O C T O B E R 2 0 1 2 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. A Message From Your Minister At the moment, it's mid afternoon and over 100 degrees outside of the Franciscan retreat center in Scottsdale, AZ where I am surrounded by 40 ministerial colleagues. We've gathered to learn from each other, reflect on our ministries, and get a bit of relaxation in together. Honestly the relaxation is more theory than reality, but I'm learning a lot, so it's worth it. Last week, I was in the company of a half dozen colleagues at our state capitol, delivering thousands of letters to Governor Brown, urging him to sign the TRUST Act, which would rebuild trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement that has been diminished by the often burdensome detention requests placed by ICE on local agencies. Thanks to the good work of UULMCA -- the UU Legislative Ministry of California -- our clergy were the most numerous and visible among the interfaith clergy. I was the only clergy serving a congregation south of Fresno. Before we even made our way to the door of the Governor's office, the Wall Street Journal was reporting that we were the most influential contingency to weigh in on the issue, because of the respect Jerry Brown has for clergy since his own days as a seminarian studying to become a priest. Just yesterday, the state legislature and the governor passed the Human Right to Water Act, ensuring access to safe and affordable water to all Californians, thanks in large part to the work of UULMCA and a vast network of faith-based organizations. It never ceases to amaze me the influence a faith community as small as ours can have on the processes of justice in our world. Our fellowship in Bakersfield, small as it is, is part of this network of UUs and other people of faith who have been doing so much work on our behalf. And now, it's time for us to step up the call to become more involved. UUFKC October 2012
Early in the fellowship year, it's time to imagine what it is we can create together in the coming months. I imagine for us an opportunity to get involved in statewide issues through UULMCA, and local issues with FIA -- Faith in Action Kern County. In the recent past, it's been difficult to imagine working hard outside of our own congregation, since there is so much to do here. But now that our membership is stabilized and apparently growing, and we have Liora Malicdem, our Coordinator of Outreach Ministry to focus some of her time on this work, we can make social justice work a reality in our congregation. There are great reasons for involving ourselves with organizations like UULMCA and FIA. We don't have to do it alone. We can sign up with other congregations who are already doing the work, UU fellowships in our district, and other liberal (and maybe not so liberal) churches in Bakersfield. The organizations can provide valuable resources, including leadership training and action materials like fliers and petitions. We don't have to reinvent the wheel. I've spent some time here talking with other ministers, comparing our social justice efforts. Styles and issues vary wildly but there's one truism shines through consistently: The UU congregations that network with other faith-based organizations are the most successful. Their members are happier with their work, they have more impact on the outcomes of the issue-based work that they do, and they build reputations for themselves as being forces for justice in their communities. With Liora on board in her new capacity this year, and the good work of everyone at UUFKC that goes on al the time, this promises to be a very exciting and productive year. In Peace, Rev. Denis -- Rev. Denis Letourneau Paul, Development Minister Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Kern County in Bakersfield, CA cell 415.310.5051 October 2012
DearMembersofUUFKC, Pleaseplanona5endinganimportantcongrega;onal mee;ngsundayoct.14. Thepurposeofthemee;ngistodiscusstheprocessofhiring ahalf ;meministerforthe2013fiscalyear.theboardwill presentthefaircompensa;onrecommenda;onsforahalf ;meministerandaskforthecongrega;on sfinancialsupport andauthoriza;ontomoveforwardwiththehiringprocess whichwillbeginnextjanuary. Pleasebringadishtoshareforthepotlucklunch.Lunchwillbeginat11:15am, followingtheservice,andthebusinessmee;ngwillbeginat11:45.childcarewillbe provided. Ifyouhaveanyques;onsaboutthemee;ng,pleasecontactmeoronetheotherboard members. RobBerthold President,UUFKCBoardofTrustees Home:661 589 1231 Cell:661 747 7154 Members mailing list Members@lists.uufkc.org http://lists.uufkc.org/listinfo.cgi/members-uufkc.org Fall is fast approaching. There are many memories we all hold of this time of year. What are some of your stories? I d like to publish some in the next Unikern. Please share and submit to Linda Haggerty LHAGGERTY@bak.rr.com October 2012 3
Happy Birthday to all members and friends born in the month of October: Pat Berthold Cydney Henderson Laura Stevenson Evan Stevenson Anna Laven Apryle Mercado Brandi Groven Hayden Gretona Matthew L. Sabin Have a very special day from all of us at the fellowship! UUFKC 98 Sterling Road Bakersfield, Ca. 93307 Mailing address P.O. Box 296 Bakersfield, Ca Anyone wishing to submit an article to the Unikern, please feel free. You may have some words of inspiration, best practices for cleaning the garage, ways to revitalize one marriage or a poem. (cough, cough, choke, cough ANYONE?) Please send to Linda Haggerty. Thanks. Warm Clothing Drive for Bakersfield Homeless Center Ourannualwarmclothingdriveiscomingupsoon.Thisisyouropportunity tosharewiththemen,womenandchildrenwhoresideatthebakersfield HomelessCenter.Itemsneeded:blankets,coatsandjackets,sweatsuits,pants, socks,hats,scarves,glovesandmibens.youhavealwaysbeensogenerous,and wearecoundngonyourgenerosityagainthisyear.itwillbemuchappreciated. StartcollecDngnow! 4 UUFKC October 2012
U N I K E R N O C T O B E R 2 0 1 2 BornThisWay! Bakersfield Gay Pride 2012 Saturday,October13,2011Festival3 9pm 7.00perpersononlinepresale/$10atthe door/kidsunder10free Dear UUFKC Members & Friends, We ve got a fundraiser coming up, and we need some volunteers! We are hosting a food booth at the Bakersfield LGBTQ Pride Festival on Saturday, October 13th. We ll be serving tri-tip, hamburgers, hot dogs, etc. It s a great chance to show our support for the cause and raise some money for our congregation. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board at the church. Or you can reply to this email to volunteer. Please sign up as soon as possible! VOLUNTEER TASKS: Friday, October 12th: Evening Food prep party at Linda and Sabrina s: Please contact Linda by Monday October 8th if you plan to attend prep party on Friday. (very important) Saturday, October 13th: 11 AM to 1 PM Pick up and transport items from Linda and Sabrina s to Stramler Park 1 PM to 3 PM set up at Stramler Park 3 PM to 8 PM prepare and serve food; take orders 7 PM to finish clean up Please sign up for all or part of a shift as much time as you re available, ideally. Many hands will make light work! And it should be a whole lot of fun, too!! Thanks! Call or Contact me. Jane Cherry jcherry@bak.rr.com October 2012 5
Sermon for October 28: Searching for Eternal Truth in California's Propositions Music JoAnn Conard Presenters, Lois Watson and Terri Stanton Leader Lois Watson October 2012
Born This Way! Bakersfield Gay Pride 2012 Come out and enjoy a hot dog DATE LEADER UUFKC Volunteer Schedule October 1-October 31, 2012 MUSICIAN HOST SET-UP GREETERS FLOWERS Oct. 7 Andrea Van Nest Mark Hodson Allen Van Nest Marian Kramer and Eric Sampson Heather Ponek Oct. 14 Rev. Denis Elaine LeCain Laura Stevenson Bill Stevenson Jesse Snyder and Red LeCain Cortnie Enns Oct. 21 Terry Kendall Richard Malicdem Pat and Rob BertholdPat/Rob Berthold Oct. 28 Irene Heath JoAnn Conard Ann Williams Dan Walker Wilma Goodloe and Will Cooper JoAnn Conard If you cannot serve on the date assigned, please arrange a trade or substitution with someone with the same duties. October 2012 7