Oct-08
From Our Minister:
Encircled by the immense beauty of our place onearth, I am eager to share with you today these wordswritten by my colleague, Richard Gilbert, in the UUAmeditation manual, "In the Holy Quiet of this Hour":
IN BETWEENNESS
We live
In between festivals of gratitude and joy,
In between seasons of contrasting color,
Between floods of brightness
And seas of whiteness.We live
Walking from city of birth to death,
Hoping along the way
To see something of beauty,
To touch hands with those we love,
To give more than we get,
To make some sense of it all.
We live in betweenness.
We are fortunate to have such a beautiful facilityemerging here. When I walk to work now I can see thecottage and the courtyard. The landscaping is lovely. Weare progressing on our goal to have a remodeled andaccessible facility. It seems at times the whole communityis "under construction." This may be our goal as afaith community too. An interim year is a good time tolook at the various parts of the community. What partdo you play in constructing this community? Are youpresent on Sunday morning greeting and meeting newpeople? Maybe you are one of the newcomers who arejust trying to see if this faith community fits your way oflife. Maybe you are one of the people who have beenhere for many, many years who support one of ourcommittees through your volunteer efforts. The endproduct depends on you and your commitment to seethe construction of a vibrant faith community throughto the end.
We have only just begun to meet each other. Wehave only begun to construct this interim ministry thatwill help you prepare to settle a permanent minister. Thetransition team has only begun its time together. I ameager to continue to help you construct your emergingidentity, to articulate who you are and where you aregoing as a faith community.
This is a great place to belong! It is a great placebecause of each one of you. Your presence enlarges thebeauty of the community. As we live in this betweentime,let us not forget to see the beauty in each other.Blessings on our betweentime.
- Roberta Haskin
From Our President:
As we begin a new church year there is opportunityto join the many affinity groups that are active atthe church.
Volunteer opportunities are numerous and yourhelp is needed. The best and quickest way to build communityis to participate in that community.
You may have noticed the increase in the size of thechoir and the accompanying pleasant sounds. Do yousing? Join.
Religious Exploration, youth and adult, need teachersand committee members. We're trying to expand theadult program to embrace wider interests.
Faith in Action has a growing task in social actiongiven the economic and political situation in our country.Bronwen is leading a growing cadre of UU and membersof the larger community during the Wednesdayphone banks opposing Proposition 8.
Membership and Leadership, led by Pat Gomez, isexpanding the work begun to make our community moreeffective and inclusive for visitors and new members.
Stewardship, led by Phil Bonacich, will need morehelp this year. Having deleted a paid development positionto reduce budget expenses, we need volunteers toachieve our annual drive goal of a balanced budget. Thisyear is particularly challenging because of the loss ofseveral "large" pledges due to death, moving, andchanges in people's lives. We will have to work hard tomaintain income during national and international economicturmoil.
Most of our visitors and new members come to usvia the internet. We need to give time and effort in assistingLiz Fuller and Dan Kegel to expand our web presenceand to keep the web site a contemporary experience.We also need to greet and make welcome thosepersons as they visit our church. We need greeters andmeeters.
Our members are exceptionally capable. Yet, we allfeel the constraints of having less discretionary moneyand time. Look to yourself to see what you may contributeto each committee.
One thing we can do in this election year is to act inaccordance with our social and political conscience."Bad people are elected by good people who don't vote."Whatever cause motivates you - VOTE! Our world is ina state of change that requires that we each give voice toour precepts and votes to our causes.
We have much to appreciate and enjoy: community,music, social action, education, fun and caring. Enjoyour healthy and vibrant community - being a communityis what we are about; the vibrant comes naturally.
For what we are and what we will become.
- Ron Crane
Featured Articles:
Once I built a tower,
up to the sunbrick and rivet and lime;
Once I built a tower, now it's done.
Brother, can you spare a dime?We're in the money, we're in the money;
We've got a lot of what it takes to get along!
We're in the money, the sky is sunny,
Old Man Depression you are through.
You done us wrong.
These evocative Depression-era songs (1931 and1933 respectively), the first serious and the secondironic, seem weirdly appropriate today, aswe all find our homes declining in value, jobs threatened,and prices rising faster than incomes. Ourchurch, as well as the society, is entering unpredictableeconomic shoals whose easy navigation may beimpossible. Erratic income changes for our memberstranslate into uncertainties about what we can afford.
At the same time, as our personal situationsbecome more perilous, members may need morefrom the church in terms of programs and support.Why is the church especially important in perilouseconomic times?
1. The church offers cheap and fun activities, likereading groups, concerts, choir participation, and thenew friendship dinners. How often can you spend$200 on a pair of theater tickets?
2. The church provides groups for those with commoninterests and values, from Interweave and theMultiracial Development Committee to the Caregivers'Support Group and the Men's Group and lots more.
3. The church provides opportunities for networking,particularly desirable at a time when members arelosing and finding jobs.
4. The church provides a supportive community ina stressful period in which economic, social, and personaldislocations are more prevalent while the social support fabric is deteriorating. This includes thegreater importance of the RE program while ourschools are failing, and attention to frail seniors whengovernment support is weakening.
Moreover, in a time of increasing economic, politicaland cultural polarization, the church provides awelcoming community for all those with a humanisticliberal orientation.
We are also faced with the immensely importanttask of selecting and being chosen by a new settledminister who may well be with us for decades. Thebetter off our finances, the more we can pay in salaryand benefits, and the more resources we will have forany new programs the new minister may wish to initiate.
Much like public broadcasting, the church is a"public good": we do not exclude those who do notpay their fair share. While there are good reasons forthis policy it also means that individuals can ride free.The purpose of the pledge drive is to remind us of theessential benefits we receive from the church and toask us to commit to supporting them.
As befitting the economic times, we will be conductinga stripped-down pledge drive this year. Lookfor announcements in the newsletter of the date for"Commitment Sunday" in November.
- Phillip Bonacich,Chair, Stewardship Committee
Help Make History!Help Defeat Prop. 8
Millions of fair-minded people around the worldare counting on California to advance thecause of equality by defeating Proposition 8,which, if passed, will eliminate the right of same-sexcouples to marry in our state.
Unitarian Universalists across California are in theforefront of this good fight.Already at least 40Santa Monica UUshave phonebanked, recruitedvolunteers, fed volunteers, anddonated money -but we need moreactivists and we nowhave fewer than 30days before theNovember 4 election.
Many supportersof Prop. 8 believethey are literallyfighting the devil, sothey are motivated.
We need to beas motivated. Weare fighting forequality and justicefor all. We are fightingfor the inalienableright to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
As church member Glen Howell says, "As the fatherof a gay daughter, I believe her right to marry in Californiashould not be taken away. In fact, my Unitarian faithcalls for equality of all people. So I am voting NO onProposition 8."
The San Diego UU Church is activating more than50% of their congregation to fight Prop. 8. Are we goingto let them outshine us?
Wednesday Evening Phone Banksat UUCCSM 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
The most important thing we can do is phonebank. We need to talk to the 12% of voters who are inthe "moveable middle" and convince them of the righteousnessof our cause, and we need to make sure oursupporters know to "Vote No on Prop. 8" and supportour campaign in any way they can.
If phone banking is out of your comfort zone,believe me, we understand. We and other UUs will supportyou, as we have supported each other. You will betrained, and you will be fed. Bring a friend.
Ten or twenty years from now, you will be able toproudly say you helped make history.
If phone bankingat our church isn'tconvenient for youor you're busyWednesdayevenings, there areother Los Angelesphonebanksthroughout the weekthat will welcomeyou.
Besides phonebanking, we reallyneed you to:
- Donate or seekdonations from others.(The other sideis spending millionson TV ads. We needto do the same.)
- Help feed phonebank volunteers.
- Post a "No on Prop. 8" yard sign, window sign, orbumper sticker.
- Wear a "No on Prop. 8" button, T-shirt, or hat (seehttp://www.noonprop8store.com).
- Talk to your friends, family, and co-workers aboutProp. 8 (see us for talking points).
- Write a letter to the editor. Tell the world why Prop. 8is harmful to you and those you love. America shouldnever have second-class citizens.
For more information, see the "No on Prop. 8" tablein Forbes Hall after services, contact Kris Langabeer or Bronwen Jones, or visit http://www.NoOnProp8.com,http://www.uulmcaaction.org, http://www.eqca.org, or http://www.letcaliforniaring.org
- Kris Langabeer and Bronwen Jones
Marriage Equality Team Co-leaders
News & Announcements:
How to Submit Your Articles and Photos to the Newsletter
The newsletter welcomes your articles and photosabout UUCCSM . P lease e-mail them to newsletter@uusm.org or leave them in the newslettermailbox in the church office. The newsletter deadline isnoon on the 15th of every month. Articles should generallybe fewer than 450 words. Photo captions are appreciated.Newsletter staff may edit articles.
Apply by October 31 to Help Shape Our Future
October 31 is the deadline to apply formembership on the New Settled Minister SearchCommittee. Go tohttp://archive.uusm.org/nomcomapp.pdf and fill out the simple form.You can also pick up and submit anapplication in the church office.See http://archive.uusm.org/newsletters/feat08oct.php for more information.
Faith in Action News:
FIA Speaker Series
Carol Watson, legal scholar and lecturer, was a memberof the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) delegationwho visited Iran earlier this year. She will speak on thatexperience in the sanctuary on Friday, October 10, at7p.m. FOR-USA was founded in 1915 and is an interfaithand international movement with branches and groupsin more than 40 countries and on every continent. Todaythe membership of FOR includes Jews, Christians, Buddhists,Muslims, and people of other faith traditions, aswell as those with no formal religious affiliation.
Faith in Action Commission
At the 8th Annual Congregational Issues Election,the group voted to support the development of twonew programs: (1) to support the "New SanctuaryMovement" in collaboration with Clergy and LaityUnited for Economic Justice (CLUE) to be chaired byCathie Gentile; and, (2) "Can Kids Make a BetterWorld," chaired by Len Harris. Look for further informationon all of the activities that make up FIA at ourtable in Forbes Hall.The meeting was chaired by Cathie Gentile, chair ofFaith in Action. Participants included: Cathie Gentile,Christine & Charles Haskell, Lloyd Drum, Ron Francis,Len Harris, Marge Zifferblatt, Rick Rhoads, PeggyRhoads, Barbara Gibbs, Roberta Frye, Beverly Alison,Diana Spears, Lyn Armondo, Mois
Green Living Committee:
Why Beef Gets a Bad Rap
According to EarthSave Foundation, there are somemajor reasons why eating beef is bad for the environment.
World livestock production is now a significant factorin the emission of two of the four global warminggases: carbon dioxide and methane. Every steak we eathas the same global waming warming effect as a 25-miledrive in a typical American car.
On top of that, the metabolic processes of cattleresult in the emission of large quantities of methane.Each cow produces one pound of methane for every twopounds of meat it yields.
These are two good reasons to eat less beef. The nextgeneration thanks you.
- Sandra Trutt
Green Sanctuary Committee
Splinters from the Board:
At the meeting on August 26, the board approvedPersonnel Committee recommendations presentedby Victor Paddock to adopt the employeemanual distributed in July for review. The board alsoapproved the job description for choir section leadersand the formula for staff-pension contributions.
Director of Administration Melinda Ewen reportedthat Lois D'Asaro joined her spouse as a member of thechurch, and Len Harris' membership was reinstated.Myra Wald, Marv Pulliam, and Nedra Bickel resigned.Melinda also presented the first financial report in thenew program-budget format recommended by the LongRange Planning Committee.
Treasurer Gene Balas presented a resolution statingthat the minister's discretionary fund is to be subject onlyto the restrictions that no funds are to be used for theminister's personal benefit, and that funds be distributedonly for needs or projects that are consistent with thechurch's tax-exempt status. This resolution is required bythe IRS to avoid having the funds taxed as part of the minister'sincome. The resolution was approved.
Bronwen Jones reported that her Interim MinisterCommittee of Linda van Ligten, Peter van den Beemt,Ofelia Lachtman, Judy Federick, Robin Lowney-Lankton,and Warren Mathews has organized and begun toassist Roberta in getting started at our church and inSanta Monica.
Pam Teplitz reported that the Nominating Committeeis still looking for people to serve on the Settled MinisterSearch Committee. (See article on page 1.) To applyfor a place on the nine-member committee, contactnomcom@uusm.org
A new feature of board meetings was introduced byVice President Melanie Sharp: the "1-minute roundtable,"where each board member reports for the committeeto which they for which they are liaison. Melaniereported for Stewardship that Phil Bonacich is planningto kick off pledge drive planning in September. BronwenJones reported for Music that rental contracts will bedrawn up for all building use traded for musical performances.Sue Bickford and Charles Haskell said thatFaith in Action is busy with the annual issues electionpreparation. Sandra Trutt reported that the Greens areworking on a low-carbon diet class. Ren Renshaw discussedmembership of the Personnel Committee. GeneBalas said that the Finance Committee will start regularmeetings in September.
The Bylaws and Policies Committee, chaired byKathy Cook, presented a policy and a set of guidelinesfor purchasing goods for church events. The boardapproved both.
Kathy also presented some questions and possiblesolutions for fund-raising issues within the congregation.These will be resolved at a future board meeting.
The Revs. Ernie Pipes and Judith Meyer submitted asummary of weddings performed since June 2008, thenew "summer of love."Ernie performed three same-sexweddings this summer. Judith had performed five samesexweddings as of August 31, including those of KrisLangabeer and Debbie Menzies, Ron Crane and JohnFels, and Gene Balas and Carlos Morales. The other twowere for an out-of-state UU couple and a couple thatidentified us on the internet as a gay-friendly church.
Ernie performed two same-sex weddings this summerand has another scheduled for September 4. Judithwill perform an off-site wedding for a same-sex coupleon September 28.
Director of Religious Education Catherine FarmerLoya reported that volunteer training is to be September6, and the first day of the religious education (RE) programwill be September 7. The full schedule of volunteersfor the 9 a.m. service is in place, and only volunteersfor "Toolbox of Faith" and "Neighboring Faiths"were still to be filled in late August. These are attractiveclasses and should be filled on time.
Catherine also said that the YRUU Heritage trip toBoston was a great success, and that there would be apotluck dinner for all Coming of Age and senior highstudents and their families on September 12. RE is agreat opportunity to become aware of the many youthactivities of our church.
Music Director Steve Wight reported that choir practicestarted on August 28, and that Music Committee cochairsBronwen Jones and Rima Snyder are alreadyplanning a full schedule of events including Stevenings,Louis Durra Trio concerts, and other events.
Bronwen Jones presented as new business the resolution"Whereas Unitarian Universalists believe that allpeople have a right to marry, be it resolved, the UnitarianUniversalist Community Church of Santa Monicaopposes Proposition 8, also known as the 'EliminateRight of Same-Sex Couples to Marry Initiative ConstitutionalAmendment.'" The resolution was approved.
- Geralyn Lambson
Other UU News & Events:
The UU Service Committee
Southern California Unit and Interfaith Communities United for Justice & Peace (ICUJP) are sponsoring the 24th Latin America Encuentro on Immigration and U.S. Policy in Latin America on Saturday, October 18, 10a.m. to 4p.m. Registration starts at 9:30 a.m. at Throop Church in Pasadena. Please pick up fliers at the Faith in Action table in Forbes Hall.
UUA is Working on Revision of Principles and Purposes
The commission on appraisal of the Unitarian UniversalistAssociation has been working on a revisionof the principles and purposes. The majorchange is the inclusion of an explanation of each principle.Below is only the amendment to section C-2.4,which is the statement of the principles. Only minorchanges were proposed for the actual principles, butthe commission has added explanations of each one.
To see the original, go to uua.org. Click on aboutus (at the top of the screen). Go to bylaws, then chooseprinciples and purposes. To see the proposed revisions,go to uua.org/coa and click on the word "draft."If you would like to join a discussion of these changes,please let me know ((310) 452-3321 orcarolagate@mac.com) as soon as possible. If there area few of us who would like to join this discussion, I willset up a meeting. Note that the deadline for a congregationalresponse is October 16. Our deadline to getthe board's approval for us to respond as a congregationis October 14.
You are invited to make your own commentsabout the proposal, but it is always better to discuss adraft with others. For example, I might not havepicked up the problems in section 2.5 with the phrase:"We encourage the fullest participation allowed bylaw" if others had not been discussing it on the EqualAccess e-mail list.
The revised section 2.4 is:
In order that we might work together in harmonyto make our communities and our world morelikely to protect and nurture all that is positive andhopeful; and in order that members of our congregationsmight find spiritual challenge to becometheir best selves as they worship and worktogether to create the Beloved Community,we, themember congregations of the Unitarian UniversalistAssociation, covenant to honor and uphold:
THE INHERENT WORTH AND DIGNITY OFEVERY PERSON
At the core of Unitarian Universalism is recognitionof the sanctity of every human being acrossthe lifespan.We are relational creatures, capableof both good and evil. We have experiencedenough brokenness, including in ourselves, toseek the power of forgiveness and reconciliation.We are called to make choices that help to healand transform ourselves and the world, and tomove toward solidarity with all beings.
JUSTICE, EQUITY, AND COMPASSION INHUMAN RELATIONS
Grateful for the gift of life and mindful of our ownmortality,we seek to respond with generosity andloving action. We are called to live in right relationshipwith others.
ACCEPTANCE OF ONE ANOTHER ANDENCOURAGEMENT OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH.
We seek to enter dialogue with one another inmutual love and respect, honoring our variedbackgrounds and paths.We are called to stretchand deepen our faith through religious education,creative engagement, and spiritual practicein our congregations and in our lives.
A FREE AND RESPONSIBLE SEARCH FORTRUTH AND MEANING
Unitarian Universalism is an evolutionary religionthat encourages and supports lifelong spiritualexploration. Unitarian Universalist religiousauthority lies in the individual, nurtured andtested in congregation and wider community. In aspirit of humility and openness, we are called toseek truth and meaning, wherever found, throughexperience, reason, intuition, and emotion.
THE RIGHT OF CONSCIENCE AND THE USE OFDEMOCRATIC PROCESSES
We seek to ensure that all voices are heard, especiallythose often left out on the margins.We arecalled to promote fairness, accountability, honesty,and transparency.
THE GOAL OF WORLD COMMUNITY WITHPEACE, LIBERTY, AND JUSTICE FOR ALL
We seek to create, sustain, and celebrate multigenerationaland multi-cultural communitieswhere oppression cannot thrive and where hopeand peace flourish.We are called to counter legaciesof injustice and to foster reconciliation.
RESPECT FOR THE INTERDEPENDENT WEB OFALL EXISTENCE OF WHICH WE ARE A PART
Inspired by the beauty and holiness of the Earth,we become more willing to relinquish materialdesires.We recognize the need for sacrifice as webuild a world that is both just and sustainable.Weare called to be good stewards, restoring theEarth and protecting all beings.
As free yet interdependent congregations, weenter into this covenant, promising to oneanother our mutual trust, kindness, and support.Should we break this covenant, we will seek torepair the relationship and recommit to thepromises we have made.
- Carol Agate,Association/District Representative
RE News:
This month in our RE classes we will offer a specialin-class curriculum for all age levels called"Lessons of Loss."
All of us experience loss throughout our lifetimes.Sometimes these losses are relatively minor - at age 5,we must leave the familiarity of our home, preschool, orday-care center to start kindergarten. Sometimes theselosses are major - we lose our home, our job, ourspouse, our child. Despite its universality, most of us shyaway from openly acknowledging loss when it occurs,and then deny the intense and unsettling emotions thatfrequently accompany loss. This tendency is heightenedwhen the loss involves a death. Because we have notdeveloped a common language of loss, and are not comfortablesharing our feelings with others for fear that wewill lose control, we often end up feeling isolated orabandoned. This isolation further intensifies theanguish and pain of grief. We hope to help our childrendevelop better strategies for facing life's challenges.Because our response to loss often is affected by our theologicalbeliefs, the RE program within our church communityis a natural place to begin these conversations.
This life-span curriculum offers our congregationthe chance to engage members of all ages in this importantdiscussion. When an entire community acknowledgesthe inevitability of loss, indicates its willingness tobear the resulting pain, and grants its members permissionto experience loss in all its intensity, it can help tominimize the fear and debilitating isolation that are thefrequent companions to loss and grief.
Parents, I hope very much that your family will makea special effort to attend this month, so that your childrencan participate fully in this special program. Andyou are especially encouraged, as are all adult membersof our congregation, to take part in the adult componentof the program. If you have questions or concerns aboutthe curriculum I encourage you to contact me; I amhappy to discuss its contents and philosophy with you.
We have so much to gain from engaging in this programtogether. After all, this is why many of us are herein this congregation; to offer and receive support is oneof the fundamental reasons that we join religious communities.In offering to one another our imperfect butsincere attempts to face our mortality and that of thosewe love, we are keeping a pledge that we implicitlymade, each and every one of us, when we became UnitarianUniversalists. It is no more than you deserve. Andit certainly is no more than our children deserve.
- Catherine Farmer Loya
Music News:
Our music program warmlywelcomes tenor section leaderMichael Lamb back into thefold. It's wonderful to have histalent and great spirit with usagain.