mvuuc monte vista Unitarian Universalist Congregation A Welcoming Congregation Reverend Susan Manker-Seale, Minister (909)

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1 mvuuc 9185 Monte Vista Avenue Montclair, CA (909) monte vista Unitarian Universalist Congregation A Welcoming Congregation Reverend Susan Manker-Seale, Minister The Encounter July 2016 Sunday Services President s Message/Board Briefing Pages 2-3 RE-flections Pages 3-4 What s Happening Around MVUUC Pages 4-5 Calendar Page 6 General Information Page 7 July 3, 2016: Of My Beloved Aleppo, I Speak On a weekend when Americans are reflecting on their love of their country and listening to the stirring sounds of John Phillip Sousa s Stars and Stripes Forever and America on Parade it is well that we hear of the love that others have of their places, especially when those places are being torn apart by violence which is not of their making. The city of Aleppo, Syria, is such a place. It has been a place where Muslims, Christians, and Jews have lived together in peace for centuries, and it is now being destroyed. Guest Speaker: Ahmad Adib Shaar July 10, 2016: CUUPs and Circle Singers - Solstice Ritual Celebrate the Sun with CUUPs and the Circle Singers. We will welcome the Summer with a belated Solstice Ritual that celebrates, honors, and greets the Summer season. The congregation is invited to join us in the songs and chants if they so desire. July 17, 2016: Got Religion? Some say the world would be better off without religion. Many prefer the more user-friendly word spiritual. In this scientific/technological age do we need either word to describe our faith? I propose we need religion more than ever today: a religion that does not need a super-natural god or holy scriptures to validate our beliefs. I suggest we embrace a more evolved and democratic religion appropriate for our times and our aspirations. Guest Speaker: Ellen Livingston, minister emeritus of MVUUC. July 24, 2016: My Life As A Man And As A Woman: Being My Authentic Self Professor Madeleine Scully, chairman of San Bernardino College s Performing Arts Department, explores being your authentic self, the self you were meant to be. In addition to sharing about her outstanding teaching and vocal careers, she offers insights into her unique life s experiences first as a man, and then as a woman. Guest Speaker: Professor Madeleine Scully July 31, 2016: "Two Statues, One Prophet" Our prophets call us not just to commemorate them but to continue their work. What do our heroes of the past--like Martin Luther King, Jr. and the UUs who marched at Selma fifty years ago--call us to do in the face of racism today? Guest Speaker: Abigail Clauhs

2 President s Message Dear Beloved Community, I write this just after the July Board meeting as your newly elected Board President. I am humbled and honored to serve the congregation in this role, especially following in the footsteps of Maribel Dana, and before her, Kathleen Jacobson. They both did outstanding jobs during highly stressful times. We have an exciting time ahead of us as we begin our ministry with Rev. Susan Manker-Seale, our interim minister, who will be with us during the next two years. Please look forward to this time as one of growth as a congregation as we reflect on where we have been and plan for where we are headed. Our values matter; they are the bedrock of our goals. Our goals determine our actions which determine the outcome. As we move forward together, let us remember we are a part of a beloved community. I put my hand in yours so that together we may do what I cannot do alone. In service, Rita Salama Board Meetings are scheduled for the 3 rd Sunday of each month at 12:15PM in the Founders Room. They are open meetings and visitors are welcome to attend. If you wish to speak to an issue, please contact the Board President at least one week in advance to be placed on the agenda. Board Briefs and Updates July 2016 Highlights of June 2016 Board Meeting Hiring and contract of Rev. Susan Manker-Seale: 5/22/2016, Board approved by . Rev. Manker-Seale to meet with Committee Chairs and Employees the first two weeks of August. Auction Date: December 3rd pending the Finance Committee finding a chair for the Auction Committee. Committee Participation: The Board voted that a person may only chair one committee, and serve on no more than two at any given time in an effort to encourage and develop more participation and leadership within the congregation. Freethinker Friendly Congregation: Moving forward to complete the necessary steps for the Freethinker Friendly Congregation designation. De Benneville Coordinators needed: Part (or all) of camp enrollment could be paid for from MVUUC s Scholarship Fund. Page 2

3 Land Use Study Group Update: Board plans to present Land Use Proposal, and Visioning progress, at a September Congregational Meeting. Land Use Study Group is an advisory committee to the Board. Visioning: Board will work on tying the two year visioning goals to our mission statement at the July meeting. Ways and Means: Board would like a one year Ways and Means task force under the Finance Committee to look at Fundraising. Discuss at Council of Chairs. FINANCIAL REPORT Unpaid pledges for 2015/16 haven t been zeroed out International Montessori School paid balance of rental fees Donations covered 1/3 of Rev. Schranz gift BOARD OF TRUSTEES GRATITUDE: To Judy Bixel for her outstanding work especially during the many transitions of Office Administrators and Treasurers. And to Kathleen Jacobson and Jeanne Coats who have completed their Board term. *********************************************************************************** RE flections It s summer time. As a kid it always seemed like a special time, no school, swimming, hiking, reading, relaxing, playing, kicking back just having fun! Now as an adult, it may not be as much fun, but it still is a special time of year. Even working parents can engage children in different types of activities. Here are some no/low cost activities to do with your kids. Even a few hours in the evening (it stays light later) or a Saturday morning can work wonders for you and your children: Get Wet - Kiddie swimming pools are a great way to cool off and splash around. Even the hose works. Throw sponges, water balls, or water balloons at each other. Just get wet and have fun. Bugs, bugs, bugs As long as they are not in the house, they are fascinating to watch, catch, and then let go. Go to the local park whether it has a playground, or not, it is a fun place to play with other kids, throw Frisbees, kick balls, fly kites, and just run around. Page 3

4 Ride bikes if you all have bikes, get on and ride around your block. Great exercise for adults and kids. But be sure and wear helmets! Go to your local library Most libraries have summer reading programs and activities for children. Open a new world with books that interest them. Take a hike we live so close to the foothills, that you are sure to find a hike somewhere even around a neighboring city is fun. See what new things you see birds, animals, people, plants, etc. Play a board game Too hot to be outside? Okay, when was the last time you played a game? Checkers anyone? Learn chess! Monopoly tournament? Fun in the kitchen Kids love to mess around in the kitchen. Try making juice Popsicles or slush drinks. Let kids create their own fun sandwiches by cutting shapes in their bread with cookie cutters. Spooning yogurt, ice cream, milk, and chunks of fresh fruit into the blender to make milkshakes. Go to the beach Yes, it is an hour ride from this area, but pack a picnic lunch, some toys, sunscreen, and treat your kids to an inexpensive fun-filled outing. Music and movies Check your local community center for music and movies in the parks. Free and fun. I am sure you can think of 50 more items to do! Whatever you do spend time with your kids, have fun, and BE SAFE! Enjoy your summer!! Faithfully Yours, Amy Randall ********************************************************************************** Wheel of the Year A Pagan Perspective on the Seasons Magic -what is it? Is it real? Does it Work? As a pagan, and more specifically, a witch, Magic is, and has been, a routine part of my life. Does this mean that I go around twitching my nose and making things happen? Would that I could, but that just isn t the way real magic works. Simply put, magic is the creation of changes by raising, focusing, directing, releasing and sending energy. Sounds easy until you try it. For a successful spell, to manifest, all of the above components must be in place, or it won t work. Page 4

5 Learning how to manipulate this energy can be taught, up to a point, but from there on, the practitioner, alone, needs to develop his or her own personal technique. How one goes about doing this, as least for me, is an intensely personal, and usually, private process. There are books after book extolling this or that method: many advocating elaborate rituals or protocols, sometimes with conflicting advice. What is one to do? Is all the folderol necessary? Perhaps. If this is the way one needs to access the necessary energy, then yes. Over time, one learns to pare down the non-essentials, until spell casting becomes more focused and effective. That being said; does a spell work every time? Short answer: No! What works for me in spectacular fashion may produce a total dud for you. There is always an element of chance. That is why intent is so important. The stronger and more focused the intent, the more likely the spell will be successful. If you can t articulate exactly what you want, it is not going to manifest. Before this discussion progresses further, I need to raise the issue of ethics. Casting a spell with the intent to cause harm, distress of misfortune to another is not acceptable at any level! We believe strongly in Harm to none, and good for all. We also believe in the Law of Return, which States: Bide the Wiccan law ye must In perfect love and in perfect trust Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill An ye harm none, do as ye will. What ye send forth comes back to thee So ever mind the Rule of Three Follow this with mind and heart, And merry ye meet and merry ye part. This means that whatever you do returns to you threefold that if you harm another you also harm yourself Big time! To wind it up for this month: Spell casting is the manipulation of energy according to your will. Whatever you call it magic, prayer, wishing upon a star it can, and does work. Until next month, Blessed Be Jeanne Coats ********************************************************************************* Page 5

6 MVUUC Calendar July 2016 Page 6

7 GENERAL INFORMATION Office Hours: Weekday mornings, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM Telephone: , Office Bookkeeper: Judy Bixel (Tuesday and Wednesday mornings) Facilities Assistant: Joyce Armenta (Monday and Friday mornings) Facilities Maintenance Worker: Fred Griffith (Monday and Friday mornings) Office Administrator: Tricia French (Monday, Thursday, and Friday mornings) Membership We encourage all inquiries about becoming part of this wonderful, warm and welcoming community. For more information, please contact Debbi Scurto at (909) Send newsletter articles to by the 2 nd to last Friday of the month. Monte Vista Unitarian Universalist Congregation 9185 Monte Vista Ave. Montclair, CA Page 7