This Week at UUP: Luncheon, Food for COTS, Float Creation!

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


To subscribe to "This Week at UUP" for email delivery, please send a request to uupetaluma at gmail dot com.

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

UUP 5th Sunday Luncheon and Fun-Time - March 29th, noon to 2:00 pm
Who said "There's no such thing as a free lunch"? We're having one right here at UUP on Sunday! You will be served a tasty lunch prepared by the Social Responsibility Committee: Chili, salad, bread, dessert and beverage. We'll even have a little something extra for kids who don't like chili. All we ask is that you bring non-perishable canned or packaged food items for donation to COTS/Petaluma Pantry. Let's see how many bags of food UUP can collect for others in our community who are hungry and in need of our help. Or if you like, you may make a cash donation, and we'll do the grocery shopping. Then we'll have some fun as we prepare to support our community in a different way. The Butter & Eggs Day Parade Task Force will engage all ages in helping to create the UUP float for the April 25th parade! Don't miss it!

Take a tour of COTS
COTS offers tours of their family shelter on the second Thursday of every month. The next tour is April 9th and includes a free lunch.
When: Thurs., April 9th, noon - 1pm. Lunch served at 11:45 am, compliments of the Petaluma Kitchen
Where: Center for Homeless Children and Their Families, 1500 Petaluma Blvd. South

Religious Education Committee Recruiting New Members
Please consider joining our Religious Education (RE) committee for the coming year. We help plan curriculum and provide support for ongoing RE classes and special services and events. The program serves 40 children and youth, and we have a lot of fun! If you are looking for ways to contribute to the congregation, we'd love your help. For more information, please contact Leslie Harrison.

SAVE THE DATE and SIGN UP NOW! Join us for the Annual UUP Memorial Day Retreat - May 22nd-25th!
We have room for fifty people (usually 30+adults and 20+ kids!) at Four Springs Retreat Center for our seventh annual four-day have-a-great-time-together fun fest. We live in community and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy: cooking & meals together, swimming pool, rustic cabins, beautiful remote location, a smattering of fun groups and mostly: time to visit and get to know each other. Please let T know ASAP if you would like to reserve a spot(s)… or help create & organize! We especially need people to organize kid events and support, support with food/meals, to plan the Worship Service, and to organize/communicate/administer the details! If interested, contact T Hathaway.

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, March 29, 2009: "The Transient and the Permanent"
Guest Speaker: Jamie McReynolds
Worship Leader: Elisabeth Hathaway
In the past several months we have been looking at our seven UU Principles. Today, join us to consider what are the transient and permanent aspects of our UU faith? Answers to this question have changed over the last two hundred years, and as we have been noting in our recent services, these principles and purposes are currently under review. Are our UU principles a transient or permanent aspect of our faith?
Jamie McReynolds is a seminarian at Starr King School for the Ministry and will be graduating with a Masters of Divinity degree in May 2009. He plans to serve as a chaplain in a hospital or hospice. Jamie is a former resident of Petaluma and was a lay leader in the UU Congregation, Santa Rosa.

April 5, 2009: "The Individual Heart and the Congregational Vision"
Worship Leaders: Diana Spaulding and Elizabeth Nielsen

April 12, 2009: "The Passion of Jesus: A Critical Examination of Easter"
Guest Speaker: Meredith Guest
Worship Leader: Jodi Boyle
In certain Christian traditions, the week culminating in Easter Sunday is called the Passion of Christ, passion coming from the Latin word for suffering. But another meaning of the word 'passion' is something to which one gives oneself with devotion and commitment. Following the excellent book The Last Week by Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan, the same authors I referenced for the Christmas sermon, let's look at the original intent of the early Christian writers within their historical circumstances and see if we can identify the real passion of Jesus and how that might still speak to us in our time. - Meredith
Meredith Guest is a member of our own Unitarian Universalists of Petaluma. A former Baptist minister, Meredith has become known for her passionate sermons, which inspire, incite, and invite us to examine our beliefs and assumptions more closely.

REGULARLY SCHEDULED GATHERINGS
* Larking About, the UUP choir, meets Wednesdays at 8 pm at David Dodd and Diana Spaulding's house, 716 Bassett St. New singers are always welcome!

Links:
www.uupetaluma.org
Facebook Page (be sociable with UUP friends!)
Flickr Gallery

This Week at UUP: Come Walk the Labyrinth!

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


To subscribe to "This Week at UUP" for email delivery, please send a request to uupetaluma at gmail dot com.

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

UUP 5th Sunday Luncheon and Fun-Time - March 29th, noon to 2:00PM
Who said "There's no such thing as a free lunch"? We're having one right here at UUP on Sunday, March 29th! You will be served a tasty lunch prepared by the Social Responsibility Committee: Chili, salad, bread, dessert and beverage. We'll even have a little something extra for kids who don't like chili. All we ask is that you bring non-perishable canned or packaged food items for donation to COTS/Petaluma Pantry. Let's see how many bags of food UUP can collect for others in our community who are hungry and in need of our help. Then we'll have some fun as we prepare to support our community in a different way. The Butter & Egg Days Parade Task Force will engage all ages in helping to create the UUP float for the April 25th parade! Don't miss it!

Religious Education Field Trip to Shomrei Torah in Santa Rosa - Friday, March 20th from 5 to 9 pm
Shabbat service from 6 to 7 pm. Children and youth, first grade and up, and invited to our field trip to Shomrei Torah. We will carpool from Petaluma at 5 pm and meet a friend of Marlene Abel's and fifth grade teacher at Old Adobe Elementary School, Heidi Doughty, for an orientation to the Shabbat service at 5:30 pm at the synagogue. We will also have a light snack. After the musical, intergenerational service, we will eat pizza at a Santa Rosa restaurant and discuss our experience. Our return to Petaluma is estimated to be 9 pm. We will need adult drivers and chaperones. Contact Marlene for more information.

SAVE THE DATE! Join us for the Annual UUP Memorial Day Retreat - May 22nd-25th!
We have room for fifty people (usually 30+ adults and 20+ kids!) at Four Springs Retreat Center for our seventh annual four-day have-a-great-time-together fun fest. We live in community and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy: cooking & meals together, swimming pool, rustic cabins, beautiful remote location, a smattering of fun groups and mostly: time to visit and get to know each other. ALSO: Let T know ASAP if you want to help create & organize! We especially need people to organize kid events and support, support with food/meals, to plan the Worship Service, and to organize/communicate/administer the details! If interested, contact T Hathaway.

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, March 22, 2009: "To Walk a Sacred Path: The Labyrinth as a Spiritual Tool"
Guest Presenter: Marty Hoffman
Worship Leader: Jodi Boyle
This Sunday will include an introduction to using the labyrinth as a tool for meditation, inspiration and healing. We will walk the labyrinth together and learn some of its history and relevance for today.
Marty Hoffman is a labyrinth facilitator trained at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco and Chartres Cathedral in France. A former religious educator for UUs of San Mateo, she has used the labyrinth in Coming of Age programs and as a tool for religious education. She is currently working as an Orff Music teacher and Children’s Choir Director.
Please note that you will be asked to remove your shoes before walking the labyrinth unless necessary for health or stability.

March 29, 2009: "The Transient and the Permanent"
Guest Speaker: Jamie McReynolds
Worship Leader: Elisabeth Hathaway
In the past several months we have been looking at our seven UU Principles. Today, join us to consider what are the transient and permanent aspects of our UU faith? Answers to this question have changed over the last two hundred years, and as we have been noting in our recent services, these principles and purposes are currently under review. Are our UU principles a transient or permanent aspect of our faith?
Jamie McReynolds is a seminarian at Starr King School for the Ministry and will be graduating with a Masters of Divinity degree in May 2009. He plans to serve as a chaplain in a hospital or hospice. Jamie is a former resident of Petaluma and was a lay leader in the UU Congregation, Santa Rosa.

April 5, 2009: "The Individual Heart and the Congregational Vision"
Worship Leaders: Diana Spaulding and Elizabeth Nielsen

REGULARLY SCHEDULED GATHERINGS
* Larking About, the UUP choir, meets Wednesdays at 8 pm at David Dodd and Diana Spaulding's house, 716 Bassett St. New singers are always welcome!

Links:
www.uupetaluma.org
Facebook Page (be sociable with UUP friends!)
Flickr Gallery

Religious Education Update: March 15, 2009

Joys and Concerns

A week ago Saturday, a sizeable group of adults and children from UUP attended a play, “The Miracle Worker” at Santa Rosa Junior College’s Burbank Auditorium. Our very own Harley Boatsman was part of the cast, as the ghost of Annie Sullivan’s younger brother. During the play, we UUP adults felt pride in watching one of our youth doing such a great job, and our children looked quite entranced in seeing someone they knew from RE classes up on the big stage. Afterwards, someone suggested that we ask Harley for his autograph. We surrounded him after the play, as he happily signed program after program.

Later in the week, I received an email from a church member sharing that our Theo Hardy was one of the top spellers in the city wide spelling bee. Theo, a fourth grader, competed against the top 4th, 5th and 6th grade spellers from each elementary school in Petaluma, and placed in the top five overall. This is a tremendous feat for any student, but even more impressive for a fourth grader.

Sometimes, our children and youth also face difficult times. I learned this week that seven year old Isabel, daughter of Paulette Carles, has been hospitalized all week in Oakland undergoing chemotherapy for her leukemia. Isabel and her younger brother, Gabriel, sang in the children’s choir at Christmas Eve, and have been a wonderful addition to our RE program this year. You may remember that Isabel wrote in her letter to President Obama, “I wanted to vote for you, but I am only six.” She is a sweet, adorable and very bright child. I will search for ways to support Isabel in this challenging time, and I may ask for assistance.

I believe that one of the most important lessons we teach our children is the power of community to support each other in both good and hard times. It is fun to share the joys, and uplifting to assist with the sorrows.

Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education

This Week at UUP

Unitarian Universalists of Petaluma
Nurture Your Spirit. Help Heal Our World.


To subscribe to "This Week at UUP" for email delivery, please send a request to uupetaluma at gmail dot com.

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

"New to UU" Visitors' Orientation this Sunday, March 15
Trying out UUP? Visiting for the first time, or for a while, and want to learn more about our congregation and about Unitarian Universalism? Gather with several UUP members to ask questions you might have and to hear more about UUP. We’ll meet near the fireplace immediately following the service.

Religious Education Field Trip to Shomrei Torah in Santa Rosa, Friday, March 20th from 5 to 9 pm
Shabbat service from 6 to 7 pm. Children and youth, first grade and up, and invited to our field trip to Shomrei Torah. We will carpool from Petaluma at 5 pm and meet a friend of Marlene Abel's and fifth grade teacher at Old Adobe Elementary School, Heidi Doughty, for an orientation to the Shabbat service at 5:30 pm at the synagogue. We will also have a light snack. After the musical, intergenerational service, we will eat pizza at a Santa Rosa restaurant and discuss our experience. Our return to Petaluma is estimated to be 9 pm. We will need adult drivers and chaperones. Contact Marlene for more information.

Butter & Eggs Day Parade
The Butter & Eggs Day Parade is on April 25th, and it's a time for UUP to really show our community what we're all about. The theme is "Recycle, Reuse and Remember", and we want everyone to remember us! If you have creativity to lend to this project or even a few hours on April 25th, please help us out. Kids especially welcome. Talk to Stacey Meinzen for details.

SAVE THE DATE! Join us for the Annual UUP Memorial Day Retreat, May 22nd-25th!
We have room for fifty people (usually 30+adults and 20+ kids!) at Four Springs Retreat Center for our seventh annual four-day have-a-great-time-together fun fest. We live in community and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy: cooking & meals together, swimming pool, rustic cabins, beautiful remote location, a smattering of fun groups and mostly: time to visit and get to know each other. ALSO: Let T know ASAP if you want to help create & organize! We especially need people to organize kid events and support, support with food/meals, to plan the Worship Service, and to organize/communicate/administer the details! If interested, contact T Hathaway.

Adult Religious Exploration Groups are Forming
If you are interested in participating in any of these three short courses of religious exploration sign up on Sunday or contact Diana at weaverly@earthlink.net . Each course offers you the opportunity to deepen your spiritual life and to make friends at UUP. Availability of each course is subject to interest -- sign up to make it happen!
1) Building Your Own Theology
Developing a personal theology is not an academic exercise; it has to do with the very stuff of our lives. This 10-session class invites you to develop your personal credos: the fundamental religious beliefs, values and convictions that inform and direct the living of your life. Workbook cost $17. Co-leaders: Bruce Eriksen and
2) Evensong
Gather together with a small group of people for 8 sessions of earnest listening and sharing of thoughts, beliefs, and journeys in spirituality and religious life. Evensong is an experience of shared worship. Weekly or biweekly; time TBD. Looking for 1-2 facilitators.
3) A Chosen Faith: An introduction in Unitarian Universalism (a book discussion group)
Thought-provoking, entertaining sourcebook for searchers, newcomers and lifelong learners. Discuss a chapter per month or week. Book costs $15; some copies available for load. Meeting times TBD; looking for 1-2 moderators.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY CORNER - "...service is our prayer"
COTS Food Drive: Thanks to all who answered the COTS plea for food for needy families last Sunday. And thanks to Kathy Nieberding for delivering our donated groceries to the Petaluma Kitchen. Did you see the article on page B1 of Wednesday's Press Democrat? Maybe something you brought was in that photo.
5th Sunday Luncheon: All are invited to stay after the service on March 29th for UUP's first-ever intergenerational 5th Sunday Luncheon. We'll have several different varieties of chili, delicious bread from a local bakery, local organic salad, dessert and a beverage. Afterwards we'll enjoy a fun activity for all ages. Co-sponsored by Social Responsibility and the Butter & Eggs Day Parade Task Force.
SRC quote for the week: "Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned." -- Peter Marshall

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.)

Sunday, March 15, 2009: "Spring! Rebirth! Awakening Our Dormant Spirituality"
Worship Leader: Joyce Tischler
A participation service celebrating all that Spring means. Bring your favorite "Spring" poem to share.

Sunday, March 22, 2009: "To Walk a Sacred Path: The Labyrinth as a Spiritual Tool"
Guest Presenter: Marty Hoffman
Worship Leader: Jodi Boyle
This Sunday will include an introduction to using the labyrinth as a tool for meditation, inspiration and healing. We will walk the labyrinth together and learn some of its history and relevence for today.
Marty Hoffman is a labyrinth facilitator trained at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco and Chartres Cathedral in France. A former religious educator for UUs of San Mateo, she has used the labyrinth in Coming of Age programs and as a tool for religious education. She is currently working as an Orff Music teacher and Children’s Choir Director.
Please note that you will be asked to remove your shoes before walking the labyrinth unless necessary for health or stability.

REGULARLY SCHEDULED GATHERINGS
UUP Membership Committee: Sunday, March 15th, 12:15 pm in the Christian Science Reading Room.
UUP Women's group: Monday, March 16th, 7:30 pm at Jean Conrad's house. This month’s topic is "FUN".
Larking About, the UUP choir, meets Wednesdays at 8 pm at David Dodd and Diana Spaulding's house, 716 Bassett St. New singers are always welcome!

Links:
www.uupetaluma.org
Facebook Page (be sociable with UUP friends!)
Flickr Gallery

Religious Education Update: March 8, 2009

Time and Talent Auction Report

I loved the Time and Talent Auction! Thank you to all the organizers who went above and beyond to make it so successful.

I was very proud of members of our Middle School Group, plus Eva, who came to our Enchilada Party. These five young people made the bidding placards, worked on the auction catalog, and produced 150 enchiladas. The enchiladas were manufactured on the UUP assembly line. Kevin Lee and Leslie Harrison shredded chicken; KC Greaney heated tortillas in skillets (two skillets with several tortillas cooking simultaneously), Elaine Ellsworth kept supplies moving, and our youth filled and rolled 22 pans of enchiladas, with never a complaint. I did the shopping and some of the prep work. We were the very model of efficiency. Thank you, Ashley, Eva, Harley, Laura and Rosemary, and our amazing adult support staff! Other children and youth created auction items, such as decorated tote bags, hand painted silk scarves, babysitting services, pet care/walking certificates, hand made gift items, and even one live auction item, a gourmet, home-made dinner.

The UU’s of Petaluma are an intentionally intergenerational community, in response to the vision of our founders, and as continued by the commitment of our congregation. What I saw at the auction was this vision and commitment in action. The children and youth chose to support their community, and did so with generosity, love, and dedication.

They also appeared to be having a great time, with lots of smiles and laughter. The adults of our community supported our children and youth with enthusiasm.

While the Time and Talent Auction was very successful in building and celebrating community, it also made money! Now we have the means to fulfill some of our dreams. I even think I saw our treasurer smile.

Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education.

This Week at UUP

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


ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

"Get Me to the Church on Time!"--Don't Forget to Set Your Clocks Forward This Sunday
March 8 will be the first day of Daylight Saving Time this year, so please remember to set your clocks forward on Saturday night, and be prepared to show up on time for this Sunday's service--details below.

Share the Plate this Sunday with COTS
COTS offers help and hope to homeless persons in Sonoma County by providing safe shelter and housing, helping people develop steady incomes and helping them get back under a roof of their own.They help homeless families become stable and break the cycle of homelessness by teaching homeless parents to make their children's needs a high priority and to provide a safe, loving and secure home for their children. As we express our support of our community, UUP will share its non-pledge offerings this Sunday with COTS. Visit them online at www.cots-homeless.org.
See the Social Responsibility Corner for info on this Sunday's COTS food collection.

The Miracle Worker at Burbank Auditorium, Santa Rosa, this Saturday, March 7th at 2 pm

A few tickets are left! Please call Marlene immediately at 763-0443, or email at marlenea@sonic.net , if you wish to join us. Our very own Harley Boatsman is performing in SRJC's production of the Miracle Worker, the story of Helen Keller and her teacher, Annie Sullivan. Come support Harley, enjoy this moving story of triumph over great difficulties, all in the company of other UUPers. Religious Education has reserved a block of three rows of seats at the bargain matinee price of $5 per seat. We are arranging carpools for children who need a ride. Recommended by SRJC for ages 10 and up, but slightly younger children may attend at their parents' discretion. Of course, all UUP adults are very welcome to join us!

Religious Education Field Trip to Shomrei Torah in Santa Rosa, Friday, March 20th from 5 to 9 pm

Shabbat service from 6 to 7 pm. Children and youth, first grade and up, and invited to our field trip to Shomrei Torah. We will carpool from Petaluma at 5 pm and meet a friend of Marlene Abel's and fifth grade teacher at Old Adobe Elementary School, Heidi Doughty, for an orientation to the Shabbat service at 5:30 pm at the synagogue. We will also have a light snack. After the musical, intergenerational service, we will eat pizza at a Santa Rosa restaurant and discuss our experience. Our return to Petaluma is estimated to be 9 pm. We will need adult drivers and chaperones. Contact Marlene for more information.

SAVE THE DATE! Join us for the Annual UUP Memorial Day Retreat, May 22nd-25th!
We have room for fifty people (usually 30+adults and 20+ kids!) at Four Springs Retreat Center for our seventh annual four-day have-a-great-time-together fun fest. We live in community and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy: cooking & meals together, swimming pool, rustic cabins, beautiful remote location, a smattering of fun groups and mostly: time to visit and get to know each other. ALSO: Let T know ASAP if you want to help create & organize! We especially need people to organize kid events and support, support with food/meals, to plan the Worship Service, and to organize/communicate/administer the details! If interested, contact T Hathaway. Yay!

Butter & Eggs Day Parade
The Butter & Eggs Day Parade is on April 25th, and it's a time for UUP to really show our community what we're all about. The theme is "Recycle, Reuse and Remember", and we want everyone to remember us! If you have creativity to lend to this project or even a few hours on April 25th, please help us out. Kids especially welcome. Talk to Stacey Meinzen for details.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY CORNER - "...service is our prayer"
Food collection for COTS this week: This Sunday, in addition to designating COTS as our share-the-plate beneficiary, we will be collecting food items for the Petaluma Kitchen. COTS has sent out a plea for "urgently needed food" for our hungry neighbors. Due to the current economic situation their requests for food assistance have increased 36%, donations have decreased, and food supplies are running dangerously low. COTS is requesting "immediate help from the community" to meet this need. They are especially asking for "substantial items that go a long way toward supplying a meal, such as pasta and sauce, rice and beans, or boxes of cereal in family sizes." Please come to church this Sunday with a generous heart and a donation of food to help meet this critical need. And if anyone would like to volunteer to deliver our donations to the Petaluma Kitchen after the service, that would also be greatly appreciated.
Speaking of food… all members, friends and visitors to UUP on Sunday March 29th are invited to stay after the service for UUP's first ever "5th Sunday Luncheon”. More information to follow next week!
SRC quote for the week: "We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give." - Winston Churchill

Adult Religious Exploration Groups are Forming
If you are interested in participating in any of these three short courses of religious exploration sign up on Sunday or contact Diana Spaulding. Each course offers you the opportunity to deepen your spiritual life and to make friends at UUP. Availability of each course is subject to interest -- sign up to make it happen!
1) Building Your Own Theology
Developing a personal theology is not an academic exercise; it has to do with the very stuff of our lives. This 10-session class invites you to develop your personal credos: the fundamental religious beliefs, values and convictions that inform and direct the living of your life. Workbook cost $17. Co-leaders: Bruce Eriksen and
2) Evensong
Gather together with a small group of people for 8 sessions of earnest listening and sharing of thoughts, beliefs, and journeys in spirituality and religious life. Evensong is an experience of shared worship. Weekly or biweekly; time TBD. Looking for 1-2 facilitators.
3) A Chosen Faith: An introduction in Unitarian Universalism (a book discussion group)
Thought-provoking, entertaining sourcebook for searchers, newcomers and lifelong learners. Discuss a chapter per month or week. Book costs $15; some copies available for load. Meeting times TBD; looking for 1-2 moderators.

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.)

Sunday, March 8: "To Whom It May Concern": Unitarian Universalist Approaches To Prayer
Guest Speaker: Sue Magidson
Worship Leader: David Dodd
For UUs who don't believe in a favor-granting God, prayer may seem superfluous at best. Why pray if you don't believe that your prayers will be answered or that anyone is listening? During this service, we'll look at different types of prayer through a UU lens and consider why we might want to heed the admonition of UU Rev. Erik Walker Wikstrom to "Simply pray!" regardless of what we believe.
Sue Magidson is a lifelong UU, a longtime member of the UU Church of Berkeley, and a third-year M.Div. student at Starr King School for the Ministry.

REGULARLY SCHEDULED GATHERINGS
The UUP Men’s Group will meet at George Beeler's house on Friday, March 6th - tea 7pm, starting 7:30. Come join us at 100 Fair Street, cross street Douglas.
The UUP Board of Trustees will meet Monday, March 9th at 7:30 pm at Jean Conrad’s house.
Larking About, the UUP choir, meets Wednesdays at 8 pm at David Dodd and Diana Spaulding's house, 716 Bassett St. New singers are always welcome!

Links:
www.uupetaluma.org
Facebook Page (be sociable with UUP friends!)
Flickr Gallery