This Week at UUP: August 31-September 6

The Unitarian Universalists of Petaluma
An Oasis for Heart and Mind Every Sunday in Downtown Petaluma

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SUNDAY SERVICES

(Social time with refreshments begins at 10:00, at the Petaluma Woman's Club, 518 B Street. Worship service at 10:30)

Sunday, September 3: "An Evergreen Tree of Diabolical Knowledge" Speaker: UUP member David Dodd
Libraries are a foundation of democracy. Are they also sacred spaces? David will explore the thinking of a variety of writers, ranging from John Milton to Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., as he delves into the topic of reading, and the freedom to read what we will.

Sunday, September 10: "Water and Stones Ingathering"
Join us for this very special service as we gather in an all-ages ritual to welcome each other back from summer adventures near and far. Bring a small vial of water and/or a stone gathered from a location where you spent time this summer, and enjoy a service of sharing, music and community.

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Hymn of the Month for September and Other Music News -- from David Dodd
Hymn #1 in our hymnal is "Prayer For This House" (entitled, in the hymnal, "May Nothing Evil Cross This Door," which is really just the first line....). It's a beautiful hymn, with words by Louis Untermeyer (1885-1977), who, besides being an excellent poet, was an influential poetry anthologist in the early part of the 20th century, as well as a jewelry manufacturer. "Prayer For This House" is frequently used in house blessing rituals and building dedications, and its position as Number One is surely no accident. It's sort of a doorway into the whole hymnal. The tune is by Robert N. Quaile, a Methodist minister's son from Mallow, Ireland. He composed the tune in 1903. ( I have always wondered if the founder of the Casual Corner clothing store chain got the name for the store from this song. Hmmmm.)

Some members of UUP have expressed a desire for more different kinds of songs, other than hymns, on Sunday mornings. Sounds great! I would certainly welcome suggestions -- some that come to mind are "Imagine," "Blowin' in the Wind" and "Teach Your Children." If you have ideas for familiar, appropriate songs that we could sing as part of Sunday worship services, please let me know.

Remember, Larking About is rehearsing again, on Tuesday evenings at 8 to 9:30 at David and Diana's home. Please come and sing with us!


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Gather Ye Water and/or Stones

As you embark on travels this summer, or if you stay close to home, remember to gather a small container of water and /or bring a small stone for our end-of-summer, all-congregation re-gathering of the community Water & Stones service (September 10). Please mark your calendar now and plan to attend!

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Regularly Scheduled Gatherings

- Larking About (UUP Singers) will rehearse on Tuesdays (except the second Tuesday of each month) from 8-9:30 pm at David & Diana's house.
- The UUP Board of Trustees will meet on September 10 at 8:30 am at the Woman's Club Fireside Room.

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