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March 23, 2017
Issue #397
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March 26, 2017: "Six Things We Hope, Pray, and Work For: Touchstones from an Ancient Prayer"
A rabbi was once asked by his pupils to teach them to pray. The short prayer he gave them-- only seven lines long-- was deeply grounded in the Jewish tradition. Millions of Christians repeat it daily. Is there something of value in it for humanists, atheists, or followers of the other religions of the world? In this sermon, we will explore the prayer's Jewish roots and consider how its seven short phrases speak to universal human needs and aspirations. In this service, we will not pray the prayer itself but we will examine its underlying moral vision and its implications for the work of justice and peace to which all people of goodwill are called.
The Rev. Thomas Traylor is an Episcopal priest and retired hospice chaplain. He is a pastoral associate at All Saints' Episcopal Church in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco and a longtime friend of UUCM. He shares life with his partner (and UUCM pianist) Milton Wong.
(If you have an announcement for the Sunday service, send it to
Linda Haumann.)
SUMMER SERVICES
We want to fill our pulpit for the Summer Services when our Minister is off. If any member or friend of the congregation would like to provide a service, please contact Worship Chair Julie Prentice rebel1955@gmail.com to sign up. This is a great way to share a cause or some topic near and dear to you.
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Contemplative Service 9 am
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3/26/17
Celebrate Women's History/Kat Braeman
4/2/17
Achievement or Happiness?/Jim Prochaska
4/9/17
Indivisible!/ Lauren Long and Doug 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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On Membership at UUCM
Because some of our recent new members were not able to be with us last Sunday, we have postponed the New Member Ceremony. We are now planning to hold the ceremony on Sunday, April 9th. If you are interested in joining UUCM, you can participate in this next ceremony of welcome for new members. If you prefer, you may also join "quietly" by signing the membership book.
Membership in a Unitarian Universalist congregation is a commitment to join us on the faith journey. Individually, we may reach different conclusions on our religious quest, but we rejoice in having companions on our way who share some basic values. We Unitarian Universalists cherish the religious diversity among us. We are enriched rather than threatened by our variety of religious opinions and expressions!
There are many people in our community who are "unchurched," many of them happily so. But perhaps some of them would enjoy having a religious home in a community that values, as our fourth principle puts it: "A free and responsible search for truth and meaning." Maybe you personally know some seekers who have no religious community. If so, you might consider inviting them to UUCM some Sunday.
As the 19th century philosopher William James said, "Without the spark of the individual, the community stagnates; without the support of the community, the individual withers." Those who join us as members contribute their "spark": their talents and commitment to UUCM, and in turn we offer them a religious home in whose embrace they can continue their individual faith journeys, now with supportive fellow travelers.
Fondly, Joy
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Religious Exploration nUUs
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Dear Families.
If you have not already signed up for the UUCM Retreat, please do so today. If you can't attend but your youth can, then talk to me about finding a sponsor so they can attend. The retreat is the best community building event of the year. "FOR REAL".
Drum repair demo part 1 this Sunday at 9:00 AM in the kitchen. Henry Bankhead will work on Jef's bodhran by removing the skin, and soaking. Part two of the demo, stretching and stapling, will be at noon in the courtyard.
April 9th is egg dying day. Please bring a dozen hardboiled eggs to give the kids to color.
Happy Equinox. Whew, finally a little balance.
Sincerely Yours,
Jeffrey Melcher,
M.Div.
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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 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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Retreat in the News:
April 28 - 30
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Join us for the
All Congregational Retreat at Walker Creek - April 28 -30, 2017
Please register by this Sunday, March 26.
People Connections
It's not the workshops
It's not the services
It's the in betweens
The moments in between
When you connect with people
Find out where they are from
What they do
What interests them
Why they are here
Leading into deeper topics
Getting to know them as you rarely do at UUCM
Taking a walk
Sitting at a table
Sharing a room
Walking together to meals
The in between times are meant for sharing.
Lisa Cohen
5/06/07 Retreat
The retreat is one of the big highlights of our program year. See photos of past retreats in the foyer. We want everyone to attend -- to learn together, to sing and dance and play together, and to strengthen our beloved community! If you can contribute extra so that other families can attend, please do so.
- Scholarships are available.
- Coming of Age Program.
- Workshops: Crafting for a Cause, maybe paper making,
New this year: Stargazing with Rev Joy on Saturday!
other workshops needed.
- Talent show offerings needed.
Don't wait until the last minute! Signup today.
If you have questions or would like to help plan the Retreat, please contact one of the Retreat Co-Chairs, Thomas Ervin (thomas.ervin@comcast.net) and Dianne Estrada (dianneestrada11@gmail.com).
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Youth and Their Rights - March 26
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Understanding the Legal Rights of Youth
Part 1 of a Series
Sunday, March 26, 2017
12:15 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Fireside Room
Presented by George Pegelow, member of the Marin County Chapter of the ACLU of Northern California and long-time advocate for youth. YRUU advisor.
- Rights of youth when dealing with law enforcement
- Rights of students in their schools
- Free speech rights
- Significant youth rights cases decided by the U.S. Supreme Court
- Cases decided in California court
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Stained Glass in the Foyer
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The newly refurbished stained glass in the foyer is by Herb Grusser and was given by Ruth Crawford (longtime member) and her father Edward Deane (our pro bono bookkeeper for many years) in memory of her mother, Maude O'Brien Patton.
Thanks to Dick Park, Norman Davidson and Noah and Henry Kingdon for advice, transport and installation.
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Save the Date: Chamber Music Concert -
Sat. April 15th
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It's that time of year again for a fabulous Chamber Music Concert at UUCM organized by Milton Wong.
This year, the concert will be held on Saturday, April 15th, starting at 3 pm.
The theme will be music of the 20th century.
Stay tuned for more details.
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2016 Constant Contact All Star Award
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UUCM is proud to receive the "All Star Award" from Constant Contact. Constant Contact is the program we use to produce this weekly newsletter.
The annual award recognizes the most successful 10 percent of Constant Contact's customer base, based on their significant achievements using email marketing to engage their customer base and drive results for their organization during the prior year.
Thank you to all who read our newsletter regularly which made this award possible.
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This month's reading selection for the UUCM Book Club is "The Cool, Gray City of Love" by Gary Kamiya comprising vignettes of the history and characters of 49 areas of San Francisco. Join us on
April 19 from 7:30 till 9:00pm
, in the Clara Barton Room, for a stimulating discussion.
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Touch of Beauty Providers Needed
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Providers of Beauty!
Touch of Beauty needs YOU! We seek floral arrangements (or other touches) for April, May and June. If your yard is in bloom, share it with us. If that's not the case, the markets are exploding with spring blossoms - at reasonable prices. Either way, you contribute to the ambience of our lovely space, and you have flowers in your home for a week.
Wishing everyone a spring with "touches of beauty" every day.
Sally
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Draft Board Meeting Agenda
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If you wish to learn what will be discussed at the next UUCM Board Meeting on
March 30, please read the
draft board agenda.
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Last Sunday's Shelter Supper was provided, served, etc. by the UUCM Crafters-for-a-Cause:
Anise Feldman, Judy Finn, Linda Haumann, Margaret Johnson, and Julie Prentice. They were, ably led by "master-felter" Libby Colman, who presented the homeless ladies with exquisitely knitted and felted slippers.
They were joined by background musicians/errand-runners: Walter Littrell and Mike Krupp. Thomas Ervin also chipped in his labor.
Opportunities to provide meals remain open on all five Sundays in April.
Please contact:
Joan Nelson - 415-506-4166 - c: 415-595-6221
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District Assembly - May 5 - 6
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General Assembly - June 21- 25
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General Assembly (GA) is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Attendees worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through democratic process. Anyone may attend.
It will be in New Orleans, LA from June 21-25.
Housing Reservations and Registration began March 1.
Think about attending. It is a wonderful opportunity to see our Unitarian Universalists in action and meet UUs from all across the country. It is an experience you will never forget.
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Participate in our Democracy
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Due to the state of our country there is more need than ever for information to encourage UUs to participate in social justice. But there is not enough space in the UUCM weekly newsletter to cover all the issues. So please sign up for our
Social Advocates list
. To sign up, hit return from this newsletter and say "Yes to Social Advocates."
To see a sample of our latest social justice newsletter, click here.
Got a Social Justice cause or action that you want to send to the list?
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Two more Basket Share programs needed
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Annual Basket Share Program - April and May nominees needed
There are two more 50/50 offering Basket Share Sundays open this church year:
April 30 and May 28
Contact Joan Nelson to nominate a favorite local non-profit with which you are directly involved.
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The Marin Interfaith Council (MIC) is a respectful collaborative that celebrates faith traditions, advocates justice and builds community. MIC cultivates a community diverse in belief, opinion, and culture. Linda Haumann is UUCM's connection to MIC. More information about MIC and to sign up for their email list.
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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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Tuesday, Thursday 11AM - 6PM
Other times also available. Call/email for an appointment.
phone 415-479-4131 ext. 102
Sunday 12:30 - 1:30 PM
Tuesday 12:30 - 3 :30 PM
Thursday 12:30 - 3:30 PM
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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