Worship Leader: Rev Russ Menk

Worship Associate: Randy James

January - and beyond - will challenge us in many and mighty ways. We face an Inauguration that fills many  of  us with anxiety. We hurt yet know we need to come together as a community to fiercely act on our Principles and heal together. What does that mean for each of us? For our Fellowship? Come to our next Adult RE program on Sunday, Jan. 15 from 12-1:15  in the Gallery where Rev. Russ Menk will guide our conversation towards action. There are many options. What will you do? What will we do?

Next Saturday January 7  (9:30-11:30) will be a Fellowship Work Day. Please contact Bob Bates ( bates3@sbcglobal.net ) if you plan to attend or if you have suggestions for chores which need attention.

The Farm,  6970 Soquel Dr. in Aptos

                   
Our January  book is The Last Bus to Wisdom by Ivan Doig,  the charming story of a 12 year old boy learning about life on a  bus journey across America in the 1950s.  A delightful relief from the troubles of 2016.

Our February book is  Born A Crime  by Trevor Noah.   Trevor Noah's unlikely path from apartheid South Africa to the desk of  The Daily Show  began with a criminal act: his birth.  The compelling, inspiring, and comically sublime story of one man's coming-of-age, set during the twilight of apartheid and the tumultuous days of freedom that followed.  

Please join us for coffee, tea, breakfast, or brunch and an always thoughtful discussion.

Questions?  Call Linda Monk at 724-4089.

Come together for an evening of solidarity and laughter with Cosmic Comic Swami Beyondananda on the day of the 2017 Presidential Inauguration
 
7:00 to 8:00 pm dessert, beverages and no-host wine bar
8:00 to 9:00 pm show
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Santa Cruz County
Cost: $10 - $15 (sliding scale)

More information - on-line reservations

 Small Group Ministry provides an opportunity to pursue the deeper spiritual questions, to be further challenged to social action and spiritual growth, and to express our Unitarian Universalist principles and values in the congregation and in the larger community.

Within the framework of groups of 8 to 10 people, Small Group Ministry allows us to be present in each others' lives in an open, supportive, and nurturing environment.

Look for a special email announcement to arrive in early January with sign-up information.  Groups will be offered in Santa Cruz, Felton/Scotts Valley, Capitola, Aptos and Watsonville.

Some of my thoughts about our Fellowship at the end of 2016.

Click here.

Unitarians rock! Our holiday food drive netted big results making a true difference in our community. Hunger and nutrition are concerns in our neighborhoods so your generosity contributes to solutions. Here are the outcomes: we donated 130 pounds of non-perishable food AND $600! This equates to 2504 meals! (The Food Bank calculates that every dollar equals 4 meals; every 5 pounds of food equals $1). Note: as a point of comparison, last year, we contributed about 20 meals.

Link to audio files

To learn about and engage our community and world:

Thursday, Jan. 12, 5:30-9:30pm. Sanctuary Stewardship training. Learn about being a volunteer advocate for our ocean habitat. Sponsored by Save Our Shores. At SOS offices. 345 Lake Ave. SC. To RSVP, email Matt@saveourshores.org .

Monday, Jan. 16. Join with other community members to honor Martin Luther King Jr. In acts of community service. Various options with many coordinated through the Volunteer Center. Shall we do a Project as a Fellowship? 

Monday, Jan. 16 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day) 7pm.  Professor George Lakey speaks on non-violent action in the current moment and taking economic action for equality. At the Resource Center for Non-Violence. 612 Ocean St. SC.

More info here.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE: Apply for varied City of Santa Cruz Advisory Boards and commissions. This is grass roots community building. Use our Unitarian values. Applications due Wed. Jan. 11 at 12 noon. These are groups such as Arts Commission, Commission for the Violence Against Women, Water Commission, Parks and Rec Commission - and many more.

More information and the on-line application here.