THE SOWER. June Worship and Learning Theme Redemption. Summer 2010

Transcription

1 THE SOWER Summer 2010 W O R S H I P S C H E D U L E Please note: All services are at 10:30am until after Labor Day Sunday June 6 Legacies Reclaiming and Releasing Our Ancestors Catherine Ishida, preaching. Emily Stoper worship associate. Donna Olson soloist. Renee Witon on piano. Sunday June 13 And Then We Knew: Pride Sunday with Rev. Kathy Huff, Catherine Ishida, Kristen Montan and more Special guest musician today is Jim Scott, an exciting acoustic guitarist, singer, and composer of powerful music that furthers the ideals of justice and peace. Jim has recorded and shared the stage with luminaries from the jazz, classical and folk music worlds. From Carnegie Hall and the Newport Jazz Festival with the Paul Winter Consort; to a concert at the end of the Great Peace March with folk legends Pete Seeger and Peter Yarrow. continued on page 2 I N S I D E T H I S ISSUE 3 Calendar of Events 3 Wheel of Life 3 First Unitarian Receives Award! 3 Rev Kathy appearing on In the Life episode 4 Musings From Your Minister 4 Aloha From Your Intern Minister 4 Rev Kathy appearing on In the Life episode 5 First Unitarian Dashboard Report 6 Diversity Fund to Support New Ministry 7 Children and Family Ministries News 8 Auction Results Exceed Expectations 8 Interweave Activities in June 9 Music Director News 10 Board & ET Updates 10 Julie Cockroft Grants for Women B U I L D I N G C O M M U N I T Y T O G E T H E R Building Community Together is our worship and learning program year focus for This year we reflect, consider and act upon religious themes that connect us in community and help us live lives of spirit and integrity. Each month a particular theme related to our overall focus guides us as we worship, learn and grow together as people of faith. June Worship and Learning Theme Redemption Redemption may not be a favorite word in the religious vernacular of your average Unitarian Universalist (UU), but it s a word and a way worth reckoning with. James Luther Adams, social activist deeply engaged in issues concerning racism and civil liberties and widely regarded as the most important Unitarian Universalist theologian of the twentieth century, championed themes that have never been UU favorites - guilt, sacrifice, discipline, conflict, tragedy and redemption. He believed ours must be an examined faith otherwise liberal religion becomes too complacent, accommodating of cultural trends that distort progressive values and diminish their effectiveness in creating a more just and human world. Redemption is about gaining something back through an internal process and an external commitment to change. The secret of redemption lies in remembrance said Richard von Weizsaecker (German politician). Redemption is about taking responsibility, about self reflection and accountability. Redemption happens when we recognize when our own failings have harmed another whether that be person or planet. We are redeemed each time we put aside our preoccupations with self and turn toward someone else. Reflection Questions What does redemption mean to you? What do you need to remember and be redeemed for? What does it mean to be accountable? What does it mean to be a redeemer God? What is the purpose of redemption in growing your spiritual life? continued on page 3 The Sower Page 1

2 Worship Schedule continued from page 1 Sunday June 20 Lessons on Redemption from Our Fathers What do you believe is worth saving? Some of what you know about redemption may have come implicitly or explicitly from a Dad in your life. These lessons may have come joyfully, or painfully. What we value is shaped by our experiences. Please join Rev. Lynn Gardner, Dan Wright, Mike Jung, and guests from the Sarah Bush Dance Project, as they explore the notion of redemption through reflections, music, and movement. Sunday June 27 Seeking the Spirit in Poetry This service rich in poetry features members of the congregation reading poems from a variety of ethnic traditions and range from the sublime to the humorous. Hymns are poems set to music, all of which inspire spiritual practices of reading and writing. Worship Leader Emily Stoper. Worship Associate Rafael Coto. Sunday July 4 Be sure to join the Reverend Dan Kane and friends for this 4th of July celebration Sunday. Sunday July 11 Credo Stories Covenant groups are an important part of this beloved community. Join Tom Haw and members of his covenant group as they share their credo stories and how covenant group enriches their spiritual life. Worship Leaders: Tom Haw, Judith Hunt, and Margaret Woodside et al. Sunday July 18 Organic Universalism: The Love We Need Right Now Joanne Braxton, preaching. Suzanne Van Houten, worship associate. Dr. Joanne Braxton is a celebrated African American poet, lecturer, author and Unitarian Universalist religious educator. She lives in Oakland and Williamsburg, A. She is a professor at William and Mary. Sunday July 25 Culture, History, Snags, Retaliation and God: Where s the love? Today we look at the role of history and culture in creating snags in relationship. Religion will look for the love and a redefining of retaliation. Worship Leaders Randall Wright and Charles Williams look at these phenomena from a non-disabled crip perspective and from a Native American/African American perspective. Worship Associate Katie Goslee. Sunday August 1 Exploring Thomas Starr King s Nature Sermons Rev. Sheri Prud homme, preaching. Rafael Coto, worship associate. Sunday August 8 Why Transylvania? For nearly 15 years, we have been learning from and helping out our partner church in Transylvania. Ministers and their families have traveled there and members of our church have spent time in the village of Okla nd and other areas of Transylvania. Join church Member Judy Belcher as we explore our relationship with our partner church and Transylvania. Worship Associate is Emily Stoper. Sunday August 15 The Green Sanctuary Guest Speaker: Ian Kim, Ella Baker Center Our congregation is working towards becoming a Green Sanctuary. Join us as we explore deepen our respect and care for the earth and all who live here. Worship Leaders, Ian Kim Ella Baker Centre, William Levwood, and the Green Sanctuary Committee. Worship Associate Brian Jeffries. Sunday August 22 Everyone Needs Some Extra Loving Support Sometimes This service touches on the spiritual importance of offering practical and emotional support and spiritual companioning to those in need. Worship Leaders Rev. Dan Kane and the Pastoral Associates. Worship Associate Katie Goslee. Sunday August 29 Gratitude Mary Foran, preaching. Join us in a service on gratitude and how turning our spirits toward appreciation for what is can lead to more ease and joy in our lives. Worship Associate is Suzanne Van Houten. Sunday September 5 Seeking Justice in Worker s Rights Join us for a Labor Day service focused on the importance of Unitarian Universalists to stand up and fight for the rights of workers everywhere. Worship Leaders: Rev. Jacqueline Duhart and members of the Justice Council. Worship Associate Emily Stoper. The Sower Page 2

3 June s Theme: Redemption - continued from page 1 C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S SUMMER MUSICOPIA VOCAL CONCERT WENDTE HALL SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 2010 AT 4PM Beautiful voices from The Vocal Studio of Donna Olson will be performing an array of wonderful selections from The Magic Flute & Cosi fan tutte by Mozart, Menotti's Old Maid and the Thief, Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel and many other beauties. Please come and support the Musicopia Fund for First Unitarian Church of Oakland. Tickets will be $10 in advance, $15 at the door, sliding scale or contact Dan Wright (mrdanwright@yahoo.com) about bringing baked goodies for the reception table instead. WATER, WATER, WATER SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 AT 9:30 AND 11:30 AM Be sure to collect a sample of water from your summer experiences for Water Communion. Spiritual Practices Adopt a forgiveness prayer practice for the month. Make a list of redemptive moments and write and reflect on what you learned then and examine what new insights come to you now. Read or watch the news or examine a historical tragedy or oppression and consider the roles of accountability and redemption. Write a letter to someone you need to seek forgiveness from. Books for Adults (A), Youth (Y) and Children (C): The Essential James Luther Adams (A), edited by George K. Beach. The Four Agreements by Miquel Ruiz (A,Y) The Color Purple (A,Y), The Ones Who Walk Away by Ursula LeGuin. Movies: The Last Temptation of Christ (R) Trembling Before G-d (NR) Death in Venice (PG), Kung Fu Panda (PG), Rachel Getting Married (R). Note: This is our last theme for the program year. Watch for a new sequence of themes in September. ALL CHURCH SOCIAL JUSTICE EMPOWERMENT WORKSHOP Friday & Saturday September Transforming Ourselves and the World Do you want to change the world of the better? Would you like to ground your work for social change in Unitarian Universalist principles and the values, vision and ministry of the First Unitarian Church of Oakland? Please come be a part of this exciting process facilitated by UUA trainer Rev. Carole Anne Cole. Save the date and watch for details. Wheel of Life We hold in our prayers Laurel Liefert and family after the death of Laurel s father on May 17, in Fresno, CA. Sympathy and love to Scott Weiss and family. Scott s father John Weiss died on June 2 at his home in Southern Pines, NC. F I R S T U N I T A R I A N R E C E I V E S AWARD! Each year, the Oakland Heritage Alliance honors individuals, organizations, projects and programs whose work demonstrates a commitment to excellence in historic preservation. In doing so, hopes to inspire others to take action to preserve, protect, and promote Oakland s historic resources. This year our church received the Partner in Preservation Award in recognition of our retrofit and renovation of Hamilton Hall at an awards ceremony held on May 13 at the Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland. Our Congregation s Board President Noemi DeGuzman was on hand to receive the award along with members of the Hamilton Hall Renovation Committee, the project manager, staff, architects and builders. Look for our award certificate on display! Watch for Rev. Kathy and The First Unitarian Church on In The Life episode on PBS The separation of Church and State is a fundamental tenet of the U.S. Constitution. Increasingly policies that funnel taxpayer dollars into faith-based organizations challenge this important principle. This month on the June Pride episode, IN THE LIFE follows the money to expose some faith-based initiatives that sanction homophobia here and abroad. In 2009, the Ugandan Parliamentary proposed an anti-homosexuality bill that would impose the death penalty on serial offenders of homosexual acts. Inciting fear and sanctioning homophobia, the bill has caused LGBT Ugandans to be hunted in their communities and forced into exile. IN THE LIFE focuses on the man behind the bill and his supporters, and exposes the political and financial influence used by powerful conservatives in the U.S. to export their anti-gay agenda overseas. Intersections of Church and State will begin airing nationally on June 1st. Airs locally on KQED on June 27 th at 11:30 pm. To find out when it airs in other local areas, to stream or download it after June 1st, go to the IN THE LIFE website: The Sower Page 3

4 Musings from Your Minister Rev. Kathy The Magical Number Seven Plus or Minus Two If you ask number of different people to give you any number between one and ten, most will choose seven. Ask people to name their favorite number between one and ten, and most will say seven. According to those who study such things, seven is also the amount of information which people can process and remember. Who knew? What else comes in sevens? The Seven Deadly Sins, the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Seven Sisters, Shakespeare's Seven Ages of Man, the Seven Levels of Hell, and the Seven Dwarves, Seven Spokes on a Wheel, and more. How about Oakland s Seven Dynamic Transitions? Never heard of it? Well, no wonder, I made it up. This is how I ve started to refer to the seven plus two staff transitions we are going through at this very moment. It s one of the ways I can get my mind around so much change at one time. Over the course of about seven weeks we will have said goodbye to Administrative Assistant Linda Hodges, Interim Music Director Matt Wolka, Intern Catherine Ishida, Children and Family Ministry Coordinator Melissa James, Worship Arts Specialist for Youth Rev. Lynn Gardner, Chalice Children Teacher Crystal Moore. We welcome new Music Director for All Ages Clifton Massey and up to three other staff still yet to be named. Even though all these comings and goings are for good and life affirming reasons, this is a lot of change for one institution. Change is inevitable. It is the only permanent thing about life. We know this, and when it happens, we handle it as best we can. A lot of change at one time can be exciting and exhausting. It can also make anyone of us feel upset, afraid, or even do strange things. Those who study change, say that it is not so much the change itself that people are afraid of -- it is the loss. I am sad to see so many people leave us even though I know it is all for good reasons going back to school, off to finish a doctorate, starting a new ministry, an internship, a better paying job, and so on. I wish each one of these good people well on the next step of their life journey, and I will miss them all too. I will feel their absence and wonder what to do now that they are gone. Continued on page 6 Aloha From Your Intern Minister Catherine Ishida Last month, I wrote about saying hello. This month I write about saying goodbye. My internship at the first Unitarian Church of Oakland ends at the end of June and I ll be returning to Hawaii. My last day in worship will be June 13th. I ll be around the office and wrapping up projects until the end of the month. For a year after I leave, I am bound by ministerial guidelines to maintain a distance with the congregation, so that all of us can be open to the rewards of new precious encounters. Growing up, two of my favorite stories were about spacetraveling trains: The Night of the Galaxy Express by Kenji Miyazawa and the Galaxy Express 999 (pronounced three-nine) by Reiji Matsumoto who was inspired by Miyazawa s earlier work. Both trains look like steam locomotives, but they aren t bound to the surface of Earth. If you could get on board, they would take you across the galaxy, to stars and planets simultaneously similar and different from our own. Both these stories were fantasies exploring the starscapes of the soul, about coming to terms with what it means to live a finite life. This is the scene I m in: the steam curtains of arrival have not yet cleared the station, but the train is already pulling out, ready to head to the next planet. Hands raised in welcome have not had a chance to rest before waving goodbye. I don t know the train s ultimate destination, but I know that, for now, I m getting on board. It feels like I ve just started to get to know you, but here we are at the end of a one-year part-time internship. I m sad that our relationship of teaching and learning is coming to an end, but I m also ready to be reunited with my sweetheart who moved back to Hawaii in February. I take with me memories of kindness, generosity, and dedication. The year was full of challenges for many of us on many levels. Yet we still accomplished much. What an honor it was to be here for the rededication of Hamilton Hall! This is a congregation that cares for one another, and helps each other have faith that by staying engaged with one another, our souls will be nourished and we will find ways to make the world a better place for all people. Continued on page 6 WHERE S REV. KATHY? Though our senior minister Rev. Kathy Huff will not be in the pulpit and leading worship during the months of July and August, she will not be taking her full summer study and vacation leave as is the custom. Instead she will be working with Church Manager Charla Weiss and other church members and staff to help hire, build and orient a diverse new staff team. She is also catching up with projects past due and doing important planning for the new program year. She still hopes to take about two weeks vacation time to visit family back East in late July. Rev. Kathy resumes a regular worship and preaching schedule after Labor Day. The Sower Page 4

5 First Unitarian Dashboard Report as of May 23, 2010 Monthly Sunday worship Attendance Highest/ Lowest Attendance Jan 216/158 Feb 184/149 Mar 186/145 Apr 240/146 May 190/129 Attendance numbers are calculated by combining Sunday worship attendance of the 9:30A & 11:30A services. Sunday Worship Collection Plate donations - $8400 Goal Collected Year to Date Total Jan $1,162 $1,162 Feb $752 $1,914 Mar $1,821 $3,735 Apr $1,389 $5,124 May $798 $5,922 Balance to reach budget goal: $2478 Spring Fundraisers Budget Goal Collected to date (Jan thru mid-may) E-scrip $700 $296 Auction $20,000 $29,600 Gold Parties $0 $822 Utunes $10,000 $4100 Special Collections for Beyond Our Walls Total Agency Month Collection Unitarian Universalist Association Jan $1151 Sunday Hamilton Hall Re-dedication Jan $8076* ceremony special collection Haiti Relief / Utunes concert Mar $3092 Intern Fund donations Apr $1146** Unitarian Universalist Legislative Apr $205 Ministry Oakland Youth Chorus May $643 UUA Tennessee/Kentucky Flood relief May $396 Total donated Beyond Our Walls $9525 *Half of collection sent to USC Haiti Relief **Collection supports First Unitarian Internship program Pledge Payments ~ $413,000 pledged for 2010 The Sower Page 5

6 Musings from Your Minister continued from page 4 Aloha continued from Page 4 I also know that just as my heart hurts in saying goodbye, it will eventually open to the new possibilities that lay ahead. It is gratitude that gets me there. I am so very thankful for having known and worked with such a splendid staff team. This group has served the church well and our community is blessed for having experienced their gifts for this while. They have all planted some beautiful seeds here, and helped us grow in deep and wonderful ways. Those that come after them will have better time in this place because of the paths that have been laid by each one of them. And so, here we are, in the Summer of the Seven Dynamic Transitions. Let us give space for grief and gratitude, hope and opportunity. When we gather again for our new program year on September 12, let us bring both the water for our ingathering communion and a welcoming smile for the new faces among us. May it be so. The Hawaiian greeting aloha means both hello and goodbye for good reason. With a single word we celebrate a coming together, a sharing of breath, both at the beginning and at the end. As our lives our finite, each of our encounters are finite. There is sorrow when something precious comes to an end, but we can be sad and grateful at the same time. The sadness reflects the depth of our affection, but it s gratitude that opens us to new precious encounters. Good goodbyes are a gesture of love. Aloha, until we meet again - Love, Cat Diversity Fund to Support New Ministry We are a congregation that takes seriously Rev. Mark Morrison-Reed s words, It is the church that assures us that we are not struggling for justice on our own, but as members of a larger community Together, our vision widens and our strength is renewed. Many of us experience a sense of urgency about manifesting in more tangible forms our ministry as an authentic anti-racist, multicultural congregation. We see this as a spiritual necessity - a requirement of living our Unitarian Universalism in this time and place. In that spirit and in support of our vision to build and grow a radically inclusive community our Senior Minister, the Board of Trustees, the Executive Team and the Congregation have been expressing the imperative of extending and strengthening both our beyond and within these walls ministries. The Executive Team (ET) is moving forward to establish a ministry position that will support this vision. Last month the ET established a Designated Fund for Diversity in Ministry. With the generosity of the members of our congregation, a matching grant of $25,000 from the UUA s Diversity In Ministry Initiative, and other grants as available, we hope to create and sustain a part-time assistant minister position to help us continue to transform, strengthen and grow our ministry within and beyond the walls of the First Unitarian Church of Oakland. The funds gathered will be used to hire a part time Assistant Minister for Community Engagement (up to 20 hours per week). This ministry will include as a priority deepening the congregations understanding, ownership and participation in the community ministry of the church, coordinating and developing the spiritual practices of current and future in-reach and outreach ministries, working with the senior minister and lay leaders to build and nurture vibrant and sustainable relationships with community organizations and neighborhood faith communities. The assistant minister will also focus on membership engagement and our congregation s justice ministries overall. We will need $50,000 in hand by the end of July to demonstrate sustainability for this position and create the three year bridge needed before it can be placed permanently in our operating budget. Those who would like to help raise this match are encouraged to contact the Executive Team immediately. Meanwhile, be alert to invitations and opportunities to support this exciting new ministry. The Sower Page 6

7 Update of Hiring for Director of Children and Family Ministries A search team has been formed to hire a Director of Children and Family Ministries (DCFM). This is a new position which builds on our work over the past few years to implement the recommendations of our congregation wide process called Transforming our Learning Community and of our Dreaming Team Committee. The DCFM will provide leadership in creating and maintaining a dynamic religious education program involving children and families at the First Unitarian Church. The DCFM will be responsible for the day to day coordination and administration of our faith development ministry and serves as the primary contact for the congregation in matters relating to the overall healthy functioning of this area of ministry. If you know of anyone who has background in education, who loves working with children and families, and wants to create opportunities for learning and faith development in our multigenerational church setting please direct them to us. Hiring team: Pamela Coukos, Sheri Prud homme, Nicole Fitzhugh, Johanna Eigen and Rev. Kathy Huff. Message from Rev. Lynn Gardner As the end of the church year is approaching, I have much gratitude for the opportunity to have served as the Worship Arts and Education Specialist with this congregation. This is a community that has continued to say, yes. yes to expanding hospitality, yes to involvement in the larger community, yes to preserving a historic building, yes to multigenerational, multi-cultural worship, yes to doing the work of transformation. Part of the transformation of the Teaching and Learning Ministries has been to create this temporary position that encompassed supporting the programs for 5th-12th graders, as well as actively working with the worship team, particularly on the monthly time-for-all-ages, and the intergenerational services. Some highlights: watching Spirit Play participants act out Badger s Parting Gift, working with our two fabulous youth Worship Associates, painting sun rays for the Solstice with the youth group, seeing the teachers of Club UU and Faith Explorers light up when they talked about moments of connection in their classes, singing a Standing on the Side of Love rap with Zach Hodges and the 5th-8th graders, and watching the faces of participants in the Bridging Service. It has been a full year. Looking ahead, Melissa and I are working together so that there is a strong foundation in place for the incoming Director of Children and Family Ministries. There are exciting curricula being offered in Club UU Sunday Summer Schedule for Children and Youth All worship is at 10:30am until after Labor Day. All ages are welcome to attend worship. We also have nursery care for babies and toddlers and organized activities for pre-k through the 4th grade during worship times from June 13th Labor Day weekend. Nursery care for infants and toddlers is available with Ms. Dorothy on the 1st floor. Our UU Kids room is set up on the 2nd floor. Pre K-4th graders are invited to come to the program room for games, crafts, and stories every Sunday with Mr. Lee and until mid June with Ms. Crystal. Parent classroom assistants are needed every Sunday in our UU Kids room. Sign-ups at the door. Teacher Crystal Goes Back to School! You may say, Wait, back-to-school time isn t until the fall! That s true, but we wanted to let you know some exciting, albeit sad, back to school news. This fall, Teacher Crystal will be going back to school to be a psychologist. Sadly, this means we will say goodbye to her over the summer. She will work with our summer programs through the beginning of the summer. With every goodbye comes a HELLO! And Teacher Crystal will help the children say hello to our summer program person as we transition to a new friendly face in the Chalice Children room. Faith Explorers Wrap-Up Katrinca Ford This Sunday the 7th and 8th grade RE class wrapped up its school-year long exploration of world faiths. After spending time exploring the rituals, beliefs and stories of including Hinduism, Christianity, Judaism, Native American Spirituality and Buddhism we spent our last curriculum Sunday looking at the role of religion in human life. I asked the youth two questions. First, What is religion for? Their answers included Gives life meaning/purpose. Satisfies hunger of the heart Creates morals Teaches right from wrong Is something to do on Sunday (or Saturday, Friday or Wednesday?) Passes along cultural rules and understanding Gives help and hope. I then asked the 2nd question, What big questions is religion trying to answer? Among those questions were Where do we go after death? Why are we here? Continued on page 8 Continued on page 8 The Sower Page 7

8 Rev. Gardner continued from page 7 Faith Explorers continued from page 7 and in Coming of Age. Some people have already committed to being part of these teaching teams, with other folks still considering the possibility. Our youth group is both growing and deepening with the care of committed leaders and participants, and are looking forward to a youth camping space at the all-church retreat. My final day as a staff member will be June 20 th, when I also will have the pleasure of leading worship. I don t yet know what next year will hold, but my partner, Wendy, and I hope to be serving a congregation as co-interim ministers. We ll keep you posted. Thank you for this year of learning, growing, and risking together. Interweave in June Francey Liefert June 13: Pride Service June 20: Strategies for Straight Allies 1 pm to 2:30 pm in the Starr King room We will role play situations where LGBTIQ people (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Questioning) wished for allies or straight people wanted to be allies but didn t know how. Please join us with snacks to share. June 27: We will join United in Spirit in the Pride Parade. Please watch the Sunday order of service and the Chalice Chatter for details. What is the meaning of life? Is there a spiritual being watching over you? What is right or wrong? The youth then spent some time exploring their own answers to the questions. The answers were thoughtful, varied and respectful of one another. Being present for this conversation was one of the highlights of my church year. I would like to thank the youth for their willingness to go on the faith journey together. We asked them to do some pretty weird things at times and for the most part they came through. I saw real growth through the year in their willingness to try new things, wrestle with important questions and find the balance between fun and respect that allows a learning to take place. I would also like to thank the adults who assisted throughout the year. Their willingness to share of themselves and their religious journey was invaluable. They include Marcus Leifert, Jill Miller, Daphne Parson, Lynn Gardner and Rev. Kathy Huff. Special thanks to Rachel Baker for co-teaching with me and to B Avalon for inviting me to teach the class. It just goes to prove the old saying, If you don t ask, they can t say yes Night on the Water Auction Exceeds Expectations! On April 24, this congregation enjoyed a wonderful evening of fun and fundraising to benefit the work of the church. Thanks to the many folks who donated items and services, the people who purchased them, those who helped setup/run the show/cleanup afterward, and the members and friends who simply attended to support the auction, we raised nearly $30,000. The auction team was asked to raise $20,000--the big number we hit at the 2009 auction--and the congregation stepped up to the plate and hit a big one over the far wall! This kind of success only happens with the help of many, many people. Our donors were especially generous and creative in the items and services that they offered. Others dug deep into their wallets to purchase a record $$ of these items and services. Dozens of people helped to decorate Wendte Hall, sell tickets, prepare food, tend bar, advertise in our catalog, shout out the live auction items, look after the kids and do the tedious work of keeping track of all the money flowing back and forth! To all who helped out, thank you, thank you, thank you! The core auction team worked for many months behind the scenes to make the Night on the Water such a big success for our church. That work began in February, three months before the auction night, and the last loose ends are still being tied up, more than a month after our big night! I extend a special thanks to each of them--laura Ingram, who rustled up all those donations; Michael Fitzhugh and Clark Sanford, who used their technical skills to ride herd on all of the donated items and the money they generated; Lisa Gardner, who arranged for our business donations and decorated the hall, among other accomplishments; and Joyce Cutler, who persuaded many outside groups to donate tickets for the auction, in addition to collecting the instant wine cellar and organizing the balloon pop! I am so grateful to everyone for all their hard work, which has allowed us to add more than $29,000 to our church cashbox, to help fund the all-important work of this congregation. Way to Go! The Sower Page 8

9 Music Director for All Ages Joins Staff After a nationwide search, we are pleased to announce that Clifton Massey is joining our worship team as our new Music Director for All Ages (MDFAA). Clifton comes to us with over 15 years of worship and conducting experience in both churches and synagogues. He has degrees from two of the finest music schools in the county with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Texas Christian University, and a Master's of Music from Indiana University. He is a well known tenor in the Bay Area, having been a member of the popular Chanticleer a cappella singers, and a singer with American Bach Soloists, to name just two from his long list of impressive singing credits. He was also the music administrator and section leader at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco for three years. Clifton currently directs three choirs for the Piedmont East Bay Children Chorus. We were impressed with his wide range of experience working in world music, jazz, gospel, early American music, contemporary and many other musical styles and his having worked in 17 different languages and dialects! Raised by country musicians in Dallas, Texas, Clifton s eclectic tastes and interests have kept him working with genres such as bluegrass, country and western, pit orchestras, numerous collaborations with electronica composers, and investigations into standardized beat-box notation. He even played the role of Skzyp in the rock musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch! Though the new position does not start until August, Clifton will be an accompanist for some of our summer services. Watch for announcements about when you can meet and greet Clifton in the coming weeks. Clifton is the first to fill this new position, which was created in January after a long process of discernment and evaluation involving the music committee, choir, musicians, church members, staff and clergy. The position helps fulfill the strategic plan recommendations made by the Music Committee to the Executive Team at the end of last year. It considers our commitments to Vision 2012, the Dreaming Team reports about our learning and teaching ministries for all ages, and Music Advisory Committee findings. Our charge was to find someone with a range of musical skills who knows how to use music as a catalyst for spiritual engagement. We sought someone who will work collaboratively with the senior minister and the worship arts team to establish a vibrant and growing multi-cultural and multi-vocal music program that spiritually uplifts and includes all ages of our diverse mid-sized congregation. We were very fortunate to have had many applicants and several excellent candidates from which to choose. After interviewing and holding choir try-outs with our finalists, we are pleased to welcome Clifton onto our staff team and into the next chapter of our worship and music history. The MDFAA Search Committee included the Rev. Kathy Huff, senior minister; Charla Weiss, church manager; Kristen Montan, worship team leader; Sarah Watts, choir president; Dan Wright, Journey Towards Wholeness Transformation Team co-chair; Jason Ulibarri, music committee member and Band Without Borders musician. Thank You Matt! Matt Wolka joined our worship team as our Interim Music Director in November He led us through a time of great change and development in our music program. His splendid leadership took us in new directions and helped us grow musically in many new and creative ways. Thanks to Matt we now have a rockin Hammond B3to support our worship life. His far reaching musical talents and interests expanded our repertoire to include everything from beat box and Hip Hop to classical and contemporary music from Brazil and around the world. We are so very fortunate to have had the benefit of his many gifts this long while. Matt was quickly snapped up by another congregation and so his last Sunday with us was on Flower Communion on May 30th. If you missed seeing him on that farewell Sunday you are welcome to send him a card at: 2020 Dennison Street #102, Oakland, CA The Sower Page 9

10 From the Executive Team The Executive Team has been busy at work with a number of major transitions. We hired Clifton Massey as the Music Director for All Ages. The search team included Rev. Kathy Huff, senior minister; Charla Weiss, church manager; Kristen Montan, worship team leader; Sarah Watts, choir president; Dan Wright, Journey Towards Wholeness Transformation Team co-chair; Jason Ulibarri, music committee member and Band Without Borders musician. Matt Wolka, our Interim Music Director is leaving us. Matt has been an inspiration to so many, his music up-lifting and inclusive. He made us all feel like better singers and musicians and he obviously was having a lot of fun doing it. We will miss him and wish him well. Melissa James, our Children and Family Ministry Coordinator is resigning to pursue her doctorate. Melissa s last day of service will be June 13th. We have posted a new position, which is Director of Children and Family Ministries. The search and hire team is Nicole Fitzhugh, Johanna Eigen, Sheri Prud homme and Pamela Coukos. We have said our good-byes to Linda Hodges as our Office Administrator but we can all continue to say hello to her as an active member of the church. Good luck to you, Linda and we look forward to seeing you around the hood. We will not be hiring a replacement for Linda until late June or Early July. GREAT NEWS!!!!!!! Due to a robust increase in both pledges and auction revenue we are very happy to announce that we are able to lift both Stefan s and Charla s furloughs. We are also ecstatic to announce that this year s All Community Retreat from June 4th -6th at Mountain Home Ranch in Calistoga is SOLD OUT! In the past few years the retreat has not broken even and it looks to us that we may actually do so. Let s thank our hard working visionaries on the team: Sheri Prud homme, Mark Savage, Jodie Mathies, Maudie Shah and Nicole Fitzhugh. From the Board of Trustees The Board of Trustees, at our May 25th meeting, approved an update to our Ends policies. Our Ends policies articulate a vision of why we exist as an institution, the difference we expect to make in people s lives, and whose lives we expect to be transforming. Here s one sentence from our updated Ends, to give you the flavor: Church members and friends discover and articulate personal spiritual growth. We lead lives of integrity and meaning that reflect our spiritual identity and values. Keeping this vision directly in front of us at the Board level ensures that we stay on track to make a difference in our own lives, and in the world. Please check out the updated Ends on our church website! The next step related to the Ends is to make sure that we are achieving them. The Executive Team will now give the Board their interpretation of the Ends, and the Board and ET will discuss this together to make sure we re on the same page. The ET and Board will then consider how to measure and monitor the degree to which we re making the Ends a reality. The monitoring step will include, but not be limited to, an in-depth congregational survey which we are in the process of designing. We look forward to hearing how our church has (or has not) transformed your life, as we seek to more fully fulfill our mission. Julie Cockroft Grants for Women Julie O Keeffe Cockroft ( ) was an active leader in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto, American Association of University Women, and the Peninsula Interfaith Action advocating for fair housing. For many years she also participated in the district Women & Religion organization and Stebbins summer retreats. The Julie Cockcroft bequest to the PCD will fund a onetime grant opportunity for innovative programs to support women s issues within Congregations of the PCD and other UU organizations, schools, or women s groups. Grants of $500 to $2000 are available, with the possibility of a larger sum for an exceptional proposal. Grants provide financial support for projects to benefit women and women s issues and encourage congregations to participate in developing appropriate projects. Information and applications: karen@aftonranch.net and mackay@pobox.com. Deadline is July 31, The Sower Page 10

11 Publications Information: The Sower Newsletter Sower submissions are restricted to a 250-word limit. Keep in mind that long news items may be serialized over several months. Feature contributors (i.e. ministers) and Sower first-page lead articles (large fundraising events, large all church events, etc.) are not bound to this word limitation. All articles subject to editing for space. Deadline: Sower deadline is 4 PM on the 10th of each month for the forthcoming month s issue. Submissions should be ed to office@uuoakland.org. The Sower is published bi-monthly. The Chalice Chatter E-Newsletter Word limitation per submission is words (3-4 typed lines). Submissions should be ed to office@uuoakland.org with Chalice Chatter in subject line. Deadline: Chalice Chatter announcements are posted weekly the deadline is Monday at 9 AM of the week it is to appear. There is no Chalice Chatter the last week in December. Clergy, Staff, and Lay Leadership (partial listing) Senior Minister: Rev. Kathy Huff, ext. 304, revkhuff@uuoakland.org Church Manager: Charla Weiss, ext. 303, charla@uuoakland.org Intern Minister: Catherine Ishida intern@uuoakland.org Church Administrative Assistant: Wendy Bartel (interim), ext. 301, office@uuoakland.org Facilities and Rental Coordinator: Stefan Schneider, ext. 302 rentals@uuoakland.org Facilities Staff: Frank Tobor Audio-Visual: Justin Weiss Bookkeeper: Mary Margaret Scribner Assistant Bookkeeper: Denise Lyons Music Director For All Ages: Clifton Massey (begins August), Accompanist/Asst. to Music Director: Renee Witon Worship Arts and Education Coordinator for Children and Youth: Lynn Gardner (until June 20 th ) learn@uuoakland.org Children & Family Ministry Coordinator: Melissa James, ext. 319 Nursery Care: Dorothy Paul Chalice Children/Toddlers: Crystal Moore Board of Trustees Noemi de Guzman, President; Rinda Bartley, vice-president, Dan Goss, Secretary and Jon Greer, Treasurer. Giselle Ampuero, Rinda Bartley, Bob Crowe, ReeAnn Dixon, Bev Smrha, and Charles Williams Executive Team Rev. Kathy Huff, Charla Weiss, Julie Baeder Leadership Development Julie Baeder, Lauren Poole, Rinda Bartley, Scott Weiss Committee on Ministry Chris Sutherland, chair; Liam Aleguire, Rick Hecht, Charlotte Dixon, Randall Wright Internship Committee Chris Palm, chair; Susan Killebrew, Donna Fujioka, Judith Hunt, Randall Wright Journey Toward Wholeness Jill Miller, Dan Wright, Celia Reyes, Nori Grossman, Natasha Mader, Cile Beatty, Charles Williams, Sharon Dolan. Justice Council Convener Rev. Jacqueline Duhart Interweave Francey Liefert, chair Pastoral Care Team Chaplains: Rev. Laurel Liefert, Jamie McReynolds, Rev. Dan Kane Pastoral Associates: Anne Lown, coordinator; Dick Bailey, Gil Dacumos, Carolyn Devol, Ronny Gaal, Judith Hunt, Roxie Kellam, Katrina Kellogg, Claudia Morgan Membership Team Linda Hodges, team leader, Gil Dacumos, Jodie Mathies, Gerre McKenna, Bettina Roth, and Linda Wilson Worship Kristen Montan, Team Leader Retreats, Events, Potlucks Katrinca Ford, Laila Ibrahim, Kelly Jonick, Sheri Prud homme Chalice Camp: Laila Ibrahim, Sheri Prud homme The Sower Page 11

12 The Sower Page 12