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.