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March 8, 2018
Issue #443
Daylight Saving Time Begins March 11
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March 11, 2018: Gifts of God
Rev. Emese Bodor of Cluj-Napoca/Kolozsvár, Romania
450 years ago the Edict of Torda proclaimed that faith is "the gift of God". That was the beginning of Unitarianism in Transylvania. What is the heritage which was given to us from our family, our faith, and our communities? Are we aware of all these? Let's find the gifts that connect us to each other.
I grew up in Kolozsvár and studied at the Protestant Theological Institute where I became a Unitarian minister. I am the Religious Education teacher at the János Zsigmond High School, a 450 year old Unitarian school. For the last eight years most of my work was related to children, youth and a variety of educational issues. I believe in the importance of education and I love my work with the students.
I have an active life including bicycling and hiking on long trips. I like to call myself an optimistic person. And I feel that I like to deal with people, work with and for them and help them. I believe that each decision and all the options in my life came by the hand of providence and I am grateful for my life.
Stay after the service to chat with Emese in the Fellowship Hall and ask questions. Refreshments will be served.
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Upcoming Topics and Leaders
3/11/18: How Improv Can Improve Your Relationships
Janice Prochaska
3/18/18: Inviting Inventions: Spring Brainstorming Session
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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We have a wonderful committee that works in the background and usually goes unsung, and I would like to give them a "shout out" of appreciation: the Pastoral Care Committee, chaired by Bonnie Gaebler. Members of our very caring Pastoral Care Committee work with me to address some of the needs of our membership, and to meet some of those needs we use a resource list of members of the congregation who have offered such help as transportation, bringing in meals and home visits when our members are ill or in need of some assistance.
One of the things the Pastoral Care Committee does is send cards to members who are ill, are going through a challenging time or have had a recent personal loss. If you have extra cards to donate, we would appreciate them. We need cards of sympathy, "get well" cards, "thinking of you" cards or blank cards. (We do not need Christmas or birthday cards.) If you would like to donate cards, please leave them in the basket in the foyer designated as "Cards for Pastoral Care Committee," or give them to Mary Gilstrap. Your donations of cards to help the Pastoral Care Committee stay in touch are greatly appreciated.
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There are many things to have family conversations about and sometimes little time to squeeze them in. I am finding that there is often no "really good time" to have a sit-down conversation with my teen daughter. Her life is so full and we are always in transit. Sound familiar? So I am learning to jump right into short bursts of conversation in the car, on text, via email, a few moments at dinner before whisking her off to aerial arts or homework. I am letting go of my pre-conceived notions of how parenting would be and trying to adjust to the reality in front of me. I think every generation of parents has to go through this.
One brief conversation that came up was about the March 14th National School Walk-out planned in honor of the recent and ongoing school shootings. I hear that many schools, like Terra Linda High, are embracing it and honoring it from the principal on down. Other schools across the country are banning it. Some students in those schools worry that colleges will look down on this rebellious action and that it might affect college entrance. However, some colleges have responded saying that they would give "extra credit" to students who know how to stand up and speak their mind while exercising their first amendment rights.
Have you had a conversation with your child(ren) about this upcoming walkout? (There is another scheduled in April as well.) What sacrifices would you make for doing the right thing? How can we as families be units of organized change for the common good? I would love to know what you and your family are doing to "be the change we want to see".
Parent Group meeting: It is time to schedule another Parent Group meeting. Some parents have been meeting as a group related to the OWL program for 4-6 graders. This ends on March 11. So, I am looking to set the date for
March 25th
after service. Please save this date.
Jeffrey Melcher, M.Div.
Director of Religious Exploration
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Upcoming dates link to the UUCM calendar for saving on iCal, Outlook etc.
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We are looking for a few additional members to serve in our usher pool. Ushering helps you to get know more people, matching faces with name tags as you hand out the Orders of Service at the door. Our ushers take a turn once, twice or three times a quarter. If you are willing to serve our congregation in this way, please contact June Fesler at
junemfesler@gmail.com.
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Rita Child's beautiful portrait drawings are hanging in the Fireside Room. She is a local artist and teacher and a friend of one of our members.
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Summer Worship Opportunities
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The Worship Committee is currently seeking members to give services from July 23rd until the end of August. You will be assisted by a Worship Associate to plan your service. Typically the 'sermon' portion lasts 15-20 minutes.
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Remarkable People - March 16
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Friday, March 16, 7- 9 pm Fireside Room
Karen Auroy and Jim Harrison are our March people of the month.
The ongoing Remarkable People series gives us time to learn about each other from the interesting stories of individual lives. Whether you already know them by name or not, you will learn what you don't know in the evening of sharing and community. Each person talks and there is time for questions and general sociability and usually some sustaining snacks.
Karen Auroy has been an active member of UUCM for many years. She is on the Board, in the choir, has been a Worship Associate and has helped with many auctions and other UUCM events. She is an avid hiker and photographer.
Jim Harrison is a recent member who jumped right in to be our Mr. Fixit, lead Chalice Circles and help in anyway he can. He is an Electrical Engineer by training.
Jump in and learn about these good people.
Be remarkable yourself and come enjoy!
And for next month if you want to mark your calendar.: Michael Jenkins and Lynne Scarpa.
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Second Wednesday evenings, 6:30 - 9:00 pm, offsite
Knitters and crocheters of all skill levels are invited to join in ongoing efforts to create handmade items for children and adults facing challenging life circumstances. Recipients have included Syrian refugees, Afghan babies, emergency shelter women and premature babies in Marin. See our colorful poster in the foyer.
Patterns, guidance, encouragement, camaraderie and some materials provided. Beginners welcome.
The next monthly meeting will be Wednesday, March 14. For location or more information, email
crafting@uumarin.org.
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Turn in Retreat Registration and Payment by 3/25
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If you have a Registration Form, please fill it out and return it this coming Sunday.
Forms are due no later than March 25.
If you would like to offer a workshop, please let Thomas Ervin know (
thomas.ervin@comcast.net). We are planning a joyous retreat with scrumptious meals, learning and playing together in the beautiful setting of Walker Creek Ranch. Nothing could be finer than to spend a weekend in the country in May with your family and friends! We can't do it without your registration forms. Please attach a check or pay online and note the online payment on your form.
Thanks,
Thomas and Dianne
Retreat Waiver
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Women's REST Program in Last Year
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Women's REST Program in Last Year -- Helpers needed for April.
Thank you to everyone for pitching in to make and service food during this last year of the REST program. For 10 years, UUCM along with other community groups has helped provide emergency wintertime shelter and food for up to 25 women a night. This is the last year of that program. Come be a part of it! We need helpers for April. Walt Littrell and the Fountain of Ukes (Ukaleles) will get your toes tapping and fill your heart with joy.
Click this link to sign up!
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a054aafac2e5-sunday
Questions? Ask Sarah Tiederman --
bambooplanet@earthlink.net
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UUA 2017-2018 Common Read
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UUCM Adult Ed Committee is sponsoring the UUA 2017-2018 Common Read
Join in the national conversation!
This year we are reading
Centering: Navigating Race, Authenticity, and Power in Ministry edited by Mitra Rahnema
Thank you to those of you who were present at the Promise and Practice Service. Thank you also to those who were able to attend the discussion on white privilege and discrimination within the UU denomination that took place after the service. It was a very honest, fruitful and expanding conversation. Discussions of "Centering" will be
April 22nd 12:15-1:30PM at UUCM and also at the UUCM retreat May 4-6.
This anthology of vital voices from our own UUA ministry speaks to the challenges of being a minister of color in our denomination.
Adult Ed has purchased 10 copies from the UUA to circulate for reading.
As of Feb. 25 there was at least one copy of "Centering" available to be checked out from the
Adult Ed Lending Library which is a well labeled box with a checkout form near the computer in the Community Room.
If you have a copy you are willing to circulate please leave it in the Adult Ed Lending Library in the Community Room.
It's going for $9.99 and $7.99.
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From the Facilities Committee
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As you may have noticed, the play structure has been demolished and completely removed. What remains is a blank slate for the R.E. committee to design a new and exciting outdoor experience for our children, community and guests.
A big thank you goes to everyone who contributed substantial amounts of time in both the demo and the disposal: Jim Harrison, Thomas Ervin, Jim Finn, Dick Park, Norman Davidson, Dianne Estrada, Peter McAllister, Henry Kingdon, Nathan Estrada, and Ethan Lessin.
We tried to pick up all of the stray hardware, but please keep an eye out. If you see any remaining items (bolts, brackets, nails, etc.) please pick it up and dispose of it properly. For safety, please respect a "no bare feet" policy in this area.
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General Assembly Kansas City, Missouri
The call of our Unitarian Universalist faith has a place for each of us.
All Are Called
to join us this June 20 - 24 in Kansas City to build courageous, collective leadership with tools, skills and connections.
Financial aid for General Assembly is available in the form of working volunteer positions as well as registration scholarships and travel grants. There are several different funding sources available via the General Assembly Unified Scholarship Application, including additional funding committed by the UUA Administration to the 2018 budget to facilitate the participation of People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Persons at GA. Financial Aid applications are accepted March 1 through March 31.
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Pacific Western Regional Assembly - April 27-29
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More than 500 individuals
from the four districts of the UUA's Pacific Western Region have already registered for the PWR 2018 Regional Assembly. They will gather
April 27-29 in Portland, OR. Speakers include, the Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern,
Senior Minister at the First Unitarian Society of San Francisco; Washington Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, advocate for women's, immigrant, civil, and human rights; and the Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray, newly elected UUA president.
Programming includes workshops, worship, district meetings, and an optional social justice activity. A day-long Professional Day designed for religious professionals is planned for Friday, April 27, before the start of Regional Assembly. Discount lodging is available at the Portland Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, site of the Regional Assembly. Childcare and youth programming will be available.
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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
socialjustice@uumarin.org 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
worshipassociates@uumarin.org
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 Committee members are now putting together the Order of Service and Janette will print it.
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Social Justice Education/Action
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Next Social Justice meeting: Sunday March 18, 12:15-1:30 PM
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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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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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