Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Marin
UUCM Email Weekly!
May 2, 2019
Issue #498
Sunday Worship Services
uuachalice
10:30 am
May 5, 2019: A Curious Faith
Rev. Theresa Novak

We all have a religious past, even those of us who did not grow up in any faith tradition. Our spiritual journeys can have many twists and turns. As travelers on that path, we can carry with us bags full of our pasts, rarely opened or examined. What happens if we unpack those bags in a spirit of curiosity? We might decide to discard what no longer serves us, but we also might need to keep - and repair - what might still serve our souls.

The Sunday Circle 9 am
uuachalice
9 am - The Sunday Circle 

Upcoming Topics and Leaders
 
5/5/19  Working for George Zimmer: What I Learned About Servant Leadership  
Terry Lucas  
 
5/12/19 Being Uncomfortable            Jim Harrison
 
More Info and additional service topics.
 
The Sunday Circle is held from 9:00 am to 10:00 am each Sunday in the Fireside Room.  
Notes Along the Way
Rev marcus
"God is a river, swimmer, so let go," sings the UU musician Peter Mayer, the songwrite r  behind Blue Boat Home. And sometimes the river of change moves faster than others. As Jeffrey Melcher, our Director of Family Ministries, shared the bittersweet news of his resignation to continue pursuing the path of ministry, we have found ourselves facing another bend in the river. Jef has had a significant impact on this congregation during his time here and we will plan to honor him at our congregational meeting on June 2nd, and have a farewell party after the service on June 9th.
 
This month we will ask in our worship and small groups, "What does it mean to be a people of Curiosity?" So I've been noticing all the things I'm curious about:

I'm curious who we will find to lead our programming for children, youth and families. I'm curious what we will vision with them for this next chapter of our RE program's journey.
 
I'm curious about what Henry and I will experience at our first church retreat with you this weekend!
 
I'm curious how we will continue to wrestle with a key question that has arisen in each of the Hopes and Histories sessions so far: What exactly is the role of the minister in a Unitarian Universalist congregation?
 
I'm curious about the work of the Mission Task Force, and what they will discover as they sift through the stories and ideas you have shared about the purpose of our community.

I'm curious to see who will step forward into leadership roles as some prepare to step down from the Board and various committees.
 
I'm curious to read the annual report committees are submitting material for now, to look back on this year of change with fresh eyes.
 
I'm curious to see how we do summer here, and to hear if there are changes you long for.
 
Some of these things don't always inspire curiosity per se...perhaps anxious overwhelm would be a better description? But as I name my curiosity about each experience, I notice a sense of opening, releasing the constriction of anxiety and relaxing into the ebb and flow of the river. This is the magic of curiosity.
 
What is life calling for you to get curious about?

With you on the journey,
Rev. Marcus Hartlief
RE nUUs
jef melcher
What a fun couple of weeks we have had together. Easter with an egg hunt led by a giant rabbit, youth weekend retreat in Walnut Creek, Passover Seder in the Dream room, and more OWL classes on Sunday afternoon. The UUCM Retreat is this weekend at Walker Creek Ranch with tie-dye, nature walks, barn dance for all ages and youth-led evening worship. This fun was dotted with a multitude of other emotions too as I announced my resignation last week. I have had a heartfelt wave of support for this career move/spiritual path development I am embarking on. Staying curious is a good way to step forward into these moments. I invite you to stay curious about your paths too.

Pesach 5779/Passover 2019
We had a lovely ritual and meal with ages 7-17 and accompanying adults this past Sunday in the Dream room. We lounged, we sang, we learned about Passover from one of our resident JUUnitarians (Jew-Unitarian) Sondra Schwartz. Thank you to all who brought food and/or participated. [ photo album link]  

Retreat Weekend RE - May 3-5:  Some families will be at the retreat, however, we will have childcare in the Nursery and activities for grades 2-12. Director of Family Ministries Jeffrey Melcher will lead the group in song, movement, and art. Themes of Earth Day, Mother's Day, and Curiosity.

Soulful Home this month focuses on Curiosity. Excerpt:   What Does it Mean to be a Family of Curiosity? "Why?" often seems like the word we hear the most as parents from our children. Why is the sky blue? Why do I have to make my bed? Why do birds sing? Why do my shoelaces keep coming untied?" This month, we invite you to consider the gift of a curious "why?"   See the resource HERE for parents, grandparents, caregivers of all kinds.

Jeffrey Melcher, M.Div.   
Director of Family Ministries
415.578.9788
Selected Upcoming Dates
Upcoming dates link to the UUCM calendar for saving on iCal, Outlook, etc.
 
5:00 PM Friday - 12:00 PM Sunday  
 
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

UUCM Budget Hearing - May 19
12:15 PM - 2:00 PM 
 
UUCM Mission Statement Task Force
uucmchalice
Time is running out to share your thoughts with the UUCM Mission Statement Task Force. Please be a part of this important step for our community. In addition to our committee interviews, we have two ways for members and friends to participate:
  1. Listening Session, Saturday, May 4 @ 1 pm in the Buckeye Room at the Retreat
  2. On-line Survey, deadline: midnight May 7:
New Art Exhibit in Fireside Room
Exhibit and description by Marjorie Hollinger

I started doing photography when I went to college and my father gave me a camera. I was hooked and took lots of photos with my 1950S camera which had to be adjusted for distance and light exposure. Now I love taking photos with my IPhone. So easy and convenient.

My paintings have been done over the last 30 years. I find it much more difficult and time consuming than photography, but rewarding.

Thank you to the Art Committee for allowing me to show my work.
Classic Book Group
old-book-spines.jpg
The next meeting of the Classic Book Group is May 22, at 1:30 pm, in the Clara Barton Room.  We are reading Pickwick Papers, chapters 1-25.
Online PCD Annual Meeting
The 2019 PCD Annual Meeting will be held online on Saturday, May 11, 2019, 2:00-3:30 p.m. PDT. This will be exclusively an online meeting. There will be no local gathering, as originally anticipated. 
 
Please    RSVP  if you plan to participate in this virtual meeting. The RSVP form also allows you to indicate if you are interested in serving as a delegate for your congregation. Your minister, president, or their designee will certify delegates by submitting the Delegate Certification Form. (One form per congregation.)
 
Instructions for connecting to the meeting will be shared by May 8 with congregations and all who RSVP. Links and instructions, along with business meeting materials, will be posted on the PCD Annual Meeting page as they become available.
Register for General Assembly - June 19-23
General Assembly is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association.  Attendees worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through democratic process.  Anyone may attend; congregations must certify annually to send voting delegates.  The 2019 General Assembly will be June 19-23 in Spokane, Washington. Most General Assembly events will be held in the Spokane Convention Center. https://www.uua.org/ga
Social Justice Education/Action

If you are not already receiving emails from the social justice committee and wish to receive them along with information about social justice actions/rallies in and around Marin, please send your email address to:    [email protected]
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Do you want to make a difference in our county and the world? We focus on local issues which are relevant to all of us. Bring your ideas and concerns to the  UUCM Social Justice Committee.  We meet the third Sunday of each month at noon.
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Continue your commitment to environmental and economic justice by shopping at  http://shop.uusc.org 
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Quick Links
  
 
Staff Links
 Developmental Minister:  Rev. Marcus Hartlief [email protected]  
 
Office hours:
Tuesday-Thursday: mid-morning to late afternoon or into the evening.
 Call, text or email to make an appointment.  
415-578-9632 (direct), 510-213-0404 (cell) 
 
Director of Family Ministries:  Jeffrey Melcher  [email protected]
 
Office hours:
Wed 10:30-2:00
Thursday 10:30-2:00
Sunday 9:00-1:00
 
Administrator: Janette Morrow  [email protected]
  415-578-9577 direct  
 
Choir Director:  Amanda Morando  [email protected]    
 
Pianist:  Milton Wong

Nursery Teacher: Glynda Christian [email protected] 
 
Pastoral Care Committee: [email protected] 
Don Beck: 415-892-0642 
Newsletter Guidelines
I appreciate any feedback about this weekly newsletter. 
eWeekly Deadline for Thursday issue:
Tuesday by 7 am - activities and announcements, staff columns, committee reports

Send your news articles to [email protected]

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)

Weekly, UUCM Connect and Special Announcements Editor: Lisa Cohen and Victoria Holdridge 
Backup Production Editor: Valerie Taylor
 
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Marin 
415-479-4131
240 Channing Way
San Rafael, CA  94903 

Unitarian Universalist 
Congregation of Marin
415-479-4131
[email protected]
http://www.uumarin.org