This Week at UUP: October 23-30, w008

The Unitarian Universalists of Petaluma
Nurture Your Spirit. Help Heal Our World.
www.uupetaluma.org



ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

Day of the Dead Activities in Petaluma
From UUP Director of Religious Education Marlene Abel
Our children and youth have been studying different religions and cultures this year in RE. Upcoming activities in Petaluma directly relate to their RE Curriculum and would be great family fun. I hope our families will consider trying these events. (The Day of the Dead activities are a blend of ancient Aztec beliefs with the Catholicism of the conquering Spanish.). Upcoming activities include:
* Family Workshop, Saturday, October 25, at St. Vincent's Church Hall, Western and Howard Streets, Noon- 2 pm
* Making traditional sugar skulls.
* Traditional Candlelit procession, Saturday, November 1, 6 pm, featuring Aztec dancers, Mariachi bands, and giant puppets. Starting from the Water Street Bistro, 100 Petaluma Blvd North, ending up at the Petaluma Art Center.
These activities and more are sponsored by the Petaluma Art Council. For more information, check out their website at www.PetalumaArtsCouncil.org.

Altar Walk this Sunday for RE Classes
The elementary age and middle school groups of RE children and youth (ages 7 up through 4th grade, and the 5th - 8th graders) will be taking an Altar Walk this Sunday during religious education. The children, accompanied by RE teachers (including me) will walk to Kentucky Street (2 blocks from our UUP space), then down Kentucky towards Washington. The total walk will cover about 5 blocks, one way, and will be over by approximately 11:30. We will stop at the shops, beginning with Rex Hardware, and study the many Day of the Dead altars set up by downtown businesses. At the Altar near Heebe Jeebee, we should have an opportunity to write personal notes about people that we want to honor and remember. The altars honor many Petalumans and are colorful, filled with art, and are all very different. Along the way, I will share some of the history and meaning of the holiday with our children and youth. Parents are very welcome to walk with us, I will have permission slips to fill out at UUP. Rain cancels. Please contact me with questions or concerns. -- Marlene Abel, Director of Religious Education

UUP Welcomes New Members this Sunday
Have you been considering joining UUP as a member? Now is a good time to do so, as we will welcome new members during the service on Sunday. If you'd like to join at that time or if you have questions about membership, please contact David Dodd, UUP Membership Committee member.

Annual UUP Halloween Potluck and Costume Party
Everyone in the congregation is invited to this fun event. Wear your costumes! Rain cancels.
Sunday, October 26th, 4-7 pm
KC and Matt Greaney's home.

UUP Inspiration! Community Music Jam, Intention Circle and Potluck on Saturday, November 1st

Jam 2:00-4:30; Intention Circle 4:30-5:30; potluck 5:30-7. Come for all or any of these parts!
Please join us for this community event to christen the Dodd-Spaulding bungalow for small group worship! Join us for an afternoon and evening of gathering, music, meditation and connection. Bring your voice and/or a musical instrument for the 2 pm jam session and musical sharing time. We will sing and play and generally share joy. Then a meditation and Intention Circle from 4:30 to 5:30: There is much to hope, dream and pray for--whether it be our loved ones, those whose jobs or homes are uncertain, the country on this eve of election, or the earth as it struggles to breathe and replenish--all of which requires our heartfelt individual and community intentions. From 5:30 on let's eat and talk! Childcare provided 2-5:30 (please RSVP!).

UU Revival Service at the Santa Rosa UU Church, November 9, 11 am
Four ministers who serve North Bay congregations are planning a Revival Service on November 9, and members of UUP are invited. The four ministers will offer a music filled service with four short homilies: Rev. Lisa Presley of the Marin UU church will speak on the need for UU'ism in our world; Rev, Bonnie Diott of the Napa UU's will speak about how her life was saved by UU'ism; the Rev. Ben Kocs-Meyers, who helps the Lake County group, will speak on why we teach UU values to our children; and the Rev. Chris Bell of the Santa Rosa church will speak on UU's saving message. Religious education and childcare will be provided. Afterwards, everyone is welcome to stay for a catered lunch. The purpose for this revival is to build connections between the North Bay congregations, in order to create future collaboration. UUP will be represented by our President, Jean Conrad. Contact Jean for possible carpooling or for more information.

Message from Tristy Taylor, Interfaith Minister and Guest Speaker at the Dreamwork service on September 21, 2008
The film made of my service to UUP has been posted online. If you missed it or would like to view it again... take a look!
* Part One
* Part Two
Also, Petaluma Community Access has a copy and plans to put it into their regular rotation.
Thanks again for a wonderful day. I had such a great time with you all! -- Tristy

Dream Group Begins
Four UUP members would like to start a Dream Group which would meet the second & fourth Mondays of each month, beginning at 7 pm. We may alternate homes or have only a single meeting place--that's still to be decided. We need two more participants. The first meeting will likely be on October 27th. If you are interested, please contact Camille Jordan.

The 'This Week at UUP' eNewsletter is now being broadcast on Wednesday evenings. The weekly deadline for submissions is TUESDAY evening.

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, October 26, 2008: "Celebrating Connections to our Faith: Association Sunday and UUP Covenanting Anniversary"
Worship Leaders: Elisabeth Hathaway and Diana Spaulding
Six years ago UUP celebrated our Covenanting Sunday where our fledgling fellowship was brought into formal being, blessed by neighboring congregations and recognized by our denomination. Today we gather to celebrate this anniversary and to explore our place in the constellation of UU congregations. What does it mean to be one of a thousand congregations in North America? How can these ties deepen our faith and support our mission, and what are the blessings and duties of this relationship? On this anniversary of the first members joining, we will joyfully again welcome new members.

REGULARLY SCHEDULED GATHERING
Larking About, the UUP choir, meets Wednesdays at 8 pm at David Dodd and Diana Spaulding's house.