinguishers and first aid supplies, as well as evacuation procedures.
Screening: RE teachers and advisors fill out a screening form that provides background information and personal references as well as permission to perform a background check. We conduct this screening with new volunteers as well as once five years have elapsed since prior screening.
Evacuation Planning: Evacuation procedures for RE classes are reviewed with all volunteers, and the printed plans are included in every teacher notebook as well as in the attendance notebook for each RE class. In the event of an evacuation during class time, teachers will fill out a form with each child’s name, and parents are required to sign their children out when they are picked up.
Classroom Rules: All of our classes require two adults to be in the room – generally a lead teacher and an assistant. We put windows in the doors of our upstairs classrooms during the renovation to make periodic classroom check-ins possible without disrupting class time. Parents fill out and sign registration forms that include permission to treat in an emergency if a parent is not immediately available, though this is an extra precaution, since our Sunday RE classes happen when parents are also on our campus. A special extra permission form that includes health information is required for any trips or events at UUSM when parents are not present. For local trips (walking), permission is given for the entire year by signing the registration form; parents will be informed as these trips arise. A ratio of at least one adult to six youths is required for any of these special programs (in addition to the two-adult minimum). At no time are a child/youth and an adult in a one-onone setting during activities offered or sponsored by UUSM.
First Aid/CPR: All RE Department staff (DRE, nursery supervisor, and preschool teacher) are First Aid/CPR certified.
Finally, as written in our congregation’s Policy on Disruptive Behavior, while openness to a wide variety of individuals is one of the prime values held by our congregation and expressed in our denomination’s purposes and principles, we affirm the belief that our congregation must maintain a secure atmosphere where such openness can exist. When any person’s physical and/or emotional wellbeing or freedom to safely express his or her beliefs or opinions is threatened, the source of this threat must be addressed firmly and promptly, even if this ultimately requires the expulsion of the offending person or persons. (For more information on this policy, please see http://archive.uusm.org/about-our-church/governance/policies/general-operations/disruptive-behavior )
The time to make plans for how to respond to a breach of trust in our community is before such a breach happens. While the RE program has comprehensive safety plans in place, and much work has been done to develop helpful, clear policies such as that outlined above, there is more to do within the congregation as a whole to support our shared commitment to community wellbeing. As your minister and your director of religious education, we are committed to working with you and our leaders to continue to refine and improve safety policies and procedures, which will enable us to meet the needs of all in our community. Like you, we know this is hard, necessary, and sacred work.
— Rev. Rebecca Benefiel Bijur and Kathleen Hogue, DRE
From Our President:
A Note from Our President
I had planned to focus my president’s column this month on the right-relations process. The Right Relations Task Force, however, did a fine job of describing the progress we have made and the next step. Please see their report below. Thank you.
— Ron Crane
Featured Articles:
Pipes Lecture: “A 60/40 Case for Hope. I’ll Take Those Odds and So Should You”
“When I was at Amnesty International, the question I was asked repeatedly for 12 years was simply this: ‘Given all the horror and carnage that you encounter in your work every day — torture, rape, murder — how do you retain any sense of optimism, of hope, about human nature and the human future?’”
That’s a question many of us have grappled with — not only in light of the 2016 presidential election — and it’s one that the Rev. William F. “Bill” Schulz addressed in the 25th Ernest D. Pipes Lecture October 23, in our Sanctuary.
Rev. Schulz, who also gave the inaugural Pipes Lecture, has served as president of the Unitarian Universalist Association, executive director of Amnesty International USA, and president and CEO of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee. To answer the question, he looked first to history. He noted that 250 years ago in the U.S., slavery, the subjugation of women, and voting restricted to white males were the norm, whereas “today no reputable person would support” those practices nor oppose universal suffrage. He quoted radical journalist I. F. Stone: “The only kinds of fights worth fighting are those you are going to lose. Because somebody has to fight them and lose and lose and lose until the day when somebody who believes as you do finally wins.”
Acknowledging that contemplating the sweep of history may be too abstract to provide comfort, Schulz gave “two more practical reasons for hope in the human enterprise, both of which emerge from my observations of human beings.” His first observation was about human resilience. “What has always astonished me about those I have known who were victims of human rights abuses was that, if they survived death threats or years of unjust imprisonment or torture, it was because they never gave up. They endured greater suffering than you and I could ever imagine; they sustained deep wounds, often scarred for life both emotionally and physically, but time after time they were prepared to be re-engaged in the struggle for justice.” One example he gave was of a staff member at Amnesty International who, even after 20 years, could not speak without tears about having had two daughters kidnapped, become an effective and “outspoken advocate for other people’s human rights.”
“The resilience of the human spirit is so profound,” Schulz added, “that I would be guilty of the worst form of narcissism if I gave up hope in human transformation when so many others who have seen humanity at its worst have managed not to.… Few of us display that kind of resilience in the face of agony. But what large numbers of us are capable of feeling is another’s pain. If resilience is unusual, generosity is commonplace.”
Schulz told stories of compassion and generosity ranging from actions of Maggie and Ernie Pipes to projects of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, from Rwanda to Myanmar to Palestine. His conclusion? “We need not be among the hopeless, my friends. For the sweep of history carries promise of our redemption, powered as it is, sustained as it is, by both resilience and compassion. Those are the reasons for hope: faithful, relentless, undaunted, courageous. That is why I have chosen not to give up on the human project.… 60/40 may not be the best odds in the world but when you consider what we’re up against, I’ll take them any day and so should you.”
— Rick Rhoads
Note: the full text of Rev. Schulz’s talk is available here.
We Celebrate Minister Emeritus Ernie Pipe’s 90th Birthday! (And Discover the Bare Truth)
Forbes Hall was full Saturday afternon, October 22, for a celebration of the Rev. Ernie Pipes’ 90th birthday. Many of the UU Santa Monica members present had been in the congregation during Ernie’s 35-year ministry (1956–1991), had been friends with Ernie’s wife, Maggie, and had walked beside her in the fight for social justice. Several of the speakers at the “High Tea” spoke of the many weddings Ernie had performed in the decades during and after his ministry, including the first “committed unions” of same sex couples in California.
Starting with the Rev. Bill Schulz, former UUA president who gave the Pipes Lecture the following day, a number of speakers also made tantalizing references to Ernie having performed a wedding in the nude. After all the laudatory speeches had concluded, Ernie took the microphone and said that while he didn’t feel he merited such tributes, he nevertheless accepted them and thanked those who made them. Then, still the preacher providing clarity to his flock, he addressed the question of the hour. He said he had been called to perform a wedding ceremony at a nudist colony in Topanga Canyon. When he arrived and saw that the couple and everyone else were naked, he took off his clothes, because, “It would have been obscene” to perform the ceremony while dressed. Then it was time to cut the cake.
— Rick Rhoads
Quotations Related to "Story"
Lois Hutchinson has provided these quotations that relate to our ministry theme for November.
No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a
clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less.... — John Donne
In the conflicts between man and man, between group and group, between nation and nation,
the loneliness of the seeker for community is sometimes unendurable. — Howard Thurman
And there are people who forget what it’s like to be 16 when they turn 17. I know these will all be
stories someday. And our pictures will become old photographs. We’ll all become somebody’s
mom or dad. But right now these moments are not stories. This is happening, I am here and I am
looking at her. And she is so beautiful. I can see it. — Stephen Chbosky
The only reason people want to be masters of the future is to change the past. — Milan Kundera
Second Sunday...Second Debate
Following Second Sunday Supper on October 9, congregants joined together to watch the second presidential debate, which had begun during the dinner, via delayed streaming video on our new big screen in the Sancuary.
Right Relations Task Force Report: Two Listening Circles Took Place; More to Come
The work of the Right Relations Task Force (RRTF) is in full swing. Our consultant, Nancy Edmundson, facilitated two pilot listening circles in Forbes Hall Saturday, October 1. We were excited that more than 30 church members participated in these initial efforts, while our RRTF members sat in an outer circle and, well, listened. Listening circles (previously called “listening dialogues”) are spaces for church members to share personal thoughts, feelings, and experiences as members of the church community, and to listen to the experiences and perspectives of others.
Many more congregants were present Sunday, October 2, as Nancy led an informational session in the Sanctuary about the right-relations process. You can find a copy of her Power-Point presentation, including the questions asked at the end of the event, on the Right Relations Task Force page. Also on the page you’ll find ground rules for safe and trustworthy space and more information pertinent to the right-relations
process.
Flanking the community events — on Friday and later Sunday — task force members spent many hours with Nancy learning and sharing about the right-relations process. At last, after weekly conference calls for several months, the RRTF was engaged in live training sessions designed to prepare the team to facilitate UUSM’s ongoing right-relations process. The RRTF has been learning about congregational life from a systems approach, including understanding how to communicate during conflicted and anxious times. Furthermore, the RRTF has been learning about processes that help to foster clear and healthy communications that can support healing and transform conflict.
We will hold more listening circles in November, led by members of the task force, with support from Nancy. You are welcome and encouraged to sign up. The next one will be held Saturday, November 5, from 9 am to 12 noon. Remember that listening circles are safe, respectful, and welcoming spaces for individuals to share their direct experience of congregational life. They provide an opportunity for widening our perspectives as we listen to and learn from each other. If November 5 doesn’t work for you, please look for future dates. (You are also welcome to attend more than one listening circle.)
RRTF members will be staffing a table in Forbes Hall after each service every Sunday for the foreseeable future. Please drop by. We want to answer your questions, get to know you better, and learn more about your experiences at church.
— Right Relations Task Force
How Much Joy Can You Generate?
Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you
should put a good deal of thought in the happiness that you are able to give. — Eleanor Roosevelt
For it is in giving that we receive. — St. Francis of Assisi
he best things to do with the best things in life is to give them away. — Dorothy Day
The altruism center of the brain is considered a “deep brain structure.” Humans are social animals wired to
help one another. Neuroscience has demonstrated that giving is a powerful pathway for creating more personal
joy and improving overall health. — “Psychology Today: Neuroscience and the Basis of Happiness”
The wise one does not lay up his own treasures. The more he gives to others the more he has for his own. — Lao Tzu
When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed. — Maya Angelou
Our stewardship team is joyful to announce our community’s theme for this year’s pledge campaign. The joy of generosity, it turns out, is not only a nice sentiment set forth by sages, religious leaders, our grandparents, kindergarten teachers, and saints throughout the ages, but is also backed by scientific research. When we give, not only does the receiver benefit, but the giver benefits far more.
Our community is precious to all of us. When we give from our hearts, we support the ministry and programs that our church thrives on. We support our children, our facilities, our music, and our seniors. We secure our church community’s future.
This spring our congregation identified challenges within our beloved community. We are looking toward the future, working together, taking positive steps to move toward healing our congregation. Now more than ever, we need your support —for this important work — and for all of our wonderful continuing programs.
We give to our church community since “service is our prayer” so that our community, in turn, can give service to the larger community that we live in and we can be an even more “generous congregation.” We support our social justice ministry by moving our “faith in action” out to the larger world.
Our church turns 90 years old this year. For the past 89 years, the church has survived and grown due to the joy of generosity by our current and past members and friends. We have so much to be grateful for in our church. We ask everyone to consider, from their heart, how much they can give — or increase their prior year’s giving — to spread more joy of generosity.
Your Stewardship Team,
Beth Brownlie, Gretchen Goetz, Kim Miller, Kit Shaw, Patricia Wright and Rev. Rebecca Benefiel Bijur
You are invited to attend a Joy of Generosity house party this month
The Stewardship Team will be in Forbes Hall after each service with sign up sheets, or you can contact anyone on the Stewardship team directly.
| HOST | DATE | LOCATION |
| Susan and Herb Stahl | Sat, Nov 5, 6 pm | North Santa Monica |
| Diane & Karl Fletcher Hoppe | Fri, Nov 11, 7 to 9 pm | Marina del Rey |
| Beth Brownlie & Bryan Oakes | Sat, Nov 12, 6 pm | West LA |
| Kim Miller & Mike Reivitis | Fri, Nov 18, 7:30 pm | Mar Vista |
Would you like to join the Stewardship Team? Please let us know!
Friendship dinners have started again. (l to r) Amy Lacombe, Crystal Alexander (host), Bruno Lacombe, Ken Alexander (host), Peggy Rhoads, Rebecca Crawford, Lucy Hahn. Photo by Rick
Rhoads.
News & Announcements:
Parents Take Note: Friendly Beasts Tune-ups Start Nov. 6
Once again, our preschool through elementary-aged children will sing “The Friendly Beasts” song at our holiday
pageant Sunday, December 18, at both services. As in years past, all involved children will sing the first and last verses of the song. Small groups of children will sing the middle five verses, dressed in a costume appropriate to the animals speaking in that verse (brown donkeys, red and white cows, dogs, doves, or mice). Our pre-schoolers sing the mice verse, and the older children pick which of the other animals they want to be.
We have costumes for our beasts from previous years. Older kids who don’t want to dress as an animal but do want to sing are welcome to be shepherds.
Religious Exploration teachers and parents, please note: I will lead Sunday rehearsals (about 10 minutes long) that occur in the RE classrooms during both services. Below is the rehearsal schedule, including a dress rehearsal that occurs Saturday morning, December 17, just after the RE Pancake Breakfast.
November 6: Preschoolers–grade 5: 10 minutes each classroom
November 13: Preschoolers–grade 5: 10 minutes each classroom
November 20: Preschoolers–grade 5: 10 minutes each classroom
November 27: Group rehearsal for all at RE beginning
December 4: Preschoolers–grade 5: 10 minutes each classroom
December 11: Group rehearsal for all at RE beginning
December 17, (Saturday): RE Pancake Breakfast at 8 am in Forbes Hall, Friendly Beasts dress rehearsal in Sanctuary from 9:30 to 10:30 am, and more fun (including a bounce house) for the kids after the rehearsal!
December 18: Pageant! (both services)
Call or e-mail me with questions. I look forward to working with your friendly beasts once again this year!
— Kris Langabeer
Second Sunday Supper
November 13, 6 to 8pm in Forbes Hall
Happy hour begins at 5:45 pm
Contact Alison Kendall
Join the Green Committee as we host a special celebration featuring a progressive meal and full UUSM campus tour: committee members and your meal will move around the church facility, pointing out the many green features that we have all supported and added to our campus over the years. We are providing vegetarian main dishes, including one from members of Community Services Unlimited (CSU), who will be touring with us. CSU received our Generous Contribution for April. They provide programs that use food-based learning as a tool to help urban communities in Los Angeles adopt healthier lifestyles, build youth leaders, and increase neighborhood political consciousness regarding food access and environmental justice. As you are able, please bring appropriate side dishes, salads, desserts, etc. to go with the vegetarian main dishes. Please also help cut down on waste and work by bringing your own plates and silverware.Are You Aware (Accessibility)?
Some parts of our church facilities are inaccessible to church attendees who use walkers, wheelchairs, or canes for mobility, or who see steps and stairs as a challenge.
You can help all attend and feel welcome by scheduling meetings and other activities in the areas that are most
accessible.
You can help by talking with the Disability Support Group and others in the church about ways to improve support for persons with disabilities in our church community, or by sharing your concerns and needs. Not sure whom to contact? Look for Mark Christiansen, Michael Young, Steve Young, or Sylvia Young.
Holiday Craft Fair - Sunday, November 13
The Art Committee is hosting a Holiday Craft Fair Sunday, November 13, from 10 am to 1 pm. Lots of items to choose for yourselves or for gifts — clay, pottery, glass, jewelry, silk scarves, cards, and more. The church receives a percentage of all sales. If you make handmade items — crafts, jams, jellies, or ??? — and you would like to participate that day, please contact Bettye Barclay.
Thanksgiving Feast - All Church Potluck - Saturday, November 19 at 6 PM
Sign-up in Forbes Hall after services starting November 6 or contact Kathy Cook. All are welcome. You will be
asked to bring food and choose a volunteer job. We also need several people to cook turkeys. If you sign up and then are unable to attend, please notify Kathy Cook so there will be room for others.
Faith in Action News:
Santa Monica Hotel Workers Launch Union Organizing Campaign
A little after 12 noon October 24, several dozen workers at the Marriott Santa Monica Le Merigot, plus community supporters, marched into the lobby and presented the hotel manager with a copy of the papers they had filed with the NLRB for an election to certify the hotel workers union, UNITE-HERE, as their bargaining agent, as well as copies of complaints of labor law violations they had filed with the appropriate state agencies. Housekeeper after housekeeper, all Latina women, bravely stood face-to-face with the manager and outlined their demands for respect, more money, better working conditions, and an end to labor-law violations, such as withholding legally required breaks, not paying overtime, and endangering workers’ health and safety.
To avoid management reprisals, the workers had been organizing secretly for months. The meeting at which they made the decision to go public with their campaign had taken place in our Sanctuary the night before.
In collaboration with Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE), UU Santa Monica has been supporting hotel workers for decades in their fight for living wages, better working conditions, and the right to unionize. In fact, members of our church supported the unionizing campaign of the workers in Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, next door to Le Merigot, which culminated in a historic victory in 2002. The great majority of the workers at Le Marigot and other hotels in Southern California are Latino; many of the rest are Black. The mistreatment and abuse they experience is symptomatic of institutional racism; our solidarity with them is an aspect of our struggle against racism.
We are likely to have many opportunities to support these brave workers as they fight against the anti-union tactics that are likely to be used to try to prevent them from holding and winning a union election. Please stay tuned.
— Rick Rhoads
District Attorney Walks Out of Her Own Town Hall Meeting
Frank Stolz of KPCC, who was supposed to moderate an October 17 town hall meeting with LA DA Jackie Lacey, started his article (scpr.org) about it this way: “The event had not yet begun and Deacon Jones had taken control of the microphone. ‘This meeting should be shut down,’ shouted Alexander, an advocate [from LA-CAN] for homeless people on Skid Row and vocal on police issues. He called Los Angeles District Attorney Jackie Lacey ‘a lady who supports killer cops,’ and wondered why groups ranging from the ACLU to the Youth Justice Coalition to the Pasadena chapter of Black Lives Matter had invited her to speak at a forum in South LA. ‘My God, have we lost our minds?’ he shouted.”
Others emerged from the audience to take the mike, including Lisa Simpson, mother of Richard Risher, Jr., an
18-year-old who was shot to death by an LAPD officer in Watts July 26. Simpson doesn’t believe the police, who say her son shot at and wounded an officer. She shouted at Lacey, “How long are you going to keep standing there and let them kill us?”
Not long, it turned out. Confronted by a succession of speakers furious about what they perceive as unjust and unpunished killings by police and unjust imprisonments of Black and Latino inner-city residents, Lacey walked out. When a community member urged her to answer and tried to hand her the microphone, she refused to take it. It’s all on video: www.facebook.com/ACLU.SoCal/videos/10154541860033286
A number of us from UU Santa Monica and First UU LA were there seeking justice for Brendon Glenn and others
unjustly killed by police in LA County. Glenn, an unarmed, unhoused Black man, was shot to death in Venice May 5, 2015, by LAPD cop Clifford Proctor. LAPD Police Chief Charlie Beck had recommended (LA Times, Jan. 11, 2016) to Lacey that Proctor be prosecuted. Beck said the evidence includes a video from a bar security camera that shows Proctor shooting Glenn twice in the back while Glenn was prone in the street. Beck and Lacey have refused to release the video. Lacey claims that she is “still investigating” to see if prosecution is warranted.
Stolz’s article puts the Glenn case and the fury of the meeting participants in context: “Lacey reviews every police
shooting in Los Angeles County to determine if an officer acted criminally. She has not prosecuted an officer involved in a shooting since taking office four years ago. In fact, no Los Angeles County district attorney has brought charges against an officer in 16 years.”
How many people in LA County have been killed by police officers since January 1, 2000? According to the LA Times (as of October 26, 2016), 696. If you are patient enough to let it all load, you can read a Times article about every one of them at http://homicide.latimes.com/officer_involved/true/year/all
jUUstice LA, a recently formed group of congregants from UU churches throughout LA County, has decided to center its efforts on the issue of racism and brutality by the police. Our Peace & Social Justice Committee will continue to fight for justice for Brendon Glenn and others in collaboration with jUUstice LA and partners such as LA-CAN. That includes fighting to acquit UU Santa Monica and First UU LA congregants charged in connection with opposing a KKK rally in Anaheim in February. It’s all in keeping with our sixth UU principle, which calls
for “justice for all.”
— Sarah Mae Harper & Hugo Contreras
Documentary “PROFILED” Will Be Screened at UUSM December 10
Kimani Gray was 16 when he was shot by an NYPD officer March 10, 2013; CJ Snell was 18 when he was shot by an LAPD officer October 1, 2016. Every week we hear that another young man or woman, usually Black or Latino, has been killed by police. As Lisa Simpson, mother of Richard Risher, Jr., an 18-year-old shot to death by the LAPD on July 26, said to District Attorney Lacey at the Town Hall meeting October 17, “How long are you going to keep standing there and let them kill us?” (See story above.)
That question is on all our minds, no matter if we are the ones whose children are killed, or are friends of the family, or just trying to figure out what is going on in our streets. Kathleen Foster, a filmmaker who spoke at our church in 2009 when she screened her documentary, “Afghan Women: a History of Struggle,” has made a new documentary, “Profiled,” released in early 2016 by Women Make Movies (wmm.com), which describes the film this way:
“PROFILED knits the stories of mothers of Black and Latin youth murdered by the NYPD into a powerful indictment of racial profiling and police brutality, and places them within a historical context of the roots of racism in the U.S. Some of the victims — Eric Garner, Michael Brown — are now familiar the world over. Others, like Shantel Davis and Kimani Gray, are remembered mostly by family and friends in their New York neighborhoods. Ranging from the routine harassment of minority students in an affluent Brooklyn neighborhood to the killings and protests in Staten Island and Ferguson, Missouri, PROFILED bears witness to the racist violence that remains an everyday reality for Black and Latin people in this country and gives us a window into one of the burning issues of our time.”
The Peace and Social Justice Committee will show “Profiled” at 7 pm, Saturday, December 10, in the Sanctuary. Please come to the FIA Table for more information. We are publicizing this screening widely in the Los Angeles area. Please invite your friends.
— Peggy Rhoads, Cathie Gentile, Roberta Frye
Splinters from the Board:
Board to Consider Hiring a Consultant for Conflict Management
The Rev. Jonipher Kwong, of the Unitarian Universalist Association’s Pacific Southwest District (PSWD), was our guest at the October 11 board meeting. Rev. Kwong spoke about the resources that he and the PSWD can provide to us. His focus is in leadership development and intercultural competencies; others in the PSWD and UUA have other different areas of competency and knowledge that we can call on.
Rev. Kwong looks forward to partnering with our congregation as we work to resolve our conflicts. He said that conflicts occur at all churches and other non-profits, and that UU congregations and religions of all types are changing. He advises our board to focus on creating the vision for what we want to be.
The Right Relations Task Force (RRTF) provided a summary of their current and ongoing work. They are holding another listening circle November 5, from 9 am to 12 noon. For more on the work of RRTF and our right-relations process, please read their report above.
The Committee on Ministry (COM) presented a white paper stating that, since all four COM members are on the
RRTF, they will suspend meeting as a separate committee for now. Their full report will be uploaded to our website.
The board is reviewing options for using an additional consultant to work with us on shorter-term conflict management, as part of the overall long-term right-relations process. Our findings regarding potential consultants will be discussed at the next board meeting.
The board continues to work on honing its SMART goals for this year (although the board is already working
on these goals themselves) and hopes to present them at a town hall meeting November 13.
Because the November board meeting is scheduled for Election Day, Tuesday, November 8, it will start and end earlier than usual: 6 pm to 7:30 pm. As always, all members are welcome to observe the meeting, which takes place in Forbes Hall.
— Kim Miller, subbing for Patricia Wright,who was out of town
RE News:
From Our New Director of Religious Exploration
Hello!
I am so glad to be here. I would like to tell you a little about myself. First, the geography (because many of you will ask me about my accent). I was born in Ravenna, OH. When I was three, my family moved to Nashville, TN, where most of my language training took place. At age 17 I moved back to Cleveland, OH. Then at about 26 years old I moved to Tucson, AZ, where I lived for 23 years. Wow…I am old!
I am a single at the moment and OK with that! I have three children. My daughter Jennifer (30) lives in Denver with her husband of about a year. My daughter Katrina lives in Tucson. At the age of 22, she is going through some growing pains. My son, Jimmy (28) will be joining me shortly and is looking forward to becoming involved in the life of the congregation. Stormy the kitten came with me, and Bear the service dog arrived with Jimmy. (We are leaving pets behind.)
In my life I have done a variety of work. Woodcutter from age nine to about fifteen (check out my arm muscles), server, fast food worker, call center worker, pet sitter, house cleaner, interior design company co-owner, daycare owner for 20 years, and 17 years working for the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tucson.
I am so excited to be working with all of you. I look forward to meeting you and all the children. I know change is difficult and scary sometimes. (It has been quite an experience being out here without a place to live for the past few weeks.) But, if we all work together on creating, maintaining, and strengthening relationships, we will be able to keep our vision alive of being welcoming, creating and nurturing community, providing religious growth, and serving our world.
I hope to see you at all the social gatherings, potlucks, and events that this vital congregation has to offer. Please contact me with any questions, concerns, or just to chat. The church number is 310-829-5436 ext. 105. My email is dre@uusm.org . You can also stop by my office.
P.S.: PLEASE REGISTER YOUR CHILDREN FOR RE!
— Kathleen Hogue
Fall 2016 Adult RE Groups
GROUPS CONTINUING IN NOVEMBER
Thursday Night Centering Meditation
Participants can choose:
First and third Thursday OR second and fourth Thursday We do Centering Meditation. You choose a word to say silently to yourself as you enter the silence. You can choose a word such as peace, love, or joy. There is a brief time of comments, sharing and questions. We end the evening with a guided Mindfulness meditation.
Please contact the facilitator, Bettye Barclay, beforehand.
Monday Night Monthly Meditation: “An Enjoyable Dive into Who and What We Are”
We endeavor to answer the questions, “Who am I?” (attitudes and beliefs) and “What am I?” (essence or true nature). This class will include meditations that explore participants’ spiritual goals. The monthly group meetings will also focus on insights gained throughout the month. The class is open to everyone from beginners to experienced. No meditation experience required. Participants are encouraged to cultivate a regular meditation practice.
November 7, Forbes Room 1 , 7 to 9:30 pm
Facilitator: Bill Blake
Co-facilitator: Dave Watson
NEW GROUPS FOR NOVEMBER
Reason as a Religious Source: An Exploration of Critical Thought and Free Inquiry in the UU Tradition, Past and Present
Unitarian Universalism differs from most other religious movements in that the ultimate source of authority and
Unitarian Universalism differs from most other religious movements in that the ultimate source of authority and
truth is said to be the individual rather than holy text(s) or governing bodies. “Nothing at last is sacred,” wrote Emerson, “but the integrity of your own mind.” Indeed, the history of Unitarianism was largely a movement of reason within Christianity, bringing intellect and conscience to bear against dogmatic ideas such as the Trinity, original sin, and predestination.
This course is adapted from one module of the UUA’s expansive “Faith Like a River” UU history curriculum, but we will expand it to two (possibly more if needed) sessions. We will follow an arc of thought and action across several hundred years of liberal religious history to examine how expanding knowledge about our place in the universe, as well as philosophical traditions such as deism and humanism, have influenced UU common beliefs and values. Relevant to this exploration, of course, are questions about the role of reason in the UU movement today and in the shifting religious landscape of the future. A range of viewpoints is welcome. Please join us for a fascinating discussion.
Sundays, November 6 and 13 (Schedule subject to change), 3 to 5 pm, Forbes Hall
Facilitator: James Witker
Neighboring Faiths: Peace Awareness Labyrinth and Gardens
Did you know there was a spiritual oasis in the middle of Los Angeles with beautiful gardens for meditation? Join us for a visit to the Peace Awareness Labyrinth and Gardens. We will meet with a docent who will give us a tour of the labyrinth and gardens and introduce us to the Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness. We will then have time to walk the labyrinth and meditate in the gardens. Space is limited, so if you are interested in joining us, please email Dan Patterson or sign up at the Lifespan RE table after services.
Sunday, November 20
Meet at 1:15 pm in front of the church
Contact: Dan Patterson