December 2015 Number 12 Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura 5654 Ralston Street Ventura, CA 805/644-3898 Sunday Services December 6 Music: 9:45AM Service: 10AM Faith as a Spiritual Practice Rev. Ed Brock Faith is a major component of all the great world religions. For many within the UU community, the word faith raises caution and concerns faith in what? we might ask. I would contend faith is a fundamental trust that the universe is ultimately nurturing - that the network of family, friends, community, and events around us can be supporting and nurturing, aiding us in a movement toward wholeness, wellbeing and peace - despite all indications to the contrary. Our trust, our faith, evokes something from the world that would not occur without it. Dec 6 New Member Sunday We will be welcoming new members to the congregation during worship service. Come and join in the celebration! Inside Ministry News...2 Notes from President's Desk...3 Social Action...4 RE News...5 UU Things to Do...6-7 Committee News...8 December Calendar...9 UU Principles... 10 December 13 Music: 9:45AM Service: 10AM Environmental Justice Work as a Spiritual Practice Rev. Ed Brock, Kitty Merrill, Jim Merrill, and Mark Mendelsohn A change in global climate is in play, paralleling major climate changes that have occurred over the course of the earth s history. This time the changes are traceable to human activity. Climate change and its potential consequences are making many people reassess how they live. Somehow, human beings must move toward a more harmonious relationship to nature. This Sunday will be an exploration of what members of the congregation and the Ventura UU Church have done, and intend to do, to play a moral role in the unfolding drama. December 20 Music: 9:45AM Service: 10AM Believing What We See Rev. Carolyn Price, Affiliate Minister I believe there is an indwelling beauty to this earth, and to life upon it. This is true even though I read the news every day, and how bad it is out there. There is beauty all around us, if we learn (or remember) how to search for it, and to fully harness it in our line of sight. And beauty can change us; it can lead us into better lives. With sub-themes of courage, intuition, and hope, today's sermon holds out a vision of what can happen when we learn to live fully, believing what we see. Christmas Eve Services Dec 24 Rev. Ed Brock 5pm Service A family oriented service with a lot of music, Danny Wheetman singing A Christmas Wish, the fabulous UUCV Youth Choir and UUCV Children Choir singing, Noel Regney and Gloria Shayne singing, the wonderful UUCV Choir singing, and Daniel Kantor singing Night of Silence. 10pm Service: A service of quiet reflection on the themes of the Christmas season, with much singing of favorite Christmas Carols, and sharing of how the ancient message of Christmas can be translated into our contemporary experience of life and the world today. December 27 Music: 9:45AM Service: 10AM A UU Pagan Ceremony and Celebration The Pagan Fellowship of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura An Original Pagan Ritual and Service for the honoring of the end of one year and the beginning of another led by members of the congregation. 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.
From Beverly Musings on a Church Theme: Peace The hymn I ve got peace like a river is a lovely melody. I sung it often with hospice patients who found it soothing. But how is peace like a river? What would that river look like? What other images come to mind when you think of peace? Thích Nhât Hanh writes: Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness. If, in our heart, we still cling to anything - anger, anxiety, or possessions - we cannot be free. What does it mean to have inner peace? How are peace and freedom linked? Where in your life could you use a large dose of freedom? You once told me you wanted to find yourself in the world, and I told you to first apply within, to discover the world within you. You once told me you wanted to save the world from all its wars, and I told you to first save yourself from the world, and all the wars you put yourself through. (Apply Within by Suzy Kassem.) How would you describe the climate of your inner world? Save yourself from the world what does this phrase evoke in you? December for many people is a time of family gatherings and celebrations. Starting with yourself, how do you want to cultivate inner peace? How might your peacefulness have a ripple effect this season? See You in Church Beverly Covenant s Interested? Covenant s are a small group ministry that helps church members and newcomers get acquainted, deepen their relationships with one another and with the church community, and provide a forum for spiritual reflection. The groups meet twice a month and will be co-facilitated. Contact Beverly Jordan if you are interested to know more. Email: Beverly@uuventura.org or call 805/644 3898 ext 102 Celebration of Life Roberta (Bobby) Bromberger Saturday, December 12, 2pm 407 Del Norte Road, Ojai, CA 93023 ( Joanne (Bromberger)& Kris Young s home) Join family and friends in an informal gathering to celebrate Bobby s life with two of her favorite food groups: ice cream and desserts! Bobby and her husband were early members of our congregation. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to one of Roberta s favorite charities: Heifer International or Women for Women International. We also ask that you bring a single flower to this celebration. We will weave these gifts into a wreath as a symbol of our love and affection for this one-of-a-kind woman. Please RSVP to Jo at 805/766-7638. The Settled Minister Search Committee (SMSC) Report The Settled Minister Search Committee (SMSC) thanks the more than 60 people who participated in the Beyond Categorical Thinking service and workshop. We hope it was a useful and eye opening exercise for all. Among the things we learned are a minister s race, sexual orientation, or disability, while important, does not define the person and the kind of minister they will be. Also, we cannot expect a minister of color will necessarily help us become more diverse, or a gay, lesbian, or transgender minister will necessarily help us to become even more welcoming. It is up to the entire congregation to help us become the place we want to be. The entire congregation is also responsible for pointing out conscious or unconscious stereotyping should they witness it. It should not always fall on the victim of stereotyping to speak up and confront it. The committee continues to work on the Congregational Information Packet. Ministers looking for a position will review and use the packet to help them decide whether to consider us as a church they would like to serve. The Congregational Record is a major part of that packet and as such contains information about the character of our greater community, a profile of the minister we seek, a profile of the congregation, congregational history, budgets and more. The ministers who are searching for a position also put together a personal information packet and the search committee will review probably dozens of these packets when they become available early in the next year. It is certainly our hope that we will find one that seems the best match for us and that the one we select will feel the same about us! December 2015 2 On Common Ground UU Church of Ventura
Newsletter Submittals We value your contributions and very much appreciate email submittals. Send email submissions to On Common Ground to newsletter@uuventura.org Next Newsletter Deadline December 20 at Noon Next issue is January 2016 On Common Ground is a monthly publication of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura, 5654 Ralston Street, Ventura, CA 93003 http://www.uuventura.org Interim Minister - Rev. Ed Brock Office hours: Mon, Tues, Wed by appointment 805/644-3898 ext 105 Email: interimminister@uuventura.org Affiliate Minister - Rev. Carolyn Price Email: uurevclprice@gmail.com Spiritual Life Coordinator - Beverly Jordan 805/644-3898, ext 102 Email: beverly@uuventura.org Director of Religious Education -Lauren Copus Office hours: Wed 9am - 3pm. Thurs 10am - 5pm, 805/644-3898, ext 103 Email: dre@uuventura.org Office Manager - Becky Burnham Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 9am - 3pm Wed: 9am - 2:30pm Phone: 805/644-3898, ext 100 Call first to ensure Becky is onsite. Church Office Phone: 805/644-3898 FAX: 805/644-3926 Email: office@uuventura.org On Common Ground Editors: Shelah Wilgus... 805/658-7245 preblest@pacbell.net Tessa Weeks... 805/647-4247 tessaweeks@mac.com Notes from the President s Desk Glorious Tidings of Comfort and Joy this Holiday Season The year-end holiday season bring us gladness and sadness together in the same heart. It is a celebratory time of the year that can only be missed if you shelter in place with no contact with the outside world. I suggest that not be your practice. Embrace it all. Smile. It is a time of great story, full of hope and of good cheer. It is also that time of year when we acutely miss the ones near and dear to us who are no longer with us, except in memory and spirit. May you find what you need and what you seek this holiday season. I wish for you peace, joy, comfort, hope, and rest. My Closing Reflection for Calendar Year 2015 As is often my practice, I offer up the words of others, to articulate what is in my heart, but better expressed by others. Please enjoy The Peace of Wild Things by Wendell Berry, as published in The Peace of Wild Things from The Selected Poems of Wendell Berry. Copyright 1998. When despair for the world grows in me and I wake in the night at the least sound in fear of what my life and my children s lives may be, I go and lie down where the wood drake rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds. I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief. I come into the presence of still water. And I feel above me the day-blind stars waiting with their light. For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free. In faith and in love, Carolyn Briggs, President Happy Hanukkah, Happy Winter Solstice, Blessings of Mawlid Un Nabi, and Merry Christmas Help Wanted: Desperately Seeking Fill-In/Back-up Audio/Video Technician We are looking for backup for our Audio/Video Technician for weekday memorial services and other occasions when Brian Fortune is unavailable. Brian will train you. We don t believe you will be called on to do this job very often and will be paid when they fill-in.to Volunteer or more info: please see Brian before or after a Sunday service or by email: brianfortune@hotmail.com December 2015 3 On Common Ground UU Church of Ventura
Social Action The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. Mahatma Gandhi Despite the loss of Rev. David, Lift Up Your Voice continues to have success advocating on behalf of those experiencing homelessness and fighting for changes in policies and systems that keep people in poverty. Workshops we co-sponsored brought faith groups, service providers and business groups together to learn what is being done, what more each can do, and what best practices we all must adopt: i.e., housing people as a first step and then providing the supportive services each needs. Partially because of these events, pastors from 30 Ventura congregations sent a letter asking City Council to provide leadership in homelessness reduction Social Action News by Sue Brinkmeyer, Chair efforts and to eliminate barriers that stop faith communities and service providers from doing what must be done. In September and October the council subcommittee on homelessness finally agreed to call for a special City Council meeting/workshop on the subject of homelessness for February, we hope. Advocacy and coalition building have also helped us address the underlying cause of homelessness; the insufficient supply of housing, especially for people with limited incomes. Rents have skyrocketed, and those on lists for subsidized housing wait 5-7 years before getting housed. Those whose wait leads to a Section 8 voucher frequently find it is useless, for those able to pay above market rate get the few rentals available. So, thank you for showing up to help us and our allies convince the Planning Commission to demand that a 255-unit housing development downtown include units for low and very-lowincome workers. In the end, the developer agreed to provide affordable units and accept Section 8 vouchers. Homeless Memorial Service On Sunday, December 20 at 3pm in Plaza Park, there is yet another chance for you to help make a difference. Please join us for our 10th annual Homeless Memorial Service to remember those who have died homeless in our community and to walk silently through downtown in their honor. Inreach/Outreach News December Inreach/Outreach Dec. 6: Camp de Benneville Pines Fire Don t wait for other people to be loving, giving, compassionate...lead the way! Steve Maraboli Relief Fund Helps pay for engineering and construction to protect the camp from flooding after this summer s devastating fire for Beginning this month we will post on the We Care We Share bulletin board in Berg Hall some of the many letters to the congregation from funding the anticipated El Nino rain event this year. recipients expressing their appreciation for your generosity. We have received sincere thanks from groups and individuals helped through Dec. 13: VCCool (Ventura Climate Care your donations in late October and early November. The UUCV Inreach/ Options Organized Locally) The HUB Outreach fund was the recipient of $383, which will help folks in our own Community Bicycle Shop on Ventura Ave., community who need assistance. a core VCCool program, is where people are taught to repair and maintain their bicycles. You donated $1,042 to the Ventura Homeless Prevention Fund (VHPF) to Most HUB clients are low-income, unable help prevent Ventura families and individuals from falling into homelessness simply because of a significant one-time event such as an accident or illness. to pay for bike repairs or for a bike, but have Funds pay the rent, so a temporary loss of income or unexpected expense the option to work around the shop or build does not result in eviction. a bike themselves. Funds would expand our capacity to help people with work trade and The offering of $703 went to the Camp de Benneville Pines Fire Relief Fund to earn-a-bike. provide engineering and construction to protect the camp from flooding after this past summer s devastating fire, for the anticipated El Niño rain event this Dec. 20: Camarillo Hospice Funds provide year. Insurance has covered smoke damage but does not cover preparations volunteer hospice and bereavement support against damage due to mud flows in heavy rains off the mountain. services to 600 Ventura County residents. You collected $925 for Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County to provide Dec. 24 (5 & 10PM): UUCV Safe Sleep additional staff time to recruit and effectively utilize volunteers from corporations, universities, churches, service groups and the naval base, who have a Guests Funds help these folks enjoy a restful night in a motel and meals in a restaurant. critical role in the program s efforts to provide safe, secure, affordable housing Dec. 27: UU Justice Ministry in California (UUJMCA) Funds support leadership development and education; organizing and advocacy for environmental justice; immigration justice; lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality, and healthcare reform. Thanks for your generous donations each to low-income area residents. More than 100 members and pledging friends voted recently to decide which Inreach/Outreach organizations are to receive the offering during the November 2015 February 2016 period. Of 13 applicants, three had enough votes to be awarded two Sundays, two received too few votes to be eligible, and eight others were awarded one Sunday each. Results of the vote are posted on the We Care We Share bulletin board. Sunday. Anne Escobedo December 2015 4 On Common Ground UU Church of Ventura
PreK 1 Laurie, Cheryl, Julie, Irma 2-3 Cary, Jamie, Eric, Diana 4-5 Nancy, Kappy, Barbarella, Jill 6-8 Helen, Dorothy, Sally,Nita 9 & 12 evan, Vel RE December 2015 December 6 December 13 December 20 December 27 Discovering the Meaning of Hanukkah We Learn and Grow Together Kindness is the Key Focus on Paganism Theme: Peace Discovering Christmas We Help Others Interage RE Christmas Holiday Activities Wisdom Tale: UU Christmas in Early America Peace Inside Focus on Paganism Theme: Peace Wisdom Tale: Celebrate Hanukkah Peace and Kindness Focus on Paganism Theme: Peace Interage RE Christmas Holiday Activities Interage RE Christmas Holiday Activities Interage RE Christmas Holiday Activities Interage RE Christmas Holiday Activities * 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 andanna. 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 - www.uuventura.org. If you have registered your children in the past, please update their registration information, especially age and grade level. Important Reminder: Parents remember to pick your child up at 11:15am. After 11:15am, teachers will walk your child over to the childcare aides, and they will either be in the PreK-1 Rm or outside. Please pick up children by 12 noon. NEWS from Religious Education Lauren Copus, dre The Religious Education Program s Children need YOU! We need volunteers to help in the classroom one Sunday a month. Prior teaching experience not needed, just a desire to be with children in a UU setting. Share your talents with the children and you may be surprised what you find out about your UU values and spirituality. In November the annual Dia de los Muertos Celebration, hosted by the RE Committee, was a great success. Joyce Faber provided beautiful long stemmed marigolds for the Offeranda. Sally Sibley King shared her musical talents with her guitar and singing of Dem Bones. Erica Duffy read a special story about the traditions of Dia de los Muertos. Rena Pezzuto helped the children draw faces and designs on marshmallow skulls, while others created colorful pictures and folded tissue paper into huge flowers. Thanks also to Cary Davis, Cambria Torres and all our other wonderful parents and grandparents who helped with the festivities. Coming up this month, we are looking forward to another popular annual event, the All-Church Christmas Potluck Party and Caroling. The festivities will begin in Berg Hall at 5pm on Friday, Dec. 4. At 5:30 we walk to one of the senior centers near the church for Christmas Caroling. At 6, we return to Berg Hall for a fun evening of Christmas celebration including yummy food, fun crafts, freeze-frame dancing and of course more singing! Please bring a potluck dish to share, your dinnerware and jingle bells. RE will provide beverages. Youth Choir s first performance will take place at the Dec 6 Worship Service. The children will sing during the chalice lighting and opening hymn. They will also perform during the 5pm Worship Service on Dec 24. The Youth Choir, led by UUCV Music Director Carolyn Howard, practices Sundays after RE classes and anyone age 5-16 is welcome. Looking forward to sharing holiday fun with each of you, Lauren Copus, dre@uuventura.org December Birthdays Atticus, Fynn, Brody, Kristen, Amelia, Amber PSWD Sr. High Winter Camp at de Benneville Pines Dec. 27-January 1 Scholarships available December 2015 5 On Common Ground UU Church of Ventura
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. Women's Voices: and Support 1st & 3rd Tues 11-1pm West Alcove Open women s group explores women s roles and issues using audio/ video presentation with discussion. Open to all women. Contacts: Suzanne Olsen, 805/701-1024, suzth2@charter.net or Ann Escobedo, 805/658-8543, anne.escobedo@ sbcglobal.net. CUUPS at UUCV The Covenant of UU Pagans at UUCV is a group of men and women who honor the circle of the seasons and explore earth centered spiritual practices. We typically meet the 2nd Sunday in the evening. Contact Dorothy Fast Horse, Kappy Paulson, or Dori Herrick. For info: http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/ CUUPSventura UUniques 50+ Potluck Thurs Dec 17, 6:30pm Berg Hall Because of Christmas Day, our potluck will be held on the 3rd Thursday. Join us for an evening of good food, conversation and sharing of Christmas memories. Bring a dish to share and your own table setting. Contact: Merle or Pat Oberg 805/642-6316, or email at 31mlober8@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, 805/650-3327, pflag.ventura. ca@gmail.com.. Fun Book Club December 20 3rd 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: December A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler. Contact: Dorothy Fast Horse 805/218-9478 dfasthorse@aol.com. Men's Tues 9:30am Conference Room We discuss political and social issues and current events. All men welcome. Contact: Bill Peltola, 805/320-6175 or 805/486-1348. Fine Arts and Craft Fair Report huge thank you to everyone who A participated on our annual Fine Arts and Craft Fair. If you were a seller or a purchaser, or sometimes both, know you made a difference! Over $1,600 in donations were given to the church by our fantastic, creative members and friends. Exercise Less, Move More Wednesday 3-4pm NO CLASS Dec 23 & 30 Aligned Movement 101 Join us for a review of how to sit, stand and walk for optimal health. Learn how correct alignment can improve your well being and your health all day, every day! Taught by Joyce Faber & Shelah Wilgus Like the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura on Facebook. It s one more way to stay connected. Day of Wakefulness Renewal for the New Year Saturday January 9 9am-4pm Sanctuary with Leslie Rinchen-Wongmo Leslie will bring her experience with Tibetan Buddhism, meditation, laughter practice and embodied delight to our mindful day together. The day begins with the documentary film Creating Buddhas: the Making and Meaning of Fabric Thangkas, featuring Leslie s story and artwork, and will be filled with opportunities to practice living joyfully in the present moment. For more information or to register go to https://sites.google.com/ site/friendshipsanghaoftheheart/day-ofmindfulness. 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. Info: Neal Ortenberg 805/368-9835 or nealstuart@gmail.com. Blankets and Sweat Shirts for LUYV Park Outreach. Winter is coming and our homeless folks are going to be cold and wet. As we go out weekly in the parks we get requests for sweatshirts, jackets and blankets. If you have unused blankets or sweatshirts laying around your house we could put them to good use! Please drop them off in the bin at the social action table or contact Kathy Powell at kathypurpleprincess@gmail.com. December 2015 6 On Common Ground UU Church of Ventura
UU Things To Do Adult Programs Districts? Regions? What s up in the UUA? Even if you follow UU World closely, it can be challenging to keep track of what's going on in the process broadly known as regionalization. This because the various regions within the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) have taken different approaches to governance transformation and collaboration. To begin with, UUA professional staff have a long practice of collaboration, especially in our western states. The regionalization movement formalized the practice of making all of its Congregational Life Staff regional staff. Districts and regions were given the choice of how to continue in governance. The MidAmerica Region was the first to shift from district governance to a regional governance model. The Southern Region voted to eliminate its district governance structure altogether and, in addition, relinquished all governance responsibility to the UUA Board of Trustees. At the beginning of November, the Central East Region (where the Rev. David Pyle serves as District Executive, in the Joseph Priestley District) formalized an agreement eliminating district governance and unifying the districts resources. In the Pacific Western Region (PWR), we have chosen to follow a path we call regional collaboration, rather than regionalization. We have retained our four districts: The Mountain Desert District; the Pacific Northwest District, (including Alaska); the Pacific Central District, (including Hawaii); and our own Pacific Southwest District (Arizona, a chunk of southern Nevada, and California north to our congregation in San Luis Obispo). Certain operational functions such as bookkeeping are centralized, and districthired staff within the region communicate and collaborate with each other. The Congregational Life Staff (professional UUA staff) may serve the entire region and are coordinated by a regional lead, the Rev. Nancy Bowen. The districts no longer have District Executives; they are now regional staff with primary programmatic areas of responsibility. Our longtime District Executive, Ken Brown, is one such staffer and remains our primary contact until his retirement at the end of July 2016. Jan Christian, too, is a member of this regional Congregational Life Staff. The four district presidents meet online monthly, and in person at least twice a year, at meetings known as the District Presidents Association. When we met in person at the beginning of November, we reaffirmed our mutual agreement that district structures remain best for the PWR given the vastness of our territory as well as our distance physically and psychically from UUA headquarters in Boston. So, yes, we still have a district, an office, and district-specific staff. And yes, we are part of a PoWeRful regional collaboration. Feel free to ask me any time for the latest on this topic and on our district board s collaboration with Camp de Benneville Pines. I faith, Jim Merrill Greet the New Year with All You can Eat Lunch Bread and Soup community building event Sunday January 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 and spoon. FRIDAY MOVIE NIGHT 7pm Enter at back door December 4 Zero Motivation, 2014, Not Rated, Hebrew with English subtitles. This comedy shot seriously, as described by its writer/director Talya Lavie, follows a unit of female secretaries doing their Israeli military service at a remote desert outpost. In many ways a modernized MASH, this film s lack of combat, casualties or political agenda made it a film festival favorite. December 18 Spare Parts, 2015, PG-13. Four Arizona high school students from tough backgrounds decide to enter a competition to build an underwater ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle). The event, which was held at UCSB, had been won repeatedly in earlier years by MIT, and drew ridiculously over-financed teams from Ivy League schools. Surprisingly, the Arizona teens chose to enter the college rather than the high school competition, figuring they d feel better being the lowest scoring team against colleges than against high schools. Based on a true story. Stars George Lopez, Jamie Lee Curtis, Marisa Tomei. Director Sean McNamara. Closed captioned. December 18 Kiss Me, 2011, Not Rated, Swedish with English subtitles. This Swedish family drama begins with a middle-aged man and woman embarking on second marriages with an engagement party that brings their two daughters together, one daughter bringing her boyfriend to whom she has just become engaged. Trouble begins when the two soon-to-be stepsisters fall madly in love with each other. Includes scenes of tasteful lovemaking with the two women. Director Alexandra-Therese Keining. December 25 No Movie. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! December 2015 7 On Common Ground UU Church of Ventura
Buildings and Grounds by Linda Pietrzak Committee News Between Stewardship Saturdays, the committee completed several projects. Bill Peltola, Dale Condra, and Joyce Sattler moved desks, an organ, file cabinets, and untold miscellaneous other items so that Carolyn Howard, our Music Director, could have an office. Geoff Dann and John Puccetti checked out the leaky kitchen faucet and had it replaced. Michael Akseven and Joyce cleaned the soiled upholstery on the chairs in Berg Hall. As I have said before Building and Grounds is a well-coordinated committee. You all should come check us out on a Stewardship Saturday and see what makes us so special. We have projects for all interests and ability levels. You can add your stamp on making the church look good for the holiday season. B&G Finance Facts from the Finance Committee December Pledging friends are individuals or couples who are interested in supporting the church financially but are not yet ready to join. A promise or pledge to pay a monthly amount for 12 months is made and their payments are used for church programs and expenses rather than our gifts to nonprofit organizations, which is our weekly practice. You can learn more about becoming a pledging friend by contacting David Smith with the contact information shown below. You can change your future pledge amount at any time by notifying Becky Burnham, UUCV Office Manager, by phone, mail, or email. You can make onetime donations or set up automatic pledge payments on our web site at www.uuventura. org. Navigate to About Us/Give-Donate Online, click on the picture of the mouse and follow the instructions, or contact David Smith at 805/216-9331 or davidpaseo@verizon.net. Membership Committee by Gudrun Eastham Journey to Membership Orientation classes #1 and #2 have met and more than a dozen newcomers voiced interest in our church. A big thank you to Jim Merrill for sharing his knowledge and holding our interest as he explained UU history, legacies, and principles (using former Assistant Minister, Rev. David Pyle s detailed notes). Thanks also to the membership committee members who helped with refreshments, to Rev. Ed Brock, our Interim Minister, for facilitating, and to Beverly Jordan, our Spiritual Life Coordinator, for attendee contact and follow-up. Those who signed the Membership Book will be honored at a New Member Recognition Ceremony during Sunday worship service on December 5. I invite you to attend and show your support of our new members. As you may know, our greeters are the very first people a visitor meets when coming into our building. If you have ever wished to be part of the Greeter Team, there are several openings this month. Greeters are church members who perform welcoming tasks before, during, and after Sunday services and are a vital component of the Sunday morning experience. Please contact Kathy Swift (805/649-4660) or me (805/479-4852) to volunteer. Thank you for bringing visitors to church and inviting them to stop by the visitor information table in Berg Hall where a church member is available to chat and answer questions. Stewards Report David Smith & David Henkel, Stewardship Coordinators Thanksgiving reminds us that we should be conscious of our blessings every day, not just on special holidays. Gratitude can be a spiritual value and it can make us happier. Drs. Blaire and Rita Justice reported for the University of Texas Health Science Center, a growing body of research shows that gratitude is truly amazing in its physical and psychosocial benefits. In one study, conducted by Robert A. Emmons, Ph.D., at the University of California at Davis, and his colleague Mike McCullough at the University of Miami, randomly assigned participants were given one of three tasks. Each week, participants kept a short journal. One group briefly described five things they were grateful for that had occurred in the past week, another five recorded daily hassles from the previous week that displeased them, and the neutral group was asked to list five events or circumstances that affected them, but they were not told whether to focus on the positive or the negative. Ten weeks later, participants in the gratitude group felt better about their lives as a whole and were a full 25% happier than the hassled group. They reported fewer health complaints and exercised an average of 1.5 hours more. The Nuroscience of Why Gratitude Makes Us Healthier: by Ocean Robbins, www.twitter.com/oceanrobbins. December 2015 8 On Common Ground UU Church of Ventura
December 2015 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 World AIDS 2 3 4 National day 12pm - Watercolor 10am - Book Club Cookie Day 9am - Men s Class 2pm - Handicraft 7pm - Movie Night Grp 1pm - UU Bridge 11am - Womens 5pm - T ai Chi Voices I Chih Candlelight 6pm - Men s 7pm - Choir II Rehearsal III V 6 Hanukkah Starts New Member Recognition 10am - Worship Service 11:15am - Children s Choir 11am - Annual Pledge Campaign 11:45 AM-Environmental Action 13 10am - Worship Service 11:15am - Children s Choir 11am - Humanism Seminar 11am - Women s 20 10am - Worship Service 11:15am - Children s Choir 11am - Fun Book Club 12pm - Newsletter Deadline 3pm - Homeless Persons Memorial 27 10am - Worship Service 11:15am - Children s Choir 11am - Humanism Seminar 11am - Women s 7 National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day 1pm - Women s 4pm - Yoga 5pm - T ai Chi Chih 7pm - Meditation 14 Hanukkah Ends 4pm - Yoga 5pm - T ai Chi Chih 6pm - Intro to Meditation 7pm - Meditation 21 1pm - Women s 3pm - Affordable Housing 4pm - Yoga 5pm - T ai Chi Chih 7pm - Meditation 28 3pm - River Haven Dinner Pickup 4pm - Yoga 5pm - T ai Chi Chih 6pm - SACC 7pm - Meditation 8 9am - Men s 3pm - Women s 4pm - Women s s 6pm - Worship Associates 6pm - Finance Committee VI 15 9am - Men s 11am - Womens Voices 6pm - Men s II 6pm - Leadership Committee V 22 Winter Solstice 9am - Men s Grp 3pm - Women s 4pm - Women s s 7pm - PFLAG VI 29 9am - Men s 6pm - Men s Potluck 9 12pm - Watercolor Class 1pm - UU Bridge 6pm - Building and Grounds 7pm - Choir Rehearsal 16 12pm - Watercolor Class 1pm - UU Bridge 4pm - VSSTF Board 6:45pm - RE Start-up I 7pm - Choir Rehearsal 23 12pm - Lift Up Your Voice 12pm - Watercolor Class 1pm - UU Bridge 7pm - Choir Rehearsal 30 11am - Newsletter Folding 12pm - Watercolor Class 1pm - UU Bridge 7pm - Choir Rehearsal 10 10am - Book Club 4pm - Caregiver 6pm - VC Climate Hub 6pm - Membership Committee 17 10am - Book Club 2pm - Handicraft 6pm - Board of Trustees 6pm - UUniques+50 Potluck III 24 10am - Book Club 31 New Years Eve 10am - Book Club 11 2pm - Scrapbooking 6pm - Game Night 7pm - Movie Night 18 7pm - Movie Night 25 Holiday Church Office Closed 5 9am - Men s Breakfast Bunch December 2015 9 On Common Ground UU Church of Ventura 12 19 9am - Stewardship Saturday 26 5pm - SACC Film Night
Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura 5654 Ralston Street, Ventura, CA 93003 2015-16 Board of Trustees President Carolyn Briggs Vice President Byran Buck Secretary Joe Hutchins Treasurer Jim Waldron Trustee at Large Kimberly Prieto Trustee at Large Mark Gale Trustee at Large Katherine (Kassy) Erickson Leadership Development Committee News Spotlight on Kathy Swift by Stephanie Tifffany Kathy Swift approaches life with enthusiasm, flair, and a big smile. She first visited UUCV five years ago, when her daughter Barbarella sang during a service as part of a Prototypes presentation. Barbarella told her "Mom, this church sounds just like you!" Kathy soon joined the congregation and jumped right in to help in whatever ways she could. She is passionate about UUCV's homeless outreach. She loves singing in the choir. As part of the Membership Committee, Kathy can often be found at the membership table, welcoming visitors, and for the last couple of years, she has also co-chaired the Service Auction with Michael Akseven. When Kathy is not busy with church activities, she works full time, and spends time with her loving husband, children and grandchildren. Kathy has dabbled in many churches in her lifetime, and she is very happy that she finally found a UU congregation. She loves being part of this church, and (in her own words) she enjoys anything she can help with in this "wonderful, generous, accepting, loving community."