Sunday Services Music: 9:45am Service: 10am. April 1 Resurrecting Alleluia, Easter Service Rev. Dana Worsnop and Worship Associate Joe Hutchins

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1 April 2018 Number 4 Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura 5654 Ralston Street Ventura, CA 805/ Our April Theme is Emergence Listen to the MUSTN TS, child, Listen to the DON TS Listen to the SHOULDN TS The IMPOSSIBLES the WON TS Listen to the NEVER HAVES Then listen close to me Anything can happen, child, ANYTHING can be. Shel Silverstein Emergence is a fitting theme for April, which begins with Easter Sunday and carries us into spring. What is growing in you, ready to emerge? The emergence needn t be about deep self-examination. Rather, give seeds already planted space and time to respond to warmer days and more daylight. Emergence is the natural response to light and warmth. It s already in you. And in that response, most anything can happen. Anything can be. Inside Ministry News... 2 Notes from President's Desk... 3 Social Action... 4 Religious Education News... 5 UU Things to Do Committee News... 8 April Calendar... 9 Why is it Called Berg Hall...10 Sunday Services Music: 9:45am Service: 10am April 1 Resurrecting Alleluia, Easter Service Rev. Dana Worsnop and Worship Associate Joe Hutchins April 8 Answering the Call of Love Rev. Dana Worsnop and Worship Associate Celia Ortenberg. April 15 Platform 93/4 & Other Obstacles Rev. Carolyn Price and Worship Associate Andy Edgar-Beltran. The great religions and philosophies of the world exist, in part, to help human beings face and overcome the obstacles that come to us all, sooner or later. Today's service takes the now near-mythic adventure of Harry Potter as a starting point and explores this theme, asking: how do we face obstacles, when we are at our best? How might they influence our maturational or spiritual growth? And what does religion - ours and others - have to suggest about this seemingly non-optional part of the human condition? April 22 Earth Day, All Generations Service Rev. Dana Worsnop, Director of Religious Education Emily Carroll, and Worship Associate Sue Brinkmeyer. April 29 Growing Pains Beverly Jordan and Worship Associate Chris Chalquest. Journey to Belonging Saturday April 14, 10AM - 2PM Want to know more about the daily running of UUCV? Perhaps you are considering getting more involved and wanting to step into a Membership commitment? Topics include: Expectations and Benefits of Membership, What are Your Hopes? Funding the Mission, Steps to Membership and more! Includes a light lunch. This workshop (and Getting to Know UU) is a pre-requisite to Membership at UUCV. If you have been a Member at another UU church, please speak with Beverly about Membership at UUCV. Childcare provided when you register before April 8. Programs are facilitated by Beverly Jordan, Community Life Coordinator, Dana Worsnop, Senior Minister and the Journey Team. Register at the Connecting Center in Berg Hall or Beverly@uuventura.org. Stop by UUCV Bookstore and check out what s new: Women s cut Standing on the Side of Love t-shirts are now available! As requested, we now have Organic Milk Chocolate Caramel Crunch With Sea Salt candy bars and Organic Hot Spicy Hot Cocoa Mix. 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 There are Seven Principles the members of the Unitarian Universalist Association covenant to affirm and promote. Yet I contend that all of them are essentially covered by the first and the seventh. First, the inherent worth and dignity of every person. Seventh, respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. In between we affirm justice, equity and compassion; encouragement of spiritual growth; a free and responsible search; the right of conscience and the democratic process; and the goal of peace, liberty and justice for all. Yet if we truly value every person and understand the depth of our interconnectedness to each other and the earth, then the rest will fall into place. For me, these are profoundly spiritual principles. Because of them, I am inspired to love more deeply, live more fully, and reach out beyond myself with care and compassion. So, I sometimes find it surprising when people say that justice work is the central mission of the church and Unitarian Universalism. While the justice work we do is important, it is not the center of our faith. The work of creating a just and fair society is the outgrowth of a spiritual connection to one another, to the earth, and to the source of love and goodness (that I name God). If we have that depth of connection, then we will be called to love and live for more than ourselves. And our sense of calling may not show up as working directly with marginalized or oppressed people. It could be to create beauty in word or image. Or cultivating generosity. Or in serving the church as a Worship or Pastoral Associate, on the Stewardship Team, the Board, teaching our children and youth, coming to Building and Grounds Work Parties, and so much more. For many, our professional lives are all about caring for others in need as teachers, nurses and doctors, lawyers, social workers. What they may well need from church is inspiration and sustenance. A place to refill their souls and gather love and strength from community. There are others who work to end homelessness, for immigration rights, or for environmental justice. What they may well need from church is inspiration and sustenance. A place to refill their souls and gather love and strength from community. That would make the mission of the church providing the inspiration, strength, and sustenance, the connection to love, to Source, to community. With such connection we can live more fully in a too often broken and hurting world. Our work in the larger world is an outgrowth, not the center of our faith. My first aim on Sunday mornings is for the spirit to move in the Sanctuary in your hearts and among us all collectively. My hope is that you are inspired (enspirited) in the ways you need most. A little comforting here, a little prodding there. Room to breathe, to grieve, be uplifted in joy. I figure if we re doing all that on Sunday and through the week, the rest will fall into place. May the spirt move in your hearts. with love, Rev. Dana Get Connected! by Beverly Jordan value each person who is part of the UUCV congregation. April On Common Ground UU Church of Ventura I As humans, we have an inherent need to be seen and to be heard. We offer that validation to each other don t we? And we are not alone in this need. Seekers are coming each Sunday, hoping for hope, and searching for a loving, inclusive community (which you are!). To that end we have been working for several months to effectively welcome and accommodate the newcomers and offer opportunities for connection between seasoned members and newer members. One change that is being put into place is the Membership Committee has been transformed into three separate working groups. The Welcome Team; led by Gudrun Eastham (Chair) and Kathy Swift, is responsible for the welcoming ministry of UUCV. This includes the staffing and training of Welcome Table Volunteers and Greeters. The Journey Team provides logistic support for the Newcomer Chat, Getting to Know UU workshop and The Journey to Belonging workshop. Volunteers are Jeanne Skinner and Shelley Sussman. The Connecting Committee (Cassie Tondro, Celia Ortenberg, Peggy Anders & Tony Porter) provides an essential link between the Worship Service to Berg Hall on Sunday mornings at the Connecting Center. The Center offers resources regarding UUCV programming and connections with others; both new and seasoned congregants. Come on by! Always feel free to contact me with any questions at beverly@uuventura.org

3 Newsletter Submittals We value your contributions and very much appreciate submittals. Send submissions for On Common Ground to Next Newsletter Deadline April 15 at Noon Next issue is May 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 Affiliate Minister - Rev. Carolyn Price uurevclprice@gmail.com 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 Amending the Bylaws Two Percent Rule At the upcoming UUCV Annual Meeting on June 17 (which also happens to be Father s Day), there will be a proposal to amend Article VIII, Section 2 of the Bylaws. Our Bylaws can only be amended by a vote of the congregation. The information below is a brief summary of the issue and intended to raise the awareness of the congregation on an important topic. Article VIII, Section 2 contains a spending restriction known as the Two Percent Rule. The proposed amendment is to change the rule from two (2) percent, to four (4) percent. This Bylaw currently reads: Article VIII Duties of the Board of Trustees, Section 2. The Board shall be charged with approving policy to govern the conduct of the business of the church during the intervals between Annual or special meetings. The Board may authorize the expenditure of up to a cumulative fiscal year total of two percent above the total annual operating budget approved by the membership at a congregational meeting. Expenditure of more than a cumulative fiscal year total of two percent of the total annual operating budget requires a vote at a special congregational meeting. Our Operating Budget for was $451, of which 2% equals $9, At 4% that would be $18, That is not a small amount of money, yet this request reflects the changed reality of our times from when the Bylaws were adopted over 50 years ago. What are some of the reasons for approving the change? Timeliness: There are times during the church year when unforseen needs arise. For several years the Board has found itself at or near the maximum 2% when something unexpected would arise. Options: the Board could either wait until the following year s Budget or hold a congregational meeting. Congregational meetings take time to plan and arrange. For a church that is growing, these options slow down our ability to be responsive and timely. Flexibility: The cost of goods and services have increased significantly. There have been times when the 2% rule has been too restrictive for our needs. At 4% the Board would have the necessary financial room to meet congregational needs that arise while still maintaining restraint in unanticipated spending. What are some of the reasons for not approving the change? 1. The 2% rule reminds the Board to be fiscally conservative with church money. 2. Calling a congregational meeting or even multiple meetings to consider unforeseen but needed expenditures may be inconvenient but if the need is great, we can do this. There will be more information available at our Annual meeting and the opportunity for discussion. When the time comes to vote please consider this amendment as necessary for the Board to be able to act timely on behalf of UUCV in response to circumstances that affect our church. In the meantime if you have questions or comments feel free to contact me. Living in Paradise, Bryan Buck, President April 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 Lift Up Your Voice (LUYV) by Kathy Powell Lift Up Your Voice members have been very busy these past months. Many of us have been volunteering at the Winter Warming Shelter, some onsite and others on a crew that shops at Food Share weekly for the breakfast food. We worked with Reverend Dana asking if our congregation could get involved in fundraising to help keep the shelter open until the end of March. The entire congregation working with Turning Point became involved in purchasing a much needed new Tiny House Shed (as Rev Dana has named them) for Riverhaven. (See the wonderful congregation Inreach/Outreach contribution amount below.) Riverhaven was in desperate need of new dwellings but after the recent tragic fire the need was much more urgent. We have members on so many committees including the Oxnard Homeless Commission, Ventura Social Service Task Force, Homeless Prevention, Family Promise and housing opportunities. Our people are volunteering at One Stop every week. Today we were blessed by this church s commitment to our homeless neighbors as we did our park outreach. At this writing a huge storm is rolling in and helicopters are alerting folks in the riverbottom floods are coming. We brought bus passes and information the Red Cross was opening a shelter at the college and we urged people to make their way there. We let them know it is a huge storm and gave them the means to be transported to the other side of town. This church and it s members keep the people who need us in this community as a huge part of our outreach. It is amazing to behold. Riverhaven Update n the fourth Monday of the O month UUCV provides dinner for the folks living at Riverhaven. Please sign up to provide a dish at the Social Action Table in Berg Hall. The next couple dinner dates are April 23 and May 28. You can bring your dish to church on the Sunday before. Put it in the refrigerator and label it Riverhaven. You can also drop it off at the church on Monday before 3pm. If you have any questions, contact Pam or Jim Waldron at Thank you for supporting our friends at Riverhaven! SACC RECYCLES Small Batteries Bubble Wrap Toner Cartridges Drop them off at the SACC table! April Inreach/Outreach Recipients Your generosity toward those who ask for our help continues to be amazing. February 18: Winter Warming Shelter - $ February 25: Winter Warming Shelter - $1, March 4: Riverhaven Tuff Sheds - $2, March 11: Riverhaven Tuff Sheds - $1, Thanks so much for all your generous donations! Inreach/Outreach News April 1: LUYV: Safe Sleep. People who are homeless are often forced to let their car registration, driver s license and car insurance lapse for lack of funds. Donations will help people in the Safe Sleep program get insurance, license and/or registration as needed. Two thirds of our Safe Sleep guests have moved on to some form of housing through participating in the program. April 8: Thomas Fire Fund 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. April 15: Humane Society of Ventura County, a private non-profit founded in 1932, not affiliated with any national animal welfare organizations. They provide animals with loving care, feeding and veterinary treatment 24/7/365. Funds are needed to care for animals displaced by The Thomas Fire. April 22: 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. April 29: SMART Recovery Your donation will go toward ensuring the group can meet weekly for a full year. Those attending the group learn to use essential selfempowerment and self-reliance tools that enable them to recover from addictive behaviors that are harmful to their health or life balance. April On Common Ground UU Church of Ventura

5 Babies & Toddlers Religious Education April 2018 April 1 April 8 April 15 April 22 April 29 Loving, engaging, and safe childcare with projects from our professional nursery caregivers! Preschool- Mindfulness Based Kindness Pre-K- 2nd - Free to Believe Grades Harry & UU Social Action Grades 6-12 Happy Easter! We ll celebrate Easter in a green, kind, fun, and healthy way! Rather than plastic eggs with candy, we ll do a can hunt and reward kids with a potted flower and donate cans to Project Understanding! Easter Can hunt after service in the back parking lot! Busy Mind & Clear Mind We re Unitarian Universalists! Harry & 7 UU Principles Making Mindful Jars! Celebrating Rainforests Care of Magical Creatures This group offers a safe place to share and support and friendship among open minded and loving peers. The group discusses issues relevant to youth s lives. All Generations Sunday to Celebrate Earth Day! Children 4 and up stay in the Sanctuary for an interactive service with all generations worshiping together! Children s Chapel & Quidditch! All children and youth stay together in Berg Hall for a circle time followed by stations and then match #4 of Quidditch! Coming of Age No Coming of Age! UU Elevator Speech (with Mentors) 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, Butterflies are among my very favorite things on Earth due to their beauty, grace, ease, but mostly for their reminder about transformation! It fascinates me that the portly caterpillar emerges as a beautiful butterfly. Katie Covey from Soul Matters writes on our theme this month, Being a people of emergence involves doing all we can, trusting the process and keeping an eye out for unexpected opportunities to emerge. Sometimes after the cocoon state of transitions I may see something so far from a butterfly that it s 20 years before I understand what the lesson was. Often, however, I look back at a circumstance I didn t like or appreciate at the time but because of what I learned from it I was able to help others and/or become much more resilient a butterfly afterall! I would never say everything happens for a reason, but I do believe that God or the Universe can use every experience for something beautiful or loving to result. We hope you have heard about our Green Easter that is kind, fun, delicious, and good for the Earth and our bodies! We won t hide plastic eggs filled with candy but rather cans of food labeled with a particular spring shape. All children and youth will only hunt for cans with their team s label and all will be rewarded with a potted flower and special treat! Thanks for bringing your donations in and we will still donate all of them to Project Understanding after the hunt. Every blade of grass has its angel that bends over it and whispers Grow, grow. ~The Talmud Emily Carroll, Director of Religious Education emily@uuventura.org God Beliefs 1 God Beliefs 2 On Faith (with Mentors) April Birthdays April 2 - Gracie April 6 - Henry April 14 - Ethan & Audrey April Events Sunday, April 1 Easter Canned Food Hunt Saturday, April Childcare Co-Op Saturday, April PM RE Summit Sunday, April 22 Earth Day All Generations Service Sunday, April 29 Children's Chapel and Quidditch Match April 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, April 9 at 6:30pm in Sanctuary. Information: FriendshipSangha@gmail.com 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 similarly wide-ranging and lively. Both congregation members and non-members are warmly welcomed. Contact: Marcy Burns, mburns4430@roadrunner.com. Fun Book Club April 15 Sunday 11:30am Conference Room This fiction book group meets for minutes after services. All are welcome. In April we read: Fallen Angels by Tracey Chevalier, May - The Places in Between by Rory Stewart, June - The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriority. Contact: Kappy Paulson 805/ kmp160@sbcglobal.net. Men s Breakfast Bunch Saturday April 7 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. Bridge Wednesday 1-3pm Green Room The UU Bridge plays friendly games of contract bridge. Join us for fun and stretch your mind. Contact Dave Davis, 805/ UUniques 50+ Thursday April 26 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. A tour scheduled a tour for the third Thursday, April 19. Details later. For information contact Merle or Pat at 805/ or 3723emlo@gmail.com or 1636wpso@gmail.com. T ai Chi Chih class Monday 5:30-6:30PM Sanctuary gentle, moving meditation practice A that promotes 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/ Women's Voices: Discussion and Support 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. The Watercolor Wednesday 12:30-2:30pm C Berg Hall ome and 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. UU Hikers April 7 (1st Sat) 8am April s Hike is to Potrero John Waterfall in the Sespe Wilderness. The trailhead is on Route 33 twenty miles north of Ojai. We will hike about 6 miles with an elevation gain of 600 or more depending on how far we go. The trail starts easy and after a couple miles becomes progressively more beautiful and difficult. We will head for the falls and go as far as we can to see a beautiful waterfall and a gurgling creek. Join Mike s list for additional information before the hike. We leave the church parking lot 8am sharp. Contact: Mike Sixbey, 805/ Drop In Men s Discussion Tuesday 9:30AM Conference Room. We discusses political and social issues and current events. All men welcome. Contact: Bill Peltola 805/ or 805/ Open Men s Support 1st & 3rd Thursdays 7-9pm Garage Meeting Room Enjoy fellowship, camaraderie and personal sharing. Contact: Dale Condra, 805/ , dale15roie@ gmail.com Strong Bones 1 and 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 April On Common Ground UU Church of Ventura

7 UU Things To Do Adult Programs UU Men's Renewal Weekend: Camp debenneville Pines April Calling all UU men: Join your brothers for an uplifting, rejuvenating weekend of fellowship, worship, and song. Camp de Benneville Pines is located in the beautiful San Bernardino Mountains near Big Bear (see Approximately men attend this event every year from UU congregations across the western U.S. Weekend activities include small kinship groups for personal sharing, big group worship and singing, a sweat lodge, photography, hiking, meditation, yoga, the gay/bisexual men's caucus, and more. Rest, relax, and bond with other UU men. Good food, rustic accommodations. This is an especially rich and rewarding event. Register online with a credit card using this link: Scholarships available. Info and car pooling contact Gary Zinik (gzinik@gmail.com, 805/ ). 33rd Annual Women s Retreat Midsummer Days Dreaming June 29 July 1 The UUCV 33rd Women's Retreat is June 29, 30 & July 1 at the Mt. Calvary Retreat House in Santa Barbara. It is open to all women, we are taking reservations now. The deposit is $80 with the balance due by June 24. The retreat is $285 and includes all workshops, programs, food and room. Discount is $275 if you pay in full by May 15. Some private rooms available. First come first served. Sign up soon to reserve a space. We have a great program planned. Join us! Contact: Dorothy Fast Horse 805/ or dfasthorse@aol.com Green Room Gallery New 2D art is up for March and April, so stop by and take a look at the work of eleven of our own UUCV creative men and women. We are hanging new shows every two months, so think about what you would like to share on our walls. Pick up an application at the Adult Programs table. There is an application process, with due by dates, so begin thinking ahead. In the near future: after church new show receptions, and other exciting things your Green Room Gallery Committee is working on. Questions? Comments? Contact the Green Room Gallery Committee by at uucvgallery@yahoo.com or call Veronica Bear at 805/ Like the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura on Facebook. It s one more way to stay connected. FRIDAY MOVIE NIGHT 7pm Enter at back door Come enjoy the new 75 TV! April 6 East Side Sushi, 2015, PG. A young, hard-working Hispanic mother, who runs a fruit cart with her father, becomes disillusioned with working conditions and seeks a steady job. Needing a paycheck immediately, she talks her way into a backkitchen job at a sushi restaurant, where her newly-awakened ambitions are thwarted but only temporarily by barriers of gender and race. Director Anthony Lucero. April 13 Gifted, 2017, PG-13. When his sister dies, a 30-something bachelor assumes care of her seven year old daughter. It becomes clear the girl is a math prodigy, and suddenly her grandmother wants custody. Co-stars Oscar-winner Octavia Spencer. Director Marc Webb. April 20 This Beautiful Fantastic, 2017, PG. When a young woman s landlord forces her to clean up her overgrown garden, she meets her grumpy, elderly neighbor. She is a librarian and aspiring author while he is an avid horticulturist, and an unlikely friendship is born. Director Simon Aboud. April 27 The Post, 2017, PG-13. After Daniel Ellsberg s courageous leaking of the Pentagon Papers that pointed to a secret escalation of the Vietnam War, the Washington Post made the difficult decision to publish them. The Nixon administration tried to block their publication, setting off an epic legal and political battle. Stars Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep. Director Steven Spielberg. Questions? Contact: Julie Moore: werfamilyvideos@aol.com April On Common Ground UU Church of Ventura

8 B&G Buildings and Grounds T by Linda Pietrzak here are stealth Building and Grounds volunteers out there. They are people who work around the church without getting much recognition besides their friends. I have been catching them doing many things to make this church building and grounds a better place for us all: Gudrun Eastham seems to spend so much time here that I have been looking for where she hides her bed. She straightens the sanctuary chairs, maintains the bulletin boards, has sewn curtains for the alcoves, and many other jobs I cannot name. Several of the Safe Sleep monitors go the extra step to pick up and empty the trash. Kappy Paulson not only emptied the SS trash but also filled the empty containers with overflow from the previous week. Jennifer Luce, the Office Administrator, called Harrison to pick up ALL the barrels plus any other bagged items. We must always remember the Kitchen Crew not only for our weekly post service sustenance but also many other functions at the church. You, too, can join their ranks. Start easy when you see trash on the ground pick it up, either carry it to a trash can, or take it home with you. We will all thank you for your efforts. The March Saint Patrick s Work Party was such a success. It is amazing what 14 people can do. Our focus was on the weeds on the Ralston side of the church. Check out the work that Sherry Anderson, Ruth and George Owens, Kitty Merrill, Joyce Sattler, Merle Oberg, Geoff Dann, and George Naugles did. Mark Mendelsohn removed graffiti from behind the Whale s Tail Bench. Mike Sixbey whacked the weeds around the trash enclosure, Bill Peltola, Ruth Owens, and Ted Lombard picked up and emptied trash around the property. Joyce Lombard scrubbed the tables in Berg Hall. Linda Pietrzak, Wil Devine, and Phil Wiseman worked on cleaning the gutters and making sure the drainage around the building was working properly. Please take time to thank all volunteers when you see them. Contact Linda Pietrzak: linda.w.pietrzak@gmail. com Committee News Finance Facts from the Finance Committee April 2018 UUCV has three financial enterprises, not just one. The primary budget is approved at our congregational meeting in June is for most of the programs of the church except Lift Up Your Voice and the Inreach Outreach Fund. Pledge payments are the source of revenue for most of our church programs, such as paying employees, and nearly everything else to keep the church humming. Our weekly offerings are the source for the Inreach/Outreach donations that go to other nonprofit charities and individuals in need of assistance. Lift Up Your Voice is now used primarily for the Park Outreach activities. It originated with grant money and has benefited from Inreach/Outreach offerings. 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 contact David Smith at 805/ or davidpaseo@ verizon.net. From the Stewardship Team Do UU Know? Kappy Paulson has created a lovely Memorial Book honoring UUCV members who passed away in the past few years. To establish a starting point, it begins with Rev. Dana s ministry to UUCV. The beginning of the scrapbook lists the names of people who passed away. The intent is to add pages to keep the book current going forward. Each person who passes away is memorialized with a page in the book. Take time to view the red scrapbook located on the Joys & Sorrow's table in the church entrance way. Contact: Maura Raffensperger: Maurapics@gmail.com From the Kithen Committee Warning - Label It or Lose It!! We have a nice new and fairly large refrigerator. Many different committees store food in there. Please mark your food with the date of storage and the name of the owners. There are labeling supplies in the drawer to the right of the sink. Come Sunday if the food is unmarked we will serve it for Coffee Hour and anything left over will be taken to charity. Thanks for you cooperation. Contact: Shelah Wilgus: preblest@mac.com April On Common Ground UU Church of Ventura

9 April 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday pm - Women's 9:3apm - Men s 12:30pm - Watercolor 10am - Book Club 7pm - Movie 8am - UU 1:30pm - Strong Discussion 2pm - Covenant Night Hikers Bones 1 11am - Women s Voices 1pm-UU Bridge 9am - Men s 11am-Staff Meeting 1:30pm - Strong Bones 1 5pm - Worship Breakfast 2:30pm - Strong Bones 2 Associates Bunch 1 Easter 10am - Worship Service 11:30am - 7PEAT Environmental Actio 11:45am - Women's Grp 8 10am - Worship Service 11:30am - Humanism Sem 11:30am - Welcome Team Development 11:45am - Youth Choir 12:15pm - Coming Of Age 15 10am - Worship Service 11:30am - Fun Book Club 11:45am -Youth Choir NOON NEWSLETTER DEADLINE 12:15pm - Coming Of Age 2:30pm - Strong Bones 2 5:3pm - -T'ai Chi Chih 7pm - Meditation 9 1:30pm - Strong Bones 1 2:30pm - Strong Bones 2 5:30pm - T ai Chi Chih 6:30pm - Intro to Meditation 7pm - Meditation 16 1pm - Women s 1:30pm - Strong Bones 1 2:30pm - Strong Bones 2 5:30 pm - T ai Chi Chih 7pm - Meditation 2pm - Connecting Committee 6:30pm - Women s 6:30pm - Mens II 10 Equal Pay Day 9:3apm - Men s Discussion 11am - Staff Meeting 4pm - Women s Support 5:30pm - RE Committee Meeting 6pm - Covenant 6:30am - VC Climate Hub 17 Tax Day 9:30am - Men s Discussion 11am - Women s Voices 11am-Staff Meeting 6pm - Steering Committee 6:30pm - Leadership Committee 6:30pm - Men s V 6:30pm - Men s II 6:30pm - Pastoral Associates 7:30pm - Choir Rehearsal 11 12:30pm - Watercolor 1pm-UU Bridge 1:30pm - Strong Bones 1 2:30pm - Strong Bones 2 3pm - Stewardship Comm. 3:30pm - Women s 6pm - Leadership Comm. Mtg 6:30pm - B&G Meeting 7:30pm - Choir Rehearsal 18 12:30pm - Watercolor 1pm-UU Bridge 1:30pm - Strong Bones 1 2:30pm - Strong Bones 2 6pm - Women s 7:30pm - Choir Rehearsal 7pm - Open Men s III 12 10am - Book Club 2:30 PM-Handicraft (off-site) 4pm - Caregiver Support 6pm - LUYV 19 10am - Book Club 2pm - Covenant Mtg. 6pm - Board of Trustees 7pm - Open Men s III 13 2pm - Scrapbooking 6pm - Game Night 7pm - Movie Night 20 7pm - Movie Night 14 10am - Journey to Belonging 21 9am - All Church B&G Work Party 1pm - RE Event 22 Earth Day 10am - Worship Service 11:30am -Humanism Seminar 11:30am - Signing the Book Ceremony 12:15pm - Coming Of Age 23 1:30pm - Strong Bones 1 2:30pm - Strong Bones 2 5:30pm - T ai Chi Chih 6pm - Social Action Meeting 7pm - Meditation 24 9:30am - Men s Discussion 11am-Staff Meeting 4pm - Women s Support 6pm - Covenant 6:15 - RE Committee Meeting 25 11am - Newsletter Folding 12:30pm - Watercolor 1pm-UU Bridge 1:30pm - Strong Bones 1 2:30pm - Strong Bones 2 3:30pm - Women s 7:30pm - Choir Rehearsal 26 10am - Book Club 2:30 PM-Handicraft (off-site) 6:15pm - Covenant Training 6:30pm - UUniques+50 Potluck 27 Arbor Day 1pm - The Gift of Years 7pm - Movie Night am - Worship Service 11:30am - 7 PEAT Meeting 11:30am - UUCV Gallery Set-Up 12:15pm - Coming Of Age 30 Passover 1:30pm - Strong Bones 1 2:30pm - Strong Bones 2 5:30pm - T ai Chi Chih 6pm - Silent Sangha Meal 7pm - Meditation April On Common Ground UU Church of Ventura

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 Tom Berg How did Berg Hall get its name? Berg Hall was named after Tom Berg ( ), who was a member of this church for over 30 years. He held many leadership roles including president of the board twice. Tom was inspired and inspiring. He believed in the promise of The Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura and the wider UU movement. He continuously gave his time, talent, and treasure to the church and was a generous benefactor in his death. Tom was a uniquely colorful character and an exemplar of wisdom and compassion. He was deeply loved by his men s group, Los Simpaticos. His impact was immeasurable, and at difficult times men s group members would commonly ask What would Tom do? Reflections about Tom generated by the group: Joyful with childlike appreciation of the world Affable and playful Great laugh Brilliant Insatiable curiosity Well read and knowledgeable about everything (evolution, biblical scholarship, Roman history, archeology, etc.) Wise like King Solomon Kind and gentle Master of compromise, good mediator and problem solver Good crisis management in tense situations Egoless, didn t care how he looked, never judged others Not materialistic at all Loved a good steak Collector of hats, model dinosaurs, and little army men Lover of cats (to a fault) and aquarium fish Courageous and optimistic in the face of terminal cancer Witty sense of humor to the end.