Unitarian Universalists of Petaluma

The purpose of this congregation is to provide a haven where members can share in a spiritually, culturally, and socially diverse local religious community. We envision a congregation that will be welcoming to all, that values the contributions of each member in shared ministry, and that actively promotes and models individual development of an ethical way of living. We are intentionally intergenerational, and covenant to provide religious education and spiritual growth for children and adults.

Friday, January 26, 2007

This Week at UUP: January 26- February 1, 2007


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

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

Sunday, January 28: "Work Spirit: The Journey to Work You Love"
Worship Associate Tony Blake. Work Spirit is the spark and vitality people express when they love their work. Our spiritual journey is enhanced by honoring our talents and contributing them to others and the world. Sherrie Connelly has researched the spiritual dimension of work and will invite us to explore our "Work Spirit." Sherrie has been an organization development consultant and career coach for 35 years and is a third-year Master of Divinity student at Starr King School for the Ministry.

Sunday, February 4: "This I Believe"
Part of an ongoing series in which two members of our community share their spiritual journey that led them to UUP.

Sunday, February 11: "Is UUism Pertinent Today?"
Worship Associate Elisabeth Hathaway. Starr King Ministerial student Alexandra McGee addresses the question: Is Unitarian Universalism pertinent today? We are a denomination that welcomes personal discernment and diversity. But what roots us during storms and gives us light during dark nights of the soul? *******************************************************************
UUP Town Hall Meeting
This Sunday, January 28, noon to 2:30 pm Please join us for this all-congregation meeting to discuss the Weekend Minister Program and the Chalice Lighters Grant. Childcare will be provided, along with lunch for a nominal fee. Lucy Sperlin, the former president of the Chico UU congregation will be here to answer questions about their two years of weekend ministry experience. All members and friends are encouraged to come and help chart the future of UUP! *******************************************************************
New Member Ingathering Ceremony
February 4 Have you been attending services for awhile at UUP and thinking about joining as a member? We will have a new member welcoming ceremony on Sunday, February 4, during the service. Please speak with any UUP Board Member or any member of the Membership Committee if you would like to join the congregation, or if you would like to know more about what is involved. We'd love to welcome you as a member!
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Do You Love a Parade?
For three of the last four years, UUP has participated in Petaluma's quintessential small-town event, the annual Butter and Egg Days Parade (we won awards twice!). This year, as always, the parade will wind its way through downtown on the last Saturday in April (April 28). The parade theme will celebrate 150 years of the Petaluma Fire Department. If you'd like to be the point person for UUP's participation, the Membership, Outreach and Hospitality Committee would love to provide backup help in organizing our entry for the year. (Some ideas came up: Red T-Shirts with flaming chalices and a slogan along the lines of "You'll Never Put Out Our Fire!" or something like that...) The entry can be a simple walking group or a float. Contact Elaine Ellsworth if you are interested! This is a great way to get to know people at UUP, and it gives our community a high profile in the larger community.
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"UUPDates", Winter 2007 Newsletter, Now Available
UUP's quarterly newsletter is ready to be viewed and/or downloaded and printed! Please take a look at the handiwork of a dedicated group of writers and graphic artists, including Stacey Meinzen, who did the layout and design; Dennis Zerbo, Leland Bond-Upson, David Hathaway, David Dodd, Hope Stewart and Elisabeth Hathaway, who all contributed articles. Important calendar dates for the coming months are included, too! And some fun pictures! And inspiring quotes!
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Last Notice for Guest at Your Table boxes
If you've been dropping coins and bills into a Guest at Your Table box daily since November your box probably 'runneth over' by now! Diana Spaulding, the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee rep at UUP, will collect boxes one more time this Sundays. Although it's fun to hear the boxes chime, checks to 'UUSC' rather than cash cut down on our administrative tasks. Didn't get a box? Envelopes with donations to benefit the UUSC are also available. Membership in UUSC comes with donations of $20 seniors, $40 general, $75 dual, or $10 student, so why not add to your box total to bring it up to a membership level? *******************************************************************
Regularly Scheduled Gatherings
- Larking About (UUP Choir): Rehearsal Sunday, Jan. 28th, 9:30 am at the Woman's Club.
- Larking About will also rehearse on Tuesday, Jan. 30th, at the home of David Dodd and Diana Spaulding

If you would like to receive this update by email, please ask to be added to UUP list via email us at uupetaluma at gmail dot com.

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Sunday, January 21, 2007

PCD Women & Religion Meeting, January 27

This coming Saturday, January 27, the Women & Religion-Pacific Central District group will meet at the San Francisco Unitarian Universalist Church on Franklin & Geary, in the Fireside Room.

Time: 10:30 to 2:30.

The morning program celebrates the 30th anniversary of the 1977 UUA Women and Religion Resolution. How far have we come in 30 years? How far can we go?

After lunch there will be a business meeting and work on planning for the March 9 to 11 retreat in Napa, entitled Spring Renewal.

Friday, January 19, 2007

UUPDates Winter 2007 Newsletter Now Available!

Please take a look at, print out, read, and share the new edition of the UUP Newsletter, UUPDates.

It features articles on a variety of topics including Adult Religious Exploration, our Share-the-Plate program, and our electronic efforts, as well as a calendar of upcoming events, and a list of enticing volunteer opportunities.

Vote for UUP in Best of the North Bay!

Another poll in which you can vote for UUP and help publicize our group in the wider community: The North Bay Bohemian's annual "Best Of..." poll. Suggested categories for UUP votes (please spell out Unitarian Universalists of Petaluma): Categories #118: "Best Local Spot for Intelligent Conversation", and #408: "Best Local Place To Inspire Your Kids."

Vote now! Show your pride!

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Nominate the UUP Blog for a UU Blog Award!

If you read and enjoy this congregation's blog, please take a moment to nominate us for a UU Blog award! (You can find our congregation's blog listed in the drop-down menus under several of the categories--take a look!)

This Week at UUP: January 18-24, 2007

The Unitarian Universalists of Petaluma

An Oasis for Heart and Mind Every Sunday in Downtown Petaluma

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

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SUNDAY SERVICES

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

Sunday, January 21: "Problems in Islam and Christianity"

Regular Guest Minister Leland Bond-Upson

In a way mostly absent at the time of Desert Storm 15 years ago, we are learning we need to understand more about Islam. Although not an expert, I hope to articulate some of the impressions, questions, prejudices, perceptions and misconceptions about the worlds' two most popular religions, and about the Arab/Persian/Islamic and Western/Christian/secular cultures. Is there common ground to be found in any of this?

Sunday, January 28: "Work Spirit: The Journey to Work You Love"

Guest Speaker: Sherrie Connelly. Worship Associate Tony Blake

Work Spirit is the spark and vitality people express when they love their work. Our spiritual journey is enhanced by honoring our talents and contributing them to others and the world. Sherrie Connelly has researched the spiritual dimension of work and will invite us to explore our "Work Spirit." Sherrie has been an organization development consultant and career coach for 35 years and is a third-year Master of Divinity student at Starr King School for the Ministry.


Sunday, February 4: "This I Believe"

Part of an ongoing series in which two members of our community share their spiritual journey that led them to UUP.

Sunday, February 11: "Is UUism Pertinent Today?"

Guest speaker: Alexandra McGee. Worship Associate Elisabeth Hathaway

Starr King Ministerial student Alexandra McGee addresses the question: Is Unitarian Universalism pertinent today? We are a denomination that welcomes personal discernment and diversity. But what roots us during storms and gives us light during dark nights of the soul?

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Special Town Hall Meeting: Sunday, January 28, noon to 2:30 pm

Please join us for this all-congregation meeting to discuss the Weekend Minister Program and the Chalice Lighters Grant. Childcare will be provided, along with lunch for a nominal fee. Lucy Sperlin, the former president of the Chico UU congregation will be here to answer questions about their two years of weekend ministry experience. All members and friends are encouraged to come and help chart the future of UUP!

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UUP's Spring Women's Retreat!

March 2-5, 2007. Sign up now--deadline is February 7th--for the next women's retreat. We will rent our favorite house on Bodega Bay and enjoy the usual good company, ritual talking circles, creative endeavors, walking on the beach, sitting in the hot tub, and cooking and eating delicious food in community. Call T Hathaway ASAP to reserve a spot; cost is dependent on the number of people participating but expect about $130 per person for the weekend, plus cooking one meal with another.

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New Member Ingathering Ceremony: February 4

Have you been attending services for awhile at UUP and thinking about joining as a member? We will have a new member welcoming ceremony on Sunday, February 4, during the service. Please speak with any UUP Board Member or any member of the Membership Committee if you would like to join the congregation, or if you would like to know more about what is involved.

We'd love to welcome you as a member!

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"Love All" Tennis Group Starting Up

Many see tennis as more than just a strenuous, fun activity. In fact, books have been written about the Zen of Tennis, etc. and for good reason: this sport demands focus and discipline. Not that you'll find much of either among such a group of rank amateurs as we. Several of us have begun playing tennis on Sunday afternoons after church, usually starting around 2 o'clock. We hope to rotate our informal rounds of play between Petaluma High School, Leghorn Park, and the "L" Park in Rohnert Park. Depending on how many of us show up, we can form ourselves into doubles, singles, or French doubles matches.

No need to rsvp--just watch this space for the announcement of where we'll be meeting each week, and drop by with a racket and balls. This Sunday: 2 p.m. at Petaluma High School.

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After Leland 's Service on Islam this Sunday ...

Join Leland and the Book Study Group for an informal discussion about Islam after the service. Everyone is welcome! We will be discussing Leland's sermon over a turkey and baked potato lunch at the Women's Club. Please let Marlene Abel know in advance if you'll be joining us so we'll have enough food.

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Thank You!

We received an astounding number of heartfelt and valuable responses to the first request for Worship Surveys! The Worship Associate Committee is and will continue to read them closely and respond as we are able. Please notice they will be in the next Order of Service and at the back table with the Suggestion Box from now on--PLEASE continue to respond!!!!!

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Guest at Your Table boxes

If you've been dropping coins and bills into a Guest at Your Table box daily since November your box probably 'runneth over' by now! Diana Spaulding, the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee rep at UUP, is collecting boxes on Sundays. Although it's fun to hear the boxes chime, checks to 'UUSC' rather than cash cut down on our administrative tasks. Didn't get a box? Envelopes with donations to benefit the UUSC are also available. Membership in UUSC comes with donations of $20 seniors, $40 general, $75 dual, or $10 student, so why not add to your box total to bring it up to a membership level?

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Regularly Scheduled Gatherings

- Larking About (UUP Choir): Rehearsal Sunday, Jan. 21st, 9:30 am at the Woman's Club.

- The Membership/Outreach/Hospitality Committee: Monday, Jan. 22nd, 7:30 pm at Hope Stewart's house.

- The Stewardship Committee - Meeting to plan Annual Pledge Campaign: Wednesday, Jan. 24th, 8 pm at David Dodd's house.

- Larking About (UUP Choir): Rehearsal Sunday, Jan. 28th, 9:30 am at the Woman's Club.

If you would like to receive this weekly update via email, please email us at uupetaluma at gmail dot com.

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Friday, January 12, 2007

This Week at UUP: January 11-17, 2007

The Unitarian Universalists of Petaluma

An Oasis for Heart and Mind Every Sunday in Downtown Petaluma


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

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

Sunday, January 14: " Choice in Doing Worship"

If we are uncertain, ambivalent or downright disbelieving of divinity, what relevance and form does worship have in our lives? Is this a personal choice? A community creation? What is it we UUs DO on Sunday anyway. Worship Associate Elisabeth Hathaway explores what is worship, and how can we choose and create it. As we begin a new year, come and consider how we can embrace and create new traditions together. This Sunday will be a Share-the-Plate Sunday, when we will share our offering with the Petaluma Education Foundation (see below).

Sunday, January 21: "Problems in Islam and Christianity"

Regular Guest Minister Leland Bond-Upson
In a way mostly absent at the time of Desert Storm 15 years ago, we are learning we need to understand more about Islam. Although not an expert, I hope to articulate some of the impressions, questions, prejudices, perceptions and misconceptions about the worlds' two most popular religions, and about the Arab/Persian/Islamic and Western/Christian/secular cultures. Is there common ground to be found in any of this?

********************************************************

This Weekend is a Share-the-Plate Sunday

In keeping with our commitment to supporting our community, on Sunday UUP will share its non-pledge offering collected during the Sunday service with the Petaluma Educational Foundation. PEF is a broadly based community foundation which secures and distributes contributions from the private sector (local businesses, parents, individuals, service clubs and private foundations) to benefit the educational program in Petaluma area schools. PEF provides grants to teachers, offers scholarships to graduating seniors and manages designated funds for school programs and activities. Founded in 1982, PEF serves 10 school districts incorporating 31 public and non-profit private schools in our community.

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UUP's Spring Women's Retreat!

March 2-5, 2007. Sign up now--deadline is February 7th--for the next women's retreat. We will rent our favorite house on Bodega Bay and enjoy the usual good company, ritual talking circles, creative endeavors, walking on the beach, sitting in the hot tub, and cooking and eating delicious food in community. Call T Hathaway ASAP to reserve a spot; cost is dependent on the number of people participating but expect about $130 per person for the weekend, plus cooking one meal with another.

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You are invited to a Baby Shower for Heather Mills!

Friday, January 19th at 7:00 pm

Desserts and punch will be served. Kids are welcome.

Heather and husband, Chris, will be surprised by the gender.

Location:

Elaine Ellsworth

103 Dublin Court, corner of Windsor Drive between Western and D Streets.

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After Leland 's Service on Islam, January 21

Join Leland and the Book Study Group for an informal discussion about Islam after the service. Everyone is welcome! We will be discussing Leland's sermon over a turkey and baked potato lunch at the Women's Club. Please let Marlene Abel know in advance if you'll be joining us so we'll have enough food.

******************************************************************

Guest at Your Table boxes

If you've been dropping coins and bills into a Guest at Your Table box daily since November your box probably 'runneth over' by now! Diana Spaulding, the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee rep at UUP, is collecting boxes on Sundays. Although it's fun to hear the boxes chime, checks to 'UUSC' rather than cash cut down on our administrative tasks. Didn't get a box? Envelopes with donations to benefit the UUSC are also available. Membership in UUSC comes with donations of $20 seniors, $40 general, $75 dual, or $10 student, so why not add to your box total to bring it up to a membership level?

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Updated Church Directory

The 2007 UUP Church Directory will be available for pick up again this Sunday. If you haven't already done so, please pick up your copy this weekend.

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Regularly Scheduled Gatherings

- Larking About (UUP Choir): Rehearsal Sunday, Jan. 14th, 9:30 am at the Woman's Club.

- Monthly Meeting of the UUP Board of Trustees : Sunday, Jan. 14th, 8:30 am at the Woman's Club.

- Larking About (UUP Choir): Rehearsal Tuesday, Jan. 16th, 8 pm at David and Diana's house.

- The Membership/Outreach/Hospitality Committee will be meeting on Monday, January 22. Location TBA.

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

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Thursday, January 11, 2007

Religious Education Update: January 14

Segregation and Our Children

On this Martin Luther King holiday weekend, I will be discussing racial injustice with our kids. I will want them to know about our First Principle; that we believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every person.

This lesson is important, as our children live in an increasingly diverse nation, state, and community. When my own children attended the local public schools, their classes were predominantly white and predominantly middle class. Our schools are changing, As a school board member and school volunteer, I see more racial and economic diversity. In some schools, in the more affluent areas, I see children from all over the world: kids from India, Pakistan, China, or South Africa. In other schools, the population of Latino kids is now higher than the white population, and the percentage of children who qualify for free or reduced lunch prices is growing.

I observe that our local schools are becoming increasingly segregated. As an extreme case of that consider two schools in the Petaluma City School District: Grant Elementary School is 87% white, and 5 % Latino, while McDowell Elementary School across town is 72% Latino and 23 % white.

As a caring school board member, I have voted for boundary changes within the Old Adobe School District which I hoped would increase integration. The result of these changes was that a particular neighborhood of affluent and mostly white families chose to send their kindergartners to the Waugh District, rather then attend their local school in my district with its increasingly diverse student body.

I see that our schools with more poor kids, and more Latino kids, tend not to have the advantages that well endowed PTA’s can provide: the field trips, play structures, more up to date library collections.

What I see is that the fight that Martin Luther King Jr began against racial segregation and economic injustice must continue, even in our community. As a local elected official, I also know that the issues are difficult and not easily remedied. But one place to start is with our kids, in helping them understand that a religious community cares for all people and that its members continually strive to create a better world.

Marlene Abel

Director of Religious Education

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Friday, January 05, 2007

Religious Education Update: January 7, 2007

Happy 5th Birthday, UUP!

On January 6, 2002, eight people gathered together to create a new fellowship of Unitarian Universalists in Petaluma. They dreamed of an intentionally intergenerational group that would provide spiritual growth for children and adults.

On September 1, 2002, the group began holding weekly services.

On October 27, 2002, UUP held its Covenanting Sunday at the Petaluma Women’s Club. Nineteen members signed the Membership Book, officially forming the new congregation. The Rev. Terry Kime, minister at the UU Congregation of Marin, noted in the homily, “How glorious to find ourselves here on the morning of October 27th, 2002, at this very special moment in the life of this religious community. Some of us today will become the first official members of this congregation, the rest of us will be their witnesses.”

In June of 2004, the new congregation of UUP affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Association at the General Assembly at Long Beach, California. Diana Spaulding carried our congregational banner and David Dodd, Board President, represented us on stage, as we were officially welcomed into the national association. UUP had grown to nearly 50 members.

Since our birth, we have increased to almost 60 members, not including children and youth. We have also held:

Four All Fellowship retreats at Lake Francis and at the Four Springs

Retreat center

Three appearances in the Butter and Egg Day Parades

Numerous baby showers, potlucks, holiday celebrations, caroling parties,

new member welcomings, choir rehearsals, religious education classes for

children and adults, committee meetings, and more.

Please join the birthday party celebration after the service as we honor our five years together.

Marlene Abel

Director of Religious Education

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This Week at UUP: January 4-10, 2007

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

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

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

Sunday, January 7: "Saluting Five Years of UUP! Hurray!"
Several of UUP's founding members look back at why they believe our congregation is important, and how their vision has remained the same or changed since the beginning days of January 2002.

Sunday, January 14: " Choice in Doing Worship"

If we are uncertain, ambivalent or downright disbelieving of divinity, what relevance and form does worship have in our lives? Is this a personal choice? A community creation? What is it we UUs DO on Sunday anyway. Worship Associate Elisabeth Hathaway explores what is worship, and how can we choose and create it. As we begin a new year, come and consider how we can embrace and create new traditions together. This Sunday will be a Share-the-Plate Sunday, when we will share our offering with the Petaluma Education Foundation (see below) .

Sunday, January 21: "Problems in Islam and Christianity"

Regular Guest Minister Leland Bond-Upson
In a way mostly absent at the time of Desert Storm 15 years ago, we are learning we need to understand more about Islam. Although not an expert, I hope to articulate some of the impressions, questions, prejudices, perceptions and misconceptions about the worlds' two most popular religions, and about the Arab/Persian/Islamic and Western/Christian/secular cultures. Is there common ground to be found in any of this?

*******************************************************************

Next week (January 14) is a Share-the-Plate Sunday

In keeping with our commitment to supporting our community, next week UUP will share its non-pledge offering collected during the Sunday service with the Petaluma Educational Foundation. PEF is a broadly based community foundation which secures and distributes contributions from the private sector (local businesses, parents, individuals, service clubs and private foundations) to benefit the educational program in Petaluma area schools. PEF provides grants to teachers, offers scholarships to graduating seniors and manages designated funds for school programs and activities. Founded in 1982, PEF serves 10 school districts incorporating 31 public and non-profit private schools in our community.

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Guest at Your Table boxes

If you've been dropping coins and bills into a Guest at Your Table box daily since November your box probably 'runneth over' by now! Diana Spaulding, the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee rep at UUP, is collecting boxes on Sundays. Although it's fun to hear the boxes chime, checks to 'UUSC' rather than cash cut down on our administrative tasks. Didn't get a box? Envelopes with donations to benefit the UUSC are also available. Membership in UUSC comes with donations of $20 seniors, $40 general, $75 dual, or $10 student, so why not add to your box total to bring it up to a membership level?

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Book Club

A group led by Earl Cruser is meeting regularly to discuss A Chosen Faith, An Introduction to Unitarian Universalism . The group will meet this Sunday and again on January 21st directly after the conclusion of the service in the Woman's Club Fireside Room.

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Regularly Scheduled Gatherings

- Larking About (UUP Choir): Rehearsal Sunday, Jan. 7th, 9:30 am at the Woman's Club.

- Meeting of the UUP Worship Associates: Monday, Jan. 8th, 8 pm.

- Monthly Meeting of the UUP Board of Trustees : Sunday, Jan. 14th, 8:30 am at the Woman's Club.

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

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Thursday, January 04, 2007

We'll Build a Land: Hymn of the Month for January 2007

Our hymn of the month for January is "We'll Build a Land" (#121). According to Between the Lines: "These words from Isaiah and Amos were adpated by Barbara Zanotti (20th century), a peace activist now living in Maine."


Amos 5:24 was famously cited by Martin Luther King, Jr: "Justice shall roll down like waters, righteousness like a mighty stream." These are the words on the Civil Rights Memorial in Montgomery, Alabama, designed by Maya Lin, who was inspired by Dr. King's use of the phrase in his "I Have a Dream" speech. (Left)

The music is by Carolyn McDade, a UU songwriter and composer of one of our best-loved hymns, "Spirit of Life." She attends the Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Boston.

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