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UU Visalia
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Home Page:
uuvisalia.org
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Calendar February 2008
All services begin at 5 PM, followed by 6 PM potluck
February 3, 2008 - "Imbolc" Time for a Cleansing Ritual at the Meeting House with Marilyn Giese
February 10, 2007 - "Darwin Day - Evolution Sunday
"In the Footsteps of Charles Darwin" Presentation by Ivan Ball from UU Porterville, a retired Methodist minister who has traveled around the world visting Darwin's footsteps in England, Galapagos, Argentina, Falkland Islands, Tierra del Fuego, plus Antarctica.
Social Justice/GreenSanctuary Team meets during Potluck.
February 17, 2008 - The "Build Your Own Theology" Study Group will share their experience with the congregation.
Worship Team meets after potluck at 6:45 PM
February 24, 2008 - "The Greening of Visalia" with Visalia City Council member Greg Collins.
March 6, 2008 - 7 PM - SPECIAL EVENT: "Thank God for Evolution" with Michael Dowd, America's Evolutionary Evangelist, at College of the Sequoias Ponderosa Hall (Room 350 - Science Lecture Hall)
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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Fellowship News
Special Event! Michael Dowd Live!
"Thank God for Evolution" March 6, 2008 - 7PM
Thank God for Evolution! Michael Dowd Live!
America's Evolutionary EvangelistCOS Science Lecture Hall Room 350 (Ponderosa Hall) Come hear Reverend Michael Dowd share a gospel that's billions of years old and find out why Americans everywhere are engaging in a life-changing new conversation about Creation. See for yourself why Nobel Prize winning scientists and religious leaders across the spectrum are lining up to praise his bold new book that builds bridges, provides guidance, and restores realistic hope for people of any religion or belief system. Sponsored by UU Fellowship of Visalia
Your Input Needed: Our Upcoming Summer Series
Although it seems early, we need to be thinking now of how we will handle our summer programs. Should we download onine sermons? Read a book together for discussion? Take Part 2 of the "Building Your Own Theology" class? Or try something entirely different? We need something that allows all Fellowship members to take turns leading, accommodating those who are away on vacation. We need your ideas now! Please send your ideas now to Marilyn Giese: worship@uuvisalia.org.
ADULT EDUCATION
 The Great Turning
Discussion Group
On February 7, 2008 our five week discussion course on David Korten's seminal book The Great Turning begins. Please order your copy of the book and begin reading now! We will meet on alternate Thursdays, rotating in members' homes, beginning February 7. Please read Chapters 1 - 4 before this date!
To sign up for the class, contact Harold Wood
green@uuvisalia.org or call 739-8527.
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.
UU Global Warming Workshop
Three
of our Fellowship members attended a special UU Global Warming
Solutions Workshop in Pasadena last month. Topics included the UU
California Legislative Ministry (1) Low Carbon Challenge, and (2)
Local Climate Action Initiative. Interested in going on a "carbon diet"
or mitigationg global warming through local planning or CEQA projects?
Contact Harold for more information and copies of the handouts:
green@uuvisalia.org
Ongoing Meditation Sessions Each Wednesday, 6:30-8PM at Friends Meeting House. An opportunity to practice this universal spiritual discipline and discuss mindfulness. We are partway through viewing a recording of a weekend retreat of "Practicing Peace in Times of War" with Pema Chodron (a Shambhala Buddhist nun teacher and author) and Richard Reoch (of Amnesty International). ** We were recently alerted to a talk by Ponlop Rinpoche on "Death, Dying and Grieving" available on YouTube.
Two New Transcendentalist Spirituality Meditations
Our online bookstore is featuring two new books by interfaith chaplain Chris Highland this month:
Meditations of Margaret Fuller: The Inner Stream
By Chris Highland
A compilation of sixty insightful reflections from Unitarian Margaret Fuller, the brilliant woman of letters from Massachusetts who was a colleague and friend of Emerson, editor of Thoreau and mother of the women's movement in America. This is the fifth book in the popular series by Chris Highland that includes Muir, Thoreau, Emerson, Whitman and Burroughs. Though she lived to only forty years of age, Fuller left a vast number of letters, poems, articles and books to inspire and challenge the reader. The editor draws upon his research as well as years as an interfaith chaplain and student of Nature to lift up the brightest of Fuller's spiritual side. "I wish my lot had been cast amid the sources of the streams, where the voice of the hidden torrent is heard by night, where the eagle soars . . . ." With selections placed alongside quotations from an incredible diversity of thinkers and sprinkled with crisp black and white photographs, this book adds an essential, wise and soaring voice to the series.
Meditations of John Burroughs: Nature is Home
by Chris Highland
Sixth in the seires, this compilation offers of sixty insightful reflections from John Burroughs, the
great naturalist from New York whose friends included Walt Whitman,
John Muir, Theodore Roosevelt, Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. Drawing from
Burroughs' many books, this collection presents his close observation
of wild Nature in an easy daily-reading format. Burroughs was a radical
lover of the cosmos who saw that "the earth is divine, and . . . God is
everywhere." His creed was "not even a faith; it is a love, an
enthusiasm, a consecration to natural truth." With selections placed
alongside quotations from an incredible diversity of thinkers and
sprinkled with crisp black and white photographs, this work takes an
essential place in this series packed with wisdom for the path.
Buy these books at: www.uuvisalia.org/bookstore/ 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.
Use GoodSearch and GoodShop to Support UU Visalia
This year, we received a nice check from GoodSearch - www.goodsearch.com - powered by Yahoo! Sure, it was only $10.00 this year, but we know only 2 or 3 of you who are using it! If we all chipped in, we could earn hundreds of dollars for your Fellowship without costing us anything! Please search the Internet on GoodSearch and financially support UU Visalia! GoodSearch.com is a new Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half its advertising revenue (about a penny per search) to the charities its users designate. Use it just as you would any search engine (e.g. Google, AOL, etc.), get quality search results from Yahoo, and watch the donations add up! Also, GoodShop.com is a new online shopping mall that donates up to 37 percent of each purchase to your favorite cause! Hundreds of great stores including Target, Gap, Best Buy, eBay, Macy's and Amazon.com have teamed up with GoodShop. Every time you place an order, you'll be supporting your favorite cause. Just go to www.goodsearch.com and be sure to enter Unitarian Visalia as the charity you want to support. You can also access GoodSearch on our website, www.uuvisalia.org. Spread the word!
Friday UU Visalia Social Lunch Group
Join us every Friday for the lunch buffet 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 green@uuvisalia.org.
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
Our recently deceased member Ben Briscoe was honored at a memorial service on January 26, 2008 in Lemoore. Several members of our congregation attended.
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)? If you are interested, contact Harold at: green@uuvisalia.org.
MEETINGS
February 4, 2008 - 5:30 PM - Dinner & Board Meeting
Join us for a dinner meeeting at Baker's Square restaurant (on Mooney in front of Sequoia Mall, Visalia. All UU members and friends welcome.
February 10, 2008 - 6 PM -
Social Justice & Green Sanctuary Team Meeting
During the potluck after the service.
February 17, 2008 - 6:45 PM - Worship Team Meeting
After service and potluck.
Networking & Fundraising
UUVisalia on Facebook
Please join our new UU Visalia group on Facebook! Our online group has 8 members so far, plus 7 videos! There is a space for online discussion too. See you in Cyberspace for sharing, networking, online friendship, and to support causes, political campains, and social justice efforts. Once you join facebook.com, search for UU friends and Unitarian Fellowship of Visalia!Recycle and Raise Funds for UU Visalia by bringing in your Used Printer Cartridges! ALSO, add UU Visalia as your favorite charity and use GoodSearch.com as a search engine on your computer at home and work!
Coming Next Month!
March 2, 2008 - "Metaphysical Musings" with Patty Howard March 9, 2008 - "We Are All Made of Star Stuff" March 16, 2008 - "Ostara" with guest speaker Bernadette Burns, from UU Fellowship of Stanislaus County (Modesto), a minister of Earth-based spirituality, artist, composer and ceremonialist. March 23, 2008 - "Easter"- no 5 PM service; instead, join the Visalia Friends Meting for Breakfast at the Meeting House March 30, 2008 - "What is a UU Christian?" with Marilyn Giese |
Unitarian Universalist
Events & News
Upcoming Pacific Central District Events:
Saturday, March 15, 2008, 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM
UU Voices for Health Care Workshop
UU Congregation of Marin or Sat 3/29 at San Francisco UU Society. Sponsored by UU Legislative Ministry. Open to UU members and friends. Worship resources, small group ministry programming, political history of health care advocacy, legislative update and analysis, health congregations, bringing our UU values to the larger community. For more information
April 25 - 27, 2008
DISTRICT ASSEMBLY 2008! Fremont Marriot Hotel - Hotel Registration now open
Featuring presentations by: Rev. Robert Latham, author of Leaving Church Folly Lane, and Rev. Victoria Safford, author of Walking Toward Morning: Meditations. For more info see: www.pcd-uua.org
Pacific Central District Begins E-Mail LIst for Members
Our Pacific Central District (PCD) of UU Congregatoins (of which UU Visalia is a member) has just created a new e-mail list, PCD-Connections, for the members of our PCD congregations to use in networking with one another. Participants on the email list may ask questions of one another about congregational life, to post news about congregational activities that may be of interest to others, to get a good referral for a guest musician or speaker, or of any other topic of interest to UU's, ranging from from Tulare County in the south to the Oregon border (and including Reno and Hawaii!).
Subscribing to this list is easy, just go to:
http://lists.uua.org/mailman/listinfo/pcd- connections. You'll be asked to enter your email address and a self-assigned password. You will see another window asking for your name. Though that is labeled "optional," PCD asks that you do enter your real name here, and also include your congregation, e.g., "Chuck Rosene, Oakland." Church of the Larger Fellowship & KidsThe Church of the Larger Fellowship (CLF) our UU congregation by mail and cyberspace offers children multiple resources, including KidTalk, a special UU website designed for kids. All online activities are monitored by Church of the Larger Fellowship staff members, but kids should always get their parent's or guardian's permission before becoming involved. KidTalk has seasonal stories, fun information, quick facts, and more!
For information about KidTalk go to:
www.clfuu.org/kidtalk/2008/02/index.html Why should you join the Church of the Larger Fellowship? The web page for KidTalk is one of many resources available at the Church of the Larger Fellowship. CLF membership offers you and your children UU spirituality, education, and resources 24/7, including the inspirational monthly Quest newsletter. Your membership also brings Unitarian Universalism to isolated UUs all over the world.
For more information about The Church of the Larger Fellowship and its many resources:
http://clf.uua.org/
617-948-6150
clf@clfuu.org
Unitarian Universalism: Nurture Your Spirit. Help Heal Our World |
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Community Events for Social Justice and/or Personal Spiritual Development
Want to know which Presidential Candidates most closely match your own opinions? Try out the glassbooth.org website and its online Quiz to help you choose the best candidate in terms of your personal political opinions. Glassbooth is nonprofit and nonpartisan. And don't forget to vote in the California Primary election February 5, 2008. Saturday, February 9, 2008 - 6 PMBuffalo Soldiers in Sequoia National ParkJoin Tom Burge, Archeologist for Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, to learn about the historic role African-American "Buffalo Soldiers" played in the early management of Sequoia National Park Location: Three Rivers Union School February 16, 2008, Saturday, 10 AM
Kaweah Oaks Preserve Nature Walk with Sierra Club. Brian Newton will lead a hike on two or three of the interpretive trails at the preserve. Join other UUs as we walk on two or three of the flat, very easy interpretive trails at the preserve. The preserve is on the west side of Road 182, 1/2 mile north of Highway 198, 7 miles east of Visalia. More information about local Sierra Club events and activities is available at: www.mineralking.sierraclub.org
February 15, 2008 - 7 PM
Audubon Program with images of Gary Lindquist's birding adventures.
At the Tulare Co Office of Education "Pit" Join other UUs as we enjoy viewing wonders of the natural world and animal members of the "interdependent web of life of which we are a part." More information about Tulare County Audubon Society is available in brochures at Friends Meeting House, local libraries and others.
February 18, 2008, 12PM
Peace Fresno President's Day march.
Gather at the Tower Theatre (Olive and Wishon in Fresno) at noon then march to the new Federal Building. Details at www.peacefresno.org or www.southvalleypeacecenter.org,
March 6, 2008 - 7PM
Thank God for Evolution! Michael Dowd Live!
America's Evolutionary Evangelist
COS Science Lecture Hall Room 350 (Ponderosa Hall)
Come
hear Reverend Michael Dowd share a gospel that's billions of years old
and find out why Americans everywhere are engaging in a life-changing
new conversation about Creation. See for yourself why Nobel Prize
winning scientists and religious leaders across the spectrum are lining
up to praise his bold new book that builds bridges, provides guidance,
and restores realistic hope for people of any religion or belief
system.
Sponsored by UU Fellowship of Visalia
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!
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Freedom to Marry Week
 February brings Freedom to Marry Week and Valentine's Day-making it a great time to talk to your friends in the "moveable middle" about the freedom to marry for same sex couples. On Feb. 5, Primary Election Day, UUs can join other volunteers of the Let California Ring campaign to identify supporters of freedom to marry outside of polling places. To volunteer, contact Sarah Reece, Field Director of Let California Ring at www.freedomtomarry.org
On Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, UUs have an opportunity to support same-sex couples seeking a marriage license at their local county clerk's office. This is a friendly, non-confrontational action, with allies showing solidarity in song and spirit, as licenses are denied. Check with Marriage Equality USA (www.marriageequality.org) to find an action near you or to start an action in your community. All it takes are a few allies and a couple willing to talk to the media.
In California, public education, advocacy, political activism, and progress on LGBT issues have been underway for decades, enacted by municipal bodies and state legislatures, and enforced by the courts. Nevertheless, in 2000, in a statewide referendum, voters passed a Defense of Marriage Act, amending state law to declare that California would not recognize other states' same-sex marriages. By 2004, according to polls, popular support for that measure had dropped by a dozen points.
In 1999, the state legislature created a statewide domestic partnership registry, enabling same-sex couples to register their partnership. At the time, registering had very few legal consequences. However, each year since, the legislature has added new legal meaning to that status.
In February 2004, San Francisco's mayor Gavin Newsom ordered that city's public offices to begin marrying same-sex couples. The California Supreme Court later invalidated those marriages as unauthorized by state law. A case was filed on behalf of 12 same-sex couples, Equality California, and Our Family Coalition, called In re: Marriage Cases, which challenges California's restrictions on marriage. The California Supreme Court is waiting to hear oral arguments in the case.
In 2005, California's Legislature became the first in the United States to pass a bill ending the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage, but Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed the legislation. The bill passed again in 2007, gaining even more support from legislators, and awaits action from Governor Schwarzenegger who has promised to veto again.
Legislative support has been reaffirmed by public opinion throughout the state of California. A September 2006 poll by the Public Policy Institute of California showed that 47 percent, a plurality, of likely voters in California support marriage for same-sex couples. In order to keep moving towards marriage in California, a public education campaign, Let California Ring, was launched in September 2007 to open hearts and minds about the freedom to marry and the respect, support, protections, and responsibilities that come with marriage.
In 2008 the California Supreme Court is expected to rule on the legal right for gay and lesbian couples to marry. Join millions of like-minded Californians and sign the open letter below (or sent it through the www.freedomtomarry.org website) asking the Governor to tell the Court that the current law is unconstitutional and that all loving couples deserve the freedom to marry.
By adding your name, you're taking a stand and showing that you're someone who supports the freedom to marry and the honor, dignity and respect that come along with it. Make your voice heard by February 14th, in this critical year for LGBT Californians. The time is now.
(P.S. A couple of years ago UU Visalians participated in an effective UU Legislative Ministry program of sending Valentines to Governor Schwarzenegger to encourage his support of marriage equality. The large number of Valentines from California UU congregations resulted in UULM's being consulted by the Governor's aides in Sacramento.)
Open Letter to Governor Schwarzenegger:
Dear Governor Schwarzenegger,
Imagine if a law had prevented you from marrying your wife because you were born in another country. How would you have felt?
Well that is the every day reality for millions of lesbian and gay people who can't marry the person they love. And right now you have an opportunity to change that reality.
As a defendant in the marriage case before the California Supreme Court, you can change history. We are writing to request that you please tell the Court at oral arguments that you believe the current law is unconstitutional and that all loving couples deserve the freedom to marry.
It's that simple. Just say it: that all loving couples deserve the freedom to marry and the dignity, respect and understanding that come with it. You won't be alone. Every one of us who have signed this letter has said it too.
Sincerely,
(Your Name)
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