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December 14, 2017
Issue #431
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Join us to celebrate the return of the light at this darkest time of year. We will sing together, light candles and celebrate several winter solstice holidays, including Hanukkah, Christmas, and Yule.
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Upcoming Topics and Leaders
12/17/17:
Winter Brainstorming Session
All Comers
12/24/17
: Wisdom/Humor Sharefest: Bring a joke or quote you love
All Comers
The Sunday Circle is held from 9:00 am to 10:00 am each Sunday in the Fireside Room.
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The New Year will bring a new program to UUCM: a renewed "small group ministry" program. This congregation had launched small group ministry some years ago, and two of the original groups still meet from that time. Now, we have four trained facilitators who will lead two new groups (this time lasting for about ten months), which we are calling Chalice Circles. More groups may be added, depending on the level of interest. Once they begin, groups will remain open to newcomers as space permits. The groups will meet from early next year through early December of 2018, at which time new Chalice Circles will be formed, to start in early 2019.
This program provides a way for people to get to know each other on a deeper level over time through the sharing of ideas, feelings and life stories. Each group will have from 6-10 participants. The monthly group meetings will have a structured format. Topics for discussion are wide-ranging and are chosen by the group and facilitators.
One new Chalice Circle will be on Sunday afternoons at 12:30 starting on February 11
th
, and the other will meet on Wednesday evenings at 7:00, beginning on January 31
st
.
Call me (510 821-2394) if you would like to learn more about the Chalice Circles.
A Winter Celebration for Christmas Eve 5:00 PM
Jef Melcher and I are presenting a Winter Celebration For All Ages on Christmas Eve, before the 7PM Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. Join us at 5:00 PM for holiday singing, readings, a story, hot chocolate and mulled cider.
May your holidays be merry
Joy
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Nursery Classic.
This is such a classic "elder reads to children" photo I had to share. Nursery Teacher Glynda Christian reads from a rocker during Sunday morning class.
This Sunday the youth and children
are invited to stay in service a bit longer for a winter holiday candle lighting ritual. Afterward, all ages will gather in the Wright room to make gingerbread villages, decorate ugly sweater cookies and create "Tiny Houses" from graham crackers and frosting. We will briefly touch on the theme of homelessness and housing security.
Please bring toiletries.
Yes, we are again going to make packets of toiletries for the shelters to hand out. You will find a container in the foyer. We like travel size: soaps, shampoos, conditioner, lotion, toothbrushes, toothpaste, nail clippers, and feminine hygiene products.
Our Whole Lives
- We will be running a class of this award-winning human sexuality 8-week curriculum for 5th and 6th graders starting January 14th. Mandatory parent orientation is Jan 7th, noon - 2pm. Classes will be Sundays noon-1:45. A parent group will run concurrently facilitated by Dr. Doug Kerr. For more info contact the
DRE. Do you know a family with a 5th or 6th grader who might be interested? Send them to
me.
~Brief Calendar~
Dec 17th 6:30 YRUU Solstice - For YRUU, young adults and their families. Candle making, wish making ritual, potluck to follow.
Dec 23rd Star Wars movie outing. Jef, George, Peter, invite all UUCM members to join the YRUU in a viewing of
The Last Jedi
at Century Northgate. The first showtime is after 2pm. Meet in the lobby.
Dec 24th morning service is a multigenerational service
with lots of carols and stories. There will be no separate RE classes that day. The Nursery will be open but not staffed.
Dec 31st - No RE classes. Nursery open but not staffed.
Jan 7th
- RE classes resume
- Toiletries deadline. On this the first day of the year we pay attention to our neighbors in need and make our toiletries packages to help the shelters.
- Parent Orientation for OWL
Jan 14th
- Special All RE activity - please plan to attend
- First 5th & 6th OWL class - noon-1:45
Whatever your holiday plans, we wish you a safe, healthy, and joyous time of cheer and connection to those you love and the world we share.
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Meeting of the Social Justice Committee
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Social Justice Committee meeting on Sunday, Dec. 17th at noon after the service.
We will be gathering ideas to shape our movement forward in the coming new year as we take on such issues as: the creation of a permanent homeless shelter to replace the REST program,
affordable housing, tenants' protections, environmental sustainability and immigration rights in our larger Marin community. We need many folks to step up so that we, at UUCM, can
truly help to make an impact as we put our 7 principles into action! Bring your coffee hour snacks into our meeting so that we can begin in a timely fashion.
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Thank you to Jim Finn, Peter McAllister, Norm Davidson, and Walt Littrell for helping move in a new sofa and dispose of four depraved pieces of furniture in the Dream Room.
And thanks to Glynda Christian for donating the new sectional sofa - now residing in the Wright Room.
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Do you value UUCM?
Have you benefited from participating in services and activities associated with UUCM?
Would you like to increase your support for UUCM and qualify for a 10% match from the UUA (up to $10,000)?
Would you like to help rebuild our endowment that has been greatly reduced from supporting operating expenses?
Do you like good food and drink in the company of friends?
Would you like help with estate planning?
Do you like good music?
Then, you want to come to our
Legacy Event on Saturday, January 20 from 5 to 7 pm in Fellowship Hall.
Music by Milton and Christine
A skit
Speakers
Questions?
Thomas Ervin
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New UUMarin Book Group Meeting 12/17
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The new UU Marin book group gathered and agreed to meet
Sunday 12/17 at 3 pm at Sher Sheldon's home.
The book suggested by Kim is "They May Not Mean To, But They Do" by Cathleen Schine.
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Bring Goodies for Christmas Eve Tea
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We will be having our annual dessert tea after the Christmas Eve service (which starts at 7 pm). Please bring sweets, fruits, nuts, cheese, or crackers. If you are coming to the morning service you may leave them in the kitchen, labeled for dessert tea. In the evening bring food to the Fireside Room. Questions or if you want to help with setup or cleanup contact Margaret
[email protected] or Kim
[email protected].
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Path to Unitarian Universalism
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Sunday, December 17, 12:15, Minister's Office
Path to Unitarian Universalism
Newcomers, those interested in membership, and anyone interested in learning more about Unitarian and Universalist history are welcome to attend this session with Rev. Joy and members of the Membership Committee. A light lunch will be provided.
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National Homeless Person's Day
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The Marin Interfailth Street Chaplaincy, St. Vincent de Paul Society, and the Ritter Center are sponsoring a ceremony to recognize National Homeless Person's Day.
There will be a candlelight vigil on Thursday, December 21 at 4:00 pm, at the First Presbyterian Church at 1510 Fifth St in San Rafael. Please bring a candle,
and take a few moments out of your day to remember those who have died homeless in Marin.
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Basket Share Participants Needed
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Are you involved as a volunteer or recipient of the services of a local 501(c)(3) agency or program?
You can help that organization raise money by initiating a 50/50 UUCM Offering Basket Share.
Complete the
application form on the UUCM website Social Justice page. Or find one at the Social Justice Table on a Sunday morning. Send it to
[email protected] or leave it in the SJ box in the Community Room.
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Sending Announcements for the Order of Service
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If you have an announcement for the back of the Sunday Order of Service please send it to
[email protected]
instead
of sending it to the office. Please send by 5 PM on Wednesday, any later submissions will be considered for timeliness and room. The Worship Committees members are now putting together the Order of Service and Janette will print it.
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Save the date for 2018 Retreat
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Retreat 2018
Please save the date. Your annual All Congregational Retreat at Walker Creek Ranch will be held the first weekend in May 2018 -
May 4, 5 and 6. Details and registration starting in February.
Thomas Ervin
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Social Justice Education/Action
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We have a newsletter list to inform you about
UU Social Justice actions and local issues. Sign up by
replying to this email and typing
"Yes to Social Advocates".
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Contribute to the 3rd Tuesday night dinner at the First Presbyterian Church.
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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 Linda at [email protected].
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Continue your commitment to environmental and economic justice by shopping at
http://shop.uusc.org
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Visitor's Box
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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 Exploration 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!
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Staff Links
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Office Hours:
Tuesday, Thursday 11AM - 6PM
Other times also available. Call/email for an appointment.
phone 415-479-4131 ext 102
Office Hours:
Sunday 12:30 - 1:30 PM
Tuesday 10:30 - 1:30 PM
Thursday 12:30 - 3:30 PM
phone 415-479-4131 ext 104
Nursery Teacher: Glynda Christian
Don Beck: 415-892-0642
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I appreciate any feedback about this weekly newsletter.
eWeekly Deadline for Thursday issue:
Tuesday by 7 am - activities and announcements, Staff columns, committee reports
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
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