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, March 30, 2007

Religious Education Update: April 1, 2007

The Spring Holidays

Spring is my favorite season. I love the emerald green hills, the yellow fields of mustard, the wild purple irises, and the baby animals romping next to their moms. The countryside is full of new life and promise; the days are becoming warmer; and the outside world is glorious.

The holidays of spring are celebratory and happy as well. Life overcomes death in Easter, and freedom triumphs over oppression in Passover. I confess, however, that I struggle with the details of the holiday stories. I don't like the part of the Passover story in which a vengeful God kills innocent Egyptian children. I don't believe that a physical body can be restored to life, as is claimed in the Easter story.

Rather than dwell on the factual details, which may have changed over centuries of retelling, I find more of value in what these stories honor, including hope and triumph over adversity. These lessons could be inspiring to UU’s, even if we don’t accept every aspect of the biblical accounts.

Every life has moments of darkness and despair, whether caused by illness, deaths of beloved family members or friends, failures or betrayal. In these difficult times, it may seem impossible to imagine that hope and happiness will ever return. But, through time, the support and love of those closest to us, and personal reflection, the overwhelming weight of sadness generally lifts, and it becomes possible to find joy and comfort again.

For some people, a great sadness may even motivate a new cause for life. A mother who has lost a son to a drunk driver may join Mothers Against Drunk Driving, to prevent more needless deaths. A father who has lost a daughter to war, may become a crusader for peace. A sister of a breast cancer victim, may wear a pink ribbon to support research to fight the disease. Many people find a way to overcome their personal tyrants and to create freedom and triumph in their own lives.

As we celebrate Passover and Easter, may we all find freedom from our own oppressors, and celebrate the blessings of life, family and community.

Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education

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Thursday, March 29, 2007

This Week at UUP: March 28-April 4


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 1: "Generosity: Three Stories and a Poem"
Guest speaker: Pacific Central District Executive Director, Cilla Raughley. Worship Associate: Diana Spaulding
This time the G-word stands for Generosity and some other Great words such as Gifts, Gratitude... maybe even Grace. This will be a simple reflection of why my partner and I have chosen to Give at the level we do, and what we have Gained as a result. This will be a Guilt-free, Gentle time together, and you'll be Glad you came.

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.

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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For the Generosity that Sustains This Religious Community: No Foolin'!
Our annual pledge campaign kicks off this Sunday, April 1 with a short and sweet meeting after service. We will talk about pledging to financially support UUP, which is an expectation of membership in the congregation, and we will fill out pledge cards. A light lunch will be provided. The pledge drive will wrap up on April 15. Your financial commitment allows UUP to thrive and grow in depth and mission. Thank you in advance for your generosity!

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Religious Education Programs Coming Up
This Sunday, the children will participate in a Passover Seder during their religious education time, using a lovely (and brief!) Haggadah. They will experience the traditional Passover ritual plus taste the traditional Seder plate foods, such as Matzoh, hard boiled eggs, parsley, grape juice and haroset (apple and walnuts pieces mixed with a little grape juice.)

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.

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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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Regularly Scheduled Gatherings
- Annual Pledge Drive Kickoff: Sunday at 11:30 am after service.
- Love All (UUP Tennis Group): Friendly drop-in tennis game Sunday from 1:30-3:30 pm at the Petaluma High School courts.
- Worship Associates: Meeting Monday at 7:30 pm at Tony Blake's house.
- Larking About (UUP Choir): Rehearsal Tuesday at 8 pm at David and Diana'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.

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Sunday, March 25, 2007

Unchurched Statistics Point to Opportunity for Unitarian Universalism

I found the new study on who in America is "unchurched" extremely interesting. It was done by the Barna Group, and is available here.

Some of the more intriguing points:

Some population segments are notorious church avoiders. For instance, 47% of political liberals are unchurched, more than twice the percentage found among political conservatives (19%). African Americans were less likely to be unchurched (25%) than were whites (32%) or Hispanics (34%). Asians, however, doubled the national average: 63% were unchurched! Single adults continued a historic pattern of being more likely than married adults to stay away from religious services (37% versus 29%, respectively).

Residents of the West (42%) and Northeast (39%) remain the most church resistant, while those in the South are the least prone to avoid religious services (26%). Sexual orientation is closely related to church status, too: while about one-third of heterosexuals are unchurched (31%), half of the homosexual public (49%) met the unchurched criteria.



So: political liberals, along with unmarried and/or gay people in the western states are a huge potential source of people seeking a spiritual home. Time to make our message known more widely, I'd say.

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Friday, March 23, 2007

This Week at UUP: March 22-28


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, March 25: "One Woman's History"
Guest speaker: Maxine Levaren
During Women's History Month, it's only natural to reflect on the changes that women have made in their lives over the past 50 years. It's not only the history we read about in books and moments in great movements that we think about, it's also about how these events have shaped women's lives. And, our personal histories as 21st century women, is a great place to start. Maxine Levaren is a writer, personal success coach, relative newcomer to UU and a lifelong feminist. Although she hates to admit it, she remembers the 60s well, looks back on it with nostalgia and views herself as an unrepentant hippie.

Sunday, April 1: "Generosity: Three Stories and a Poem"
Guest speaker: Pacific Central District Executive Director, Cilla Raughley. Worship Associate: Diana Spaulding
This time the G-word stands for Generosity and some other Great words such as Gifts, Gratitude...maybe even Grace. This will be a simple reflection of why my partner and I have chosen to Give at the level we do, and what we have Gained as a result. This will be a Guilt-free, Gentle time together, and you'll be Glad you came.

*******************************************************************
No Fooling! Supporting Our Religious Community

Our annual pledge campaign kicks off on Sunday, April 1 with a short and sweet meeting after church. We will talk about pledging to financially support UUP, which is an expectation of membership in the congregation, and fill out pledge cards. A light lunch will be provided. The pledge drive will wrap up on April 15. Your financial commitment allows UUP to thrive and grow in depth and mission.

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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 www.pcd-uua.org/DA.

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Annual Memorial Day Retreat! (May 25-28, 2007)

Planning is now beginning for our annual retreat 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 committee meeting/potluck will likely take place April 22 at the Spaulding-Dodd house. Watch this newsletter for date and time confirmation. Bring something to grill, share and drink, plus your enthusiastic selves. Questions, call T Hathaway.

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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.
- Membership Committee: Meeting Monday at 7:30 pm at Elaine and Gene Ellsworth's house.
- Larking About (UUP Choir): Rehearsal Tuesday at 8 pm at David and Diana'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.

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Saturday, March 17, 2007

Religious Education Update: March 18, 2007

Why does the Easter Bunny lay eggs?

Our UUP children are growing up in a country that is predominantly Christian, but which celebrates its major holidays with pagan festivals. Sometimes people notice this contradiction, and will object. They will say, “Let’s put the Christ back in Christmas”, while objecting to secular merrymaking. But most Americans just accept the apparent inconsistencies. We celebrate Christmas by decorating an evergreen tree in our living rooms. Easter festivities include a very unusual bunny who lays colored eggs. The celebration of St. Patrick’s Day features leprechauns and pots of gold.

So, why does the Easter Bunny lay eggs, anyway?

Long ago, according to pagan legend, there was a goddess Eostara who rescued a nearly frozen baby bird who was lost in the snow. She brought the bird back to health, but she wasn’t able to save its wings. The goddess knew that the bird would be unhappy because it couldn’t fly, so she changed it to a bunny who retained the ability to lay eggs.

When the early Christians were trying to make their religion more acceptable to former pagans, they borrowed Eostara’s name for their springtime festival of Easter. The little bird that she saved and transformed became the Easter Bunny. This bunny would leave colored eggs and other goodies to reward well-behaved children.

The pagan religions developed far, far earlier than the major world religions of the modern world. They predate Christianity, Islam, Judaism and others by up to 10.000 years. These faiths tend to focus on the natural world, polytheism, and folktales which explain religious practice. The early traditions of these believers live on in our holidays of Halloween, Christmas, Easter and others.

Today we will talk about the Spring Equinox in RE and the pagan holiday Ostara. The children will hear about the legend of the nearly frozen bird who became a bunny. We will learn about how men and women long ago celebrated the new life and growth in Spring, just modern Petalumans appreciate warm Spring days and the beautiful flowers this month.

Marlene Abel

Director of Religious Education

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Friday, March 16, 2007

This Week at UUP: March 15-21


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, March 18: "Risking Joy: Finding Wholeness"
Guest speakers: ministerial students Wendy Bartel and Lynn Kelly.
Worship Associate: Elisabeth Hathaway
In a world filled with injustice, environmental degradation, war, poverty, and our own personal struggles, how do we connect to what is beautiful and precious? How might we dare, as individuals and in community, to be part of the transformation from brokenness to wholeness? Come risk joy with us through music, meditation, ritual, and spoken word.

Sunday, March 25: "One Woman's History"
Guest speaker: Maxine Levaren
During Women's History Month, it's only natural to reflect on the changes that women have made in their lives over the past 50 years. It's not only the history we read about in books and moments in great movements that we think about, it's also about how these events have shaped women's lives. And, our personal histories as 21st century women, is a great place to start. Maxine Levaren is a writer, personal success coach, relative newcomer to UU and a lifelong feminist. Although she hates to admit it, she remembers the 60s well, looks back on it with nostalgia and views herself as an unrepentant hippie.

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Town Hall Meeting Update

Please join us as we continue to discuss issues and concerns about our proposed grant request for the Weekend Minister Program. The final discussion group will take place Sunday, March 18, 9:30 to 10:15 am in the Fireside Room of the Woman's Club. Topic: How will the Weekend Ministry Program affect our membership? Please join the board and the Membership and Hospitality Committee for this discussion.

Thank you in advance for your participation.

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Annual Memorial Day Retreat! (May 25-28, 2007)
Planning is now beginning for our annual retreat 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 committee meeting/potluck will likely take place April 22 at the Spaulding-Dodd house. Watch this newsletter for date and time confirmation. Bring something to grill, share and drink, plus your enthusiastic selves. Questions, call T Hathaway (762-5432).

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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.
- UUP Women's Group: Meeting Monday at 7:30 pm at Jean Conrad's house. March's topic: Your Self. Bring photos of yourself as a 10- to 12-year-old to show and share on topic of self as growing into adult.
- Larking About (UUP Choir): Rehearsal Tuesday at 8 pm at David and Diana'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.

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Thursday, March 15, 2007

Press Democrat Prints UUP Member Celeste Durrum's Letter to the Editor

Celeste's letter was published on March 5 in tje Press Democrat's Letters to the Editor.

Subject: Supporting Our Troops

Dear Editor:

I believe there is an emergency need to support our young men and women who are fighting to fulfill the mission put forth by our president.

The most fundamental support needed is to bring them home alive and provide them with the intensive services needed to restore physical and mental health so they can go forth to become parents, workers, and productive citizens of our great country.

Sending these young people into the Middle East to secure an oil-rich country for the benefit of the entwined Bush government and U. S.-controlled oil corporations has recklessly left them wounded, maimed, mentally damaged, and dead.

This is the antithesis of support and a failing of tragic magnitude by our president and government.

Lack of support, in fact, has become active anti-support through ignoring and removal of customary military rules and programs that keep our soldiers fit, effective fighters likely to survive.

Some examples of anti-support include: the need for families themselves to purchase protective gear for their sons and daughters; soldiers being re-deployed without usual intervals for recovery and re-training; altered military rules so troops are re-deployed three times to Iraq; broken-up and partial units sent lacking readiness or equipment; National Guard units, untrained for combat in Iraq, sent to fight; and the decimation of our National Guard to the point it is not ready for natural disasters here (Hurricane Katrina a case in point).

This is the short list.

I pray the American people will press their representatives in Congress to provide real support to our troops, not deceitful rhetoric to promote the policies of anti-support.

Sincerely,

Celeste Durrum
Petaluma

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Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Pete Stark, Unitarian Universalist Congressperson, Makes the News!

Congressperson Pete Stark of Walnut Creek has made big news by confirming that he does not believe in a supreme being, making him the highest-ranking atheist holding political office. He may also be the highest-ranking Unitarian Universalist holding public office--we haven't had a president since William Howard Taft, I don't think.

The SF Chronicle's "Two Cents" column featured people weighing in on the topic today, and my eye was caught by this response:

Patrice Bennet-Alder, Daly City
If a candidate states being atheist, or Unitarian Universalist, I see that as a plus. Their values and priorities come from their own intellect and conscience, and they have the courage to go up against the Christian majority. I have been Unitarian Universalist all my life.

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Monday, March 12, 2007

UUPer Phil Boyle on City of Petaluma's Green Tem

Our own UUP Board member Phil Boyle, a City Planner, is a member of Petaluma's new "Green Team," as featured in a recent issue of the Argus Courier.

The group will take on many issues around encouraging environmentally responsible development and practices in Petaluma, and includes City staff and community members. The team will begin a series of regular columns in the Argus Courier on green living and sustainability.

As the Argus Courier article says:

The Green Team is currently developing its vision for 2007 and beyond. This vision includes a series of educational workshops for homeowners, renters, and business owners which will cover a variety of topics, from how to remodel your kitchen and bath using green building principles, to choosing alternative household products, to greening your home, garden and office. The workshops will begin in the spring of 2007 and will include tours of sites currently implementing green practices. Stay tuned for more information!


Also on the team is Trathen Heckman, director of Daily Acts, who spoke at UUP a while back.

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This Week at UUP: March 8-14

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, March 11: "In Praise of Sweet Darkness"
Guest speaker: Shepherd Bliss
"In Praise of Sweet Darkness" titles Shepherd Bliss' guest presentation March 11. He will be accompanied throughout the talk by musicians from the Kokopelli Players, including award-winning art teacher and CD recording artist Larry Stefl on guitar and an indigenous flute called the huaca and by Peter Herbert of the UU Congregation in Marin on drums and other percussion.
Shepherd will focus on the benevolent aspects of darkness, such as chocolate. Rumi, Lao Tzu, Unitarian Ralph Waldo Emerson, Wendell Berry, David Whyte, Rilke and T.S. Eliot will be among the poets quoted. Mystics quoted will include St. Francis of Assisi, St. Thomas of Aquinas, Meister Eckhard, and St. John of the Cross' classic "Dark Night of the Soul." Psychologist Carl Jung's concept of the shadow will also be employed. Shepherd will refer to his work at Kokopelli Farm south of Sebastopol.
This is a Share-the-Plate Sunday. Please see the note below.
Spring forward: Note that Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday! Don't forget to turn your clocks ahead one hour Saturday night!

Sunday, March 18: "Risking Joy: Finding Wholeness"
Guest speakers: ministerial students Wendy Bartel and Lynn Kelly.
Worship Associate: Elisabeth Hathaway
In a world filled with injustice, environmental degradation, war, poverty, and our own personal struggles, how do we connect to what is beautiful and precious? How might we dare, as individuals and in community, to be part of the transformation from brokenness to wholeness? Come risk joy with us through music, meditation, ritual, and spoken word.

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Share-the-Plate

We will be sharing half of the non-pledge offering in our collection plate on Sunday with the Petaluma People Services Center. PPSC was started in 1974 by a handful of community people who were concerned that Petaluma and South County residents did not have ready access to county health and social services. Their mission is to help low income children, adults, families and seniors to empower themselves thereby reducing: poverty, abuse, chemical dependence, violence, ignorance, isolation and mental illness, while promoting socialization, health, education, independence, self reliance and self esteem. Thank you for your generosity.

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Town Hall Meeting Update

Please join the UUP Board as we continue to discuss issues and concerns about our proposed grant request for the Weekend Minister Program. All discussion groups will take place from 9:30 to 10:15 am in the Fireside Room at the Woman's Club.

This Sunday, March 11: How will the Weekend Ministry Program affect worship? Come and explore this question and any others you may have about the Weekend Ministry program. Coffee and refreshments will be served!

Sunday, March 18: How will the Weekend Ministry Program affect our membership? Please join the board and the Membership and Hospitality Committee for this discussion.

Sign up sheets will be located at the UUP table in the back of the worship space. Thank you in advance for your participation.

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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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Regularly Scheduled Gatherings

- Love All (UUP Tennis Group): Friendly drop-in tennis game Sunday from 2-4 pm at the Petaluma High School courts.
- Larking About (UUP Choir): Rehearsal Tuesday at 8 pm at David and Diana's house.
- UUP Board of Trustees: Meeting Thursday, March 15 at 7 pm at Jean Conrad'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.

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Religious Education Update: March 11, 2007

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Today we will learn about St. Patrick’s Day in RE and become a little Irish ourselves, as it is said that everyone is Irish on this holiday. The Irish honor their patron saint with parades, fireworks, limericks, and merrymaking. It is celebrated with both reverence and irreverence as evident in the following quotes:

St. Patrick's Day is an enchanted time -- a day to begin transforming winter's dreams into summer's magic.
Adrienne Cook

This is one race of people for whom psychoanalysis is of no use whatsoever.
Sigmund Freud (about the Irish)

Ireland is rich in literature that understands a soul's yearnings, and dancing that understands a happy heart.
Margaret Jackson
Maybe it's bred in the bone, but the sound of pipes is a little bit of heaven to some of us.
Nancy O'Keefe

St. Patrick lived about 1600 years ago, and is credited with driving all the snakes from Ireland. This is just a legend, as we know that snakes were not found in Ireland at the time, as Ireland has been an island since the last Ice Age and separated from all snake populations.

Some of the Druidic celebrations that St. Patrick observed in ancient Ireland were incorporated into Easter customs still practiced today. He founded many Christian churches, but retained pagan rituals. He was not Irish himself, but much loved by his adopted land.

Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education

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Thursday, March 08, 2007

Article on Ric Masten, UU Poet

Found a wonderful article about one of my favorite poets, Ric Masten. It's available online at the Monterey County Weekly's website.

Masten is the author of the wonderful hymn, "Let It Be A Dance."

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Wednesday, March 07, 2007

"We Sing Of Golden Mornings": Hymn of the Month for March, 2007


Our featured hymn this month is #44: "We Sing of Golden Mornings." The words are loosely based on a poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson, "The World Soul" (1847), as rewritten first by Walter Walsh, then recast by Vincent Silliman in 1955 for the UU hymnal We Sing of Life, and finally recast once again in 1990 for our current hymnal, thusly:

We sing of golden mornings, we sing of sparkling seas,
of prairies, valleys, mountains, and stately forest trees.
We sing of flashing sunshine and life-bestowing rain,
of birds among the branches, and springtime come again.

We sing the heart courageous, the youthful, eager mind;
we sing of hopes undaunted, of friendly ways and kind.
We sing the roses waiting beneath the deep-piled snows;
we sing the earth's great splendor, whose beauty around us glows.


The only line changed in the 1990 arrangement from Silliman's work was his closing line:

We sing, when night is darkest, the day's returning glow.


Emerson's original poem, for the record (via http://rwe.org) (I don't know...I don't really see the derivation. Am I blind?):

Thanks to the morning light,
Thanks to the seething sea,
To the uplands of New Hampshire,
To the green-haired forest free;
Thanks to each man of courage,
To the maids of holy mind,
To the boy with his games undaunted,
Who never looks behind.

Cities of proud hotels,
Houses of rich and great,
Vice nestles in your chambers,
Beneath your roofs of slate.
It cannot conquer folly,
Time-and-space-conquering steam,—
And the light-outspeeding telegraph
Bears nothing on its beam.

The politics are base,
The letters do not cheer,
And 'tis far in the deeps of history—
The voice that speaketh clear.
Trade and the streets ensnare us,
Our bodies are weak and worn,
We plot and corrupt each other,
And we despoil the unborn.

Yet there in the parlor sits
Some figure of noble guise,
Our angel in a stranger's form,
Or woman's pleading eyes;
Or only a flashing sunbeam
In at the window pane;
Or music pours on mortals
Its beautiful disdain.

The inevitable morning
Finds them who in cellars be,
And be sure the all-loving Nature
Will smile in a factory.
Yon ridge of purple landscape,
Yon sky between the walls,
Hold all the hidden wonders
In scanty intervals.

Alas, the sprite that haunts us
Deceives our rash desire,
It whispers of the glorious gods,
And leaves us in the mire:
We cannot learn the cipher
That's writ upon our cell,
Stars help us by a mystery
Which we could never spell.

If but one hero knew it,
The world would blush in flame,
The sage, till he hit the secret,
Would hang his head for shame.
But our brothers have not read it,
Not one has found the key,
And henceforth we are comforted,
We are but such as they.

Still, still the secret presses,
The nearing clouds draw down,
The crimson morning flames into
The fopperies of the town.
Within, without, the idle earth
Stars weave eternal rings,

The sun himself shines heartily,
And shares the joy he brings.

And what if trade sow cities
Like shells along the shore,
And thatch with towns the prairie broad
With railways ironed o'er;—
They are but sailing foambells
Along Thought's causing stream,
And take their shape and Sun-color
From him that sends the dream.

For destiny does not like
To yield to men the helm,
And shoots his thought by hidden nerves
Throughout the solid realm.
The patient Dæmon sits
With roses and a shroud,
He has his way, and deals his gifts—
But ours is not allowed.

He is no churl or trifler,
And his viceroy is none,
Love-without-weakness,
Of genius sire and son;

And his will is not thwarted,—
The seeds of land and sea
Are the atoms of his body bright,
And his behest obey.

He serveth the servant,
The brave he loves amain,
He kills the cripple and the sick,
And straight begins again;
For gods delight in gods,
And thrust the weak aside;
To him who scorns their charities,
Their arms fly open wide.

When the old world is sterile,
And the ages are effete,
He will from wrecks and sediment
The fairer world complete.
He forbids to despair,
His cheeks mantle with mirth,
And the unimagined good of men
Is yeaning at the birth.

Spring still makes spring in the mind,
When sixty years are told;

Love wakes anew this throbbing heart,
And we are never old.
Over the winter glaciers,
I see the summer glow,
And through the wild-piled snowdrift
The warm rose buds below.



In his essay about our hymnals delivered at General Assembly in 1977, Silliman writes:

“We sing of golden mornings” is another hymn of complex history. While We Sing [of Life] was in preparation, Edwin H. Wilson, Unitarian minister and Humanist leader, wrote that he could send me a batch of material he had collected through the years in which I might find things of use, if only I would do all the sorting out. The pile was nearly a foot high. In it was a tiny hymnbook of English origin, compiled in 1925, called Free Religious Hymns. I thought one text in it had possibilities; although it was mostly doggerel, it had some bright phrases. It was attributed to “Emerson.” It didn’t sound like Ralph Waldo Emerson to me; I didn’t trouble to look it up in Emerson; but I did shape a hymn text from it. The tune to which we sing it was chosen by Irving Lowens. After this hymn was accepted for Hymns for the Celebration [of Life], I thought I’d better check that Emerson attribution. Then I discovered that the text I had worked with was indeed based on Emerson. I trust that my rewrite still constitutes a better hymn.


The hymn's tune is attributed to William Walker's Southern Harmony, dating from 1835, and is entitled, quite wonderfully, "Complainer." Hmmmm. Wonder what that's about? Here's the original lyric:

I am a great complainer, that bears the name of Christ;
Come, all ye Zion mourners, and listen to my cries:
I've many sore temptations, and sorrows to my soul;
I feel my faith declining, and my affections cold.

O Lord of life and glory, my sins to me reveal,
And by thy love and power, my sin sick soul be healed;
I thought my warfare over, no trouble I should see;
But now I'm like the lonely dove, that mourns on the wavering tree.

I wish it was with me now, as in the days of old,
When the glorious light of Jesus was flowing in my soul;
But now I am distressed, and no relief can find,
With a hard deceitful heart, and a wretched wandering mind.

It is great pride and passion, beset me on my way,
So I am filled with folly, and so neglect to pray;
While others run rejoicing, and seem to lose no time,
I am so weak I stumble, and so I'm left behind.

I read that peace and happiness meet Christians in their way,
That bear their cross with meekness, and don't neglect to pray
But I, a thousand objects beset me in my way
So I am filled with folly, and so neglect to pray.

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Friday, March 02, 2007

Religious Education Update: March 4, 2007

Mardi Gras, Lent and UU’s

A trombone player friend of mine goes to Mardi Gras every year, to party and enjoy the music of New Orleans. Afterwards, he observes the more solemn season of Lent with its time of inner reflection and sacrifice. At the end of Lent, he plays his trombone with other musicians at his church’s services, in the joyous celebration of Easter.

These alternating times of inner searching and outward rejoicing are part of the regular rhythms of the Christian church year. Other faiths have similar rituals of fasting or restricting pleasure, such as in the Muslim observance of Ramadan, or the Native American tribes’ vision quest, or the Jewish holiday of Tisha B’Av. Often the practice of self-deprivation is immediately followed by feasts and merrymaking.

The Unitarian Universalist church year generally does not have comparable seasons of fasting and inner searching. So, how do we understand this fairly universal experience of other traditions? What do we give up, even on a temporary basis, for our faith?

I believe that many UU’s give up the commonly held philosophy that we humans are the center of the universe; that our species is infinitely more valuable than others on this planet. We also realize that we have no monopoly on religious truth, but that other faiths have insights into life’s great mysteries. We give up feelings of superiority over others’ beliefs. In realizing our responsibility to this planet and its creatures, we may choose to live more simply, use fewer resources and reduce waste. We give up unnecessary consumption.

In these ways and others, UU’s incorporate inner searching and reflecting into their daily lives. Our Seven Principals lead us in acting respectfully towards others and in living lightly on the Earth. We collectively celebrate the miracles and mysteries of our lives and the abundant universe. We then create our own holidays and traditions, such as the Flower Communion or the Water and Stones Ceremony, to guide us on our collective religious path.

Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education

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This Week at UUP: March 1-7


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, March 4: "Stewardship Of Your Environment"
Worship Associate: Michael Iritz
We understand the many ways in which our actions alter our natural environment. But what about our spiritual environment? Or the environment we shape within our religious community? Join us in discovery and discussion about the trust and responsibility of stewardship we each take on in a myriad of ways - from our personal lives to the care of our families and on to our larger family of community around us.

Sunday, March 11: "In Praise of Sweet Darkness"
Guest speaker: Shepherd Bliss
"In Praise of Sweet Darkness" titles Shepherd Bliss' guest presentation March 11. He will be accompanied throughout the talk by musicians from the Kokopelli Players, including award-winning art teacher and CD recording artist Larry Stefl on guitar and an indigenous flute called the huaca and by Peter Herbert of the UU Congregation in Marin on drums and other percussion.
Shepherd will focus on the benevolent aspects of darkness, such as chocolate. Rumi, Lao Tzu, Unitarian Ralph Waldo Emerson, Wendell Berry, David Whyte, Rilke and T.S. Eliot will be among the poets quoted. Mystics quoted will include St. Francis of Assisi, St. Thomas of Aquinas, Meister Eckhard, and St. John of the Cross' classic "Dark Night of the Soul." Psychologist Carl Jung's concept of the shadow will also be employed. Shepherd will refer to his work at Kokopelli Farm south of Sebastopol.

Sunday, March 18: "Risking Joy: Finding Wholeness"
Guest speakers: ministerial students Wendy Bartel and Lynn Kelly.
Worship Associate: Elisabeth Hathaway
In a world filled with injustice, environmental degradation, war, poverty, and our own personal struggles, how do we connect to what is beautiful and precious? How might we dare, as individuals and in community, to be part of the transformation from brokenness to wholeness? Come risk joy with us through music, meditation, ritual, and spoken word.

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Open that Blue Envelope!

This week all members of UUP will receive a blue envelope in the mail from the national Unitarian Universalist Association asking for assistance with a major outreach campaign in the San Francisco Bay Area. Just think of it: radio and TV ads, newspaper inserts, direct mail... all promoting Unitarian Universalism! The campaign will begin in the fall, but first $260,000 must be raised from the many UU congregations in this region who will directly benefit from the outreach program, UU Petaluma included. Please consider returning that blue envelope with your contribution. Didn't get a blue envelope? Look for the UUA Marketing display on Sunday morning, or contact David Hathaway or Diana Spaulding for more info.

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Town Hall Meeting Update

Please join the UUP Board as we continue to discuss issues and concerns about our proposed grant request for the Weekend Minister Program. All discussion groups will take place from 9:30 to 10:15 am in the Fireside Room at the Woman's Club.

How will the Weekend Ministry Program affect worship? Please join the board and the Worship Committee for this discussion on Sunday, March 11.

How will the Weekend Ministry Program affect our membership? Please join the board and the Membership and Hospitality Committee for this discussion on Sunday, March 18.

Sign up sheets will be located at the UUP table in the back of the worship space. Thank you in advance for your participation.

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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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Regularly Scheduled Gatherings

- Larking About (UUP Choir): Rehearsal Sunday at 9:30 am at the Woman's Club and Tuesday at 8pm at David and Diana's house.

- Love All (UUP Tennis Group): Friendly drop-in tennis game Sunday from 2-4 pm at the Petaluma High School courts.

- UUP Worship Associates: Meeting Monday at 8:00 pm at Diana Spaulding'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 cot com.

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