This Week at UUP: January 4

For complete up-to-date info on the Unitarian Universalists of
Petaluma, see our website.
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(Social time with refreshments begins at 10:00, at the Petaluma Woman's Club, 518 B Street. Worship service at 10:30)

January 8: "A Time to Rest"
Guest Speaker: Jan Ogren
Is Time the friend that sets the natural rhythms of your days, or is it the
foe to be fought because 'there is never enough time to get everything
done'? Wayne Muller explores our relationship to Time in his book; Sabbath,
Restoring the Sacred Rhythm of Rest. I'll be sharing some of his ideas with
you this Sunday as we take some time out of our busy days to reflect on
Time. (Please note: originally scheduled speaker the Rev. Leland Bond-Upson will deliver his scheduled sermon at a later date.)

January 15: "Our Praying Hands"
Guest Speaker: Shelley Page, ministerial student

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Thanks to All our New Year's Brunch Volunteers

Our New Year's Day service-brunch entitled "Nourishment for Body and Soul" was indeed that thanks to the contributions of: Marlene Abel (worship research, menu, cooking), Stacey Meinzen (cooking, tablecloths, serving), Naomi Davis (kitchen assistance, clean-up), Richard Stark (piano accompaniment, solo), Jean Conrad and Earl Cruser (singing duet), Scott Meinzen (set-up, kitchen assistance), Christian Boatsman (set-up, dishwashing), Michael Pool (garden decoration, dishwashing), Bailey and Harley Boatsman (set-up), Adee Swanson (gen. assistance), and Walter Marlin-Coole (sound system). A Fulfilling and Prosperous 2006 to All!

Erratum:
Richard Stark played a piece by the composer Handel at Sunday's service, not Bach as stated in the order of service.
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The Worship Committee Invites You to Take Part in a Worship Service

Do you have a favorite poem or reading you want included in a worship service, and you think you want to read it?! Do you want to participate in a service by reading an element, or working on a part of the delivery? Come try it out and see how it feels to be a part of creating a worshipful experience. Contact Elisabeth Hathaway for more information (elisabethhathaway at sbcglobal dot net).
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From the Pacific Central District Newsletter:
UU Legislative Ministry of CA Serves as Model
The UULMCA has been the leader of UU advocacy efforts throughout California, organizing lobbying efforts on behalf of such things as marriage equality, water justice, and health care reform. Under the leadership of Executive Director the Reverend Lindi Ramsden, this remarkable group has brought our UU congregations together for organized, strategic public witness, and brought our UU values to the Sacramento political agenda. Now ten other states are following this model: New Hampshire, Maryland, and Washington have their groups operating, and new ones are in the planning stage in Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Wisconsin!

Betty McGarvie Crowley, of the UU Church of Annapolis, Md., said, "California was a real inspiration for us in the way they organized and how they seem to be making a difference. It's the kind of thing we should all be doing as UUs." And Jerome Chroman, organizing a similar group in Washington state said, "Liberal religious people are seeing what the religious right accomplished. Some think it''s time that progressive people put our principles into action and take back our country."

"I''m just thrilled about the development of these state networks," says Rob Keithan, director of the UUA''s Washington Office of Advocacy. He credits the UU Service Committee with helping form at least five of the networks. "The UUSC has made it a priority in dedicating both staff time and funding for these networks. The attention given by UUSC to these networks has in some cases made a difference between surviving and thriving. We have a really good partnership going here."
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Become a Chalice Lighter

Spread the word on Unitarian Universalism! Would it be great to hear about Unitarian Universalism on local public radio? The Chalice Lighters program was established to "Promote and Strengthen Unitarian Universalism" by facilitating congregational growth.

Individuals participate in Chalice Lighters by making contributions to the Chalice Lighters fund three times a year ($10 basic level). The donated money goes to fund growth projects planned and implemented by congregations in the Pacific Central District.

Right now, they have a call out for contributions towards an innovative media campaign throughout the Bay Area, with radio spots and other publicity that would be of great benefit to our congregation. UUP was started with the assistance of a generous Chalice Lighter grant that enabled us to secure our initial lease on the Woman's Club and to begin to pay guest speakers. We hope to apply for another grant, soon, in order to further our local ministry.

Preference for these grants is given to congregations with a higher proportion of members who participate as Chalice Lighters.

Brochures are available on the table in back at UUP services, or you can visit http://www.pcd-uua.org/chalice-lighters/lighters.htm for further information. Please consider joining NOW, and helping this vital work!
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Regularly Scheduled Gatherings

-Larking About (choir) will resume its usual Thursday evening meetings this week at Nancy Blake's from 8 to 9:30pm.

-There is a Worship Committee meeting scheduled for Monday, January 9.
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If you have changed your email address or would like to be added to or removed from the UUP list please email Christian Boatsman at christian at biosearchtech dot com