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UU Visalia
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Home Page:
uuvisalia.org
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Calendar December 2007
Your
Insights Wanted! In
preparation for our December 2 service and our December 7 & 8 congregational
Retreat, please take a very brief 6-question
online survey.
Click here: Please
take our Fall 2007 survey.
Dec 2 - 5 PM Visualizing a Future for UUFV. Come prepared
to take part in a guided visualization of the future for the Unitarian
Universalist Fellowship of Visalia. The congregational retreat with
PCD facilitators is December 7-8, 2007 to help us prepare a shared vision that will clarify the ultimate guiding purposes of the congregation. Come and take part in creating the future.
Dec 3 - 7 PM - Board Meeting. All congregational
members welcome. Contact: president@uuvisalia.org.
Dec 7 - 6 PM - 8:30 Potluck and Retreat Start-Up - At Friends Meeting
House (see article below)
Dec 8 - 9 AM - 4:00 Retreat - At Seven Circles Retreat
(see article below)
Dec 9 - 5 PM "It's a Red Ribbon Day"
AIDS has killed more
than 25 million people, with an estimated 38.6 million people living
with HIV, making it one of the most destructive epidemics in recorded
history. Despite recent, improved access to antiretroviral treatment
and care in many regions of the world, the AIDS epidemic claimed an estimated
3.1 million (between 2.8 and 3.6 million) lives in 2005 of which, more
than half a million (570,000) were children. Find out what UU's
can do to deal with this pandemic.
6 PM - Social Justice / Green Sanctuary Team Meets During Potluck
Dec 16 - 5 PM "It's Yule" What is the difference between
Yule and Christmas? Come celebrate the Yuletide and discover some
new lessons for life. Welcome the Solstice and the return of the light. Sing
carols accompanied by Ken Elias. After
the service, have a soup supper with bread and desserts and a White
Elephant exchange. So bake those cookies and make that fundge - package
it and put a price tag on it. All proceeds to the piano fund. Our goal is
$1800 and we are one-quarter of the way there.
6:45 PM - Worship Team Meets After Potluck
Dec 23 - 5 PM - "The Unitarian Who Saved Christmas" Join us for a candlelight service as we reflect upon the message of Christmas
as celebrated in Charles Dickens' classic tale "A Christmas Carol." Presented
by Janet Wood, music by Ken Elias. Please bring a food donation for our
outreach ministry to support the Visalia chapter of "Food
Not Bombs."
Dec 30 - 5 PM - "Closing the Books on 2007: or, Are we better
off Today than We Were a Year Ago?" How would you categorize
this past year? Some of the congregation have been keeping tabs. Come
and find out what Bill and Rob Osak have discovered.
The 5PM Worship Service is followed by a light potluck supper at 6 PM to which all are welcome!
Please do not hesitate to come to church and join us for dinner potluck. Even if you forget to bring a dish, we always have plenty and your company is most welcome.
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Plant, Book, & Video Sale and Service Auction
a Big Succcess!
We had a lot of fun, and in the process raised $438.00 toward the purchase of an electronic piano at our Sale & Auction fundraiser after the November 25 service! Many thanks to all those who contributed items and services, and many thanks to those who bought them!
ONLINE BOOKSTORE OFFERS GREAT READING
For the holidays, please visit our very own UU Visalia online bookstore, powered by Amazon.com! You can buy anything from Amazon.com on our bookstore!
Visit us at: www.uuvisalia.org/bookstore/
Featured this Month:
What on Earth Have I Done? by Robert Fulghum.
Robert Fulghum has been a UU minister since 1961, but ever since a collection of his church newsletter columns became the bestselling "Everything I need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten" he has been what he calls a "UU stealth minister" to millions. His new book, "What on Earth Have I done?" features more of his funny, earthy stories and humane approach to life. A great holiday gift! This and many other interesting books are available. Or you may support our Fellowship by simply going to our bookstore website first, then clicking any link - no matter what you buy will support our fellowship.
So far, our online bookstore has earned $22.32 in referral fees for our Fellowship, with only a few people participating. Let's break that record for the holidays! Remember, anything you buy after clicking on the Powered by Amazon.com logo supports our Fellowship:
You will also find a convenient search box at the bottom of our home page. Please consider using this feature for your holiday shopping, to help support our Fellowship!
Food Not Bombs
We'll be collecting canned goods and other non-perishables during the month of December at the Fellowship for the new Visalia chapter of "Food Not Bombs." Your donations will go directly to feed the homeless in Tulare County. Please bring meatless items only for this creative project bringing to life the slogan, "Cook for Peace!"
New Friday UU Visalia Social Lunch Group
Last month, several local UUs got together for the lunch buffet at the newly remodeled Taj Palace Indian Restaurant. We loved the food and conversation so much, we decided to make it a regular thing, and to invite the whole congregation! This is a social event, and an opportunity to meet and discuss with others who have spiritually progressive ideas. So, bring your friends and join us at the Taj Palace Indian Restaurant, at the Marco Polo Motel, corner of Noble and Linwood, every Friday at 12:15 p.m. Address: 4545-B W. Noble Ave., Visalia, CA 93277 (559) 625-2500. For more info, call Harold at 739-8527 or email harold@planetpatriot.net.
Our Vegetarian Cookbook Project
Please contribute your recipes for vegan / vegetarian / dishes for our planned Vegan / Vegetarian UU Visalia Cookbook. Please submit your items to Lesley or email them to: info@uuvisalia.org.
Caring as a Fellowship
If you know of any Fellowship member or friend experiencing a life challenge (including yourself!), please tell a board member so we can offer support. E-mail your request to: info@uuvisalia.org or mention during "Joys and Concerns."
Field trip to Other Nearby UU Congregations?
Anyone interested in taking a "field trip" to visit the new UU Church of Fresno (www.uufresno.org)? How about the UU Fellowship of Porterville? If you are interested, contact Harold at: harold@planetpatriot.net.
New Video on our Website
The new UUA Video, "Voices for a Liberal Faith - Unitarian Universalists" is now available for viewing on our website.
Tell your friends about it! Watch it at:
http://www.uuvisalia.org/visitors/voices.html
MEETINGS AND WORKSHOPS
Fellowship Retreat
Friday, December 7, 2007: Potluck & First Session: 6 PM - 8:30 PM
December 8, 2007, Saturday, 9 AM - 4 PM.
 Friday evening will be at the Friends Meeting House, and Saturday we meet at the Seven Circles Retreat Center in Badger. Retreat leaders, from PCD
Leadership School, Revs. Cathleen Burneo and Barb Zoellin, will help us to re-visit
the Fellowship vision and strategies from 2005 and 2006 and to set
goals for the future. Ask yourself - how can we make a greater contribution to our community? How can we bring our healing, non-dogmatic message where it is so sorely needed?
Plans for the retreat will be discussed by the congregation at the the December 2 Sunday service. Please RSVP by Monday 12/3 to April: president@uuvisalia.org
ADULT EDUCATION
The Great Turning Discussion Group
The Social Justice/Green Sanctuary Team is preparing a five week discussion course for our congregation on David Korten's seminal book The Great Turning to begin in early February. So order your copy of the book now!
Download the Book Discussion Guide - a Five Session Guide
http://www.thegreatturning.net/PDF/TGT_Guide._Version_06.1.pdf
The Great Turning makes the case that we humans are a choice making species that at this defining moment faces both the opportunity and the imperative to choose our future as a conscious collective act. We can no longer deny the need nor delay our response. A mounting perfect economic storm is fast approaching. A convergence of climate change, peak oil, and the financial instability inherent in an unbalanced global trading system will bring an unraveling of the corporate-led global economy and a dramatic restructuring of every aspect of modern life.
Changing our future begins with changing our stories. A work already underway, it ultimately calls out for the participation of every person on the planet. The Great Turning points the way to the inspiring outcome within our reach.
Save the Date! - April 5th through May 3rd, 2008
In Ancient Times - This five-session adult religious education curriculum is an update of the popular Cakes for the Queen of Heaven curriculum originally published in 1986. It is a course in feminine theology. Themes of the course are: "The Sacred Female, In the Name of the Mother and the Daughter, Womanpower, The First Turning-From Goddess to God, and Reclaiming Women's Heritage of Peace." The sessions will be held on Saturdays from April 5th through May 3rd, 2008 with time and place to be announced later.
Our Building Your Own Theology course continues through January, '08. If you couldn't attend, check out the Additional Reading recommended by the author of our class curriculum on our online bookstore.
Buddhist Meditation (Wednesdays, 6 PM) As well as meditation practice, these weekly sessions also frequently discuss current literature on mindfulness and meditation.
Coming in 2008!
January 6, 2008 - "Congregational Visions for the Year" A summary presentation and review of the December 7-8th retreat at Seven Circles.
January 13, 2008 - "Ishmael" Many in our congregation have probably read the ground-breaking book Ishmael: An Adventure in Mind and Spirit
by Daniel Quinn. Some of you may remember the play performed here in
Visalia several years ago. Today, we will see and hear a dramatized
version which we believe is closer to the main ideas of the book. This
presentation will challenge us to think about the basic assumptions of
our culture and the consequences which those assumptions have for the
future of our planet. How can we save the world? Come find out from a
very wise Gorilla named Ishmael! We're sure this will stimulate an
active discussion at the end of the presentation!
January 20, 2008 - "World Religion Day" Celebrate with Harold Wood as he investigates what happened when the first Hindu prayer was ever offered in Congress, an event which occurred for the first time in 2007. Was our pluralistic nation welcoming of such religious diversity?
January 27, 2008 - "The Cost of Energy is a Spiritual Expense" with
David Hodges.
February 3, 2008 - "Imbolc" Time for a Cleansing Ritual at the Meeting
House with Marilyn Giese.
February 10, 2007 - "Darwin Day" Celebrate the contributions to science and humanity from Charles Darwin, which launched tremendous new understanding of the history of life on earth, and the scientific cornerstone for the UU appreciation of the web of life which the science of evolution reveals. Presented by Harold Wood and Katherine Singh.
February 17, 2008 - The Build Your Own Theology Study Group will share their experience with the Congregation.
REMINDER: Recycle and Raise Funds for UU Visalia by bringing in your Used Printer Cartridges!
To find us, check out our new Directions and Map page on our website, including a printable map! go to www.uuvisalia.org
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Unitarian Universalist
Events & News New National Marketing Campaign to Grow Our Faith
"Maybe you're uncomfortable with the idea of God - or at least someone else's idea of God. Yet maybe you yearn for a loving, spiritual community where you can be inspired and encouraged as you search for your own truth and meaning.
This is a church, you ask? Welcome to Unitarian Universalism."
So reads the text under the caption, "Is God Keeping You from Going to Church" that appears in the December 3, 2007, issue of Time Magazine.
Read the full page ads and two advertorials (PDF) in Time Magazine at uua.org, or look for the ads in the Dec. 3, 2007, and Dec. 31, 2007 issues of Time. Unitarian Universalism: Nurture Your Spirit. Help Heal Our World
Upcoming Pacific Central District Events:
Saturday, January 12, 2008
A SPECIAL WORKSHOP WITH REV. LARRY PEERS!
UU Church of Berkeley (Kensington)
April 25 - 27, 2008
DISTRICT ASSEMBLY 2008!
Stay tuned for more information about this "not to miss" event! |
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Community Events for Social Justice and/or Personal Spiritual Development
Holiday Cards for the TroopsWhen you are making out your holiday card list this year, consider including the following: To: A Recovering American soldier c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center 6900 Georgia Avenue,NW Washington, D.C. 20307-5001 Saturdays - 8 AM - 11:30 AM - Visalia Farmer's Market
Come buy locally grown fruits and vegetables every Saturday, all year
long at Sequoia Mall Parking Lot (near Sears). Remember - buying
locally grown food is more sustainable and reduces your impact on
global warming!
December 1, 7:30 PM - Tulare County Symphony's holiday concert at Visalia Fox Theatre, downtown Visalia. Featuring Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Suite," "The Red Violin," "Sleigh Ride," "Ave Maria," a sing-along "Hallelujah Chorus" from "The Messiah," and more. Tickets: $15-$35. information: 732-8600 or www.gorillatix.com December 2 (Sunday) 6:30 PM - Come listen to our own Ken Elias and many others in a special concert: "The Messiah" by G. F. Handel at First Presbyterian Church, 3151 E. Hermosa, Lindsay. December 1, 7 -8 & 14-15 - "A Christmas Carol" 7 p.m. & 2 p.m. Dec. 2. Where: Enchanted Playhouse Theatre, 307 East Main St., Visalia. Tickets: $8 Information: 739-4600 December 8 (Sat) 1-5 PM - Antique Toy Open House and AuctionHere's your chance to do all of your year-end shopping AND make a donation to the Heifer Project at the same time! These are mostly collector toys "not for children", but, hey, we played with 'em when we were kids. Event at "Uncle Bill's" in Porterville. For info, contact: warner1@sosinet.net. December 15 (Sat) - Join the Sierra Club on a hike to Ladybug Camp. This is a fairly short and easy hike up the South Fork of the Kaweah River up to Ladybug Camp. Meet at 9 AM in the parking lot by Taco Bell in Mary's Vineyard. Rain/snow cancels. Call Allen for info at 739-8087. December 22,
Saturday 2:00-4:00 PM - Valley Yoga Winter Workshop.
1/15-2/19/08 (6 weeks) 5:30-7:00PM Yoga Basics for those new to yoga.
1616 W Mineral King, Visalia, 786-1017, www.valleyyoga.net
December 29, Saturday 7AM - Kaweah Christmas Bird Count. Meet at the
entrance to Kaweah Oaks Preserve to be assigned an area to help find,
identify, count and tabulate birds. Meet after dinner after dark in
Woodlake for countdown and tabulation of day's results. Rob Hansen is
compiler, 627-5473.
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Guest At Your Table
 UU principles call upon us to raise our voices together to defend justice and basic human rights.
For more than 30 years, UU communities nationwide have participated in Guest at Your Table. They have come together for this special tradition to give thanks, celebrate UU values, and partner with the UU Service Committee to change the world.
Your generous Guest at Your Table support makes possible the work of UU Service Committeee and its program partners. Together, we strengthen workers' rights; protect the right to safe, affordable water; defend civil liberties and democratic processes; and preserve the rights of vulnerable people after disasters.
Our tradition of Guest at Your Table helps bring us closer to our shared UU principles, while celebrating our power to help change the world and sharing our blessings. Look for your "Guest at Your Table" box beginning Sunday December 2.
You can keep this spirit and tradition alive. Put a Guest at
Your Table box on your family's dining table and discuss together during meals what it
means to welcome a guest to your table. Keep it there for several weeks. During that time, imagine a different guest at your table with you each week, someone who is not as well off as you. As often as you can, insert coins or bills in the box. Bring them, or write a check to UUSC, and return the box to our congregation by December 16, so checks can be mailed before the end of the year.
You may also join the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee directly. UUSC membership begins at $40 (or $20 for seniors, and just $10 for students and youth). Although you can become a member at any level, your unrestricted gift of $100 or more is eligible to be matched dollar for dollar by the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock in Manhasset, N.Y.
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
689 Massachusetts Avenue · Cambridge, MA 02139
info@uusc.org · 800-766-5236 · www.uusc.org
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Responding to Global Warming
 The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, recent winners along with Al Gore of the Noble Peace Price, have issued their latest scientific appraisal of global warming.
The latest Report, issued November 17, 2007, stresses that "warming of the climate system is unequivocal". While raising serious concerns on the anticipated rise in sea-level, melting glaciers and the extinction of various species in different regions, it also offers options for mitigation and adaptation of climate change.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, commented in response to the report: "I can tell you with assurance that global sweeping, concerted action is needed now. There is no time to waste."
"We need a new ethic by which every human being realizes the importance of the challenge we are facing and starts to take action through changes in lifestyle and attitude", noted Rajendra Pachauri, Chairman of the IPCC. Governments have a wide variety of policies and instruments available to create incentives to mitigation, especially in the area of carbon emissions, he said.
Noting that the Report is also a "citizen's guide" that leads people to engage in issues relating to climate change, Achim Steiner, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), said that "unless people care about what's written in this Report, political leaders cannot move. It is only citizens who ultimately will bring the political will to bear upon the negotiations."
Among their scientific conclusions are the following, which repeat not only the warnings, but also point out a significant hope to address the issue in a positive way. It is now up to us as UUs to help transform these scientific statements into political and spiritual realities:
Adaptation and mitigation options:
"A wide array of adaptation options is available, but more extensive adaptation than is currently occurring is required to reduce vulnerability to climate change.
Both bottom-up and top-down studies indicate that there is high agreement and much evidence of substantial economic potential for the mitigation of global Greenhouse Gas emissions over the coming decades that could offset the projected growth of global emissions or reduce emissions below current levels.
There is high confidence that neither adaptation nor mitigation alone can avoid all climate change impacts; however, they can complement each other and together can significantly reduce the risks of climate change.
Many impacts can be reduced, delayed or avoided by mitigation. Mitigation efforts and investments over the next two to three decades will have a large impact on opportunities to achieve lower stabilization levels.
Delayed emission reductions significantly constrain the opportunities to achieve lower stabilization levels and increase the risk of more severe climate change impacts.
There is high agreement and much evidence that all stabilization levels assessed can be achieved by deployment of a portfolio of technologies that are either currently available or expected to be commercialized in coming decades, assuming appropriate and effective incentives are in place for their development, acquisition, deployment and diffusion and addressing related barriers."
Source: Summary for Policymakers of the Synthesis Report of the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report, November 16, 2007.
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