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UUCM Email Weekly!
In This Issue
Sunday Worship Service
Contemplative Service
Minister's Musings
RE nUUs
New members welcomed
A Christmas gift on our web site
Touch of Beauty
Basket Share January 11
Gospel Music
Remarkable People
Adult OWL classes coming
Book Club
Justice is what love looks like in public
General Assembly June 24-28
Social Justice Education/Action
Upcoming 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 10:30 service.  


 
REFRESHMENT HOUR in the Courtyard or

Fireside Room follows the services.
 
 There are 4 "Sunday First Time Visitor" parking spots at the top of the parking lot.  
Come, join us! 
Staff Links
Minister:  
Rev. Chip Wright

Director of Religious Education
Jeffrey Melcher
[email protected] 
 

Youth Advisor

TBA


Administrator: 
Janette Morrow
            
Choir director
Amanda Morando
 
Pianist:
Milton Wong 
 [email protected]
  
Membership Coordinator:
Carolyn Bopp
  
Pastoral Care:  
 Chair:
Minister's Schedule

Minister:

 Rev. Chip Wright

 

 Office Hours:

Tues., Wed., Thurs.

10am to 3pm

 or

[email protected] 

or

phone: 415-479-4131

 ext. 102 


 or email Rev. Chip:  [email protected]   

DRE's Schedule
Director of Religious Education:
Jeffrey Melcher

Office Hours: 

Sunday 12:30 - 1:30 

Tuesday 12:30-3:30

Thursday 12:30-3:30

 
December 25, 2014
Issue #290
 Merry Christmas! May peace be with you.

Sunday Worship Service 10:30 am chalice

December 28, 2014:"A Unitary & Universal Communion"

Joan Nelson, Communion Guide

 

The seasons keep going round and round. And the world keeps forgetting the true nature of our passing lives.

But a new year invites us to create what could be a true Unitary and Universal communion.

 

Contemplative Service 9 am  chalice

Leaders:

 

12/28/14 Doug Kerr  

and

1/4/15  we will have a Wisdom Potluck: in which we each share a sentence or two about whatever slice of wisdom has proven valuable in the past year or might be useful in the new one.  


UUCM's early Sunday morning 9 am Contemplative Service in the Fireside Room is a lay led service.  Readings introduce a silent period to reflect on a topic or idea, followed by an opportunity to share individual thoughts.  

 

Come and widen our circle. All are welcome!  

Questions, email Carol Kerr at [email protected].

 

Minister's Musings

It is good to be back from my sabbatical. It was a good ten-week break, and a needed one. I did get a chance to do some focused writing, about ten thousand words on the book I have in the works. Lisa and I also got a chance to go down to Nogales, Mexico and have some conversations with several of the groups working with the large influx of youth from Central America. The flow of these youth had slowed when we got there, and most of those who were caught in that episode had been moved to detention centers in El Paso. Many were placed from there into homes across the nation while the immigration process is stalled in Congress.

 

When visiting my dad, who lives about 30 miles from Nogales, our time was cut short. We  received news that my brother Bill was in critical condition at Marin General Hospital with severe pancreatitis. We headed home right away.  Bill was in very bad shape on our arrival. At home that next week I received a call from Rolly's daughter informing me he had died. We decided to stay in town so I could officiate at Rolly's memorial service. During that time I received a call from John Severinghaus telling me Scott Merrick was very ill as well. So it seemed best to stay around and be available with short trips to our retreat in Mendocino. 

 

We did manage to have a family reunion for Lisa's family which went very nicely, but right afterwards her brother-in-law fell off his roof in Pacifica and broke all his ribs on one side, puncturing his lung and diaphragm.  He is on ventilation at SF General, recovering slowly after emergency surgery. So it was good we were around, and considering all that happened, it was still a good rest. I'm happy to be back, and look forward to seeing you all as the new year unfolds!

 

Rev. Chip

RE nUUs

Are you a parent of a teen? Please put Dec 28th on your calendar if you are gong to be in town. A teen focused parent group discussion will be facilitated by Dr. Doug Kerr at UUCM, in the Clara Barton room, 10:30-11:45. Yes you can invite your friends. This is a great event for outreach.

 

In case you had not heard, our Youth Advisor, Sue Gauthier-Pin needed to resign from her position. She will, however be staying around as a volunteer to help the YRUU. She just needed less of a role while being so immersed in her graduate school program and MSW practicum in several elementary schools.

 

PCD Middle School UU Gathering for 6th-8th graders Retreat will be Friday evening through Sunday 12:30 pm, January 16-18, 2015. For information and Registration information contact our DRE.

 

DRE, Jeffrey Melcher is on Winter Holiday from Dec 24th - Jan 2.

 

Have a very merry holiday season!

Jeffrey Melcher, M.Div.

415) 479-4131 ext. 104,  [email protected]

New members welcomed
uucmchaliceWe welcomed new members last Sunday.

Kate, Robert and son Nathan McDonald
Craig and Richard Cohen
Trudy and daughter Olivia Versoza

We hope they will be happy at UUCM and find their place.
A Christmas gift on our web site
uucmchalice
You can now listen to some past sermons on our web site. The first one is 

October 19, 2014: "This is my religion"

given by Nani Ranken.

As more sermons are added they will be listed in the weekly. They may be listened to on our web site. Audio sermons were made possible by the efforts of Ray Meluch, Charles Seagrave, Janette Morrow and Norm Davidson.

Touch of Beauty

Help beautify our sacred space!  Winter TOB slots are going fast;  here are the remaining Sundays: February 8, 15, 22; March 15, 22, 29. Would YOU like to sign up for a slot? Winter "touches" don't have to be something in bloom -- not much is. A beautiful branch, sinuous grasses, or a meaningful object. Each adds an aesthetic element for all to appreciate. Please let me know which date you would like. Thanks! Sally ([email protected])

Basket Share January 11

As part of our mission, the UUCM Social Justice Committee continues its Sunday offering Basket Share commitment. The next 50/50 share will take place on January 11. Half of what you put in the basket will be shared with OMA VillageOMA Village is transforming an empty lot in Novato, CA, into a thriving, eco-friendly community of 14 small family homes.

 

Resident families will be working their way out of homelessness through employment or job training.

The homes are designed to help promote a healthy environment and better well-being for the occupants. Recycled and renewable materials and low-VOC paints will be used to finish the interiors. Efficient appliances will bring the community near a net-zero Energy rating. 

On January 11, you will learn how this is done and concrete ways that you can help. 

Gospel Music
Come sing gospel at UUCM.
Saturday January 10, 10:30am - 3 pm. Rehearse with Deborah Rae Thompson (Unity). Bring lunch.
Sunday January 11, 10:30 sing during the UUCM Sunday service. 
Remarkable People
uucmchalice

Come learn just HOW remarkable the Haumanns are. 

 

January "Remarkable People" is a Remarkable Duo:  Linda and David Haumann will talk with us about their interesting lives and creative careers. 

 

Thursday, January 15 7:30 p.m.  Fireside Room

Adult OWL classes coming 

Adult OWL (sexuality) classes are being planned to start in January. Watch this space for dates and times.

 

"Is this OK?"

"Would you please?"

And "Yes" may be the sexiest word in the English language.

 

Past the first flush of youth, the vicissitudes of our sexual side may need more "Yes" support than we realize. Can you talk to your adult daughter who is heading off to college about sexual assault and safety? Your son? Are you clear on what pornography is, and how to discuss this difficult topic? Can we negotiate the days of pregnancy and parenting and keep passion alive? How can we say "yes" in the face of a libido that waxes and wanes without any predictability as we age and our physical abilities change?

 

Come explore these topics and more in the Adult Our Whole Lives class. If you're interested call Katie Blickensderfer, 415-847-8820, to be put on the participant list. Space is limited. And YES we are looking forward to seeing you there!

More info from the UUA.

Book Club
book pile

The UUCM Book Club has chosen The Meaning of Existence by E.O. Wilson for our January 21 meeting.  In The Meaning of Human Existence Pulitzer Prize-winning biologist Edward O. Wilson grapples with existential questions, such as examining what makes human beings supremely different from all other species. We do not meet in December so the extra month has allowed us to choose this recent publication.  The library has 38 copies and there is a wait for this book so reserve your copy now.  We meet at 7:30 pm in the Clara Barton room; all are welcome.

"Justice is what love looks like in public." Dr. Cornel West
UUCM is one of many UU congregations that participate in the interfaith Standing on the Side of Love advocacy campaign. The campaign began as a response to the 2008 shooting at Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. It has evolved into a month-long reimagining of Valentine's Day as a social justice holiday. Read more about SSL and its history
 
Each year, UUCM recognizes a Marin County resident who lives and acts according to the SSL values of inclusion, diversity, and equality. For the 2015 award, please consider nominating someone you know (from Marin but not from our congregation this year) who is deserving of this important award.
 
Deadline for nominations: December 31. To nominate someone, email [email protected]. Tell us the person's name and briefly describe how s/he has exhibited the SSL values of inclusion, diversity, and equality. The next Award will be presented Feb. 15. Past Recipients:
  •  2014: Marje Park (UUCM)
  •  2013: Katherine DaSilva Jain (UUCM)
  •  2012: Paula Pilecki (Spectrum)
  •  2011: Joan Nelson (UUCM)
General Assembly June 24-28, 2015

Building a New Way

uuachalice General Assembly will be in Portland this year which means many of us will be able to go. Save the date and save your dollars. Scholarships and discounts for volunteering will be available. Ware Lecturer Dr. Cornel West.

Watch the web site for information.
Registration begins March 1, 2015.
General Assembly Schedule.
Social Justice Education/Action 

Part of the mission of the UUCM Social Justice Committee is to provide hands-on service opportunities for congregants to practice the UU principles. Over the past 7 years we have provided 182 meals for the REST (Rotating Emergency Shelter Team) program.


Can we count on you to provide a dish for approximately 12 people at least 1 of the 26 Sunday nights?


Sign up on the board in the lobby or at [email protected] or contact [email protected] or 415-453-6221.

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Do you know of an inspirational activist who would be a good speaker for one of the Social Justice Committee's education-action luncheons? If so, please contact Joan at [email protected] 415-453-6221

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Ever feel frustrated that you're not doing enough to make a difference in the world? Bring your concerns to the UUCM Social Justice Committee.
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Continue your commitment to environmental and economic justice by shopping at  http://shop.uusc.org/ 
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I appreciate any feedback about this weekly newsletter.   [email protected]

eWeekly Deadlines:
Mon. by 10 pm - activities and announcements, Staff columns, committee reports
20th of each month - Sunday services


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)

Production, UUCM Connect and Special Announcements Editor: Lisa Cohen 
Backup Production Editor: Joel Gluck    
 
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Marin
415-479-4131  
240 Channing Way
San Rafael, CA 94903