Unitarian Universalists of Petaluma

This Blog and Facebook

2010-04-26T22:51:00.000-07:00

What are the ways we can enhance our UUP on-line community? Face Book now has many of us linked up, but I find it somehow unsatisfactory for serious sharing. Perhaps it is our imminent departure for the San Joaquin Valley and a desire to keep in touch that prompts this query and post. I know Stacey is working to enhance the Web Site and I am particularly interested in posts in the area of Social Responsibility and sharing the exciting initiatives of UUA and UUSC. We have not heard much or discussed the upcoming Statement of Conscience on Peacemaking that has gone through a three year process like the one for Ethical Eating.

But sharing of other concerns could be beneficial, too. For example, reactions to recent services--what did you learn, what did you feel, what do you want to add or expand upon?

The "ritual" at the Flower Communion was a warm and meaningful interaction. We need more rituals that bring us face-to-face in such a manner. Expressing concerns during An Embracing Meditation brings us together, too. A problem with it for me is I do not hear most of the joys and concerns voiced. Is it important for others to hear? I think so, unless one thinks a god is listening, which I doubt many do.

And how many of us have active Blogs? Is see Berkeley's mentioned and am going to go to it right now.

Might this start a conversation on the UUP Blog with the idea of some "in-depth" or "spiritual" sharing? I for one will check in and am eager for responses.

"Jazz and the Spirit," November 15, 2009

2009-11-15T20:51:00.001-08:00

"Jazz and the Spirit," November 15, 2009
Originally uploaded by Unitarian Universalists of Petaluma

Bruce Eriksen and his band, Blue 7, led us in a worship service entitled "Out of Our Heads and Into Our Bodies: Jazz and the Spirit," on November 15. Hope Stewart took some great photos--take a look! (Just click on the picture of Bruce.)

This Sunday in Religious Education Classes: October 11, 2009

2009-10-10T21:43:00.000-07:00

This Sunday in RE

Religious Education this Sunday- Our UUP children and youth will participate in the International Day of Climate Action by learning about global warming, ocean acidification, and how rising levels of carbon dioxide are damaging coral reefs, shellfish and other ocean species. Stacey Meinzen will present information on climate change and explain how humans must reduce carbon dioxide levels to less than 350 parts per million in our atmosphere to sustain life on our planet. The kids will then create a large sculpture with the number 350 painted on a basketball hoop and backboard from Recycletown. The kids will choose a slogan such as "Let's Shoot for 350" or "One Planet, One Shot, 350" or "We Only Get One Shot, 350". A photo of the sculpture and UUPers will then be sent to the International Conference on Climate Change in Copenhagen. Our RE day will combine science with hands on woodworking and painting.

Our efforts will be part of Unitarian Universalist activities all over the nation. The Unitarian Universalist Ministry for the Earth is working to get 350 congregations involved. Working together with many other UU's, we will work to save the world.

Religious Education Update: October 11, 2009

2009-10-10T21:36:00.000-07:00

Weekend Retreats for UU Youth

You may have heard our high schoolers talking with great excitement about CONs. These are weekend conferences that have inspired our UUP 15 year olds to say that they are excited about Unitarian Universalism. Conferences are also wonderful places for our youth to make new UU friends that share their core values. The next Con or Conference will be at the UU Church of Marin on October 16-18, 2009. Approximately one hundred teens from all over Northern California will gather to do workshops, meet in small assigned groups, worship, eat together and then sleep ( but not too much) in sleeping bags on the floor of the church.

While high school conferences are youth-run, there are many youth-friendly adults actively involved. As a matter of UU District policy, there must be an adult over the age of 25 for every 10 teens. The adults participate in workshops, attend youth-led worship services, and get to know some terrific teens. Amy West, Bailey Boatsman and Lizzie Gardner plan to attend this Con, and would likely be willing to talk about the experience if you ask.

I’m excited to announce that our younger youth in grades 6-8, or ages 12-14, will soon have their own weekend retreat. This gathering, called a MUUGS Retreat, for Middle School UU Groups, will be held November 13 and 14 at the Mt. Diablo UU Church in Walnut Creek.

This retreat is a first for our UU District, and I’ve been an active part of the planning process. While geared for younger youth, much of the basic format is similar to CONs. The youth will do a variety of workshops, play community building games, worship, meet in assigned small groups with kids from all over Northern California, and most importantly, have fun. Older teens and adults will provide leadership, working in partnership. I will there, of course. I wouldn’t miss it. Please ask if you’d like to more about these important weekend retreats for our young people.

Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education

Coastal Cleanup Day, September 2009

2009-09-29T12:51:00.001-07:00

Coastal Cleanup Day, September 2009
Originally uploaded by Unitarian Universalists of Petaluma

UUP participated in the annual Coastal Cleanup Day, working with a coordinated effort to clean up the Petaluma River waterway. We were assigned a section of the river, really a creek at that point, up near Corona Road.

We hauled away several hundred pounds of trash, including some old tires, an old green garbage receptacle (shown, left), and an abandoned homeless encampment.

This Week at UUP

2009-09-12T21:05:00.000-07:00

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

Potluck Sunday, September 13: Come one, come all!
Join us for a potluck immediately following the service on September 13th at the Greaney/Boatsman home.
Let us continue our in-gathering celebration after the service! Bring a dish to share.
Please see the Order of Service for directions or call Matt or KC Greaney.

UUP's Annual Garage and Bake Sale was a huge success!
The majority of UUPetalumanaries contributed by either sorting and pricing, working the sale, donating items, buying items, baking goodies, or hauling away unsold stuff. Thanks to this tremendous collective congregational effort, we raised OVER $1,500 to support the Religious Education program at UUP. Thank you, one and all!

Bring your gathered Water and Stones
Remember to bring your water and stones gathered over summer travels for the Annual Water and Stones Ritual on Sunday!

Share the Plate Sunday
UUP will share-the-plate on Sunday, September 13th with the Petaluma Educational Foundation, which enhances educational excellence in all Petaluma-area public and non-profit private schools through grants, scholarships and fine arts programs.

Progressive Festival is coming up! Can you help?
The Progressive Festival is Sunday, Sept. 20th from noon to 5 pm. In the past, UUP has hosted a table with brochures, etc. as an outreach activity. If we do this again this year, we need a minimum of 6 volunteers to work the event. That means gathering material, setting up before noon, staffing the table and packing up at 5 pm. Interested? Speak to Phil Boyle or any Board member ASAP!

UUP Women's Group
The Women's Group will meet Monday, September 21st at 7:00 pm at the home of Jean Conrad. The topic for the evening will be "Long Range Planning". Do you "go with the flow", letting serendipity determine the course of your life? Or do you have a plan for the next few years? Whether you call it a to-do list, a wish list or a bucket list, what aims or goals guide you along your way? If you like, bring something to share to illustrate your perspective - an object, photos, poetry, a reading, or just bring yourself. We look forward to sharing with each other. - Jan Crosby for the Women's Group

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, September 13: Coming Home: Our Annual Water and Stones Ritual
Worship Leader: Jodi Boyle
As summer draws to a close, let us gather together again. Bring the water and stones that you collected on your summer excursions and adventures, and we will share them with each other as we reflect on our journeys in this intergenerational, participation service.
We will welcome recently and newly-joined members of UUP at this service, and Larking About will sing.

Sunday, September 20: The Green Revolution in Religion
Guest Minister: Rev. Bob Murphy
Worship Leader: Elisabeth Hathaway
Many would consider the Green Sanctuary movement to be associated with preservation and environmental protection issues, but this is a narrower definition than one of its authors, Rev Bob Murphy, holds: join us in our service this morning as he talks with us about his deep dedication to the larger scope of environmental justice, in which he brings together a committment to incorporating concerns about anti-racism and economic justice, awareness of African-American liberation, respect for the Judaic holidays and exploring the wisdom of Exodus.
The Rev. Bob Murphy is a Unitarian Universalist minister who has been active in environmental justice work for several decades and one of the co-authors of the "Green Sanctuary" book. As a high school student, he joined Cesar Chavez at the beginning of the farm workers' strike in Delano. As an adult, he was a business agent for SEIU Local 254, which is the union that represents janitors in the Boston area. Bob is a graduate of the Harvard Divinity School, as well as Tamalpais High School in Marin County and San Francisco State. Nowadays, Bob and his wife Lyn Dalzell serve the Unitarian Universalist congregation in Falmouth, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod.

Sunday, September 27: Tikkun ha’ olam: Mending the world
To celebrate the Jewish High Holy Days, Joyce Tischler and Ellen Beeler will lead us in an exploration of “tikkun ha’ olam” (Jewish social justice) — nurturing a vision of the world as it ought to be and working to achieve that vision. Please bring a thought, a story or a photo to share with the congregation about your vision to heal and repair our fractured world.

REGULARLY SCHEDULED GATHERINGS
* UUP Board of Trustees will meet on Monday, September 14th at 7:30 pm at Jean Conrad's house.
* "Larking About" (UUP's choir) rehearses each Wednesday evening from 8 to 9:30 pm at the home of Diana Spaulding and David Dodd. New singers are always welcome!

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

Religious Education Update, September 13, 2009

2009-09-12T21:01:00.000-07:00

Lessons from the ICU

Recently my husband, Dan, was hospitalized with pancreatitis, and spent 13 days in the hospital, including 8 days in ICU. Fortunately, he’s back home now, regaining his strength, and doing well. Those eight days in ICU were scary times for me, and constant reminders of what matters. Here were some lessons that life gave to me:

A reassuring word from a friend can make a huge difference. While Dan was in ICU, he was connected to three different monitors which beeped and blinked nearly constantly. When I remarked on my distress in hearing and seeing these warnings so often, a friend, who was formerly the Chief of Biomedical Engineering at San Francisco General Hospital responded by email. He wrote, “Marlene, just remember that those beeps and blinks are protecting Dan,”

The support of community helps. I didn’t request help from UUP, because I have this false sense of self sufficiency. Fortunately, some wonderful people, including our new Caring Committee, swung into action and provided floral arrangements and dinners. I was truly comforted by the beauty of the flowers and the blessing of receiving delicious and healthy meals from members of UUP. I learned that it is a joy to accept help, and that I could feel less exhausted through receiving community support.

The caregivers need help, too. During the 13 day ordeal, I often heard the same words from the hospital staff, friends, and family. They’d say, “Remember to take care of yourself.” That seemed strange, as I certainly wasn’t the one in the ICU bed. However, the stress tired me, and I reluctantly cancelled some commitments. Jean Conrad advised me to “follow my heart”, which was wise counsel from a wise woman. Thank you, Jean.

Thank you, UUP, for all your warmth and tangible support during this time. Dan and I are both very lucky to receive your gifts

Love to all of you,
Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education

This Week at UUP: Food For Thought

2009-08-31T09:44:00.000-07:00

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

Annual Religious Education Garage and Bake Sale
Saturday, August 29th at the Greaney's home, 8 Nob Hill Terrace
Please come support this important fundraiser!

5th Sunday Luncheon and Informational Presentation - August 30, 12:00- 2:00 p.m.
Please plan to stay after the service this Sunday to enjoy a tasty lunch prepared for you by the Social Responsibility Committee and the Religious Education Classes. Afterwards, UUP's Leadership Council would like to share some informaton with you from their recent meeting with PCD staff members Cilla Raughley and Jeanelyse Adams. No charge for the fellowship and information. Donations of any amount towards the cost of the lunch would be most welcome.

Fall Women's Retreat!
October 9-11 at Bodega Bay! Join a small group of wonderful women for a weekend of talking, cooking, creating and beach walking together! Please reserve your spot ASAP! We have room for about ten women; cost is dependent on the exact number participating but is about $140/per person. Contact T Hathaway with reservations/questions.

The UUP fall social-cultural season begins soon!
The first event will be going to the Cinnabar to see "Always Patsy Cline" on September 11th. It was here last year to rave reviews and returns. So, get your own ticket and email Dick Allen the number in your party, as Cinnabar will save us seats together. We will simultaneously celebrate Jean Conrad's birthday and two years as president of UUP Board of Trustee with a dinner gathering somewhere to be determined before the play. So, get your ticket (visit http://www.cinnabartheater.org/ or call 763-8920), and let Dick know you are going.

Progressive Festival is coming up! Can you help?
The Progressive Festival is Sunday, Sept. 20th from noon to 5 pm. In the past, UUP has hosted a table with brochures, etc. as an outreach activity. If we do this again this year, we need a minimum of 6 volunteers to work the event. That means gathering material, setting up before noon, staffing the table and packing up at 5 pm. Interested? Speak to Phil Boyle or any Board member ASAP!

New Member Sunday - September 13
If you have been attending UUP for awhile and have found something of value to you here, we hope that you are considering membership. We will be welcoming new members into the congregation on Sunday, September 13 and invite you to join us at that time. Please contact David Dodd or Hope Stewart to learn more. You may also speak to any Board member about the joys and responsibilities of church membership.

Gather Ye Water and Stones
When you're out and about on travels, journeys and adventures this summer, remember to gather water and stones to share at our annual Water and Stones participation worship service scheduled for September 13th.

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, August 30th: Food for Thought: UU Values and Eating to Care for the World
Worship Leader: Joyce Tischler, assisted by the UUP Social Responsibility Committee
Our personal choices of what to eat have global implications on the environment, human hunger, poverty and social inequality, animal welfare and climate change. As individuals and as a liberal religion, how can we build an ethical, sustainable and peaceful world through our everyday food choices?
This service will be followed by a scrumptious (and very ethical!) 5th Sunday Luncheon. Please join us.

Sunday, September 6th: Creativity as a Spiritual Practice
Guest speaker: Rev. Tristy Taylor
Worship Leader: Diana Spaulding
We are all walking unique paths as we live our lives to the fullest. As we make choices and commitments, we are taking an active role in creating our lives. I call this process 'Crafting an Authentic Life', or 'Co-Creating with Spirit'. When we make a regular, spiritual practice of creating, we can create a more lively and dynamic creative life as well as feel a deeper connection to ourselves, our communities and the divine.

Sunday, September 13: Coming Home: Our Annual Water and Stones Ritual
Worship Leader: Jodi Boyle
As summer draws to a close, let us gather together again. Bring the water and stones that you collected on your summer excursions and adventures, and we will share them with each other as we reflect on our journeys in this intergenerational, participation service.

Regularly Scheduled Meetings / Events:
"Larking About" (UUP's choir) rehearses each Wednesday evening from 8 to 9:30 pm at the home of Diana Spaulding and David Dodd. New singers are always welcome!
UUP Men's Group meets September 4, Friday, from 7:30 to 9:30 at the home of George Beeler. All UUP men are welcome and encouraged to attend.

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

Berkelly's Blog

2009-08-31T09:40:00.001-07:00

UUP member Berkley Sturgeon and UUP friend and speaker Kelley Brisbois have started a wonderful blog, "Berkelly's Blog" (click the title above to visit), focusing on the use of locally grown and produced foods to prepare wonderful meals. This is right in line with the topic of yesterday's worship service: "Food For Thought: UU Values and Eating to Care for the World."

Religious Education Update: August 23, 2009

2009-08-24T11:07:00.000-07:00

What is the place of science in Unitarian Universalism?

In Unitarian Universalism, scientific knowledge is considered compatible with religious beliefs. In fact, our denomination has adopted a list of sources which includes, “Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science.” Many UU’s are inspired by natural beauty, by spending time in the wilderness, or by discovering the complexities of our physical world.

While most Americans respect science and scientists, many choose teachings of their faith traditions over scientific theories. Scott Keeter, Director of Survey Research for the Pew Forum wrote in 2007, “Indeed, while virtually all scientists agree that life on Earth has evolved over billions of years, public opinion polling over the last few decades has shown that between 40% and 50% of Americans consistently reject the very idea of natural evolution, largely on the grounds that it conflicts with biblical accounts of creation. Indeed, according to a 2006 survey from the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life and the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, 42% of Americans reject the notion that life on earth evolved and believe instead that humans and other living things have always existed in their present form. “ While no particular belief is required of UU’s, I suspect that few of us subscribe to the concept that humans co-existed with dinosaurs.

When discussing science with our UUP children and youth, I encourage them to think for themselves and ask questions. Last week, I told our children the story of Galileo, who was forced by the Catholic church to recant his statement that the earth revolves around the sun. My point with the children is not to say that UU’s are better than people of other faiths, but that we promote the use of reason and the individual search for truth and meaning. Also, science does not produce the Truth, but that it does create models that best explain the evidence we experience. Perhaps one of our UUP youth will someday use his or her mind to develop a theory that advances science and changes how we view our amazing world.

Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education

UUP Member Joyce Tischler Honored

2009-07-29T10:14:00.001-07:00

Worship Committee member and active UUP member Joyce Tischler has been recognized by the American Bar Association with an the "Excellence in the Advancement of Animal Law Award."

Her colleagues in the Animal Legal Defense Fund, which she founded, characterize her as "the Mother of Animal Law." The article on the ALDF website says

It is not characteristic of Joyce to make much of her role in building this movement. Indeed, one of the things that define Joyce to anyone who knows her is her combination of strength and humility. But her persistent advocacy and clear leadership has been a force for change that would not be denied. It is my honor to say both congratulations and thank you from myself and everyone at ALDF and, most importantly, for the animals whose voices have been heard clearly and without fail through the voice of the Mother of Animal Law.

Congratulations, Joyce, and thank you for all the great work you do on behalf of animals, and on behalf of UUP.

This Week at UUP

2009-07-17T18:14:00.001-07:00

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

"New to UU" Visitors' Orientation on Sunday, July 19th after service
Trying out UUP? Visiting for the first time or have been 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.

Annual Religious Education Garage and Bake Sale
This year's sale will be held August 29th at 8:00 a.m. at the Greaney's home, 8 Nob Hill Terrace. Please help support this important fundraiser by donating used items or baked goodies to sell. We also need volunteers to work the sale that day and to collect large items from donors. Drop-offs for donated items are being accepted at the Greaney's on the two preceding Sundays, 8/16 and 8/23. Please wash, presort and fold all clothing items and linens prior to drop off. Call Leslie Harrison for further information.

Summer Swim Party at the Wests'
The Wests will host an all-congregation swim party at their home, on Saturday, August 1st from 1 - 5 p.m. Please bring a snack or drink to share.

Gather Ye Water and Stones
When you're out and about on travels, journeys and adventures this summer, remember to gather water and stones to share at our annual Water and Stones participation worship service scheduled for September 13th.

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, July 19th : "Our Journeys /Our Stories: This I Believe"
Worship Leader: Joyce Tischler
Two UUP members, Rakesh Klamm and Ellen Beeler, will share the stories of their faith journey to Unitarian Universalism and how their values have been shaped.

REGULARLY SCHEDULED GATHERINGS
The next Women's Group meeting is Monday, July 20th at Jean Conrad's house. Topic: Our favorite things. Bring something to share - a book, a poem, a reading or anything that makes you feel good.

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

This Week at UUP: Father's Day

2009-06-18T17:43:00.001-07:00

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 will 'share the plate' this Sunday
In keeping with UUP's commitment to supporting community organizations, UUP will 'share the plate' this Sunday with the Petaluma Kitchen. The Petaluma Kitchen serves a no-cost mid-day meal every day, 100 meals per year, to low and very-low income men, women and children in our community, and often are the first contact for families or individuals who need referrals to other community resources. They also operate the Food Box Program, delivering 240 boxes of food each week, 500,000 pounds of food a year, to very-low income seniors and families.

"New to UU" Visitors' Orientation on Sunday, June 21, after service
Trying out UUP? Visiting for the first time or have been 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.

Developing spiritual practice through movement with Meredith, Jodi and Jan
Members and friends of UUP are invited to come explore developing spiritual practice through movement with Jodi, Meredith and Jan, Meredith’s partner, as they host their third three-hour workshop on Friday, June 19th from 6:45 to 10 pm. Space is limited, so if you are interested in participating, please reply asap.
The introductory session will begin with improvisational movement to music. We’ll progress to moving without music wherein movement emerges from within. There will be time to reflect, journal, draw, etc., between sessions and then a time for sharing at the end. (Some light snacks will also be served.)
The three of us have all found this to be a fascinating practice and are constantly surprised at what emerges. It is a way to bypass the thinking mind and to access a kind of knowing that lives uniquely in the body, a truthfulness that gets around the censors of thought and ego.
Our intention is to offer these sessions until a group forms that will meet together regularly.
Let us know if you would like more information!

Gather Ye Water and Stones!
When you're out and about on travels, journeys and adventures this summer, remember to gather water and stones to share at our annual Water and Stones participation worship service scheduled for September 13th.

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, June 21, 2009: "Daddy Dearest: A Father's Day Service"
Guest speaker: Steven Friedman
Worship Leaders: Berkley Sturgeon and David Dodd
Images, stereotypes, and memories of fathers and fathering trigger a wide range of emotion in our culture. Join us as we explore these feelings in a Father's Day service with speaker Steven Friedman, who is a Unitarian Universalist--a member of our sister congregation in Marin--and an oral historian and blogger see his blog: Senior Dad)

Sunday, June 28, 2009: Redefining Call for a Liberal Religious Community
Worship Leaders: Meredith Guest and Jodi Boyle
What do you feel called to do in this world? What does it look like when people act out of a sense of being called to do something? What would it be like if the community of UUP were organized around supporting each of us to pursue what we felt called to do? Join us for an exploration of "call" and what it means for a liberal religious community.
After the service, please join members of the Worship Committee for a discussion of worship at UUP. This is an opportunity to give feedback, make suggestions, express what you value most about what we do together on Sunday mornings. The Worship Committee is always interested in feedback, though it is particularly useful at this time of year before we go into our annual planning retreat on August 15.

REGULARLY SCHEDULED GATHERINGS
* The UUP Board of Trustees will meet on Monday, June 22nd at 7:30 pm at Jean Conrad’s house.

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

Marriage Equality Community Gathering

2009-06-17T13:21:00.000-07:00

What We Know and What We Need to Do to Regain Marriage Equality in California

Wednesday, July 1st @ 7 p.m.
Unitarian Universalist Congregation
547 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa

The California Supreme Court has ruled to uphold Prop 8. WE NEED YOU TO GET ENGAGED in the next stage of our marriage equality movement in California.

Join us at this community gathering to get the latest California polling results on local support for marriage equality, initiative options and where we can make a difference. Learn more about how our local community voted on Prop 8 and what we can do to regain marriage equality in California.

We will be creating the greatest grassroots movement this country has ever seen and we want you to be involved. This interactive gathering will provide you an opportunity to be informed on what we know now and then to share your ideas and get your questions answered.

So join us on July 1st and learn what you can do in our local marriage equality coalition and bring a friend! For more information, go to www.getengagedtour.com or write to ca-sonoma@marriagequality.org.

Partial List of Patricipating Organizations:

**CA Faith for Equality **Unitarian Universalist Congregation Santa Rosa
**Courage Campaign **Marriage Equality USA

If your business or organization would like to be involved in organizing this event or donating materials, please e-mail Chari Davidson at ca-sonoma@marriageequality.org or call (707) 332-9537.

Sign Language interpreting provided by Communique Interpreting www.communiqueinterpreting.com . Providing trained, certified, and accurate interpreting since 1994.

This Week at UUP: Bring a Flower!

2009-06-11T13:21:00.001-07:00

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

Sunday’s service: bring a flower!
Please bring a flower or two from your garden for Sunday’s celebration of unity in community through our annual flower communion.

Norman Solomon Presentation
UUP is proud to sponsor the appearance of nationally syndicated columnist Norman Solomon, Sunday June 14, 12:30 PM, at Women's Club, 518 B Street in downtown Petaluma, discussing his book "War Made Easy: How Presidents and Pundits Keep Spinning Us to Death". Following his discussion, we will show the film of the same title based on the book and narrated by Sean Penn, followed by a Q&A session conducted by Norman Solomon.
Norman Solomon is a nationally prominent media critic and is the founder and executive director of the Institute for Public Accuracy. He is the author of numerous books. His latest book, "Made Love, Got War: Close Encounters with America’s Warfare State" was published in 2007.
Admission is free. A light lunch will be served. For further information contact Karen Elliott or David Strange.

Developing spiritual practice through movement with Meredith, Jodi and Jan
Members and friends of UUP are invited to come explore developing spiritual practice through movement with Jodi, Meredith and Jan, Meredith’s partner, as they host their third three-hour workshop on Friday, June 19th from 6:45 to 10 pm. Space is limited, so if you are interested in participating, please reply asap.
The introductory session will begin with improvisational movement to music. We’ll progress to moving without music wherein movement emerges from within. There will be time to reflect, journal, draw, etc., between sessions and then a time for sharing at the end. (Some light snacks will also be served.)
The three of us have all found this to be a fascinating practice and are constantly surprised at what emerges. It is a way to bypass the thinking mind and to access a kind of knowing that lives uniquely in the body, a truthfulness that gets around the censors of thought and ego.
Our intention is to offer these sessions until a group forms that will meet together regularly.
Let us know if you would like more information or to sign-up.

Meet with fellow UUs at the General Assembly!
UU General Assembly
Salt Lake City, Utah
June 24-28, 2009
More information, talk to Marlene Abel, UUP Director of Religious Education

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, June 14, 2009: "Flower Communion: Fostering Unity as Religious Liberals"
Join us for a celebration of unity in community with each other through our annual flower communion. Meredith Guest will offer a homily that speaks to how this tradition relates to our role as religious liberals. Please bring a flower or two from your garden.

Sunday, June 21, 2009: "Warm Father God: A Father's Day Service"
Guest speaker: Steven Friedman
Worship Leaders: Berkley Sturgeon and David Dodd
Images, stereotypes, and memories of fathers and fathering trigger a wide range of emotion in our culture. Join us as we explore these feelings in a Father's Day service with speaker Steven Friedman, who is a Unitarian Universalist--a member of our sister congregation in Marin--and an oral historian and blogger (see his blog, Senior Dad).
To help with planning this service, please take a few minutes to fill out an online survey. (If you completed the survey prior to Mother's Day, we thank you for your feedback.)

REGULARLY SCHEDULED GATHERINGS
* The UUP Women's Group will meet on Monday, June 15th at Jean Conrad's house. The topic is "Embracing Summer".
* The UUP Board of Trustees will meet on Monday, June 22nd 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! Our last rehearsal will be next Wednesday, June 17--we'll take a break until mid-August.

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

Religious Education Update: June 7, 2009

2009-06-08T13:47:00.000-07:00

It Takes a Village

Our congregation is well known for its commitment to children and youth. This year, we sent more children and youth to District Assembly than any other congregation. We were well represented in the Coming of Age program. Guest ministers soon learned that our children and youth are present for the beginning of every service. Guests of our congregation remarked, “There are so many children!”

Our intergenerational culture works because it is embraced by all ages. Our youth are learning how to lead worship as Junior Worship Associates. Many children and youth sang in the Children's Choir at our Christmas Eve service Our children and youth have learned to be part of worship, and have grown into participatory roles.

UUP adults continue to be intentionally intergenerational. Our annual Religious Education garage sale last August was the best ever, both in volunteer support and in profits. Our Worship Leaders have supported and guided our teens in presiding over our services. Our Coming of Age mentors worked joyfully with our Coming of Age youth. The Board of Trustees was consistently supportive of our RE program. The Time and Talent Auction committee welcomed the youth's participation. Our RE teachers and volunteers gave generously of their time, love and talents. Our Religious Educaton Committee met faithfully under its chair, Leslie Harrison.

The work we have done together in creating our intergenerational community has paid off handsomely this year. A particular showcase for our inclusive community was our recent UUP Retreat, where adults and children swam, sang, dined and played together. From my vantage point in the kitchen, I marveled at the good-natured camaraderie. It takes a village, including children, youth and adults to create our beloved community.

Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education

This Week at UUP: Annual Congregational Meeting

2009-06-04T15:56:00.000-07:00

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

Come to the Congregational Meeting on Sunday, June 7th!
All members and friends are urged to come and have your voice heard at our Congregational Meeting on June 7th right after services.
* The Budget for the year 2009-2010 will be discussed and voted upon by the membership
* New Board member (s) and nominating committee elected
* You will meet the members of the newly formed Leadership Council
* Results of the congregational survey and the vision offering (including an update on getting a P.T. Minister)
* A delicious lunch is being planned by the Social Responsibility Committee

UUP celebrated our Seventh Annual Memorial Day Retreat
If you were not among the 32 adults and 20 kids to be there in person, the next best thing are some pictures of the retreat that have been posted thanks to David Dodd and Hope and others on our UUP website and Flickr page (link below). Thanks to all of you for a wonderful time--thanks to Marlene and David Hathaway and Tony for the DEE-licious and plentiful food, and to everyone for pitching in and making the retreat flow from hour to day, and to the women for the women's group, and to the kids for all the hilarity and lightness and joy, and to Jodi for the Sunday service, and to Carol and KC and Karen for the artwork and kid activities, and to Richard and David and Tony and all the singers for the music, and to Dick for the night of games, and to all the conversations and quiet times and pool games and haiku (which will be available soon for all to see) and to Four Springs for the beautiful and homey UUP home away from home. We honored Jan Crosby as this year's recipient of our Keepers of the Flame award, given to those UUP people who give of themselves above and beyond to keep our inspiration and community alive and thriving, and we honored Hope, Karen and Elizabeth Nielsen (in absentia) for their Firecracker energy and commitment, emerging in the past year as new leaders and voices among us. We enjoyed and deepened our connections to one another and our community. Until next year….
- T Hathaway

Norman Solomon Presentation
UUP is proud to sponsor the appearance of nationally syndicated columnist Norman Solomon, Sunday June 14, 12:30 PM, at Women's Club, 518 B Street in downtown Petaluma, discussing his book "War Made Easy: How Presidents and Pundits Keep Spinning Us to Death". Following his discussion, we will show the film of the same title based on the book and narrated by Sean Penn, followed by a Q&A session conducted by Norman Solomon.
Norman Solomon is a nationally prominent media critic and is the founder and executive director of the Institute for Public Accuracy. He is the author of numerous books. His latest book, "Made Love, Got War: Close Encounters with America’s Warfare State" was published in 2007.
Admission is free. A light lunch will be served. For further information contact Karen Elliott or David Strange.

Developing spiritual practice through movement with Meredith, Jodi and Jan
Members and friends of UUP are invited to come explore developing spiritual practice through movement with Jodi, Meredith and Jan, Meredith’s partner, as they host their third three-hour workshop on Friday, June 19th from 6:45 to 10 pm. Space is limited, so if you are interested in participating, please reply asap.
The introductory session will begin with improvisational movement to music. We’ll progress to moving without music wherein movement emerges from within. There will be time to reflect, journal, draw, etc., between sessions and then a time for sharing at the end. (Some light snacks will also be served.)
The three of us have all found this to be a fascinating practice and are constantly surprised at what emerges. It is a way to bypass the thinking mind and to access a kind of knowing that lives uniquely in the body, a truthfulness that gets around the censors of thought and ego.
Our intention is to offer these sessions until a group forms that will meet together regularly.
Let us know if you would like more information or to sign-up.

Meet with fellow UUs at the General Assembly!
UUA General Assembly
Salt Lake City, Utah
June 24-28, 2009
More information, talk to Marlene Abel, UUP Director of Religious Education

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY CORNER: "...service is our prayer"
5th Sunday Luncheon moved to June 7th
We've moved the 5th Sunday Luncheon to June 7th to coincide with UUP's annual June Congregational Meeting. Plan to stay after services for a delicious, healthy salad bar lunch made with local, organic and vegan ingredients prepared by your Social Responsibility Committee. Lunch will be followed by our all-important Congregational Meeting, led by your Board of Trustees, where you will hear what's happening at UUP and be able to exercise your privilege and responsibility to vote on issues important to UUP's future. Don't miss it!
Social Responsibility Committee
What we do
The Social Responsibility Committee was formed last fall to create an avenue for folks at UUP to help make a difference in the world beyond our congregation. SRC includes both the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee and Carbon Rings groups. SRC is also the committee tasked with presenting the UUA's Congregational Study/Action Issue (CSAI), "Ethical Eating: Food and Environmental Justice”, to our congregation. This CSAI encompasses aspects of environmental concern, world hunger, and concern for our treatment of animals. Whatever your passion, there is something here for you. On a local level, we have participated in the creation of UUP's environmental parade float, assisted COTS/Petaluma Kitchen with food drives, and we select the Share-The-Plate recipients each month.
How you can help
"Many hands make light work" - and allow us to do even more! You are invited to join us and help UUP make a difference in our community and in the wider world. As we say each Sunday in our Affirmation, "...service is our prayer."
Our next meeting is Tuesday, June 9th, 7:00 - 9:00 pm at Jan Crosby's. For directions and more information, contact Co-Chairs Jan Crosby or Earl Cruser.
SRC Quote for the Week
"Let us bless the source of life that brings forth bread from the Earth. Let our lives be a blessing to the Earth that sustains us, and to all the creatures who, like us, call this planet home." -- John Robbins

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, June 7, 2009: "An Evolutionary Parable about the Creation of Matter"
Worship Participants: Marlene Abel, Director of Religious Education, and the RE children and youth
Worship Leader: Jodi Boyle
Our RE youth will present "Startull", an evolutionary parable about an average yellow star who discovers the worth of being just medium size star and learns important lessons about the ways of the universe. Marlene Abel, Director of Religious Education and former chemist, will reflect on how the life cycles of stars and the formation of the chemical elements in stellar furnaces led to creation of life on our planet. This is an intergenerational service in which the "stars" of the RE program will be recognized and honored.

Sunday, June 14, 2009: "Flower Communion: Fostering Unity as Religious Liberals"
Join us for a celebration of unity in community with each other through our annual flower communion. Meredith Guest will offer a homily that speaks to how this tradition relates to our role as religious liberals. Please bring a flower or two from your garden.

REGULARLY SCHEDULED GATHERINGS
* The UUP Men’s Group will meet Friday, June 5th at George Beeler’s house - tea 7p, starting 7:30 - 100 Fair Street at the corner of Douglas.
* UUP Worship Leaders will meet Sunday, June 7th from 12:45 pm to 3:30 pm in T's office.
* The UUP Board of Trustees will meet Monday, June 8th 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

Photos from our annual retreat

2009-05-27T21:40:00.001-07:00

Retreat Photo
Originally uploaded by Unitarian Universalists of Petaluma

Some of the wonderfulness of our annual retreat over Memorial Day weekend, at Four Springs retreat center in Lake County, can be gleaned from the photo gallery on Flickr. Take a look!

This Week at UUP

2009-05-22T09:55:00.000-07:00

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

Save the date for an important Congregational Meeting on Sunday, June 7th!
All members and friends are urged to come and have your voice heard at our Congregational Meeting on June 7th right after services.
* The Budget for the year 2009-2010 will be discussed and voted upon by the membership
* New Board member (s) and nominating committee elected
* You will meet the members of the newly formed Leadership Council
* Results of the congregational survey and the vision offering (including an update on getting a P.T. Minister)
* A delicious lunch is being planned by the Social Responsibility Committee

Developing spiritual practice through movement with Meredith, Jodi and Jan
Members of UUP are invited to come explore developing spiritual practice through movement with Jodi, Meredith and Jan, Meredith’s partner, as they host their third three-hour workshop on Friday, June 19th from 6:45 to 10 pm. Space is limited, so if you are interested in participating, please reply asap.
The introductory session will begin with improvisational movement to music. We’ll progress to moving without music wherein movement emerges from within. There will be time to reflect, journal, draw, etc., between sessions and then a time for sharing at the end. (Some light snacks will also be served.)
The three of us have all found this to be a fascinating practice and are constantly surprised at what emerges. It is a way to bypass the thinking mind and to access a kind of knowing that lives uniquely in the body, a truthfulness that gets around the censors of thought and ego.
Our intention is to offer these sessions until a group forms that will meet together regularly.
Let us know if you would like more information or to sign-up.

Meet with fellow UUs at the General Assembly!
UU General Assembly
Salt Lake City, Utah
June 24-28, 2009
For more information, talk to Marlene Abel, UUP Director of Religious Education

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY CORNER: "...service is our prayer"
5th Sunday Luncheon moved to June 7th
We've moved the 5th Sunday Luncheon to June 7th to coincide with UUP's annual June Congregational Meeting. Plan to stay after services for a delicious, healthy salad bar lunch made with local, organic and vegan ingredients prepared by your Social Responsibility Committee. Lunch will be followed by our all-important Congregational Meeting, led by your Board of Trustees, where you will hear what's happening at UUP and be able to exercise your privilege and responsibility to vote on issues important to UUP's future. Don't miss it!
Social Responsibility Committee
What we do
The Social Responsibility Committee was formed last fall to create an avenue for folks at UUP to help make a difference in the world beyond our congregation. SRC includes both the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee and Carbon Rings groups. SRC is also the committee tasked with presenting the UUA's Congregational Study/Action Issue (CSAI), "Ethical Eating: Food and Environmental Justice”, to our congregation. This CSAI encompasses aspects of environmental concern, world hunger, and concern for our treatment of animals. Whatever your passion, there is something here for you. On a local level, we have participated in the creation of UUP's environmental parade float, assisted COTS/Petaluma Kitchen with food drives, and we select the Share-The-Plate recipients each month.
How you can help
"Many hands make light work" - and allow us to do even more! You are invited to join us and help UUP make a difference in our community and in the wider world. As we say each Sunday in our Affirmation, "...service is our prayer."
Our next meeting is Tuesday, June 9th, 7:00 - 9:00 pm at Jan Crosby's. For directions and more information, contact Co-Chairs Jan Crosby or Earl Cruser.
SRC Quote for the Week
"The religion that ends with the individual, ends." -- Martin Luther King, Jr.

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, May 24, 2009: "Forgiveness"
Guest Speaker: Dr. Karen Melander-Magoon
Worship Leader: Joyce Tischler
Celebrate the miracle of forgiveness and the bonds we share simply by being human and a part of this wonderful world.
Guest Speaker Dr. Karen Melander-Magoon comes to us from the First Unitarian Universalist Church in San Francisco, where she is a member. Last year she received her Doctorate of Ministry from San Francisco Theological Seminary under the Graduate Theological Union, with coursework also at Starr King School for the Ministry. After years singing major opera roles in Europe and raising two children there, she returned to the States to continue performing and composed three one-woman musical portraits of women in history, including Georgia O’Keeffe and Clara Barton. Karen preaches and sings throughout the Bay Area and often weaves her own songs and poetry into her sermons and homilies.

Sunday, May 31, 2009: "Deep Listening: Tools for Change"
Guest Speaker: Kelly Philpott Brisbois
Worship Leaders: David Dodd and Berkley Sturgeon
"How we understand the past is the most important element determining our future"- Historian James Carroll
Guest Speaker Kelly Philpott Brisbois, an attorney and oral historian, will share her "Journeys of Reconciliation" project. Kelly led a group of Marin High School students as they joined forces with their contemporaries from Johannesburg, South Africa, in a study on the history of segregation and racism. As these students explored issues of race and justice, they were also focusing on the process of reconciliation in both countries. They interviewed a diverse group of activists who experienced the struggle to end Apartheid in South Africa. As a comparative study, they also interviewed activists from the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. While this project centered on a past that is often painful, it is a project that also looks to the future. Please join us after the service as Kelly shares a short film and will answer any questions you may have about this amazing project.
To view a clip from this project, please visit www.oralhistoryeducation.com.

Sunday, June 7, 2009: "An Evolutionary Parable about the Creation of Matter"
Worship Participants: Marlene Abel, Director of Religious Education, and the RE children and youth
Worship Leader: Jodi Boyle
Our RE youth will present "Startull", an evolutionary parable about an average yellow star who discovers the worth of being just medium size star and learns important lessons about the ways of the universe. Marlene Abel, Director of Religious Education and former chemist, will reflect on how the life cycles of stars and the formation of the chemical elements in stellar furnaces led to creation of life on our planet. This is an intergenerational service in which the "stars" of the RE program will be recognized and honored.

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

UUP Member and Animal Legal Defense Fund Founder In Oprah!

2009-05-18T16:23:00.000-07:00

Joyce Tischler, a UUP member, worship leader, and an attorney who founded the Animal Legal Defense Fund, is featured in Oprah! magazine's June 2009 issue. The Oprah website is also hosting some video footage, including an interview with Joyce. (Click the title to this post to see the ALDF website's information on the Oprah story.)

Congratulations to ALDF and to Joyce for her incredible work.

This Week at UUP: Coming of Age Celebration

2009-05-15T10:13:00.001-07:00

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

Coming of Age Celebration on Sunday
Please come join the celebration for our first UUP graduates of the Coming of Age program, beginning at 10 am and continuing after the service. There will be special brunch foods to honor Amy West, Bailey Boatsman and Lizzie Gardner on their achievement. Middle School youth are invited to arrive at 9:30 to bake muffins and prepare fruit for the celebration. Any questions, please contact Marlene Abel.

"New to UU" Visitors' Orientation on Sunday, May 17, after service
Trying out UUP? Visiting for the first time or have been 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.

Upcoming Lecture of Interest
Scotty McLennan
Jesus Was a Liberal: Reclaiming Christianity for All
Dean for religious life at Stanford University, Unitarian Universalist Rev. Scotty McLennan introduces Jesus Was a Liberal, which advocates a sense of religion based not on doctrinal readings of scripture but on the humanity behind Christ's teachings.
Tuesday, May 19, 7pm
The Glaser Center - 547 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa
Tickets are $7 and are available at all Copperfield's Books' Sonoma County locations.

Meet with fellow UUs at the General Assembly!
UU General Assembly
Salt Lake City, Utah
June 24-28, 2009
More information, talk to Marlene Abel, UUP Director of Religious Education

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, May 17, 2009: "Coming of Age Celebration"
Worship Leader: Diana Spaulding
Join us in honoring our youth participants in the district-wide coming of age program. They will lead worship and share statements of belief that they have developed through their experiences. Everyone is invited to come early for a celebratory brunch at 10 am.

Sunday, May 24, 2009: "Forgiveness"
Guest Speaker: Dr. Karen Melander-Magoon
Worship Leader: Joyce Tischler
Celebrate the miracle of forgiveness and the bonds we share simply by being human and a part of this wonderful world.
Guest Speaker Dr. Karen Melander-Magoon comes to us from the First Unitarian Universalist Church in San Francisco, where she is a member. Last year she received her Doctorate of Ministry from San Francisco Theological Seminary under the Graduate Theological Union, with coursework also at Starr King School for the Ministry. After years singing major opera roles in Europe and raising two children there, she returned to the States to continue performing and composed three one-woman musical portraits of women in history, including Georgia O’Keeffe and Clara Barton. Karen preaches and sings throughout the Bay Area and often weaves her own songs and poetry into her sermons and homilies.

REGULARLY SCHEDULED GATHERINGS
The UUP Women's Group will meet on Monday, May 18th at 7:30 pm at Jean Conrad's house. The topic is "New Beginnings", and attendees are welcome to bring a reading or a poem.
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

Therese Stewart in the News

2009-05-15T09:08:00.000-07:00

UUP member Hope Stewart's daughter, Therese Stewart, is the cover story in this week's issue of the Pacific Sun--click on the title of this post to read the whole story.

Therese spoke at UUP last year. She successfully argued the case for same-sex marriage before the California Supreme Court, then saw that work reversed by Proposition 8. This week's story in the Pacific Sun is titled "Behind the 8 Ball," and includes an interview with Therese on her work to challenge the proposition in court.

Hurray, Therese!

This Week at UUP

2009-05-12T14:10:00.000-07:00

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

Share the Plate this Sunday with the Petaluma Educational Foundation
As we express our support of the community, UUP will share its non-pledge offerings this Sunday with the Petaluma Educational Foundation (PEF), a privately funded, non-profit organization whose primary goal is to raise money in the community to directly benefit the schoolchildren of all Petaluma's 32 public, charter and non-profit private schools.

Coming of Age Celebration and Brunch - Sunday, May 17, 10 am
Join us for brunch and celebration as part of a district-wide Coming of Age program honoring our youth, who will lead worship and share statements of belief.

Meet with fellow UUs at the General Assembly!
UU General Assembly
Salt Lake City, Utah
June 24-28, 2009
More information, talk to Marlene Abel, UUP Director of Religious Education.

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, May 10, 2009: "Are You My Mother?"
Worship Leader: Elisabeth Hathaway
In 1929, The Times declared that "The greatest moral force in history is motherhood." Mother: archetypal image of life, symbol of love, and the insistent collaborative voice for peace, which inspired Mother's Day. Today we honor mothers, in all forms and on all levels. Join us, both in the service and by voicing your experiences and responses to the online questionnaire about mothers and mothering (visit www.uupetaluma.org for the survey).

Sunday, May 17, 2009: "Coming of Age Celebration"
Worship Leader: Diana Spaulding
Join us in honoring our youth participants in the district-wide coming of age program. They will lead worship and share statements of belief that they have developed through their experiences. Everyone is invited to come early for a celebratory brunch at 10 am.

Sunday, May 24, 2009: "Forgiveness"
Guest Speaker: Dr. Karen Melander-Magoon
Worship Leader: Joyce Tischler
Celebrate the miracle of forgiveness and the bonds we share simply by being human and a part of this wonderful world.
Guest Speaker Dr. Karen Melander-Magoon comes to us from the First Unitarian Universalist Church in San Francisco, where she is a member. Last year she received her Doctorate of Ministry from San Francisco Theological Seminary under the Graduate Theological Union, with coursework also at Starr King School for the Ministry. After years singing major opera roles in Europe and raising two children there, she returned to the States to continue performing and composed three one-woman musical portraits of women in history, including Georgia O’Keeffe and Clara Barton. Karen preaches and sings throughout the Bay Area and often weaves her own songs and poetry into her sermons and homilies.

REGULARLY SCHEDULED GATHERINGS
* The UUP Board of Trustees will meet Monday, May 11th at 7:30 pm at Jean Conrad’s house.
* The UUP Women's Group will meet on Monday, May 18th at 7:30 pm at Jean Conrad's house. The topic is "New Beginnings", and attendees are welcome to bring a reading or a poem.
* 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: May 10, 2009

2009-05-12T14:09:00.000-07:00

Who’s a Mother?

This past Good Friday, two simultaneous events changed my life. A female feral cat who had roamed the neighborhood for the past couple of years abruptly disappeared, and I began hearing meowing from under the house. The first time I heard a “meow”, I thought I was just hearing things. But the meowing continued, and got louder whenever anyone entered either of our bathrooms.

When I crawled under the house to investigate, I saw nothing but the usual dirt and spider webs. I could hear meowing coming from an outside wall, but no sign of a cat. Puzzled, I lay on my back on the dirt, until I spotted a tiny paw in a hole in the subflooring where a pipe connects to the bottom of the shower area. I waited for the paw to reappear, then extracted a kitten from the flooring. Soon, I had nabbed four kittens.

I suddenly was “mom” to these four tiny kittens, who appeared to be about five weeks old. They accepted me readily, despite their feral upbringing. When I held them in my lap, they would climb up into my hair, searching for somewhere to nurse. They didn’t understand yet how to lap milk from a dish, but meowed insistently that they wanted milk, now. They bonded to me, despite my total lack of resemblance to their real mom.

Becoming a mom, in a broader sense of the word, can occur after a pregnancy, or it can occur when some creature needs your attention and care. It can occur by choice, or by happenstance, as with my little kittens. These happy events may provide teaching moments in nurturing, a skill that requires that the needs of other living things supercedes one’s own issues, The family pet may need food or attention; the garden may need watering. A child who learns to care by providing for another, has mastered the first lesson in good parenting.

Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education

Butter and Egg Days Parade Entry 2009

2009-04-27T19:13:00.001-07:00

UU-umbo Butter and Egg Days Parade Entry 2009
Originally uploaded by Unitarian Universalists of Petaluma

About 40 UUP members and friends marched with our "UU-Umbo" elephant float made of recycled materials on Saturday, April 25, 2009. The theme of this year's Butter and Egg Days was "Recycle, Reuse, and Remember."

UPDATE:
Our entry won first place in the "Mini-Float, Non-Commercial" category! (See the news article with full results at Petaluma360.com.)

This Week at UUP

2009-04-23T14:01:00.000-07:00

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

From the President…
The March 1st Time and Talent Auction was a HUGE success! We made a total of $4,722. (Our goal was $2,800). In the live auction the largest draw was the Cultural Evening and Dinner, offered by Meredith Guest and the Boyles, it brought in $270. Second place went to the Tragical Magical Mystery Tour offered by Jan Ogren and Dean Watson - at $225. Third, at $200, was the Sightseeing Flight donated by Bob Minkin. The silent auction was also very successful with so many donated items that we had trouble finding table room! That is a really wonderful problem to have. Also, this year, for the first time we had donations from some Petaluma businesses. A truly luscious lunch, prepared by some of our youth and RE volunteers, was enjoyed by the 92 people who came to the event.
So many people to thank....donors, bidders (47 of them), dessert makers, people who set up and stayed after to clean up, the lunch makers, the organizers - with the leadership of Diana Spaulding, the musicians, and our talented auctioneer, Mike Iritz.
It was great fun. Let's do it again next year!
Blessings to all,
Jean Conrad
Board President

Come See UUP in the Butter & Eggs Day Parade!
We are float #35, so be sure to get your front row seat to cheer us on as we go by! Be there - along Kentucky Street or on Petaluma Blvd - at noon this Saturday. Look for the Indian elephant made of recycled parts. Hope to see you there! Contact Stacey Meinzen with questions.
If you would like to march with UUP in the parade, please be at Walnut Park at the corner of 4th and D streets by 11:45 am on Saturday. Please let Stacey know if you plan to join us!

District Assembly and General Assembly are coming up!
Pacific Central District Assembly
May 1-3, 2009
Fremont, CA
For more information, visit www.pcd-uua.org/events/DA-2009/index.htm .

UUA General Assembly
Salt Lake City, Utah
June 24-28, 2009
More information, contact Marlene Abel, UUP Director of Religious Education.

Space limited, sign up now for the Annual UUP Memorial Day Retreat - May 22nd-25th!
We have room for four more adults (kids, too) 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, April 26, 2009: "Shut up?!"
Guest Speaker: Russell Menk
Worship Leader: Joyce Tischler
Have you ever said anything you regretted afterwards? We have two eyes, two ears and one mouth, so we look and listen twice as much as we speak, but sometimes we still talk too much.
Guest Speaker Russell Menk is a retired rocket scientist who is now a first year Unitarian Universalist theology student at Pacific School of Religion. He moved to the Bay Area from Utah last summer with his partner, three dogs, and ¾’s of a cat to attend seminary. He and his family live in San Leandro.

Sunday, May 3, 2009: "Spring Forward: Pledge Sunday"
Worship Leaders: Elizabeth Nielsen and David Dodd

May 10, 2009: "Women's Decade Circle"
Worship Leader: Elisabeth Hathaway

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: The 7th Principle in Daily Living

2009-04-18T14:38:00.000-07:00

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

District Assembly and General Assembly - from Marlene Abel, UUP Director of Religious Education
Members of UUP, including myself, will be attending District Assembly (DA) and General Assembly this year. DA will be in Fremont, May 1-3, and will offer truly outstanding program for children and youth this year. I particularly encourage Middle School Youth (grades 6-8) to attend, as they will have the opportunity to determine Middle School District programming for next year. Both Middle School and High School Youth will swim in the hotel pool, play cooperative games, have a sleep over, worship, eat pizza and have fun! Elementary and younger kids will have lots of activities as well. Please ask me if you have questions about children's programs at DA. More information is available at http://www.pcd-uua.org/events/DA-2009/index.htm .
Jan Ogren and Dean Watson will be attending DA, so contact them if you would like to connect!
General Assembly (GA), a gathering of thousands of UUs from all over the country, is in Salt Lake City this year from June 24-28. It is a inspirational gathering with many workshops, worship services, social action, and entertainment. There is a GA choir and special youth programs. Please let me know if you have interest in GA, and I can tell you more. I've attended 6 previous GA's, and enjoyed every one of them.

"New to UU" Visitors' Orientation this Sunday, April 19
Trying out UUP? Visiting for the first time or have been 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.

Space limited, sign up now for the Annual UUP Memorial Day Retreat - May 22nd-25th!
We have room for four more adults (kids, too) 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, April 19, 2009: The 7th Principle in Daily Living"
Worship Leaders: Stacey Meinzen and David Dodd
As Unitarian Universalists, we profess to believe in respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. In other words, we are part of a larger system, not separate from it, and we acknowledge that this system exists not just for our sake, but for its own sake. What does this mean for the way we live daily? How do we reconcile disparities between this paradigm and the way we actually live in modern culture?

Sunday, April 26, 2009: "Shut up?!"
Guest Speaker: Russell Menk
Worship Leader: Joyce Tischler
Have you ever said anything you regretted afterwards? We have two eyes, two ears and one mouth, so we look and listen twice as much as we speak, but sometimes we still talk too much.
Guest Speaker Russell Menk is a retired rocket scientist who is now a first year Unitarian Universalist theology student at Pacific School of Religion. He moved to the Bay Area from Utah last summer with his partner, three dogs, and ¾’s of a cat to attend seminary. He and his family live in San Leandro.

REGULARLY SCHEDULED GATHERINGS

UUP Membership Committee will meet Sunday, April 26th, 12:15 pm in the Christian Science Reading Room.

UUP Women's Group will meet Monday, April 20th, 7:30 pm at Jean Conrad's house. The Topic: Doing Your Best. Do we always do our best? What if we run out of time for a particular task? Or we forget to do something and only have 5 minutes left? Yikes! Then there everyday tasks like flossing or fixing dinner or laundry or telling a joke. You get the idea.

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: April 12, 2009

2009-04-18T14:36:00.000-07:00

A New Ecumenism

This past week, President Obama held a Seder in the White House, believed to be the first Seder celebrated by a sitting US President in his home. Tomorrow, our President will host the annual Easter Egg Roll on the White House lawn. How wonderful it is to have a leader who honors the faith traditions of diverse religions. I personally believe that President Obama’s open mindedness must trace back to his Sunday School attendance at the First Unitarian Church of Honolulu as a child. However, I also admit to having a personal bias in regards to the value of Unitarian Universalist religious training.

The holidays of Easter and Passover are, of course, directly linked in the story of Jesus. Jesus, an observant Jew, had returned to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover with his disciples. His Last Supper was a Seder, and is still remembered in the Christian celebration of communion. Unfortunately, the events that followed the Last Supper led to difficult relationships between well established Judaism and the new Christian religion. These difficulties continue to this day.

I am grateful that Unitarian Universalism seeks to honor the wisdom of many faith traditions. We can celebrate freedom with our Jewish friends at Passover time, and remember Jesus’ message of love with our Christian friends. At Easter, we also celebrate spring and new life as Pagans have for thousands of years. As UU’s, we can work for greater unity and understanding between believers of different faiths, in order to promote peace. This Sunday, let us celebrate freedom, love, life and peace.

Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education

This Week at UUP

2009-04-09T22:07:00.000-07:00

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

Share-the-Plate Sunday
In keeping with UUP's commitment to supporting community efforts, on Sunday, we will split the non-pledge offerings with Petaluma People Services Center. Their goal is to reduce poverty, physical and mental abuse, chemical dependence, violence, ignorance, isolation and mental illness, among children, adults, families and seniors. The hands-on, face-to-face support that individuals receive from PPSC is wide ranging; counseling, job placement, gang prevention, daily hot meals, rides to the doctor, case management, financial assistance for homeless prevention, informational and referrals. People Helping People.

Easter Egg Hunt this Sunday
Our children and youth will participate in an Easter Egg Hunt immediately following the worship service. The hunt will take place in the grassy area between the Woman's Club and the Christian Science Building, with separate hunt areas for ages 5 and under, and our 6-10 year olds. The Middle School Group, grades 5-8, will decorate real hard boiled eggs, stuff plastic eggs and help the Easter Bunny hide them. The Easter Bunny will bring special treats for the Middle School youth for their assistance. UUP adults are invited to watch the fun of the hunt. We also welcome donations of a dozen, hard boiled eggs (colored or not).

District Assembly and General Assembly - from Marlene Abel, UUP Director of Religious Education
Members of UUP, including myself, will be attending District Assembly (DA) and General Assembly this year. DA will be in Fremont, May 1-3, and will offer truly outstanding program for children and youth this year. I particularly encourage Middle School Youth (grades 6-8) to attend, as they will have the opportunity to determine Middle School District programming for next year. Both Middle School and High School Youth will swim in a the hotel pool, play cooperative games, have a sleep over, worship, eat pizza and have fun! Elementary and younger kids will have lots of activities as well. Please ask me if you have questions about children's programs at DA. More information is available at http://www.pcd-uua.org/events/DA-2009/index.htm .

General Assembly (GA), a gathering of thousands of UU's from all over the country, is in Salt Lake City this year from June 24-28. It is a inspirational gathering with many workshops, worship services, social action, and entertainment. There is a GA choir and special youth programs. Please let me know if you have interest in GA, and I can tell you more. I've attended 6 previous GA's, and enjoyed every one of them.

UUP in Butter and Eggs: come build the float!
We will have another float building party on April 12th after service from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Woman's Club. Bring a snack to share and your creative capacities. RSVP to Stacey Meinzen by Friday if you plan to attend. Let's show Petaluma what we're made of – and what our big elephant float is made of (recycled parts). We need cereal boxes and cardboard milk cartons ... well rinsed.

Rebuilding Together
Please join the UUP Men's Group in the annual Rebuilding Together workday on Saturday, April 18th. Contact Phil Boyle by April 10th if you'd like to sign up or have questions. Service is our prayer.

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.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY CORNER - "...service is our prayer"
A huge "thank you" to all who participated in UUP's first-ever 5th Sunday Luncheon on March 29th! It was a great success in many ways. We enjoyed several varieties of vegan chilies prepared by the SRC members, organic greens from Laguna Farm in Sebastapol (lagunafarm.com), organic sprouted wheat bread from Petaluma's Alvarado Street Bakery (alvaradostreetbakery.com), delicious non-dairy "ice cream," and - of course - great company! Due to several requests, we will have recipe booklets available at the Social Responsibility Table for all who would like one.

Many folks stayed to work on our float for the Butter and Eggs Day Parade, under the creative direction of Stacey Meinzen. We also collected several bags of groceries and $40 in cash donations for COTS/Petaluma Kitchen, to help meet their increasing need. Special thanks to Jean Conrad for delivering our donations to Petaluma Kitchen, to all who pitched in with set-up and clean-up, and to Barney Blankenship and George Beeler, our awesome dishwashing team! (No disposable paper or plastic products went into the landfill due to this luncheon! We even composted our leftover food scraps!)

It was a fun community building time for UUP and a great kick-off to the Unitarian Universalist Association's new Congregational Study/Action Issue, "Ethical Eating: Food & Environmental Justice." Please watch This Week at UUP for news of future events and visit the Social Responsibility Table for more information.

SRC thought for the week: "Let us bless the source of life that brings forth bread from the Earth. Let our lives be a blessing to the Earth that sustains us, and to all the creatures who, like us, call this planet home." -- John Robbins

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, 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.

Sunday, April 19, 2009: "The Seventh Principle: Respect for the Interdependent Web of Existence"
Worship Leaders: Stacey Meinzen, David Dodd and Jan Crosby

REGULARLY SCHEDULED GATHERINGS
* UUP Board of Trustees will meet Monday, April 13th 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

Religious Education Update: April 5, 2009

2009-04-02T18:49:00.000-07:00

District Connections
This Sunday, I am attending the Coming of Age Retreat at Lake Chabot in Oakland. I am cooking for fifty at a campsite, with my propane stove and barbeques. I’ve cooked for fifty before, but never without benefit of any kitchen or even running water. I hope that the cooking goes well.

So, why would I go camping with over 40 UU teenagers? The main reason is that making connections with the larger UU world really matters for our teens. While our UUP community offers many opportunities for this age group, such as taking leadership roles and making intergenerational connections, our youth need to see Unitarian Universalism in a larger context. They love meeting other teens, of course, and are interested in learning about other UU churches. The UU’s of Petaluma is just one congregation among over a thousand in the Unitarian Universalist Association, and it matters that they experience that we are part of a larger movement. Also, I have the opportunity to connect with adults from nearby congregations. Many of these folks do the same job I do- Director of Religious Education- but I have few chances to talk with colleagues in person. So, we chat and make plans, and have fun, too!

Fortunately, the Coming of Age Retreats are not the last district connection for our teens. Our high schoolers are already making plans to attend District Assembly. At DA, which is May 1-3 in Fremont, they will be with other UU’s teens in a more civilized environment, the Marriot Hotel. They will play cooperative games, go swimming, attend workshops, create worship services, and have a pizza party. They loved DA last year!

My next project is to publicize district connections for Middle School Youth. These kids could get a terrific introduction at District Assembly this year, with a sleepover just for 6th, 7th and 8th graders, a swim party, pizza, circle worship, games and workshops. This program will be run by Heather Sawyers, the amazing DRE from the Mt. Diablo Church in Walnut Creek. I’ll be there!

Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education

This Week at UUP

2009-04-02T18:11:00.000-07:00

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 in Butter and Eggs: come build the float!
A huge THANK YOU to those that helped with the first Butter and Eggs Day float work party on Sunday. It was a hit! We will be having another one on April 12th after service from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Woman's Club. Bring a snack to share and your creative capacities. RSVP to Stacey Meinzen if you plan to take part in the April 12th work party. Let's show Petaluma what we're made of – and what our big elephant float is made of (recycled parts). We need cereal boxes and cardboard milk cartons ... well rinsed.

Rebuilding Together
Please join the UUP Men's Group in the annual Rebuilding Together workday on Saturday, April 18th. Contact Phil Boyle by April 10th if you'd like to sign up or have questions. Service is our prayer.

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, April 5, 2009: "The Individual Heart and the Congregational Vision"
Worship Leaders: Diana Spaulding and Elizabeth Nielsen
Our congregation is a beautiful tapestry woven by our common dreams and vision, and nurtured by our individual hearts. What meaningful spiritual moments have you experienced within our UUP community recently? What might we envision together as UUP sustains a religious liberal presence in our wider world, and grows and matures to serve our shared values?

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
* UUP Men’s Group meets Friday, April 3rd - tea 7p, starting 7:30 - at George Beeler's house, 100 Fair Street at the corner of Douglas
* UUP Worship Leaders meets Sunday, April 5th from 12:45 pm to 3:30 pm in T's office
* 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: Luncheon, Food for COTS, Float Creation!

2009-03-27T08:27:00.001-07:00

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!

2009-03-20T07:13:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-15T19:47:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-15T19:37:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-08T08:00:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-05T20:55:00.000-08:00

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

2009 Annual Photo

2009-02-28T20:44:00.001-08:00

2009 Annual Photo
Originally uploaded by Unitarian Universalists of Petaluma

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

Religious Education Update: March 1, 2009

2009-02-27T10:29:00.000-08:00

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

This Week at UUP

2009-02-26T20:53:00.001-08:00

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

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

2009-02-23T09:15:00.000-08:00

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
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Religious Education Update: Feb. 22, 2009

2009-02-23T09:14:00.000-08:00

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

This Week at UUP

2009-02-14T20:02:00.000-08:00

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

Religious Education Update: February 15, 2009

2009-02-14T20:01:00.000-08:00

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

This Week at UUP: The Same River Twice

2009-01-30T13:01:00.000-08:00

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

UUP Potluck and Concert, Saturday afternoon, January 31st, 5-7 pm, at the Eriksens in northwest Petaluma

All UUPers have the exciting opportunity to hear UU songwriter and guitarist Jim Scott at an informal potluck, concert and singalong. Jim has performed at over 500 UU churches and wrote six of the songs in our hymnbook, including Gather the Spirit. He also writes children's songs on environment and social justice issues. This is a social event for all ages.
Please bring a potluck dish to share and a donation to help cover Jim's travel costs from the East Coast. We are suggesting a donation of $8-15 for adults (sliding scale) or $15-20 for a family. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.
To sign-up, email Marlene Abel at marlenea at sonic.net. The Eriksens can accommodate about 40 people in their home, so space is limited. The Eriksens live at 2125 McSween Lane, off Ely, between Corona Road and Old Redwood Highway.
Thank you, Jean Conrad, the Eriksens, and the UUP board for making this event possible.

UUP Directory 2009
The updated UUP Directory of members and friends will be in print soon. A draft will be available for review on the back table on Sunday. If your contact info has changed since January 2008, please either make note on the draft on Sunday or email UUP Admin Assistant Jen Newman at uupetaluma at gmail.com .

UUP photo: a message from Hope Stewart
I will take a UUP membership group photo after the service on Sunday, February 8th. Wear your best clothes, I mean, best smile!

Bring a friend to UUP's Fabulous Time & Talent Auction on Sunday, March 1st, noon-2:30 pm

Planning is well underway for our annual fundraising auction featuring a delicious lunch (chicken/veggie/vegan enchiladas!), a talented cast of entertainers, a silent auction, and a live auction. Do you have a talent or skill that you could share? Bright green donation forms are available every Sunday at church -- OR -- consider asking a friendly merchant in town to donate a service or an item. If there is a service you'd like to see donated, please add it to the wish list this Sunday. Email Diana Spaulding at weaverly at earthlink.net if you want to donate but can't make it to Sunday service. Other ways to contribute: donate a dessert for the yummy dessert auction, come early to help set up, stay to help clean up, or best of all bring a friend!

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY CORNER Service is our Prayer
Carbon Ring
The UU Legislative Ministry of California has developed a program to help us in our efforts to be good stewards of the earth. The focus is reducing the amount of carbon dioxide each of us causes to be released into the atmosphere. You may participate to the degree that is comfortable for you. Please take a look at the Social Responsibility table and talk to Stacey or George.

Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
You are invited to join UUSC in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Thursday, February 6th at 7:30 pm at the UU Church of Berkeley. William F. Schulz (UUSC Board of Trustees Chair, former director of Amnesty International and former president of the UUA) will be speaking, along with Cesar Cardenas Ramirez of El Movimiento Mi Cometa, UUSC's Environmental Justice program partner. This event is free and open to the public, but space is limited. RSVP to rsvp@uusc.org .

SRC quote for the week: "Be the change you want to see in the world." ~Mahatma Gandhi

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 1: "The Same River Twice"
Guest Speaker: Rev. Meghan Conrad Cefalu
Worship Leader: Jodi Boyle
In 500 BCE Heraclitus of Ephesus noted that "You cannot step twice into the same river, for other waters are continually flowing in." We have to concede that change is the only real constant in life and yet it so often takes us by surprise. Amidst all the change, there is something changeless in which we can trust and have faith.
The Rev. Meghan Conrad Cefalu serves the Unitarian Universalist Community of the Mountains in Grass Valley, California. She and her husband both grew up in Petaluma and enjoy coming back "home" to visit their parents. The president of our Board of Trustees, Jean Conrad, is Meghan's mother.

Sunday, February 8: "Preparing for Love"
Worship Leader: Diana Spaulding
What is it to love? What is it to be loved? In honor of the upcoming celebration of Valentine's Day, we will look beyond the greeting card aspects of this romantic holiday to consider other, deeper questions about love. Come to listen, to ponder, and to share your thoughts about love, and, if you wish, to compose a haiku about love for your valentine or for another in need of love.

REGULARLY SCHEDULED GATHERINGS
UUP Worship Leaders will meet on Sunday, Feb. 1 from 12:30 to 2:30 pm in T's office
Larking About, the UUP choir, meets Wednesdays at 8 pm at David Dodd and Diana Spaulding's house, 716 Bassett St.

Religious Education Update: February 1, 2009

2009-01-30T12:59:00.000-08:00

Letters to Obama

Last Sunday, our children wrote letters to President Obama under the leadership of KC Greaney. I asked KC to make copies of their letters before she sent them to Washington D.C., so that the congregation could hear what our kids have to say. I’ll print some this week, and some next week.

Dear President Obama,
Please bring George Bush to your house, so he doesn’t start us in another war. Sincerely, Ava (age 4)

Dear President Obama,
Please help stop the war. Powell (age 6)

Dear President Obama,
Congratulations on your recent inauguration. I strongly feel that our schools need more funding and support from our government. There is much more to education than reading and writing. There is also music, languages, drama and libraries that need funding. These enrichment classes are very important in education, and they are sorely underfunded. Please help the new generation of Americans get the education they need.
Thank you, Rosemary Dodd (age 12}

Dear President Obama,
I hope you stay in office for eight years instead of four.
Sincerely, Raj (age 5)

Dear President Obama,
I am so glad you are my President. I wanted to vote for you but I am only six. But I know you are going to take care of America! Love, Isabel (age 6)

Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education

UUP Martin Luther King Day Community Cleanup

2009-01-19T15:46:00.000-08:00

Around 25 UUP members and friends spent the morning of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day cleaning up downtown Petaluma and distributing low-energy light bulbs to low-income families. It was a great morning! More pictures soon...

Religious Education Update: January 18, 2009

2009-01-15T18:29:00.000-08:00

What a Week!

America is full of hope, excitement and joy as we plan to celebrate both Martin Luther King, Jr,’s holiday and the inauguration of our new President in the next two days. Americans, including folks from UUP, will be performing community service on Monday, and following the festivities in Washington D.C. on Tuesday. On both days, many of us will be inspired by a belief that America can be better, that we can collectively grow closer to our ideals of being a justice seeking, liberty loving nation.

It is fitting that these two days fall so close together on our calendar. The civil rights work of Martin Luther King, Jr., and others changed our laws and our society, so that men and women of all races have greater opportunities. I’m excited that these changes have happened within my lifetime, from the segregated schools of the 1950’s to a black man, a Harvard graduate, becoming our President in 2009.

On a personal note, I’m pleased that our future President attended a Unitarian Sunday School at the First Unitarian Church of Honolulu from the age of 6 to 10. I’m also pleased at the religious instruction he received at home. Maya Soetoro- Ng, Obama’s sister, describes, the beliefs of their mother in this way: “I wouldn’t have called her an atheist. She was an agnostic. She basically gave us all the good books — the Bible, the Hindu Upanishads and the Buddhist scripture, the Tao Te Ching — and wanted us to recognize that everyone has something beautiful to contribute. Mom didn’t really emphasize the Koran, but we read little parts of it. We did listen to morning prayers in Indonesia.”

Speaking with a UU-bias certainly, I believe that Obama’s early UU training will be helpful as he governs over a nation of such religious diversity. Even more, his background will guide him in our relations with the Islamic nations and others. I believe that Obama is the U.S. President that our world needs right now.

Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education

This Week at UUP: Happy Birthday, Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.!

2009-01-15T18:23:00.000-08:00

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

This month's Share-the-Plate Sunday: the Petaluma Educational Foundation
In keeping with UUP's commitment to supporting our community, we will share our non-pledge offering this Sunday with the Petaluma Educational Foundation. PEF is a broadly based community foundation that secures and distributes contributions from the private sector (local businesses, parents, individuals, service clubs and private foundations) to benefit the educational program in Petaluma area schools. PEF provides grants to teachers, offers scholarships to graduating seniors and manages designated funds for school programs and activities. Founded in 1982, PEF serves ten school districts incorporating 31 public and non-profit private schools in our community.

Jim Scott Featured at UUP Potluck and Concert, Saturday afternoon, January 31st, 5-7 pm, at the Eriksens' in northwest Petaluma
All UUPers have the exciting opportunity to hear UU songwriter and guitarist Jim Scott at an informal potluck, concert and singalong. Jim has performed at over 500 UU churches and wrote three of the songs in our hymnbook, including "Gather the Spirit." He also writes children's songs on environment and social justice issues. This will be a social event for all ages.
Please bring a potluck dish to share and a donation to help cover Jim's travel costs from the East Coast. We are suggesting a donation of $8-15 for adults (sliding scale) or $15-20 for a family. No one will be turned away for a lack of funds.
Sign-ups will begin next Sunday at the Sunday service, or email Marlene Abel at marlenea at sonic.net . The Eriksens can accommodate about 40 people in their home, so space is limited. The Eriksens live at 2125 McSween Lane, off Ely, between Corona Road and Old Redwood Highway. (Marlene will have maps at UUP.)
Thank you, Jean Conrad, the Eriksens, and the UUP board for making this event possible.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY CORNER:
Service is our Prayer
Thank you everyone for a very successful Guest At Your Table program. Together we contributed $1,425 and qualified for $770 in matching donations for a total benefit to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee of $2,195. This is almost double what we accomplished last year! In addition, because 18 adults and 8 youth - more than 25% of our total membership - contributed at the membership level, we have earned another ribbon for our UUSC banner. Most importantly, we have helped to fund the humanitarian and social justice work of UUSC.
SRC quote for the week: "The central task of the religious community is to unveil the bonds that bind each to all. There is a connectedness, a relationship discovered amid the particulars of our own lives and the lives of others. Once felt, it inspires us to work for justice." -- Rev. Mark Morrison-Reed

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 18, 2009: "Happy Birthday, Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr."
Worship Leader: Joyce Tischler
January 15 would have been the 80th birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, the Baptist minister who became the conscience of a nation. Let's read his words and the inspirational words of others and ask: "what would Martin say" on the eve of the inauguration of the first African American president in U.S. history?

January 25, 2009
"The Third UU Principle: Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations"
Worship Leader: Elisabeth Hathaway

February 1, 2009
"The Same River Twice"
Guest Speaker: Rev. Meghan Conrad Cefalu
Worship Leader: Jodi Boyle
In 500 BCE Heraclitus of Ephesus noted that "You cannot step twice into the same river, for other waters are continually flowing in." We have to concede that change is the only real constant in life and yet it so often takes us by surprise. Amidst all the change, there is something changeless in which we can trust and have faith.
The Rev. Meghan Conrad Cefalu serves the Unitarian Universalist Community of the Mountains in Grass Valley, California. She and her husband both grew up in Petaluma and enjoy coming back "home" to visit their parents. The president of our Board of Trustees, Jean Conrad, is Meghan's mother.

REGULARLY SCHEDULED GATHERINGS

Membership Committee: brown-bag committee meeting after the service on Sunday, Jan 18th in the Christian Science parlor. Any questions, please call Karen Rutherford.
Larking About, the UUP choir, meets Wednesdays at 8 pm at David Dodd and Diana Spaulding's house, 716 Bassett St.

www.uupetaluma.org

This Week at UUP: A Native American Medicine Wheel

2009-01-09T13:37:00.000-08:00

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

RE Committee Meeting - Sunday, January 11, immediately after the service
All are welcome to work on Religious Education plans for 2009, including RE participation in the Time and Talent Auction on March 1. Childcare will be provided for our meeting.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY CORNER
Service is our Prayer
In early 2009, the Social Responsibility Committee will begin working on the Unitarian Universalist Association study issue of Ethical Eating, which includes aspects of environmental concern, world hunger and humane treatment of animals. This is part of a 4-year process that is intended to culminate in an official UUA Statement of Conscience. You are invited to join us in bringing this study issue to UUP, so that our congregation may participate along with others in the work of the UUA. Please let any committee member know of your interest. (Jan Crosby, George Beeler, Earl Cruser or Stacey Meinzen)

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 11, 2009: Native American Medicine Wheel
Guest Speakers: Jan Ogren and Dean Watson
Worship Leaders: Jodi Boyle and Meredith Guest
Jan Ogren and Dean Watson will share from their experience apprenticing with Native American healers. They will lead us in a ritual for healing based on the Medicine Wheel, which includes a balance of gratitude for life, self healing and healing of others. The children will help us build a Medicine Wheel using animal drawings they have created. We will all join together to start the new year off with a wish for a very healing, healthy 2009. Intergenerational service, infant care provided.

January 18, 2009: Martin Luther King, Jr.
Worship Leader: Joyce Tischler

January 25, 2009: "The Third UU Principle: Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations"
Worship Leader: Elisabeth Hathaway

REGULARLY SCHEDULED GATHERINGS
The UUP Board of Trustee will meet Monday, January 12th 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!

Religious Education Update: January 11, 2009

2009-01-09T13:35:00.000-08:00

Lessons from the First Nations

Last Sunday, the children and I huddled around a “campfire” in the upstairs classroom, as I read a Native American story transcribed by Jan Ogren. Our “campfire” was made of real logs, but the “flame” was red cloth backlit with flashlights. I asked the children to pretend that they were in America 300 years ago, and that they were tribal children listening to one of their elders. Jan told a good story in her writing, and I had their rapt attention.

I explained to the children about how many tribes had an oral tradition, rather than keeping sacred books. In this tradition, all of the legends would need to memorized perfectly, word for word, so they could transmitted flawlessly to the next generation. From my perspective, it seems so much easier to have access to endless text resources. However, for many tribes with the oral tradition, white man’s writing seemed inferior, without the emotions that are part of the storyteller’s craft. They worried that much of the power of the stories would be lost if reduced to mere words on paper. As someone who loves books and libraries, how challenging it is for me to see their valid, but divergent, perspective! However, I also know the power of a good story, and have watched children and adults alike entranced by a gifted storyteller.

The people of the First Nations have so much wisdom to share with us now: how is respect the earth and the web of life; how to live lightly on the land; and how to feel gratitude for the many gifts that our earth provides. I believe that white men and women have much to learn from the stories and traditions of these first inhabitants, and I feel blessed to be part of today’s service. The First Nations preserved their land for future generations. Their spirituality emphasized their connection with the animals and plants that share our planet. It is my fervent hope that today’s Americans can learn to be better stewards of our earth, in order to leave beauty for today’s children and their descendants.

Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education

Religious Education Update: December 21, 2008

2008-12-18T14:38:00.000-08:00

Finding Light in the Darkness

The closing days of 2008 seem dark indeed, with the gloomy economic news reports keeping step with the shortening days. In casual conversations, I speak with people who have lost their jobs, lost money in the stock market, or who face salary cuts.

I’m reminded of the challenges of earlier generations. My father went through college during the Great Depression, and finally graduated with his doctorate in sociology, supporting himself with student jobs or teaching elementary school. He was poor in worldly goods for years. My mother-in-law grew up in Germany and faced huge food shortages after World War II. She survived a hard winter in Germany by the good fortune of receiving food packages from by her American fiancé, the soldier who fell in love with her during the war. Both of these individuals were frugal with money and food for the rest of their lives, never forgetting their hardships. They taught their children, including my husband and me. about valuing our prosperity as we grew up.

I believe that the light in this dark winter will be found in the compassion in our hearts, and in gratitude for our personal blessings. We can share our light with others by offering encouragement to those who are searching for work, financial and volunteer support to food banks and homeless shelters, and a focus on what we truly value. It is within our powers to help light and hope return to our nation.

What a miracle it would be if the current difficulties cause all of us to rethink our consumption driven society, and consider sharing our resources with more equity. The leaders in our country during the depression and the Second World War promoted the general welfare of the people, through work projects and international treaties. I am hopeful that the new administration in Washington, may also choose to improve our world in solving our generations’ huge challenges.

Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education

This Week at UUP: Winter Solstice Drum Circle

2008-12-18T08:21:00.000-08:00

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

Children's Choir Rehearsal this Sunday - 9:30 am
Elizabeth Nielsen will be directing our children's choir in their final rehearsal before their Christmas Eve performance. The choir and Elizabeth are doing an amazing job, and the Christmas Eve service promises to be a moving and beautiful experience for all. Choir members will be provided with hot cider and breakfast treats, before and after their rehearsal.

Adult Discussion Group this Sunday - 9:30 am to 10:15 am
Come join Marlene Abel and other friendly adults in the fireside room at UUP in a discussion of "Finding Meaning in the Holidays". This is a drop-in group, and all adults are welcome to come share their thoughts on the topic.

Santa Lucia Procession
This Sunday will be our annual celebration of Santa Lucia's Day, which is an ancient Swedish tradition of welcoming back the light at the Winter solstice. Children and Youth are invited to process at the beginning to the service. Costumes will be provided, except that each child or youth should wear a plain white shirt from home, either long or short sleeve. Children and youth should arrive by 10:15 to get ready. Girls will be given long white skirts and silver garlands, and the boys will wear Star Hats and carry star wands.

"Dinner for Eight" or more on Christmas Eve
Would you like to share Christmas Eve with your church family? Then join us as we gather in each other's homes to share dinner after the service on December 24th.
Here is how it works: Some people agree to host, and they provide the gathering location and usually a main dish. Others sign up to participate and bring other contributions to the meal. Then all gather on Christmas Eve for a community meal and good fellowship. There is a sign-up sheet at the back of the church on Sunday services. Questions? Contact KC Greaney.

Holiday Fundraiser for our high-school-age youth
UUP high school youth are selling holiday cards at UUP after the services each Sunday. If you're thinking about buying cards this year, please consider buying from our youth. Also for sale are gift bags and gift tags. Proceeds from the sales will help pay for their Coming of Age Program, a series of retreats and UUP youth activities.

UUP Now Has a Facebook Page
If you're on Facebook, come join the UUP Facebook group. If you're not, then maybe you'd like to give it a try--it's free and all too easy. Questions? Ask UUP's webmaster, David Dodd. To see more details and confirm this group invitation, follow this link.

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE
Wednesday, December 24, 2008, 5 pm
Worship Associates: Lara Abel and Diana Spaulding
Please join us for our first-ever UUP Christmas Eve service, as we celebrate the season with singing and fellowship. Special music will include the debut of our Children's Choir, led by Elizabeth Nielsen; a performance from the Bach "Magnificat" by a talented trio of UUP singers (Elizabeth Nielsen, Rachel Steiner, and Kendra Bushong); and a brass quintet.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY CORNER Service is our Prayer
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
The Guest At Your Table boxes and donation envelopes distributed during the past several weeks will be gratefully received during the Christmas Eve Service - or as soon as possible thereafter. As you prepare to return your gift, please note the membership levels printed on your box or envelope. Please give as generously as you are able so that, through the work of UUSC, we may bring hope for a better future to those around the world less fortunate than ourselves. Although a donation of any amount is appreciated, we can make the largest impact by qualifying for a matching donation. All donations of $100 or more per household will be matched by the UU Congregation of Shelter Rock.
SRC Thought for the Week
"I will light candles this Christmas;
Candles of joy despite all sadness;
Candles of hope where despair keeps watch;
Candles of courage for fears ever present;
Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens;
Candles of love to inspire all living;
Candles that will burn all the year long."
-- Rev. Howard Thurman

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, December 21, 2008: Winter Solstice Drum Circle
Worship Leaders: Tony Blake and Meredith Guest
Following last week's "holding the place of darkness collectively, with its mystery, waiting and silence", this week we welcome earth's slow, yet inexorable, return to the light with singing, drumming and resounding joy. Bring a drum, an instrument, a sound maker or just yourself to this annual celebration led by Tony Blake.

Sunday, December 28, 2008
Worship Leaders: Meredith Guest and Lara Abel
Now that the official madness…excuse me, I mean 'holiday' is past, I'd like to invite you to join me in taking a closer, in-depth look at what Luke, the original author of what must surely be THE most universally misunderstood story of all times, had in mind when he penned it some time late in the first century. It could be surprising and hopefully, enlightening.

Religious Education Update: December 14, 2008

2008-12-11T20:49:00.000-08:00

The Spiritual Practice of Gratitude

Yesterday, my son the chef received an email from the Culinary School at Santa Rosa Junior College stating that recent graduates were having trouble finding jobs. Phil looked up from his computer and remarked, “I think I’m lucky to have a job.” When Phil graduated just three semesters ago, employers had approached him for interviews, and he had landed a job within a couple of days of posting his resume on the culinary school website.

This morning, as I started my day by fetching my newspapers off the sidewalk, I noticed the freezing temperatures and thick frost. As I opened the front door on my return, I felt gratitude for the warm air that greeted me. I thought, “I’m so lucky to have a warm house, and not be homeless.”

After glancing through the usual grim headlines, I wondered how it would be to intentionally practice gratitude as a spiritual practice and not just feel thankful at random moments, as in the examples above. What if I were to slow down, pay attention to the little things, and notice the good stuff? Could I practice gratitude for an entire day?

Later, when I arrived at Sonoma Mountain Elementary School, I walked by a maintenance worker, Dominic, sanitizing a patch of concrete and cleaning up vomit. As a nasty stomach bug is running through the school right now, I’m sure he will be repeating this task over and over this week. I stopped and said, “Thank you, Dominic, for doing this job. I’m sure it’s not pleasant and I appreciate you.” He looked up and smiled at me.

So far, I’ve practiced gratitude for two hours and elicited three smiles from Dominic, my son and a friend. I also feel more cheerful. What will be the impact of this spiritual practice on me and others by the end of the day?
If you choose to try this experiment yourself some time, please let me know how your life is changed. I’d be interested to hear.

Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education

This Week at UUP: Share the Plate with COTS this Week

2008-12-11T06:18:00.000-08:00

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

Share-the-Plate this Sunday with Petaluma's Committee on the Shelterless (COTS )
In this season of sharing, we will share our Sunday offering plate with COTS, who do so much to provide for those without a roof over their heads. Please come prepared this Sunday to be a generous supporter of this important effort in our community. www.cots-homeless.org

"Dinner for Eight" or more on Christmas Eve
Would you like to share Christmas Eve with your church family? Then join us as we gather in each others' homes to share dinner after the service on December 24th.
Here is how it works: Some people agree to host, and they provide the gathering location and usually a main dish. Others sign up to participate and bring other contributions to the meal. Then all gather on Christmas Eve for a community meal and good fellowship.
There is a sign-up sheet at the back of the church on Sunday services. Questions? Ask KC Greaney.

Children and Youth to perform at UUP Christmas Eve Service
All children and youth are invited to participate in singing carols at the Christmas Eve service. This Sunday marks the last rehearsal before Christmas Eve. Singers are asked to early arrival to the Christmas Eve service in preparation for their performance. Rehearsals are led by Elizabeth Nielson.

Religious Education Discussion Group prior to Sunday Service
Marlene will host one more discussion group in the fireside room during children's choir practice this Sunday morning from 9:30 to 10:15. Anyone is welcome to join. Coffee and munchies provided. This week's topic: The Stirrings of Compassion: caring for one another

Holiday Fundraiser for our high-school-age youth
UUP high school youth are selling holiday cards at UUP after the services each Sunday. If you're thinking about buying cards this year, please consider buying from our youth. Also for sale are gift bags and gift tags. Proceeds from the sales will help pay for their Coming of Age Program, a series of retreats and UUP youth activities.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY CORNER Service is our Prayer
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
We are approaching the conclusion of this year's participation in Guest At Your Table. The GAYT boxes and donation envelopes distributed during the past month will be gratefully received during the Christmas Eve service - or as soon thereafter as possible. As you prepare to return your gift please note the membership levels printed on your box or envelope. We can best support UUSC through educating ourselves and others about the important work this organization does in human rights and social justice work, and by giving as generously as we are able. Although a donation of any amount is appreciated, we can make the largest impact by qualifying for a matching donation. All donations of $100 or more per household will be matched by a grant from the UU Congregation of Shelter Rock.
SRC Thought for the Week: "It is only giving that stimulates. Impart as much as you can of your own spiritual being to those who are on the road with you." - Albert Schweitzer

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, December 14, 2008: "Into Darkness"
Worship Leaders: Jodi Boyle and Elisabeth Hathaway
As we near the winter solstice we all face the prospect of entering into a place of darkness, the longest night, the darkest hour. Symbolically this is the belly of the whale, a narrow gate, a place of great unknown and unknowing, wihc can be terrifying and lonely, and many of us do much to avoid it. Yet this is also the spiritual symbol of great potential and profound transition, for out of the darnkess into the light is one the central metaphors for growth and rebirth across the ages and cultures: out of the darkness a child is born, a new year, enlightenment. Today we will have an experiential and meditative service, holding this place of darkness collectively, with its mystery, waiting and silence, before we emerge into the light of the celebration next week with the drumming circle.

Sunday, December 21, 2008: Winter Solstice Drum Circle
Worship Leaders: Tony Blake and Meredith Guest
Following last week's "holding the place of darkness collectively, with its mystery, waiting and silence", this week we welcome earth's slow, yet inexorable, return to the light with singing, drumming and resounding joy. Bring a drum, an instrument, a sound maker or just yourself to this annual celebration led by Tony Blake.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008, 5 pm: Christmas Eve
Worship Associates: Lara Abel and Diana Spaulding
Please join us for our first-ever UUP Christmas Eve service, as we celebrate the season with singing and fellowship. Special music will include the debut of our Children's Choir, led by Elizabeth Nielsen; a performance from the Bach "Magnificat" by a talented trio of UUP singers (Elizabeth Nielsen, Rachel Steiner, and Kendra Bushong); and a brass quintet.

Sunday, December 28, 2008: Worship Leaders: Meredith Guest and Lara Abel
Now that the official madness…excuse me, I mean 'holiday' is past, I'd like to invite you to join me in taking a closer, in-depth look at what Luke, the original author of what must surely be THE most universally misunderstood story of all times, had in mind when he penned it some time late in the first century. It could be surprising and hopefully, enlightening.

REGULARLY SCHEDULED GATHERINGS
The Woman's Group meets Monday, December 15th at 7:30 at Jean Conrad's house. All women are welcome! Those attending are invited to bring a reading or a symbol of the season to share.
Larking About, the UUP choir, meets Wednesdays at 8 pm at David Dodd and Diana Spaulding's house.

UUP Facebook Page

2008-12-05T21:07:00.000-08:00

UUP Now Has a Facebook Page

If you're on Facebook, come join the UUP Facebook group. If you're not, then maybe you'd like to give it a try--it's free and all too easy. Questions? Ask UUP's webmaster, David Dodd.

To see more details and confirm this group invitation, click the link above.

Religious Education Update: December 7, 2008

2008-12-04T08:41:00.000-08:00

Celebrating Christmas Eve

I’ve always loved Christmas Eve, that quiet time when the world seems to slow down and wait in great anticipation of the Christmas morning festivities. For me, it is a time for family, carol singing, and for appreciating the brightly lit houses glowing in the long winter night.

Several of our families have wanted to attend Christmas Eve worship in past years, and have visited neighboring UU churches, where they enjoyed lovely music and candle filled services. But as beautiful as those programs were, they’ve reported to me that they missed being in Petaluma and celebrating with our UU’P community. I was, of course, very happy when the Worship Committee and the UUP Board agreed to hold a Christmas Eve service in Petaluma this year.

What I never anticipated was Elizabeth Nielsen’s, David Dodd’s, and Leslie Harrison’s willingness to organize a children’s choir for the service. I also never expected 19 children and youth to arrive very early on a Sunday morning (9:30 a.m.) for their first rehearsal. Last Sunday, I heard from even more families that were interested in having their children sing. We expect a sizeable children’s choir on Christmas Eve. The Christmas Eve service will also include the Petaluma Brass Quintet, organized by Earl Cruser, performing traditional Christmas music. I am part of that group, along with Karen Rutherford, and the five of us are enjoying rehearsing together. After the service, UUP members, friends and family will have the opportunity to dine with others in our UUP community in suppers being organized by KC Greaney.

If you’re in Petaluma this coming Christmas Eve, I hope you’ll be part of our UUP celebration of music, warmth and hope that the winter holidays bring into our hearts. When nature brings us darkness and cold, it is quite fitting that we remember the joys which sustain us through the long nights.

Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education

This Week at UUP: Congregational Meeting

2008-12-04T08:35:00.000-08:00

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

To all UUP Members and Friends
Please attend the UUP Congregational Meeting this Sunday, December 7, 2008. It will start immediately after the service and will last about an hour. Childcare provided.
Agenda Items include:
- The mid-year report and review of the 2008-09 Budget
- Election of Board Members
- Reports from the Committee Chairs and others involved with coming events
One of the "perks" of membership is participating in the life of UUP by attending these meetings, being informed and voting on decisions that have to be made by the community. I hope to see you there!
Jean Conrad, President of the Board of Trustees

Nominations For the UUP Board
The Nominating Committee for UUP, comprising Lara Abel, Tony Blake, and David Dodd, is seeking nominees for vacant positions on the UUP Board of Trustees, to be elected by congregational vote at the UUP Congregational Meeting this Sunday. The Board is our governing body, responsible for all the business decisions and policies of the congregation. Board members attend monthly meetings, and also serve as liaisons to UUP's committees. We are filling three three-year positions, and may also choose to fill up to two other three-year seats if we find candidates who are qualified to serve.
To be considered for nomination by the Nominating Committee or if you have questions about the job description for UUP Board members, please contact any of the members of the committee: Lara Abel, Tony Blake, or David Dodd. Self-nomination is encouraged.

"Dinner for Eight" or more on Christmas Eve
Would you like to share Christmas Eve with your church family? Then join us as we gather in each others' homes to share dinner after the service on December 24th.
Here is how it works: Some people agree to host, and they provide the gathering location and usually a main dish. Others sign up to participate and bring other contributions to the meal. Then all gather on Christmas Eve for a community meal and good fellowship.
There will be a sign-up sheet at the back of the church during the next few weeks.
Questions? Contact KC Greaney.

Children and Youth to perform at UUP Christmas Eve Service
All children and youth are invited to participate in singing carols at the Christmas Eve service. No prior singing experience required. Upcoming rehearsals: 12/7, 12/15 and an early arrival on 12/24. Rehearsals led by Elizabeth Nielsen. Please contact Leslie Harrison for more information.

Religious Education Discussion Group prior to Sunday Service
Marlene will host a discussion group in the fireside room during children's choir practice on upcoming Sunday mornings from 9:30 to 10:15. Anyone is welcome to join on a drop-in basis. Come to one or several. The topics will concern parenting and spirituality with a new topic each week. Coffee and munchies provided.
12/7 - Sing in My Heart: celebrations and rituals
12/14 - The Stirrings of Compassion: caring for one another

Holiday Fundraiser for our high-school-age youth
UUP high school youth are selling holiday cards at UUP after the services each Sunday. If you're thinking about buying cards this year, please consider buying from our youth. Our youth are also planning to create gift bags and gift tags, for sale this month. Proceeds from the sales will help pay for their Coming of Age Program, a series of retreats and UUP youth activities.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY CORNER Service is our Prayer
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
For over 30 years UU communities have participated in the Guest At Your Table tradition. We come together to give thanks, celebrate UU values, and share our blessings to help change the world. If you have not yet received a gift box for your home, please pick one up at the Social Responsibility table after the service this week. Place it on your dining table and at each meal insert coins or bills into the box as if sharing with guests.
UU principles call on us to raise our voices together to defend justice and human rights. UUSC projects across the world are only made possible by the activism and generosity of our members and supporters. Your participation in Guest At Yout Table makes you part of the moral force through which UUSC moves the world. Please join us!
SRC thought for the week: "The religion that ends with the individual, ends." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

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, December 7, 2008: This We Do for UUP: The Embodied Prayer of Service
Worship Leader: Diana Spaulding
Speakers: Marlene Abel, Jan Crosby, David Dodd and Elizabeth Nielsen.

Sunday, December 14, 2008: "Into Darkness"
Worship Leaders: Jodi Boyle and Elisabeth Hathaway
As we near the winter solstice we all face the prospect of entering into a place of darkness, the longest night, the darkest hour. Symbolically this is the belly of the whale, a narrow gate, a place of great unknown and unknowing, wihc can be terrifying and lonely, and many of us do much to avoid it. Yet this is also the spiritual symbol of great potential and profound transition, for out of the darnkess into the light is one the central metaphors for growth and rebirth across the ages and cultures: out of the darkness a child is born, a new year, enlightenment. Today we will have an experiential and meditative service, holding this place of darkness collectively, with its mystery, waiting and silence, before we emerge into the light of the celebration next week with the drumming circle.

REGULARLY SCHEDULED GATHERINGS
The UUP Board of Trustees will meet Monday, December 8th at 7:30 pm at Jean Conrad's house.
The Woman's Group meets Monday, December 15th at 7:30 at Jean Conrad's house. All women are welcome! Those attending are invited to bring a reading or a symbol of the season to share.
Larking About, the UUP choir, meets Wednesdays at 8 pm at David Dodd and Diana Spaulding's house, 716 Bassett St.

www.uupetaluma.org

Religious Education Update: November 30, 2008

2008-11-28T09:14:00.000-08:00

Growing Up UU
One of the primary tasks of a religious community is to transmit its values from one generation to the next. Our congregation does this in all we do, from sharing our blessings in the Guest at Your Table program, to giving service, as the children did at last Sunday’s Stone Soup lunch, which they lovingly prepared for all of you.

The result of our congregation’s love and support (plus some pretty terrific parenting in our homes) is young people like our very own Kimmy West. Kimmy, the 16 year old daughter of Steve and Carol, is a highly successful young businesswoman, in addition to being an excellent student at Petaluma High School. Kimmy is the founder and creator of a website, His Golden Eyes, which provides news and entertainment for fans of the Twilight book series and the recently released hit movie, "Twilight." Kimmy’s website often has 600 or 700 visitors at a time, and currently has about 30,000 hits per day. She has sponsored links on her site, which generate income.

I recently asked Kimmy if she is treated as a celebrity at Petaluma High. She responded that she’s not, that only her friends even know about this career which occupies most of Kimmy’s free time. This past August, she was interviewed by the Washington Post. Kimmy told the reporter, “Running a fansite takes a lot of work but I find it very fun. I actually spend way too much time on the computer now...but it's because I want to. Basically though, you can create a fansite at any age, and if you put your heart into it, and a LOT of time, you can make it great.” Recently, Kimmy had the opportunity to fly to Los Angeles to personally meet and ask questions of the stars of the Twilight movie. In the video she took on her trip, our normally reserved Kimmy was happy and excited and having a great time.

I think UUP should be very proud of Kimmy, for her strong work ethic, her enthusiasm for her work, and for her ability to remain herself while experiencing exceptional success at a very young age.

Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education

This Week at UUP

2008-11-28T09:07:00.000-08:00

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

Nominations For the UUP Board
The Nominating Committee for UUP, comprising Lara Abel, Tony Blake, and David Dodd, is seeking nominees for vacant positions on the UUP Board of Trustees, to be elected by congregational vote at the December 7th Congregational Meeting. The Board is our governing body, responsible for all the business decisions and policies of the congregation. Board members attend monthly meetings, and also serve as liaisons to UUP's committees. We are filling three three-year positions, and may also choose to fill up to two other three-year seats if we find candidates who are qualified to serve.
To be considered for nomination by the Nominating Committee or if you have questions about the job description for UUP Board members, please contact any of the members of the committee named below. Self-nomination is encouraged.
--Lara Abel, Tony Blake, David Dodd.

"Dinners for Eight" or more on Christmas Eve
Would you like to share Christmas Eve with your church family? Then join us as we gather in each other's homes to share dinner after the service on December 24th.
Here is how it works: Some people agree to host, and they provide the gathering location and usually a main dish. Others sign up to participate and bring other contributions to the meal. Then all gather on Christmas Eve for a community meal and good fellowship.
There will be a sign-up sheet at the back of the church during the next few weeks.

Religious Education Discussion Group prior to Sunday Service
Marlene will host a discussion group in the fireside room during children's choir practice the next three Sunday mornings, 9:30 to 10:15. Anyone is welcome to join on a drop-in basis. Come to one, two or all three discussions. The topics will concern parenting and spirituality with a new topic each week. Coffee and munchies provided.
11/30 - Spirit of Life: exploring spirituality for UUs
12/7 - Sing in My Heart: celebrations and rituals
12/14 - The Stirrings of Compassion: caring for one another

Children and Youth to perform at UUP Christmas Eve Service
All children and youth are invited to participate in singing carols at the Christmas Eve service--5 pm on December 24. No prior singing experience required. Three rehearsals on 11/30, 12/7, and 12/15 with an early arrival on 12/24. Rehearsals led by Elizabeth Nielson. Please contact Leslie Harrison for more information.

Holiday Fundraiser for our high-school-age youth
UUP high school youth are selling holiday cards at UUP after the services each Sunday. If you're thinking about buying cards this year, please consider buying from our youth. Our youth are also planning to create gift bags and gift tags, for sale in December. Proceeds from the sales will help pay for their Coming of Age Program, a series of retreats and UUP youth activities.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY CORNER Service is our Prayer
Will there be a guest at your table this Thanksgiving? As we celebrate with family and friends this week and remember all we have to be thankful for, the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee asks us to share our blessings with others through the Guest At Your Table tradition. At each meal from now until Christmas, insert coins or bills into your GAYT box as if sharing with your guests. Your generosity will support the work of UUSC in the struggle for social justice and human rights both here and around the world. If your gift totals $100 or more, it will be matched dollar for dollar through a matching grant from the UU Congregation at Shelter Rock in Manhasset, NY. Don't have your box yet? Please pick one up Sunday at the Social Responsibility Table and join other UU families for this annual tradition. Boxes will be returned at the Christmas Eve service.
SRC thought for the week: "You have two hands. One to help yourself, the second to help others." - G. Coghlan

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, November 30, 2008: "Values and Visions: Justice, Equity and Compassion"
Worship Leader: Elisabeth Hathaway
Join us as we explore another in our new series educating and challenging us to look at what we believe and seek, and how we practice these visions and values in our daily lives. Today, the second of our series, we look at the second Principle of Unitarian Universalism: the presence of Justice, Equity and Compassion in our human relationships. How do these touch you? How do they slip just out of reach? We will hear about what they might mean or look like, and share with one another.

REGULARLY SCHEDULED GATHERINGS
The UUP Men's Group will meet Friday, Dec. 5, 7 pm at Dick Allen's house. Contact Dick for more info.
Larking About, the UUP choir, meets Wednesdays at 8 pm at David Dodd and Diana Spaulding's house.

www.uupetaluma.org

"Milk" Comes to Petaluma

2008-11-25T13:20:00.001-08:00

I'm posting this note on behalf of Jenn Gamble, who was one of the folks we worked with to coordinate a day of UUP participation at the No On 8 demonstrations earlier this month:

Hello everyone at the UU,

My name is Jenn and I work at the theater here in Petaluma. I think I met
some of you during the No on 8 protest.

Anyway, I just found out that we are getting the film Milk, about Harvey
Milk. I am so excited I want everyone to know about it. We are getting
Dec 12 and tickets are on sale now. I am hoping it does well so the owner
will keep booking meaningful movies like this.

Hope to see some of you then ,

Thanks
Jenn Gamble
General Manager
Boulevard Cinemas

This Week at UUP: Stone Soup Sunday

2008-11-24T20:17:00.000-08:00

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

Holiday Fundraiser for our high-school-age youth
UUP high school youth are selling holiday cards at UUP after the services each Sunday. If you're thinking about buying cards this year, please consider buying from our youth. Our youth are also planning to create gift bags and gift tags, for sale in December. Proceeds from the sales will help pay for their Coming of Age Program, a series of retreats and UUP youth activities. Many thanks to Susan Price, KC Greaney, Ellen Beeler and Carol West for their support of this fundraiser at the recent card making workshop. Also, special thanks to Rosemary Dodd and Ashley West for their artistic assistance.

Children and Youth to perform at UUP Christmas Eve Service
All children and youth are invited to participate in singing carols at the Christmas Eve service. No prior singing experience required. Three rehearsals on 11/30, 12/7, and 12/15 with an early arrival on 12/24. Rehearsals led by Elizabeth Nielson. Please contact Leslie Harrison for more information.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY CORNER Service is our Prayer
Welcome to a new feature of This Week At UUP. Here you will find the latest information about UUP's new Social Responsibility Committee! We will publicize and support the work of various UU organizations and projects - initially UUSC and the Carbon Rings project. But eventually we hope to add more groups as interest, time and person-power permit. For more information about how you can get involved, please contact co-chairs Earl Cruser or Jan Crosby, or committee member George Beeler.
Our current project is the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee's Guest At Your Table (GAYT). Donation boxes and "Stories of Hope" pamphlets went home with folks who attended last Sunday's service. But don't worry if you missed it - we have enough for everyone at UUP to participate in this very important intergenerational annual event! GAYT supports the critical work that UUSC does in the areas of human rights and justice here and around the world. Please pick up your box at the Social Responsibility table this Sunday. GAYT is a month-long activity of education and generosity that will be celebrated at our Christmas Eve service.
Did you know that UU's have an office at the UN? This year the Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office (UU-UNO) is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and has been successful in organizing the first-ever LGBT workshop at the annual conference sponsored by UNESCO. As a result, the French government intends to introduce a draft declaration to the UN General Assembly aimed at combating homophobia and decriminalizing homosexuality around the world. Not only can you pick up an informational brochure at the SRC table this week, you can also talk to Marion Fitch Connell, UU-UNO Envoy from All Souls Unitarian Church in Washington, DC, who will be visiting with us. Marion is the mother of UUP member Elizabeth Nielsen.
SRC thought for the week: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it's the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead

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, November 23, 2008: Our Spiritual Symbols and Practices: Stone Soup for the UU Soul
Worship Leader: Jodi Boyle
We gather together each week as a spiritual community to worship and experience the energy of our collective intent to grow into harmony with the Divine. In addition to what we do during our time together, many of us have individual practices and rituals that are also part of our spiritual journey. Please bring with you to our service a symbol, token or other item that has spiritual significance to you or is part of your individual growth. We will share with each other the things we've brought, learning and appreciating along the way the many ingredients in the spiritual soup that nourishes this community.
Please also bring with you a vegetable, a bit of rice, a few potatoes or anything else you have on hand to contribute to the "stone soup" that the children will be making during the service. Plan to stay after the service for a delicious soup lunch and good company.

Sunday, November 30, 2008: "Values and Visions: Justice, Equity and Compassion"
Worship Leader: Elisabeth Hathaway
Join us as we explore another in our new series educating and challenging us to look at what we believe and seek, and how we practice these visions and values in our daily lives. Today, the second of our series, we look at the second Principle of Unitarian Universalism: the presence of Justice, Equity and Compassion in our human relationships. How do these touch you? How do they slip just out of reach? We will hear about what they might mean or look like, and share with one another.

www.uupetaluma.org

Religious Education Update: November 23, 2008

2008-11-24T20:16:00.001-08:00

Lessons from Stone Soup

In the Stone Soup Story, the villagers learn to share with their neighbors, and discover that they improve their own lives in the process. Many of this know this lesson well. Volunteering our time or donating to various causes makes us feel better. For me, the main character in the story has the most difficult task of all. He’s the one who has the audacity to ask for help. He begins with asking for something that the villagers would be likely to give, such as a stone or a pot or some water. Once the villagers find it in their hearts to give, they’re able to share possessions that they have been hoarding, such as their scant supplies of onions or potatoes.

Accepting help can be difficult for some of us. Unlike the main character in the story, I often find myself resisting offers of help, however kindly stated. A grocery clerk offers to split my groceries into two separate bags, and I feel offended. I think to myself, “Does she think that I’m too weak to carry a big bag of groceries?” I fail to hear her offer as a gesture of kindness. Giving help is much easier. Someone recently asked me for a ride home from the Emergency Room after treatment for an acute illness, and I was more than happy to help.

A more advanced lesson from the Stone Soup story is that asking for help, and giving help are both needed to produce the magical soup. Applying that lesson to our UUP community, we could choose to honor both the askers and the givers. Many thanks are owed to those who request us to bring bagels, make a pledge, serve as greeters, or lead worship. Being willing to ask is a huge gift to our group, and is just as essential community as being willing to give. Another advanced lesson of the story is that it is okay to ask for help for oneself, when the task at hand seems too much or too tiresome. Someone might surprise you by being happy to assist. If we could open our minds to both the possibilities of asking and receiving, what an amazing community we could be!

Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education

Religious Education Update: November 16, 2008

2008-11-18T16:35:00.000-08:00

Learning to be Grateful

Last Thursday night, I was part of a school board meeting which dealt with California’s budget crisis. I’ve been part of that board for almost 16 years, and been through fiscal crises before, but never this dire. Our business manager led us through a list of possible cuts: we could stop cleaning the classrooms, close the libraries, fire the cooks, or increase class sizes in grades four though six. The board made no decisions, but I still left the room feeling upset and sad. All of the choices would mean that some very deserving people would lose their jobs, and our children’s education would be affected.

On Friday, I awoke to a glorious autumn day. I took my morning fitness walk down my street, underneath trees that shone brilliantly red, orange and yellow in the morning sun. The fall rains had returned the lawns to an emerald color, and the gentle breeze was very warm for November. It didn’t seem right, somehow, to experience such natural beauty after the distress of the night before. But, life does go on regardless. After the darkest of nights, the sun rises and the rest of the world continues on unperturbed, whether or not such beauty fits one’s outlook.

My challenge today is to be grateful. Yes, I’m dealing with unwanted problems, but life is continuing. The children of my school district are still learning, and the employees are still working their magic. Perhaps the State of California will learn from this crisis, and make needed changes. Perhaps not. If I practiced one of the Chinese religions, I might learn to appreciate the yin and yang of my situation. At this moment, I’m not feeling appreciation for lessons I might learn from my difficulties at the board table, but I am feeling gratitude for my many blessings on this beautiful day.

Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education

This Week at UUP: Let Justice Roll Down Like Waters

2008-11-13T06:16:00.000-08:00

Religious Education Update: 11/9/08

2008-11-06T21:37:00.000-08:00

Is Obama a UU?

The answer to this question is yes and no. As we know, in the midst of the campaign, he resigned his membership from Chicago’s Trinity United Church of Christ. Obama describes himself as Christian.

But what does he believe? In an interview with Cathleen Falsani of the Chicago Sun-Times, Obama talks about the religious training of his childhood. "My mother was a deeply spiritual person and would spend a lot of time talking about values and give me books about the world's religions and talk to me about them. Her view always was that underlying these religions was a common set of beliefs about how you treat other people and how you aspire to act, not just for yourself, but also for the greater good."

Later in the interview, he discusses his views on salvation. "The difficult thing about any religion, including Christianity, is that at some level there is a call to evangelize and proselytize. There's the belief, certainly in some quarters, that if people haven't embraced Jesus Christ as their personal savior, they're going to hell." Obama doesn't believe he, or anyone else, will go to hell. But he's not sure if he'll be going to heaven, either. "I don't presume to have knowledge of what happens after I die," he says. "When I tuck in my daughters at night, and I feel like I've been a good father to them, and I see in them that I am transferring values that I got from my mother and that they're kind people and that they're honest people, and they're curious people, that's a little piece of heaven."

While most UU’s that I know would not describe themselves as having a relationship with Jesus, as Obama does, most UU’s would find Obama’s views towards other faith traditions and salvation as quite compatible with their own. In my mind, Obama often sounds like a Unitarian Universalist. He is respectful of all people and their diverse faith traditions. He is deeply committed towards working towards a peaceful and just world, and towards preserving this planet for his children and for mine. In knowing that he will be our President, I am filled with hope for a brighter future.
Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education

This Week at UUP: A Veteran's Day Sermon

2008-11-06T21:32:00.000-08:00

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

UU Revival Service: An Old-time Revival at the Santa Rosa UU Church, November 9, 11 am
Personal invitation from Rev. Chris Bell, UU Santa Rosa:

Let me warmly invite you to come up to Santa Rosa this Sunday to join your fellow UUs from Napa, Marin and Sonoma counties for a post-election celebration of our hopeful vision of the world, and the inclusive, unifying faith that sustains it. Regardless of whether you experience triumph or despair on November 4th, this music-filled service with our UU brothers and sisters from the North Bay will surely renew your faith in the good, the sacred, and each other. Please come early, for it will likely be standing-room (perhaps dancing-room?) only, and we'll start at 10:40 with a big hymn sing-along. Also, a catered lunch will be available after the service for $5. Please, come meet old friends and new. I hope to see you there! -- Rev. Chris Bell

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 Dlott 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.

Holiday Fundraiser for our high school age youth
Our high school youth will be selling Holiday Cards at UUP after the services, beginning on November 16. If you're thinking about buying cards this year, please consider buying from our youth. Our youth are also planning to create gift bags and gift tags, for sale in December. Proceeds from the sales will help pay for their Coming of Age Program, a series of retreats and UUP youth activities. Many thanks to Susan Price, KC Greaney, Ellen Beeler and Carol West for their support of this fundraiser at last Sunday's card making workshop. Also, special thanks to Rosemary Dodd and Ashley West for their artistic assistance.

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.)

November 2, 2008: "A Veteran's Day Sermon"
Worship Associate: Meredith Guest

REGULARLY SCHEDULED GATHERINGS
UUP Men's Group will meet Friday, Nov 7, 7 pm at Dick Allen's house. Contact Dick for more details.
UUP Board of Trustees will meet on Monday, Nov 10, 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.

www.uupetaluma.org

No on Proposition 8 Action

2008-11-03T11:20:00.001-08:00

No on Proposition 8 Action
Originally uploaded by Unitarian Universalists of Petaluma

15 UUP members joined a visibility action on East Washington yesterday afternoon, enjoying the sense of community with others who oppose Proposition 8.

UUP Performer has new CD!

2008-10-31T13:32:00.001-07:00

David Gans, the guitarist who accompanied the service I did with Mary Goodenough in June, about the spirituality of the Grateful Dead, has a new CD out. It's called "The Ones That Look the Weirdest Taste The Best," and it contains, among a slew of tunes, the one he did at UUP called "Save Us From the Saved."

You can buy a copy through his blog--just click on the title link above or go to his blog post. Help support local musicians--David performed for free at UUP in June.

No on Prop 8 Showing Sunday: 3 pm

2008-10-31T06:29:00.000-07:00

We were talking at choir on Wed. about wanting to support the No on 8
campaign in these final days before the election. We thought that we
would gather our yard signs and/or make some signs and join the effort
this Sunday afternoon at 3:00. There has been a small group of people
the last few days on Washington across from the Golden Eagle shopping
center. We thought to either join them or stand at the corner of
Washington and Petaluma Blvd. I personally would like to join the
other group and make a bigger showing if they are there Sunday
afternoon. We missed the UUP email this week but we will announce it
at church this Sunday morning. Pass it on!
--Jodi Boyle

This Week at UUP: Day of the Dead service

2008-10-31T06:18:00.000-07:00

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

Association Sunday Contributions Still Welcome
If you weren't able to attend last Sunday's celebration of our connections to the wider Unitarian Universalist community, please consider taking the opportunity this Sunday to contribute to the fundraising effort. There will be special envelopes available for mailing your donation, or you can give a check for the "UUA" to Diana Spaulding, worship associate. Donations will be used to strengthen our denomination's education of lay leaders (hey, that's us!) and to provide support for UU ministers, especially ministers of color.

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!). For question about the Intention Circle, call T Hathaway (762-5432); Questions about music, childcare and the potluck, call David Dodd and Diana Spaulding.

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 Dlott 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 at conradpet at gmail dot com for possible carpooling or for more information.

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 November 2, 2008: "Day of the Dead"
On Sunday, Nov. 2, we will have a Day of the Dead service to remember and celebrate our interconnections that stretch across time. Please bring photographs or mementos of those beings who remain precious to you, though no longer alive. These photographs could be of relatives, friends or beloved pets. It will be a time of sharing happy and sad feelings, while honoring our place in the continuum of time.

REGULARLY SCHEDULED GATHERING

UUP Worship Associates will meet Sunday, Nov. 2nd at 12:30 pm at T's office.

Larking About, the UUP choir, will meet this Wednesday, November 5, at the UU Congregation of Santa Rosa at 7:30 pm, for a joint choirs rehearsal. Carpools can be arranged--contact David Dodd.

www.uupetaluma.org

Religious Education Update: October 26, 2008

2008-10-23T20:37:00.000-07:00

El Dia de los Muertos

Long ago in Mexico, before the Spanish conquest, people believed that end of life was a transition into another world. Where one traveled in the afterlife depended more on the cause of one’s death, than on the merits of one’s life. There were special places near the edges of the earth, for people who died special deaths, such as women who died in childbirth, warriors, or those who had been sacrificed for the gods. The souls of most people traveled through the underworld, until they reached Mictlan, the final resting place. Out of this ancient mythology, grew the observance of El Dia de los Muertos, a happy time when the spirits of the dead would return to the surface to be reunited with their families.

The Spanish conquerors attempted to convert the Mexican people to what the Spanish considered the true faith: the Catholicism that they brought from Europe. However, the holiday of El Dia de los Muertos, continued to be celebrated in Mexican villages, and the Catholic Church eventually realized it wouldn’t go away. Hundreds of years later, the holiday continues. This year in Petaluma, our neighboring church of St. Vincent’s, participates in El Dia de los Muertos celebrations with its parishioners.

Today the children will go on an Altar Walk in downtown Petaluma to see many artistic celebrations of the holiday. They’ll learn that the Day of the Dead is a time to remember family and friends who are dearly missed. It is also a time to honor ancient beliefs that continue to live in the hearts and minds of people. Perhaps the children will learn to appreciate the enormous power of certain traditions to speak to people’s deepest yearnings to be connected through time to those who lived before us.

Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education

This Week at UUP: October 23-30, w008

2008-10-23T06:19:00.000-07:00

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.

Religious Education Update: October 19, 2008

2008-10-22T06:40:00.000-07:00

Democracy in Action

Today in Religious Education, the children will be talking about the upcoming election and the democratic process. They’ll hear about some of the issues on the ballot, and discuss their opinions on various measures. They will make posters expressing their individual ideas about the measures that matter to them.

Democracy is a type of governance that is dear to the Unitarian Universalist heart. We believe in the right of each individual to make his or her own decisions according to personal beliefs. While we may take a stand as a congregation or as a denomination, which we did this year on Proposition Eight, no individual is prohibited by the group from expressing their own views.

Our embrace of democracy extends to our individual congregations. While the UU’s of Petaluma are part of the national association, the Unitarian Universalist Association, and also part of the PCD, the Pacific Central District, UUP retains the right to make our own decisions. We elect our Board and adopt our own policies. At some future time, when we call a minister, that will be our choice alone. When we ordained the Rev. Leland Bond Upson this past summer, we acted as a congregation. Our power is in the covenant between our members.

Democracy is not a perfect form of government, of course, At this week’s debate, the Presidential candidates made accusations and strayed from discussing the huge financial and social challenges facing our nation. The mud slinging and personal stories can seem more compelling than positions at times. But, democracy still seems better than the alternatives, particularly to us fiercely individualistic UU’s .I hope that you will talk to our children about why you vote, and why the democratic process is so deeply valued by our faith.

Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education

Religious Education Update: October 12, 2008

2008-10-10T08:57:00.000-07:00

Exploring Our World

My world seems to be shrinking daily, as I read in my newspapers of our nation’s financial troubles spreading to other lands like a highly aggressive virus. In listening to political debates, I’m reminded that our nation’s habit of using huge amounts of fossil fuel is directly causing global warming. What we do in Petaluma, whether in our personal finances or our energy consumption choices, has impact on people thousands of miles away.

Intellectually, I know that we all inhabit one small planet in our vast universe, and that we are part of an interdependent web of life. Recently, I've noticed that this lesson is being hammered home to my consciousness, day after day.

It seems quite fitting that our children are learning about world religions this year. As our kids learn about other people and other cultures, they will be better equipped to live on our shrinking planet. My hope is that they will be ready to lead the way in helping all of us make better choices.

Our youngest children have heard stories from several major faiths; a Hindu story about a flood, the story of Noah and the Ark, and the story of Abraham and Sarah. These last two Bible stories are part of the scriptures of Judaism, Islam and Christianity. The elementary age kids have talked about Judaism and Christianity in their classroom. Today, the middle school group will learn about the ancient Aztec religion and how Aztec beliefs are part of modern Day of the Dead festivities.

Many of the stories our children are learning, are stories that have been told all over the globe, through countless generations. They are direct connections, across time and space, to the rest of the planet. For me, the fact that our children are hearing what children in Iraq or Indonesia or Ireland are hearing, is one more sign that we live on a very small world.

Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education

This Week at UUP: Blessing for the Animals

2008-10-10T08:51:00.000-07:00

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

Share-the-Plate Sunday
In keeping with UUP's commitment to supporting community efforts, this Sunday we will split the non-pledge offerings with the Petaluma Wetlands Alliance. The Petaluma Wetlands Alliance, a committee of Madrone Audubon, is dedicated to the creation, restoration and stewardship of publicly accessible wetlands and wildlife habitats. They support Shollenberger Park, Alman Marsh, the new wastewater treatment property, and future wetland sites in the watershed. The Petaluma Wetlands Alliance works with local governments, environmental organizations and other groups to educate the public about the ecology and value of wetlands.

Blessing for the Animals this weekend
Bring your favorite animals to a celebration of critters and creation!
Sunday, October 12th, 3:00 pm
Lucchesi Park Picnic Area (behind the Lucchesi Community Center).
Co-sponsored by UUP and Elim Lutheran Church

Women's Fall Retreat! October 17-19, 2008
Join the UUP Women for our 8th Annual Women's Retreat at our Bodega Bay (rented) house on the beach! We share a weekend together in community, have talking circles, shared meals, a creative project, and walks on the beach, along with hot tubs and wonderful conversation and company. We have room for a few more women; cost is $139.97/person plus planning one meal with another. Contact T Hathaway to sign up!

UUP Welcomes New Members on October 26th
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, October 26th. If you'd like to join at that time, or if you have questions about membership, please contact David Dodd, UUP Membership Committee member. You may also talk with any member of the Board of Trustees (they wear name tags with that designation), or with Hope Stewart or Karen Rutherford, co-chairs of the Membership, Outreach, and Hospitality Committee, who will be happy to answer questions about UUP and what membership in our congregation entails.

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, 8 Nob Hill Terrace.

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 12, 2008: "Visions & Values: Our First Unitarian Universalist Principle"

Worship Leader: Diana Spaulding
This service is the first in our series 'Values and Visions' intended to explore the core values of Unitarian Universalism, and how we make them real in our lives, not only as professed beliefs, but actively, continually, and not just on Sundays. The First Principle says that we UU's covenant to "affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of all people." What does the Principle mean to you? How does this Principle shape your spiritual life? Could it be a guiding tenet in your moral universe, whether or not you had ever heard of it before today?

October 19, 2008: "Stopping to Ask for Directions"
Guest speaker: David Dodd

October 26, 2008: "Covenanting Sunday / Association Sunday"
Worship Leaders: Elisabeth Hathaway and Diana Spaulding

REGULARLY SCHEDULED GATHERINGS
The UUP Board of Trustees will meet Monday, October 13th 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.

Religious Education Update: October 5, 2008

2008-10-02T20:50:00.000-07:00

The High Holy Days

Last Tuesday, I attended my first Rosh Hashanah dinner. Six of us sat around a delicious feast of roasted chicken and vegetables and toasted each other with wishes for a sweet new year. Later, we had Honey Cake, made from the recipe my host’s grandmother had used for many years.

The Jewish High Holy Days occur during the harvest season in California, and I felt filled with gratitude for the gifts of the earth as I ate. My personal contribution to the feast was several varieties of apples from Florence Strange’s orchard. I had picked the apples, but Florence had raised them with her loving hands. I felt gratitude for her generosity and her green thumb.

The feast had a family feeling, as a mother and her daughter spoke of past Rosh Hashanah meals. We also felt the strong bonds of friendships, as we promised mutual support for the challenges of the coming year.

I wasn’t raised in a Jewish family, so my knowledge of the Jewish holidays has been mostly academic. In sharing a dinner with my friends, I gained an appreciation for the family traditions, as well as for the bonds of support and caring that can be part of observance. On previous occasions, Mike Iritz, Ellen Beeler and Karen Mitchell have shared the meanings that Jewish holidays have brought to their lives with all of us at UUP. These personal heartfelt sharings are very special gifts to all of us: children, youth and adults.

L’shanah tovah!

Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education

Religious Education Update: September 28, 2008

2008-09-29T06:32:00.000-07:00

Helping Our UU Children in Tough Times

Lately, it’s been difficult to read my daily newspapers without feeling that everything in my world is headed into an enormous disaster. What if our state doesn’t figure out how to adopt a responsible budget? What if my candidate isn’t elected as US President? What if we don’t figure out a way to save our environment? Closer to home, I worry when I hear about UUP families that are dealing with financial, relationship or health concerns.

What can we do, as a community, to support our children and youth in these tough times? Giving this support is complicated by the fact that we UU’s value our fierce independence. As Henry David Thoreau once said, “If I knew for a certainty that a man was coming to my house with the conscious design of doing me good, I should run for my life.”

One way for families to support their children and youth is to involve them in religious community, particularly with ritual and social events. At UUP, we have annual rituals such as Water and Stones, Day of the Dead and Stone Soup that embrace all of us in community. We have social events, such as potlucks and parties that help us get to know each better and reach out in friendship. But even making the time to come to UUP on Sunday mornings can be a family ritual, and certainly “showing up” is necessary to build the connections that support us in facing tough times.

Another way to offer support is to truly listen. Asking, “How are you?” can be more than just good manners, it can be opening one’s heart to hearing each others' troubles. Often, just knowing that others care can be a huge comfort in facing challenges with hope and courage. Perhaps even harder may be to ask for help. Many of us would prefer to be as independent as Thoreau, but asking UUP friends for tea and sympathy, lunch or a walk may speed the healing. Receiving help ourselves may help us to support our kids. Let’s all be there for one another.

Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education

This Week at UUP: September 26-Oct. 2, 2008

2008-09-29T06:29:00.000-07:00

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

Petaluma Progressive Festival this Sunday!
Join fellow UUP friends and members as a bunch of us hang out at the annual Petaluma Progressive Festival on Sunday, September 28. Bring a picnic and watch the Mime Troupe perform--a Bay Area legend.

Love Letters Cancelled
The fundraiser play for the RE Committee at The Unitarian Universalists of Petaluma is hereby cancelled due to lack of ticket sales. We are sorry to give you this news, but it would not have been practical to go forward with the play in these circumstances. The play was scheduled to take place Friday, September 26th at 7:30.

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

Religious Education Committee
The UUP RE committee is looking for new members for the coming year. Please consider joining and helping us to provide great programming for our children and youth. There are many ways to get involved! Please contact Leslie Harrison or Marlene Abel for details.

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 September 28, 2008: Love In Action: Gandhi's Spiritual Vision and Practice
Guest Speaker: Michael Nagler, Professor Emeritus at the University of California at Berkeley, author of The Search for a Nonviolent Future
Worship Leader: Joyce Tischler
Mahatma Gandhi's birthday is on October 2nd. On Sept. 28, we will celebrate this extraordinary man, who many consider to be the most important spiritual leader of the last century.

Religious Education Update: Sept. 21, 2008

2008-09-21T19:18:00.000-07:00

What do UU’s believe?

Many of us have a difficult time explaining our faith in a few words, sometimes referred to as an “elevator speech”. It is indeed a challenge to give a decent answer before the other person in the elevator reaches their floor.

For me, a positive approach is to think of how UU’ism affects my relationship to the rest of the species, the world and the universe. As Meredith told the children last week, UU’s believe that each person is equally important and deserves equal treatment and rights. Her words tell me how to relate to other humans. Our seventh principle reminds me that I’m part of the interdependent web of life, and that other species matter. It also reminds me of my moral obligation to live gently on the earth. Finally, as a UU, I believe that I am free to search for my own answer as to my relationship with all of creation. In other words, I choose my own path to “live in harmony with the divine.”

I often tell the children and youth that they are not, “free to believe anything they want”, a misconception I hear from time to time. When someone hurts others or damages the planet, they are not living by UU Principles. We UU’s stand for many things: democracy, liberty, caring for the environment, promoting justice and so forth.

As the children and youth study world religions this year, I want them to come from a grounded place where they know, “This is UU’s believe.”

Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education

Service and Workshop on Dreamwork with Rev. Tristy Taylor

2008-09-15T16:06:00.000-07:00

Sunday, September 21, 200810am (refreshments)
10:30 - 11:30am: Sunday Talk (love donation)
Noon - 3pm: Introductory Dream Workshop in the Fireside Room
($15 - sandwiches provided)

Join Rev. Tristy Taylor on Sunday, September 21, 2008, as she shares her talk entitled "Creative Living Through Dreamwork."

We are all walking unique paths as we live our lives to the fullest. As we make choices and commitments, we are taking an active role in creating our lives (whether we are aware of it or not!). I call this process "Crafting an Authentic Life," or "Co-Creating with Spirit." When I use the term Spirit, I refer to that greater/inner place of power, strength and inspiration that we all have a connection to. Some use the word God, or Divine or other names. I invite you to use whatever word feels right to you!

As we walk our spiritual paths, our relationship paths, our career paths, and more, our dreams always come to guide us - even the nightmares!

Join Tristy and find out how your dreams can show you how to walk a deeper path of truth and joy in your life. You have all the answers at your fingertips! This Sunday service is free, and a love donation given to the UU Petaluma congregation would be greatly appreciated.

And following the service, learn more about how to work with your dreams, how to start your own dream group, and have the experience of working a dream in the projective method. Join us for an introductory workshop immediately following the service, in the Fireside Room. Sandwiches will be provided. There is a $15 fee for this workshop and it will last about 3 hours.

For more information about Tristy Taylor, check out her website at www.trismegista.com.

This Week at UUP: Marriage Rights Attorney Therese Stewart to speak this Sunday

2008-09-12T20:05:00.000-07:00

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

The California Supreme Court Decision Legalizing Gay Marriage: The Inside Story
Therese Stewart, Marriage Rights Attorney, to Speak this Sunday, September 14th at 1pm.
Therese Stewart, Chief Deputy City Attorney for the City and County of San Francisco who argued the case for same sex marriage rights before the California Supreme Court, will speak twice on Sunday, September 14 -- first, in the regular worship service at 10:30 a.m., and then in an afternoon presentation from 1 to 3 p.m. Both events are open to the public. Stewart is the daughter of UUP member Hope Stewart. (Childcare available from 1 to 3 pm for those who RSVP by Sept. 10th to uupetaluma at gmail dot com.)

Youth Coming of Age program for 8th - 10th Graders
UUP teens will participate in this district-wide program starting this fall. The Greaneys will host a planning and informational meeting for teens and their parents on Saturday, Sept. 20th at 2 p.m., 8 Nob Hill Terrace.

Live Theatre at the Woman's Club!
"Love Letters", the Pulitzer Prize nominated play by A. R. Guerney, will be performed by UUP member Sharron Belson and Leonard Auclair.
Directed by Mr. Auclair
Friday, September 26th, 7:30 p.m.
$10 donation at the door
Dessert served at intermission.
Adult content, appropriate for ages 15 and up
This is a fundraising event for UUP and the RE program. Bring your friends and neighbors!

Religious Education Committee
The UUP RE committee is looking for new members for the coming year. Please consider joining and helping us to provide great programming for our children and youth. There are many ways to get involved! Please contact Leslie Harrison or Marlene Abel for details.

Save the Dates:

California Coastal Cleanup Day
Saturday, September 20th, 9 a.m. to noon, Doran Beach in Bodega Bay.

Dream Workshop on Sunday, September 21
Would you like to get to know yourself better through your dreams? Reverend Tristy Taylor, who is a dream professional, has agreed to conduct a Dream Workshop for our UUP congregation in the Fireside Room, following her presentation of our Sunday Service on September 21th. Join us from 12-3 PM. Cost: $15 per person. Sandwiches provided!

Petaluma Progressive Festival on Sunday, September 28
Join fellow UUP friends and members as a bunch of us hang out at the annual Petaluma Progressive Festival on Sunday, September 28. Bring a picnic and watch the Mime Troupe perform--a Bay Area legend.

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

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.)

September 14, 2008: Marriage Equality
Guest speaker: Therese Stewart
Therese was the lead attorney representing the City of San Francisco in their landmark case before the State Supreme Court which found that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry.

September 21, 2008: "Dreamwork"
Guest speaker: Tristy Taylor

REGULARLY SCHEDULED GATHERING
The UUP Women's Group will meet Monday, Sept. 15th at T (& David)'s house at 7:30 pm.
Larking About meets Wednesdays at 8 pm at David Dodd and Diana Spaulding's house, 716 Bassett St.

www.uupetaluma.org

Religious Education Update: September 14, 2008

2008-09-11T19:41:00.000-07:00

Standing on the Side of Love

I believe that one of the most important messages we can give our children and youth is that UU’s take a stand on important issues. When UU’s see injustice, they often feel compelled to speak out, frequently long before a position is popular. Our forebears took a stand on women’s suffrage, slavery, and the Civil Rights movement. They wrote, marched, and sometimes even lost their lives to promote the welfare of others.

Our UU General Assembly passed a resolution in 1984 which supported the right of UU clergy to perform unions for same sex couples. In 1996, our General Assembly passed a resolution supporting the legalization of gay marriage. Later, in both Massachusetts and California, UU’s were instrumental in filing briefs with the state Supreme Courts regarding the basic civil right of all people to marry the person they love.

Some UU clergy made a personal stand as well, and refused to sign marriage certificates for any couples, until all couples have the right to marry. The Rev. Rhett Baird, of Fayetteville, Arkansas wrote in February of 2003, “I have come to believe that the state of Arkansas has no right to say that a love that exists between two adults has no standing in law because the gender of one of the persons is not pleasing to the state. I will honorably and joyfully create and officiate at religious ceremonies that honor and celebrate the love between two people, but I will not sign marriage certificates legalizing a bond that is not accessible to all persons, without regard to gender. “

Last Sunday, the members of UUP voted to oppose Proposition 8, which would take away the fundamental human right of marriage from same sex couples. We are standing on the side of love.

Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education

Religious Education Update: September 7, 2008

2008-09-08T20:28:00.000-07:00

Celebrating World Religions in Petaluma

Last Wednesday, I was in a second grade classroom at Sonoma Mountain Elementary School, while the teacher took the hot and cold lunch tally for the day. Each child said whether they were going to have hot or cold lunch that day, until one little boy said that he’d be having neither since it was an Arabic holiday. The teacher looked puzzled, until I noted that it was the beginning of Ramadan.

Later, that morning, I read a story to the class, called “Azeeza’s First Fast”. Most of the children had not heard of Ramadan, and were not familiar with the concept of ritual fasting. Jonathan asked, “Were they fasting because they were poor?” I answered that Azeeza’s family was fasting in order to be grateful for the food and drink that they enjoyed each day, and that rich and poor people alike observe Ramadan. Another child asked if Ramadan was a Jewish holiday, probably because that child had heard of Judaism, but not other world religions.

This classroom experience was a reminder to me of the increasing diversity of Petaluma’s schools. We know we have children who celebrate Christmas and Hanukah, but we also have kids who celebrate Divali, Ramadan, and many other holidays. This year, our RE classes will focus on World Religions. We’ll hearing stories from many faiths, and gaining an appreciation for the many ways of celebrating the holy. I’m excited to begin!

Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education

This Week at UUP: September 5-11, 2008

2008-09-05T10:45:00.000-07:00

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

Bring Ye Gathered Water and Stones!
This Sunday, bring the water and stones that you gathered on travels, journeys and adventures this summer to share at our annual Water and Stones participation worship service!

Congregational Meeting this Sunday regarding "No on Proposition 8" Campaign
Please plan to stay after the service for 10-20 minutes this Sunday for a congregational meeting. UUP members will vote whether or not to take an official stand on Proposition 8, the initiative on the November ballot which if passed would deny the newly-won right to marry to same-sex couples in California. Childcare is provided. Full text of the resolution is now posted on the UUP blog.

Religious Education Committee
The UUP RE committee is looking for new members for the coming year. Please consider joining and helping us to provide great programming for our children and youth. There are many ways to get involved! Please contact Leslie Harrison or Marlene Abel for details.

Marriage Rights Attorney to Speak on Sunday, September 14
Therese Stewart, Chief Deputy City Attorney for the City and County of San Francisco who argued the case for same sex marriage rights before the California Supreme Court, will speak twice on Sunday, September 14 -- first, in the regular worship service at 10:30 a.m., and then in an afternoon presentation from 1 to 3 p.m. Both events are open to the public. Stewart is the daughter of UUP member Hope Stewart. (Childcare available from 1 to 3 pm for those who RSVP by Sept. 10th to uupetaluma at gmail dot com.)

Dream Workshop on Sunday, September 21
Would you like to get to know yourself better through your dreams? Reverend Tristy Taylor, who is a dream professional, has agreed to conduct a Dream Workshop for our UUP congregation in the Fireside Room, following her presentation of our Sunday Service on September 21th. Join us from 12-3 PM. Cost: $15 per person. Sandwiches provided!

Petaluma Progressive Festival on Sunday, September 28
Join fellow UUP friends and members as a bunch of us hang out at the annual Petaluma Progressive Festival on Sunday, September 28. Bring a picnic and watch the Mime Troupe perform--a Bay Area legend.

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, September 7, 2008: Water and Stones Ingathering: Our Community Re-gathers

Worship Leaders: Jodi Boyle and Meredith Guest
Our community re-gathers following our summertime adventures, whether at home in Petaluma or abroad. Bring water and a stone from your travels, to leave in the common vessels as a symbol of our coming back together for the start of a new church year.

September 14, 2008: Marriage Equality
Guest speaker: Terry Stewart

September 21, 2008: "Dreamwork"
Guest speaker: Tristy Taylor

REGULARLY SCHEDULED GATHERINGS
The UUP Men's Group meets tonight, Friday, Sept. 5th at 7pm at Dick Allen's house. All UUP men are welcome to this monthly gathering. Meet at 7 pm to socialize and schmooze, group begins at 7:30. Contact Dick Allen for more details.
The UUP Board of Trustees meets on Saturday, 9 am to 3 pm, for a board retreat.
The UUP Worship Associates will meet this Sunday at 12:30 pm at T's office.
The UUP Women's Group will meet Monday, Sept. 15th at T (& David)'s house at 7:30 pm. Topic: to be determined
Larking About meets Wednesdays at 8 pm at David Dodd and Diana Spaulding's house.

www.uupetaluma.org

UUP Congregation Unanimously Passes Resolution Opposing Proposition 8

2008-09-05T08:45:00.000-07:00

Members of UUP unanimously passed the following resolution opposing Proposition 8 on Sunday, September 7.

Resolution of the Unitarian Universalists of Petaluma
In congregational meeting September 7, 2008

Whereas the State of California’s Supreme Court ruled in the summer of 2008 that marriage is a constitutional right for all; and

Whereas Proposition 8 on the November 2008 California ballot would take away that right for same-sex couples; and

Whereas our Unitarian Universalist principles include an affirmation of the inherent worth and dignity of every person; and

Whereas the inherent worth and dignity is demonstrated in the love of people of all sexual orientations for others; and

Whereas marriage is a manifestation of that inherent worth and dignity; and

Whereas debate about legally recognized marriage to same-sex couples has focused on the objections of certain religious communities, while the Unitarian Universalist Association has adopted numerous resolutions over the last twenty-six years supporting equal rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons, including support of Ceremonies of Union between members of the same sex;

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Unitarian Universalists of Petaluma strongly oppose the passage of Proposition 8, and that we will lend our name to the rolls of those opposed, and encourage our members and friends to work toward the defeat of Proposition 8.

Witnessed:

This Week at UUP: August 30-September 6, 2008

2008-08-30T16:26:00.000-07:00

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

Singers Sought! UUP's Larking About Starts Singing Again
Do you love to sing? Do you have wide-ranging musical tastes, and an adventurous spirit? Then come sing with the UUP singing group, Larking About. We sing about once per month in the worship service, and we explore a wide variety of sacred and secular music from various traditions. We meet on Wednesday evenings from 8 to 9:30 at the home of Diana Spaulding and David Dodd.

Congregational Meeting on Sunday, September 7 regarding "No on Proposition 8" Campaign
The UUP Board of Trustees has called a congregational meeting for UUP members to vote immediately after the service on Sep. 7 whether or not to take an official stand on Proposition 8, the initiative on the November ballot which if passed would deny the newly-won right to marry to same-sex couples in California. For information on the No on Prop 8 campaign, visit http://noonprop8.com/home.

Gather Ye Water and Stones
When you're out and about on travels, journeys and adventures this summer, remember to gather water and stones to share at our annual Water and Stones participation worship service on September 7th.

Marriage Rights Attorney to Speak on September 14
Therese Stewart, Chief Deputy City Attorney for the City and County of San Francisco, who argued the case for same sex marriage rights before the California Supreme Court, will speak twice on Sunday, September 14--first, in the regular worship service at 10:30 a.m., and then in an afternoon presentation from 1 to 3 p.m. Both events are open to the public. Stewart is the daughter of UUP member Hope Stewart. (Childcare available from 1 to 3 pm for those who RSVP by Sept. 10th to uupetaluma at gmail dot com.)

Dream Workshop on Sunday, September 21
Would you like to get to know yourself better through your dreams? UU Reverend Tristy Taylor, who is a dream professional, has agreed to conduct a Dream Workshop for our UUP congregation in the Fireside Room, following her presentation of our Sunday Service on September 21th. Join us from 12-3 PM. Cost: $15 per person. Sandwiches provided!

Save the Date
Join fellow UUP friends and members as a bunch of us hang out at the annual Petaluma Progressive Festival on Sunday, September 28. Bring a picnic and watch the Mime Troupe perform--a Bay Area legend.

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, August 31, 2008: This I Believe
Guest Speakers: Barney Blankenship and Sharron Belson, UUP Members
Worship Leader: Diana Spaulding
Two UUP members will share the stories of their faith journey to Unitarian Universalism and how their values have been shaped.

Sunday, September 7, 2008: Water and Stones Ingathering: Our Community Re-gathers
This Sunday, bring water and stones that you gathered on your summer peregrinations and share something of their meaning and significance to you in this annual, inter-generational UUP ritual.

Sunday, September 14, 2008: Marriage Equality
Guest speaker: Terry Stewart

REGULARLY SCHEDULED GATHERING
The UUP Women's Group will meet Monday, Sept. 15th at T (& David)'s house at 7:30 pm.
Topic: to be determined

www.uupetaluma.org

CANCELLED: Theatrical Performance---Fundraiser for UUP

2008-08-22T13:27:00.000-07:00

This event has been cancelled--please watch for further details about a possible rescheduled performance.
There will be a fundraiser for the Religious Education Committee and UUP on Friday, September 26th at 7 PM with beverages and dessert served. The play is called "Love Letters" by A. R. Gurney - It is a Pulitzer Prize nominated play about two people who write letters to one another throughout their lives, realizing later that all the while, they were writing love letters. The play will be directed by Leonard Auclair and performed by Mr. Auclair and by Sharron Belson of UUP. The price of a ticket is $10 and it is suitable for 15 and over.

This Week at UUP: August 22-29, 2008

2008-08-22T08:29:00.000-07:00

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

Congregational Potluck for Rev. Ben this Sunday, August 24, 12:00-1:00 pm.
Please stay after the service on August 24 for a potluck lunch, as we thank Rev. Ben for his work with us over the past year. This will be his last Sunday in the pulpit as our consulting minister, so it is time to express our appreciation for all his work with us. This past year has been a time of growth for UUP, both in numbers of members and in the development of a strong infrastructure. Thank you, Reverend Ben! Please bring a potluck dish of your choice to the service with you. We will have refrigerator and freezer space available for your cold foods, and ovens to keep hot foods hot. UUP will provide the place settings, beverages, and a sheetcake.

Religious Education Garage & Bake Sale, Saturday August 23
We will have a wonderful and bountiful assortment of treasures at the garage sale- outstanding books, toys, china, photo printers, small appliances, furniture and even brass beds. Come check it out Saturday, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM at 8 Nob Hill Terrace (near Petaluma High). Rummage is still being accepted, and can be dropped off at 8 Nob Hill Terrace Friday or Sat. am. Bring your friends and enjoy the bargains and the yummy baked goods.

Singers Sought! UUP's Larking About Starts Singing Again
Do you love to sing? Do you have wide-ranging musical tastes, and an adventurous spirit? Then come sing with the UUP singing group, Larking About. We sing about once per month in the worship service, and we explore a wide variety of sacred and secular music from various traditions. We meet on Wednesday evenings from 8 to 9:30 at the home of Diana Spaulding and David Dodd.

Congregational Meeting on Sunday, September 7 regarding "No on Proposition 8" Campaign
The UUP Board of Trustees has called a congregational meeting for UUP members to vote immediately after the service on Sep. 7 whether or not to take an official stand on Proposition 8, the initiative on the November ballot which if passed would deny the newly-won right to marry to same-sex couples in California. For information on the No on Prop 8 campaign, visit http://noonprop8.com/home.

Gather Ye Water and Stones
When you're out and about on travels, journeys and adventures this summer, remember to gather water and stones to share at our annual Water and Stones participation worship service on September 7th.

Marriage Rights Attorney to Speak on September 14
Therese Stewart, Chief Deputy City Attorney for the City and County of San Francisco, who argued the case for same sex marriage rights before the California Supreme Court, will speak twice on Sunday, September 14--first, in the regular worship service at 10:30 a.m., and then in an afternoon presentation from 1 to 3 p.m. Both events are open to the public. Stewart is the daughter of UUP member Hope Stewart.

Save the Date
Join fellow UUP friends and members as a bunch of us hang out at the annual Petaluma Progressive Festival on Sunday, September 28. Bring a picnic and watch the Mime Troupe perform--a Bay Area legend.

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, August 24: "Who Are You?"
Minister: the Rev Ben Kocs-Meyers
Rev. Ben's last service with us will include inspired music by the Petaluma Brass Quintet (two trumpets, french horn, tuba, and euphonium!). A potluck lunch follows from noon-1:00 PM.

REGULARLY SCHEDULED GATHERING
The UUP Board of Trustees will meet Sunday, August 24 at 8:30 AM at the Christian Science Reading Room.

Terry Stewart, Marriage Equality Attorney, in Upcoming Service and Afternoon Event

2008-08-21T21:30:00.000-07:00

Therese Stewart, Chief Deputy City Attorney for the City and County of San
Francisco, who argued the case for same sex marriage rights before the California Supreme Court, will speak twice on Sunday, September 14 at the Unitarian Universalists of Petaluma (UUP)—first, in the regular worship service at 10:30 a.m., and then in an afternoon presentation from 1 to 3 p.m. Both events are open to the public.
Stewart is the daughter of UUP member Hope Stewart.
Stewart’s afternoon talk, entitled “The California Supreme Court Decision Legalizing Gay Marriage: The Inside Story” will feature a personal description of what it was like to argue such an important case, followed by a question and answer opportunity. A $5 donation is requested.
Stewart was the lead attorney representing the City in the California Marriage Equality Cases. She represented the City in challenging the marriage laws' exclusion of same-sex couples under the State Constitution and argued the case before the California Supreme Court.
“To have the lead attorney on such an historic case come speak in Petaluma is a wonderful opportunity,” said Jean Conrad, UUP’s Board President. “We feel proud and privileged to host Terry.”
The Unitarian Universalist Association has consistently stood for marriage equality, frequently using the phrase coined by Association President, Rev. William Sinkford, that they “stand on the side of love.”

This Week at UUP: Summer Ending--Where Did the Time Go?

2008-08-14T19:16:00.000-07:00

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

Summer Potluck after the service on August 17, 12:30 to 4 pm.
Join us in the beautiful backyard of Carol and Steve West, 64 Century Lane, off Skillman Lane. Bring a dish to share and your swimsuit! The Wests' home is always a great place to hang out with friends and to get to know people better, and swimming is, of course, optional.

Congregational Potluck for Rev. Ben on August 24, 12:00-1:00 pm.
Please stay after the service on August 24 for a potluck lunch, as we thank Rev. Ben for his work with us over the past year. This will be his last Sunday in the pulpit as our consulting minister, so it is time to express our appreciation for all his work with us. This past year has been a time of growth for UUP, both in numbers of members and in the development of a strong infrastructure. Thank you, Reverend Ben! Please bring a potluck dish of your choice to the service with you. We will have refrigerator and freezer space available for your cold foods, and ovens to keep hot foods hot. UUP will provide the place settings, beverages, and a sheetcake. Questions? Please contact Marlene Abel.

Religious Education Garage & Bake Sale, Saturday August 23
Save the date and save your stuff! Help support religious education programming by donating items and baked goods for our annual sale on August 23rd, 9-2pm, 8 Nob Hill Terrace. Drop-offs prior to 8/18 are at Leslie's home, 10 Dana Street. After 8/18, drop off directly at 8 Nob Hill Terrace. Sign up sheets to help will be on the back table at upcoming Sunday services.

Singers Sought! UUP's Larking About Starts Singing Again
Do you love to sing? Do you have wide-ranging musical tastes, and an adventurous spirit? Then come sing with the UUP singing group, Larking About. We sing about once per month in the worship service, and we explore a wide variety of sacred and secular music from various traditions. We meet on Wednesday evenings from 8 to 9:30 at the home of Diana Spaulding and David Dodd. Please see David or Diana for more information.

Congregational Meeting on Sunday, September 7 regarding "No on Proposition 8" Campaign
UUP members will vote immediately after the service on Sep. 7 whether or not to take an official stand on Proposition 8, the initiative on the November ballot which if passed would deny the newly-won right to marry to same-sex couples in California. For information on the No on Prop 8 campaign, visit http://noonprop8.com/home.

Gather Ye Water and Stones
When you're out and about on travels, journeys and adventures this summer, remember to gather water and stones to share at our annual Water and Stones participation worship service tentatively scheduled for September 7th.

Save the Date--Progressive Festival, September 28
Join fellow UUP friends and members as a bunch of us hang out at the annual Petaluma Progressive Festival on Sunday, September 28. Bring a picnic and watch the Mime Troupe perform--a Bay Area legend.

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, August 17: "Making Time"
Minister: the Rev Ben Kocs-Meyers
Worship Leader: Stacey Meinzen
The end of another summer nears but, where did the time go? This is one of the most pressing spiritual questions--not just of our time, but of all time. Time is all we have. It is the essential element of our existence. And religion, as I see it...is essentially about creating greater holiness in our lives and in the world. Addressing our relationship to time is a religious endeavor for it addresses the spiritual dimension--the quality of time we have. Come spend an hour in this holy endeavor!

REGULARLY SCHEDULED GATHERING
The Women's Group will meet Monday, August 18th at 7:30 pm at Jean Conrad's house. The topic is "reunions". All UUP women and their guests are welcome.

www.uupetaluma.org

Religious Education Update: August 10, 2008

2008-08-05T18:53:00.001-07:00

Heroes at the Tennessee Valley UU Church

This past Sunday, the members of the TVUUC in Knoxville, Tennessee rededicated their sanctuary following an attack the prior week, in which a gunman killed two and wounded eight. The sanctuary last Sunday was filled to overflowing and spilled over to the outside and to the teen center next door.

A past minister of the church, who is also past President of the Unitarian Universalist Association spoke of the history of the TVUUC church. As reported in the blog, Street Prophets, the Rev. John Buehrens noted that,

“TVUUC's congregation was the first in the area to set up racially integrated summer camps, long before Knoxville's schools were forced to do so. The camps had to be moved many times over the years because of harassment by the KKK. The Klan also blew up mailboxes at many of the congregant’s homes, especially those who sat at lunch counters in solidarity with blacks. In the 1970's, the church was one of the first to be a welcoming congregation. Shortly after the first service, all of the church's sanctuary's windows were shot out, while children and teens were downstairs. “

The members of this church are heroes in my eyes, for their continued willingness to speak their truth. Last Sunday, the current minister of the church stood in the very spot where the gunman had stood a week before, and spoke these words, “"A man came in to invoke violence and hate; he unleashed unspeakable amounts of love. A man tried to strike a blow and to divide the community; instead he brought people together."

The Tennessee Valley UU’s are heroes in my eyes, as they reclaim their sacred space and their commitment to their faith. Instead of responding with justifiable anger, Sunday’s service was full of love and hope. I am inspired by their courage.

Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education

UUP Member Sharron Belson Reads Her Poetry

2008-08-05T13:22:00.000-07:00

Our own Sharron Belson will participate in the Marin Poetry Center's Traveling Show tonight (Tuesday, August 5) at the Mill Valley Library at 7:30 p.m.

Sharron will be reading along with several other poets: Bill Eichhorn, Charlotte Melleno, Briana Rose, and Bruce Sams.

Yay, Sharron!

Responding in Faith to the Tennessee Tragedy

2008-08-01T10:34:00.001-07:00

As your Director of Religious Education, I am deeply saddened
and troubled by the recent tragedy at the Knoxville UU congregation,
particularly since it happened during a children's musical
performance. The specifics of that worship service make it hit even
closer to home for me. While I understand intellectually that these
events are very rare, and that church attendance is still a safe
activity on a Sunday morning, I'm alarmed that this could happen in
a UU congregation. How can I respond to these events?

What I would say to our UUP children is that they are safe at
church- that this type of incident is very rare. I might also talk
about the courage of the UU's who tackled the gunman and kept the
Tennessee children free from harm. The adults at UUP feel strongly
about keeping our children safe and protected, and we will do
everything possible to keep them out of danger.

I would also tell the kids that prejudice is wrong and
hurtful. The gunman apparently targeted a UU congregation for its
beliefs and for its support of gay and transgender people. One way
to demonstrate support for the folks in Tennessee would be for us at
UUP to continue our efforts towards fighting for equal civil rights
for all people and for fighting against religious intolerance. There
are many ways to show this support locally: we could join efforts to
keep anti-gay marriage initiative out of California's constitution;
we can speak up against hateful speech directed at any group of
people; and we can speak out against the politics of fear and
scapegoating in the upcoming election campaigns.

I feel blessed to live in Sonoma County, a progressive area
which celebrates diversity much more than other places. Yet, even
here, there is much to be done to fight for the rights of many
groups. I would want our children to know that hateful acts committed
against UU's just strengthens our resolve to work towards a better
world.

In Faith,
Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education
Unitarian Universalists of Petaluma

Called to Gather in Sympathy and Strength: Response to Knoxville Tragedy

2008-08-01T09:07:00.001-07:00

The Tragedy at the Tennessee Valley UU Church in Knoxville and UUP Children
As many of you know, two people were killed and six others wounded last Sunday by a non-member of the Tennessee Valley UU Church during a children's musical performance. This incident has been very disturbing for UU adults nationwide, and many are struggling to comprehend such violence in what should be a safe place. Information about this incident will NOT be shared with the children at UUP this Sunday, as many are too young to process the news. However, if an older child or youth wishes to talk, or to send a card of support to the TVUU Church, I will be happy to work with that young person or persons.
I expect that many UUP adults will need to share their thoughts about the incident during the social hour. I ask that you be sensitive to the presence of the very young within hearing distance of your discussions. Of course, I welcome thoughts and comments from our youth and adults about the tragedy, as I continue to process the incident for myself.
--Marlene Abel, Director of Religious Education

Called to Gather in Sympathy and Strength: Response to the Shootings at Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Knoxville, Tennessee
It was with tremendous sadness that we learned this week of the shootings last Sunday at our sister congregation in Knoxville, Tennessee, in which a gunman angry at "liberals and gays" entered a worship service in progress and opened fire on the congregation. Two were killed and six were critically injured before a brave group of UUs tackled the shooter. Unitarian Universalists nationwide are called upon to attend their local services this week in solidarity with the Knoxville congregation. Please take a moment to read our UUA Moderator Gini Courter's letter, "Called to Gather in Sympathy and Strength."
* For a perspective from our UUA President, Rev. William Sinkford.
* To make a donation online to the Knoxville Relief Fund.
* And, lastly, for a summary of news and the UUA response to this tragedy.

This Week at UUP: Agusut 1-6, 2008

2008-08-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

The Tragedy at the Tennessee Valley UU Church in Knoxville and UUP Children
As many of you know, two people were killed and six others wounded last Sunday by a non-member of the Tennessee Valley UU Church during a children's musical performance. This incident has been very disturbing for UU adults nationwide, and many are struggling to comprehend such violence in what should be a safe place. Information about this incident will NOT be shared with the children at UUP this Sunday, as many are too young to process the news. However, if an older child or youth wishes to talk, or to send a card of support to the TVUU Church, I will be happy to work with that young person or persons.
I expect that many UUP adults will need to share their thoughts about the incident during the social hour. I ask that you be sensitive to the presence of the very young within hearing distance of your discussions. Of course, I welcome thoughts and comments from our youth and adults about the tragedy, as I continue to process the incident for myself.
--Marlene Abel, Director of Religious Education

Called to Gather in Sympathy and Strength: Response to the Shootings at Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Knoxville, Tennessee
It was with tremendous sadness that we learned this week of the shootings last Sunday at our sister congregation in Knoxville, Tennessee, in which a gunman angry at "liberals and gays" entered a worship service in progress and opened fire on the congregation. Two were killed and six were critically injured before a brave group of UUs tackled the shooter. Unitarian Universalists nationwide are called upon to attend their local services this week in solidarity with the Knoxville congregation. Please take a moment to read our UUA Moderator Gini Courter's letter, "Called to Gather in Sympathy and Strength."
* For a perspective from our UUA President, Rev. William Sinkford.
* To make a donation online to the Knoxville Relief Fund.
* And, lastly, for a summary of news and the UUA response to this tragedy.

Religious Education Garage & Bake Sale, Saturday August 23rd
Save the date and save your stuff! Help support religious education programming by donating items and baked goods for our annual sale on August 23rd, 9-2pm, 8 Nob Hill Terrace. Drop offs welcome starting Monday, August 11th at the Greaney or Harrison-Lee households. For more information contact Leslie Harrison.

Gather Ye Water and Stones
When you're out and about on travels, journeys and adventures this summer, remember to gather water and stones to share at our annual Water and Stones participation worship service tentatively scheduled for September 7th.

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, August 3, 2008: "Liberal or Literal? Digging Beneath the Language of Religion and Belief"
Speaker: Andrew Hidas
Most UUs take a mythical or symbolic view of supernatural phenomena in sacred scriptures. Our deep roots in Humanism and critical thinking means we often can't help but roll our eyes at "true believers" in such esoterica as burning bushes, forbidden apples, and entire books transmitted via angels or on golden tablets from a father figure named God. So, is true dialogue (and even—perhaps—shared worship?) possible with literalists of different religious persuasions? Come along as we tour various modes of religious expression, explore an approach that encourages generosity toward other's beliefs, and contend with the challenge to that generosity raised by literalists who may act on their beliefs by attempting to deny our own rights.
Presenter Andrew Hidas is a communications consultant, writer and editor (www.bridgecandc.com), and vice president of the UUCSR Board of Trustees. His (literal) definition of heaven includes the three years he spent in graduate school studying the psychology of religion and theology.

REGULARLY SCHEDULED GATHERINGS
The UUP Men's Group will meet next Friday, August 8st at 7pm at Dick Allen's house.
UUP Worship Associates meet this Sunday, August 3rd at 12:30 pm at T's office.

www.uupetaluma.org

This Week at UUP: July 18-23, 2008

2008-07-19T17:44:00.000-07:00

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

Late Summer 2008 Events Flier
Looking for a handy one-page flier you can post on your fridge to remind you of what's up at UUP for the remainder of the summer? Look no further--head over to our website to download our new flier!

Religious Education Garage & Bake Sale, Saturday August 23rd
Save the date and save your stuff! Help support religious education programming by donating items and baked goods for our annual sale on August 23rd, 9-2pm, 8 Nob Hill Terrace. Drop offs welcome starting Monday, August 11th at the Greaney or Harrison-Lee households. For more information contact Leslie Harrison.

Gather Ye Water and Stones
When you're out and about on travels, journeys and adventures this summer, remember to gather water and stones to share at our annual Water and Stones participation worship service tentatively scheduled for September 7th.

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, July 20, 2008: The Tempting Temptations
Guest Speaker: Rev. Timothy Locke, Ph.D.
Worship Associate: Meredith Guest
We often think of temptation as the urge to do something we clearly know is wrong. Yet many temptations are really "tempting". That is, they appeal to us because we can see some good that may come of them, something desirable beyond their simply being "forbidden". How do we make choices when there is promise in following a different course than the one that may have been presented to us as the "right" one?
Rev. Timothy Locke, Ph.D., is director of Four Springs Retreat near Middletown, an historic center for studies in depth psychology and the teachings of Jesus. He is also a pastoral counselor, coach and consultant with the Lloyd Center of San Francisco Theological Seminary in their Napa branch office.

Sunday, July 27, 2008: Where Love Is: A Biblical Case for Same-Sex Marriage
Speaker: the Rev. Ben Kocs-Meyers
Worship Associate: Joyce Tischler
Many of the arguments from the religious "right" claim to be Biblically-based. But, are these arguments either religiously or culturally sound? The sermon will offer both a critical eye and a spiritual interpretation to help us in our respectful and rightful engagement to counter these arguments and to support the rights of all people to marry, "Wherever Love Is." All are worthy, all are welcome.

REGULARLY SCHEDULED GATHERING
The UUP Women's Group will meet Monday, July 21st at 7:30 pm at Jean Conrad's house. The topic will be decided by the evening's attendees.

www.uupetaluma.org

UU TV Channel on the Web

2008-07-16T06:36:00.000-07:00

Take a look at the new web TV channel, www.uuplanet.tv. A one-stop shop for the best video from UUs, including the famous alien speech video!

Other intriguing titles include "Unitarian Universalism in 30 Seconds," "Unitarian Symbol Video," and "Reach Deeper with Unitarian Universalism."