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December 1, 2016
Issue #381
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Rev. Joy Atkinson
The service will focus on caring for others, practical ways to help, and how caring takes place in a community like UUCM. Members of the Pastoral Care Committee will participate in the service.
(If you have an announcement for the Sunday service, send it to
Linda Haumann.)
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December 11th,10:30am Jesus the Sage
December 18th,10:30am The Pursuit of Radiance
December 24th, 7pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
December 25th,10:30 am Multigenerational Service
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Contemplative Service 9 am
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12/4/16
To Be Determined/Doug Kerr
12/11/16
Nutritious Music/Jerry Moore
12/18/16
Thich Nat Hanh on Fear/ Carol Kerr
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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It has been a challenging year, and here we are in the midst of another holiday season. As the light wanes toward the darkest day of the year, my wish for you is that you take the time, amid the bustle of the holidays and the disappointments of recent politics, to light a candle of hope within you, to care for yourself and to enjoy life's blessings. One of those blessings is this religious community. Join us for our holiday celebrations: Deck the Halls crafts fair and decorating party after the service this coming Sunday, our solstice celebration service on December 18, our Christmas Eve candlelight service at 7:00 PM, and our Christmas Day informal multigenerational service and potluck breakfast in the cozy Fireside Room.
In this chilly and dark, but holy season
when Orion wheels against the night sky
and Sirius shines blue-hot in the darkness
May your pain and struggles
soften for a moment into love and awe.
May hope, like a newborn child,
be born anew within you,
and may your life be blessed with peace.
Joy
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Religious Exploration nUUs
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I hope your weekend was filling ... with rest and a sense of community in whichever way you chose to spend it.
I had a great discussion with a group of kids about US Government relations with Native American Indians and we read together the following article. I highly recommend it. Here is a more complete
history of the first Thanksgiving w/prequel.
Remember to plan and stay for
Deck the Halls after service this Sunday. We will be preparing the big hall for Christmas Eve and the Fireside room for the
December 25th morning pajama service.
Help needed for the
December 10th Holiday party. Assist in making this happen. Contact Jef.
Jeffrey Melcher, Director of Religious Exploration
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| Selected 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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Friday, December 2, 6-9 pm Fireside Room
Join us for an evening of relaxation and camaraderie.
Children and adults get acquainted over board games, cards, Scrabble, Pictionary, Boggle, Trivial Pursuit, chess, and more.
Bring your favorite games!
Pizza and snacks will be provided, and you are welcome to bring some to share.
Members and nonmembers of all ages are welcome.
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Bring toys for P
roject Avary this Sunday
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We are collecting such items as board games, card sets. art kits, scarves, sports balls, toys, bath sets
and anything else appropriate for children between ages 5 and 20, who have incarcerated parents. Please bring the gifts (unwrapped) this Sunday and place in the box in the Community Room.
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Holiday Fair and Deck the Halls - December 4
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Deck the Halls and Holiday Fair - Sunday, December 4, following the service
Come help decorate Fellowship Hall for the holidays with paper garlands, snowflakes, wreaths, and more. Sher Sheldon's delicious clam chowder will be served along with a vegan soup option (donations welcome).
This year we will again be selling homemade items and vintage jewelry. If you can donate handcrafted items, baked goods or other items for sale, please contact Margaret Johnston at margaret.johnston@comcast.net or 415-717-3113. Other suggestions include gently used holiday gift bags or assortments of unused holiday cards.
Margaret Johnston, Marge Hollinger, Monique Webster
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Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) Workshop
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Sunday, December 18th, Clara Barton Room, 12:30 - 2 pm
As part of our Coming of Age Program, we are having an introductory (EFT) Tapping workshop. There is room for you too.
EFT Tapping is a cutting edge method that has been scientifically proven to decrease stress and increase resilience. It is easy to learn, easy to use, and easy to share with others.
This workshop is offered on a donation basis.
650 814-2065
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Dining at this week's Sunday shelter supper along with the homeless ladies
were Ali and Nathanial Jenkins and their friends including Nathanial's friend
who begged his dad: "Can we come back again? Please? Also helping was Nancy Takahashi.
Needed next week (and every week - including Christmas and New Years Days,
able bodied folks to provide food, serve and dine. Please e-mail or phone
Or please sign up in the yellow binder in the lobby.
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UUCM Reads the Common Read - December 11
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UUCM continues reading the UUA 2016-2017 Common Read.
Discussion of
The Third Reconstruction using questions provided by the UUA will continue on
Sunday December 11, 12:00 to 1:00 pm in the Fireside Room.
All of the books have been borrowed or bought from UUCM but you may 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.
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UUCM has Sox Appeal!
We continue to put our UU principles into action by supporting Marin's least fortunate citizens who have no housing.
Given that the need has not gone away, your Social Justice Committee appeals once again:
As you do your holiday shopping, please remember to pick up some extra white socks for the
homeless "Sox Appeal" basket in the lobby. Thank you.
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The UUCM Parent Group met after the Stone Soup service on November 20. The topic was "raising kids with values of inclusion amidst a culture of division." A theme that emerged from our conversation was the important role our community plays in helping our kids to experience a sense of belonging and acceptance. Stay tuned for details about our next meeting.
Parents of children of all ages welcome!
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Third Women's Convocation, Asilomar, CA, February 16-19, 2017
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Do not miss this opportunity to hear bell hooks, one of the most influential voices in the American feminist movement! She will give a keynote address at the Third Women's Convocation, Asilomar, CA, February 16-19, 2017. Writer, professor, feminist theorist, and activist, hooks is the author of numerous critically acclaimed and widely influential books on the function of race, gender, class, and culture. hooks is currently the Distinguished Professor in Residence in Appalachian Studies at Berea College in Kentucky. Register at Third International Womens Convocation. Consult the latest edition of the Program Guide.
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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. Our current focus is making hats, scarves, mittens and socks for Syrian refugees. A photo display showing some of the group's woolly creations is in the foyer.
Patterns, guidance, encouragement, comraderie and some materials provided. Beginners welcome.
The next monthly meeting will be Wednesday, December 14. For location or more information, email crafting@uumarin.org.
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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.
Your appeal letter will have arrived in the mail by now. Please remember to help us maintain this spiritual tradition with your personal donation.
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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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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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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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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