September 6, 2018
Issue #464

That's the theme we'll be exploring in worship this month. As a newcomer to your community, I have already felt so welcomed here. From practical details like keys and access to google docs, to the stories you have begun to share with me of the life and history of your congregation, I feel your hands guiding me along as I enter into this circle of belonging and care. I especially felt the warmth of your welcome in the thorough cleaning and preparation of my office space-I have shelves I don't even know what to do with yet! I'm sure we'll find something to put on them...

At my first retreat with the Board and Committee on Shared Ministry last Saturday, I asked them to recall their first time walking through this congregation's doors. Some knew right away this was home, others felt as though they had to overcome thick barriers to become a part of the community. How did you find Welcome here? Are there any habits or practices you have to extend that Welcome to an unfamiliar face? And perhaps most importantly, are there parts of yourself that might long for an even greater Welcome?

Thanks for welcoming me. I look forward to celebrating the ritual of ingathering with you on Sunday as we welcome one another into this new year of sacred community together.

Welcome Back!  

We had a modest start on Aug 26th, but the opening ritual in the Fireside room for all ages and parents was appreciated. I do hope to see as many of you as possible on Sept 9th for the Ingathering Service. The Rev. Marcus Hartlief will be making his inaugural pulpit appearance and we want to give him a rousing welcome. In addition to a Water and Stones ritual of some sort, there will be activity tables in the back to help keep active childrens' hands occupied so they can better listen to the service. (Busy handed parents are welcome to join the table too.) There is also a potluck lunch on Sunday. Please look for any food assignments in the Potluck article elsewhere in this newsletter.

RE Calendar 

This is a work in process.    Here is a link to several of the RE calendars: UUCM Multigen Services/Activities 2018-2019, Multi-age RE activity days, Sundays off for Jef, Middle School UU Gatherings (MUUG's) for 6th-8th grade, YRUU (PCD retreats and YRUUP CONs). More to come.

5th Sundays at UUCM

This year we are going to try a new thing on 5th Sundays. There are three months this year with five Sundays. Instead of regular programming, we will have multigenerational art, music, and movement spiritual/creative space. A regular UUCM teacher will manage the space, but it is a chance for other parent and non-parent artsy-music-movement types to share time and space with the children. We might ask you lead a song, yoga, taiji, or craft project. Other congregations have done this and it often becomes a favorite of the children, youth, and the congregation.

YRUU Weekend Retreat:  PCD Fall YRUU Con 2018  

October 26 9pm to October 28 3pm

Email: [email protected]  with questions

Address: UU Church in Livermore, 1893 N Vasco Rd., Livermore, CA  94551

Register Now! 

 

~ Welcome Back ~

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

 

October 19 from 7-8:30pm in the Fireside Room. Stay tuned for announcements of who is speaking, and mark your calendars for the  third Fridays of February through May as well. Questions? Talk to Nani, or email   [email protected].

FOR YOUNG UUs INTERESTED IN JUSTICE: Are you interested in knowing the reality of being a Palestinian in Gaza under Israeli occupation? UUJME is offering travel scholarships to young adult UUs aged 18-35 to help finance trips to  Israel-Palestine that will take place during the rest of 2018 through all of 2019. Please see the scholarship announcement below if you are interested. If you have questions, or to submit proposals, email  [email protected]. 

Scholarship applicants should propose a trip to the area and provide UUJME with details of expected expenses, dates of travel, specific destinations, planned activities, any planned collaborations with individuals or groups, and importantly, post-trip follow-up plans. UUPP, a new UUCM group, will help with letters of support, etc. Contact  [email protected] or  707 875 8911. We'd love to have someone from UUCM gain this insight!

If you have an announcement for the back of the Sunday Order of Service please send it to  [email protected]  instead  of sending it to the office. Please send by 5 PM on Wednesday, any later submissions will be considered for timeliness and room. The Worship Committee members put together the Order of Service and Janette prints it.