4/12/15 Wisdom/Humor Potluck

 4/19/15 Carol Kerr  

 4/26/15 Jerry Moore

I'm not sure how many of you are like me, feeling frantic as I look at my gardening boxes, neglected during the winter.  April is here and in other parts of my yard grapes are starting to leaf out and my cherry tree is just beginning to show new buds. I realize how late I am getting my planter boxes prepped.  It is a chore I should've done midway through March.  

My garden is behind, not ready for the new growing season. Except for last year's carrots that I had given up on and the volunteer tomato plants that are reaching for the sky on their own, it is barren soil that needs attention to be fruitful. I pick up the spade saying it is "better late than never," that old axiom that seems true in anything that's worthwhile.

Thinking of "better late than never" Marin City and the children of that community come to mind. I think about how difficult it is for them to bridge the cultural divide, and ingrained teaching models of an educational system so clearly focused on high achieving white Caucasian youth. Sure there are the hardy few that can sprout up year after year, but the majority of the children in this community, so long neglected, have more than an uphill battle.  So along with tending my home garden, I plan to tend the soils in this community too. 

On Sunday April 12th I will share some of my thoughts about this community, its need for gardeners of the spirit and will be inviting any of you who want to join me in working towards this effort. Working to help cultivate young persons' visions, possibility, potential. Step outside immediate family and into different cultural understandings with me. Join with the Hannah Center Project of Marin City. It is better late then never, to extend a hand for the harvest that we can together, be renewed by.

Rev. Chip

From the DRE:

Did you hear about the pie baking contest for April 11th? I am not a judge, but I'll be there to sample. See you there pardn'rs!

Our Whole Lives - Information Meeting: April 26th, 1-3pm, UUCM

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Marin offers an open meeting on the award winning curriculum Our Whole Lives, affectionately known as OWL. Open to all parents of all children and youth: members, friends, and guests. For more info on the program go to: uua.org/re/owl

Childcare available - please RSVP to Jeffrey Melcher at dre@uuMarin.org by April 23.

Parent Group meetings: April 19th, May 17th, June 21st   - each during service 10:45-11:45 in the Clara Barton room.

Sly Park camping trip July 16-19: http://www.slyparklake.com/ - Contact Mikey Songster to get in on the UUCM family campground reservation.

Blessed Be,

(415) 479-4131 ext. 104,   DRE@uuMarin.org 

Yippee Kai Yea! Roundup BBQ

At the UUCM Corral for Fun, Feast & Friendships 

Saturday, April 11th, Noon to 3 PM

We have finished our official month of our Gratitude and Commitment Campaign with the majority of annual financial commitments collected.  Now it is time to celebrate our achievement with a new Western BBQ!  We'll leave the longhorns and hogs on the hoof in the green pastures and instead will concentrate on grilled vegan delicacies like Portobello steaks, spicy buffalo cauliflower "wings" and a Cowboy Tamale Pie. All items will be gluten free as well.  We'll have an alternate grilled chicken with chipotle sauce. If the rain holds off, the younger children will ride real ponies and the adults will throw horseshoes.  Indoor games will be available too.  We will end with a pie contest so get your best recipes out and bring along your favorite to share.

Your Head Wrangler, Lefty

(Who also encourages you to wear your cowboy/girl hat a/o bandanas)

Join us on Sunday, April 12, at 6:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall for a conversation with John Englander, author of High Tide On Main Street, and noted international expert on sea level rise. He will speak on local and global challenges of rising seas and introduce the mission and programs of the newly formed International Sea Level Institute, based here in the Bay Area. Free Program

I would like to let you know about some changes that are happening in the office. Our bookkeeper, Mary Ellen Morgan, was recently promoted at her other job, which meant that she would no longer be able to function as our regular bookkeeper. Routine bookkeeping tasks will be moved into my purview. We have hired a 1/4 time administrative assistant to help out. She is Karen Donohue. Her office hours will be Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons.

Here is a little more about Karen, from Karen:

Hello! I was born and raised in San Francisco and I now reside in Mill Valley with my 13 year old daughter, Hannah. I come to UUCM with over ten years' experience in the field of Administration. My first experience at UUCM was in 2010 when I had the opportunity to work as a temp alongside Janette.  Throughout the last five years, I have returned to UUCM to fill in for Janette on several occasions. With each job assignment, I've worked alongside welcoming familiar faces and new faces as well.

Administrator

415-479-4131 x100 office

Inka, recently deceased, was a wonderful photographer. Check out the beautiful and heartfelt images in the Fireside Room, captured by Inka on her global journeys.

Come enjoy discussion of ancient stories in a new light. Our ongoing series of conversations continues with Reverend Robert (Bob) Drake. 

April 12: Genesis 1 and 2 (What? Two Creation Accounts?! 

April 26: Adam and Eve and the Garden

You may come to just one or all sessions; no prior commitment required. There are no assignments; however, reading the story to be discussed before the session may add to your enjoyment.

Bring your own bag lunch. Beverages will be provided. Sessions will be in the Clara Barton Room from "after the service" (approx. 12 noon) until 1:30 pm.

Childcare can be arranged if you contact Ilana Trumbull in advance. 

Each of our presenters will bring their own broad based theological background and help us explore how Biblical tales, symbols, and characters can speak to us in modern times and in the context of Unitarian Universalist values. 

Several times a year, the UUCM Basket Share program distributes half of the

offering proceeds to a service or advocacy program in the wider community.

This year's fifth Basket Share will be distributed to Little Brothers: Friends of the Elderly, a group brought to our attention by UUCM contributing friend, Karen Lohmann.

On April 26 Julie Benbow, Director of Development, 

Shelter volunteers this week included: June Fesler, Marge Hollinger, Marilyn Nelson and Valerie Taylor.

 To come to the shelter or to bring your dish to UUCM on Sunday morning, contact Joan Nelson

415-595-6221 figleafjoan@comcast.net 

The Devil's Teeth: A True Story of Obsession and Survival Among America's Great White Sharks by Susan Casey.  This is an account of  the great white sharks of the Farallon Islands and of the surfer-scientists who follow them.  "A story of crossing the boundary between society and an untamed place where humans are neither wanted nor needed."  Sher will lead the discussion and Sandy will present books for May.

While the sessions have gone well and were popular, we decided to cancel April (both Parks and Nani will be unable to go, etc.)  We'll definitely start again in the fall!

To register, go to: http://www.pcd-uua.org and follow the DA2015 link.

UUCSJ's Activate Programs offer

high school youth the chance to gain hands-on skills to help organize, transcend

boundaries, and engage in justice

work grounded in UU theology.

See flyer for more information.