The UNIGRAM
Monthly Newsletter of
the Unitarian Universalist Society of Sacramento
Vol.
31 No. 9
May 2001
A SAMPLE OF MAY 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.
·
Servetus
Club Potluck May 6
·
UU
Young Adults Meet 3 times
·
Gap
Group Meets Twice
·
Zen
Buddhism Workshop begins
·
Women’s
Alliance Meets May 10
______________________________________________________
Unitarian
Universalist Society of Sacramento
2425
Sierra Blvd, Sacramento CA 95825 (916)
482-9283 ext 0
Activities/Information
Line (916) 483-9283 ext 208
Fax
(916) 483-4934
____________________________________________________
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
Custodians:
Elaine Cooper; Jose Garcia
______________________________________________________________________
PRESIDENT’S
LETTER
Friends
and fellow members, it’s time to think and talk about money. That’s a tough
subject for most of us, especially when we feel the lack of it. My kids don’t
even know what my retirement income amounts to, except for my assurance that I
have enough.
Around 1970 cartoonist Garry Trudeau ran a
series of “Doonesbury” strips showing a sort of competition among his
characters. Most memorable for me was the line, “We were so poor all we could
afford to exchange for Christmas was a mutual glance.”
Our canvass season is scheduled to end about
now, after some hard work by a dedicated group of volunteers. All is not gloom
and doom--we topped last year’s numbers at this stage--but there is
reason for concern.
Our current Board of Trustees proposed a
budget much higher than last year’s, primarily because we had voted to provide
a previously-promised pension and benefit package for our hardworking,
underpaid staff. As our church grows (a good thing) they have done a great deal
more work to keep our church home operational and the facilities in good
maintenance. The proposed budget reflected recommended wage scales from UUA and
from local comparable salaries tables. (Details are available from the Finance
Committee and our Treasurer.) We believed and hoped the hiring of our beloved
new minister and the efficient and compassionate management in our office would
result in an increased spirit of generosity among those of us able to
contribute more than last year.
So here it is. Are we going to continue to
fund our Society as though we were all so poor that all we can afford to
exchange is a “mutual glance”? Or do we open our hearts and wallets in
gratitude for our spiritual home?
Ruth Van Unen, President
____________________________________________________________________________
A MONTH OF
SUNDAYS –MAY 2001
5/6
9:30 a.m. Auditorium – Forum: “Second Annual
Traditional Jazz Sunday.” Charlie Gehlbach and his six-piece traditional
jazz band--Dr. Bach and his Jazz
Practitioners--will perform for the Forum for the second year. At last year’s
performance some great music had us dancing in the aisles, and Dr. Gelhbach’s
talk and demonstration of the history of jazz was fascinating. This year he
will explain the role of the various instruments, the structure of the band,
and what to look and listen for when you hear traditional jazz. This
performance will help us understand and enjoy what we hear at the Sacramento
Jazz Jubilee over Memorial Day Weekend. Dr. Bach and his Jazz Practitioners
will be playing traditional jazz, gospel, and blues.
9:30 a.m. Library – Adult R.E.: Series on Love
coordinated by Jeff Watson continues.
11:00 a.m. Auditorium –The Rev. Doug Kraft will
speak. His topic will be announced. (We were very sad to learn that our
previously scheduled speaker, Jack Kent, died suddenly on April 19. Our
sympathies are extended to his family in their loss.)
5/13
9:30 a.m. Auditorium – Forum: “Poetry Forum.” We
look forward to hearing our own UU poets read their latest works. The Poetry
Forum was originated by Janet Carncross Chandler more than a decade ago. The
program is informal, so just show up, sign up, and get up and read your
offering when your name is called. Ruth Davis Barr, Coordinator.
9:30 a.m. Library – Adult R.E.: Series on Love
coordinated by Jeff Watson continues.
11:00 a.m. Auditorium – Service:
Youth Sunday Service. Hear the hopes and dreams of our Senior High Youth Group,
and special music from the Young UU Singers!
5/20
9:30 a.m. Auditorium – Forum:
“Faith
Based Social Services.” Steve Birdlebough speaks.
9:30 a.m. Library – Adult R.E.: Series on
Love coordinated by Jeff Watson continues.
11 a.m. Auditorium – Service: Beyond the
Story Line.” The Rev. Doug Kraft. Many people identify with their personal
history. But who is it who experiences this story line? There is something in
each of us which is much deeper than a collection of events. This will be my
last sermon in Sacramento before heading back East for my kids’ graduations and
to pack up family to move them out to Sacramento. I’d like to use this Sunday
to look beyond our personal and collective histories at our deeper
essence.—Doug Kraft.
5/27
9:30
a.m. Auditorium – Forum:
“Sacramento Children’s Home.” Judy Shefer.
9:30
a.m. Library – Adult R.E.: Series
on Love coordinated by Jeff Watson continues.
11:00
a.m. Auditorium – Service: Pam
Allen-Thompson speaks.
6/3
9:30 a.m. Auditorium
- Forum: “The Impact of Global Economy on Working People.” David Bacon speaks.
9:30
a.m. Library – Adult R.E.: Series
on Love coordinated by Jeff Watson continues.
11:00 a.m. Auditorium – Service: “Building
Community Inside and Out.” Helen Bishop speaks.
_______________________________________________________
AT THE MOMENT
Rev. Doug Kraft
Batman, Rolling Blackouts and
Pleasure
The
best part of my new house is the automatic garage door opener. It’s been thirty
years since I’ve had a garage. And I’ve never had a motorized door.
The first thing I did after taking
possession of our new home was to clip the remote onto the visor of the car. It
was all I could do not to drive up and down the street pushing the button so I could watch the door go up and
down as I went by.
Late at night when coming home, I push the
remote button when I’m still a hundred yards away so the door will be wide open
just as I arrive. I swoop in and quickly close it behind me like a spy
disappearing into his hideaway.
But the best part is finding an excuse to
back into the garage. Then, the next day, I hop in the car, punch the button
and screech down the street at 10 miles per hour like Batman rocketing out of his
secret cave. I push the button and the batcave entrance vanishes before I reach
the end of the block.
In six months I’ll probably take all this
for granted. I’ll be a suave Californian with pop-up sprinklers, microwave,
automatic garage door, cable TV and all the rest. The only time I’ll actually
notice these things will be during rolling blackouts. And that will be too bad.
Rather than appreciating these gadgets, I’ll probably just be annoyed when they
are taken away for a few minutes.
Some people say that we’ve become a
hedonistic society with all our gadgets and conveniences. Actually, we are
becoming less and less hedonistic. And that is too bad. A real hedonist
takes pleasure in the physical/sensual realm. On a hot day, a cool glass of
water can be immensely pleasurable. When you’re tired, stretching out for a nap
can be luxurious. After a busy day, sitting under a tree and listening to the
birds can be heavenly. We are becoming less hedonistic because we don’t enjoy
these things as much. As a society, we are becoming stimulus-addicted with more
and more stimulation and less and less pleasure.
We’d be better off if we did enjoy more.
Wouldn’t it be great if the rolling blackouts made us more appreciative rather
than more annoyed? Wouldn’t it be great if all of us took something in our
daily routine and savored it – slowed down to enjoy it?
From my perspective, there is nothing
unholy about pleasure. Attachment creates problems. Being unmindful creates
problems. But taking
pleasure
in the simple things around us is wholesome.
I promised Erika I wouldn’t paint batwings
on the Taurus. A lot about California is still new to me. But I hope in six
months, I’ll still delight in the electric door opener, walks along the
Greenway and a river breeze on a warm afternoon.
Finding Doug
My
regular office hours at the church are Tuesday and Thursday afternoons 3 to 5
p.m. and Wednesday 1 to 3 p.m. 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.
I’ll be on “vacation” most of the month of
June. My son Nathan graduates from Brown University on Memorial Day. My son
Damon graduates from high school June 6. I’ll be back East for those
celebrations. Then as soon as our Massachusetts house is sold, Erika will be
coming West, perhaps with a son or two, perhaps not. The exact timing of all
this is unclear until we get a buyer and closing date for the house, and my
kids’ summer plans firm up.
This will be my fourth move in less than a
year. I do look forward to really being settled out here.
Meanwhile, if you can’t reach me, Val
Hutton, our Business Manager, will know how to reach me wherever I am.
Doug
______________________________________________________________
RELIGIOUS
EDUCATION NEWS
Many
of you have already participated in one or more of the discussions about two
Religious Services and two Religious Education programs next year. There is
still more to learn, and there are more possibilities to explore. Please talk
with me or one of the R.E. Committee members to express your opinion! The Task
Force meets regularly (check calendar for schedule), and Task Force members
would also like to hear from you. They are: Tami Buscho, facilitator, and
members John Harvey Carter, Doug Kraft, Pete Martineau, Shirley True, Kathryn
Young, and Kate Throop. On Sunday, May 13, at 12:45 p.m. Sharon Alexander will
facilitate the Agenda Book discussion on this topic.
Although the prospect is logistically
somewhat daunting, I have a deep and abiding faith that we can “invent” a
Sunday morning that will be full and rich with new ideas and perhaps new ways
of “doing and being” religious education and religious educators.
Love,
Kate
P.S.
A belated thank-you to our Business Manager Val Hutton for donating a desktop
copy machine to the R.E. office! And an FYI: I will be away from church from
Thursday, May 17 through Sunday, May 20 for a joyous celebration: the marriage
of our son Dan Throop to Lina Phuaphes in Long Beach. Please ask to see wedding
photos when I return!
May Calendar
Sunday,
May 6 10 a.m. – R.E. Volunteer Celebration Brunch on the R.E. Patio.
To
honor all teachers, assistants, and volunteer childcare providers. Hosted by
class parents, coordinated by Kathryn Young.
Sunday,
May 13 11 a.m. – Youth Sunday Service.
Hear the hopes and dreams of our Senior High Youth Group, and special
music from the Young UU Singers!
Sunday,
May 20 – Last meeting day for Religious Education. Junior High OWL will
celebrate the final week of the “Our Whole Lives” curriculum.
Sunday,
May 27 – Memorial Day Weekend – childcare only from 9:30–12:30 p.m. in Room 11.
June
1-2-3 – R.E. Family Camp at Lake Oroville.
Childcare
only at UUSS in Room 11.
Watch
the June Unigram and UUSS bulletin boards for Summer schedule!
______________________________________________________________________________
UUSS NEWS & EVENTS
Attention all UU Poets
We
anticipate hearing your latest masterpieces at the Poetry Forum originated by
UUSS’s own Janet Carncross Chandler more than a decade ago. We like to keep it
informal, so just show up, sign up, and get up and read your offering when your
name is called. See you there!
Joanne Anglin and Ruth Davis
Barr
Actions and Items of Interest
March 22 Board of Trustees
meeting
On March 22
at their regular monthly meeting, the UUSS Board of Trustees:
·
Authorized
John Harvey Carter to obtain a permit for bathroom remodel. The Planning and
Building Committee is seeking a contractor.
·
Approved a
general rate increase for building use rental.
·
Expressed
their appreciation that the 2001-02 Canvass is running ahead of last year;
nevertheless, it appears to be falling short of its target. The April Board meeting will address budget
cuts.
·
Received a
draft Project Management Procedure, which will come back to the Board in April
for action.
·
Discussed
the installation of the new dishwasher planned for April, to be paid for from a
member’s contribution rather than from Member Notes.
·
Approved the
following people as voting delegates to the 2001 General Assembly: Roger and
Ruth Barr, Pete Martineau, Kate and Terry Throop.
·
Approved the
following people as delegates to the April PCD Assembly: Ruth Van Unen, Tiffany
Urness, Kate Throop, Ned Doehne, Pete Martineau.
·
Approved the
report of the Nominating Committee for 2001-02.
·
Briefly
reviewed the proposed format for Minister Evaluation.
·
Referred the
Choir Director’s proposal to purchase
additional microphones to the Sound System subcommittee.
Tiffany Urness, Vice
President
_______________________________________________________________________________
Catch a Ray of Sunshine
Your life and our campus
will be brighter!
If
you see weeds and debris when you drive into the UUSS parking lot, here’s your
chance to do something about it. Become a regular at our workdays on the second
Saturday of each month, and work outside or inside. Supervisors will be there
to help you with what to do. Stay an hour or two or bring your lunch and stay
longer. Make new friends.
Pete Larsen
_____________________________________________________________
Congregational
Survey Results
What
we value most is a loving community where we can be known and interact with
each other in supportive ways. We also want our values to be carried into the
larger community. Some people may think of us as intellectual elitists, but
what we actually value most is warm relationships and taking care of others.
These are some of the inferences that can
be drawn from your responses. In early March at the end of a Sunday Service, I
asked for your visions of an abundant community. The survey was far from
scientifically rigorous, but provided an interesting snapshot at a particular
moment in time.
I was struck but the consistency in the 169
responses. We have many, many shared values. Not everyone mentioned the same
categories. But within each category, the values were fairly homogeneous. For
example, many people spoke of the value of having children, while no one spoke
about wanting to have the children less underfoot. Many people mentioned the
importance of the environment, but no one spoke out for economic development
over environmental concerns. Some people spoke explicitly about wanting more
diversity. No one wanted more homogeneity. While people’s visions may have been
different in focus, it was hard to find two visions that actually conflicted
with each other.
We Unitarian Universalists think of
ourselves as being fiercely independent. And in many ways we are. But we seem
to have a more common set of core values than we may appreciate.
After reading your responses several times,
I selected eight categories of answers that were mentioned by a dozen or more
people. I then scored each response as to whether or not the person included
something in that category. The following table shows the percentage of people
who mentioned something in each category:
69% Community refers to the quality of interaction between
the people in the community, warmth, trust, being known, getting along, loving
relationships, sense of family.
43% Social Responsibility refers to reaching out to people
beyond our religious society to redress social wrongs, helping those in need,
affecting legislation, networking with other UU churches or community groups.
30% Intergeneration refers to a mix of
young and old, including kids, mixed generation activities.
30% Inner qualities refers to cultivating qualities that
people can develop inside themselves such
as spiritual vision, inner peace, persona growth, self worth, meditation skill.
18% Building and Grounds refers to the quality of the
physical grounds and buildings. In some cases this was the desire for a new
sanctuary, but more often it referred
to having an attractive physical environment.
17% Arts, Music and drama.
11% Diversity refers to having a racial
and ethnic variety in the congregation.
8% Intellectual stimulation
As we consider things like going to two
religious services, the activities of the social Responsibility Committee,
family programming, etc., it will be important to keep in mind what we value
most. For example, I think most, if not all, value ethnic diversity and
intellectual stimulation, but these were not on the top of the list of what was
most important to people (at least on March 4, 2001).
What interpretations would you make?
__________________________________________
Ministry Circles Are Meeting
The
Ministry Circles program was launched in April with an initial enrollment of 65
people. For more information or to join a circle, please call the church.
Fran Oyafuso
_____________________________________________
Creative Outlet, Anyone?
Center of Interest needs
you
Are
you creative and in need of an outlet? Join in creating the “Center of
Interest” once a month for Sunday services. The Center of Interest is a visual
display which can be floral, candles, theme or holiday-related. To participate
in this rewarding activity, please contact Kathryn Young, Religious Services
Committee.
Alexis Inamine
_____________________________________________________________
You Are the STRONGEST Link!
We
would like to thank all of those members and staff who so willing gave of their
time, talents, and precious belongings so that we could have a successful
Rummage Sale on April 7. The final count is not in yet, but we think we made
close to $4,000. That money can certainly be put to good use! We will give you
a follow-up in the next Unigram.
This has been a year-long project
encompassing many hours of carrying to the warehouse, sorting and stacking,
moving and rebuilding, outside estimates and truck pick ups, pricing and
sorting again. And what a selection we had! The buyers were delighted with the
variety and quality, and of course we helped them along by providing bags and
boxes as they wandered through the aisles.
To those of you who lugged bags and boxes
of goodies to church each Sunday, and did one more search for that special
item, and donated items that may have earned you money at your own sale, and
loaned your trucks and vans to help others, and leaned on your kids to clean up
that room and fix those toys before you donate them–THANK YOU!
To those of you who endured dust and
cobwebs, and backaches from lifting, and tired legs from standing, and broken
nails from sorting, and blackened skin from polishing, and dirty hands from all
those quarters—THANK YOU. A very special thanks to Arnie Godmintz—the Godfather
of Rummage Sales, and Kate and Terry Throop who just can’t stay away no matter
what they say!
The following will have their names
permanently inscribed in heaven’s Hall of Fame for Rummage Sales. (If we missed
your name this time, our apologies. We will catch you in the next issue.)
Barbara Amberson, Rene Andersen, Steve
Blake, Bev Berkstresser, Chuck Berkstresser, Carl Bergemann, Margaret Case,
Joyce Chadd, Bob Cornwell, Anna Cotton, Gloria Cox, Jean Davidson, Jack
Davidson, Michele Ebler, Jorjana Holden Else, Dan Ford, Avis Grace, Cathy
George, Virginia Hansen, Gina Heckeroth, Ruth Hultgren, Kim Ingram, Delmar
Janssen, Lore Jiruca, Annie Kempees, Francine Kozkodin, Peter Killian, Alex
Killian, Velma Larsen, Pete Larsen, Michael Laughlin, Joan Lee, Janet Lopez,
Gary Malkin, Victoria Mayes-Webb, Shirley Mayfield, Robert McBride, John
McMillan, Candy McMorris, Don McNerny, Dan Meier, Rosemary Muller, Rachel
Neesom, Rebekah Neesom, Bob Nielsen, Bob Oyafuso, Marlene Parkinson, Jan Reed,
Naomi Rose, Glenda Smaage, Guy Talbot, Danielle Tatigne, Shirley True, Clair
Urness, Tiffany Urness, Ruth Van Unen, Helen Vanderford, Gayle Voeller, Polly
Watson, Michael Whipple, and Thelma White.
Once again, thank you!
Stephanie Turner
___________________________________________________________________________
Looking Back on the Mumbo Gumbo
Concert
Thanks
to everyone who helped to make the Mumbo Gumbo concert so much fun. If you
weren't there, you missed a great time. The music was great, the auditorium
looked wonderful (even if the SNR did liken it to Gilligan's Island), and the
mood was mellow. I think even the band had a good time. We attracted UU friends
from Reno, Stockton, Davis, and UUCC.
At least 37 volunteers participated to make
this event work. I want to especially thank Carol McKenzie, Dean Baird, Eric
Ross, Jill Joyce, Kate Throop, and Laurie Jones for taking leadership roles in
planning and running the event. In addition, please thank Alice Lopes, Carolyn
Wiggin, Carrie Cornwell, Cathy George, Cecille Denny, Chris Taylor, Dan Meier,
David Thomas, Dennis Clear, Fred Pratt, Ginny Johnson, Greg Redmond, Hill
Snellings, Ian McMillan, Joan McNair, John McMillan, Judith Morrison, Judy
Bell, Karen Tarp, Kellie Kirkman, Linda Klein, Lisa Langhorst, Lisa Noling,
Rich Howard, Russ Denny, Sabrina Midwinter, Shaun Johnson, Sid Anderson, and
Stephanie Turner for their contributions to the event the next time you see
them.
We accomplished almost everything we'd like
to in an event like this: A lot of people had fun planning and participating in
the event, new friendships were made, and some newcomers got to know others
within our UUSS community. We innovated by using our web page and phone system
to promote the event. We allowed people to purchase tickets over the Internet
with their credit cards.
Unfortunately, the event was not a
financial success. Instead of raising money we lost some. I'll be writing a
more detailed report with recommendations to the Special Events Committee with
an assessment of the event and recommendations for future similar events.
Terry Throop
____________________________________________
Jazz Enthusiastists Take Note
We
are hosting other UUs in the nation at our UUSS Jazz B&B this Memorial Day
weekend from noon on May 25 through 4 p.m. on May 28. You are invited to host a
friendly UU or two for three nights and three breakfasts, and to help
facilitate a contribution to UUSS of $110 (for singles) and $180 (for couples).
It is best if you live near downtown or light rail or bus lines, but we can
arrange transportation for guests if you live further away. We need
bedrooms—daybeds in multiple-purpose rooms won’t do. Private bath is nice, but
not essential. Please contact me.
Anna Andrews
_______________________________________________________
OUTREACH
Social Action
Marketplace
Starting
with this issue, this column will be an ongoing feature of the Unigram.
The purpose is to provide members with a current list of socially responsible
activities. For further information on each of these activities, look in the Unigram
or call the contact person. And thanks to Nancy Gilbert for naming this
feature.
(Please note:
If you have a UUSS socially responsible activity that could be included in this
column, please call Joyce Miller. Socially responsible activities are those
that promote the health and welfare of the world’s population and protect the
environment.)
TransNet…Barbara Amberson . UUSS
transportation network for members.
American
River Clean-up Jeff Voeller. Pick up trash along designated
site one Saturday per month.
Coalition
for Sustainability Nancy Oprsal. Lifestyle
choices that preserve the environment.
Interfaith
Hospitality Network Nancy Oprsal. Local churches providing shelter, meals and support to
homeless families.
Interfaith
Service Bureau Thelma White. Cooperative
activities of interfaith organizations.
Loaves
and Fishes Meals and support for
homeless. Volunteers for meals: Jane Pivetti. Donations: Lois Panting.
Latino/a
Unitarian Universalist Networking Association(LUNNA) Frank
Winans. Latino/Latina outreach program.
Mustard
Seed School Jan Reed. Structured program
for homeless children 5-18 years old.
Sacramento
Children’s Home Thelma White. Mentoring program for children in this group home.
St.
John’s Shelter
- Jan Reed. Shelter for abused women and children.
Samaritan
Center Arnie Godmintz. Center for
meals and other assistance.
State Actions
PCD
UU Community Ministry Jody Shipley. (Berkeley).
Support/information on community ministers, persons living with disabilities
and AIDS.
Promise
California’s Children Jan Reed. Children’s
legislative advocacy group.
Handgun
Control, Inc. Thelma White. Supporting
handgun control.
ChildReach
Financial support to
community development and education of children in other countries.
Children
International Kate Throop. Marvin Armando
Sut Tucubal, a 15 year-old rural Guatemalan, is supported by a monthly donation
coordinated through the Religious Education Committee.
Church
Partnership Dixie Owens. Support for Unitarian
Universalist churches in Hungary and Romania.
Last
Wednesday Club Nancy Gilbert. Award winning
documentaries on international issues.
Sacramento
Yolo Peace Action Ruth Hultgren. Group that conducts activities to reduce military
spending and promote international peace.
UNA
(United Nations Association) Fred Hansen. Local chapter of group that supports
the United Nations and meets monthly for a lecture and lunch.
UNICEF
Paula Squire. Supports education, nutrition,
clean water and sanitation, and healthcare for children internationally.
UU
Service Committee Judith Dewey. Works on human
rights, social justice, peace and economic opportunity worldwide.
Million
Mom March - May 13, West steps of the Capitol. Thelma
White. Supporting hand gun control and especially keeping handguns away from
children.
Joyce
Miller
Stephanie Turner
Introduction
to Zen Buddhism
Workshop with Peter M. Gaffney, M.D.
begins May 9—Wednesdays 7-9 p.m.
In this eight-week workshop, we will
explore the teachings and practices of Zen tradition in the context of today's
fast-paced and often chaotic world. Although Zen is an ancient body of
teachings, many people are finding it surprisingly relevant in our contemporary
western society. Topics will include an introduction to Buddhist teachings, the
practice of sitting meditation, and an exploration of Zen thought and
philosophy.
Peter M.
Gaffney, M.D., has practiced in Zen and other Buddhist traditions for over 12
years. He was Lay-ordained in Soto Zen tradition in 1992 and has recently been
writing and teaching on the relationships between Buddhism and the issues that
arise in psychotherapy.
To
participate, please call the church office.
Doug Kraft
___________________________________________
Servetus
Potluck is May 6
Servetus Club is a social club for older
singles. We have potluck suppers at UUSS the first Sunday evening of each month
at which visitors are always welcome. We also have occasional other parties and
trips. Come to our potluck Sunday May 6 at 6 p.m. in the Fahs Room. We’ll show
a very short video of our whale-watching trip. Bring a dish to share. Cost is
just $2 for members, $3 for non-members.
Dorothy Engelstad
_____________________________________
Attention
All Bridge Players
Grand Finale is Wednesday June 6
All bridge
players are invited to the Round Robin Bridge Grand Finale on Wednesday, June
6, at 7 p.m. in the church Lounge. It’s an evening for getting acquainted and
fun and laughter...sign up for next fall’s new Round Robin schedule and enjoy
the awarding of prizes to this year’s winners. You don’t need a partner to
attend, and you need not be participating in this year’s Round Robin Games. RSVP
to Jane Pivetti or me.
Betty Faist
P.S. to
Round Robin players: Please turn in your final scores to me. Thank you.
_____________________________________________
Gap
Group
Gap Group is a loosely-organized group of
middle-aged people, single or not, who enjoy getting together for social
occasions. New people are always welcome to join us or to host activities.
Please call me with your suggestions.
Saturday 5/5 - potluck at Nancy Gilbert’s. Call Nancy
for details.
Sunday 5/27 - movie and dessert with Judy Bell. Call
her for details.
Shirley
Hines
For groups of 20 or more, the River Cats will provide an “all you
can eat” barbeque, a group raffle, and a welcome on the scoreboard and P.A. If
you are interested, please contact me with your preferred day or days of the
week. Tickets range from $5 to $15. Call early, tickets are going fast!
David Paul
____________________________________________
Women’s Alliance
What Did You Find Cleaning
Out the Closet?
Thursday,
May 3
Women’s Alliance Board meets at 10 a.m. in the Library.
Thursday,
May 10 10:15
a.m. Meeting in the Auditorium with lunch and program: “Family Tree, or What
Did You Find Cleaning Out the Closet?” Members will participate, sharing
interesting things they’ve learned about their family history—or perhaps about
themselves.
Bring a sandwich and $2 for dessert and
coffee or tea. Guests are always welcome. Remember Maryhouse, which continues
to need cash, toiletries, greeting cards,
baby supplies. Be with us on May 10!
Remember to pay your yearly dues.
________________________________________________________
New
Member Facilitator Program Is Up and Running
As of mid-April, 12 new members are paired
up with a New Member Facilitator (or Facilitator couple), and several more are
waiting to be paired up. New members seem to like the idea of connecting with
someone who'll introduce them around and answer their questions—the response
from them has been very encouraging. We currently have 29 members signed up to
be Facilitators. We're happy with the good response.
How well will we execute the program? We'll ask both sides of the
pairings to let us know when they've completed their formal six-month
relationships. We'll keep you posted. See the article in the February Unigram
for details of the New Member Facilitator program. Please call me if you have
questions or would like to be a Facilitator. You are just the right match for
some new member.
A gentle reminder to all of us: please take some time after services to
go up and introduce yourself to visitors and new members (they'll be wearing
green name tags during their first year). Ask them what brought them here, and
ask them about themselves. There just aren't enough greeters to do this job
adequately. (Have you thought of volunteering to be a greeter?) If you think
you don't know what to say to strangers, well, we have a class coming up later
on to help you with that perplexing area of your life.
Clair Urness, Membership Committee
Chair
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Dreams:
A Way to the Inner Life
Without becoming mystics we could all
become more closely acquainted with the ways of the inner life through our
dreams. When dreams are noted and taken seriously, they can turn our attention
downward and inward and give clues to the dynamics of the heart and
imagination. Learn more by joining the UUSS dream group. No experience necessary
and the group is open to everyone. We meet Wednesday mornings, 10 a.m.-noon in
the Library. Call me for more information.
Fran Oyafuso
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Look
at Yourself Through the Joe-Hari Window
Communications Workshop May 27
Exorcise
your ghosts. Get comfortable with your past. Shirley Hewitt will facilitate a
CCMC Workshop (See the April Unigram, page 6.)
Joyce Miller
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UUSS
May Elections and Our Study/Action Issue About Voting
Our May election has competition in it this
year! For the two three-year Trustee seats that are open, four congregants are
running. Would you agree with me that this competition is good for our Society?
We’ll have four candidate perspectives on the operation of UUSS from
which to elect two persons. We have always used the “at-large” vote to elect
Trustees (two seats open, check two candidates). This usually allows the
majority perspective to elect all seats, and may even let a disciplined
minority win all seats. Both results are avoided with proportional
representation voting (PR).
The UUSS study/action issue submitted this
year, “United States Election Reform,” calls for PR voting for congregations
and our country. PR assures majority rule, which our present voting system does
not, yet PR also allows minority perspectives to win a fair minority share of
seats on the boards and the legislatures where our rules and laws are made.
Let's try “choice” PR voting for our UUSS
May elections. It’s appropriate and it’s simple. As usual, your ballot will
list the candidates. But instead of checking two names, you will be asked to
rank each of the four candidates by placing a “1” next to your first choice, a
“2” next to your second choice, and so on. Ranked ballots have been used to
elect the Irish president for over 55 years, the Cambridge, Massachusetts
councils and school boards for over 65 years, and the Australian senate for
over 80 years. Since the 2000 presidential election, ranked ballot laws have
been introduced in 12 U.S. state legislatures, including California for special
elections.
How are “choice” PR winners decided?
Winners must reach a threshold of votes, determined by a simple formula. For
example, if 200 UUSS members voted, it would take 69 votes to win a seat. Let’s
count ballots. Say Candidate A got 73 votes; A is elected. Since A only needed
69 votes, A’s four “surplus” votes are transferred to those voters’ second
choices. Still no second winner? Then the candidate with the lowest votes is
eliminated, and all that person’s ballots are transferred to the voters’
second-ranked candidates. This continues until another candidate receives 69 or
more votes and is elected. The best benefit is that more voters get to cast
ballots for candidates that win. But in exchange for a little math—no problem
for our laptops and software—we get more democratic results. Observers are
welcomed and encouraged. I've attended the ballot count in Cambridge. It’s a party
in the high school gym. The candidates and supporters eat and socialize while
officials count in the roped-off center of the gym floor. Let's try “choice” PR
voting in May. It’s more democratic and more fair and even fun. We’ll be the
first UU church to try it. Questions? Call me.
Pete Martineau
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DENOMINATIONAL AFFAIRS
California
Legislative UU Ministry
Resolutions proposed and studied by our UU
Congregations and passed by our General Assembly call us to action. The
establishment of a UU community ministry in Sacramento is now under way. It
will inform and network California UUs and aid in our advocacy for state
legislation of particular interest to our congregations. This ministry will
have an office and staff person linking congregations in our Pacific Central
District and our Pacific Southwest District.
A planning group that will represent both the south and the north is
creating a structure and process that will both inform our congregations and
focus the voices of our 72 congregations and 12,000 UU members. The UU
Community Ministry Center in Berkeley is working on the establishment of a
statewide network and a funding base.
Although many of our religious friends have such offices in states
across the nation, this would be the first state UU lobbying office and a model
for other statewide ministries. Rev. Meg Riley in our UU Washington D.C. office
reminds us that California is an influential state in the making of social
legislation. This is where those who would curtail the rights and freedoms of
our citizens test their ideas. What we do in California matters to the nation.
We have asked for the endorsement of this project by California UUs. To
date we have the support of 51 California UU clergy, 57 active UU lay members
and some congregational boards. We are keeping them informed of our progress
through periodic email messages. Our goal in the next few months is to rally
the support of 10% of the UUs in our state—1,200 UUs—and begin a statewide
network.
You are invited to join us in this effort. To add your support please
send your name to me at joshipley@aol.com. If you do not have email we will
keep you informed through your church's office. We are also glad to send you a
copy of the current list of endorsers. We look forward to hearing from you.
Rev. Jody Shipley
Unitarian
Universalist Community Ministry Center
Berkeley,
CA
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UU World
Please read the stories in the new UU World relative to the civil rights
marches of the 1960s, particularly the Rev. Martin Luther King’s eulogy for the
slain UU minister, the Rev. James Reeb. The civil rights era is not over,
though it may have been asleep for a while. Read of this sorrowful yet proud
chapter in our UU heritage. Revitalize our social action work. As Rev. King
bids us, let us “substitute courage for caution.” Why is it that we so often
need tragic deaths to move us to action?
Be Patterson
UUSS-Transylvania/Hungary Partner
Church
Among the many UUSS members inspired by the words of
the Reverend Botand “Boti” from Transylvania when he spoke at our Society a few
weeks ago were four of us —Margaret Hess, Rosemary Muller, Howard Owens and I
—who are planning to be in Europe this summer on a concert tour. After the
service we met and decided to extend our tour and visit a congregation within
the former Soviet Block with which our congregation might wish to partner.
The UU
Partner Church Council (PCC) suggested that we consider partnering with
Debrecen, a church in Hungary near the border of Romania whose minister had
placed her church on a Partner Church waiting list over two years ago.
Minister
Katalin (Katinka) Miklos-Vari describes the Debrecen congregation as small but
quite special. Most Unitarian churches in Transylvania and the rest of Hungary
are traditional with strong Christian-based beliefs. While the Debrecen
congregation’s roots are Christian, their faith is humanist and liberal.
Katinka says, “Our hope is to have a partner church in the US or Canada that
will strengthen our belief and show us the possibilities of liberal
thinking.” Needless to say, members of the PCC felt that Sacramento would
be an ideal match with the Debrecen church.
Katinka is
known to many of the US and Canadian PCC visitors who go through her city on
their way to partner churches in Romania. She has served hosted UU travelers
and is an enthusiastic supporter of the Partner Church Project. More pluses for
partnering with the Debrecen congregation are: 1) Katinka speaks English; 2)
She has email; 3) Transportation systems are better and travel is safer in
Hungary than in Romania; 4) It is not very difficult for Hungarians to get
visas to visit the US and so exchanges will be simplified; 5) Katinka will be
an active partner with UUSS.
Margaret
Hess, Rosemary Muller and Howard and I will visit with the Debrecen
congregation between July 8 and 13 and will bring back slides and materials to
share with our congregation. Hopefully, this will be the beginning of a long,
meaningful relationship.
Partner
Church responsibilities include: assistance in developing Religious
Education materials; encouraging visits and exchanges; and paying an annual
$100 fee to be a participant in the PCC (other pressing needs could be met
through special fund raising events as planned by a future UUSS PCC committee).
We invite
those interested in this project to join the UUSS Partner Church Research
group. Please contact Howard Owens or me.
Dixie Owens
___________________________________________________________
Sunday Morning Challenge
Agenda Book discussion
May 13
For
several months the Two Services Task Force has met every other week and has
also held two meetings with all interested members. A wider discussion is needed
as we continue to make progress toward finding a workable solution to the
Sunday morning scheduling challenge. The
predicament: how can we, as we grow, make our guests and ourselves fit comfortably into
the space we have and continue to provide all of the Sunday “amenities” we have
come to love? We have brainstormed about what the best schedule would be for
two Religious Services and a Forum on Sunday, and now we need to gather your
feedback. All members and friends are invited to our meeting Sunday, May 13,
12:45 p.m. in Room 7/8.
Sharon Alexander,
facilitator
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HAGSA
to Discuss War on Drugs, International Criminal Court
Humanist Association of the Greater
Sacramento Area (HAGSA) meetings in May are:
Friday 5/4 7
p.m., Fahs Room. “The International Criminal Court.” Marc Christensen, a Sacramento active in the United World
Federalists, speaks on the need for the International Criminal Court. The
Court, when enough nations have ratified the treaty creating it, would be a
permanent replacement to the kind of ad hoc courts that have been set up to
deal with specific acts of genocide, such as those in Rwanda and the former
Yugoslavia. Marc Christensen will also talk about the opposition of Jesse Helms
and others to American ratification of the treaty.
Sunday 5/20 4
p.m., Fahs Room. “The War on Drugs and its Effect on Civil Liberties.” Speaker
Philip Kearney is a HAGSA member and frequent writer of letters to the editor.
The incarceration of those convicted of illegal possession of “controlled
substances” is responsible for much of the recent increase of our prison
population and a lot of “collateral damage." as well. Philip Kearney will
argue for a different approach.
Wayne Luney
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Explore
Past in Transylvania
Polly Watson
has information about a Young Adults Transylvania Trip sponsored by the UU
Mountain Desert District June 27-July 11. Not your grandparents plexiglas
tour—travel is by foot, cart, and bus.
UU Young Adults: 3 Meetings
Theater,
dancing, video planned
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! For more information on the group call me. To
join our e-mail collective, send a message to Dean Baird at dbaird@mac.com.
Saturday 5/5: Special Time and Place: Meet at the Geery
Theater at 22nd and L at 7:30 p.m. to see our own Dar Coan perform in “Mostly
Stardust, Slightly Salty,” a musical revue. Dar has produced the show and will
be playing the piano. Tickets are $14.
Sunday 5/13 meet at the UUSS library at 7 p.m. Laura Dickinson
will show the video “The Burning Times,” the second segment in a three-part
series about earth-based, female-centered religions.
Saturday 5/19: Special
Time and Place: Meet at 8 pm in the UUSS parking lot. We'll go to
Polyester and Culture Club, a new dance club featuring music from the 70s and
80s.
Sunday 5/27 in honor of Memorial Day weekend, we'll take
this Sunday off.
Carolyn Wiggin
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Last Wednesday Club
This documentary film and discussion group is
sponsored by the Social Responsibility Committee. On May 30 we will view Betty
Ch’maj’s film, To Dream a Nation: South Africa after Apartheid.” All who are
interested are welcome to join us.
Nancy Gilbert
.
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