Remember to Collect Water

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1 August 2018 Number 8 Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura 5654 Ralston Street Ventura, CA 805/ Plan Ahead! Annual Service Auction October 13 Our largest Fundraiser! This year s goal is $25,000 Silent Auction 5pm Live Auction 6pm Auctioneers: Jim Merrill & Joe Hutchins. Finger Foods Good Wine Child care Raffle Items Live Entertainment Face Painting Chair Massages And More. All Free! What can you could offer as an auction item? Contact: Michael 805/ , makseven@yahoo.com Fi n e Ar t & Cr a ft s Fa ir Saturday & Sunday December 1 & 2 9am - 2pm The perfect place for holiday shopping. To participate contact: Pam Waldron 805/ , pimandjam@roadrunner.com Sunday Services Music: 9:45am Service: 10am August 5 Choose to Bless the World Rev. Dana Worsnop and Worship Associate Chuck Samonsky. August 12 An Optimistic? Rev, Dana Worsnop with Worship Associate Andy Edgar-Beltran August 19 Sacred Science Joe Hutchins will explore intersection of Science and the Sacred. Joe Hutchins with Worship Associate Chris Chalquest August 26 Finding Your Spirit Through Volunteering Celia Ortenberg with Worship Associates: Sue Brinkmeyer, Andy Edgar-Beltran and Joe Hutchins. Water Remember to Collect Water for our Water Communion All Generations Service on September 9. Rev. Dr. Mark Morrison-Reed teaches us a Unitarian Universalist liturgical year of four communion services Water Communion for our in-gathering service in the fall, Bread Communion for Thanksgiving, Fire Communion to begin the New Year and Flower Communion in the spring. All of these have taken on a particular UU flavor and perspective. Bring a sample of water from a place of spiritual connection or refreshment this summer. It may be from summer travels or from a backyard pool or hose that helped keep you cool during the dog days of summer just ahead. Inside Ministry News...2 Notes from President's Desk...3 Social Action...4 Religious Education News...5 UU Things to Do Committee News...8 August Calendar...9 Remembering Jack Ellison Like the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura on Facebook. It s one more way to stay connected. We, the members of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura, united by our liberal religious tradition, seek truths, and meaning, and commit to right action. We will nurture our congregation and carry our principles forth to better ourselves, our community, and our planet. To these purposes, we pledge our hearts and hands, our minds and means.

2 Minister s Column My favorite metaphor for the church is a lighthouse. At our best the church is a light sent out into the darkness when seas are rough, guiding us to safe harbor, a place of rest and comfort. Yet it is also a beacon sent forth to proclaim truths the world yet needs to see and hear. The work of the church is finding the balance point(s) between reaching in for sustenance and depth of spirit, and reaching out speaking truth to power, learning to love the world and its people ever more expansively, widening the circle of justice, inviting all in. Creating a vision and plan for the next five years can help us at UUCV manage this dynamic balancing act as beacon and sanctuary. The five members of our visioning task force will be considering all this as we gear up to begin creating our vision for the next five years. We have dubbed ourselves 5-For-5: the Five-Year Vision Task Force, or simply 545. I am so grateful to be working with Kim Prieto, who has agreed to chair the team, Janice Frank, George Owens, and Andy Edgar Beltran. Not that we are going to write the plan ourselves, that s where everyone (and we mean everyone) comes in. 545 will facilitate a congregational process to generate ideas and input from members and friends. There will be congregational gatherings, surveys, phone calls, coffee hour conversations, and more. We ll ask committees and groups to balance dreaming boldly with being practical and strategic. And on the other side of a year or so after conversing, discussing, wrassling, dreaming, developing the art of the possible we will have a planning document to guide us through the next five years. We intend it to be a living document to be revisited throughout the years ahead. The 545 team has already met twice, and you ll be hearing from us regularly. First, we ask some questions: What is your metaphor for the church? My lighthouse is only one among many possibilities. How does the church make a difference in your life and the world? What metaphor captures the energy, inspiration, delight and power of this church community? And lastly In service to what? What is the larger purpose of all this visioning and planning? What greater good does the church serve? We might not yet have answers. I can t wait to discover the answers we live into. The journey continues. With love, Rev. Dana Pathway to Membership Workshops Offered 3 times a year Part 1 - Getting to Know UU Sunday: October 7 11:30pm 1pm Historical highlights of Unitarian Universalism UUCV Mission and Programs and more! Part 11: Journey to Belonging Saturday: October 20 9:30am 12:30pm Expectations and Benefits of Membership Funding the Mission What are Your Hopes? Both classes are a pre-requisite for Membership at UUCV. Facilitated by Beverly Jordan Community Life Coordinator, Dana Worsnop Senior Minister and the Journey Team. Register by ing Beverly@uuventura.org. Child Care Provided With Pre-Registration SAVE THE DATE Covenant Group Orientation Come, come whoever you are to Covenant Group Orientation & Registration on September 23. Our Covenant Groups program will be returning in the Fall. The Orientation and Registration event on September 23 is for new as well as returning participants. Covenant Groups are composed of 8-10 committed people who meet twice monthly from October through May for deep conversation, sharing thoughts and life experiences through attentive listening and engaging conversation. Led by trained co-facilitators, groups will participate in creating sacred space and respectful practices that lead to open-hearted and open-minded communication. Covenant Group Questions? Pick up a brochure at the Adult Programs table or see Covenant Group Steering Committee: Beverly Jordan (Beverly@ uuventura.org), Pam and Jim Waldron, Gina Norstedt, or Lisa Connolly. Volunteer Team Forming Would you like to be part of connecting volunteers with tasks/jobs that will bring them joy? The Volunteer Team will assist both those seeking to volunteer and congregational leaders who are looking for volunteers. Contact Beverly if you are interested in being part of this Team. beverly@uuventura.org To Volunteer: Check out the opportunities listed on the Volunteer Bulletin Board in Berg Hall. August On Common Ground UU Church of Ventura

3 Newsletter Submittals We value your contributions and very much appreciate submittals. Send submissions for On Common Ground to Next Newsletter Deadline August 19 at Noon Next issue is September 2018 On Common Ground is a monthly publication of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura 5654 Ralston Street, Ventura, CA Minister - Rev. Dana Worsnop Office Hours: by Appointment 503/ rev.dana.worsnop@uuventura.org Community Life Coordinator- Beverly Jordan 805/ , ext beverly@uuventura.org Director of Religious Education - Emily Carroll 805/ , ext emily@uuventura.org Office Administrator - Jennifer Luce Monday - Thusday: 9am - 3pm, Friday 9am - 12pm Phone: 805/ , ext 100 administrator@uuventura.org Call first to ensure Jennifer is onsite. Church Office Phone: 805/ FAX: 805/ administrator@uuventura.org Music Director - Carolyn Bjerke carolyn@uuventura.org On Common Ground Editors: Shelah Wilgus / preblest@mac.com Tessa Weeks...805/ tessaweeks@mac.com Notes from the President s Desk August 2018 Last June we held our Annual Meeting and exercised our 5 th Principle concerning democratic process within our congregation. We voted and approved the Slate of Candidates, the Budget, and agreed to move forward with the creating of a permanent RE/Multi-purpose room in Berg Hall. Thank you to everyone who participated in the governance of the beloved community that is the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura! By all accounts the discussion of the church budget went smoothly. Credit goes to the budget subcommittee of David Smith, David Frank and Rev. Dana Worsnop for giving us a document that supports our children, our staff and our vision for growth. That does not mean that the future is without concern. It was announced at the Annual Meeting that there will be two Congregational Conversations, September 16 and January 27, focusing on our budget deficit. Those events will be about how to manage our income against expenses incurred in the running of our church. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, resolving the deficit gap is about making choices. Questions such as: What do we value? What do we want as a community? What can we do? represent the start of this journey. The information gathered at those meetings will give leadership direction about how to move the UUCV forward. If I have made it seem that our financial situation is dire, that would be the wrong conclusion to reach. Not only do we have time to develop solutions, but we have a history of rising to meet financial challenges. It was not that long ago that we had capital campaigns to put in a new floor in Berg Hall; for funding of the solar panels to reduce energy costs; for the creation of the Outdoor Sanctuary; and of course, for the major efforts that resulted in the buying of our current home and subsequent paying off of the mortgage. We have a history of being bold! The RE/Multipurpose Room received approval and had a clear request for additional information from the congregation. This is a project that looks easy enough but has some complications. The revised quote came in higher than expected and the contractor did not want any responsibility for plans and/or permits that may or may not be needed. The result is that a review of the scope of work is taking place with a visit planned to the Building and Safety department at city hall to discuss the need for a permit. We already have funding of $10, in place for the room. Getting the project completed will just take a little longer as we work to get it done in a proper and correct manner, aka getting it right. And finally, with a new year and a new Board, comes a reminder for everyone. The Board meets on the third Thursday of every month in the Conference Room at 6:00PM. Like all committee meetings, Board meetings are open to members to attend. There is an opportunity to speak to the Board on any concern you have at the beginning of the meeting. This is just one of the many ways that your voice can be heard at the UUCV. Living in Paradise, Bryan Buck, UUCV Board President August On Common Ground UU Church of Ventura

4 Social Action and More Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness. Seneca For many years the UUCV has partnered with the City of Ventura and the Salvation Army in offering 10 vehicle spaces as a safe place for people to park and sleep in their vehicles as they work toward moving into more permanent housing. The first half of 2018 UUCV provided 20 people a safe place in our church parking lot from 7pm to 7am, giving them an opportunity to have an undisturbed Ventura County Reproductive Rights Network P.O. Box 6601 Ventura, CA / VCRRNetwork@gmail.com UUCV Safe Sleep Highlights by Neal Ortenberg night s sleep. They are supported in reaching their goal of more permanent housing by UUCV volunteers who check in with them evenings and mornings, the Salvation Army Case Managers who guide them toward reaching their housing goals and the Securitas Security Service that inspects our property daily between midnight and 4am. Write For Your Rights! SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, :30-2:30pm Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura VCRRN will have letters on reproductive health care topics for you to sign after the service and speaker. By bundling the letters, we send a strong message from our community to our elected representatives. The purpose of the Ventura County Reproductive Rights Network is to educate our community about reproductive health issues in support of reproductive freedom, rights and access. VCRRN meets monthly on the 2nd Tuesday evening. The UUCV Safe Sleep Team works to make our Safe Sleepers feel at home and welcome. As friendly neighbors we invite them to attend our Sunday services, and we host a once-a-month dinner and social hour in the garage at 5:30pm on the first Thursday of the month for Safe Sleepers and church members. This month it was a Pizza night during which we all deepened our connection with each other. Our Safe Sleepers have shown their gratitude to the church by weeding around the property and by sweeping around the back-parking lot. I am pleased to report that two of our Safe Sleepers not only have become members of the church but moved out of their cars into rented housing. If you have any questions about our Safe Sleep program, call or either of our UUCV Safe Sleep Coordinators, Neal Ortenberg- 805/ , nealstuart@gmail.com or Darryl Marquez-805/ , darryl.marquez@gmail.com. Inreach/Outreach Recipients Your generosity toward those who ask for our help continues to be amazing. June 24: LUYV Park Outreach Team - $ July 1: City Center Tansitional Living - $ July 8: Innocence Project - $ July 15: LUYV Park Outreach Team- $ Thanks so much for all your generous donations! Inreach/Outreach News August 5: Ventura Homeless Prevention proceeds go directly to residents of the homes and apartment buildings destroyed by the fire and flood. All funds are dedicated to supporting long-term recovery and re-building efforts for low-income families affected by the fire and flood August 12: Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Ventura County. Our Mission is to provide all children facing adversity with professionally supported, one-toone mentoring relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. Funding would allow us to continue to expand our mentoring program and ensure its continued success in helping children who face adversity. August 19: Citizens for Responsible Oil and Gas. Our mission is to defend communities and wild places from the adverse impacts of oil and gas activities. Funding will build our organization's capacity to educate the public and decision makers about risks to air quality, water and soil August 26: UUCV Inreach/Outreach to help those in our own congregation or someone in the wider community who is in need of assistance. August On Common Ground UU Church of Ventura

5 Religious Education August 2018 August 5 August 12 August 19 August 26 Babies & Toddlers Pre-K - 12th Grade UU Values in Action Each week we ll explore a UU principle, source, or value and do a correlated activity. Loving, engaging, and safe childcare with projects from our professional nursery caregivers! 7th Principle - National Parks Mendelsohn Family 3rd Principle - Spiritual practice Olivia Hernandez Creativity - Art lesson Debbie Norris 2nd Principle - Immigration Vanessa Frank For information, latest news, and dates, contact Emily with questions and to be added to the weekly, family newsletter list! NEWS from Religious Education Emily Carroll, DRE Dear UUCV Community, We are so excited for Peace Camp! It s a weeklong day camp that teaches peacemaking, emotional resilience, and social justice using music, field trips, and cooperative activities. We ll sing at the Lexington, go to a museum, and enjoy a beach party! Please be in touch if you d like to be involved or sign up. In a new book Testimony about the transformative power of Unitarian Universalism, colleague Aisha Hauser writes about becoming UU: We visited on Sunday, and when I asked the religious educator if they taught about hell, she answered, Good Lord, no. As soon as she took the Lord s name in vain, I knew this was the place for me and my family. I would love to hear the moment you knew UUCV was the place for you! With Love Emily Carroll, Director of Religious Education emily@uuventura.org Peace Camp Ventura 2018 August am-3pm For K-8th grade at UUCV. Aftercare available. Social justice curriculum with music, community building! Field trips include a museum/mission, nursing home, and beach party! Go to tinyurl.com/y8ptsv3r for more info and to register. August Birthdays 2 - Noa 5 - Alan 8 - Charlie 9 - Linda 10 - Meredith 12 - Kell 16 - Louie 17 - Scarlett 23 - Kaia 25 - Jolie 29 - Chelsea August Events August am-3pm Peace Camp Saturday, August 11 Childcare Co-Op Tuesday, August 14 RE Committee Meeting August On Common Ground UU Church of Ventura

6 UU Things To Do Adult Programs Adult Programs is bursting with opportunities for connection, reflection and growth. Check the newsletter and Adult Programs Board for info about additional classes. For information on ongoing programs, pick up an Adult Programs brochure at the AP Bulletin Board in Berg Hall. Programs are open to all unless otherwise indicated. Meditation and Buddhist Practice with Friendship Sangha of the Heart Monday 7pm Church Sanctuary Evening of Mindfulness includes sitting and walking meditation, a dharma reading and dharma sharing. All are welcome. Intro to Meditation Monday, August 13 at 6:30pm in Sanctuary. Information: FriendshipSangha@gmail.com Silent Meditative Vegetarian Potluck Monday, August 27 at 6pm in Berg Hall. Bring a vegetarian dish to share. More info at FriendshipSangha.org/meditation/ SilentMeals All are welcome. org/meditation/intro Contact: Neal Ortenberg 805/ or FriendshipSangha@gmail.com. Website FriendshipSangha.org Sponsored by the Friendship Sangha of the Heart, a UUCV Adult Program UU Thursday Bookgroup Thursday 10-11:15am Green Room We read non-fiction and meet weekly. Books with wide-ranging topics are recommended by members and are chosen by consensus. Discussions are wide-ranging and lively. Both congregation members and non-members are warmly welcomed. Contact: Marcy Burns, mburns4430@ roadrunner.com. Fun Book Club August 19 Sunday 11:45am Conference Room This fiction book group meets for minutes after services. All are welcome. In August: The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty, September: Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng, October: Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann, November: Lexicon -by Max Barry, December: Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline. Contact: Kappy Paulson 805/ kmp160@ sbcglobal.net. Bridge Group Wednesday 1-3pm UUCV The UU Bridge Group plays friendly games of contract bridge. Join us for fun and stretch your mind. Contact Dave Davis, 805/ Women's Voices: Discussion and Support Group A1st & 3rd Tues 11-1pm Green Room drop-in women s group explores women s roles and issues. Open to all women. Contacts: Suzanne Olsen, 805/ , suzth2@charter.net. Drop In Men s Discussion Group Tuesday 9:30AM Conference Room. We discuss political and social issues and current events. All men welcome. Contact: Bill Peltola 805/ or 805/ T ai Chi Chih class Monday 5:30-6:30PM Sanctuary gentle, moving meditation practice A promoting balance, physical fitness, and inner calm. Beginners welcome. The 1st & 5th Monday are silent, group practice (no instruction). Donation: $10 per class (check to UUCV) First class is FREE! Info at Adult Programs table. Contact: Lisa Otero 805/ Men s Breakfast Bunch Saturday August 4 9am Marie Callenders in Ventura Join us for food and conversation. We are better together. All men welcome. Contact: Ray Escobedo, 805/ ray.escobedo@sbcglobal.net. The Watercolor Group Wednesday 12:30-2:30pm C Berg Hall ome play with us! Good conversation, inspiration, camaraderie, and occasional instruction. Bring your own supplies. Beginners are welcome. Contact Veronica Bear 805/ or veronicabear2000@yahoo.com. CUUPS Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans Saturday, August 4 7pm Church Sanctuary We meet monthly on the first Saturday on the couches in the rear. We honor the planet in an artistic and spiritual way. All are welcome. Contact: Dorothy FastHorse 805/ UUniques 50+ Thursday August 23 6:30pm Berg Hall Join us for Potluck and an evening of conversation and good food. Bring your own table service and a dish to share. Guest speaker is Beverly Jordan Her interactive is "Transition and Trust, You Matter." No field trip is planned for August. Contacts: Merle or Pat 805/ or 3723emlo@gmail.com or 1636wpso@gmail.com. Outdoor Sanctuary is Open! We have chairs with new cushions and cornhole game. The game is kept by the back bathrooms area for easy access. Contact: DRE Emily or Michael 895/ Open Men s Support Group 1st & 3rd Thursdays 7-9pm Garage Meeting Room Enjoy fellowship, camaraderie and personal sharing. Contact: Dale Condra, 805/ , dale15roie@gmail.com Strong Bones 1 & 2 Strong Bones 1 (Beginning) Monday 1:30pm Sanctuary Wednesday 1:30pm Sanctuary Strong Bones 2 (Intermediate) Monday 2:30PM Sanctuary Wednesday 2:30PM Sanctuary Open to all and work at your own pace. $4/class, bring light weights, and stretch bands if you have them. Contact: Suzi Axtell, instructor, suzi@axtell.com August On Common Ground UU Church of Ventura

7 UU Things To Do Adult Programs Respected Author, Dr. David Pellow Is Coming to Speak Sunday August 26 11:30am How are social inequality and environmental pollution related? Why is it important to address the suffering of marginalized humans and the degradation of the ecosystem simultaneously? You will not want to miss special guest speaker Dr. David Pellow who will answer these questions on August 26. Dr. Pellow, a respected scholar, teacher, critical thinker and author, will share with us highlights of his most recent book: What is Critical Environmental Justice? (available in the UUCV bookstore). Dr. Pellow is the Dehlsen Chair and Professor of Environmental Studies and Director of the Global Environmental Justice Project at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He teaches courses on social change movements, environmental justice, human-animal conflicts, sustainability, and social inequality. Dr. Pellow s work explores how social justice and environmental preservation (both core Unitarian values!) are inextricably connected. Further, these twin objectives cannot be effectively addressed in isolation from each other. Hope for humanity and for the planet requires new ways of thinking and acting on our part. Join us as Dr. Pellow tells us about his work in this fascinating field of environmental justice. Co-hosted by the Aduit Programs Cordinating Committee and the 7PEAT Environmental Justice Group. Contact: Kathleen Wheeler, kawheeler100@gmail.com. Childcare is available with preregistration by August 19 (Beverly@uuventura.org with your name and number of children). UU Hikers August 4 (1st Saturday) 8am August s hike will be to Rattlesnake Canyon from Scofield Park in Santa Barbara. It is a short hike, a bit less than 4 miles out and back but with a challenging elevation gain of 1,500feet. There are creek crossings and some rocky sections. We will set a leisurely pace. Enjoy beautiful views, shade from oak, sycamore and bay trees, and a lovely gurgling creek. Irma says this is her favorite hike. Be sure you are on Mike s list to receive more information a week before the hike. Mike Sixbey, 805/ , msixbey@verizon.net FRIDAY MOVIE NIGHT 7pm Enter at back door Come enjoy the new 75 TV! August 3 Hope Springs, 2012, PG-13 Feeling disconnected in her decades-old marriage, a woman (Meryl Streep) convinces her skeptical husband (Tommy Lee Jones) to attend a week of marriage therapy with a celebrated relationship expert but now they must shed their inhibitions and learn some new sexual and emotional moves. Director David Frankel. August 10 Fighting For Freedom, 2012, Not Rated. This moving film about immigration was made by the family of UUCV member Tanya Loken. Kristanna Loken (Tanya s sister) stars as a hot shot attorney who gives up her successful New York City career to advocate for a 31/2-year-old Mexican girl who is threatened with deportation although the rest of her family are legal U.S. residents. Bruce Dern stars as an enlightened farm owner who tries to ease the hard lives of his workers. Screenplay by Chris Loken (Tanya s father). Director Farad Mann. Tanya will lead a Q & A after the film. August 17 Spring Symphony, 1986, Not Rated. The courtship of Robert and Clara Schumann (Nastassja Kinski) is one of the greatest love stories in music history. Their passion comes alive in this remarkable film, which is also historically accurate. The magnificent score showcases works by Clara, who was was one of the two greatest piano virtuosi of the 19th century (with Franz Liszt) and one of the two greatest women composers of the century (with Fanny Mendelssohn). Director Peter Schamoni. August 24 Intouchables, 2011, R for language and some drug use. French with English subtitles. In this compelling story based on true events, an affluent quadriplegic (François Cluzet) hires a Senegalese caregiver, who is actually a petty criminal. The unlikely pair form a close relationship, as the rich man introduces his caregiver to modern art and opera, while his less privileged employee helps his employer understand life outside his luxurious mansion. Directors Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledo. August 31 Delicacy, 2011, PG-13. French with English subtitles. Tragic circumstances create an opportunity for new love in this romantic drama, when a young woman, still grieving over the death of her husband years earlier, is slowly brought out of her shell by a caring and courtly male co-worker. Stars Audrey Tautou (Amelie, Coco Before Chanel). Directors David Foenkinos and Stéphane Foenkinos. Questions? Contact: Julie Moore: werfamilyvideos@aol.com Like the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura on Facebook. It s one more way to stay connected. August On Common Ground UU Church of Ventura

8 Green Room Gallery Inviting all artists! The deadline to apply to be included in the next exhibit is August 31. The exhibit will be on display for September and October. Any two dimensional art that has a wire to hang is welcome, family friendly of course. Inviting all art lovers! Be sure to see the current exhibit in the Green Room Gallery. Included are Oil Paintings, Photography, Encaustic, Watercolor, Pastel, Charcoal, Acrylic and Fiber Art. All the artists are part of our church community. Many of the artworks are for sale. These can be purchased directly from the artist. And 30% of the sales will be donated to the church. If you would like to display your art in the gallery please fill out an application form and read the guidelines. We need the information on the form for the description tags for the exhibit. You can pick up a paper copy of the form in Berg Hall on the Adult Programs table or apply online at (Or just go to the uucv.org website and search for Green Room Gallery.) Complete the online application and click on Submit. Or, submit your completed paper form via to: uucvgallery@yahoo.com along with an image of the artwork, or bring the completed paper form and image to the church. The Green Room Gallery has a mail cubby on the desk in the hall by the copy machine. For more information you can contact the Green Room Gallery Committee by at uucvgallery@yahoo.com or call or text Veronica Bear at 805/ The role of Association District Representative was, for many years, coordinated by Pacific Southwest District (PSWD) Administrative staff. It existed to maintain informal and informational communications among the congregations of the district (PSWD) and the Association (UUA). The position was held for several years by the late Kitty McConkie, and then by me, Jim Merrill. As a result of recent administrative changes, the ADR role ceased to be supported by PSWD/PWR (Pacific Western Region) staff. As a PSWD Trustee for two years and then President of the PSWD Committee News Finance Facts from the Finance Committee August 2018 Statement Facts: We send church members and friends pledge statements in April, July, and October. The December 30 statement is not a pledge statement comparing the pledge you made and the status of the payments towards that pledge. It is a summary of all donations made by you during the calendar year, not the church year, July 1 to June 30. Paying pledges on the last day of the month or the first day of the month can cause irregularities on your statement because of the timing of the posting of your payments to your account. Paying between the 5th of the month and the 20th can eliminate these timing errors. The most common error noted on the statements is someone forgot to make a payment one or two months. Having your bank send electronic payments once a month is an easy way to avoid such omissions. Many banks do this for free if you set up the payments online. Automatic monthly payments can also be set up for you using a church vendor, and you pay no charges for this feature and it is easy to set up and manage changes. You can make one time donations or set up automatic pledge payments at by clicking on Give on the right side of the masthead area, then, click on the picture of the mouse and following the instructions; or by contacting David Smith at 805/ or davidpaseo@verizon.net. Final Association District Representative ADR Report Board of Trustees for the last three years, I continued to provide updates and informational columns to this newsletter about district-specific and some associational issues. My term as President concluded June 30, so I no longer have any official connection to the district, region, or association. Hence, this is my last ADR report. I am aware, however, of topics around our UUCV congregation s relationship to the PSWD, to Camp de Benneville Pines, and to the Region and Association that I may be able to help explain in occasional columns with the indulgence of our intrepid newsletter editors. We Merrills have been advocates of and participants in greater involvement in district and associational affairs (PSWD District and PWR Regional Assemblies and UUA General Assemblies) for the sake of trends in our movement beyond our congregation. The publication UU World is one way all of us can keep up. Our congregation s Leadership Development Committee maintains a budget to support lay members participation in broader district, regional, and associational affairs. I faith, Jim Merrill August On Common Ground UU Church of Ventura

9 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 11am - Women s Group IV 2 10am - Book Club 3 7pm - Movie Night 4 8am - UU Hikers 10am - Worship Service 11:30am - 7 Peat Meeting 11:45am - Women s Group I 3pm - Citizens for Peaceful Res 12 10am - Worship Service 11:30am - Humanism Seminar 19 10am - Worship Service 11:30am - Fun Book Club 11:45am - Women s Group I NOON NEWSLETTER DEADLINE 26 10am - Worship Service 11:15am - Critical Enviro. Justice 11:30am - Humanism Seminar 6 8am - Peace Camp 1pm - Women s Group II 1:30pm - Strong Bones 1 2:30pm - Strong Bones 2 5:30pm - Tai Chi Chih 7pm - Meditation 13 11:30am - Women s Group V 1:30pm - Strong Bones 1 2:30pm - Strong Bones 2 5:30pm - Tai Chi Chih 6:30pm - Intro to Meditation 7pm - Meditation 20 1pm - Women s Group II 1:30pm - Strong Bones 1 2:30pm - Strong Bones 2 5:30pm - Tai Chi Chih 7pm - Meditation 27 11:30am - Women s Group V 1:30pm - Strong Bones 1 2:30pm - Strong Bones 2 5:30pm - Tai Chi Chih 7pm - Meditation 7 8am - Peace Camp 9:30am - Men s Discussion Group 11am - Women s Voices 11am - Staff Meeting 2pm - Connecting Committee 6:30pm - Men s Group II 6:45pm - Women s Group III 14 9:30am - Men s Discussion Group 11am - Staff Meeting 1:30pm - Women s Group VI 4pm - Women s Group VII 5:30pm - RE Committee Meeting 6:30pm - Finance Committee Meeting 21 9:30am - Men s Discussion Group 11am - Staff Meeting 11am - Women s Voices 6:30pm - Men s Group V 6:30pm - Men s Group II 6:45pm - Women s Group III 28 9:30am - Men s Discussion Group 9:30am - Staff Retreat 1:30pm - Women s Group VI 4pm - Women s Group VII 6:15pm - RE Committee Meeting 12:30pm - Watercolor Group 1pm - UU Bridge 1:30pm - Strong Bones 1 2:30pm - Strong Bones 2 6:30pm - Pastoral Associates 7pm - Men s Group 8 8am - Peace Camp 12:30pm - Watercolor Group 1pm - UU Bridge 1:30pm - Strong Bones 1 2pm - Women s Group VIII 2:30pm - Strong Bones 2 6pm - Leadership Comm. Mtg 6:30pm - B&G Meeting 15 11am - Women s Group IV 1pm - UU Bridge 1:30pm - Strong Bones 1 2:30pm - Strong Bones 2 4pm - VHP Meeting 7pm - Men s Group 22 10am - Newsletter Folding 1pm - UU Bridge 1:30pm - Strong Bones 1 2pm - Women s Group VIII 2:30pm - Strong Bones pm - UU Bridge 1:30pm - Strong Bones 1 2:30pm - Strong Bones 2 12pm - Covenant Group Potluck 5pm - Worship Associates 5:30pm - LUYV Pizza Party 7pm - Open Men s Support Group 9am - Men s Breakfast Bunch 7pm - CUUPS August On Common Ground UU Church of Ventura 9 8am - Peace Camp 10am - Book Club 2:30pm - Handicraft Group 6pm - LUYV 6:30pm - Climate Hub 16 10am - Book Club 6pm - Board of Trustees 6pm - Leadership Dev. Meeting 7pm - Open Men s Support Group 23 10am - Book Club 2:30pm - Handicraft Group 6:30pm - UUniques+50 Potluck 30 10am - Book Club 10 8am - Peace Camp 3pm - Scrapbooking 6pm - Game Night 7pm - Movie Night 17 7pm - Movie Night 24 7pm - Movie Night 31 7pm - Movie Night 11 4pm - Childcare Co-op 18 9am - All Church B&G Work Party 12pm - Private Rental 25 8am - Board Retreat 1pm - The Gift of Years 6pm - Open Mic Night

10 Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura 5654 Ralston Street, Ventura, CA Board of Trustees President Bryan Buck Vice President Janice Frank Secretary Vel Linden-Akseven Treasurer Jim Waldron Trustees at Large Ron Dallas Mark Gale Katherine (Kassy) Erickson Remembering Jack Lester Ellison Jack Lester Ellison passed away on May 31, He spent his final six months in Malibu enjoying seaside peace and contentment after a medically turbulent 2017 and the destruction by fire of his long time Ventura home. A proud family man, he is survived by his children with his first wife Pat (deceased), Scott, Victoria, and Bruce, grandchildren Tara, Catherine, Laura, Audrey and Bo, sister Doris, nephew Jimmy, niece Lesley, brother Larry and wife Dixie Jack accomplished a lot in his 94 years. During World War II he became a civilian employee of the Navy and moved from Chicago to Hawaii. His technical, people and managerial skills were strong and repeatedly recognized with commendations and promotions. He moved his family to California in 1960 and continued working for the Navy becoming a Program Manager at Point Mugu. He successfully took on unfamiliar and challenging assignments including starting a Drug and Alcohol program from scratch for base personnel. He consulted with Ventura County to set up a then-experimental program for people arrested for drunk driving. He was a great story teller and loved talking to all sorts of people. He didn t like small talk much. He wanted to know what was important to you, and what you thought about substantive issues. He liked a good civil argument and was willing to take the opposite side just to have an interesting conversation. Jack lived by some basic principles: Be curious Explore new ideas, places, people. Education matters Be a lifelong learner. Be the main actor in your life Make things happen. Be in charge of your feelings Don t let others determine how you feel. Think and act rationally Look at and weigh the evidence before you act. He had a presence. People remembered him years after meeting him. He had character and heart. He will be deeply missed. Donations in Jack s memory may be sent to Ventura College Foundation Scholarship Program, 4667 Telegraph Road, Ventura, CA