The UNIGRAM
Monthly Newsletter of
the Unitarian Universalist Society of Sacramento
Vol.
31 No. 5
January 2001
A SAMPLE OF JANUARY UUSS EVENTS
Sunday Services 11 a.m.
Sunday Adult Education 9:30 a.m.
Sunday Forums 9:30 a.m.
Religious Education Sundays at 11 a.m.
Women’s Alliance 1/11
UU Young Adults 4 meetings
Gap Group 4 meetings
Servetus Club 1/14
PMC Work Day 1/13
______________________________________________________
Unitarian
Universalist Society of Sacramento
2425
Sierra Blvd, Sacramento CA 95825 (916)
482-9283 ext 0
Activities/Information
Line (916) 483-9283 ext 208
______________________________________________________________________
Minister: The Reverend Douglas Kraft
Board President: Ruth
Van Unen
Director of Religious Education: Kate
Throop
Business Manager: Val Hutton
Music
Director: Mary WillAllen
Organist: Barbara Lazar
Bookkeeper: Carole Petracek
Office Coordinator: Bobby Stewart
Office Assistant: Cynthia
Creter
Building/Grounds Maintenance Mgr: Robert
Hosley
Custodian:
Elaine Cooper
______________________________________________________________________
PRESIDENT’S
LETTER
Another
year arrives. I like to follow a southern custom and invite friends or
neighbors over on New Year’s Day and feed them. The menu must feature Hoppin’
John and greens as the entrée. For the uninformed, HJ is black-eyed peas with
sausage mixed in, served over rice. The greens are spinach, mustard greens, or kale,
often a mixzture of two or more. Custom promises that this menu will increase
the diner’s chances of prosperity in the coming year, black-eyed peas
representing coins and the greens representing paper bills or “quiet money,’ as
my dad called it. I wish I could share this menu with all our UUSS members in
the hope that we would all prosper, then share the increases in our pledges
next year. We owe our staff a raise and additional benefits, and we need some
of them to be paid for increased hours to keep up with the work as our numbers
grow. They work diligently with grace, but though verbal expressions of
appreciation are nice, we owe them more, in my opinion.
Our facilities also need additional
investment of time and materials.
Since I can’t feed us all, should you want
to adopt your version of my menu, hot or spicy sauces compliment it nicely,
with vinegar for the greens.
May we prosper, one and all, in2001. Happy
New Year!
Ruth Van Unen, President
____________________________________________________________________________
A MONTH OF
SUNDAYS –JANUARY 2001
1/7
9:30
a.m. Auditorium – Forum:
“Volunteerism.” Speaker Monica Pope is the Volunteer Coordinator for all
Eskaton facilities and special events. She will describe the ways volunteers
enrich the lives of lonely and isolated seniors in need of community
connections. Monica, who has been a volunteer coordinator for Meals a la Car and a community
activist for 23 years, now serves on the Board of Directors for the CSUS
Sacramento Alumni, and on the Junior League Advisory Council for the Retired
and Senior Volunteer Program. Helen Livingston, Coordinator.
9:30
a.m. Library – Adult R.E.: Series
on Love coordinated by Jeff Watson continues.
11:00
a.m. Auditorium – Service: “Dying Into Life.” Rev. Doug Kraft. Life
is a series of transitions. We die out of one phase to be born into another.
The birth of the new year is the death of the old. Marriage is death as a
single person. The birth of your first child marks your death as a person
without child rearing responsibilities. And then there are the more obvious
deaths: loss of health, job, partner or the diagnosis of a catastrophic
illness. The attitude with which we face death is a clear reflection of the
attitude with which we face life. Those who resist death often resist life
itself. Those who learn how to open to death and grief can often more easily
open to life.
1/14
9:30
a.m. Auditorium – Forum: “Is Poetry the Solution?” International,
radical poet Bob Randolph has been a devotee of radical and progressive causes
for most of his adult life. A product of the University of California's
Department of Economics, Bob lost his job with the State of California when he
dared to claim the protection of the Fifth Amendment before the House
Un-American Activities Committee. His crime consisted of visiting Cuba during
the turbulent 60s. He was thus permanently labeled and effectively black listed
in his chosen profession. He has since supported himself by teaching and newspaper
writing and as a freelance real estate appraiser. Brick Menz, Coordinator.
9:30
a.m. Library – Adult R.E.: Series
on Love coordinated by Jeff Watson continues.
11:00 a.m. Auditorium
– Service: “Tenacity
of Racism.” Rev. Doug Kraft, Eric Ross, Arnie Godmintz and the Samaritan Choir.
Racism is a spiritual issue. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., did
more than probably any other person in the 20th century to ease the pain of
racism in our country. Segregation laws were dismantled, voting rights were
promoted. We have come a long way. And we still have a long way to go. The form
of imbalance today may seem subtler, but still damages us all.
MUSIC: The Samaritan Choir.
3 p.m. Auditorium
– Memorial Service for Rodney Cobb. We were sorry to learn that Rodney Cobb passed
away on December 16. We will miss him very much. Our condolences to Genevieve
Cobb.
1/21
9:30
a.m. Auditorium – Forum: “Antiracism through Full and Fair
Representation.” Pete Martineau. The UUA has an antiracism goal. A Study/Action
Issue (SAI) has been prepared by a UUSS group. It calls for a UUA program to
encourage proportional voting in our congregations and our nation to fight
racism. How PR does this will be discussed, including examples using audience
participation, plus a 10 minute humorous video. If consensus is found, the SAI
will go before our trustees for approval to send to UUA by January 31.
9:30
a.m. Library – Adult R.E.:
Series on Love coordinated by Jeff Watson continues.
11 a.m. Auditorium
– Service: “Beyond Racism.” Rev. Doug Kraft. Our American culture was built
around the ideal of the rugged individual who solved his problems through
independent initiative. We have a winner-take-all political system. The
solutions to racism require cooperative rather than individual efforts, power sharing
rather than leaving the losers in the cold, and sensitivity to differences
rather than a melting pot. Are we up to it?
1/28
9:30
a.m. Auditorium – Forum:
“The Queen Who Would be King.” Speaker Dr. Renée Dreyfus is Curator of
Ancient Art at the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco. This is Renée's second
appearance before our Forum; her earlier presentation was on the Dead Sea
Scrolls. Her talk will focus on Queen Hatshepsut, who with full pharaonic
powers, titles, and regalia, ruled Egypt as King. Hatshepsut ruled during
Egypt's New Kingdom, and Renée will speak about the glorious reigns of
Hatshepsut, Tuthmosis I, and Tuthmosis III (1504-1425 B.C.). Brick Menz,
Coordinator, Child Care Provided.
9:30
a.m. Library – Adult R.E.: Series
on Love coordinated by Jeff Watson continues.
11:00 a.m. Auditorium – Service: “Who Belongs.”
Dexter McNamara of the Interfaith Service Bureau will speak on the challenges
we all face of being accepted and accepting others. Linda Klein, Worship
Associate.
2/4
9:30 a.m. Auditorium
- Forum: “Tackling Barriers to Health Care in California.” Grantland Johnson,
Secretary of California's Health & Human Services Agency, speaks. Mr.
Johnson is the first African-American to hold this position. From his activist
days at CSUS to the present, he has “waged the good fight” for public services
for children, the elderly and the poor. He has been a Sacramento City
Councilman, a County Supervisor, and more recently Director of the U.S. Health
& Human Services Region IX under Donna Shalala before being appointed to
his present position by Governor Gray Davis. Ruth Hultgren, Coordinator. Childcare Provided.
_________________________________________________________________________
Save the
Date—March 24
UUSS Sponsors Mumbo
Gumbo Concert
On
Saturday, March 24, the local band Mumbo Gumbo brings its unique blend of
Americana Pop, Blues, Zydeco, Tex-Mex, New Orleans Voodoo Mambo, Reggae, and
Rock & Roll to UUSS. Mumbo gumbo is original music that feels real good…
In addition to providing great
entertainment, it is our aim to raise some serious money. We’ll need your help,
both with ticket purchases and volunteer effort.
Please contact me if you’d like to help
make this event a success.
Terry Throop
________________________________________________________________________
AT THE MOMENT ....
Rev.
Doug Kraft
Reynold
thought he had a great idea. Our parents were at a New Year’s Eve party. My
other brothers and sister were asleep. So at midnight, we threw metal garbage
can lids down the street and yelled as loud as we could. I did not understand
the purpose of the commotion, but what nine year-old could resist an invitation
to be naughty?
I still don’t understand New Year’s Eve.
I’m supposed to stay up late drinking and raising a ruckus. And for what? A
change in accounting notation! Everyone knows the real year starts the Tuesday
after Labor Day. Do we think that making a lot of noise will help us remember
to write “2001” on our checks?
And if we take New Year’s seriously, we get
into this resolution business. I’m supposed to think about all the things I
don’t like about myself – too heavy, too driven, too undisciplined, too
whatever. I mull these over until I feel guilty or quietly miserable. Then I
take a few of the juiciest and proclaim “I’ll do better.”
Alas, habit is stronger than will. If it
takes me until Valentine’s Day to remember it is 2001, chances are I won’t
remember to meditate more or eat less. Resolutions are a torturous and
ineffective means of self improvement.
Don’t get me wrong. I think it is useful to
periodically
review our lives. I suppose January 1 is as good a time as any. But shaky
declarations are just “blaring brass and clanging cymbals” and garbage can lids
in the street.
Why not start the year off with forgiveness?
Take one of your “faults” and look at it humbly, heartfully and deeply until
you can forgive yourself. Real forgiveness is not a pat on the head and a
passing, “There, there now. It’s all right.” It is taking to heart that you’ve
missed the mark, seeing what caused you to drift, feeling the effect it has
had. And then loving yourself anyway.
We all probably have something we need to
forgive ourselves for. A little humility and self compassion are more effective
means of starting a new calendar period. After all, the person whose love we
need the most is our own.
Doug
Finding
Doug...
My
regular office hours at the church are Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 3
to 5 and Wednesday from 1 to 3. I’m around at other times, but I’ll be there for
sure during those hours unless something specific takes me away. I keep Monday
as a day off and reserve mornings for sermon preparation. You can reach me at
church at 483-9283 ext. 201. Please don’t hesitate to give me a call or stop
by.
______________________________________________________________
Loss and
Grief Support Group
Grief
can arise around any experience of loss (health, partner, job, anything). The
grieving process itself is healing when we open to it, though it may not feel
like that at the time.
Melora Crooker (minister to our UU
Community Church in south Sacramento) and I will be jointly offering a group
for those dealing with grief or loss. We will be meeting from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
on Tuesday afternoons from January 23 to February 27.
If you want support in dealing with a
transition in your life, feel free to join us. Please call the church (483-9283
ext. 201) to reserve a place for yourself.
Doug
________________________________________________________________
RELIGIOUS
EDUCATION NEWS
At
my house, we will celebrate the coming of the “real” millennium on Dec.
31/January 1. Whatever your millennial persuasion, I offer you this poem,
written by Rev. Meg Riley.
Rushing river of days,
Cradle every parent’s child in your waters.
We launch our babes in fragile baskets,
Moses multiplied by millions, released from muddy shores.
We squint to see around your bends
As our hearts are carried away.
We toss small sticks to float behind the
baskets, our prayers.
These words have always touched me deeply.
I can see how hard we try, how intent we are in “seeing around the bends.” We
want more than anything to know that our children will have a healthy future,
that they will find their calling, find work that satisfies and challenges
them, and live lives that are based on our principles and that honor our
sources. But in the end, after we have done everything we know how to do to
rear children in a safe, loving, creative and accepting family, all we can do
is “...toss small sticks to float behind the baskets, our prayers.” I want all
of the children and youth at UUSS to know that we do remember them in our
prayers, and that our loving community promises to cradle them as they
undertake the journey from childhood to adulthood.
Peace and love to each and every one in the
new year and all the years to come,
Kate Throop
Director of Religious
Education
____________________________________________________________________
R.E.
Calendar – January 2001
1/7 Begin 5-week disability awareness curriculum
(children attend first part
of service as usual, then leave for assigned room –this will be announced in
the service)
This curriculum continues
1/14, 1/21, 1/28 and Feb. 4.
1/7 12:30 p.m. Religious Education Committee
Room 7/8
1/7 Sign up for Special Friends at the R.E. Welcome Table
♥♥
“Make
new friends and keep the old...” has been the theme of our Special Friends
activity for several years.
Every January, those children, youth and
adults who want to make new friends are matched up together: No one (well,
hardly anyone) knows the identities of the friends until the BIG Party on
February 11. During those four weeks, friends exchange notes, cards, small
tokens of friendship and clues as to their identity. This year the children
will be the receivers and the adults will be the givers. Each person must
complete a “Special Friends Registration” – this will help us in making the
very best match for you. Everyone in the congregation is invited to
participate! Registration forms will be available at the R.E. Welcome Table or
in the R.E. Office on December 31.
_______________________________________________________________________________
UUSS NEWS & EVENTS
Small
Group Ministry Update
The
Small Group Ministry group has been humming along, meeting every Tuesday
evening. We have been eager to get fully organized (and trained) so that we can
begin our work.
Our minister and fearless leader, Doug
Kraft, is guiding us through the murky waters of decision-making and helping us
put some form to our function (not an easy task for UUs). We decided the name
“Ministry Circles” would best describe us. A brochure telling what the Ministry
Circles program is all about will be published soon. We are hoping for an early
spring launching. We will keep you posted.
Fran Oyafuso
__________________________________________________________________________
New Office
Hours
Effective January 8, 2001
the UUSS office will be open
from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Monday to Friday
Val Hillsdon-Hutton
Business Manager
____________________________________________________________________________
Treasurer’s
Report
For
several months a task force has been working on UUSS financial policies and
procedures. The first product of this group, procedures for counting and
securing our money, has been approved by the Board of Trustees. Anyone handling
money in conjunction with a Society activity needs to be aware of and follow
these new procedures. Information is now available in the office. If you find
that the procedure is not clear, please call me.
UUSS is now enrolled in the electronic
Scrip (eScrip) program. To participate in this new fundraiser, you register one
or more of your credit cards with the program (forms are in the office) and pay
a $10 annual fee. A percentage of your purchases is then contributed to UUSS.
Please contact me if you want more information about the program.
Dennis Riechmann
____________________________________________________________________________
Lost &
Found & Forgotten
Lost
& Found items are accumulating at the church, and we’d like to free up some
storage space. If you have left something at UUSS over the past several months,
please look for it in the Lost & Found cabinet in the West Room. Anything
still in there after Sunday, January 28, will be donated to the April 14
Rummage Sale.
Thank you!
____________________________________________________________________________
FROM THE
BUSINESS MANAGER
Recently
someone asked me how things were going with regard to our custodial staffing. I
replied, “I’ll give you the good news first!” The good news is that we welcome Elaine
Cooper, our new full time Custodian, who came to us upon the recommendation
of Kathryn Young. If you have not yet met Elaine, you have a chance to do so on
Sundays, as she and Facilities Maintenance Manager Robert Hosley are sharing
responsibility for Sunday work. The bad news is that our part-time night
custodian, David Cervantes, is no longer working for us. Because he had two
jobs, his wife and children rarely saw him, and he was already exhausted when
he arrived at UUSS for work at around nine o’clock at night to begin his
four-hour shift. He decided that he could no longer continue with such a
schedule, and his last day with us was December 9.
Have
you noticed that our Sunday Order of Service has a new look? Thanks to the
Religious Services Committee for creative input, and special thanks to Office
Assistant Cynthia Creter for her patience, skill, and hard work.
At
its meeting on November 30, the Board of Trustees approved a new procedure for
handling cash and checks received by UUSS. These procedures are the result of
several months of work on the part of a special committee set up for the
purpose of making certain that monies entrusted to our care are handled as
efficiently as possible. Complete information will be made available as
necessary, and training given where appropriate. Meanwhile, I want to thank Terry
Throop, Ruth Van Unen, Dennis Riechmann, and Barbara
Amberson for working to create these procedures, and Carole Petracek
for her continued diligence with regard to the safekeeping of our funds and
records. (See Treasurer’s Report on Page 4.)
Vandals
have once again been at work on our property. On several occasions duplex
renters’ mailboxes have been broken into, the most recent event having resulted
in mail being scattered across the church property. The day following this
event, a renter’s mailbox was stolen. The post office does not provide
community lock boxes for less than twelve dwellings. Nevertheless I thought it
necessary to take whatever steps we can to provide a safe place for our
renters’ mail. To this end I purchased a community lock box from a local
supplier, and this has been concreted into the ground. Events such as these
serve as reminders that there are prowlers about; that it is important to take
care to lock the church doors when we leave meetings and events; and never to
leave money in full view.
Business Manager
_________________________________________________________________
AMONGST OURSELVES
We
are very proud of Emily Scheff, daughter of Karl and Theresa and sister
of Liz, for her appointment earlier this year as Concert Mistress of the
Sacramento Youth Symphony Junior Orchestra.
Congratulations
to Tina Chiginsky, stalwart R.E. Committee volunteer, on her election to
the Robla District School Board. Tina is an analyst with the Dept. of
Education, and is parent of Hillary, Judy, and Andy and spouse of Steve.
Our
sympathies are extended to Yvonne Harvey, whose mother Fannie Nichol
died on December 1 after a long illness. Mrs. Nichol, a native of England, was
89 years old.
Light Rail
Station Named for Wayne Hultgren
On
September 11, 2000, members of the Regional Transit District Board voted
unanimously to name a light rail station in memory of Wayne Hultgren. The “4th
Avenue/Wayne Hultgren Station” will be at Freeport Blvd. on the South Line
currently under construction.
Twenty-five years ago Wayne, the Father of
Light Rail in Sacramento, had a vision of non-polluting electric public
transit. He was Sierra Club representative to the Environmental Council of
Sacramento (ECOS) and studied alternatives to a proposed freeway. Wayne founded
the Modern Transit Society of Sacramento in 1975 and worked for twelve years
organizing community support before the first trains ran in 1987. The new South
Line will add seven miles of new service to the existing 18.6 miles.
Bravo, Wayne! Your vision is coming to
life.
_____________________________________________________________________
UUSS NEWS
& EVENTS
Proposal
for Property Appraisal
On
October 5, 2000, a proposal signed by 18 members was sent to the UUSS Board of
Trustees asking them to obtain a appraisal of the property east of our main
building, including the R.E. building, storage shed, duplexes, and parking lot.
The purpose of this appraisal was to
determine if monies resulting from the sale of this property could make a good
down payment on a sanctuary, new
R.E.
building, and office facility, to be built on the vacant land to the west and
south of our main building. We wanted to see if it was feasible and desirable
to use the appreciated value of our property to build much needed facilities on
land that is now used for lawn and garden.
This proposal was initiated by Pete Larsen
and Jack Davidson, both long time members.
The Board considered the proposal on
October 29, 2000, and referred it to the Council of Leaders, which met on
November 1. The council reviewed the proposal and determined that there was no
support for selling off any property at this time. The council expressed no
interest in forming a committee to
explore
the proposal, as it was not an issue requiring immediate action.
If
there are other members of the congregation who are interested and willing to
put time and effort into exploring this proposal, please contact either of us.
Jack Davidson
Pete Larsen
_____________________________________________________________
Forum News
February speakers
announced
The
Forum Committee welcomes anyone interested to attend their planning meetings,
held the second Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. The next meeting is Saturday
1/13, 10 a.m. in Room 6.
Outstanding topics and speakers for Forums
during the month of February are:
2/4 “Ethics in the Legislature.” Ann Bailey, Consultant, Senate
Ethics Committee.
2/11 “Tackling Barriers to Health Care in California.” Grantland
Johnson, Secretary of California’s Health & Human Services Agency.
2/18 “The Radical Side of the Black Liberation Movement: Think. It
Ain’t Illegal Yet!” Ahjamu Umi, Organizer, committee revolutionary, family man,
graduate student.
2/25 “Walls of Heritage—Walls of Pride. History of African American
Murals.” Jim Prigoff, photographer.
Anna Andrews
_________________________________________________________
Early Bird
Warehouse Specials
4/14 Rummage Sale items
available now!
We
are making some of the April 14 Rummage Sale items available now. Call me if
you are interested. And watch this space for more early bird specials.
1)
Metal
folding chairs. It’s nostalgia time. We used these at UUSS for many years. Just
$4 each, or quantity discount. There are 40 chairs available.
2)
Refrigerator: 18 cubic ft., frost free Sears refrigerator. Good working
condition. $75.
3)
Old computer equipment. Great for parts. $5-10 for each piece.
Arnie Godmintz
______________________________________________________________________
From Anger
to Compassion and Wellness
Communication Workshop
January 21
Lance
Ryen will lead the communication workshop Sunday, January 21 on utilizing anger
management techniques to improve communication and well being. Lance will share
techniques he has culled from teaching anger management, assertiveness
training, and mind body classes for Kaiser. Jan 21 12:45 p.m. Room 7/8.
Call me for more information if you wish
Judy Bell
_______________________________________________________________________________
Constitution
Revision is Under Way
Next meeting January
10, 7 p.m.
The
Constitution Revision Ad Hoc Committee will meet Wednesday, January 10, 7 p.m.
in Room 7/8. We have been going through the UUSS Constitution and Bylaws,
section by section, to pick out areas that need revision, deletion, or
expansion.
For example, the very detailed election
procedures and some membership concerns might better be deleted and placed in
separate documents instead.
Our committee needs a broader
membership—all are welcome to join us. Or if you think we should look at a
particular topic, please come to our next meeting and state your case.
Barbara Amberson
________________________________________________________________________________
OUTREACH
American
River Parkway Clean-up
UUSS
has pledged to remove litter from Mile 3-4 of the American River Parkway, four
times each year.
Come join us Saturday, January 13, for our
first effort in 2001. Meet at church at 10 a.m. to bike to the site or meet us
at Mile 4 at 10:15.
Call me for more information.
Jeff Voeller
__________________________________________________________________________
Women’s
International League for Peace &Freedom
Local FUNraiser on
January 27
The
triennial International Congress of the Women’s International League for Peace
and Freedom (WILPF) will be held in Jerusalem in July 2001. Because of the
location, as many people as possible are encouraged to attend. In order to
publicize the event and to raise money for scholarships for those who do not
have the means to attend, the local branch of WILPF is having a FUNraiser on
Saturday, January 27, at the Hart Senior Center, 916 27th St, Sacramento.
The program will feature a slide show of
Libya by May d’Marie, who visited Libya in October, and a comparison of Libya
and Cuba by May and Grace Coan, who participated in the 2nd World Meeting of
Friendship and Solidarity With Cuba in November 2000.
There will be a silent auction,
entertainment, and refreshments. We encourage your attendance, your
contributions to the silent auction, and your donation. For further
information, call me.
May d’Marie
________________________________________________________________________
Loaves
& Fishes
During
our Thanksgiving Service on November 19, you all gave over $2100 to our meals
program for the homeless. And you brought in several van loads of clothing and
personal items which we have given to several programs that help the
disadvantaged.
Thank all of you for your generosity.
Doug Kraft
________________________________________________________________________
DENOMINATIONAL
AFFAIRS
Workshop
Leaders Wanted
Proposals due 1/13 for
Stebbins at Asilomar
If
you have a special skill or talent and would like to share it while spending a
week on the beautiful Monterey coast, you are invited to submit a proposal to
lead a workshop at Stebbins at Asilomar, August 19-25. It’s the perfect
“working” vacation! Suggested workshops: movement, personal growth, book
discussion, painting, online investing, yoga, play reading, crafts.
Send your workshop proposal to Dean Clark,
1184 Oceanaire Dr, San Luis Obispo CA 93405 or e-mail to dalan@fix.net.
________________________________________________________________________
Starr King
Benefit at SFUU
“Religious
Community and the Struggle of Nations,” is the topic of the February 4 benefit
for the Balázs Scholars Program, which brings a Unitarian minister from
Transylvania to study at Starr King each year. Starr King President Rev. Dr.
Rebecca Parker and this year’s Balázs Scholar, Rev. Botond Koppandi are featured
speakers.
The event will be held at the First
Unitarian Universalist Church of San Francisco, 1187 Franklin St., San
Francisco. Lunch will be served at 1 p.m., the program will start at 2 p.m.
Cost is $25 donation.
__________________________________________________________________________
Installation
of Area UU Ministers
In
addition to the installation of our minister Rev. Doug Kraft (see invitation on
Page 3), three other area UU ministers will be installed in February and March.
See the announcement on the Kiosk for details.
2/15 Rev. Christian Schriner, Mission Peak UU Congregation in Fremont
3/11 Rev. Elizabeth O’Shaughnessy Banks, Unitarian Church of Davis.
3/18 Rev. Melora Lynn Crooker, UU Community Church in Sacramento.
__________________________________________________________________
PCD
Financial Workshop 2/10
Learn to create “Congregations of Generous People”
The
UUSS Board has voted to send a team to the Pacific Central District (PCD)
workshop in Palo Alto on “Creating Congregations of Generous People.” If you
are interested in financial affairs and canvasses and would like to attend, please call Ruth Van Unen.
__________________________________________________________________________
UUSS NEWS
& EVENTS
NOTE: YOUR DRAWINGS ARE WANTED. If you like to draw and
don’t mind if your efforts are scaled to fit the pages of our print Unigram,
we’d really like to use your work.
The
Benefit of Dreams
“Our
psyche is a master artist constantly offering a different and more enriched
view of our calling in the world—reminding us that we are free to paint on the
canvass of our life or ignore it. If we are wise, we will learn the language of
which our dreams speak, and open to their purpose the new, more complete
perspective they offer. When we truly embrace that new perspective and its
life-giving energy, we move closer to the experience of wholeness and
authenticity—the benefit of listening to our dreams.
Join one of our open Dream Groups and learn
more about the benefits of our dreams. Everyone is welcome. We meet every
Wednesday morning from 10 a.m. to noon in Room 10. (NOTE: Our Tuesday night
Dream Group is on hold until February.)
Fran Oyafuso
__________________________________________________________________
“Safe at
Home?” Alliance Topic
Andre Soto speaks 1/11
The
Women’s Alliance monthly meeting and luncheon is Thursday, January 11 at 10:15
a.m. Betty Faist and Marjorie Yusavage have planned a lunch of soup, French
bread, salad, and fruit for you. The cost is $5. The telephone committee will
call for your reservation. If you are not a member and want to attend, you are
welcome. Pease call Marjorie for a reservation.
The speaker, Andre Soto, is from the San
Francisco Trauma Center, and we are very fortunate to have him as our guest. He
is a handgun control and political activist who speaks all over Northern
California on these subjects. With the current political controversies going
on, his lecture will be most timely. Women’s Alliance theme this year is “Home”
and his topic will be “Safe at Home?” Joyce Miller will give the Moment of
Inspiration.
Joyce Chadd
________________________________________________________________________
Plan to
attend The Crucible
Theater
One has obtained the rights to perform Arthur Miller’s memorable play, The
Crucible, on April 20, 21, and 22. We can use some additional actors and
backstage helpers, so please call the office (483-9283 ext. O) if you’re
interested. Our theater party marketing committee will meet Wednesday, January
17, 5 p.m. in the Library. You’re welcome to join us then or call ahead of time
with ideas for us to consider.
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Save
Sunday March 11 Now!
Eleanor Roosevelt
Celebration planned
March
11 will be a very special day! Clear your calendar and store up energy for all
that will be happening. In the afternoon “An Eleanor Roosevelt Celebration”
will feature Blanche Wiesen Cook, the first speaker in the Betty Ch’maj
Memorial Lecture series. Dr. Cook, whose most recent book is bestseller Eleanor
Roosevelt: Volume Two, is Distinguished Professor of History and
Women’s Studies at the John Jay College of the City University of New York. She
was chosen “Scholar of the Year” by the New York State Council on the
Humanities.
The Forum planning committee was delighted
to learn that Dr. Cook had met Betty Ch’maj at professional meetings, and the
memory of their association was a contributing reason for her acceptance of our
invitation to speak at UUSS.
Volume One of the biography,
published in 1992, remained on the New York Times bestseller list for months
and received many awards. The author has written other acclaimed books, and
numerous articles in a variety of journals. For 20 years she hosted her own
program on Radio Pacific (New York) and she has appeared on television on such
programs as the Today Show, Good Morning America, C-Span’s Booknotes,
and Jim Lehrer. She shares Eleanor Roosevelt’s commitment to Peace and
Justice (more about these activities will follow in the February Unigram).
Watch for the flyer describing the March 11 afternoon reception, which will
include a book signing. The UU bookstore will have Volume Two available
soon.
The same morning, Rev. Robert Moon
will present an update on the "Jesus Seminar” at the Forum. Then the
regular Services, lunch, then the talk by Blanche Wiesen Cook and reception to
follow. A big day, March 11!
Esther Franklin
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Crafts
Group Thanks You
The
Betty Nash Memorial Crafts Group thanks all you nice folks who purchased stuff
at the Members’ Market December 2 and 3. We guess that over $250 was raised
from our sales. We are also grateful to Kate Throop for her excellent planning
of the December 2 concert and event and her invaluable help to the Members’
Market during the weekend.
As important as the number of sales, was
the fact that now most of you are now aware of our existence. We had some
offers of more raw materials—just bring them to the church office—and possible
participation from several of you. If you like to make things, this is the
group for you, regardless of age, sex, or experience. You can work with the
group or just drop in long enough to pick up a project to take home. Please
call me for more information.
Gayle Voeller
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UU
Young Adults: Four Events
UU
Young Adults are Unitarian Universalists in their 20s and 30s. Some of us are
single, some are married, and some are in between. Newcomers are always
welcome! This group meets on Sundays at 7 p.m. in the church Library unless
otherwise noted below.
For more information on the group, please
contact Carolyn Wiggin. To join our e-mail collective, send a message to Dean Baird
at dbaird@mac.com.
Sunday 1/7 - UUSS Library at 7 p.m.
“There Are
Places I Remember…” Carrie Cornwell leads a discussion on spiritual travels
that each of us have made, travels throughout the world and within ourselves.
Special Day,
Time, & Place—Saturday 1/13- 8 a.m. Cross Country Skiing. UU Young Adults hit the snow. Meet
in the UUSS parking lot at 8 a.m. and we’ll head up the hill for a day of cross
country skiing. No experience required.
Sunday 1/21 - UUSS Library at 7 p.m.
“What
Brought You Here?” Carolyn Wiggin leads a discussion on what led each of us to
check out Unitarian Universalism or to return to it.
Special Time
& Place Sunday 1/28 at 3 p.m. Superbowl XXXV Party at Carrie
and Greg’s! Watch the teams; watch the ads; watch it all. Call Carrie for
details.
Dean
Baird
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Gap Group: Four Events
Gap Group is a loosely-organized group of
middle-aged people, single or not, who enjoy getting together for social
occasions. We welcome new people to join us or to host activities. Please call
me with your suggestions.
1/13 - Visit the Cosumnes River Preserve to
see the Sandhill cranes come in for the night. It is a very special thrill to
see large flocks of these birds come in as the sun is setting. Call Cathy
George.
1/20— We’ll see Sweet Mama Stringbean at
Chautauqua Theater. Call Annie Kempees or the box office (489-7529) if you're
interested in a ticket. We will dine beforehand at Thai Palms at 943 Howe Ave.
Call Annie for dinner reservations also.
1/21—Judy Bell's monthly movie and dessert.
Call her for more information.
1/27 -
A walk and potluck at Nancy Gilbert's home. Come to both or just the potluck if
walking is not your thing. After the potluck we will play games, watch a video
or just talk (Hey! we all have individual tastes). Lots of fun and socializing.
Call Nancy.
Shirley Hines
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Servetus
Club Meets January 14
Servetus
is a social club for older singles. We have monthly potluck suppers at UUSS and
occasional other parties. Guests are always welcome.
We will have just had our New Year’s Eve
party, so the January meeting will be on the second Sunday 1/14, 7 p.m. in the Fahs
Room, instead of our customary first Sunday. Bring a dish to share. Cost is $2
for members of the club, $3 for guests.
Our Annual Membership Party is February
4—special dinner, no cost to those renewing their membership. You are welcome
to join us!
Dorothy Engelstad
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The Phone
Tree
One
of the most useful pieces of equipment we have in the office is our Phone Tree.
When
something important needs to be communicated to all the members of the
congregation, and the timing renders Unigram articles and
other announcements redundant or inadequate, a message is recorded in the
office and the Phone Tree delivers it to everyone’s telephone. This is a cost-effective method that
delivers information quickly and efficiently.
The downside of such a system is that yet another recorded message is
coming to our homes, and just like those annoying sales calls that interrupt
dinner, sometimes we just don’t want to listen.
In
order to maintain an appropriate level of communication and, at the same time,
keep intrusive calls to a minimum, the Phone Tree may only be used for:
wMemorial Service
announcements
wWarnings of plant
emergencies
wAnnouncements of major
events which impact the congregation and which have not received adequate announcement
or exposure.
If
you have questions about Phone Tree use, please call Val at the church office
(Ext. 202).
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Women’s
Ritual Group Thanks...
...for
their help with our Winter Solstice Celebration December 17: the UUSS office
staff for their support, Maintenance Mgr. Robert Hosley for
logistical arrangements, custodian Elaine Cooper for set-up and
break-down, D.R.E. Kate Throop and the Jr. High youth for making
moons and stars for the Moon Tree, Roger and Ruth Barr for the loan of
their canoe, David Lust for transporting said 80-lb. Canoe, Barbara
Lazar for her gift of music, Bob Oyafuso for constructing our Dark
Passage, Jackie Davis for loan of her angel statues, Annie Kempees
for her reading.
UUSS
Women’s Ritual Group Planning Committee: Judy Bell, Tami Buscho, Sheri
Cameron-Rain, Cathy George, Yvonne Harvey, Laurie Jones, Sabrina Midwinter,
Dawn Rose, Harley Sebastian-Lewis, Mary Stanton, Caroline Stone.
Mary Stanton
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A Last
Minute Reminder
In
order to claim an IRS charitable contribution deduction for the year 2000,
donors must deliver or mail (and postmark) checks to the church office on or by
December 31, 2000. Checks placed in the church offering during the first
Sunday service of 2001 will not qualify as a charitable deduction for
2000, even if the check is backdated to 2000 or was actually written in 2000.
However, checks written, mailed, and postmarked in 2000 will be
deductible in 2000 even if they are not received by December 31, 2000.
Val Hillsdon-Hutton
Business Manager
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Supervisors
Needed!
Every
month, usually on the second Saturday, Property Management Committee sponsors a
work day with a crew from the Sheriff’s Work Project. These people give us good
work, doing heavy digging and carrying, as well as lighter jobs of raking,
window washing, weeding and pruning. But...they need direction and supervision.
If you like to spend time outdoors, if you
want to help keep the campus looking good, PMC needs more supervisors. This
does not involve doing the actual work (unless you want to)—you can sit on a
chair and watch people work.
The crew arrives at about 9 a.m. and leaves
between 1 and 2 p.m. No one supervisor has to stay the whole time. If you can
help in this, please call Annie Kempees or me.
Barbara Amberson
b