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June 16, 2019: The Alchemy of Making
The world is full of beauty, but there is no limit to how much can be made. The ability to create, to make more beauty, is a part of our human birthright. So why can it be so challenging? And how do those of us who are not "great artists" continue to claim our creativity in a culture that might mock us or deem it frivolous?
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Upcoming Topics and Leaders
6/16/19: The Ups and Downs of Making Waves
Yvonne Devine/Jack Travis
6/23/19: Indigenous Wisdom for Today's Problems
Kim Holscher
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,
Summertime is upon us! The heat this week was a quick reminder to my body of the need to slow down and rest. For many of us summer is a time of renewal, a time of family traditions and visits to special places. For most Unitarian Universalists it is a tradition to gather waters over the summer and merge them together as part of our ingathering in September. This year I invite you to collect water that symbolizes a source of your renewal. It may be from a backyard garden or a faraway mountain lake-wherever it comes from, bottle a little bit of your renewing spring.
If you'd like to take on a summer spiritual assignment, take your relationship with renewal a step further. Make something
-- a piece of art, a simple journal entry, a nourishing meal for loved ones -- to name or symbolize your source of renewal. In a culture abuzz with opportunities for distraction and overwhelm, our joy and our true efficacy depend on a rich relationship to our sources of renewal.
I will be away from church much of the summer, renewing my spirit and preparing for our next year together. I will be with you this Sunday to kick off our summer services before I head to our UUA General Assembly in Spokane, WA.
I will be back in the pulpit July 7th, and around the office the following week, July 9-11.
I will return to the office August 20th and resume regularly leading services August 25th.
The Worship Associates have lined up wonderful services throughout the summer, including guest speakers and leaders from among us. Luka Coole is spearheading summer RE for our children, and there will be a fun and enriching program for all ages every week.
I will be available throughout the summer for pastoral emergencies. Contact the church office or use my cell number listed in the directory.
May we each have the rest and renewal we need and deserve along the journey!
Blessings,
Rev. Marcus
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Upcoming dates link to the UUCM calendar for saving on iCal, Outlook, etc.
General Assembly - June 19 - 23 (offsite)
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
12:15 PM - 2:00 PM
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Reminder - if you want an article to go in this newsletter send it to
groupemail@uumarin.org
not to Lisa Cohen.
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Let's Fund Our OWL Program
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UU Marin Multi-Community OWL Outreach Project
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Using Social Media for UUCM
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UUCM on Social Media
Various social media platforms can provide an opportunity for connection, both within our congregation and in our wider community. If you are on
Facebook, please like and follow our page at
https://www.facebook.com/uuchurchmarin
/. (The buttons to do so are under the cover picture.) Also, if you like and/or comment on individual posts, more people will see them. Better yet, share the posts on your own timeline and invite your Facebook friends to our events. Our Sunday services are now posted as events which should make it easier for you to invite specific people.
We are also now on
Twitter! Follow us at UU Marin@marin_uu (
https://twitter.com/marin_uu) Please retweet and comment if one of our tweets moves you to do so. Tag us on your tweets if you are enjoying one of our services or programs. The twitter feed will also have more news from our wider UU world for you to enjoy and share.
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In the summer the weekly newsletter is published every other week. Please consult these dates when you want to submit an article.
Newsletter June 20, 27
No Newsletter July 4
Newsletter July 11
No Newsletter July 18
Newsletter July 25
No Newsletter August 1
Newsletter August 8
No Newsletter August 15
Newsletter August 22
No Newsletter August 29
Normal Newsletters restart September 5
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DEATH CAFE at UUCM
Sunday, June 30, 12:15-2:00 pm, Fireside Room
Please join us for the Adult Education Committee's Death Cafe for UUCM. Death Cafes are an international phenomenon. They began in the UK in 2011 and have spread through Europe, Australia, and the USA. At a Death Cafe, people, often strangers, gather to eat cake and discuss death in a respectful, accessible space. It is a group-directed discussion with no agenda, objectives or themes.
It is not a grief support or counseling session, although referrals for that are available.
Our congregation's first Death Cafe will be facilitated by UUCM members Ilana Trumbull, a Licensed Acupuncturist and member of the East Bay End-of-Life Doula Network, and Jan Seagrave, Chair of the Adult Education Committee. 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." On this day some might want to reflect on our ideas of what death is, what it means to us personally, what legacy we want to leave among the living. Participants will not be led to any conclusion, product or course of action. A Death Cafe discussion is the first step towards opening up a difficult and often taboo topic in America. It is usually a relief to be able to talk about it.
This event is presented by the UUCM Adult Education Committee.
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General Assembly Favorites
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My favorite programs to watch are:
Wednesday, June 19
Welcoming Celebration/Banner Parade 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, June 20
Service of the Living Tradition 7:00 - 8:30 p.m
Friday, June 21
Ware Lecture - Richard Blanco 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 22
Closing Ceremonies 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
(links will be posted on the GA web site when GA starts)
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Connect through Volunteering
Are you looking for a way to connect more deeply with UUCM? While Sunday services instill a sense of community and shared values, getting involved in the behind-the-scenes activities at the church is a great way to meet new people, make a contribution, learn new skills, and grow as a person.
No matter what your interests, experience, and talents, there is a place for you to contribute your energies to make the church a more vibrant community.
Want to learn more? Everything you need to know is here:
UUCM Volunteers page
Try it, you'll like it!
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Ushers needed - No experience necessary - We train you.
Short hours, regular work, great rewards, good working conditions.
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At the UU Marin Congregational Meeting on June 2, 2019, the Mission Task Force announced the new church mission that was a result of six months of conversations with 123 people from 13 groups over such questions of "Why do we come to church?" and other inquiries. The committee also did interviews with individuals and got input from nine people online. The following mission statement was approved unanimously by the 65 members attending the meeting:
To inspire joy and justice in an imperfect world, we
Share life's journey,
Celebrate many paths, and
Act to make a difference.
The Mission Task Force was chaired by Wendy Meluch with members Carol Kerr, Mikey Songster, Ted Gaebler, Kim Holscher and Rev. Marcus Hartlief.
Other key actions were electing two new board members: Mary Bicknell and Gretchen Leavitt and appointing three delegates to the UUA General Assembly: Luka Coole, Mary Gilstrap, and Anne Spatola.
Treasurer Margaret Johnston reported that the projected $12K deficit for this church year instead resulted in a $12K surplus because of generous pledges and outstanding fundraising efforts. The proposed budget for 2019-20 of $444,433 with projected revenues of $439,700 with a projected $4,733 deficit was approved by the congregation. As yet unfunded is a projected $19K expense to repair and repave the parking lot.
The longtime service of Jeffrey Melcher, Director of Family Ministries, was recognized by Susan Mathews on behalf of the congregation. Jef was celebrated at a potluck lunch on Sunday, June 9th. Volunteers of the Month were recognized and given certificates.
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January: Jim Finn: Facilities
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February: Dianne Estrada: Soul Matters Leadership
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March: Lynne Scarpa: Fundraising Dinners
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April: Ali Jenkins & Marilyn Nelson: Partner Church
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May: Thomas Ervin & Dianne Estrada: Retreat
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June: Wendy Meluch: Mission Task Force
Respectfully submitted,
Kat Braeman
Board Secretary
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General Assembly - June 19-23
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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.
The 2019 General Assembly will be June 19-23 in Spokane, Washington.
https://www.uua.org/ga
UUCM's delegates are Mary Gilstrap, Anne Spatola, and Luka Coole.
The 2019 Ware Lecturer is Richard Blanco.
Rev. Lindi Ramsden, Director of Partnerships and Emerging Programs at Starr King School for the Ministry, will deliver the sermon at the 2019 Service of the Living Tradition.
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Social Justice Education/Action
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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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June 16 - Last regular Sunday in the pulpit
June 17-23 - Attending General Assembly
June 24-July 6 - Vacation
July 7-12 - In the pulpit and in the office
July 13-August 19 -Vacation & Study Leave
August 20 - Return to office and resume normal schedule
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I appreciate any feedback about this weekly newsletter.
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 Central District (PCD) announcements of interest to the entire congregation.
(Staff article length 250 words)
Weekly, UUCM Connect and Special Announcements Editor: Lisa Cohen
Proofreader: Victoria Holdridge
Backup Production Editor: Valerie Taylor
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Marin
415-479-4131
240 Channing Way
San Rafael, CA 94903
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