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.

Saturday, February 28, 2009

2009 Annual Photo

Here's our annual photo for 2009, taken on February 8 on the front steps of the Petaluma Woman's Club.

Friday, February 27, 2009

Religious Education Update: March 1, 2009

Connecting with Our Denomination

March is the time of year when I make my summer plans. I take a two month long, unpaid break from being your DRE, and recharge my spiritual batteries. I am blessed that my contract with UUP gives me this freedom.

I plan to attend General Assembly, which is in Salt Lake City this year, June 24-28. This conference is a gathering of UU’s from across the nation, and is quite amazing. For me, the highpoint of GA is talking to UU’s from all over, and the many worship services. GA can be done expensively, or on the economy plan. My plan is to take the train ($136 roundtrip), stay in a University of Utah dorm room ($225 for five nights), and volunteer to offset registration fees (free). Registration for GA, housing, and volunteer applications all open this coming week. If you’re interested in trying GA, I’d be happy to share my experiences.

Summer is also the time when my whole family goes to Family Camp. This particular camp is a gathering of 130 folks from UU congregations all over northern California. I hang out mostly in the kitchen, and have fun making desserts and breakfast pastries for the camp. (Camp food is mostly organic, made from scratch, healthy and delicious. I provide balance, by cooking with butter, sugar and chocolate. I feel very much appreciated by all the dessert loving campers!) The camp is rustic, and deep in a redwood forest near the town of Mendocino. Registration begins this month, and I love to see UU’s from Petaluma at camp. (The Greany/Boatmans, the Dodd/Spauldings, Amy West, Leslie Harrison and Eva came to camp last year!)

I’m a big believer in connecting with other UU’s, and I particularly recommend it for children and youth. According to the book, Growing Lifelong UU’s, children who have “UU immersion” experiences like camp or conferences are more likely to stay in the denomination. However, my own young adult children continue to be UU campers because they love it.

Marlene Abel

Director of Religious Education

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Thursday, February 26, 2009

This Week at UUP


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


ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

Time & Talent Auction This Sunday, Noon-2:30 pm! Come, Come, Whoever You Are!
Come and eat a free wonderful enchilada lunch (vegan, vegetarian and chicken options!), bid on a delicious dessert, listen to some great music (The Petaluma All-Star Bluegrass Band, and the Hockey Mama for Obama YouTube sensation in person! and bid on silent and live auction items.
Up for auction will be a variety of goods and services, including such wonderful items as a small plane flight over the North Bay, tickets to Arlo Guthrie, babysitting and pet-sitting services, beautiful art, voice and music lessons, and many more donated by congregation members and community businesses. Follow this link to the amazingly full auction catalog
Bring your checkbook and your date book, too.
Come and invite your friends, too, for a fun, community-building event!
Bring a packaged food item to donate to COTS on Sunday and receive a free raffle ticket for a gift basket of green products!


Middle School Enchilada Making Party on Saturday
The UUP middle school group is gathering at Leslie and Kevin's home this Saturday from 3-5 p.m. for Time and Talent Auction prep activities! We will make enchiladas for the lunch and decorate a few desserts for the auction. We'll also make number cards for bidders to use. Contact Marlene or Leslie for details.

Special Religious Education program this Sunday
Nancy Chien-Ericksen, a professional artist, will present a drawing class to our children and youth during the adult service. Does your child want to learn to draw a dragon or other animals? We are very fortunate to have Nancy sharing her expertise with us! Art materials will be supplied. (Note- we love it when our adults share their talents in RE! Thanks, Nancy!)

The Miracle Worker at Burbank Auditorium, Santa Rosa, Saturday, March 7th, 2pm.
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. Religion 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! Contact Marlene Able soon to reserve a seat.

Religious Education Field Trip to Shomrei Torah in Santa Rosa, Friday, March 20th 5-9 pm.
Shabbat service from 6-7 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 our 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.

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.

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 1: "This I Believe"
Speakers: UUP Members Rachel Walters Steiner and Berkley Sturgeon
Worship Leader: Jodi Boyle
Two UUP members will share the stories of their faith journey to Unitarian Universalism and how their values have been shaped. Larking About, our UUP choir, will sing, and Rachel's mother's Petaluma All-Star Bluegrass Band will play. This would be an excellent Sunday to bring a friend, and then plan to stay after the service for lunch and our (very fun) Time and Talent Auction.

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
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

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Monday, February 23, 2009

This Week at UUP: Auctions, Parades, Retreats, Oh My! PLUS: The Feminine Divine


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


ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

Fly High at the Time & Talent Auction on Sunday, March 1st!
Have you ever wanted an aerial tour of the North Bay? Put your flight goggles on because a flight in a small plane is the latest service donated. Thanks to all who have already donated their talents, time, and precious items. Our donation list includes a Feldenkrais session, dump runs, music lessons, Italian lessons, a model rocketry afternoon, fresh-baked bread, baby-sitting and pet-sitting, custom-knit hats and blankets, art by Nancy Chien-Eriksen, donations from merchants around town, and lots of other great stuff!
* This Sunday: LAST CHANCE to make your donation!
* Entertainment during the lunch by the Petaluma All-Start Bluegrass Band, and a special appearance later by YouTube sensation Hockey Mama for Obama.
* Don't forget to invite a friend to the yummy enchilada lunch and auction starting at noon. The more bidders, the merrier.

SAVE THE DATE! Join us for our 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.

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.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY CORNER - "...service is our prayer"
In case you wondered, the Social Responsibility Committee has not closed up shop! We're just taking a short break from newsletter anouncements and our Sunday morning table while we plan and organize our next project. Stay tuned for more info and circle March 29th after church on your calendars for a special event!

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, February 22: "The Two Faces of Mary"
Guest speaker: Sonsiris Tamayo, Ministerial Student at Pacific School for Religion
Worship Leader: Diana Spaulding
An exploration of the feminine divine, including those manifestations in our Western religious heritage, and also derived from the Yoruba tradition, which embraces the feminine part of the divine not limited by gender, but rather as a realization of the whole self.

Sunday, March 1: "This I Believe"
Speakers: UUP Members Rachel Walters Steiner and Berkley Sturgeon
Worship Leader: Jodi Boyle
Two UUP members will share the stories of their faith journey to Unitarian Universalism and how their values have been shaped. Larking About, our UUP choir, will sing, and Rachel's mother's Petaluma All-Star Bluegrass Band will play. This would be an excellent Sunday to bring a friend, and then plan to stay after the service for lunch and our (very fun) Time and Talent Auction.

REGULARLY SCHEDULED GATHERINGS
UUP Women's Group will meet Monday, February 23rd at 7:30 pm at Jean Conrad's house. Topic: love.
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

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Religious Education Update: Feb. 22, 2009

Growing Resilient Children

As a frequent volunteer in the public schools, I often work with elementary age children who are protected from every possible adversity. Once, on a twenty minute walk from Lucchessi Park to Sonoma Mountain Elementary School, a class of fifth graders was greeted partway by a mom who doled out popsicles, lest the children experience thirst or hunger on their journey. While this gesture was generous and well intended, I wondered if this mom was sending the wrong message. Could she be saying to the kids that they weren’t strong enough to walk a mile without rest and nourishment?

It is reassuring to me to learn that some exposure to stress may be beneficial to children’s development. In this week’s Newsweek article, “Who Says Stress is Bad for You?”, the authors state that some childhood adversity, properly handled, can lead to greater resiliency. Salvadore Maddi, a psychologist at the University of California gives a result from his studies, “Many of those who did best as adults had had fairly tough childhoods. They had suffered no abuse or trauma but "maybe had fathers in the military and moved around a lot, or had parents who were alcoholics. There was a lot of stress in their early lives, but their parents had convinced them that they were the hope of the family—that they would make everyone proud of them—and they had accepted that role. That led to their being very hardy people."

Our families at UUP face challenges in this difficult time for our nation, but also an opportunity to teach children that problems can be overcome, and that they have the inner fortitude to succeed. The Newsweek article speaks to the role of religion, to the positive results of meditation and a Zen Buddhist philosophy. This approach may or may not work for us at UUP, but filling children with hope, with faith in their characters, and the wisdom in picking their battles and persevering, will all help grow resilience.

Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education

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Saturday, February 14, 2009

This Week at UUP


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


ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

Fly High at the Time & Talent Auction on Sunday, March 1st!
(Photo by Bob Minkin)
Have you ever wanted an aerial tour of the North Bay? Put your flight goggles on because a flight in a small plane is the latest service donated. Thanks to all who have already donated their talents, time, and precious items. Our donation list is growing, and more fun services and high-quality items are appreciated.
* Unfilled wishes on our wish list that you or someone you know could fill with a donation are: hours of instruction on a Blackberry device, Excel spreadsheet, or general computer help; trips to the dump in your truck; Indian vegetarian cooking lessons; and finishing a 30-year old needlepoint project. Fill out a bright green sheet on Sunday or contact Diana Spaulding to make a personal donation, and Leslie Harrison if you can approach a local business for a donation.
* Don't forget to invite a friend to the yummy enchilada lunch and auction starting at noon. The more bidders, the merrier.
* A sign-up sheet for desserts to be donated for our delectable dessert auction will be out on Sunday.

UUP Directory 2009 review – one more week!
Did you miss your chance to add your contact info/check your entry in the UUP Directory? The draft will be on the back table again this Sunday. Please review and mark changes or email UUP Admin Assistant Jen Newman at uupetaluma at gmail.com with updates.

Spring 2009 Women's Retreat at Bodega Bay, March 6-8.
Come be a part of a small group for the weekend, sharing meals, talking circles, a creative project, fires and walks on the beach. We really get a chance to get to know one another on a deeper level, in a quiet and beautiful place. The cost is dependent on the number who come (optimal is 10), and will be about $140 per person, plus sharing the cost of planning and shopping for one meal with one other person. Please remember: once you choose a spot, you are responsible for paying for it, or finding someone to replace yourself if your plans change and you cannot attend. For more information and to sign up, contact T Hathaway.

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.

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.)

This Sunday, February 15: "Top Ten Reasons That Liberal Religion Still Matters"
Worship Leader Elisabeth Hathaway
Ever wonder what would be lost if liberal religion were no more? Straight up: is our way of religion still relevant in a postmodern nation? The answer is a resounding yes!

REGULARLY SCHEDULED GATHERINGS
UUP Membership Committee will meet Sunday, February 15 after the service at 12:15 pm at the Christian Science Reading Room.
UUP Women's Group will meet Monday, February 23rd at 7:30 pm at Jean Conrad's house. Topic: love.
Larking About, the UUP choir, meets Wednesdays at 8 pm at David Dodd and Diana Spaulding's house, 716 Bassett St. All singers are welcome!

www.uupetaluma.org

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Religious Education Update: February 15, 2009

Coming of Age

Two weeks ago I spent part of my weekend at the Mount Diablo UU Church in Walnut Creek feeding 35 hungry teenagers and 10 adults, and attempting to sleep on the concrete floor of the sanctuary. Four of our teens were there; Amy West, Bailey Boatsman, Lizzie Gardner and Sophia Smith. Our UUP youth arrived excited about being on retreat, and happy to be with their new UU friends from other churches. They came loaded down with sleeping bags and layers of clothing, but smiling and laughing.

Our youth spent much of Saturday on the streets of the Tenderloin in San Francisco, observing and chatting with people who live there. The kids had been told that they weren’t really homeless, as all had homes, and they always had the option of returning to the San Francisco UU church, the base camp for the street retreat. Also, they knew they would be safe, as UU adults “shadowed” the small groups of teens as they walked around the area.

Our youth ate in one of the Tenderloin soup kitchens, and heard life stories of the homeless. Afterwards, all the retreat youth gathered at the San Francisco church where they shared their experiences with the other teens and with community UU ministers, who could answer the teens’ questions about homelessness and other social justice issues.

Our youth have now completed two retreats: the physical challenges of a ropes course and the social justice aspects of the street retreat. In April, they will go on a campout and vision quest, in which they will consider their own spiritual journeys. In May, they will create a worship service for the congregation and share with us, what they’ve learned and what they believe. The youth- Amy, Bailey, Lizzie, and Sophia- have been wonderful ambassadors for UUP. I have been so pleased to have so many adults at these retreats tell me that we have such terrific youth in Petaluma. I knew that, of course, but now lots of UU adults have had the privilege of meeting our kids!

Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education

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