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October 31, 2019
Issue #519
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November 3, 2019: The Ancestors Breath
Death is one of the topics our attention often tries to avoid, almost like a magnet repelled by an opposing charge. But those who practice holding death in compassionate awareness describe finding themselves at greater ease in life. In this time when cultures around the world honor our beloved dead, how do we make space for holding our griefs and our fears along with relief and gratitude and all the other feelings that surface around death?
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Upcoming Topics and Leaders
11/3/19 Changing Our Identity Jim Prochaska
The Sunday Circle is held from 9:00 am to 10:00 am
each Sunday in the Fireside Room.
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Dear Ones,
What a week we've had! Wind and fire, power off and on and off again. I've heard from many of you that you've been reaching out to one another, bring supplies and rides-sharing life'
s journey even we struggle with the unexpected.
Our theme for November is "What does it mean to be a people of Attention?" Crisis in our community can have strange impacts on our attention. Sometimes it can focus us with clarity, bringing our attention to that which is truly important. And sometimes it can scatter our attention, leaving us feeling vulnerable and fragile. Sometimes we choose where and how to place our attention, and sometimes our attention moves quicker than choice, responding to instinct. The practice of compassionately guiding our attention in life-serving ways can be a lifetime's journey.
Two things I invite your attention to today:
- This Sunday we will be honoring our beloved dead in the service, and if you wish to bring a photograph or memorial token to place on our altar, please do.
- Later in November, on Thursday the 14th, I will be speaking at the Marin Interfaith Council's annual fundraiser, Emerging Visionaries. Take a look and consider coming to hear me in conversation with Chandra Alexandre, the director of Community Action Marin. We'll be speaking about practicing social action rooted in spiritual depth. More information and registration found here: https://www.marinifc.org/emerging-visionaries-mic-fall-fundraiser
With you on the journey,
Rev. Marcus Hartlief
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New Admin Assistant - Evelyn Warren
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I am thrilled to be virtually joining the UU Marin staff team from my home in central NY. I've been the office administrator at my home congregation coming up on four years, and know Janette from our professional organization, the AUUA (Admins of the UUA). When I heard she was considering getting some part time help with publications, I jumped at the chance to further my 'administry'.
I will be responsible for the newsletter and order of service each week. All of the deadlines will remain the same, however I'll typically be responding at what may seem like odd hours, because of the time difference. You can reach me at:
evelyn@uumarin.org
Many thanks to the dedicated volunteers who have been and will be helping me get settled in for the next few weeks. In particular, Lisa, Victoria, and Anne. Couldn't do it without you!
In faith,
Evelyn Warren
she/her/hers
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This month we will embark on a discovery of Attention, attention to our own thoughts and feelings, towards helping others, and about the things we are grateful for. We will also pay attention to soup making on November 17th! If you are interested in being a part of making Stone Soup happen, please send me an email at
lara@uumarin.org
This Sunday:
Pre-K - 1st grade:
Discuss what in nature we are especially thankful & grateful for.
Activity: Creating 'grateful trees'
Elementary: The skill and practice of focusing attention inside of us.
Activity: Making Worry Bead strands
Middle School and High School will meet together to discuss Stone Soup.
ATTENTION RE VOLUNTEERS!
To follow a new board policy, we are changing our background check process to include fingerprinting. We will continue running background checks through the DOJ database, it will just now include fingerprints in addition to name and SSNs.
To make this more accessible, I have asked a fingerprinting company to be on site this Sunday at noon. If you would like to be checked this Sunday, please send me an email and I'll send you the paperwork to fill out in advance. If you can't make it this Sunday, we can arrange for you to be checked at a local place, at your convenience. UUCM will cover costs for all RE volunteers and employees.
In faith,
Lara
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Upcoming dates link to the UUCM calendar for saving on iCal, Outlook, etc.
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
12:15 PM - 2:00 PM
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The Poetry Connection: A Reading Series at UUCM
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On
Friday, November 8, 7:00-9:00 pm in The Fireside Room, "The Poetry Connection" will feature Marin poets Kat Crawford (author of A Different Kind of Heaven), and David Watts (author of seven poetry collections). Sponsored by Marin Poet Laureate Terry Lucas and the Adult Education Committee, the reading series features outstanding Marin poets, provides refreshments and a time to connect with poets and lovers of poetry. There will be an opportunity for attendees to read a short (one page) poem at the open mic following refreshments. Terry will host and introduce the readers. UUCM members and the public are invited.
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Sunday, November 10, 12:15-1:30 pm, Fireside Room
Please join us for UUCM's second Death Cafe. Death Cafes are an international phenomenon that began in the UK in 2011. The first one at UUCM was last June. At a Death Cafe, people gather to eat cake and discuss death in a respectful, accessible space. It is a group-directed discussion with no agenda or objectives. It is not a grief support or counseling session, although referrals for that will be available.
This Death Cafe will be facilitated again by UUCM members Ilana Trumbull, an Acupuncturist working with the East Bay End-of-Life Doula Network, and Jan Seagrave, Adult Education Committee Chair. Our objective, like that of all Death Cafes, is "to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives." We will have small-group discussions on several topics, for example, what participants want as their legacies, their love and fear of the aging process, and what they want in their last hours. No one will be led to any conclusion, product or action. Attending a Death Cafe is one step towards opening up a difficult and often taboo topic in America.
Presented by the UUCM Adult Education Committee
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UUA Common Read is on!
An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States
by Roxane Dunbar-Ortiz
The Common Read for 2019-2020 is An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States by Roxane Dunbar-Ortiz, published by Beacon Press.
Chosen by the UUA, the Common Read invites participants to read and discuss the same book in a given period of time. UUCM's reading period has begun. It culminates in three discussions of the book after Sunday services on Nov. 24 (Intro & Chapters 1-5), Jan. 5 (Chapters 6-8), and Feb. 2 (Chapters 9-12).
How to get a copy of the book:
- Borrow one of seven copies that are circulating among UUCM members. Check in the Community Room for the Common Read box to find a copy. It's also available at the Marin County Free Library.
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Dinners for Eight will convene on Saturday, November 9th. Please let Sher Sheldon
shershel@comcast.net
know if you can host or attend. This is a long-running program at UUCM, allowing people to share dinners at members' homes.
New attendees are always welcome!
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UUCM Book Club, Nov. - Dec. Dates and Books
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The UUCM book club
November 3rd's book is "Return to Haifa" by Ghassan Kanafani, at Janice Prochaska's home.
December 1 at 3 pm, the book is "These Truths" by Jill Lepore, discussion to be held at Villa Marin.
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The deadline is Tuesday by 7 am.
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Social Justice Information
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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:
socialjustice@uumarin.org
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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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Staff Links
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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:
Office hours:
Wednesday and Thursday afternoons
415-578-9788 (direct)
Administrator:
Choir Director:
Amanda Morando
Nursery Teacher: Glynda Christian
Don Beck: 415-892-0642
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Feedback about this weekly newsletter is appreciated.
eWeekly Deadline for Thursday issue:
Tuesday by 7 am - 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 Western Region announcements of interest to the entire congregation.
(Staff article length 250 words)
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Marin
415-479-4131
240 Channing Way
San Rafael, CA 94903
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