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In This Issue
Sunday Worship Service
Contemplative Service
Minister's Musings
A Turn at the Helm
Deck the Halls
Remarkable People
AcoUUstic Cafe: Chamber Music Concert
Crafts and Baked Goods Sale
UUCM Book Club
Social Concerns Corner...Weekly Shelter Report
New Member Biography
New Year's Eve Party???
Bring Small Toiletry Items
Kirtan!
Join the Readers' Theatre
Calling All Book Lovers
Non-Juried Art Show
It's the Year of the BAFS!
Upcoming Dates
Dec. 5
Deck the Halls

Dec. 9
Readers' Theatre

Dec. 10
Remarkable People

Dec. 11
AcoUUstic Cafe:
Chamber Music

Dec. 12
Crafts/Bake Sale
Readers' Theatre

Dec. 16
Kirtan
Readers' Theatre

Dec. 19
BAFS Service

Jan. 13
Kirtan

Jan. 16
BAFS Service

Jan. 16 - Feb 24
Non-Juried Art Show

Feb. 17
Kirtan

More Dates
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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
Education classes. Nursery and
toddler care is provided during the
11:00 service.


REFRESHMENT HOUR
 
in the Courtyard or
Fireside Room follows the services.
Come, join us!

Staff Links
Minister:
Rev. Chip Wright
[email protected]
415-479-4131


Director of Religious Education:
Linda Haumann
[email protected]


Administrator:
Janette Morrow
[email protected]

President, Board of Directors:
Jennifer Gennari
[email protected]

Director of Music:
Philip Hildreth
[email protected]

Pianist:

Milton Wong
[email protected]

Pastoral Care:
Chair: Carol Littrell 883-9676
Partial Resource List
Minister's Schedule
Rev. Chip Wright

Office Hours
Tues., Wed., Thurs.
10:00am to 3:00 pm.
 
Or available by appt.: 
or 
phone (415)479-4131
 
Email Rev. Chip at: [email protected]
                   Dec. 2nd, 2010
Issue #93
chaliceSunday Worship Service    

December 5th, 11am

"Homeless at Hanukkah"

Rev. Chip Wright with Worship Associate Joan Nelson

This Sunday night, Dec 5th, right in the middle of Hanukkah the Jewish festival of the light, we host our first winter shelter for homeless women in Marin.  This is a countywide effort involving many religious institutions of which we are one. There is a sustaining value in reaching out with a light in a dark harbor.


 View and Print December Services
 
Read Past Sermons Online


Nov. 28, 11 am: "The Transcendent Experience or Whose God is It Anyway?"  Rev. Chip Wright 

Nov. 7, 2010:  "Fairy Tales and Great Myths?"  Rev. Chip Wright

Basket Share Calendar

Contemplative Service

Contemplative Service, December 5th, 9 am

Our Lay led Contemplative Service is from 9:00-9:50 am on Sundays (not available in summer). Readings introduce a silent period to reflect on a topic or idea, followed by an opportunity to share individual thoughts.
Minister's Musings

 

chip head shotRev. Chip Wright

December 2010


It's hard to believe it is December.  It seems like the years slide by much quicker than years did when I was 5 or 6.  Back then Christmas seemed to be very far away with endless days, weeks and months for us to wait!  And now here it is again the last month of the year and hard to believe there has been a whole year in between.  This month filled with the Christmas joy and story, tales of Hanukkah and solstice reflections is a good one.


When this month has passed, the first decade of the 21st century will be a memory.  As we head into the New Year and decade my wish for all of us is that we do it in joy and expectation.  Let's center our thoughts and hopes on a better century for all.  So many possibilities lay ahead; the potential is limitless and calls us fully to live into it, with an uninhibited "YES" in our hearts and upon our lips.


We are a remarkable gathering of souls here at UUCM with a place and a purpose.  It is for us to keep this oasis strong and to make its gifts available to all who would join us here. I know you who are members understand the importance of such a community and the gifts it brings into your lives.  Bring your friends and share what you have found.   We all know folks who would not only be enriched by being a part of what we offer here, and who would bring to us new and exciting gifts as well.  Don't shy away from openly being a Unitarian Universalist.  It is not negative to be connected to a longstanding and important liberal religious tradition such as ours.  The likelihood that folks you know who should be here will come on their own, is well -not good.  So as we leave this first decade of the twenty-first century and step into the next. My Christmas and Hanukkah wish for all is that we do it right and make this place a shining light pointing the way to a better world.

A Turn at the Helm

 

jen gennariJennifer Gennari

President of the Board of Directors

December 2010


The rains have arrived-and with it feelings of gratitude. Why? Because I am fortunate to have a roof overhead and warmth inside. Many of us in Marin have a home; others do not.


I was moved by Rev. Megan Rohrer, who spoke to us in October about what it means to live on the street. If you can't give money, she said, give socks. But a better long-term solution is creating more affordable homes, something that residents fight to stop because they don't want "those" people living in their neighborhood. That's what's happening in Novato right now-and it's gotten ugly.


As Unitarian Universalists, we need to speak out about criminalizing the unemployed and the underemployed. Providing a range of housing means we make it possible for people to live with dignity instead of on the street.


In the short term, UUCM is providing shelter one night a week for homeless women for the second year. We are a part of an interfaith community that has stepped up to give the homeless a place to stay while the rain falls. We provide them with food, a dry room, and the solace of our spiritual home.


Reducing homelessness isn't simple. Here's how you can help:

  •  Give money to our annual appeal for the homeless fund 
  •  Join LiveLocalMarin.org and advocate for affordable housing
  •  Donate socks and dance at the second UUCM Sock Hop in January
  •  Train to become a paid staff member for the shelter 
  •   Volunteer to sleep overnight as the UUCM facility attendant 
  •   Volunteer as a 6 a.m. Monday facility attendant 
  •  Bring food for our homeless guests

May your holidays be rich with the gifts of compassion, generosity and gratitude.

Deck the Halls December 5th

pinecone wreath"Deck the Halls" for the winter holiday!

Please stay after the 11am service on Sun., Dec. 5th to join with all ages to beautify our fellowship hall with
decorations of the season. Paper snowflakes, tree trimming and paper chains will be made.

Bring fresh boughs of pine, cedar, holly, rosemary or bay for wreath making. 

Remarkable People

Remarkable People meets Friday Dec 10th at 7:30 in the Fireside Room.

Our speakers this month are Terry Merrick and Marty Roth.

Please come and join us for an interesting evening of talk and snacks.

Your hosts are Marge Hollinger and Steve Webster.
 AcoUUstic Cafe:
Haydn, Shostakovich, & Reinecke
Frank Lahorgue
  These are the composers for our
AcoUUstic Cafe chamber music concert. 

Sat. Dec. 11, 7:30 pm
(doors open at 7pm) 
A steal at $10/adult.

If you love chamber music, don't miss it. 
3 groups playing 4 pieces.

While we have had some volunteers for the concert this is what we still need:

1- set up (start at 6pm)
2- Sell refreshments (start at 7:00)
1- Clean up (9:30 to 10:30)
1- Person to Make Popcorn (7:00 to ?)
1- Roving helper

1- Promotion manager for future AcoUUstic Cafes

1- Publicity person for future AcoUUstic Cafes

Contact  Acouustic Cafe coordinator

Flyer
Crafts and Baked Goods Sale
holiday bake saleWe will be having a Christmas Sale of Goodies and Gifts on Dec 12 after church.

All you bakers and crafters please get your creations ready and bring them to the church that day.

We will need 4 people to set up the room at 10 o'clock. If you can help with this please let Marge Hollinger know.
UUCM Book Club
maisie dobbsOur UUCM Book Club meets on third Wednesdays at 7:30pm in the Clara Barton Room.

For our December 15th meeting we are reading Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear.  You may obtain a copy from Joyce Rhodes (892-9351) who has library copies available for our club.  Our group is open and welcomes new members.
 Social Concerns Corner:
Weekly Shelter Report

To participate in UUCM's Sunday Shelter...
contact Joan Nelson 415-453-6221
(cell: 415-595-6221)

 

 

This week's Shelter Sign-ups include:
Music: Walter Littrell (guitar/voice)

 

Main Dish (meat): Thomas Ervin
Main Dish (vegetarian): Eileen Prendiville
Salad: Linda Stoneall
Fruit: Lee FitzGerald
Beverage: Judith Pomeroy
Dessert: Karen Spalding

 

Got leftovers from a Sat. night party?
Last minute tidbits always welcome.
No Shelter on Dec. 12.
Next need for Sign-ups will be Dec. 19.

New Member Biography
Valerie Taylor

I was raised in Washington D.C. where I attended All Soul's Unitarian Church as a child. I went to college and lived in New Hampshire and Maine for 5+ years, but came to California for the sun and the creative spirit. After 20+ years in software R&D, I turned my side-line advocacy for better land use and transportation into a job as a transportation planner. When I'm not working in San Francisco, I do yoga, garden, sing, and spend time with my wonderful daughter (23) and son (27). Next up: dialing the work down and the fun up!

 New Year's Eve Party???
We have had great New Year's Eve dinner parties in the Fireside Room for over 10 years, but this year we are unable to take a leadership role. Is there anyone out there who would like to make it happen?

Just call us.  We have all the info you need to bring it about.

If no one calls, it won't happen. The Fireside Room will then be available for a rental.

Marje and Dick Park
Bring Small Toiletry Items
burts bees toiletryToiletry Items for Homeless People: We're collecting small toiletry items through December 26th. Please leave them in the labeled box on the RE table in the foyer.

Our children/youth will assemble toiletry kits on December 26th and January 2nd to be delivered to St. Vincent's.

Kirtan!

 Dec 16, Jan 13, Feb 17 - 7:00 To 8:30 PM (Approx.)

On December 16th at 7:00 PM in the fireside room, Kirtan, chanting & meditation services continue.   
saraswatiThese services offer a refreshing reentry into the heart-centered world of meditation and deep joy.  If you haven't come to one of these services before and wish to deepen your spiritual life or find a space to just relax into, please come.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

 Rev. Chip

Join the Readers' Theatre
UUCM Readers' Theatre is an Adult Education activity for people who like to do group dramatic readings - serious and silly - of poems, plays, and
ot
gorey opera boxher written pieces.

We normally meet on the second and fourth Thursday nights from 7:30 to 9 pm in Fellowship Hall. However, due to the holidays, our meetings for the rest of 20
10 will be Dec. 9, and
Dec. 16.  Please join us! 
We occasionally present readings at services and other church functions; our next will be during the service on Dec. 12.  For more information, phone Jan Seagrave at 415-479-7951, or email her at seagrave4@comcast.net.
Calling All Book Lovers!

book pileWant to help launch a "Buck a Book" used book sale fundraiser? This simple fundraiser is also a green way to reuse and share the books we no longer want. This project needs a bookcase (on wheels) or a closed cabinet; a group of volunteers to set up and take down the book table; and a responsible team to manage revenue.

 

Interested? Please email Jen Gennari if you are interested.
Non-Juried Art Show

Although we don't have an Art committee chair right now, Georgia Annwell has offered to sponsor a show for Artist Members and Associates.


foxglovePEOPLE AND PLACES

January 16 - Feb 24, 2011


All water-based media accepted. Receiving on Sunday, January 9, 2011  12:30 - 2 pm.   An informal artist reception service  on Sunday, January 16 , after 12:30 p.m.  All work should be picked up Thursday, February 24, between 12:30 - 2. Contact  Georgia Annwell
Flyer for more details.

Foxglove, Judith Pomeroy
It's the Year of the BAFS!
 friend chineseAnd you are invited!  BAFS?  Well, that is 'Bring a Friend Sundays.'  Bring a friend(s) to service at LEAST once a month--or have them bring you!  And you can anticipate a reward beyond heaven, on earth: Gourmet dinner at the home of Rev's Chip and Lisa!

Here's how it works.


Please note the BAFS Sundays:
First half: Dec 19 &  Jan 16
Second half: Feb. 13,  Mar. 13,  Apr. 10 &  May 15


All BAFS will offer an opportunity for any new folks to meet with the Minister, the RE Director, our Board President and other leaders of UUCM after the service.


So start calling your friends and telling them what a great place the UUCM is and inviting these special people to our special Sundays on top of the hill.  A fun time will be had by all!

Thank you for all the wonderful feedback! I love knowing you read this (and every issue of) UUCM Weekly News! 
I work very hard to bring it to your mailbox every Thursday.

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