|
February 11, 2016
Issue #343
|
|
Paul R. Kaufman, with Joan Nelson, Worship Associate Emerita
Come, take a journey to the very heart of empathic service. Inspired by true, life-changing stories of people helping one another, we'll also use moments of quiet reflection to explore the empathic heart at work. From bold moves to restore health and hope to survivors of war, to volunteer efforts protecting children at risk, we'll discover
the social and spiritual dynamics of serving others
and...unearth a great treasure
.
Paul R. Kaufman is co-author with Daniel Goleman and Michael Ray of "The Creative Spirit" and writer-producer with Bill Moyers on the Peabody Award-wining series "The Public Mind." Paul's documentary films and videos reveal the breadth and depth of empathic service. A long-time meditator, he continues to investigate the science and mystery of the inner life.
|
|
Contemplative Service 9 am
|
Sunday 2/14 is a Humor/Wisdom Potluck
We will each contribute a quip, cartoon, epigram, bumper sticker, or news bit that gave rise to a smile or a moment of reflection. (And like any good potluck you can come even if you don't have something for the "pot") Just come for some humor, wisdom, and some comfortable silence together.
Our lay-led Contemplative Services are held from
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. each Sunday in the Fireside Room.
The Contemplative Service was started more than ten years ago to provide an opportunity for Sunday worship in a small group setting. It gives attendees a reflective, spiritual foundation and quiet source of inspiration for the coming week. Readings introduce a silent period to reflect on a topic or idea, followed by an opportunity to share individual thoughts.
Join us. All are welcome to try this weekly alternative to UUCM's Traditional Sunday Services.
|
|
Dear Parents and families and children:
Without you there would be no future of UUCM. To support all of you more, we are changing the Parent Group group meeting time to Third Sundays 12:15-1:30.
You Make
Community.
This is a parent organized
project with assistance from the DRE.
RE Teaching as a Spiritual Path: Small Group Ministry group for RE teachers and assistants.
Fourth Thursdays, 6:45-7:45 pm
[Spirituality and reflection. Skill development. UU history. Support. Fellowship.]
Volunteer opportunity of the Week -
Parent Group organizing team:
- Parent Group Contact: Grace Dearborn & Jef Melcher
- Outreach co-coordinators : 2 parents needed
- Publicity: Jef Melcher and Mary Gilstrap-Davidson
- Food purchasers: Carolyn Bopp, Trudy Versoza, Julie Prentice
- Food set up co-coordinators: 2 needed
- Childcare/activity co-coordinators: 2 needed
|
|
Upcoming Dates |
Upcoming dates link to the UUCM calendar for saving on ical, outlook etc.
|
Visitor's Box
|
We cherish diversity and welcome among us people of all races, cultures, ages, abilities, sexual identities/orientations, and faith perspectives.
GUESTS
are always welcome. Sunday worship is a time for inspiration, renewal, and connection.
CHILDREN AND YOUTH
join adults during the first part of the service, and then attend Religious Education classes. Nursery and toddler care is provided during the 10:30 service.
There is a speaker system to bring sound from Fellowship Hall to the nursing room and
the pre-K area.
REFRESHMENT HOUR
in the Courtyard or
Fireside Room follows the services.
There are four "Sunday First Time Visitor" parking spots at the top of the parking lot.
Come, join us!
|
|
All Congregational Retreat at Walker Creek - May 13-15
|
|
All Congregational Retreat at Walker Creek
May 13 -15, 2016
Save the date
Payments are due by Sunday, March 27th
The retreat is one of the big highlights of our program year. We want everyone to attend -- to learn together, to sing and dance and play together, and to strengthen our beloved community! If cost is an issue, please ask for a scholarship and attend. If you can contribute extra so that other families can attend, please do so.
If you have questions or would like to help plan the Retreat, please contact one of the Retreat Co-Chairs, Thomas Ervin ([email protected]) and Dianne Estrada ([email protected]).
|
|
Volunteer to Light Chalice
|
|
Light our Chalice!
An important part of every Sunday service at UUCM is the lighting of the chalice, a symbol of the Unitarian Universalist faith. Lighting of the chalice is accompanied by a short reading (up to a minute, usually less) by the chalice lighter. If you would like to volunteer to do this, please click the link below and select your preferred Sunday.
The Worship Associate for that service will contact you to talk about possible readings. Thank you!
- Valerie Taylor
|
|
Social Justice Luncheon - Sunday, February 14
|
|
February 14 - Social Justice Luncheon 12:15 Fireside Room
SCENES CELEBRATING LIFE AND EMPATHY
In a luncheon following the service, Producer/Writer Paul Kaufman will show video clips of his work - a mixture of drama and documentary; on the subject of empathy and compassion. Excerpts include:
Academy Award-winning actresses Patty Duke and Marlee Matlin tell Helen Keller's own story of "coming back to life..."
thanks to the persistent empathy of Anne Sullivan.
A compassionate East Bay woman helps a mother facing cancer record her life story as a healing process and to produce a cherished legacy for her children.
Two men from diverse backgrounds join forces to deal with the "system" and address a child's needs.
Actress Ally Sheedy tells the story of Dorothea Lange's "migrant mother" photograph that evoked compassionate responses during the Depression.
Richmond school children bond with Nature and discover the joy and meaning of singing together.
And more...
Suggested donation $8. Nobody turned away.
|
|
Buy a Standing on the Side of Love T- Shirt
|
|
We have Standing on the Side of Love T-Shirts for sale for $20. These shirts will be in fashion on February 14 - Valentine's Day when we will give a Social Action award.
|
|
Message from Middle School RE Class
|
|
Message from Middle School RE Class: What UUCM Can Do to Help Flint
We are studying water justice issues, and made a "Water Steward's Pledge." This message is in furtherance of our pledge.
We have learned how poor people around the world try to cope every day without access to water and almost one billion people do not have clean water or even a running toilet. The crisis in Flint, Michigan brings questions of water justice closer to home.
To save money, in 2014 the City of Flint began drawing its water from the Flint River without using corrosion control to prevent lead seeping from old pipes into people's homes. The children of Flint, where the poverty rate is 40% and 57% of the population is African-American, are showing signs of lead poisoning, including brain and kidney damage. Impoverished residents are having to buy bottled water on top of continuing to pay their water bills. It may cost $one billion to repair the damage to Flint's pipes.
The minister and members of the UU Congregation of Flint are helping to lead efforts in response to the crisis. We are asking our members to support them and all Flint residents. Please read Minister Deanne Oliva's open letter last week, in which she stated that "the crisis is not exaggerated" and "to please spread the word." http://uucflint.wix.com/uucflint#!flint-water-crisis/hwqo9. Consider making a donation to one of the organizations she lists, especially at www.flintkids.org (Child Health & Development Fund). Thank you!
|
|
Sign up for the UUCM Social Justice Advocates list
|
|
If you are interested in Social Justice be sure and sign up for the Social Justice Advocates mailing list so you will get special emails pertaining to Social Justice issues both local and from UU.
Just hit reply to this newsletter and say "Yes to Social Justice Advocates" and you will be signed up (8 people are already signed up).
|
|
We would like to invite you to our class on Sunday, February 28 in Rev. Chip's office. You will learn more about Unitarian Universalism and we will learn a little bit about you. Light lunch is served. Please contact Carolyn Bopp at 415-812-3187 with any questions.
Hope you can make it!
|
|
|
|
|
Shelter Volunteers this week were Katherine DaSilva Jain and
Diana Vine. Please contact Joan to help next week, February 14.
Look for the binder in the foyer where you can sign up for any Sunday from now through May.
Shelter Instructions.
Mill St. Shelter food: Due to physical limitations, June Fesler will be making her final
1st-Sunday-of-each-month run to the Mill St. Homeless Shelter. She has been performing this service quietly,
behind the scenes for approximately a decade. (She took over from Edna Lingenfelter, who did it for 15 years.)
The Social Justice Committee is
looking for someone (or more - possibly a couple) ─ to "adopt" this project.
The Committee will reimburse all expenses from funds received in response to the annual Homeless Fund
appeal letter. Thank you for all those donations!
|
For the February 17th UUCM Book Club, we will read Ian McEwan's brilliant and emotionally wrenching new novel,
The Children Act.
Fiona Maye is a leading High Court judge, presiding over cases in the family court. She is renowned for her fierce intelligence, exactitude and sensitivity. But her professional success belies private sorrow and domestic strife. There is the lingering regret of her childlessness, and now, her marriage of thirty years is in crisis. At the same time, she is called on to try an urgent case: for religious reasons, a beautiful seventeen-year-old boy is refusing the medical treatment that could save his life. Should the secular court overrule sincerely held faith? In the course of reaching a decision, Fiona visits Adam in hospital.
Carol Littrell will lead the discussion beginning at 7:30 in the Wright room. Please join us.
|
|
Call for Workshop Proposals: District Assembly 2016
|
|
Congregational Excellence:
Doing Together What We Cannot Do Alone!
District Assembly 2016 will be held April 22-24, 2016, at the Newark Fremont Doubletree by Hilton.
|
|
Social Justice Education/Action
|
|
We have a new newsletter list to inform you about
UU Social Justice actions and local issues. This will replace Dick Park's Social Justice list. Sign up by
replying to this email and typing
"Yes to Social Advocates".
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contribute to the 3rd Tuesday night dinner at the
First Presbyterian Church.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contribute to Sunday night Shelter dinners; food and yourself. Sign up in the 3-hole binder in the foyer.
Shelter Instructions.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Do you know of an inspirational activist who would be a good speaker for one of the Social Justice Committee's education-action luncheons? If so, please contact Joan at [email protected] (415-506-4166, Cell: 415-595-6221)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Continue your commitment to environmental and economic justice by shopping at
http://shop.uusc.org/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Members only can send an email to UUCM Connect with "subscribe me" in the subject line to start receiving the Uucm Connect newsletter. This is a group for UUCM members who want to sell, give, buy or trade goods or services or make referrals.
|
Staff Links
|
Youth Advisor:
TBA
Nursery Care Provider: TBA
Don Beck: 415-892-0642
|
Minister's Schedule
|
DRE's Schedule
|
|
Minister:
Rev. Chip Wright
Tues., Wed., Thurs.
10am to 3pm
phone: 415-479-413
ext. 102
|
Director of Religious Education:
Jeffrey Melcher
Sunday 12:30 - 1:30
Tuesday 12:30-3:30
Thursday 12:30-3:30
415-479-4131 ext. 104
|
|
I appreciate any feedback about this weekly newsletter.
eWeekly Deadlines for Thursday issue:
Monday by 10 pm - activities and announcements, Staff columns, committee reports
20th of each month - Sunday services
Weekly articles can contain:
- Notices of UUCM sponsored events, meetings, or other activities which involve the entire congregation.
- Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) or Pacific Central District (PCD) announcements of interest to the entire congregation.
(Staff article length 250 words)
Production, UUCM Connect and Special Announcements Editor: Lisa Cohen
Backup Production Editor: Valerie Taylor
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Marin 415-479-4131
240 Channing Way
San Rafael, CA 94903
|
|
|
|
|
|
|