This Week at UUP: January 17-23, 2008

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


ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

Community Celebration Potluck: "Happy Worth Day"
This Saturday, January 19
All members, friends and guests of UUP are invited to a potluck from 6-8 pm this Saturday at the Petaluma Woman's Club. Enjoy good food, songs, games and stories about "worth", with Rev Ben and our Potluck Task Force members: Janette Morrow, Diana Spaulding and Ellen Beeler. Three of our youth- Amy, Bailey and Lizzie- will provide childcare, fun and games for the kids. Please your own beverage, a cup to drink from, plus a potluck dish. If your last name begins with A through G bring a salad or main dish, H through P bring an entree, and Q though Z bring a dessert.
Questions? Contact any task force member, Rev. Ben or Marlene Abel.

Questions about Unitarian Universalism or UUP? Come to a "New to UU" Visitors' Orientation!
On the third Sunday of each month, informal conversations are held after the service (11:45-12:15) about Unitarian Universalism and liberal religion. If you've been wondering about Unitarian Universalism or the UUP congregation, here's your chance to find out! This month's conversation will be held this Sunday.

UUP Adult Forum this Sunday
This month's topic: Graceful aging
This month's session of the Adult Forum - Sharing and Learning, Faith and Life - will take place this Sunday. We'll gather in the upper room of the Woman's Club following the Sunday Service to 1:15 pm. Bring a beverage for a "Conversation Cafe."

Religious Education Committee Meeting Sunday, January 27, immediately after the service
All are welcome to attend the monthly RE meeting to plan RE events, social action projects and classroom activities. Childcare will be provided. Questions? Contact Leslie Harrison, RE Chair or Marlene Abel, DRE.

UUP Men's Group
The UUP Men's Group will be meeting at Dick Allen's House on Friday, February 8th at 7:30 pm. The subject of discussion will be 'Parenting: You as a Father, You as a Son". Contact Phil Boyle. Carpoolers meet at 7pm at Petaluma City Hall.

Announcing "Changing the Forecast" Workshops
Climate Action Workshop for Unitarian Universalists
Saturday, February 2, 2008 9:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Mt. Diablo UU Church, 55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek, CA UU Legislative Ministry-CA invites UUs to Changing the Forecast, a one-day climate action workshop presented in partnership with the Planning and Conservation League. Learn how to harness the power of the California Environmental Quality Act and new state climate policy to inform local community planning. Find out how to engage your congregation in reducing carbon emissions by taking UULM Low Carbon Challenge. Featured presenters are Matt Vander Sluis, Global Warming Project Manager for the Planning and Conservation League; and Rachel Morris, President of VCCool, a Ventura County grassroots organization dedicated to stemming global warming.
Email: workshop at uulmca.org or call (530) 848-2920 to reserve your seat. $15 donation includes lunch.

Announcing the 6th annual Asian/Pacific Islander UU Community Building Weekend
The 6th annual Asian/Pacific Islander UU Community Building Weekend will take place Feb. 15th to 17th at Throop UU Church in Pasadena. We are anticipating a record turnout of UUs from across the country who identify wholly or in part as Asian or Pacific Islander. Programming for children and a field trip to Little Tokyo and Chinatown are included. The highlight is the Saturday 9 a.m-5 p.m. workshop on "Creating the Community We Dream About." Registration forms available here.

UPCOMING 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. )

This Sunday, January 20, 2008: Remembering the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Worship leaders: The Rev. Ben Kocs-Meyers and Stacey Meinzen
Music by David Dodd
Greeters: Leslie Balestreri, Ingrid Larnis, Karen Barlow and Jan Crosby
This day we celebrate the life and impact of one who was great among us. A man who led this country to reexamine what it means to be American and what it means to live out the idea that all people should be free, and treated equally under the law. The service will include an opportunity for the congregation to share what his life and legacy means to them.

Sunday, January 27, 2008: This I Believe
Speakers: Bruce Eriksen and Joyce Tischler
In quarterly "This I Believe" services at UUP, members of our community trace their religious and spiritual awakening and personal narrative through the events and practices of their lives, highlighting their religious histories, beliefs and catalytic experiences. Through these services we get to know one another better and see the range and variety of ways to think and act in the process of seeking to pursue and fulfill what we might call a spiritually informed and enriched life.

REGULARLY SCHEDULED GATHERINGS

The Women's Group meets Monday Jan 21 at 7:30 pm at the home of Jean Conrad. The topic for this month is "The Best Thing I Did in 2007".