Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Kern County

Transcription

1 N O V E M B E R Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Kern County Love is the doctrine of this church, The quest of truth is its sacrament, and service is its prayer. To dwell together in peace, To seek knowledge in freedom, To serve human kind, to the end that all souls shall grow into harmony with the Divine - Thus do we covenant with each other. Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Kern County Worship Services for November November Worship: Gratitude A little bit of gratitude goes a long way to making a better life. Studies have suggested that people who take a moment every day, in the form of prayer, grace before a meal, or saluting the sun in a yoga pose, live longer, healthier, more joyful lives. In this month of Thanksgiving, among other things, we'll explore some of the ways of expressing gratitude and the ways our communal life can be made better by living abundantly. 11/4 Rev. Denis Paul, Development Minister 11/11 Peter Olandt, from Beloved Cafe 11/18 Rev. Denis Paul, Development Minister 11/25 Pamela Gehrke, Community Minister UUFKC November 2012

2 N O V E M B E R A Message from Rev. Denis: Almost twenty years ago, a friend gave me a little book for Christmas, a gift that baffled me. I was accustomed to getting books, so that wasn't the issue. The baffling part was that it was a book called Graces: Prayers & Poems for Everyday Meals and Special Occasions, edited by June Cotner. That was about six years before I ever got up the courage to go to a Unitarian Universalist church for the first time, and easily three years before I even started seriously considering going to any church of any flavor, so it's no wonder I was perplexed. I put the book aside, and didn't think about it until a few years later, during the process of applying to seminary, when I picked up a book that has come to be a standard for me, Amazing Grace: A Vocabulary of Faith, a collection of theological reflections by Kathleen Norris. In her essay on prayer, Norris describes herself as having the "vainglorious notion that somehow, if I prayed, I would cause more harm than good." That was until a monk friend asked her to pray for him as he faced a serious illness. Then she prayed. The essay made me feel like, as a person trying to get closer to the divine -- whatever that meant -- and more importantly to other people in a more meaningful way, that I should pray, as a way of connecting to my own gratitude for all the people, successes, and opportunities in my life. Like Norris, I had no idea how to pray, so I looked for and found Graces. Reading those poems and prayers before meals, usually silently and only to myself, I began to crave a more regular connection to forces outside of myself. Before long, I was praying most mornings before work, and the craziest thing happened: The more I prayed, the happier I was, the more gratitude I felt, and the less I complained. Over time, I came to realize that when my prayer practice would taper off, I would gripe more. Now, I wonder if the friend who gave me that book was trying to tell me something. Was it a subtle hint that I groused too much and it needed to stop? Was this his way of getting me to wake up and take notice of all the blessings in my life? This month, on November 4, we will have the first of three "Spiritual Practices" classes during the adult Religious Education time after the service. Coordinator of Outreach Ministry Liora Gubkin and I will be sharing the practice of using prayer beads. Now, many faiths use prayer beads, from Catholics to Muslims and beyond. But Rev. Erik Walker Wikstrom came up with these great prayer beads a few years ago, geared toward the way Unitarian Universalists pray, centered around gratitude, reflection, meditation, and simply holding one another in our thoughts. It's a perfect class I think, during November when in services we explore the theme of Gratitude. Please join us on November 4, and take part in the month-long reflections. Maybe it can make your Thanksgiving brighter. In Peace, Rev. Denis December 2011

3 U U F K C N O V E M B E R FREE CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR THE HOMELESS! Every year, we have had a wonderful group of Volunteers come down to the Bakersfield Homeless Center in December and generously provide Christmas Cards, writing assistance and free postage for the homeless families wanting to send them to the many members of their families, mostly away from California, through out the country. This Year, we have collected more than one hundred Christmas Cards and Envelopes for any person or group who would like to once again volunteer to assist in this wonderful annual event. If you would like to organize or participate in this annual event this year, please contact Jesse or Carol Snyder ( ) to obtain the free Christmas Cards and assitance in scheduling and setting up this year's Free Homeless Christmas Card Mailing! TENTATIVE UUFKC Volunteer Schedule October 1-October 31, 2012 LEADER MUSICIAN DATE HOST SET-UP GREETERS FLOWERS RE Attendant Nov. 11 Cynthia LaneJoAnn Conard Jamie Jacks Linda Haggerty Anna Laven and Andy Kendall Pat Berthold Rob Berthold Nov. 18 Rev. Denis Andrea Van Nest Ann Williams Jamie Jacks Sabrina James and Richard Malicdem JoAnn Conard Nov. 25 Elaine LeCain Mark HodsonChet Boren Red LeCain and Will Mark Hodson Andrea Van Nest choir Cooper Dec. 2 Elaine LeCain Carol Snyder Bill StevensonJesse Snyder and An Alburger Heather Ponek Dec. 9 JoAnn Conard Linda Haggerty Sabrina James Larry Taylor and Mendy McMasters JoAnn Conard Dec. 16 Andrea Van Nest Pat Berthold Rob Berthold Laura and Bill Stevenson Cynthia Lane Dec. 23 Vic King Ann Williams Red LeCain and Wilma Goodloe Cydney Henderson Dec. 30 Dan Walker Mark Hodson Lois Watson and WillMark Hodson Cooper November 2012

4 U U F K C O C T O B E R I want to thank everyone in the Fellowship who helped in any way with my husband's memorial luncheon. Eddie would have loved it! I know it took time and effort on the part of many members and friends for this to be so successful. Eddie's family remarked over and over again on how nice everything was and that you must be exceptional folks to do all this for their family. They greatly appreciated having a place to have a bite before heading back to their homes throughout California. The people who live on my block were also very appreciative and impressed. So thank you again, so much. I need to give a special shoutout to our wonderful Care Committee - Pam Taylor, Wilma Goodloe, and Carol Snyder - who really outdid themselves in so many ways not only for the luncheon but seeing to my every need during this most difficult time. Ruth Venerable Happy Birthday to all members and friends born in the month of November! Thomas Van Nest Ronnie Ponek Mark Hodson Gary Enns Wes Sanderson Mendy McMasters Arrissa Lobos We will celebrate these Birthdays on Sunday, November 4th, Have a very special day from all of us at he Fellowship! UUFKC 98 Sterling Road Bakersfield, Ca Mailing address P.O. Box 296 Bakersfield, Ca Consulting Minister Dr. Liora Gubkin Malicdem Trustees President: Rob Berthold Vice President: Bill Stevenson Treasure: Red LeCain Secretary: Members at large: Jane Cherry Richard Malicdem 4 UUFKC October2011

5 U N I K E R N O C T O B E R Winner of the Voting on the Side of Love Video Contest Looking for an inspiring multimedia piece about the upcoming election that reflects UU values? The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) is delighted to announce that Elliott Cennamo, a motion graphic designer from Columbus, Ohio, is the winner of our Voting on the Side of Love video contest. The video, called "Stand with Love," was created by Cennamo and is narrated by Sasha Bohn. It includes a compelling message and fast-paced imagery, calling us to be mindful of the power of love when we go to the polls to vote this November. Pumpkin Bars These are yummy Fall fare! Pumpkin Bars Gramdma Carol Snyder Beat 4 eggs 1 15 ounce can solid pumpkin 1 2/3 cups of sugar 1 cup vegetable oil Mix 2 cups all purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt...and, add to egg mixture Add 3/4 cup chopped walnuts. Bake at 350 on ungreased 15 x 10 x 1 baking pan for 25 to 30 minutes. Cool and Frost 3 ounce cream cheese softened 1/4 cup butter softened 1 teaspoon vanilla Beat above until fluffy, then add 2 cups powdered sugar gradually. * * * November2012 5

6 U U F K C V O L U N T E E R S HARVEST DINNER and ADOPT A TABLE SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 5:30 PM Our annual Harvest Dinner is coming up! This year the Harvest Dinner will also be our Pledge Drive Kick-Off, so it ll be an important and delicious (and fun!) event in our congregational life. You won t want to miss it! Food: The meal will be catered main and sides, plus non-alcoholic beverages. We would love to have folks bring desserts, as well as other beverages, if you wish. RSVP s: We do need a good headcount of who will attend, to order food. Please sign up on the sheet on the bulletin board, or or call Pat Berthold (pberthold@earthlink.net) or me. Volunteer Needs: We need volunteers to help set up, clean up, and/or adopt a table to decorate. Signup sheets are on the bulletin board, or again contact Pat Berthold or me. Another letter will be forthcoming from the Board, sharing more about our Pledge Drive this year. Please keep an eye out for it the first full week of November. In the meantime, please mark your calendars and RSVP for the dinner. We hope to see you there! Thanks! Jane Cherry, on behalf of the Board jcherry@bak.rr.com

7 U U F K C N O V E M B E R DearMembersofUUFellowshipofKernCounty, OnSundayOctober14,weheldacongregaAonalmeeAngtotalkabouttheaddiAonalcostandthe increasedfinancialcommitmentrequiredbythecongregaaonformovingtohalf Ameministry.This leierisafollowuptothatmeeang togetthewordouttothosewhowerenotabletoaiend. AtourannualmeeAnglastyearinJune,thecongregaAonwasinfavorofourplantohireDr.Liora Gubkin MalicdemandRev.DenisL.Paulasco ministers,three eighthsame,andtomovetohalf Ame ministryin2013.lioraandrev.deniswillnotbeavailabletoconanueintheirministerialrolesater June2013. TheAme lineforhiringahalf Ameministerisroughlyasfollows: November January: SelectasearchcommiIee Assemblea searchpacket January March: SearchCommiIeeworkswithKenBrown January26:CongregaAonalmeeAngwithKenBrown March:Beginscreeningcandidates April/May:Selectminister July:Newministerstarts! Beforewestartthisprocess,theboardneedstoknowifwehavethefinancialsupportfromthe congregaaonrequiredtomoveforwardwiththisplan.consideringthatourcurrentincomedoesn t quitecoverallofourexpenseswith3/8ameministry,half Ameministrywillpresentuswithafinancial challenge. Wewouldmakeanofferinthelowerhalfoftherange.Theupperhalfoftherangeprovidesroomfor salarygrowthcommensuratewithyearsofserviceandperformance. Webrieflyreviewedsomeofthewaysthatourministershavehelpedus: LeadingusinstarAngnewprogramssuchasFoodfortheSpirit HelpingrestructureandrevitalizeexisAngprograms,suchasourSundayservicesandReligious EducaAon Leadingusinsocialoutreach HelpingusconnecttoandtapintotheresourcesavailabletousatthedistrictandnaAonal levels: o DistrictAssembly,GeneralAssembly,UUMinister sassociaaon,guestpreachers,uu LegislaAveMinistry,andtheFaithfulFoolsstreetministry ProvidingoutstandingsermonsandleadingservicestwoSundayseachmonth. November

8 OurcurrentbudgetforcompensaAontoLioraandDenisis$31,000fortheyear,for3/8Ame. Faircompensa2onforhalfAmeministry,basedonguidelinesprovidedbytheUUAis Lowend:$34,000 Mid Range:$41,000 Highend:$48,000 ANDTravelExpenses:$4,000(assumingtraveltwiceamonthfromLA) NotethatthecompensaAonfiguresaboveincludesalaryandhousing,andbenefits;benefitsmakeup approximately1/3ofthetotal. Basedonthis,ourbudgetforcompensaAonwouldneedtoincreasebetween$7,000and$14,000, withalikelytargetof$10,000.thehighertheofferwecanmake,themoreairacavewelookto ministerslookingforacongregaaon. Tohireahalf Ameminister,ourtotalincome pledges,fundraisers,etc. willneedtoincrease. Ourpledgesfor2012were$63,000 Ourpledgesfor2013wouldneedtobebetween$70,000and$77,000 o Low:$70,000 an11%increase o Mid:$77,000 a22%increase PresentaAonoftheinformaAonabovewasfollowedwithalivelydiscussion.Onememberaskedifthe ministercouldbehiredasacontractorsowewouldnothavetopaybenefitsandthuslowerthecosts. Regardlessoftheminister sstatusaseitheranemployeeoracontractor,weshouldsallofferfair compensaaonfollowingtheuuaguidelinesforourgeographicarea.compensaaonwouldinclude benefits. LarryTaylormadeamoAonthatthecongregaAoncommittofollowingthefaircompensaAon guidelinesprovidedbytheuuaandadheringtotheuuahiringprocess;moaonwassecondedand receivednearlyunanimousapproval;onlyonepersondissented. Ournextstepwillbetoconductourannualpledgedrivewhichwewillkick offatourannualharvest DinneronSaturdayNov17.Savethedate!InthemeanAme,ifyouhaveanyquesAons,pleasecontact meoroneoftheotherboardmembers. RobBerthold President,BoardofTrustees UUFellowshipofKernCounty Home: