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