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October 11, 2018
Issue #469
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September 14, 2018: Opening up the "Good Book"
Rev. Theresa Novak
Although Jewish and Christian Scriptures are Unitarian Universalism's 4th Source, many of us think of the Bible as merely something for religious fundamentalists. What is the Bible anyway? We will look at some of what Biblical scholarship can teach us about relating to the Bible as religious liberals. This understanding may help us to have thoughtful conversations about the Bible with our more religiously conservative friends and relatives.
The Reverend Theresa Novak was ordained by UUCM in November 2007 and has served as the parish minister of UU congregations in Utah and California. After her retirement, she and her wife Anne Spatola rejoined UUCM as members.
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Upcoming Topics and Leaders
10/14/18 About Time
Yvonne Devine/Jack Travis
10/21/18
Poetry as Connection Terry Lucas
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,
Last Sunday I spoke about remembering that we are already in paradise, here and now. We know in our tradition that it is important not to turn away from the challenges facing our country and our world. But we know too that when we are caught up in fear, stress and overwhelm about the state of things, we lose our capacity to do our part of the healing work that is needed. Remembering to "tune in" to the present paradise, to put on the lenses that see the interconnected beauty and struggle all around, can revive our ability to be grounded and in touch with the spirit of love as we face what is before us.
Whenever it is hardest to remember that we are already in paradise, that is when it is most necessary.
I am away this weekend, visiting friends and family in Rochester, NY, and taking in the Fall colors of another slice of this paradise. I'm glad you'll have the opportunity to be led in worship this Sunday by longtime UU Marin member Rev. Theresa Novak. Look forward to being back in worship with you the following Sunday, October 21, before our congregational meeting that day. I will be the in the office as usually Tuesday-Thursday this week and next, please don't hesitate to be in touch if you'd like to meet for any reason.
With you on the journey,
Rev. Marcus
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New Member Bios - October 2018
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Sandy Levitan
Sandy has been a family therapist for 31 years and before that a teacher of grades 6-8. She was bitten by the theater bug as a teenager and acting and directing has been an important part of her life ever since. She loves her dogs Marty, Finley and Chewie, and is especially proud to have four great grandchildren.
Terry Lucas
Terry Lucas was born in the Midwest, grew up in New Mexico and, after residing in several cities in the U.S. and Canada, settled in northern California in 2005. He holds a bachelor of arts in philosophy/English Literature, a master of religious education, and a master of fine arts in creative writing/poetry. In 2012, Terry retired from a decades-long career as a retail executive. He is currently a part-time guest lecturer in the low-residency MFA program in creative writing at Dominican University, and works full time as a free-lance poet, writer, editor, and writing consultant.
Ann Carden
Ann Carden grew up in Queens, New York. She writes, "In my first career as a music teacher, I was privileged to be able to teach others to sing and play. In my second career as a clinical psychologist, I tried to do sort of the same thing. These days, I'm officially retired although I continue to write professionally and am involved in area music groups." Ann splits her time between here and Bellevue, where she teaches in the Religious Exploration program at Bellevue Unitarian Fellowship. She shares, "I'm looking forward to making UU Marin my other spiritual home and eager to contribute in whatever ways I'm able."
Julie Hazard
Julie Hazard is caring for family health needs, please look for her bio in a future newsletter.
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The Our Whole Lives (OWL) information meeting last Sunday brought five more adults into an understanding of the purpose, goals, and curriculum of this awesome program. We even had the DRE from the Tiburon Community Church (UCC) come to get the good news of OWL. You can take a peek and get a glimpse of this Lifespan Sexuality Education following this link:
https://www.uua.org/re/owl.
Religious Exploration classes on Sunday had a lesson and playful project putting up a Sukkah for Sukkot. This was an all ages lesson and project for grades 2-12. Besides a little history of this ancient Jewish festival, we snuck in a little history of the flaming chalice which goes back to Jan Hus in the early 1400's. Here is a sermon with its history:
http://www.sydneyunitarians.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Usher-on-Hus.pdf
Director of Family Ministries
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Marin
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Upcoming dates link to the UUCM calendar for saving on iCal, Outlook etc.
12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
12:15 PM - 2:00 PM
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
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LWV Presentation on Upcoming Measures
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This election, voters face long ballots and are being asked to weigh in on a wide variety of critical issues.
Our fifth Unitarian Principle is: The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large.
In support of this principle,
the League of Women Voters (LWV) will present an analysis of all the statewide ballot measures plus Regional Measure AA at UUCM o
n
Sunday, October 14 at 12:30 in Fellowship Hall.
The LWV, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government and works to increase understanding of major public policy issues.
Come find out the pros and cons of each ballot measure! Be an informed voter!
Sunday, October 14, 12:30pm
Fellowship Hall, UUCM
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After the defibrillator class last Sunday, Walt and Anise installed the AED at the top of the stairs (next to the foyer), so look there if you need to use it.
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UU Marin Board Matters
by Kat Braeman
(in case you didn't click on the read more link last week here is the whole board article.)
The Board focuses on current issues and long-term planning. With our new minister, we are discussing mutual Developmental Goal Benchmarks for the first year - mission, engagement, planning, finances, narrative. Plan to attend the key October 21st Congregational Meeting to get an update and to have input. Please let Karen Auroy know ASAP if you need childcare: karen.h.auroy@gmail.com.
We celebrate all of the leaders in our community with our designated "Volunteers of the Month." Come see who is in the spotlight for July, August and September.
Policies are listed by focus areas-Board Matters, Congregation Matters, Facilities Matters, and Financial Matters. Many thanks to prior Veep Thomas Ervin and current Veep Janice Prochaska for being the guiding oars to manage and motivate our attention to these issues.
Very good news from Treasurer Margaret Johnston that we ended the last congregation year in the black -- a major achievement and reflects the commitment and generosity of members as 96% of the pledges made were received! Onward!
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Dear UUCM Congregation, there are several items and special services needed by our Wee Ones that you may be able to help with. 1) A good player for our CDs 2) A good player for our cassette tapes 3) Talent & desire to create doll clothing for some of the several dolls we have that we may be willing to share and to give to those less fortunate for the holidays--these items could be sewn, knitted, or crocheted 4) Small, excellent quality Beatrix Potter books for keeping in our classroom. Thank you for your kind consideration. Please contact Glynda for any questions
(707 875 8911)
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Remarkable People - October 19
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Please save the dates of October 19 and November 16 for the "Remarkable People"
biography program. Facilitated by Nani Ranken, these Friday evenings consist of two UUCM members telling their life story and answering questions. It is spellbinding to hear people talk about the circumstances and choices in their life, and there is no better way to get to know other UUCM folks.
October 19 from 7-8:30pm in the Fireside Room. Amanda Morando and Earl Owen will be the speakers.
Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada on March 23, 1929, Earle received a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Manitoba. He came to the US and eventually to California, where he taught at the University of California, Davis for most of his working life. He and his wife joined the Unitarian Fellowship and participated in the establishment of the current church." If you want to know more, come to the October Remarkable People session!
Earle will be joined by our beloved choir director Amanda Morando. What a duet of life stories to look forward to!
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Writing to Find the Voice Inside on October 13th
Join the new writing group sponsored by Adult Ed and led by Kat Braeman to write for ten minutes on a topic from Gail Collins-Ranadive's book,
Finding the Voice Inside
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Writing can be a spiritual quest. The topic might be a simple introduction of what we want others to know about ourselves, or an opportunity to reconsider who we really are. Or we might want to reflect on a childhood ritual or recount a family story. We can explore how we receive affirmation or reframe our life stories. After we write for ten minutes, we will each read what we wrote and share our stories with the others in the group. It is a very simple process but magic can evolve. This group will meet once a month from 10 to 12 noon and will begin on Saturday, October 13. Next dates: 11/10, 12/8.
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The UUCM Classic Book Club will have its first meeting in the
Clara Barton room, 1:30-3:00pm, on Wednesday, October 24.
Then it will skip November and December.
Thereafter it will meet on the fourth Wednesday of every month starting January 23, 2019 and and ending May 22, 2019.
The first book is Tolstoy's Anna Karenina.
Please email Doug Kerr (
DrsKerr@pacbell.net ) to have your email put on the group email list if you are interested.
Thanks. See you then.
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New Address for Order of Service Announcements
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We will use
announcements@uumarin.org as the email address
for people to send announcements in for the back page of the order of service. Whomever is doing work on any particular week's o/s will have full access to it. The
deadline is Wed 5pm.
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Our discussion is scheduled for
Sunday, November 4th 12:15-1:30 in the Fireside Room and will be led by Jan Seagrave.
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Social Justice Education/Action
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From the UUJustice Ministry of California:
The 2018 ballot recommendations are now available for download at
Also
this chart shows the sources and justifications for each recommendation.
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The next Social Justice meeting will be on October 28 at noon in the Fellowship Hall.
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Contribute to the 3rd Tuesday night dinner at the First Presbyterian Church. Contact Carol Littrell.
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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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Visitor's Box
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We cherish diversity and welcome among us
people of all races, cultures, ages, abilities, sexual
identities/orientations, and faith perspectives.
GUESTS
are always welcome. Sunday worship is a time for inspiration, renewal, and connection.
CHILDREN AND YOUTH
join adults during the first part of the service, and then attend Religious Exploration classes. Nursery and toddler care is provided during the 10:30 service. There is a speaker system to bring sound from Fellowship Hall to the nursing room and the pre-K area.
REFRESHMENT HOUR
in the Courtyard or
Fireside Room follows the services.
There are four "Sunday First Time Visitor" parking spots at the top of the parking lot.
Come, join us!
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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)
Office hours:
Wed 10:30-2:00
Thursday 10:30-2:00
Sunday 9:00-1:00
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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
Backup Production Editor: Valerie Taylor
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Marin
415- 578-9577 - Direct
240 Channing Way
San Rafael, CA 94903
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