 |
November 22, 2019
Issue #522
|
|
|
November 24, 2019: How Much Do We Deserve?
In an age of growing economic inequality, it is tempting to pay attention to what others have. Perhaps we would do better to attend to what we already have, even beyond our deserving. Thanksgiving season is surely a good time to strip away any sense of entitlement we may harbor, and shift our attention to gratitude.
John Buehrens served as UUA President, 1993-2001, and as Senior Minister of First UU in San Francisco before retiring in 2017. He is the author or co-author of six books on progressive religion, with a seventh, on the Transcendentalists as social activists, due out in January.
December 1, 2019: Awe in Awful Times
Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt
So many of us are completely overwhelmed these days-if not by current events, by our own personal maelstroms. (For some of us, it's both!) Yet there are other aspects of our world, our lives, that are truly wonderful to behold, and which can give us strength for whatever lies ahead. As we enter this holy season, I invite you to look ahead with me....
The Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt
became President of Starr King School for the Ministry in Berkeley, CA on July 1, 2014. For 13 years, she was Senior Minister of The Fourth Universalist Society in the City of New York, a 175-year old Unitarian Universalist congregation on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, she is a graduate of Yale University and Drew Theological Seminary.
|
|
Upcoming Topics and Leaders
11/24/19 The Antidote to Hate Lauren Vreeland-Long
12/01/19 Winter Topic Brainstorming: What Needs Exploring All Comers
12/08/19 Yet More Mary Oliver Doug Kerr
The Sunday Circle is held from 9:00 am to 10:00 am
each Sunday in the Fireside Room.
|
Dear Ones,
Last August, I spoke with the Board about experimenting with arranging my vacation and study leave time a little differently. My plan is to take a shorter stretch away over the summer (five weeks) in order to have more consistency with summer services and congregational functions. Instead of the rest of the summer time away, I will take off one week each quarter-starting with this upcoming week surrounding Thanksgiving. Thank you for trying this experiment with me, and I look forward to reflecting on how it is working with you.
In my absence, I couldn't be more excited for the guest preachers coming to UU Marin this Sunday and the next. Two leading lights of our faith will come to share a message and help continue connecting us to our wider tradition.
This Sunday we have the honor of welcoming Rev. John Buehrens, former president of the Unitarian Universalist Association. And the following Sunday we have the opportunity to hear Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt, current president of Starr King School for the Ministry. I know their voices will inspire joy and justice and help to continue calling us on the path of our becoming.
I look forward to being back in the office on December 3rd as we move into the holiday season and explore December's theme, "What does it mean to be a people of Awe?"
With you on the journey,
Rev. Marcus Hartlief
|
This Sunday we will be wrapping up our month of Attention, by focusing our attention to the beauty around us and the practice of gratitude.
My gratitude this week centers on all who made Stone Soup happen. We had a lovely community lunch this Sunday, which could not have happened without many, many, participants.
To Victoria for the homemade stock and broth and Anise for freshly cooked beans, to Mikey, Phoebe, and Josh for soup prep, to Judy and Marge for kitchen advice and cleanup, to our children and youth for everything, to Janette and Marcus for logistics and advice, to everyone who brought veggies, and to everyone who stayed for soup. I left with a warm belly and a warm heart, and I hope you all did too.
This Sunday:
Pre-K/K/1 - Playing with the letter G, for Gratitude, Generosity, Giving
Activity - Art project from Tim Parr's "I Am Thankful"
Elementary - The Practice of Gratitude
Activity - Making cards of appreciation, and playing games that require focus and attention
Middle and High School - Will each have their own group check-in, then will meet to discuss planning an overnight and other activities
In gratitude,
Lara
Lara@uumarin.org
|
Have something to share with the UU Marin church community? Send it to newsletter@uumarin.org, by Tuesdays at 7 AM for same week publications.
Order of Service announcements are due by Wednesday at 5 PM,
There will be no newsletter next week.
Order of Service Announcements for Sunday, Dec. 1,
are due Sunday Evening (11/24) by 5 PM.
Some recurring events may be rescheduled due to the holiday.
Please contact the coordinator of your group for details.
|
|
You're Invited . . . to celebrate 70 years of our fellowship on Saturday, January 25, 2020 from 4:00 - 7:00 PM, in our sanctuary.
Join us to share your memories of our Congregation or learn about our history, reminisce to live music, enjoy themed appetizers, learn some new dance moves to music of the decades and raise a glass of bubbly to our future. There is something planned for everyone of all ages. Please give as generously as you can at one of the following levels to place your name on our HONORED GUEST list.
All proceeds benefit UUCM and help defray the shortfall of our 2020 budget.
PURPLE Sapphire $700 +
GREEN Sapphire $500 - $699
YELLOW Sapphire $100 - $499
PINK Sapphire $7 - $99
|
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.
|
|
Please join us for festive Dinners for Eight, taking place on Saturday, December 14th. We will be gathering at members' homes for potluck dinners, celebrating the holiday season. Please let Sher Sheldon at
sheshel@comcast.net
know if you can host or attend. All are invited!
|
|
Annual Holiday Craft Fair - Dec. 8
|
|
Our Annual Holiday Craft Fair will be held in the Foyer on Sunday, Dec. 8, as our elves are busily decorating the Sanctuary at our Deck the Halls event. Please stop by and pick up some holiday gifts. All proceeds go to UUCM.
If you have handmade crafts to donate, please contact:
|
|
|
#GivingTuesday is December 3rd
|
#Giving Tuesday is a global movement meant to counteract the spirit of consumerism over the
holidays with a day dedicated to giving. Your passion for UUCM and your many ways of being
involved truly makes a daily impact on our congregation.
This #Giving Tuesday you can include UUCM in your giving plans and register for the 70th
Anniversary party at the same time. Every gift we give, pays us back in some way. By making
your donation on #Giving Tuesday (with 70th Anniversary clearly noted), you will be
supporting the congregation and will reap the benefit of social connection on January 25th.
Don't forget to mark #Giving Tuesday (December 3) on your calendar! Thank you for all you do
to support our mission.
|
|
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
Dec. 2
,
6:30-8:00 pm - The Economics of Immigration - SR Library on E St., Library Meeting Room
Dec. 6, 7:00 pm - Main Reading Room Mill Valley Public Library -
What is the mental health toll of being undocumented in this nation? Jose Antonio Vargas, a product of the Bay Area and the most well-known undocumented immigrant in the country, presents an evening on immigration and what it means to be American.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Continue your commitment to environmental and economic justice by shopping at
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Staff Links
|
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 Nelson
Nursery Teacher: Glynda Christian
Don Beck: 415-892-0642
|
Feedback about this weekly newsletter is appreciated.
eWeekly Deadline for Friday 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)
Proofreader: Victoria T. Holdridge
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Marin
415-479-4131
240 Channing Way
San Rafael, CA 94903
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
