Sunday Services. Spending Light Rev. Carolyn Price

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1 April 2016 Number 4 Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura 5654 Ralston Street Ventura, CA 805/ Sunday Services April 3 Music: 9:45AM Service: 10AM Exploring our Connections Rev. Maddie Sifantus, Minister UU Church of Santa Paula What connections do our UU congregations have? What type of connections could we have? How could we help one another to be the best we can be? This sermon will explore these issues. All You Can Eat Salad & Bread Lunch Sunday April 10 11am Berg Hall $5 per person kids under 12 first time visitors free Contact Michael makseven@ yahoo.com with your donations. Remember to bring your own bowl(s) & spoon Inside Ministry News...2 Notes from President's Desk...3 Social Action...4 RE News...5 UU Things to Do Committee News...8 April Calendar...9 Leadership News April 10 Music: 9:45AM Service: 10AM Spending Light Rev. Carolyn Price At the height of his talent the poet Milton went completely blind. In response, he penned one of his greatest works: When I Consider How My Light is Spent. Milton questioned God and decried disability, but finally made a sort of peace with his circumstances. Today s sermon seeks to follow a similar arc, and to suggest ways, despite the demands and realities of the modern world, as well as our own individual difficulties, we can be reconciled through religion (ours!) to a higher truth and - perhaps - to a contemporary form of salvation. April 17 Music: 9:45AM Service: 10AM Lars and Real Community Rev. Anne Hines In this sermon Rev. Hines will explore what strengthens religious community and ways in which community can be weakened. Rev. Hines retired at the end of June 2014 after serving Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church in Canoga Park for 12 years and was voted by Emerson as Minister Emeritus. She has been an advocate for many social justice issues, was a founding Board member of the UU Legislative Ministry, and is Co-President of the San Fernando Valley chapter of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. The Embracing Circle Wednesday Evening Gatherings Wednesdays 6:30-7pm (through April 20) This quiet, reflective gathering offers a mindful pause in the week. All are welcome. The April theme Is Freedom. April 24 Music: 9:45AM Service: 10AM A special service led by our candidate for settled minister to kick off candidating week. Calling All UU Women and Friends UU Church of Ventura 31st Annual Women s Retreat Mt. Calvary Retreat House In Santa Barbara April 22 April 24, 2016 $250 weekend Looking Back Moving Forward Sign up at Adult Programs table in Berg Hall 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 Thoughts on Covenant from UUCV Members by Beverly Jordan, Membership Manager Several members of the congregation kindly shared with me their thoughts on the Seven Principles of Unitarian Universalism and Covenant. I shared these in a recent sermon and want to give you a chance to sit with these provocative insights. The principal that challenges me the most is acceptance of one another. I grew up with a very judgmental mother and I struggle with not being so judgmental. I love how our church teaches, through example, how to live with these covenants. When I first read these principles I was strongly struck with how most of them describe the ways in which I try to live my life. I am personally working on spiritual growth. The first principle challenges me, makes me confront my own potential cruelty and stretches my humanity and compassion. When I remember this principle and think about those I despise, I do sometimes feel an opening in my own humanity. For me a covenant is a dynamic process because it involves me and 'the congregation.' But the congregation is not a static entity, nor am I. Since both are always changing and evolving, the nature of the promise or agreement to some extent is also changing in its emphasis or its interpretation. In my opinion, the covenants do not exist in isolation. The covenant that speaks to me the most is the one on Right Relations. This has challenged me to think long and hard before being upset or rejecting. I try to assume good intentions. I do struggle with a certain cynicism about achieving progress in these areas in light of all the terrible mistreatment of people all over the world. I need our community to help nurture my hopeful side, and to see over and over the power of love and community. Knowing that these principals are shared by so many others in our church has given me the courage to act which was sometimes the missing link for me. I read in one of our UU magazines a quote that has become sort of a daily mantra for me: You can pretend to care, but you can t pretend to show up. I try to maintain the spirit each day to show up. The first principle is always a challenge that demands one go to one s better self. My family will attest that rather than giving the finger or swearing at bad drivers, I will sometimes state from the shelter of my own car, I question your inherent worth and dignity! What are your thoughts on covenant in general, the Right Relations Covenant and the Seven Principles specifically? Where might your values intersect with the values represented in these documents? See you in Church Beverly Coming in May: Adult Religious Education Class: The Spirituality Of Relationships Taught by Rev. Ed Brock, Interim Minister Sundays: May 15, 22 and 29 11:30 12:15 Child Care Provided with Pre-Registration We live, move, and have our being through relationships. But for many, relationships are a source of challenge, difficulty and struggle, mingled with brief interludes of bliss; this class will address why. In this series of classes, Rev. Brock will explore the spirituality of relationships, the patterns of behavior that undermines relationships, and what an optimal relationship might look like. What will be discussed will be relevant for marriages, friendships, church community relationships and all garden variety of relationships. Come to the classes you can attend. Each session will be informative and previous sessions are not required. Sign up at the Spiritual Growth Table in Berg Hall or Beverly: Beverly@uuventura.org. Book Discussion Group: Being Mortal by Atul Gawande Sundays: May 22 11:30am 1pm ONE MEETING ONLY Gawande s book, Being Mortal, has gained great attention for the focus it offers on end of life issues: how we age, face illness and infirmity, and eventually death. A practicing physician, Gawande criticizes American medicine for its often singular goal of prolonging life over ensuring quality of life. He offers examples of more humane, meaningful models of housing, medicine, and care. The group will be facilitated by Rev. Carolyn Price, assisted by Orval Osborne. It is limited to 12 attendees to ensure time for all to participate in the discussion. Preference will be given to those who did not attend the Ageing to Saging series, due to the similarity of the material. April On Common Ground UU Church of Ventura

3 Newsletter Submittals We value your contributions and very much appreciate submittals. Send submissions to On Common Ground to Next Newsletter Deadline April 17 at Noon Next issue is May 2016 On Common Ground is a monthly publication of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura, 5654 Ralston Street, Ventura, CA Interim Minister - Rev. Ed Brock Office hours: Mon, Tues, Wed by appointment 805/ ext interimminister@uuventura.org Affiliate Minister - Rev. Carolyn Price uurevclprice@gmail.com Membership Manager - Beverly Jordan 805/ , ext beverly@uuventura.org Director of Religious Education -Joyce Faber Office hours: Sun 8am-2pm, Tues 10:30am-3:30pm, Wed 9am-3pm, Mon, Thurs, Fri by Appointment dre@uuventura.org Office Manager - Becky Burnham Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 9am - 3pm Wed: 9am - 2:30pm Phone: 805/ , ext 100 Call first to ensure Becky is onsite. Church Office Phone: 805/ FAX: 805/ office@uuventura.org On Common Ground Editors: Shelah Wilgus / preblest@pacbell.net Tessa Weeks / tessaweeks@mac.com Notes from the President s Desk Ready, Set, Vote On Sunday, May 1, 2016 we will gather for one of the most important Congregational Meetings in the life of a Unitarian Universalist Church; we will be voting on the calling of our next settled minister. This is one of the most important votes you will ever make. It is we, the congregation, who calls the minister. It is not done by a bishop, not by a professional staff member of the UUA, not by the board of trustees, it is all of us; this self-governance has a name: Congregational polity. This Special Congregational Meeting will be held in the sanctuary beginning at 11:20 a.m. Following worship services we will have an abbreviated time of refreshments in Berg Hall and we will have childcare available during the meeting. Our single order of business will be to vote Yes or No to call our candidate as our next settled minister. This is the culmination of the efforts of our settled minister search committee: Kent Brinkmeyer, Gretchen Buck, Janice Frank, David Henkel, Silvia Hutchins, Kitty Merrill, and Celia Ortenberg. These seven extraordinary members collectively have given about a gazillion hours to the effort, and have been ably assisted in the process by the Rev. Ken Collier and the Rev. Ken Brown. We are blessed by their commitment and dedication to this most important work. Our bylaws confer voting powers on those persons who have been members for at least 45 days; thus members who joined before March 16, 2016 are eligible to vote. Voting will be by paper ballot. Members eligible to vote but who cannot attend may participate by completing an absentee ballot and giving it to Secretary Joe Hutchins or placing it in his church mailbox in advance of the meeting. If your household requires more than one ballot, please contact Becky Burnham in the church office for copies. While our bylaws state that a 2/3 vote of the members present at any congregational meeting (including absentee ballots) shall be necessary to call a person to the pastoral charge of this church, it is important to note that almost without exception candidates will not accept the offered position unless they receive a vote of more than 95%. In the unlikely event the chosen candidate did not garner sufficient support the search would begin anew. We hope for a vote of 100% in the affirmative (or very, very close). If you have any questions, please contact Board of Trustees Vice President, Bryan Buck. In faith and in love, Carolyn Briggs, President P.S. General Assembly is coming up June in Columbus, Ohio. If you haven t already done so, check it out at If you are interested in representing our congregation as a voting delegate, contact me at your earliest convenience. April On Common Ground UU Church of Ventura

4 Social Action The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. Mahatma Gandhi Lift Up Your Voice (LUYV) To End Homelessness Kent Brinkmeyer, Chair Monday, April 18 At 6pm The Ventura City Council will hold a meeting dedicated entirely to the issue of homelessness in our community, something we and others in the social service and faith communities have spent many months advocating for. The meeting will include presenting important data as well as listening to the views of faith groups, service providers, business people, county government, community groups, and the homeless themselves. The Council has committed to working to take some action that will help reduce homelessness and to create a roadmap for moving together as one community in that effort. If you only go to one meeting this year on homelessness, this should be it! The location has not yet been determined, but information will be sent out as soon as it is announced. April Inreach/Outreach April 3: UUCV Inreach/Outreach Funds help those in our own community. April 10: California Coastal Horse Rescue (CCHR) is a volunteer organization dedicated to rescuing abandoned, neglected, abused and slaughter-bound horses and providing them with a second chance for healthy, productive lives. Funds help provide the needs of one healthy horse for one year, including food, water and supplementation, as well as veterinary, dental and hoof care. April 17: Ventura Homeless Prevention Fund Keeps families and individuals in Ventura from becoming homeless simply because of a one-time but significant event such as an accident or illness. Funds pay the rent, which means a temporary loss of income or unexpected expense does not result in eviction. April 24: LUYV Park Outreach Team Funds allow the team to continue outreach in the homeless community in Ventura s parks. The volunteer team meets some basic human needs while at the same time building trust and developing relationships. Thanks for your generous donations each Sunday Anne Escobedo Social Action Opportunity Kent Brinkmeyer, Chair Saturday, April 30 NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) celebrates its 14th anniversary with a walk to raise funds to support people with mental health challenges. NAMI also has programs to support family members as well as educational programs that are changing the way Americans view mental illness. You can join Team UUCV by registering for the walk at namiwalks.org. The walk starts at 9:30am at the Ventura Beach Promenade. Join the dozens of teams representing social service agencies, clubs, government representatives, faith groups and more who will come out in support of NAMI s programs. Inreach/Outreach News You only get to keep what you give away. Sheldon Kopp The congregation s donations to fund worthy causes during late February and early March amounted to an amazing $3, We took up an offering on two Sundays for the West County Winter Warming Shelter in Oxnard and collected $2, to help make it possible for the shelter to remain open through March 31. The shelter provides a safe, dry, warm place to sleep for county residents who are homeless, as well as offering a hot shower, dinner, breakfast, medical care, and social services. The UUCV Inreach/Outreach fund received $332 to help those in our own community who need assistance. You donated $1, to the Ventura Homeless Prevention Fund (VHPF) to keep families and individuals living in Ventura from becoming homeless simply because of a one-time but significant event such as an accident or illness. Funds pay the rent, which means that a temporary loss of income or unexpected expense does not result in eviction. April On Common Ground UU Church of Ventura

5 RE April 2016 PreK 1 Laurie Cheryl Julie, Irma 2 3 Cary, Jamie, Eric 4 5 Kappy, Lauren, Barbarella, Mary Kay 6 8 Helen, Dorothy, Sally, Rita 9 12 evan, Vel, Bob * Children begin in the worship service & Bridge of Love to their classrooms. Infants, toddlers, and Pre-K are invited to play in our nursery room with our childcare aides, Sidia Kelly and Anna. Teens are invited to remain in the service or to attend R.E. New and Returning Parents, please be sure to register your child(ren) for RE through the UUCV website - If you have registered your children in the past, please update their registration information, especially age and grade level. Important Reminder: Parents, RE classes finish at 11:15. Children not picked up by this time will be in the Nursery/Playroom. Please pick up children from the Nursery/Playroom by noon. Our Children/Youth Choir practices Sundays at 11:20 in the Sanctuary. Visitors are always welcome. NEWS from Religious Education Joyce Faber, acting dre am deeply honored to be asked to be your Acting Director of Religious Education I beginning April 1. I have agreed to assume this position enabling our Religious Education Committee to work with our Called Minister and others to have time to complete a search for a called Director. I am fortunate to begin this Ministry with the support and help of many, many members of our church and am very grateful to have learned from their friendship, wisdom and sense of humor. In the past I have served this church as a Religious Education teacher for seven years, served on the Board of Trustees two years, Leadership Committee, one year, Support for our Ministerial Intern for two years, Religious Education Committee two years, and Flower Committee for three years. All of these will serve me well as I assume this new ministry. In the days ahead I will be reaching out to our congregation who have the desire, passion, and experience to share and use their talents to enrich our programming. April 3 April 10 April 17 April 24 Discovering the Meaning of Passover How Did Life Begin? Part 1 Abraham: What is faith? Focus on the Catholic Religion Listening Between The Lines Caring For The Earth Still Caring For The Earth Celebrating The Discovering Year Principle 3 & Principle 4 In Action Women in The Bible: Why so few stories about women? Focus on the Catholic Religion Listening Between The Lines How Did Life Begin? Part 2 Jesus: How much do we really know about Jesus? Focus on the Catholic Religion Listening Between The Lines I will also draw upon the resources in our UU District, region and leadership of the UUA to enrich and deepen spiritual leadership for our children, youth and families. My thanks to Lauren Copus who has patiently helped me to learn the skills needed to do a difficult job more easily. A special thank you to all whose caring and love have been instrumental in my personal growth these past two years. But especially to Rev. Ed, Rev. Carolyn, the RE Committee and the teachers and volunteers, families and children who have helped me to better understand the important place of Life Span Religious Education in all our lives. I am looking forward to working together with all of you in the coming year. With Love and Faith, Joyce Faber, dre@uuventura.org How Do We Live Our Principles? Jesus the Teacher: What makes a great teacher? Focus on the Catholic Religion Listening Between The Lines April Birthdays Lincoln, Gracie, Stefan April 17: Children s/youth Choir performs April 23 UUCV Auction Mystery Dinner at the Ayer s Home June 5: RE Sunday & All- Church Picnic Arroyo Verde Park August 5-7: All-Church Campout Dennison Park, Ojai 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. Stay tuned to the newsletter and Adult Programs Board for information regarding additional classes. For information on ongoing programs, pick up an Adult Education brochure available at the AP Bulletin Board in Berg Hall. Men's Discussion Group Tues 9:30am Conference Room We discuss political and social issues and current events. All men welcome. Contact: Bill Peltola, 805/ or 805/ Bridge Group Wed 1-3pm West Alcove The UU Bridge Group plays friendly games of contract bridge, and tries to accommodate different experience levels. Currently we meet each Wednesday but will consider schedule change to meet players needs. If there is sufficient interest, we may again provide lessons for beginners utilizing teaching materials from Audrey Grant. Join us to have fun and stretch your mind. Wed 3-4pm Berg Hall Meditation and Buddhist Practice Monday 7pm Church Sanctuary The Friendship Sangha of the Heart, a UUCV Spiritual Growth Program, meets every Monday for meditation and Buddhist practice. All are welcome. Contact: Neal Ortenberg 805/ or nealstuart@gmail.com. Women's Voices: Discussion and Support Group O1st & 3rd Tues 11-1pm West Alcove pen women s group explores women s roles and issues. Open to all women. Contacts: Suzanne Olsen, 805/ , suzth2@charter.net or Ann Escobedo, 805/ , anne.escobedo@sbcglobal.net. PFLAG 4th Tues 7pm Green Room The Ventura Chapter of PFLAG (Parents & Friends of Lesbians and Gays) PFLAG supports the members, families, and allies of the LGBT community. Contact Gary Zinik, 805/ , pflag.ventura.ca@gmail.com.. UU Men s Spring Renewal April Theme: What REALLY matters to me Join the UU brotherhood in the mountain beauty of Camp debenneville Pines for fellowship and camaraderie. Men of all ages and backgrounds are welcome. The cost is only $150. Camp debenneville info and registration For Scholarship info: Mike Dorfi (619/ , mdorfi@cox.net). Circle Dinners a Success by Marcy Burns On Saturday evening, February 27, UU members and friends (bearing dishes of food for the potluck meal) travelled to the homes of their hosts and hostesses. A dinner at the church also was offered and was a first-time event.it turned out to be do-able and enjoyable. It will be repeated for at least one of the dinners on each future occasion. The next circle dinner is scheduled for Sept 17, If your calendar tends to have lots of Fall activity, perhaps you will want to make note of the date now. Like the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura on Facebook. It s one more way to stay connected. Fun Book Club April 17 Sunday 11:30am West Alcove We meet on the couches in the rear of the sanctuary and read one book a month and discuss it with the aid of questions. All are welcome. Reading List: April: The Life We Bury by Allen Eskins, May: The Pecan Man by Cassie Dandridge Selleck, and June: Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng. Contact: Dorothy Fast Horse 805/ dfasthorse@aol.com. UUniques 50+ Special Event Thurs April 28, 11am Berg Hall The UUniques 50+ are having a special event in April. Instead of the usual evening potluck dinner, we will be having a potluck luncheon. This will be an opportunity to meet our new minister. The midday event will start at 11am, with lunch at 11:30am. Bring a luncheon dish to share and a table setting. For information contact Merle or Pat at or 31mlober8@sbcglobal.net Beginners backpacking One night trip to a local wildlife area Friday - Saturday April 1 & 2 A 2-5 mile hike lead by Mike Sixbey and Joyce Sattler, If you have your gear and are ready to have some fun, phone or text coordinator Michael Sixbey, 805/ April On Common Ground UU Church of Ventura

7 UU Things To Do Adult Programs Search Committee Update from Kent Brinkmeyer The last week of April will be candidating week, when the minister selected by your Settled Ministerial Search Committee will be with us in the pulpit on two Sundays and, in between, attending a variety of meet and greet events. It s a week we anticipate with excitement as a way to introduce an extraordinary person to an extraordinary congregation. The week will provide an opportunity for us to decide whether to call him or her, as well as an opportunity for the candidate to get to know us enough to make an informed and enthusiastic decision about serving our church. It is a time of mutual discovery, and we want it to be successful for all concerned because we have worked very hard and for many months, with the interests of the congregation in mind, to find the best possible minister for our beloved community. You are encouraged to ask questions about the candidate and his or her views of our congregation and its future direction, but please bear in mind these are informal meetings, not problem-solving sessions. You can be assured the Search Committee has asked the candidate questions regarding his or her thoughts on all aspects of our church and its strengths and challenges. The committee hopes that all will see the positive energy and deep commitment to our values this minister will bring. The climax of Candidating Week will be the congregational meeting on Sunday, May 1. We will vote on whether to call the candidate to be our new settled minister. According to the UUA guidelines, a minimum vote of 95% in favor is required, and 98% is preferred so the candidate knows he/she has the support of an overwhelming majority of the membership. More information about the meeting and voting will be sent out before the meeting; feel free to bring any questions to any member of the Search Committee or the Board of Trustees. In Memoriam Kathrine N. Gooding August 27, March 2, 2016 Kathrine Gooding was born in Truman, Arkansas. She married Jack Gooding in 1950 and worked as a nursing assistant while he served overseas with the National Guard. She saved for their first home in Upland, California. They moved to Ventura in Kathrine worked in early childhood education, and after earning her Master's degree in counseling, was licensed as a Marriage, Family, Child Counselor (MFCC). She maintained her private practice while making time to travel worldwide. After retiring from private practice, she followed her love of learning, studying Humanism, Buddhism, women's issues, and meditation. Kathrine was an active member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura, where she shared her love, knowledge and wisdom with anyone who came into view. FRIDAY MOVIE NIGHT 7pm Enter at back door April 1 The Big Short, 2015, R. Before the housing and credit bubble of 2007 triggered an international economic meltdown, a few financial outsiders saw the crash coming and bet against the big banks in a daring play that could reap them huge profits. Received an Oscar nomination for Best Film. The stellar cast includes: Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt and Marisa Tomei. Director Adam McKay. Closed captioned. April 8 Big Girls Don t Cry (Große Mädchen Weinen Nicht), 2002, R for sexuality, drug use, some violence, all involving teens. German with English subtitles. Two German teens have been best friends their entire lives, although their backgrounds differ. Steffi is lucky in love, with a wonderful home. Kati has continuous boy trouble and a fundamentalist religious mother. Then they discover Steffi s father is having an affair, and they set out to find his mistress. Director Maria von Heland. April 15 Beethoven: Eroica, 2003, Not Rated. This film recreates a historic moment--june 9, 1804, when Ludwig van Beethoven premiered his Eroica Symphony at the palace of his patron, Prince Lobkowitz. The drama is structured around a complete performance of the symphony (performed by L Orchestre Revolutionaire Et Romantique conducted by Sir John Eliot Gardiner). While it is a historical pageant that tells a compelling story, the superior acting involves no dialogue, so the music is heard uninterrupted. Among music-themed films, this is an ambitious tour de force. April 22 Before You Say I Do, 2009, Not Rated. In this romantic comedy, a young man s proposal of marriage is rejected because his girlfriend has such bad memories of her first marriage. Discovering he is capable of time travel, he goes back 10 years to prevent her first marriage from taking place. Director Paul Fox. April 29 Owl and the Sparrow (Cu va Chim Se Se), 2007, PG. Vietnamese with English subtitles. A 10-year-old orphan runs away to Saigon to escape her volatile uncle and her oppressive job at his bamboo factory. Selling roses in the streets, she is befriended by 2 unrelated adults, an airline stewardess and a zookeeper. Los Angeles Film Festival Audience Award winner. Director Stephane Gauger. April On Common Ground UU Church of Ventura

8 Committee News Buildings and Grounds by Linda Pietrzak have a dream that 10% of the church membership would show up for the All I Church Building and Grounds Work Parties, monthly on the 3rd Saturday. I imagine how much nicer our church home would look if we had just 10% of you helping. SPEAKING OF WHICH Next month a prospective minister is coming to speak. It would be so great if he/she could see our church looking its best, inside and out. Please come on April 16 to help our church shine. The to do list includes washing windows (inside and out), cleaning the RE rooms (including toys), dusting the screen behind the altar, and updating the bulletin boards. The outside needs lots of work and usually fewer than eight people come on any given B&G workday. Our All Church Work Party for March was attended by Merle Oberg, Mike Sixbey, Michael Akseven, Linda Pietrzak, and Joyce Sattler. We were also joined by members of The Friendship Sangha of the Heart, Neal Ortenberg and Deidree Wong. Merle worked on the irrigation and cleaned up trash. Mike cleaned out an HVAC enclosure outside the building. He and Michael edged and cut back some of the overgrowth along the Ralston side of the church. Linda weeded part of the Covenant Garden. Joyce helped Mike with HVAC enclosure, picked up Safe Sleep trash as well as other trash around the property. Neal and Deidree worked on the Meditation Path; Deidree pulling weeds and Neal removing a dead stump behind the Whale s Tail Bench. In February we asked if anyone wanted worm castings or worm tea. No one spoke up. The worm bins were started as part of an RE project. Linda Pietrzak added a worm bin from her home and coffee grounds from church and kitchen vegetable scraps from others have been added each week. The worms process the food but apparently no one wants the fruits of their labor, Linda and Joyce can no longer maintain them. We will be getting rid of the bins within the next month! Membership Committee by Gudrun Eastham While a "Comparative Religion" lecture was going on in the Sanctuary on March 20, the Green Room was packed with 25+ enthusiastic people who gathered to learn more about UU history and heritage, our church and congregation. Everyone present had been personally invited by Beverly Jordan, Membership Manager, on behalf of the Membership Committee. After the question, "What brought you to this church?" participants offered up a rich variety of personal stories. Orval Osborne spoke about UU history and heritage; Sue Brinkmeyer explored the many facets of our Social Action Program and circulated an interest form; attendees were regaled with opportunities for deeper participation in our church's activities including men's and women's support groups, choir, meditation. All participants enjoyed healthy snacks and were given a freshly prepared and updated Pathway to Membership packet to take home. Interim minister, Rev. Ed Brock complimented our congregation on its health and wellbeing during this time of transition and change as it moves forward to voting for and welcoming a settled minister. And, finally, the future was poignantly represented by the added presence of a pre-schooler, a toddler, an infant-in-arms, and one yet to be born. Heartfelt thanks to all who came, gave of themselves to move furniture (including visiting Teens), set up, provide food, and return the Green Room to its original state. Finance Facts from the Finance Committee April Fifty-six members and friends attended Celebration meetings in members homes. Fifty-seven pledgers (single or joint) responded to the campaign outreach by increasing their pledges as of July 1, the beginning of our next fiscal year, and soon after, our new ministry. Change your future pledge amount at any time by notifying Becky Burnham, UUCV Office Manager, by phone, mail, or . You can make one time donations or set up automatic pledge payments at www. uuventura.org. Click on Give at the top right of the home page, then follow the instructions for single or scheduled payments, or contact David Smith at or davidpaseo@verizon.net. Stewards Report by Stewardship Coordinators It is very important for us to recognize when something is not normal or routine about our church culture. Our Celebration stewardship campaign this year helped us recognize that our willingness to take care of each other, including those in our extended community, is not what most people do. We are nurturing a culture of generosity here, where those who can help, do. People responded to the in-home meetings with deep, intimate feelings about what it means to them to be part of our group of loving, generous people. Those who had the ability to raise their financial contributions were matched by those who would if their financial situations were better. A lot of people helped get the word out that this was a time of rowing together for the journey just ahead, and we are all very fortunate to be among people who care and put their convictions to work. Thank you all. Davids, Frank, Henkel and Smith. April On Common Ground UU Church of Ventura

9 April 2016 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 3 10am - Worship Service 11:15am-Children s Choir 11:45am - Environmental Action 11:45am - OWL 10 10am - Worship Service 11am - All You Can Eat Salad 11:15am - Children s Choir 11:30am - Humanism Seminar 11:30am - Covenant Group 1 11:45am - OWL 17 10am - Worship Service 11:15am - Children s Choir 11:30am - Fun Book Club 11:45am - OWL 12pm - Newsletter Deadline 24 Women s Retreat (offsite) 10am - Worship Service 11:15am - Children s Choir 11:30am - Humanism Seminar 11:30am - Covenant Group 1 11:30am - Candidate Luncheon 11:45am - OWL 5pm - RE Candidate Potluck Foot Health Awareness Month 4 1pm - Women s Group 4pm - Yoga 5:30pm - T ai Chi Chih 7pm - Meditation 11 2:30pm - Covenant Group 3 4pm - Yoga 5:30pm - T ai Chi Chih 6:30pm - Intro to Meditation 7pm - Meditation 18 1pm - Women s Group 3pm - Affordable Housing 4pm - Yoga 5:30pm - T ai Chi Chih 7pm - Meditation 25 10am - Candidate w/b&g 2pm - Candidate w/ Finance 2:30pm - Covenant Group 3 3pm - River Haven dinner pickup 4pm - Yoga 5:30pm - T ai Chi Chih 5:30pm - Sermon Video 6:30pm - SACC Candidate dinner 7pm - Meditation 5 9:30am - Men s Discussion Group 11am - Women s Voices 6:30pm - Women s Group 6:30pm - Men s Group II 7pm - Men s Group V 12 9:30am - Men s Discussion Group 3:30pm - Women s Group 4pm - Women s Grps 6:30pm - Finance Committee 7pm - Men s Group VI 19 9:30am - Men s Discussion Group 11am - Women s Voices 6:30pm - Men s Grp II 6:30pm - Leadership Committee 6:30pm - Women s Group 6:30pm - Men s Grp V 26 9:30am - Men s Discussion Group 10am - Sermon Video 12pm - Candidate w/ Staff 2pm - Candidate/ MOT 3:30pm - Women s Grp 3:30pm - Candidate/ RE 4pm - Women s Grps 6:30pm - Candidate/ Leadership 7pm - PFLAG 7pm - Men s Group VI 6 12:30pm - Watercolor Class 1pm - UU Bridge Group 3pm - Exercise Less, Move More 6:30pm - Embracing Circle 7pm - Men s Group I 7:30pm - Choir Rehearsal 13 12:30pm - Watercolor Class 1pm - UU Bridge Group 3pm - Exercise Less, Move More 6:30pm - Building and Grounds 6:30pm - Embracing Circle 7:30pm - Choir Rehearsal 20 12:30pm - Watercolor 1pm - UU Bridge Group 3pm - Exercise Less, Move More 4pm - VSSTF Board 6:30pm - Embracing Circle 7pm - Men s Group I 7:30pm - Choir 27 10am - Candidate/Sprt. Growth 11am - Newsletter Folding 12pm - Candidate/Rev. C Lunch 12:30pm - Watercolor 1pm - UU Bridge Group 3pm - Exercise Less, Move More 3:30pm - Candidate/Wom Retreat 5pm - Dinner w/search Comm 6pm - Candidate/Board 7:30pm - Choir 7 10am - Book Club 2:30pm - Handicraft Group (offsite) 5pm - Worship Associates 6:30pm - Covenant Group 2 7pm - Men s Group III 7pm - New Member Celebration 14 10am - Book Club 4pm - Caregivers 6pm - VC Climate Hub 6:30pm - Membership Committee 21 Arbor Day 10am - Book Club 2:30pm - Handicraft Group (offsite) 6pm - Board of Trustees 6:30pm - Covenant Group 2 7pm - Men s Group III 28 10am - Book Club 10am - Sermon Video 11am - Candidate Luncheon/UUniques 50+ 1pm - Candidate/ Sanc. Esthetics 2:30pm - Candidate/ Worship 6:30pm - Candidate/ Member Dessert 1 3pm - RE Planning 7pm - Movie 8 2pm - Scrapbooking 3pm - RE Planning 6:30pm - Game 7pm - Movie 15 3pm - RE Planning 7pm - Movie 22 Women s Retreat (offsite) 3pm - RE Planning 7pm - Movie 29 8am - PSWD Assembly 7pm - Movie 2 9am - Men s Breakfast Bunch April On Common Ground UU Church of Ventura am - All Church B&G Work Party 23 Women s Retreat (offsite) 5pm - SACC Movie 30 5pm - Cong Potluck Dinner (Candidate) April 22 is Earth Day

10 Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura 5654 Ralston Street, Ventura, CA Board of Trustees President Carolyn Briggs Vice President Byran Buck Secretary Joe Hutchins Treasurer Jim Waldron Trustees at Large Kimberly Prieto Mark Gale Katherine (Kassy) Erickson If there is an unsung hero at UUCV it s Julie Moore. Julie grew up in a nonreligious agnostic family and began searching in late elementary school. In high school she became a Mormon, which lasted for six years until she took a college sociology class taught by an inspiring professor and became an overnight atheist and humanist. Julie says, The essence of humanism is that there is no supreme being telling us what to do. It all comes down to our personal responsibility as human beings and how we can best live together and take care of the earth. It s about how we can keep learning and improving ourselves. It s a very optimistic view of how to live. Leadership Committee News Focus on Julie Moore by Gary Zinik While teaching musicology at UCSB, Julie joined the Live Oak UU Church in Goleta where she was a member for two years. In 2000 she moved to Ventura and started attending our church at the Terry House on the hill It was a perfect fit. Julie s contributions to UUCV are many and varied. At Terry House she was chair of the Social Action Committee, active in the Adult Programs Committee, and a founding member of the Humanist Group which she now co-leads. She has been the coordinator of Friday Movie for the past 15 years and she sang in the choir for 10 years. She initiated the offering of ethically produced Fair Trade Coffee served after the Sunday service and for sale in Berg Hall. She has taught in the RE program at every level from pre-k to teens and she is a certified elementary school OWL instructor. She is also an active member of the Handicraft Group. Julie resonates to Unitarian Universality philosophy and values. She states, I m not a spiritual person and don t believe I have a spirit. It s the humanism that draws me. The Sunday sermons are edifying and teach me to be a better person. But most important is that we are a community of people who seek to be our best selves with each other. There s a lot of crud in our lives but we leave that at the door when we come to church. We re like a family that tries to live by the Golden Rule we really try to put that into action.