Weekly Announcements

January 26, 2023

Sunday service online at uuclb.org/service or on Facebook Live.

Sunday, January 29, 2023

10:00am

ONSITE and on ZOOM and Facebook Live

Dreaming about the Future of UUCLB

with Rev Lissa Gundlach, UUCLB’s Board of Trustees

During a social justice seminar in Feb 2022, Paula Cole Jones asked participants to craft newspaper headlines five years in the future that included UUCLB. The headlines were bold and inventive. They included being celebrated as a Green Campus, to the Power of our Partnerships with other interfaith groups, to winning a “Long Beach Diversity” award. What are your wildest dreams for UUCLB? Where will UUCLB be in 5 years? Let’s explore these

dreams together.

Sunday, January 29, 10:00am

Youth RE: Spiritual Practices

Your monetary gifts sustain our beloved community and enable us to further embody our values through our gatherings, programs, and community outreach. Please consider UUCLB in your charitable gifts for 2022-2023.

ONLINE GIVING — TRY IT!

GIVE AT uuclb.org/give

You can also give quickly and easily on your phone at https://tithe.ly

or download the Tithe.ly app to your phone!

For ACH auto-donations please contact achrep@uuclb.org

Checks can be mailed to UUCLB, 5450 E. Atherton Street, Long Beach, CA 90815

Thursday, January 26

4:30pm            Adult Faith Development Committee Meeting

7:00pm            Town Hall Council ZOOM

Friday, January 27

10:00am         Buddhist Group ZOOM

Saturday, January 28

5:30pm           BWMT Meeting

6:00pm           Winter Lights Service Auction! Please Join Us!

Sunday, January 29

10:00am         Services Onsite & on ZOOM

10:00am         Youth RE

11:15am         Pick Up n' Pay Auction

11:30am         Adult Faith Development Welcome!

11:30am         Harvest the Power Workshop

Wednesday, February 1

6:00pm            Wylder Spirits Rehearsal

7:15pm            Choir Rehearsal

7:30pm            Challenges Book Group

Thursday, February 2

7:00pm           Harvest the Power Workshop ZOOM

Click here for the UUCLB Church Calendar, ZOOM / Google links, event details, meeting place and contact info

https://www.uuclb.org/calendar

Tonight, Thursday, January 26, 7:00 – 9:00pm on ZOOM

January Town Hall Council

All Congregants are encouraged to attend this Town Hall Council meeting!

uuclb.org/meetings/thc

Meeting ID: 869 6720 0610

Passcode: 732091

ON THE AGENDA

Jan. Board Actions & Updates

OPEN DISCUSSION

CA Infrastructure Grant

The board is considering whether to apply for a grant with our tenant, the Montessori Children’s House West. The Infrastructure Grant from the California Dept. of Social Service Child Care and Development Division is for "New Construction and Major Renovations for Centers and Family Child Care Homes.” The grant would potentially be up to $1.5 million and requires 10% matching funds. Since we own the property and all improvements, much of the matching funds will probably fall on UUCLB to provide ($150,000).

Prioritized Project List:

1. Higher Fence & Secured Entrance to classroom area

2. HVAC for Classrooms

3. Possible replacement of modular building (there are zoning restrictions that must be resolved)

4. Solar Panels to offset added electrical load of HVAC

5. Addition of Sink to Classroom 5

6. Possible remodel of bathroom area

The grant application is due January 31, 2023. There is no assurance that the grant will be awarded to us.

___________________

Governance Task Force Update

Task force members, chair, & charge. Policy review. Board liaisons with committees.

___________________

Proposal to use $20,000 from the Fund for the Wider WUUrld to help Camp de Benneville

The Finance committee requests the Town Hall Council to recommend to the Board to donate $20,000 from our Fund for the Wider WUUrld to support the Bear Hug Campaign at Camp de Benneville Pines. We have already donated our December Social Justice Collection to the camp, but their needs are very great due to Covid, mudslides, and fire.

Wider WUUrld Funds are available to meet important needs in the community outside of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Long Beach. The fund balance is currently $29,000.

___________________

Committee Updates – what should the Board & Congregation know?

• 8th Principle Scholarships
• UUYAN - Young Adult Members - Leadership from the Sunrise movement
• Article 2 Updates
• Project Achieve/Guest Chef
• Adult Faith Development

Please submit information by Jan. 19 so participants can study the issues before the meeting.

___________________

BOARD LISTENING

What’s going well? What needs improvement? New ideas to help our community?

Questions or to place an item on the agenda. Contact Jan Goodwin at jan.goodwin.boardoftrustees@uuclb.org

January 26, 2023, Online!

THE VIRTUAL AUCTION IS OPEN NOW! Click here to View and Bid!

Saturday, January 28, 6:00pm in Wylder Hall

JOIN US ONSITE for the LIVE In-Person AUCTION!

Questions? Contact: winterlight@uuclb.org

Sunday, January 29, 2023, 11:30am to 1:00pm

"Pick Up and Pay" for Auction Items under the Structure and on the Patio

January 22 to January 28

Wine Virtual Style and Live Event Wine Pull

What is Wine Virtual Style?

Wine Virtual Style is a virtual event that will be live from midnight Sunday, January 22 to 9:00pm

Saturday, January 28. Registered participates actively bid for individual bottles of wine with the

starting bid being $20. The wine selection is valued anywhere from $20 to $80, with ratings ranging

from 80 to 94pts. Register for the Winter Lights Online Service Auction and then check out Wine Virtual Style starting Sunday, January 22!

What is a Live Event Wine Pull?

The Live Event Wine Pull, on Saturday January 28 is a “drawing” for wine at the Winter Lights Service

Auction. For a set donation of $20, participants select a bottle of wine from a blind choice. The

participant pulls a number from a “bowl of numbered corks” to unveil the corresponding numbered

bottle of wine. The “winner” may win a wine selection valued anywhere from $20 to $80 with ratings

ranging from 80 to 94pt. On Saturday January 28, come visit the Live Event Wine Pull!

Sunday, January 29, in Wylder Hall, 11:30 to 12:00

Adult Faith Development’s Welcome Aboard Series Sets Sail

Please join us in Wylder Hall this Sunday 1/29 after Sunday Service for a presentation by our beloved community leaders. Representatives from our welcoming teams, friends & members will provide insight on their duties and priorities in building the community of our congregation. This session is geared for all UUCLB participants, middle school through adult. Please direct childcare requests to AFD.chair@uuclb.org before end of day Thursday, January 26.

Sunday, February 5, in Wylder Hall, 11:15 to 12:15

Interim Governance Structure Info Session with the Board of Trustees

UUCLB's Governing Board changed from 7 trustees to 5 from last year. How are the various governance areas of the church now represented on the board? We now have a "Governance Task Force". What are they tasked with? Members of the board will also be available for a general Q&A about what it means to be a trustee as part of this session.

February 5, 2023 in room 2/3 after service at 11:30am

LGBTQ+ CAUCUS MEETING

Queer Space is here at UUCLB! If you identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, Fluid +, you are invited to come join us in queer space! We are out on the patio every Sunday after services. Just look for the LGBTQ+ Welcoming and info table. Come meet other UUCLB Queers, sign-up to be on our mailing list or just drop by to say hello and stay updated on our activities and meetings. Any questions just ask us! OR you can email us at any time at lgbtq.chair@uuclb.org



Your LGBTQ+ Caucus Co-Chairs are: Mimi Gephart-Seeley they/he/she, Michael Lyde he/him/his and Treacy Gephart-Seeley they/she -- CONTACT US AT lgbtq.chair@uuclb.org

Lifting up our voices, Living our authentic lives, Sharing our Queer selves.

We are stronger together In Queer Space

February 5, after Services in Room 5, &

March 5 and April 2 after Services in Wylder Hall

Small Group Ministry Onsite: Try Out Small Group Ministry on an Upcoming Sunday! Belonging…Courage…Change

If you have been curious about this popular sharing circle and deep listening program, now is your chance to try it out, in person, one Sunday this fall. We are offering three 45-minute intro sessions after Service on February 5, March 5, and April 2. On those Sundays, Reverend Lissa will reveal 2 questions on a topic (during Service) which will be the focus of the sharing circle following Service. On February 5, join us at 11:30 a.m. in Room 5. The March 5 and April 2 sessions will meet in Wylder Hall. Explore the concepts of Love (Feb.), Vulnerability (Mar.), and Resistence (Apr.) with facilitators Laura Scully, Kevin Ford & Kate Taylor, and Chris Kempf & Gail Sakuda-Kempf, respectively. You may go to one or all three sessions. If you find the Small Group Ministry experience meaningful, you are encouraged to sign up for our Winter/Spring series of sessions starting in February. You can join an ongoing small group, meeting once/twice monthly, to discuss themes mentioned above (as well as the themes of Creativity and Finding Our Center). For more information, contact smallgroupministry@uuclb.org . Childcare is available upon request at least 24 hours in advance.

Winter Lights Service Auction Volunteers Needed!

Long-Awaited Article II Revisions: Approved by UUA Board

On Friday, January 20, the Article II Study Commission presented their final report to the UUA Board of Trustees. Their full report, which follows two intense years of study, discussion, outreach, and deep thought. The resulting document can be found at report (PDF 26 pages), with the specific proposed changes on pp. 19-22. If you happened to zoom into the Board meeting, you already know the Board's responses. Likewise, you can view the recording of the meeting, by emailing scarey@uua.org.

The rest of us will await the publication of the meeting minutes, or maybe until the Final Agenda for General Assembly is published.

One significant change from the original version is in the actual name of that section of the bylaws - from "Principles and Purposes" to "Purposes and Covenant." The most striking change is the addition of a graceful graphic, called the "flower of values", which centers a chalice, and has the word "Love" superimposed over the flame. That center is surrounded by six outstretched "petals," each of which circles one of the values named in the document: Equity, Interdependence, Justice, Generosity, Pluralism, and Transformation. Accompanying the graphic are two-sentence explanations / clarifications of each value.

Watch for announcements about Article II Forums offered to all UUs, where you can learn more and talk about the proposal. Orange Cost UU Church also expects to offer a series of three workshops to further expand your understanding of the proposed changes, as well as the process for getting it adopted.

Shortly before GA convenes in late June, our congregation will be offering a forum to gather input from our members to inform our own GA delegates (but not to direct their votes).

Delegates to GA will find opportunities to recommend amendments to the proposal, including at mini-assemblies during General Assembly. Amendments to the proposal from delegates and the Board of Trustees will be prioritized and placed on the General Assembly agenda for consideration.

In order to be adopted as the new Article II of the UUA bylaws, the final version must receive a simple majority vote at this General Assembly. Final adoption requires a 2/3 majority at the 2024 GA. If either vote fails, a similar proposal cannot be considered for two years.

Pilgrimage to the Border (April 13-16)

"Building, Homes, Creating Community"

Please join us on January 28th @ 10am for an orientation program to learn more about how you can join us in this justice work. Click there to Register! During the orientation, we will have an opportunity to witness the effect of US Immigration policies from both sides of the border, deepen our faith connection to issues and efforts around immigration justice, and to connect with communities directly impacted by our broken immigration system.

Click here to learn More!

DeBenneville Pines: DOUBLE YOUR MONEY!!

Join TEAM CAMP by January 31 and Double the Value of Your Gift!

Join our $100,000 matching campaign through the end of January 2023 and help to preserve Camp de Benneville Pines. DeBenneville Pines has a match for any unrestricted gifts up to $100,000 through January 31, 2023. Give more than you have before. Become a new monthly giver, or increase your monthly giving. In the wake of the 100-year pandemic, recurring unrestricted gifts are what are needed most.

Monthly donations provide a known source of income that can keep guest fees affordable and pay staff a living wage. Until we fully open again in April 2023 (we hope) we continue to operate in the red. Donate through the camp website, www.uucamp.org, or send your check directly to Camp de Benneville Pines, 41750 Jenks Lake Rd. W, Angelus Oaks, CA 92305.

Contacts: Janet James, Executive Director - director@uucamp.org - (909) 435-6298 (c)

Laura Chamberlin, Registrar - registrar@uucamp.org – (305) 389-4755

Learn how UUs are building capacity to support and share the load in the face of mass arrest. Find out more about how to organize support for those who are arrested and jailed as a conscientious form of protest. REGISTER NOW

Join our virtual training on February 7 at 4pm - 5:30pm PT / 7pm - 8:30pm ET. Presenters: Rev. Karen Van Fossan, Antoinette Scully, Rev. Dr. Clyde Grubbs, and friends.

The sustainability of UU activism, as well as the sustainability of UU activists, well may depend upon the capacity of UU entities to provide a spectrum of support for those at the frontlines. LEARN MORE AND GET THE TOOLKIT

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR GA ATTENDEES

Financial Aid is Available for General Assembly

from UUCLB & GA

Applications Due February 19 at Noon

In keeping with our study of Widening the Circle, our congregation offers financial aid to church members who attend General Assembly, the annual gathering of Unitarian Universalists from across the country and beyond. This year’s GA will take place in Pittsburgh, PA, from Wednesday, June 21, to Sunday, June 25. It also happens online.

If you are planning to attend – or considering the possibility – be aware that our congregation has scholarship money for members whose social location often marginalizes and silences their voices. People in this group are BIPOC, LGBTQ+, young adults, youth, disabled people, and those whose socioeconomic status places them in the margins. (Youth need not be members of the congregation.)

Completed applications for virtual or in-person attendance need to be submitted by noon on Sunday, February 19. You can find the applications in three places: (1) on the church website (https://www.uuclb.org/act/); (2) in the church office (top left corner cubby, or ask Teresa); (3) email from Kathy Adams (katole@uuclb.org). 

Be aware also that there’s more aid available from GA itself. The uua.org/ga website has a section on Financial Aid. In addition to the “Volunteer” and “Financial Support” pages, be sure to check out the “Guide for the Frugal.” Make a Financial Support Request to GAt to GA

Lots and lots of information about General Assembly itself is available at the UUA’s website: uua.org/ga, where you’ll find answers to questions you didn’t even know you have! Any question you have, just send them to the 8 th Principle Scholarship Team at 8Pscholarships@uuclb.org.

Register Now for GA 2023

Join us June 21 - 25, 2023 online or in-person in Pittsburgh, PA. or online.

New this year! Join our First Timers Caucus. If this will be your first ever in-person GA, use the promo code WELCOME to reduce your Adult in-person registration by $100. One hundred spots are available. Cannot be combined with other financial support promo codes.

In-person registration is $400 for adults, and $300 for high school youth, emerging adults (18-24), and retired and candidate ministers. Full Virtual Registration is $250. Register now and use the payment plan to pay over time. Financial support is also available. In-person registration rates will increase on March 1 and again on May 1. Register Now!



Be a GA Volunteer

 Each year, General Assembly is made possible by the contributions of hundreds of volunteers who do everything from editing videos to hanging banners. There will be many Volunteer Opportunities for both onsite and offsite participants. Volunteers are eligible to receive a fully funded GA registration. Apply Now to be a Volunteer

Call for Music Volunteers

Vocalists, instrumentalists, and groups interested in contributing to the worship experience of 2023 General Assembly should submit an application to the GA Music Coordinator.

The GA Music Coordinator has committed to modeling best practices in musical worship leadership. With that in mind, while the qualitative competence and excellence each applicant demonstrates will be of foremost importance, special attention will be given to applicants whose participation would broaden the diversity of the pool of GA musicians. Candidates of any age, sex, gender identity, race, theology, and physical ability are encouraged to apply. Proximity to the GA site will also be considered an advantage in the selection process.

Apply Now!

Meet the GA Worship Leaders

Each year, three particular worship services at GA attract large audiences of participants. This year, those services will be in the hands of these outstanding ministers . . .

Leader for Opening Worship Service will be the Rev. Kate Walker (she, her, hers), who has served the First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh (PA) since August of 2021. Daughter of two UU ministers, she has also served congregations in Alexandria, VA, and in Meadville, PA. 

Leader for the Service of the Living Tradition will be the Rev. Chris Buice, minister of the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church in Knoxville, TN. Having studied both at the Earlham School (Society of Friends) and at Meadville Lombard (UU), he is deeply interested in how both groups combine spirituality with social action. (The SLT honors our religious professionals at various stages iof their professional lives.)

Leader for the Sunday Worship Service will be the Rev. Manish Mishra-Marzetti, Senior Minister of the First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor, Michigan. You may know him from the many ways he has served in UU leadership, such as a board member for UUSC, the UUA, and Starr King School for the Ministry, as well as President of DRUUMM and a term on the Commission on Appraisal. 

Call for Workshops for the

PSWD Service Area Assembly!

Proposals for workshops, conference sessions, and other activities are requested for the Pacific Southwest Service Area Assembly on April 21-23, 2023

Sponsored by Camp de Benneville Pines, Hosted by Unitarian Universalists San Luis Obispo

“In the spirit of our beloved PSWD District Assembly”

Living in Harmony with Each Other and Our Earth

How do our PSWD congregations and covenanting communities embrace and live out their passion to validate, slow, and reverse the progression of Social Division & Climate Change? Come share the programs, activities, and connections your congregation has implemented within your community as leading examples to inspire the rest of us!

*Note workshop times will be limited to1 hour Saturday morning and 1½ hours Saturday afternoon

Fill out the proposal form using this link… CLICK HERE. Or CLICK HERE for a downloadable pdf and send your completed workshop proposal form by February 3, 2023, to Dale Botts, dale.botts2@gmail.com

*Please note: Presenters will provide their own transportation, assembly registration fee, and hotel expense

Every Third Sunday, 11:30am in the Lounge

"UUYAN" Young Adult Network for Ages 18-35

For more information contact Kathy Adams katole@uuclb.org | 562-619-8612 cell

Unitarian Universalist Young Adults and California State University Long Beach (CSULB) and allies partner for Climate Action on 3rd Fridays.

RSVP to obtain the location of the offsite event via

https://sunriselongbeach.org/

or contact Kathy Adams at 562-619-8612.

UU Young Adults ages 18-35 will explore the Bowers Museum on Sunday, February 19, 2023

To carpool, meet at church at 11:30 in the lounge for a short check-in. Leave at noon for the museum.

Reserve your tickets in advance on the museum website

$12 students, $15 Adults.

https://www.bowers.org/

Sacred Realms: Temple Murals by Shashi Dhoj Tulachan

Bowers Museum, 2002 North Main Street, Santa Ana, California 92706

Museum Sunday Hours: Open 10 AM - 4 PM

TEL: 714.567.3600

Questions? Contact Kathy Adams at 562-619-8612

A New-ish Network for UUs

If you’re interested in learning more about the history and/or theology of Unitarian Universalism, you probably will be interested in the Unitarian Universalist Studies Network (UUSN). Formed in 2021 from what had been the UU History and Heritage Society and the Collegium, this new organization is open to everyone with an interest in UU history and/or theology.

UUSN defines itself as “a mutually supportive collective of academic and independent scholars, lay leaders, religious professionals, and students who aim to cultivate deeper engagement with Unitarian Universalist historical, theological, and ethical knowledge and practices as well as their intersections and interplay.” While that list may seem lofty and exclusive, the network makes it clear that all are welcome to participate at whatever level seems appropriate. “No credential, title, or educational background is required in order to take part. All are invited to join [and benefit from] our endeavors.” 

What’s Happening Now

• In a recent announcement, the Network reported the re-launch of the “Circle of Congregational Historians and Archivists Project,” which will offer aids to Historians of UU congregations, as well as aid the Network in compiling a database of histories and archival resources.
• The UUSN has also assumed the work on the updated Dictionary of Unitarian and Universalist Biographies website. This valuable online publication was initiated by the UU History and Heritage Society more than 20 years ago, and is already a valuable resource both to historians and to curious UUs everywhere. (See the current version at uudb.org.). 
• The Network has just announced its first international gathering, titled Widening the Circle of UU Studies. The convocation takes place March 23-26, at Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago. (Exciting details at https://www.uustudiesnetwork.org/events-uu-convocation/.)

East Yard Communities

eycej.org

East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice (EYCEJ) is a community-based organization that works to facilitate self-advocates in East and Southeast Los Angeles and Long Beach. EYCEJ prepares community members to engage in the decisionmaking processes that directly impact their health and quality of life.

Through grassroots organizing and leadership-building skills, EYCEJ works to enable under-represented communities to be heard and make real change happen. Using a plan of action built on research-based information, workshops, and trainings to empower our communities, we are able to influences policy change, policymakers, and agencies that can institute healthprotective environmental justice policies that are in the best interest of local, regional, and statewide residents.

In 2022 EYCEJ was able to successfully pass AB 1857 to limit incineration in their communities, pass rent control in Bell Gardens, advocate for a stronger Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP), ensure the 710 focuses on zero emissions through a Metro-led zero emissions work group, launch a Water Academy, and create a strong water committee. Through all these projects and campaigns, members took care of each other, believing that emotional and mental well-being are just as important as physical health.

For more information, check out their web site: eycej.org.

Stay in touch with your Church Community by contributing to the Weekly Eblast Announcements and the ADVANCE Newsletter.

Please send your articles, announcements, photos, artwork and other contributions before 9:30pm on the third Tuesday of each month. Email to: ADVANCE@uuclb.org

To share in the weekly ANNOUNCEMENTS or the monthly ADVANCE NEWSLETTER:

1. Prepare a brief for the Announcement or an article/brief about your event for the ADVANCE 
2. Include name of event, date, time, ZOOM link or meeting place and contact information for your event
3. Submit in an UNFORMATTED Microsoft Word document -or- type into the body of an email.
4. NO SPECIAL FORMATTING / SPACING
5. Graphics and images should be attached in JPG format (rather than embedded in a MS Word file)
6. Proofread your document and make any necessary corrections before sending

Submit Weekly Announcements/Eblast to: ANNOUNCEMENTS@uuclb.org

DEADLINE: Tuesday at Noon!

To share in the monthly ADVANCE newsletter:

Send submissions to ADVANCE@uuclb.org

NOTE: THE SUBMISSION DATE FOR THE ADVANCE NEWSLETTER HAS CHANGED.

Please submit your items for the ADVANCE before 9pm on the 3rd Tuesday of each month.

Please note: submissions will be published on a space available basis subject to the decision of the editor.

*Flyers and/or announcements that need to be retyped will not be accepted.                                   

How To Stay Connected to UUCLB

--Subscribe to the weekly announcement eblast: announcements@uuclb.org

Arrives in your inbox every Thursday

--Subscribe to the monthly Advance newsletter: advance@uuclb.org

Arrives in your inbox the first week of the month

--Subscribe to the church Board Report: boardreport@uuclb.org

Receive the meeting agenda, board packet, and minutes

--Check the current issue of the Join In Booklet: uuclb.org/joinin

Find all the standing Committees, social activities and affinity groups

--Find the latest How-To Manual for Committees

--Check the UUCLB website uuclb.org

--Check the church calendar uuclb.org/calendar

--Follow us on Facebook facebook.com/UUCLB/

--Join us for in-person and online Worship on Sundays at 10:00 am

Live on Zoom … Facebook Live … and Past Recorded Services

January 15, 2023

Legacies of Justice

with Guest Preacher Mary Duong

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1132516767454595

January 22, 2023

“Finding Our Center”

New Members Sunday

with Rev. Lissa Gundlach

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1217621175509959

Unitarian Universalist Church of Long Beach | Phone: (562) 597-8445

Email: office@uuclb.org

www.uuclb.org | uuclb.org/youtube

Watch our past services on facebook