October 25, 2018
Issue #471

Bring photographs or tokens of your own beloved dead for our altar of remembrance, in the ofrenda tradition of Dia de los Muertos. The whole service will be multigenerational and we'll tell a Scottish story about the meaning and purpose of death in pieces throughout the service. People of all ages are invited to come in costume, and there will be a few costumes available here for those willing to help make the story come alive.

Past worship services  (You may listen to the services marked with an Audio symbol)  

Upcoming worship services 

This time of year, they say, the veil between the worlds is thinnest. From Dia de los Muertos to All Saints Day, from Samhain and All-Hallows to All Souls, traditions around the world mark this time of year as a time for remembering our beloved dead. I think in most of our lives these practices of remembrance have been somewhat eclipsed by our Halloween focus on costumes and candy. But it's not hard, of course, to see the link between traditional Halloween costumes and remembering the dead.

Trick-or-treating actually has the most direct link. Trick-or-treating as we now practice it is an evolution of Soul Cakes from the All Souls' Day parades in England, which date back to about the year 1000. Like many Christian traditions, the practice was started as a way of adapting the indigenous, pagan traditions of the land-in this case of the Celts-to fit with church doctrine and culture. The ancient practice was to leave offerings of food and wine to appease roaming spirits. What eventually came about was instead a practice of the poor going from home to home begging for food, and families giving them pastries called "soul cakes" in return for a promise to pray for the family's dead. I always think about asking for such a promise of any trick-or-treaters we get, but Emily has talked me out of it, probably for the best.

In our tradition, we do not have shared beliefs about what happens when we die. I have spoken with Unitarians who believe in a heavenly reunification with loved ones, and with those who are clear there's nothing after life but the slow process of becoming compost. I've heard about returning to a great oneness, about a cosmic-biochemical return to the web of life, and I've heard about mystery, wondrous mystery, terrifying mystery, tragic mystery, holy mystery.

I joke about it, but there's something sad to me that I won't be promising to pray for anyone's dead family in exchange of sweets, that no one will be promising to pray for mine. Unlike those ancient ancestors, I don't hold a belief about the spirits or souls of the dead needing prayers, to get into heaven or otherwise. But there is a sweetness about a community practicing a ritual like that, about the stories and names that are shared, about the connection that is preserved to those who have passed on.

So that's what we'll do this Sunday.  Bring photographs or tokens of your own beloved dead for our altar of remembrance, in the ofrenda tradition of Dia de los Muertos. The whole service will be multigenerational and we'll tell a Scottish story about the meaning and purpose of death in pieces throughout the service. People of all ages are invited to come in costume, and there will be a few costumes available here for those willing to help make the story come alive.

With you on the Journey,

Rev. Marcus

Dia de Los Muertos, October 28th at UUCM: There will again be an ofrenda (alter) to silently place mementos during the ritual of remembrance. This is an All ages service. Children ages six and up are invited to stay in the service. The Nursery -  K1  program will also be happening. Children in that age range have a choice. An activity table will be at the back of the sanctuary making pretty skull masks, and writing love letters to deceased relatives or pets. Parents are invited to join them in these activities at the table or in your seats.

We are still looking:  

Upcoming dates link to the UUCM calendar for saving on iCal, Outlook etc.

"There is something profoundly satisfying about sharing a meal.  Eating together, breaking bread together is one of the oldest and most fundamentally unifying and human experiences." By Barbara Coloroso. Get to know other members of the congregation more closely by eating dinner in their homes.  Dinners for Eight (or Six) is a coordinated potluck. We meet on the 1st Saturday of the month, October through April (but not in January.) Each month a volunteer host will offer a main course and guests bring appetizers, salad/soup, dessert, and wine and good conversation.

 

There will be a Dinners for 8 on Nov 3 at several houses of members. We would love to have new participants this year. If you have not attended one of these dinners, you really should join this one. Contact Sher Sheldon at 415- 892-177 or   shershel@comcast.net for details.

Have you read the UUCM Adult Ed Common Read?:  

White Fragility: Why It's So Hard For White People To Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo

Please Join the Conversation: Nov. 4th from 12:15-1:30 with Reverend Marcus Hartlief in the Fireside Room.

Resisting the racist culture is a moment by moment spiritual practice.  Join in dedicating yourself to this peace and justice practice. 

Read More Here:

https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/search?locked=false&query=White+Fragility&searchType=title

"CALLING ALL HYMNALS"

If you have a grey or teal hymnal sitting at home, would you please return it to UUMarin? We are running low on hymnals for Sunday services. Also, Worship Committee urges you to purchase and dedicate a hymnal (we have bookplates to put in the front.) Please complete and submit this form to the office :  https://uumarin.org/protected/Forms/Hymnal-Dedication.pdf . We also need more of the teal hymnals, so the board is working on finding funding and buying more of these also. Thank you, Julie Prentice, Worship Committee Chair.