Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Santa Cruz County
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Current Happenings February 9, 2017
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Sunday Service February 19, 2017
Joy from Connections
Guest Preacher Allison Hess from UU-UNO
Rev. Allison Hess is the Envoy Coordinator at UU-UNO ( UU United nations office) and works connecting UU congregations across the US and Canada to the work of the United Nations.
Worship Leader: Rev. Russ Menk
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Sunday Hospitality Schedule
If the initial of your last name
is on the list below for this week, bring a dish ready to serve or ingredient for salad or soup.
Please help with the clean-up
after hospitality hour.
2/19 T - Z
2/26 A - D
3/5 E - G
3/12 H
If you will be absent on your week, please trade with someone for their week, or contribute the next week. Thank you!
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Fellowship Monthly Calendar
To access the Fellowship's monthly calendar,
click here.
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Congregation votes to call Rev. Russ Menk as our settled minister!
At the congregational meeting on Sunday, February 12, 47 members (over half of the UUF membership) voted unanimously to call Rev. Russ Menk to be our settled minister. The Letter of Call and Ministerial Agreement will be presented to the Board for approval at the February 16 meeting, and then Russ will be invited to sign the Letter, making it official. This happy outcome is the result of a yearlong process led by the Mutual Discernment Committee to determine our readiness for this step. Thanks to Carol Schimke, Sharon McGraham, Lorraine Sandoval- Vigil, Jennifer Choate, Reggie McLain and Ben Sandel for their work on this Committee.
At a Town Hall meeting immediately after the vote to call, the following new draft UU Fellowship vision and mission statements were presented to and endorsed by the congregation:
Vision
We envision Beloved Community for a more humane and just world.
Mission
As an open faith community, we manifest our guiding Principles and transform ourselves and our world through the power of love.
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Bible study group for liberal religious seekers
Robert Strayer - a recent guest speaker at our Fellowship - has agreed to lead a bible study group based on the book Transforming Bible Study by Walter Wink. Each session will look at a passage of the Bible. The focus will be on how it resonates in our lives today and its relevance to our contemporary context. This is not an academic study, but rather an exploration of how the language of the Bible speaks to us now and how it can inform our personal spiritual quest. Initially, we are planning four sessions, 1-1/2 hours each, once a month at the Fellowship, date and time to be determined based on the availability of interested participants.
Robert Strayer has a Ph.D in History from UW Madison. He is a long time professor of world history, with a particular interest in religious themes; author of "Ways of the World", a widely used world history textbook; a participant in various interfaith activities; and a member of La Selva Beach Community Church and Progressive Christian Forum.
If you are interested in participating or have questions, please contact Ann McCrow at president@uufscc.org.
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Book Group
Thursday February 16th 10AM
The Farm, 6970 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA
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.
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"Cracking the Codes"; The System of Racial Inequity
A Community Dialogue and Conversation on Race
Thursday February 16, 6 PM to 9:00 PM
Museum of Art & History, 705 Front Street, Santa Cruz
Doors Open at 5:30 PM
In this World Trust film, we will learn learn about the causes and consequences of systemic racial inequity with opportunities for personal reflection and small group discussion
, see flyer
here.
Contact: Karen Aaker (karen@aftonranch.net) for info and/or ride sharing.
Event is free - Donations appreciated!
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CHILI COOKOFF: BUY TICKETS & VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Friday, February 17 from 6-8:30p
m
The Second Annual interfaith Chili Cook-off fundraiser is scheduled for Friday, February 17 from 6-8:30pm at Resurrection Church ( at the corner of State Park Drive and Soquel). It was so much fun last year raising quite a lot of money to support a needed shower program for individuals who are homeless in our area. (Tickets are $20; kids under 12 are free). Tickets are also conveniently available through BrownPaperTickets here. Tickets may also be available at the door.
You get chili tastings - and voting for your favorites. And lots of cornbread, beverages and desserts. And a fun evening meeting people from other Aptos area churches. Our Fellowship is one of about 10 faith groups to participate in the Cook-off.
We also need a few volunteers to set up on Friday, Feb. 17 starting around 3pm at Resurrection Church. Let's rise to the challenge of the best decorated table. We also need volunteers to help serve during the Cook-off. Willing hands have a lot of fun!
Contact Michele Pomroy to volunteer or with questions.
Calling all TEAM CHILITARIAN VOLUNTEERS ! Come one, come all for an afternoon (Thursday, Feb. 16th starting at 4pm) of peeling, chopping, slicing, stirring and fixing.....in a familiar setting.....our UU Kitchen.
We have the basic recipe and if you'd like to bring a can of beans or two, onions, garlic, to add to the tomatoes and beef then we have the beginning of our chili entry: "Old Flavorful". Also, cash contributions for chili ingredients are welcome.
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New Member Orientation
Saturday, Feb. 18 from 10 am to 12 noon
or Wednesday Feb. 22, 7 - 9 pm
Are you thinking of becoming a member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship? Do you want to explore how to be more involved in this open faith community? Please attend one of these small group orientations to learn more, have your questions answered and understand the membership commitment more fully. You can also check the
UUF website for more information about member expectations. There will be a new member welcome ceremony on
Sunday, March 12 for those interested in joining at this time.
If interested:
Please talk to Ginny Aragon at 831-459-0137,
gkaragon@aol.com or
Ann McCrow 831-359-8096,
annmc@skyhighway.com.
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Upcoming Adult Religious Exploration Program
February 19 12:00 to 1:15PM
Adult Religious Exploration Program - "Be an Upstander, not a Bystander"
February 19, 12:00 to 1:15PM
In our January 15th Election Aftermath Adult RE Session, a desired outcome was more skills training in the types of communication needed for our current climate, circumstances, and actions. How do we say our piece, speak our truth yet listen? Learn strategies to become a more confident 'upstander' not a bystander in this interactive workshop. Facilitated by Peggy Flynn, who has led trainings for those participating in the Women's March both locally and those going to Washington D.C. Check out the next Adult RE session from 12-1:15 on Sunday, February 19th in the Gallery.
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"Legacy Society"
Have you included UUFSCC in your estate plans? If the answer is yes please let Erica Crawford, chair of Endowment Committee or Ann McCrow, Board Present, know. The Endowment Committee is planning on forming a "Legacy Society" to recognize members & friends who are remembering UUFSCC in any way or amount. We do not need the details but if UUFSCC is included in your will or trust for a bequest or percentage of your estate we want to thank and recognize you!
Erica Crawford on behalf of Endowment Committee
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Declaration of Conscience
In our January 29th service, we had the opportunity to share and read the powerful Declaration of Conscience put forward by the UUA (Unitarian Universalist Association) and the UUSC (Unitarian Universalist Service Committee). This is a call to act and to stand up using our principles and our fundamental belief in the inherent worth and dignity of all. You are invited to sign the Declaration at the front of the Sanctuary and also indicate your support of the Fellowship endorsing this through Board action at our 2/16 meeting. For more information and to also sign on-line:
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New Facebook Group
One of the possible actions presented in the January 15 Adult RE meeting was the creation a public, on-line "forum" for folks to continue this discussion. We have now done that. We have created a Facebook Group titled "The Progressive Religious Network." This is a Closed group, so you will need to Join it before you can read the existing posts or write a post of your own. If you have a Facebook account, simply go to
https://www.facebook.com/UUFSCC/?fref=ts and click on the Join button. There is also a link to this Group on the Home page of the Fellowship's public website. Help us grow this group by inviting your "Friends" to join as well.
When you post to this group, remember we want to promote what we stand for, not what we are against. Keep it positive.
If you do not have a Facebook account, it is free and easy to create. If you need help, just sent an email to
webmaster@uufscc.org and we will send you some instructions. If you have not joined Facebook because you do not want your personal information available to others, we can instruct you how to keep your information totally private, or only share it with specific people.
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Volunteer Acts of Kindness - Winter Warming Center and Shower Project
Need for Volunteers! Winter Warming Center and Shower Project Acts of Kindness
We are part of the needed Winter Warming Center interfaith group serving up a hot meal and a sense of community for those needing a safe and warm place to sleep. We are taking turns staffing this essential service which takes place at the VFW Hall on 7th Street in SC from 5:30pm - 7:30pm. Many hands - and hearts - make this work. So.....
We need 3 more volunteers for Tuesday, Feb. 21st, and 2 more volunteers for Saturday, Feb. 25th. (We have additional dates in March and April you can also sign up for) The only thing that's needed is an open heart and flexibility. You can sign up during Hospitality or contact Michele Pomroy or Ginny Aragon with any questions or for more information. NOTE: we will connect with those who have signed up to share information and tips on what to expect.
We are also asking for a few volunteers for the shower program supported by our Chili Cook-off proceeds. As we work on longer term and more extensive showering options, various area faith groups staff a weekly shower service hosted by St. John's Episcopal Church in Aptos. Our next 'shift' is on Saturday, March 11 from 8:30 - noon. Come join in. If interested in more info, contact Michele, Ginny, Bob and Linda Bates. (Sign ups also available during Hospitality)
If interested in more info, contact
Michele, Ginny, Bob and Linda Bates. (Sign ups also available during Hospitality)
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Other Community Events of Interest
To learn about and engage our community and world:
Thursday February 16, 6 -9pm. Doors open at 5:30pm. "Cracking the Codes": The System of Racial Inequity, A Community Dialogue and Conversation on Race. Museum of Art & History, 705 Front Street, Santa Cruz. In this World Trust film, learn about the causes and consequences of systemic racial inequity with opportunities for personal reflection and small group discussion. Free. Donations appreciated! Contact: Karen Aaker karen@aftonranch.net for info and/or ride sharing.
Saturday, Feb. 18, 8:30-10:30am. "Explore the San Lorenzo River"; weekly guided walks focusing on varied fish and bird species. Scientific experts featured. Sponsored by Coastal Watershed Council and SC Museum of Natural History. Free but need to pre-register. For location and to register: sanlorenzo.org/explore
Saturday, February 18, 11-3pm. 'Becoming a Citizen' workshop. Free, one on one assistance with U.S. Citizenship application process. At SC Main Library, 224 Church St.. To register, call 408-277-0255 or email sanjoseimmigration@rescue.com. For more info: http://www.santacruzpl.org/news/2017/feb/02/taller-de-ciudadaniacitizenship-workshop/
ONGOING: Project SCOUT - Free income tax preparation assistance for seniors, individuals with disabilities and low income people. Various locations, days and times throughout the county including SC Public libraries. For more info, call 831-724-2606 or toll free at 877-373-8297. To view schedule and how to prepare: http://www.santacruzpl.org/media/pdf/services/Project_SCOUT_2017.pdf
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Contacts
Office Phone: 831.684.0506
Fax: 831.685.6736
Minister: Rev. Russ Menk
minister-russ@uufscc.org
Office Hours by appointment Wednesday-Saturday
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calendar@uufscc.org
Reserve space for a Fellowship event or place an item on the Fellowship public calendar
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Office Administrator:
Barbara Luther
admin@uufscc.org
Office Hours: Monday-Friday
10:00-1:00
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announce@uufscc.org
Submit announcements to Current Happenings by Wednesday 5PM
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helpinghands@uufscc.org
A private list server to advertise items or services needed or offered, events, or express thanks. An email sent to this address will be forwarded to the full list. Participation is restricted to Members and Friends of the Fellowship.
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webmaster@uufscc.org
Anything to do with the Fellowship website; edits, new content, questions, or comments
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Current Happenings is published weekly by Editors:
Bob Bates, Bruce Fihe, Sylvia Forsyth, and Devi Tong.
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