This Week at UUP: April 5-11, 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, April 8: "Reborn, With a Derelict as My Midwife"
Regular Guest Minister: Leland Bond-Upson
Rebirth can come in many forms and sometimes from unlikely sources. As Mother Nature refreshes the Earth on her reliable schedule, let us consider the less predictable and often messier ways in which we ourselves experience emergence, new beginnings, and transformation.

Egg Hunt immediately following the service.

Sunday, April 15: "Money: a Spiritual Currency" by Jan Ogren
Worship associate: Elisabeth Hathaway
WARNING: attending this service may lead to a change in beliefs and attitudes towards money. This service
contains explicit content concerning money. Not only will money be discussed frankly but frequent references to God will be made.
This sermon won the 2007 PCD (Pacific Central District) sermon award in the Connection to our Larger Movement category.

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No Foolin'--Pledge Campaign Off to a Great Start

At Sunday's post-service lunch and pledge drive kickoff, we shared information about UUP's financial picture, talked about the process of pledging (making an advance financial commitment to support UUP), and then filled out pledge cards. We received 14 pledge cards. Eleven of our member pledges went up from the previous year. The total pledged on Sunday was $15,645. For the next two Sundays, those who have yet to pledge will have the opportunity to receive the materials handed out at the kick-off, along with their pledge card, and ask questions of representatives of our Stewardship Committee and Board of Trustees, at a table in the back of the room. Please visit!

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Religious Education Programs Coming Up

Easter Sunday: Immediately following the service on Easter morning, April 8, we will have an Egg Hunt in the grassy area between the Petaluma Woman's Club building and the Christian Science church. There will be two age groups for the hunt: under six and seven and over. If you would enjoy donating a dozen hard boiled and colored eggs to the hunt, please let Marlene know. (Marlene Abel, marlenea@sonic.net or 764-0443).

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Larking About Is Open To All Who Like to Sing! Join Us!

Our singing group, Larking About, is currently working on a beautiful piece of music for our Earth Day service on April 22: Seth Houston's "Emerald Stream." This would be a wonderful time for anyone who has been thinking of joining in to test-drive the choir, as it were. Regular rehearsals are held on Tuesday evenings from 8 to 9:30 at the home of David Dodd and Diana Spaulding; and on Sunday mornings at 9:15 a.m. to 10 a.m. before the service at the Woman's Club.

Please feel free to just show up if you are at all interested! We have also begun work on Randall Thompson's "The Road Not Taken."

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"New to UUP" Visitors' Orientation: Sunday, April 15

Curious about UUism? About our congregation? Want to ask some questions? Please join with a small group of UUP members to hear about our congregation, ask questions about Unitarian Universalism, and generally get acquainted with UUP. We'll hold these sessions on the third Sunday of each month. Meet in the fireside room immediately following the service.

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A Picnic and the Green Bird at Cinnabar Theater: Sunday, April 15

Come join Religious Education families and friends for a picnic at Oak Hill Park in the afternoon, followed by a trip to Cinnabar Theatre! We'll see our very own Amy West in the Green Bird at 2 pm. See Marlene Abel for tickets to the play ($12 adults, $8 for ages 12 and under.).

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Annual Memorial Day Retreat Planning Meeting: Sunday, April 22

Planning is now beginning for our annual retreat (scheduled for May 25-28) so gather up your ideas, mark your calendar and come to the potluck BBQ to help put it together! We are looking for a committee to form to make our plans: we need ideas for child activities and care, worship, scheduling, food etc. The planning meeting/potluck will take place SUNDAY, APRIL 22 at 4 pm at the Spaulding-Dodd house. Bring something to grill, share and drink, plus your enthusiastic selves. Questions, call T Hathaway.

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DISTRICT ASSEMBLY IS FOR EVERYONE!

When: April 27-29, 2007
Where: The Crowne Plaza Hotel, Foster City

Don't miss this once-a-year gathering of our regional community, coming together for a weekend of learning, laughing, networking, and worship. The theme this year is Rise Up O Flame, with featured presentations from the Rev. Peter Morales and Holly Near.

Get all the information at the PCD website.

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Time & Talent Auction Coming Up May 6: Please Save the Date--and Invite Friends

Our once-a-year fundraiser, a Time & Talent Auction, will take place on May 6 following the service. Lunch, dessert, and entertainment are included in this lively and fun event. If you have a service to offer up for auction, or a cabin in the woods people might bid on to visit, or an item that would attract interest during the silent auction portion of the event, please consider contributing. Forms will be available beginning this coming Sunday.

We also need folks who would like to help organize the auction (auctioneer, set-up and take-down, tallying and cashiering, entertaining, food prep and clean-up, child care)--please contact Leslie Harrison. We will have a brief organizational meeting on Wednesday the 11th from 6 to 7:30 pm at Leslie's home for anyone who'd like to help out!

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Regularly Scheduled Gatherings

-Love All (UUP Tennis Group): Friendly drop-in tennis game Sunday from 1:30-3:30 pm at the Petaluma High School courts.
-Larking About (UUP Choir): Rehearsal Tuesday at 8 pm at David and Diana's house.
-Time and Talent Auction Planning Meeting: Wednesday at 6 pm at Leslie Harrison'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 uupetaluma at gmail dot com.