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September 29, 2016
Issue #372
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Rev. Joy Atkinson
We Unitarian Universalists boast a "guilt-free" religion, without the threat of eternal punishment for our wrongdoings. Freedom from religious guilt is liberating for many of us. The emotional experience of guilt can certainly be debilitating. But can guilt also be useful and motivating? Does guilt have a positive side?
(If you have an announcement for the Sunday service, send it to
Linda Haumann.)
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Contemplative Service 9 am
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10/2/16
Doug Kerr/Status
10/9/16
Do Kids Ruin Marriage?/John Travis
10/16/16
Living at the Edge/Joan Nelson
Our lay-led Contemplative Services are held from
9:00 am to 10:00 am 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.
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When To Contact the Minister
I would like to encourage each of you to use me well during my time as your interim minister. I am here to serve you, not only in helping you move through the tasks of an interim year, but in the day-to-day life of this congregation. Therefore, I would like to remind you that you may call upon me for any number of reasons, among them:
When you or someone in the congregation is in the hospital
When you are confined at home and would like a visit
When there is an illness or a death in the family
When you are struggling with a personal issue or loss that you would like to talk over
When you are feeling depressed or troubled
When you have an important decision or life choice to make
When you want to plan a ritual-a child dedication, wedding, memorial, funeral
When you or someone in the congregation is arrested, in jail, in need of support
When you want to explore your spiritual path
When you are new to Unitarian Universalism and would like to explore it further
When you want to discuss an issue or topic you heard about in a Sunday service
When you are concerned about some aspect of congregational life
When you have some insights to share about this congregation's past, present or future, or about the transition process
When you would just like someone to talk to
And, if you can't decide whether you should contact the minister or not, CONTACT ME!
(510 821-2394) so please don't hesitate to contact me.
Blessings,
Joy
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Religious Exploration nUUs
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The YRUU is energized by the Youth Leadership Development project in which we have been participating with three other Bay Area congregations. The second phase of the project was completed with five youth gong to Portland for a Pacific Western Regional Youth Revival. The photo of some of us heading out of SFO was taken by our friend Steve Webster who happened to be on hand. George Pegelow and I accompanied them and we all were challenged to step up our game in connecting with a spiritual practice, address racism, and look at the UU aversion to "evangelism" to remake it into our own concept again.
We are looking for Coming of Age youth mentors and teachers. Want to know more?
Yes, we are still looking for more help in the Nursery, either paid or volunteer.
Jeffrey Melcher,
M.Div.
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| Upcoming Dates |
Upcoming dates link to the UUCM calendar for saving on iCal, Outlook etc.
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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 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!
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Cottage Meetings with the Interim Minister
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Spaces are available Sunday, October 2 from 12:30 - 2:30 PM (lunch will be provided) and Tuesday, October 4 from
7:00 - 9:00 PM. A new meeting has been added on Saturday, October 15 from 12:30 - 2:30 PM.
Please either sign up at Sign Up Genius:
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Stewardship Webinar October 3
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Free PCD webinar on stewardship transitions for small congregations. Monday October 3, 6:30 pm - 8 pm in the Fireside Room
(People should to be in the room by 6:20 due to the parking lot filling for other events.)
How can small congregations become aware of and adopt successful stewardship concepts and practices as they grow? This webinar will help you become more comfortable talking about money, the stewardship team and minister's access to pledge information, migrating from a spreadsheet to a database, educating your fellowship about the range and distribution of pledges, keeping the personal stewardship connections intact as you grow, electronic giving options, subscribing to helpful listservs and blogs, and more.
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The UUCM book club met last week to choose our reading list for the next six months. If you have read any of the following books or are interested in reading them, we welcome you to join us for our lively discussions on the third Wednesday of the month in the Clara Barton Room at 7:30 pm.
UUCM Book Club Choices:
October 19 - The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown
November 16 - Better Living Through Criticism by A.O. Scott
December - No meeting
January 18 - The UnAmericans by Molly Antopol
February 15 - Circling the Sun by Paula McLain
March 15 - Bad Dirt: Wyoming Stories 2 by Annie Proulx
April 19 - The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
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Annual Homeless fundraising appeal
Every autumn, with the approach of winter winds and rains, UUCM congregants make a gratifyingly substantial financial contribution to Marin's homeless services.
When your appeal letter arrives in the mail, please remember to help us maintain this spiritual tradition with your personal donation.
You are also invited to join the Social Justice team at our annual mailing (fold, stuff, stamp and seal) "party." Wednesday, October 26, 10:30 Clara Barton Room.
Annual Basket Share Program
UUCM's Basket Share Program, a Social Justice project, is one of our many connections to our community. About six times a year, we share our offering basket with another nonprofit organization that provides essential community services. Most recipients serve the Bay Area and are ones UUCM members and friends are directly involved with. This means that our collective Basket Share dollars make a big difference right here in our local community.
Want to nominate your favorite organization for a basket share? Email socialjustice@uumarin.org. Tell us your organization's name, briefly describe its work, and include a link to its website.
Annual Side of Love Campaign
Every February, our congregation, in connection with the UU Standing on the Side of Love campaign r
ecognizes a UUCM member (or other Marin County resident) who lives and acts according to the SSOL values of inclusion, diversity, and equality.
For the 2017 award, please consider nominating someone you know who is deserving of this honor. Simply give us the name of your candidate and briefly describe how s/he has exhibited the Side of Love values of inclusion, diversity, and equality. (Deadline, December 31, 2016)
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Social Justice Luncheon - League of Women Voters
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Pro or Con? How will you decide to vote on the 17 California propositions on the November election ballot?
Come to the UUCM Adult Education/Social Justice Luncheon on Sunday, October 9 at 12:30.
You will receive an impartial, balanced analysis of the issues, presented by Marin's League of Women Voters.
Suggested lunch donation $10. Nobody turned away.
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Board Agenda - September 27
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If you are curious about what the UUCM Board of Trustees does, read the
agenda of the last meeting (September 27).
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UUCM Reads the UUA 2016-2017 Common Read
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Adult Ed Announces:
UUCM Reads the UUA 2016-2017 Common Read
Kick-off October 2, 2016
Books will be available at UUCM for purchase or loan or purchase your own through the UUA bookstore:
Or local independent booksellers
Or your local library! (Request it now)
The Third Reconstruction: How a Moral Movement Is Overcoming the Politics of Division and Fear
A modern-day civil rights champion tells the stirring story of how he helped start a movement to bridge America's racial divide.
Over the summer of 2013, the Reverend Dr. William J. Barber II led more than a hundred thousand people at rallies across North Carolina to protest restrictions to voting access and an extreme makeover of state government. These protests-the largest state government-focused civil disobedience campaign in American history-came to be known as Moral Mondays and have since blossomed in states as diverse as Florida, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Ohio, and New York. This Third Reconstruction is a profoundly moral awakening of justice-loving people united in a fusion coalition powerful enough to reclaim the possibility of democracy-even in the face of corporate-financed extremism.
Discussion and action groups of The Third Reconstruction will be formed in October and November. Dates still TBD
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There will be a New Member Ceremony on October 16. If you have been thinking about joining our community, Sunday October 16 is a great time to join, near the beginning of our church year. Maybe you visited during the summer or you have been attending sporadically. Now is the time to firm up your commitment. Rev Joy is guiding us toward a better future. It is an exciting time to get involved.
If you are interested in becoming a member, please talk to Rev Joy soon. You can see her after services or during office hours on Tuesdays or Thursdays. You may also contact our Membership Coordinator, Carolyn Bopp.
(N
ote, if you have joined recently but have not been recognized in a new member ceremony, let Carolyn know if you want to be included in the October ceremony)
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Sign up for Social Justice Basket Share
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Do you appreciate (or benefit from) a non-profit that you would like
our congregation to support with a 50/50 Sunday offering share?
Applications are now being accepted for the UUCM Social Justice
2016-17 Basket Share season.
Pick up an application at the Social Justice Table on Sunday
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Save the Date for our Retreat
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Our next Retreat at Walker Creek will be held from Friday April 28th to Sunday April 30th, 2017.
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2016 Unitarian
Universalist Revival
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October 14-15, the UU Christian Fellowship is
working with local partners to host Revivals in three cities across the
country. This is a time for you to gather with others, to go deep, to feel held.
Revivals 2016
"The Healing Spirit in a Wounded World "
October 14-15, 2016
You can attend in one of three locations:
Boston, MA
San Diego, CA
Turley, OK (near Tulsa)
Each revival will include workshops, discussions, and especially worship
and prayer together, along with the great fellowship people find at a
Revival.
To learn more and register now, click here
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Sign up for the UUCM Connect Newsletter
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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 newsletter for UUCM members who want to sell, give, buy or trade goods or services or make referrals or engage members in joining activities such as hikes, movies. (You do not need to sign up if you already receive this newsletter). This newsletter is published on an as needed basis.
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Sign up to light the Chalice on Sunday
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We need people to sign up for the Chalice Lightings for October 2 and the rest of the church year. You can sign up directly through SignUp Genius, or call Valerie,
(415)827-0800
or email Valerie.
This is an easy way to participate in the Sunday Service. You can provide your own statement or get a suggestion from the Worship Associate.
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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 Joan at figleafjoan@comcast.net (415-506-4166, Cell: 415-595-6221)
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-ADD JUSTICE UUMCJA------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Continue your commitment to environmental and economic justice by shopping at
http://shop.uusc.org/
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Staff Links
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Nursery Care Provider: TBA
Don Beck: 415-892-0642
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Interim Minister's Schedule
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DRE's Schedule
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Interim Minister
Rev. Joy Atkinson
Office Hours:
Tuesday, Thursday 11AM - 6PM
Other times also available. Call/email for an appointment.
phone 415-479-4131 ext. 102
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Director of Religious Education:
Jeffrey Melcher
Sunday 12:30 - 1:30 PM
Tuesday 12:30 - 3 :30 PM
Thursday 12:30 - 3:30 PM
415-479-4131 ext. 104
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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
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