This Week at UUP: June 28

For complete up-to-date info on the Unitarian Universalists of Petaluma, see our website: http://www.uupetaluma.org
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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)

Sunday, July 2: "Slowing Down"
Matt Alspaugh, Guest Speaker
Are you find yourself living at an unsustainable pace? Is the stress of the growing to-do list becoming overwhelming? As we enter into the slower days of summer, Matt will explore slowing down as spiritual practice, and suggest some techniques for slowing down, while still doing what is really important.

Sunday, July 9: "Finding the Sacred in Nature"
Many of us find our sense of the transcendent in the natural world. This participation service will elicit our expressions of that sense of wonder, as we share with one another special treasures and moments from our experiences in nature.

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UUP Play Group Starts Friday
Got kids? The first meeting of the new UUP Play Group, open to all members and friends and their children, will happen Friday, June 30, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at McNear Park, located on G St. near 11th . Find each other at the playground! Call or email Diana, weaverly at earthlink dot net, or just show up. We'll also tour UUP's garden plot in the community garden and set up the schedule of play group meetings.

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Do You Like To Sing? This Saturday!
You don't have to make a heavy-duty commitment to enjoy singing with a group of fellow UU singers--just show up at David Dodd and Diana Spaulding's house on Saturday afternoon, July 1, for an afternoon of singing and socializing.

Larking About, the UUP singing group, will use this opportunity to work up some possible pieces for future services, and it would be a risk-free way for anyone to explore their singing side. Or just hang out. Potluck dinner to follow--bring a dish to share. Starting time: 3 p.m. Call David for details, or email weaverly at earthlink dot net.

A second singing potluck has been scheduled for Saturday, July 29, location to be determined. Stay tuned!

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Closing Date Approaching!

Are you: Highly organized, reliable, energetic, efficient, proactive, computer savvy and personable?

The Unitarian Universalist fellowship in Petaluma is in need of a part-time Administrative Assistant who can be a point person among our committees and members, and carry out vital weekly tasks.

Duties include, but are not limited to: coordinating weekly/monthly announcements, word processing, photocopying the weekly order of service, maintaining data bases, answering phone messages, and making name tags. Hours: 7.5 per week. Salary: $15/hour. Closing date for applications is July 8. Please contact David Hathaway (Hathaway1776 at sbcglobal dot net) if you or someone you know is interested.

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Save the Date! Family Potluck & Swim

On Saturday, July 22 Carol and Steve West will be hosting their second family potluck from 2-5 pm. The Wests have a spacious, kid-friendly backyard. Bring swim suits, towels, and a dish to share.
Parents, please be prepared to lifeguard for your own children if they go in the pool. RSVP to Carol.

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Gather Ye Water and Stones
As you embark on travels this summer, or if you stay close to home, remember to gather a small container of water, and bring a small stone for our end-of-summer Water & Stones service (September 10).

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Time and Talent Auction Prize Delights High Bidders

Dear UUP Friends,
As we whizzed over the waters of Clear Lake, the Pool family (Michael, Celeste, and Beatrice) certainly felt as though we had won the jewel of our UUP auction, the boating trip offered by Gene and Elaine Ellsworth.
They treated us to a beautiful and exhilarating day of boating and water skiing that produced a thousand-watt smile on the face of Beatrice as she stood up on skis for the first time. Gene's skill and patience were manifest as he winged the fancy red speedboat around to give us another go-round approximately 60 times! Of course Elaine provided everything else needed with signature warmth, generosity, and cheerleading.
I, too, felt like a million dollars bouncing over the waters. And it only took a much smaller donation ~(;-}) to our UUP community.
In gratitude and friendship,
Celeste

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Thank You -
As I complete my last week as the Administrative Assistant for this congregation I'd like to take this time to thank all of the Worship Associates and Committee Chairs that I've been working so closely with. And to the whole community may many blessings be yours, and many joys, and much laughter and when the hard times come, may they leave you with increased wisdom and compassion. Now, I have to say, I'm looking forward to my time at UUP as a civilian and plain old member!
Take Care,
Adee

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Regularly Scheduled Gatherings
- UUP Board of Trustees will meet at 8:30 am in Woman's Club Fireside Room on Sunday, July 9.
- The Worship Associates will meet on Monday, July 10 at 8:00 pm at Tony's.
- The Women's Group will meet on July 17 from 7:30-9:15 pm at a location TBA.
-The Membership and Hospitality Committee will meet on Monday, July 24 at Elaine's house.

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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 us at uupetaluma at gmail dot com

This Week at UUP: June 21

For complete up-to-date info on the Unitarian Universalists of Petaluma, see our website: http://www.uupetaluma.org
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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)

Sunday, June 25: "Peace From Within."
Dr. Michael Nagler, Guest Speaker

Dr. Nagler has devoted his life to exploring nonviolence as an alternative to war. Professor Emeritus of Languages at the University of California, Berkeley, and founder and former chairperson of the University's Peace and Conflict Studies program, Nagler has become one of the world's most widely respected peace scholars and activists. For more information about our speaker, please see the earlier UUP Blog post.

Sunday, July 2: "Slowing Down"
Matt Alspaugh, Guest Speaker

Are you find yourself living at an unsustainable pace? Is the stress of the growing to-do list becoming overwhelming? As we enter into the slower days of summer, Matt will explore slowing down as spiritual practice, and suggest some techniques for slowing down, while still doing what is really important.


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Do You Like To Sing?

You don't have to make a heavy-duty commitment to enjoy singing with a group of fellow UU singers--just show up at David Dodd and Diana Spaulding's house on Saturday afternoon, July 1, for an afternoon of singing and socializing.

Larking About, the UUP singing group, will use this opportunity to work up some possible pieces for future services, and it would be a risk-free way for anyone to explore their singing side. Or just hang out. Potluck dinner to follow--bring a dish to share. Starting time: 3 p.m. Call David for details, or email weaverly at earthlink dot net.

A second singing potluck has been scheduled for Saturday, July 29, location to be determined. Stay tuned!

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Are you: Highly organized, reliable, energetic, efficient, proactive, computer savvy and personable?

The Unitarian Universalist fellowship in Petaluma is in need of a part-time Administrative Assistant who can be a point person among our committees and members, and carry out vital weekly tasks.

Duties include, but are not limited to: coordinating weekly/monthly announcements, word processing, photocopying the weekly order of service, maintaining data bases, answering phone messages, and making name tags. Hours: 7.5 per week. Salary: $15/hour. Closing date for applications is July 8. Please contact David Hathaway (Hathaway1776 at sbcglobal dot net) if you or someone you know is interested.
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Do You Like to Plan Ahead?

Each year UUP mans a table at the Petaluma Progressive Festival. Or, to be more in keeping with the spirit of the event, we should probably say we "people" a table there. It's a great way to let the community know about our congregation. It's also a fun and we're looking for a couple more people to take a shift there. This year's festival is scheduled for September 24, 2006 at Walnut Park. Please let us know (uupetaluma at gmail dot com) if you're interested in helping out.

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Gather Ye Water and Stones

As you embark on travels this summer, or if you stay close to home, remember to gather a small container of water, and bring a small stone for our end-of-summer Water & Stones service (September 10).
*********************************************************************************
Regularly Scheduled Gatherings

-The Membership & Hospitality Committee will meet June 26th at 7:30 pm at Elaine's house.
***********************************************************************************
If you have changed your email address or would like to be added to or removed from the UUP list please email us at uuppetaluma at gmail dot com

Religious Education Update: June 18

Magic Moments

I hiked to Secret Beach Friday morning, a beach in Point Reyes accessible only at minus tides. The early morning air was warm and the sky cloudless as my son, Kurt, and I arrived at an empty parking lot at Limantour Beach. It was too early for other hikers but perfect timing for our hike three miles down the beach to the Keyhole.

The Keyhole, which is a tunnel through a rocky point, was high and dry at the lowest point of the -.8 tide. We squeezed through the Keyhole, using outcroppings of tightly packed mussels as handholds. The tunnel walls were covered with gooseneck barnacles, limpets, and brightly colored seastars. When we passed through, we had to scramble over large boulders completely covered by slippery red and green seaweed. I moved gingerly over the rocks, avoiding a kneedeep step into tidepools.

Just past the Keyhole is the Secret Cave. Passing through the cave entrance, we entered a large room with no ceiling and sheer walls on all sides.
Some of the sheer walls were covered with wildflowers and the natural amphitheater was brightly lit by the summer sun. It was a magical moment.

Some of my most moving religious experiences happen in these moments, when I am immersed in beauty and surrounded by life- bat stars, giant blue green anemones, and flowering cliffs, at this particular time.

Two of my three children are enthusiastic hikers, who appreciate outdoor adventures despite the natural hazards of poison oak, stinging nettles, and occasional missteps into cold ocean water. The third child finds more inspiration in the theatre and music. She’s the one who attended 3 or 4 plays a week while enjoying a semester in London.

In any case, summer seems to me to be the perfect time to explore, to go on great adventures, whether it be a hike around Shollenberger or a trip to faraway lands. I’ll be leaving on Tuesday for St. Louis and part of General Assembly, then I’ll be camping at Mendocino Woodlands for two weeks in July. I will find those magical moments to inspire and renew my soul. I wish Magical Moments for all of you until we regather with Water and Stones in the Fall.

Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education.

Famous Unitarians, Universalists, and Unitarian Universalists

A fun website to track down prominent people who were Unitarians, Universalists, or UUs can be found at Famous UUs. It's always an impressive list, and one that makes me proud to share this faith, much as it may have evolved since the days of John Adams and Joseph Priestly.

This Week at UUP: June 15

For complete up-to-date info on the Unitarian Universalists of
Petaluma, see our website: http://www.uupetaluma.org
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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)

Sunday, June 18: "This I Believe."
Meredith Guest, Guest Speaker

UUP Member Meredith Guest will tell stories about what it means to be and to have a transgender parent that illustrate one of the beliefs she holds dearest. Unfortunately – or, perhaps, fortunately – her children, now 23 and 21, will not be present to refute, deny or correct any exaggerations, embellishments or downright lies.
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Thanks to the Hospitality Volunteers

We won't be going hungry for bagels over the next few months thanks to all of the great volunteers who signed up to provide refreshments. Remember, sign ups are ongoing so you can contact Elaine Ellsworth (elaine_ellsworth at yahoo dot com) anytime the spirit moves you. You don't have to wait until the Hospitality Committee is actively recruiting people!
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Are you: Highly organized, reliable, energetic, efficient, proactive, computer savvy and personable?

The Unitarian Universalist fellowship in Petaluma is in need of a part-time Administrative Assistant who can be a point person among our committees and members, and carry out vital weekly tasks.

Duties include, but are not limited to: coordinating weekly/monthly announcements, word processing, photocopying the weekly order of service, maintaining data bases, answering phone messages, and making name tags. Hours: 7.5 per week. Salary: $15/hour. Closing date for applications is July 8. Please contact David Hathaway (Hathaway1776 at sbcglobal dot net) if you or someone you know is interested.
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First of three Summer Afternoon Potluck Swims

Carol and Steve West host the first of a series of Saturday potlucks this
Saturday, June 17, from 2 to 5 pm. They have a spacious, kid-friendly
backyard. Bring swim suits, towels, and a dish to share. Parents, please be prepared to lifeguard for your own children if they go in the pool. RSVP to Carol. (Future dates to save are July 22 and August 19.)
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UUP Play Group

Got kids? Informal play group meeting at local playgrounds is forming this summer. Call or email Diana for details: weaverly at earthlink dot net
********************************************************************************
Gather Ye Water and Stones

As you embark on travels this summer, or if you stay close to home, remember to gather a small container of water, and bring a small stone for our end-of-summer Water & Stones service (September 10).
*********************************************************************************
Regularly Scheduled Gatherings

- The Women's Group will meet from 7:30-9:15pm @ KC's on June 19.

-The Membership & Hospitality Committee will meet June 26th at 7:30pm at Elaine's house.
***********************************************************************************
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.

Dr. Michael Nagler to Speak, June 25 at UUP

Dr. Michael Nagler will speak on Sunday, June 25, at the Unitarian Universalists of Petaluma’s Sunday worship service, held at 10:30 a.m. at the Petaluma Woman’s Club at 518 B Street. His talk is tentatively titled “Peace From Within.”

Nagler has devoted his life to exploring nonviolence as an alternative to war. Professor Emeritus of Languages at the University of California, Berkeley, and founder and former chairperson of the University's Peace and Conflict Studies program, Nagler has become one of the world's most widely respected peace scholars and activists.

Nagler is also a student of Sri Eknath Easwaran, Founder of the Blue Mountain Center of Meditation.

Nagler is the author of several books, including Is There No Other Way: The Search for a Nonviolent Future, which received an American Book Award in 2002. Nagler is on the editorial board of The Acorn: Journal of the Gandhi-King Society, and also serves on the advisory board of Tikkun magazine.

Nagler has been teaching various subjects at the university level for the past forty years, including ancient Greek, comparative literature, religious studies, and peace studies, and continues to teach highly popular courses on nonviolence and meditation at U.C. Berkeley. He makes his home in Petaluma.

This Week at UUP: June 7

For complete up-to-date info on the Unitarian Universalists of
Petaluma, see our website: http://www.uupetaluma.org
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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)

Sunday, June 11: "Stories from RE at UUP"
With Marlene Abel, Director of Religious Education

Marlene will lead an intergenerational, interactive service with music, games, and stories that celebrate the past year in Religious Education. Religious Education teachers, children and youth will be honored with special gifts.


Please plan to stay after the service June 11 for the annual congregational meeting.


Sunday June 18th: "This I Believe"
Meredith Guest, Guest Speaker

UUP Member Meredith Guest will tell stories about what it means to be and to have a transgender parent that illustrate one of the beliefs she holds dearest. Unfortunately – or, perhaps, fortunately – her children, now 23 and 21, will not be present to refute, deny or correct any exaggerations, embellishments or downright lies.
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Get Your "Greeter" On

Keep an eye out for our new "greeter" tags on the name tag table. The Membership & Hospitality Committee would like to encourage you to join them in pinning on one of these special tags as an indication that you are wiling to help welcome visitors and guests and answer any questions they might have.
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Do it for the Kids - Volunteers Still needed for Refreshments

When we first started attending UUP my son referred to it as "the place with the bagels" for quite some time. We could still use some lovely volunteers to help make sure we have refreshments over the summer months. Please contact Elaine Ellsworth at elaine_ellsworth at yahoo dot com.

Thanks,
Adee
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Regularly Scheduled Gatherings:

- The annual congregational meeting is scheduled for June 11 after the service.

-The Women's Group will meet Monday, June 19 from 7:30-9:15pm @ KC's.

- Monday, June 26 the Membership & Hospitality Committee will meet at 7:30pm @ Elaine's.
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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.

Davis UU Church Hosts Concert to Benefit Darfur Refugees

What a great idea. The Davis Church is hosting a benefit to raise money for Darfur refugees. See the article about the concert, scheduled for June 17 at 7 pm, in the Daily Democrat.

Maybe we can get a contingent together to go!

UUA President Bill Sinkford on the air for marriage equality

Our association president, Rev. William Sinkford, will speak on the radio (Air America) on June 4. Sinkford will talk about the upcoming Senate vote on the federal marriage amendment as a guest on Welton Gaddy's "State of Belief" show at 5 to 6 pm, EDT (that would be 2 to 3 pm, PDT, right?).

link.

UUA Announces 500th Welcoming Congregation!

500 Unitarian Universalist congregations have now completed the "Welcoming Congregation" process, by which a church formally commits to being a place that is welcoming to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people.

I hope that UUP can go through this process sometime in the coming year.

See the full story at the UU World.