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September 19, 2019
Issue #513
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September 22, 2019: Become a Theologian
Things don't always go as planned and if you really let it in, reality has a nasty habit of defying expectations. What do we do in the moments when what is clashes with how we think it should be? Can we let the unexpected lead us to deeper truths?
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Upcoming Topics and Leaders
9/22/19 Finding Purpose After Retirement
Sandy Levitan
9/29/19 Sentient Beings vs. Artifical Intelligence
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,
The beginning of our church year is brimming with transition and change. As Lisa Cohen announced last week, she will retire this Fall from over twenty years of service to our community, first as webmaster and then as newsletter editor. It will be good to celebrate her work and her decision to lay it down at our congregational meeting in October. We will be discussing how to move forward over the next several weeks - assembling, editing and disseminating the newsletter is a significant amount of work, and we may not be able to replicate the arrangement we've had with Lisa. Please reach out to me if you have interest in helping find our next solution, or simply ideas or suggestions about what might work. The Communications and Personnel Committees, as well as the Board, have all begun discussing possible next steps.
As Marge Hollinger shares below, our longtime landscapers, Wanda Elliott and Paula Kristovich, have decided to retire from their positions as well. Though invisible to many in their Wednesday morning visits, Wanda and Paula have cared for this land and through it our community for over two decades. Finding new custodians of the grounds will present challenges and opportunities, and I invite you to be in touch about that as well if you have interest, ideas or suggestions.
Last Sunday, I shared some stories and observations from our Hopes and Histories conversations last year. Many of you have asked about a copy of the sermon - you can find the recording as well as a manuscript here: https://uumarin.org/wp-content/uploads/Hope-within-History-final.pdf. I look forward to continuing to reflect with you on the history of this congregation, the role of the minister, and our visions for the future. To that end, last June, the Board appointed a Long Range Planning Task Force. This group has taken up where the Mission Task Force left off, turning our Mission into a specific vision for the future and eventually a plan of how to get there.
With you on the journey,
Rev. Marcus Hartlief
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Upcoming dates link to the UUCM calendar for saving on iCal, Outlook, etc.
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
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Reminder: if you want an article to go in this newsletter, send it to
[email protected]
, not to Lisa Cohen. The deadline is Tuesday by 7 am.
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Our wonderful gardeners, Wanda Elliott and Paula Kristovich are retiring.
They have been with us for about 20 years and developed the hillside into a beautiful garden where we can be proud to hold picnics and weddings. We received the Green Sanctuary designation because they upheld the strict standards needed to comply with UUA rules. The arbor on the top of the hill was built while they were here. They have truly cared about the plants and the soil. It has been a blessing to have them both with us and we wish them all the best. We wish them glorious gardens in the future.
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Parking Information - Sunset Cruise
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Sunset Cruise this Saturday! Unsure of where to park? Here's a link to a parking map on the Angel Island Tiburon Ferry Company's website:
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Refreshment Providers Needed
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The Hospitality Committee is reaching out to new members and existing members to fulfill the need for refreshments after the Sunday 10:30 service. It would be wonderful if we could have three people (one to be a new member) to work together to provide a light snack and do the clean up after the refreshment hour. It has been traditional that members provide snacks at least once a year for the enjoyment of all the congregation. Possibly we will have a new system of sign-up in a couple of months. Presently I need volunteers to fulfill the
September and October Sundays. Please contact Judy Finn 415-328-4516 or email:
[email protected].
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Basket Share on Sept. 29 for SURJ Marin (Showing Up for Racial Justice). SURJ Marin is part of a national network organizing white people for racial justice. They have been active in Marin for about two years and work in the community developing relationships with other groups to act for racial justice. Through skill building and political analysis, they work to effect change. Workshops, trainings, film/book discussions and meet-ups are some of the educational tools used to reach the community. A major portion of their fundraising proceeds goes directly to their accountability partners, the Multicultural Center of Marin and the Marin City Health and Wellness Center. |
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Remarkable People Returns!!
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Friday, September 20, 7 - 9 pm Fireside Room
This ongoing series gives us time to learn about each other from the interesting stories of individual lives in an evening of sharing and community.
Each person talks briefly, followed by time for questions and general sociability and some sustaining snacks
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BJ VanGelder and Lara Abel, our new Director of Family Ministries, are our Remarkable People for September.
Learn more about how BJ VanGelder got from Nebraska to California to Oregon, then back to teaching 5th grade in Berkeley while also finding her husband at a Quaker work camp in Maine. She was one of the charter Eichler Homes families that established the Terra Linda community of the 60s when there were "probably 50 children on every block." And she is still going strong at Aldersly.
You might know that Lara Abel is our new Director of Family Ministries - but you might not yet know that she is a third generation Unitarian and has known Rev. Marcus since they were both upstart UU youth. She grew up in the Santa Rosa congregation and has held a range of positions, including Worship and RE leadership, as the Petaluma UUs grew, while also holding an institutional research role at Santa Rosa JC. Come learn more about her joint adventure now with us and as a Cal Bear.
And if you are looking ahead, mark your calendar for October 18 when Terry Lucas and Judy Finn will share more remarkability.
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Fourth Wednesday evenings, offsite
Knitters and crocheters of all skill levels are invited to join in ongoing efforts to create handmade items for children and adults facing challenging life circumstances. We are continuing to knit warm things for Syrian refugees, including hats, scarves and mittens. We are starting a new effort of providing knitted or crocheted squares to be assembled into blankets for the refugees.
Patterns, guidance, encouragement, camaraderie and some materials provided. Beginners welcome. The next monthly meeting will be
Wednesday, September 25, special starting time of 7:30 pm till 9:00. For location or more information, email:
[email protected].
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50th Anniversary Quilt in Stairwell
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How many of you know that the quilt in the stairwell has a Flaming Chalice in the center? Check it out. The narrow yellow border contains the names of the founding members. On the green border are autographs of the members at the time the quilt was made. Look for your name if you were a member then. The quilt was designed by artist and former member Edy Raby and pieced by Edy and long time member Lorayne Hansen.
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Meet our Minister and learn more about Unitarian Universalism and UU Marin.
Sunday, September 22, Noon - 1 PM. Rev. Marcus' office.
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Sandy Levitan, one of our newer members of UU, will be offering a theater activity, called Theater On The Go, for the fall of this year.
The next play for September is:
Novato Theater Co., "The Humans," Sept. 28th, 7:30 pm.
Let me know your plans, if any, and we can plan a dinner out.
If you'd like to join Sandy, please email her at
[email protected]
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Tickets will be purchased by the participants.
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Elders Taking Action on the Climate Crisis
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As the attached flyer says, "Young Climate Activists get it; so do we!" This is a rallying cry to all Elders to unite and, as a more powerful constituency, make our voices heard.
I don't have to tell you what a critical time this is for human life -- future and now! Without powerful, united, concerted pressure, the corporations and politicians will continue their greedy paths.
Please join us for sharing information, learning options and initiatives that we can support and personally use to make a difference now, before it is too late. The attached flyer tells about the program which is happening Saturday, Sept 21. You may also like to visit our website EldersClimateAction.org.
If you need a ride or are interested in carpooling, please let me know.
For other information about ECA, please call or write.
With warm regards and hopes for the climate,
Katherine DaSilva Jain
Elders Climate Action NorCal Chapter, Leadership Team
UUCM Green Team
Marin Interfaith Climate Action, Board Member
415 492 9497
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UUCM Book Club Sept. - Dec. Dates and Books
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The UUCM book club will meet
on October 6, the book is "Run" by Ann Patchett, at Nani Ranken's house.
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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Thanks to all who have volunteered for TOB this fall. All Sundays through the holidays are now covered.
If you didn't get your name in on time, please don't despair. Just let me know (
[email protected]) if you'd be willing to sub for someone whose plans have changed and can't bring flowers on a particular date. Also, if you find yourself with flowers that you'd like to share (birthday gift, for example), please feel free to bring them in. You can place them in whatever spot the scheduled volunteer didn't choose!
Here's to a beautiful fall!
Sally
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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:
[email protected]
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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)
Office hours:
Wednesday and Thursday afternoons
415-578-9788 (direct)
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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 and Assistant Editor: Victoria T. 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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