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August 17, 2017
Issue #415
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We -- not just humanity at large, but every individual -- are part of an evolving universe and have an important role to play in its development. Why are we here? What happens after we die? How are we connected to the spiritual world? The Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner, founder of Waldorf schools, biodynamic agriculture, anthroposophical medicine and much more, called his teachings Spiritual Science. Learnable and testable by anyone, Spiritual Science provides stimulating answers to the search for the meaning of life.
Kim Holscher is a German immigrant who moved from Seattle to Marin a year ago. She has been a Waldorf teacher and student of Spiritual Science since 1990, and discovered UUCM via the street sign at the bottom of the hill.
We live in a noisy world, and there is often chatter inside our heads as well. Being truly silent, as well as truly listening to another person, are disciplines that can bring many rewards. The service will explore the gifts of silence, contemplation, and deep listening.
(If you have an announcement for the Sunday service, send it to Julie Prentice
[email protected]
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9 am - The Sunday Circle (Contemplative Service newly renamed)
Upcoming Topics and Leaders:
8/20/17 Things that Piss You Off
Jim Prochaska
8/27/17
Even More Mary Oliver
Doug Kerr
9/3/17 Keeping Your Marbles - Breakthroughs in Preventing Dementia Meg Jordan
The Sunday Circle is held from 9:00 am to 10:00 am each Sunday in the Fireside Room.
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Let's Go out to the Ball Game:
UUCM families and friends are gathering to go out to the ball game.
Friday, Aug 25th, 7 pm game between the San Rafael Pacifics and the Pittsburg Diamonds. This is a Families + event (All are welcome. All are invited.)
Come, bring a friend of your own and in-joy the evening together.
We will meet in the stands. General admission $15
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Albert Park, 155 Andersen Dr, San Rafael, CA 94901
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Aug 27th -
First day of RE classes &
Wear Your Favorite Summer Shorts Day
&
RE Parent Potluck and Kick-off meeting.
We are looking forward to a *
spectacular* year ahead.
UUCM Fall Kick-off for Religious Exploration
First Day Back from Summer
- Wear Your Favorite Summer Shorts to Service Day - 10:30
- RE Classes 10:45-11:45
- Parent meeting with Potluck for families - 12:00 to 1:45
Sunday, Sept 3rd:
No classes, Nursery is staffed.
Sunday, Sept 10th: Multi-generational Ingathering service, Nursery staffed.
Sunday, Sept 17th:Religious Exploration '17-'18 Grand Opening. Train for Hogwarts leaves at 10:23 AM at platform 9 3/4.
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Revelations: My First General Assembly
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by Geri Randall
Here I am 73 years old, a Unitarian since age 19, and never before June 2017 did I ever attend a General Assembly. There is no good reason for that really. I had conjured up visions of interminable business meetings, nitpicking debates over bylaws and other such activities which could not compete with reading a good book or bathing my dog. However, a few years ago I became curious about how my faith was run and what the UUA was actually like. I decided my attendance at a GA was long overdue.
The first thing that struck me when I entered the conference building in New Orleans was how friendly and considerate everyone was, and how much warmth and love was being radiated. I immediately felt a bond with these thousands of strangers who shared my faith and my values.
Much to my surprise, the debates over proposed bylaw changes were actually fascinating.
There was also much that was discomfiting: 2017 has been a year of turmoil within the UUA. President Peter Morales and several other top officers resigned because of controversies over hiring practices. There have been allegations of racism and a culture of white supremacy within the UUA, leading to plans to hire only people of color until they constitute 40% of the top level executives, and an unrestricted grant of $5.3 million to Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism.
One change to the bylaws was approved.
Section C-2.1 of our bylaws sets forth the sources of our living tradition. There was a proposal to to replace the words "women and men" with the word "people" in the section which previously read "Words and deeds of prophetic women and men...." When I read about this proposal in my meeting package I have to confess I yawned. My boredom ended when I heard the stories related by people who do not identify as a man or a woman. Two genders do not encompass the complexity of human beings; we are a species of infinite variety. This bylaw change was adopted by the requisite two thirds vote.
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Autumn
Auction Items Needed
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AUCTION ITEMS NEEDED
Our Autumn Auction is coming soon.
For a successful auction, we need to offer many goods and services. Kindly consider goods and services you might donate. For a list of ideas, click here. Please ask your
friends and local businesses to donate items. To help in solicitation, we have prepared two letters with the UUCM logo that describe the church and auction. Click to obtain PDF copies of these letters: one for requesting gift certificates and the other for general requests.
For more information, email Ken at [email protected] or Jean Bee at [email protected].
To make the donations official, please fill out and submit a 2017 Auction Donation Form, available in the church foyer, by the far window. We need these forms, since we must have the details to begin the auction inventory. Deadline for these forms is Sunday, September 10. Thank you so much for your help.
T
he Autumn Auction (on Saturday, October 7, 2017, 5:30-9:00 p.m.) will include a silent auction and social hour with classical music (5:30-7:00 pm) and a live auction and potluck dinner (7:00-8:30 pm). Childcare will be provided, but must be arranged in advance.
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The next Art Exhibit in the Fireside Room will be
"Group Show of Works by UUCM Members and Friends of all ages"
All wall-hanging media welcome. We will hang the exhibit
early-to-mid September.
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Our popular
Remarkable People
program is starting up on September 15, with Ted Gaebler, our new Board President, as one of the speakers. We meet in the Fireside Room, 7:00 to 8:30 PM (note new time). to hear two of our members talk about their lives. There is time for questions and refreshments. Mark your calendars for the third Fridays of September, October and November, and again February through May of next year.
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Collect Water and/or Stones
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While you are traveling or staying at home be sure to collect water/and or stones to share at our
ingathering service September 10.
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Weekly newsletter publish dates
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Weekly Publish dates:
August 31
September 7 (back to weekly schedule)
Deadline for articles is 10 pm Monday for Thursday publishing date.
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Web Site Help Needed
The Communications Team is updating the UUCM website. We are migrating the site to a WordPress template provided by the UUA and in use by over 100 UU Congregations in the US. And we looking for help!
We need a few people to help migrate material to the new site, edit text, and add some functions to the new site. If you have experience with WordPress, website maintenance, or editing, and would like to help with this project, please email
[email protected]
, or call Valerie Taylor.
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Hello to Summer!
For the next 2 months everyone (yes, YOU!) is invited to participate in Touch of Beauty. Please bring a flower or two or ten - there's no such thing as "too many flowers - as often as you can, and put it (them) in the vase on the corner of the Greeters' table. Somebody will be on hand to create an artistic whole and place it on the dais for the service. We're better together!
Sally Schroeder
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Summer is here and there are a few changes at UUCM for the summer months.
The choir is on vacation but Milton is still providing wonderful music. The 9:00 AM service continues as does the 10:30 AM service.
Rev. Joy is away but we will have interesting speakers from Starr King and our congregation.
(Rev Joy returns August 23.)
Jef is working part time and will provide activities for the children in the foyer on Sundays and coordinating other activities. Child care is available. YRUU will meet.
The newsletter will be sent every other week starting July 6. See article below for specific dates.
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Sustainable Fairfax Film Event
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Friday, September 15
6:30 pm-9:00 pm
Women's Club, 46 Park Rd, Fairfax
Admission: $10
Climate change is the biggest challenge humanity has ever faced - and it is also our greatest opportunity. We have the solutions we need, but we are in a race against the clock to implement them in time.
Oscar-winning documentary director Charles Ferguson captures the urgency and innovation of this critical moment in his new film, TIME TO CHOOSE which takes audiences on a journey from the threats we face to the remarkable stories of people changing our world for the better.
Representatives from several local environmental organizations will speak briefly and give you tangible actions you can take to support a healthier climate.
Katherine Da Silva Jain is happy to arrange carpooling. 415 492 949, [email protected]
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Shelter Supper Coordinator Still Needed
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Due to Joan's "out-of-whack back," UUCM will need a new co-ordinator/
supervisor for this rich and rewarding program project which she has administered
for the last nine years. Contact her for more information.
Joan Nelson - 415-506-4166 - c: 415-595-6221
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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 [email protected] (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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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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Vacation until August 23. Will check email and phone messages.
15 hours a week. Email, available by appt.
Nursery Care Provider: Glynda Christian
Don Beck: 415-892-0642
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I appreciate any feedback about this weekly newsletter.
eWeekly Deadline for Thursday issue:
Monday by 10 pm - 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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