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UU Visalia
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Home Page:
uuvisalia.org
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Calendar
November 2008
November 2: Daylight Savings Ends - Set Clocks back one hour!
Sunday, November 2, 2008 -
4 PM - Choir Practice
5:00 PM
"Proportional Representation: A Way for California to Achieve
Representation for All" - Presented by Tyler Conrad
Learn how Proportional Representation would provide California with a State Legislature that better reflects the demographics of the New California - without the backroom dealings of redistricting every ten years.
Sunday, November 9, 2008 - 5:00 PM
Heifer Project - Presented by Bill Warner
Learn how "Passing on the Gift" allows families to involve their entire community in sustainable agriculture. The evening will be rounded out with a fun charity retro tin toy auction for the benefit of the Heifer Project.
Social Justice & Green Sanctuary Team meet after potluck.
Monday, November 10, 2008 - 5:45 PM
Board Meeting - Taj Palace Indian Cuisine. All members welcome. Call Harold to attend.
November 16, 2008 -
4 PM - Choir Practice
5:00 PM
Call to Compassion - Presented by Patty Howard
How
do you take the anger and hate out of the hearts of people? Love them, rally around and become their family.
Worship Team meets after potluck - all interested parties are invited.
November 23, 2008 -
4 PM - Choir Practice
5:00 PM
The Wisdom of Transcendentalism, by Rev. Christine Robinson Presented by Janet Wood.
Third in the series about the "four legs" that Unitarian Universalism stands upon. Learn more about this uniquely American brand of nature mysticism, spiritual growth and self-reliance.
November 30, 2008 -
4 PM - Choir Practice
5:00 PM
Conserving the Heritage Trail of Massachusetts - Images of the historic places of UU heroes such as Thoreau and Emerson. An award-winning project by Ann Chapman.
This Sunday is also "bring a box" Sunday - please bring a box of non-perishable packaged food items to help the less fortunate among us. See more info below
Please Note: Service topics are subject to change
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 enough and your company is most welcome. |
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UU Visalia Fellowship News
JOIN OUR NEW CHOIR
Our Fellowship has started a new choir! Pianist Ken Elias is our new choir director, and a half-dozen regulars are coming early several Sundays a month to practice. In November, the Choir will be meeting at 4 PM for rehearsal on 11/2, 11/16, 11/23, and 11/30.
If you are interested in joining the choir, contact Ken Elias at kelias@prodigy.net or phone: (559) 561-0610.
RECENT PRESENTATIONS
If you missed some of our recent worship services, we have posted several of our sermons on our website. Two from the last two months are online here:
Albert Schweitzer, Honored Unitarian - compiled by Harold Wood (10/5/08) http://www.uuvisalia.org/pdf/albert_schweitzer_honored_unitarian.pdf
Out of Many, One by Marilyn Giese (9/7/08)
http://www.uuvisalia.org/pdf/out_of_many_one_marilyn_giese.pdf
You will find these and earlier presentations on our Sermons page on our website: http://www.uuvisalia.org/sundays/sermons.html
SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE
Your Social Justice/Green Sanctuary Committee is working to provide 800 compact fluorescent bulbs for the Pixley community. David Hodges is heading-up this project which we hope to complete in January.
With one Carbon Ring study group completed, and one in progress, we are seeking volunteers to start a third group with Monday or Tuesday nights as possible meeting times. Contact Harold to volunteer!
Sunday November 30, 2008 - "Bring a Box Sunday". On that day, we invite everyone in the fellowship to donate a box of food to Tulare County Food Link. Bring non-perishables such as beans, pasta, canned fruits and vegetables, fish and meats, canned juices, etc. If you wish, add a holiday treat such as packaged cookies or candies. (Please, no home-baked items). By purchasing a few grocery items each week from now until the end of November, you'll have a full box of groceries ready-to-go on the 30th. If you prefer, checks made payable to Food Link are most welcome in lieu of in-kind gifts.
WEEKEND MINISTER GRANT APPLICATION
Our request for a Chalice Lighter Grant was declined in October due to timing and competition for other worthwhile growth projects in our District. But the PCD still intends to work with us to find a minister who can help guide us through the process of growing from a small
lay-led congregation into a larger one with professional leadership. We want to work more effectively provide the Unitarian
Universalist religious alternative throughout Tulare and Kings Counties. Once we are closer to finding such a minister, we can re-apply. We are also going to try to take advantage of other programs of the Pacific Central District to assist us in our mission of promoting liberal religion in Tulare and Kings counties. You can help by attending a PCD workshop - join a carpool to Sacramento, Stockton, or Bay Area for these special training events. Please see listings below.
DETAILS ON WORSHIP SERVICES
November 2, 2008 "Proportional Representation: A Way for California to Achieve Representation for All" - Presented by Tyler Conrad - California is undergoing massive demographic
changes while it is in the midst of a political crisis. Its political
foundations and functions are failing. But with the antiquated "winner-take-all" system currently in place, California politics are about as
good as they are going to get. Proportional Representation (PR) can
help to pull California out of the quagmire it is in. PR would provide
California with a State Legislature that better reflects the
demographics of the New California and that is better prepared for the
21st Century. And all this would happen without the backroom dealings
of redistricting every ten years.
Sunday, November 9, 2008 - Heifer Project -Presented by Bill Warner
Learn
about this unique international program which helps people obtain a
sustainable source of food and income. Recipients accept the principle
of "Passing on the Gift" which allows families who have received
animals to be donors themselves, involving their entire community. A
short DVD will be followed by discussion and examples of their many
worthwhile projects around the world and in our own country. "Uncle
Bill" has even written a song about it! The evening will be rounded out
with a fun charity retro tin toy auction for the benefit of the Heifer
Project.
Social Justice Team meets after potluck - all interested parties are invited.
November 16, 2008 - "Call to Compassion" presented by Patty Howard - How
do you take the anger and hate out of the hearts of people? Love them. rally around them and become their family.
Worship Team meets after potluck- all interested parties are invited.
November 23, 2008 - "The Wisdom of Transcendentalism" by Rev. Christine Robinson. Presented by Janet Wood.
Third
in the series about the "four legs" that Unitarian Universalism stands
upon. Did you know that Transcendentalism is arguably the greatest contribution that Unitarians have made to religious thought? Learn more about this uniquely American brand of nature
mysticism, spiritual growth, and self-reliance. Most of us UU's, one way or another, are Transcendentalists without knowing it.
November 30, 2008 - "Conservation and Landscape Planning - Massachusetts Heritage Trail." The inspiration for this trail comes from the life and work of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau and Benton MacKay, father of the Appalachian Trail. Ann Chapman will present a PowerPoint of her University of Massachusetts Masters thesis, which earned an award in 2005 from the American Planning Association.
This Sunday is also "bring a box" Sunday - please bring a box of non-perishable packaged food items to help the less fortunate among us. See more info above.
MEETINGS
November 9, 2008 - 6:45 PM - Social Justice & Green Sanctuary Team meeting after potluck in the Meeting House solarium.
November 10, 2008 - 5:45 PM - Board Meeting - at Taj Palace Indian Cuisine. All members welcome. Call Harold to attend - 739-8527.
November 16, 2008 - 6:45 PM Worship Team Meeting. After potluck in the solarium.
Dinner Time Social
Since many of us can't make the lunch-time social (see below), we're trying for a monthly dinner-time mid-week Social get-together. Let's meet on Tuesday November 18, 2008 at Pita Kabob in the Kohl's Shopping Center on Mooney at 5:45 PM. Please R.S.V.P. to Harold at 739-8527 or email harold@uuvisalia.org (We won't meet unless you reserve your place!).
Friday UU Visalia Social Lunch Group
Join us every Friday at 12:15 p.m.for lunch - Beginning on November 7, we'll return to our earlier time at Taj Palace Indian Cuisine on the corner of Noble and Linwood. If you'd like to attend, contact Harold at 739-8527 or email harold@uuvisalia.org or just show up. (We do miss an occasional Friday - so call or e-mail ahead to R.S.V.P. if you can!)
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WORSHIP TOPICS SURVEY
The UU Visalia Worship (program) Team appreciates the 11 responses received from the survey sent to members and publicized in last month's newsletter. We would like additional opinions as we plan services for 2008-2009. Please answer the very brief 6 question survey online, which you can access here:
Worship Topics Survey http://tinyurl.com/5bk6em
If you prefer, you you may print out the survey and hand it to either Anna Garcia or Janet Wood in person.
CARPOOL INTEREST LISTS
Our Three Rivers friends have modeled ethical and economical travel for us by carpooling to Sunday services, and Carbon Ring participants have been challenged to develop climate change action plans as individuals and as an organization. Can we sacrifice some independence and establish new habits?
Proposed - sign up to commute from Visalia with a southern or northern carpool. Look for sign up sheets at the Meeting House or e-mail info@uuvisalia.org if you're interested.
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Unitarian Universalist
Events & News
UULM-CA Ballot Recommendations
The Unitarian Universalist California Legislative Ministry (UULMCA) and UULM
Action Network have adopted the
following positions on the 11/08 ballot propositions. Details may be found on
the UULM website.
Prop 1A - High speed passenger train bond act - support
Prop 2 - Confining farm animals - support
Prop 3 - Children's hospital bond act - no position
Prop 4 - Waiting period and parental notification before
termination of a minor's pregnancy - oppose
Prop 5 - Nonviolent drug offences, sentencing, parole and
rehabilitation - support
Prop 6 - Police and law enforcement funding, criminal
penalties and laws - oppose
Prop 7 - Renewable energy generation - oppose
Prop 8 - Eliminates right of same-sex couples to marry - oppose
Prop 9 - Criminal justice system, victims' rights, parole - oppose
Prop 10 - Alternative fuel vehicles and renewable energy,
bonds - oppose
Prop 11 - Redistricting - oppose
Prop 12 - Bonds for veterans housing - no position
Marriage Equality Proposition -
November 2, 2008 - 2pm-4pm - Faith Communities & Others Speak Out in Opposition Rally, Fresno City Hall, 2600 Fresno St . Father Geoff Sparrow and Rev Bryan Jessup, UU Church. For more information call 862-4559.
The No on 8 campaign has issued the attached press release and joint statement signed by 59 constitutional and family law professors from 14 California law schools. These scholars have analyzed and rejected the lies the other side is telling in their TV and radio ads. Here is a link to the statement:
http://pflag-tulare-kings.org/Collateral/MarriageStatement.Final.pdf
SAVE THE DATE!
December 13, 2008 ~ PCD Young Adult Ministry
A one-day workshop for professional and lay leaders
interested in making their congregations attractive and meaningful to young
adults. This one will be hosted by our Livermore congregation, and will be lead by Nancy DiGiovanni, Acting co-Director
of our UUA Young Adult Ministries Office. January 24, 2009 ~ Stewardship
- PCD presents a one-day
workshop led by Wayne Clarke,
Director of Congregational Fundraising
Services, and author of the wonderful book,
Beyond
Fundraising. Wayne defines
stewardship as the growing, nurturing,
promoting, and building of our gifts, call,
and spiritual vocation. the UU Marin
congregation will host. February 21, 2009 ~ Marketing
- a one-day
workshop at our UU Society of
Sacramento, brings UUA Marketing Director
Valerie Holton back to the PCD. Help start a regional guerrilla
marketing group for the Valley-Sierra region. Everyone attending will leave with
increased understanding and effective tools
for their own congregation's outreach
initiatives.
March 21, 2009 ~ Big Ideas for Small
Congregations
- UU Stockton will
host this special one-day workshop. Led by
one or both of the authors of Big Ideas for Small Congregations,
Ellen Germann-Melosh, former DE of the
Mountain Desert District, and the Reverend
Jane Dwinell, former Small Church
Specialist for what was the New
Hampshire-Vermont District, and the Editor of
Small Talk newsletter.
May 1-3, 2009 - PCD DISTRICT ASSEMBLY
2009!
Featuring: Rev. Laurel Hallman & Rev. Peter Morales, Candidates for UUA President. We will gather once again at the Fremont Marriott!
Unitarian Universalism: Nurture Your Spirit. Help Heal Our World
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Community Events for Social Justice and/or Personal Spiritual Development
November 2: Daylight Savings Ends - Set Clocks back one hour!
Ongoing Hebrew classes - Learn Hebrew with Congregation Beit Shalom. Contact Cynthia at 308-1333 or check their website at www.congregationbeitshalom.org
Equal Exchange Fair Trade Coffee, Tea and More
Thinking Forward to Holiday Giving? Check out the Equal Exchange webstore at http://interfaith.equalexchange.com.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008 - ELECTION DAY
Friday, November 7, 2008 - 7PM at Visalia Fox Theatre. Pianist Rudolf Budginas at College of the Sequoias Arts & Lectures Series. With humor he teaches audiences about classical music as he deconstructs & reconstructs each piece. Admission $15, free with a COS Associated Student Body card.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008 - 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Tulare County Citizens for Responsible Growth - Free Public Forum - " The Water-Land Use Connection: Planning a Water-Wise Future for Tulare County" Diverse presentations by Dr. John Suen of CSU Fresno, Paul Daley of Daley Homes, John Friedrich from Sierra Nevada Alliance, Fred Brusuelas of Visalia Community Development Department, Bobby Kamansky of Southern Sierra Integrated Regional Water Management Plan, Keith Watkins of Tulare County Farm Bureau. Copies of the "Planning for Water-Wise Development in the Sierra" will be available at no charge. For more information tccrg@earthlink.net.
Saturday, November 15, 2008 - 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. - College of Sequoias Main Campus, 915 S Mooney Blvd, Visalia
Central California Environmental Justice Network Workshop: "BUILDING COMMON GROUND" - Workshops and Strategy Sessions to Address Pollution, Asthma & Cancer Plaguing Low-Income and Immigrant Valley Communities. Grassroots community and environmental justice activists and organizations will join together for the fifth Central California Environmental Justice Network conference. Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers Union and internationally renowned social justice leader will deliver the keynote address. Workshops will include Climate Change, Health and Cumulative Impacts, Land Use and Poor Planning, Artistic Activism and Impacting Government and Regulatory Decision-Makers. The conference will be bilingual (Spanish and English).
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 - Noon at CSU Fresno, Alice Peters Auditorium - Edie Jessup speaks on "Food & the Politics of Scarcity" as part of free Ethics Lecture Series. Ms. Jessup is coordinator of hunger & nutrition services at Fresno Metro Ministry and spouse of Fresno UU Church minister, Bryan Jessup. For more info, go to www.csufresno.edu/ethicscenter
Friday, November 21, 2008 - 7PM, Tulare Co Office of Education - Tulare Co Audubon Society Chapter Meeting & Program - Randy Coffman will share his experience trekking the Karakoram Mountains, which span the borders between Pakistan, China and India.
Visalia Farmer's Market - Saturdays - 8-11:30 AM at Sequoia Mall Parking Lot (near Sears). Come buy locally grown fruits and vegetables. Remember - buying locally grown food is reduces your impact on global warming! It's all part of Ethical Eating! |
Fellowship Footnotes
Ongoing Meditation Sessions
Each Wednesday, 6:30-8PM at
Friends Meeting House. An opportunity to practice this universal
spiritual discipline and discuss mindfulness.
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."
UU Visalia Online Bookstore
Our online bookstore allows you
to purchase anything available from Amazon.com (even cameras and auto
parts, etc.) at www.uuvisalia.org/bookstore/ We have a number of new
books in our Featured This Month section, and have created an
entirely new category for "Famous UUs." We also have a large number of
relevant CDs available in our new Music section. Our bookstore is a
valuable resource for spiritual growth, learning and just plain
fun. Please support our Fellowship fund-raising when buying online!
Before going to Amazon, just visit: www.uuvisalia.org/bookstore
Our Vegetarian Cookbook Project
Please
contribute your recipes for our Vegan / Vegetarian UU Visalia Cookbook.
Submit your items to Lesley or email them to: info@uuvisalia.org.
Reminder to GoodSearch!
Search
the World Wide Web with www.goodsearch.com - to benefit "Unitarian
Visalia" and earn monetary points for the Fellowship.
Bring Your Used Printer Cartridges!
Recycle your cartridges and earn cash for the Visalia Fellowship. Please place in the Empties4Cash box in the entry.
Share Your UU Magazines
After you have read the UU World, Interconnections and/or CLF Quest publications, please contribute them to the library.
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