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UU Visalia Quick Links
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Quick Calendar for April 2007
April 1, 2007
3:30 pm Forum: Film: "A Visit to a Mosque: An American Understanding of Islam in the American Community"
5:00 pm Worship Service: "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" with Marilyn Giese.
6:00 pm Potluck & Religious Education Committee meeting
April 8, 2007 -
Easter Breakfast with the Quakers - no evening service.
April 15, 2007
3:30 pm Board Meeting
5:00
pm Worship Service: Janet Wood presents "Into the Light."
6:00 pm Potluck Small Group Discussion Meet in the solarium during the potluck for discussion of Unitarian Universalism and recent articles in the previous month's "UU World" magazine. Newcomers, guests and members are all welcome!
April 22, 2007
5:00 pm Worship Service: "Lighting the Way for Earth Day and Every Day" by Harold Wood.
6:00 pm Potluck & Membership / Growth Committee Meeting in odd-numbered months, Newcomer Orientation in even- numbered months. For info, April Hill, president@uuvisalia.org
April 29, 2007
5:00 pm "Beltane, May Eve" - Drum Circle, May Pole Dance, and BonFire.
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SAVE THE DATE Sunday, June 3, 2007 - 4 p.m.
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING & START OF SUMMER SCHEDULE
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April 1, 2007
3:30 pm Forum: Film: "A Visit to a Mosque in America
Understanding Islam and the American Community"
This unique documentary takes an intimate look inside the life of one Muslim community at the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati. Visitors are taken through the buildings of the Center where various themes are presented. The Mosque, the Community Center, the Academy and the Cultural Center. Throughout the tour, Muslims and non-Muslims from the local community share their thoughts on Islam and their values in a post 9-11 world.
5:00 pm Worship Service: "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" A look at religious humor and the spiritual cleansing power of a good belly laugh. Come celebrate April Fools Day with Marilyn Giese and bring your sense of humor.
6:00 pm Potluck & Religious Education Committee meeting
April 8, 2007 -Easter Breakfast with the Quakers - no evening service.
April 15, 2007
3:30 pm Board Meeting
5:00
pm Worship Service: Janet Wood presents "Into the Light," an exploration of the evolution of science and its struggle with religious dogma.
6:00 pm Potluck & Small Group Discussion Meet in the solarium during the potluck for
discussion of Unitarian Universalism and recent articles in the
previous month's "UU World" magazine. Newcomers, guests and members are
all welcome!
April 22, 2007
5:00 pm Worship Service: "Lighting the Way for Earth Day and Every Day" - presentation by Harold Wood - Change a Light and Change the World! Take the UU Visalia Earth Day Pledge!
6:00 pm Potluck & Membership / Growth Committee Meeting in odd-numbered months, Newcomer Orientation in even- numbered months. For info, April Hill, president@uuvisalia.org
April 29, 2007
5:00 pm Worship Service: "Beltane, May Eve" Drum Circle, May Pole Dance, and
BonFire - a ritual that has been celebrated for over 20,000 years. Bring
your drum, your shaker, your tambourine, or use one of the boomsticks
provided. Come decorate the May Bush with flowers, ribbons, garlands
and colored egg shells. Eat custard and oatcakes. Get smudged. We
will picnic, so dress accordingly. Bring a blanket to sit on, on the
grass. This will be an intergenerational service.
6:00 pm Potluck
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SAVE THE DATE
Sunday, June 3, 2007
4 p.m.
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING & START OF SUMMER SCHEDULE
This is our annual congregational meeting where we elect new officers, adopt a budget, and plan for the summer. All members should plan to attend - and visitors are welcome too! (See article below.)
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Featured Local Social Justice Opportunity
Pick up a turquoise UU Fellowship of Visalia bandanna to wear while you work and help the Fellowship be recognized as a group that walks its talk!
25th Annual Arbor Day Celebration
Saturday, April 14, 2007
9:00-11:00AM
Volunteers needed to plant 150 trees along Packwood Creek at the corner of Cameron Avenue and Counter Center Street.
To participate, contact:
City Arborist Dave Pendegraft at 559-713-4295 or
email dpendergraft@ci.visalia.ca.us
Sponsored by the Visalia Beautification Committee and the Visalia Parks & Recreation Foundation.
Alternate Community Project with Sierra Club
Volunteer at Sierra Club booth at Visalia Earth Day
Saturday April 21, 2007
To participate, contact:
Kim Loeb kim.loeb@kernkaweah.sierraclub.org
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 Fellowship News
FROM THE WORSHIP TEAM
SUMMER CHOICES
From the June 3rd annual congregational meeting through September 2nd of 2007, our congregation usually switches to an alternative schedule for Sunday services. Programs may be less formal and the potluck dinner may be simplified or eliminated. Some UU congregations simply cease meeting for the summer, allowing everyone to take a break and come back refreshed in the fall. We have tried many formats over the past several years, and invite you, members and friends, to communicate your suggestions to the Worship Team so that we may provide input to the Fellowship Board regarding the format for summer 2007 meetings.
Ideas that have been used in the past include:
- Intergenerational Services or workshops which included drumming, an old fashioned 4th of July, making crafts such as corn dollies for Lammas, etc. (need talents and teachers to share)
- UU Study Courses such as "Build Your Own Theology" (need coordinator)
- Discussion of a book such as we did last summer with Thoreau's Walden, using a discussion guide (need weekly leaders)
- Forum topics with a film and discussion. (need DVDs or videos and discussion leader)
The potluck that we are now enjoy started years ago as light refreshments, a simpler option following a weekend of travel or laying low with the heat. Some suggestions to spur your ideas:
- Salads, breads, beverages & desserts
- Potluck dinner on the first Sunday of each month.
- Teams to sign up to prepare dinner for all, for a donation that reimburses expenses and raises funds for the Fellowship.
Dream up your favorite summer choices - books to discuss, workshop series, DVDs or videos to share - and volunteer to present an individual service or coordinate a month of programs or scheduling speakers or presentations for the whole thirteen Sundays from June 10 - September 2, 2007. Write your comments on the form provided at Sunday Services during this month and return by April 22 to any Worship Team member - Anna, Dorothy, Lesley, Marilyn, Sarah, or Tyler. Or you may e-mail your ideas to: worship@uuvisalia.org
Blessed be,
Marilyn
FROM THE FELLOWSHIP PRESIDENT
ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
June 3, 2007 (early start time 4 PM)
Meeting to be followed at about 6 PM by a light potluck of salads and socializing.
This month we begin planning for another exciting year at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Visalia:
Potential officers for the next year will be approached by Nominating Committee, briefed on responsibilities of Board positions and screened for their abilities and willingness to serve.
The next fiscal year budget will be under consideration by a Finance Team with Treasurer David Reid.
Contributions to social agencies will be discussed by a special funds team.
Job descriptions for volunteer positions to improve our programs and reach out to the community
A Call to Meeting will be mailed ten days before the June 3rd Annual Congregational Meeting. Meeting information will include a formal agenda, nominations for officers and a draft budget. Bylaws state that 30 percent of the membership shall constitute a quorum; please try to attend.
With thanks,
April
Last Month's Programs
On March 4, we had two presentations challenging conventional approaches of our economy and government. The film Forum: "Suzuki Speaks" delivered a powerful message about how modern economics tends to ignore the "real world" of ecological systems that sustain us - the air, water, soil, and energy that we need to survive. By learning more about these natural systems, we can find ways to live in ways that are both more sustainable and satisfying.
Then, at our regular Worship Service: David Chandler presented his analysis of "9-11, An Inside Job." David's photos and videos questioned the mainstream analysis of what happened to the twin towers: the videos look much more like typical demolition projects triggered by explosives placed inside the building, than something simply hit by airplanes where the jet fuel does not burn as hot as needed to melt steel. Many unanswered questions remain on this issue.
On March 11, Paul Boyer of Self-Help Enterprises discussed "Water Challenges in Tulare County" Due to overdraft of the aquifer, and accumulation of herbicides, pesticides, dry-cleaning toxics, and other pollutants, many of the small wells in Tulare County are unfit for drinking. Many of these wells serve low-income communities. Self Help Enterprises works to help communities obtain grants and funding to drill deeper wells or connect with nearby city water supplies for safe drinking water.
On March 17, Marilyn Giese presented "The Meaning of Ostara for 2007 Lifestyles." This was an informative look at the traditional period for introspection about how to live more healthy mental and physical lifestyles. The importance of good nutrition and exercise cannot be denied!
On March 25, David Hodges led a fascinating discussion of The Earth Precepts. These are a sort of ecological 10 Commandments, leading us to better life in our world. The author of these Precepts, Pepper Trail, describes them on his website [ www.earthprecepts.net ] as "principles for a moral relationship with the Earth." We had a lively discussion, ranging from pessimism to optimism on this important topic.
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 Unitarian Universalist Events & News
"Rise Up O Flame" - District Assembly, April 27-29, 2007 Friday evening-Sunday morning
Crowne Plaza Hotel, Foster City CA
Sign up at a Sunday service or contact president@uuvisalia.org to join a carpool leaving Friday afternoon or early Saturday morning.
Keynote Presenter, Reverend Peter Morales, will speak on "Why We Don't Grow", presenting lessons from the Unitarian Church in Golden Colorado that grew from 399 members to 760 in just six years.
Featured Presenter Holly Near will speak (and sing) on "Change of Heart: How Will I Go On and Who Will I take with Me?" on Saturday evening.
PCD Annual Meeting, workshops, worship services, Awards Ceremony, Banner Parade, special programming for children and youth, dancing, singing, networking, booths and exhibits.
Standard Registration $90, Youth 5-18 yrs old $35; Sliding Scale $45-145
SAVE THE DATES!
Saturday, May 26, 2007 - PCD sponsored "Hospitality Workshop" at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Livermore (3 hour trip, carpools planned)
Congregational teams are invited to gather together for the last of four workshops in the Bay Area. We will review best practices, make decisions on what changes will make our fellowship more visitor-friendly and create systems we need to track results. The workshops are designed to support a fall marketing campaign for the 17 San Francisco Bay Area congregations, but everyone is welcome. Register early to allow time for the pre-work assignment. Registration fee is $10. Please carpool and bring your own lunches.
Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations
General Assembly - June 20-24, 2007
GA 2007 in Portland, Oregon
Meetings at the Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd, Portland OR
What difference should Unitarian Universalism make in the world?
Register for Housing early for the best prices and choices. Options summarized at www.uua.org/ga/housing.html <http://www.uua.org/ga/housing.html>
1) Early registration for GA between 3/1 and 4/30/07 is $285. Late Registration is $330 between 5/1 and 6/25/07. Online Registration: www.uua.org/ga <http://www.uua.org/ga>
2) The GA Volunteer Committee funds full-time GA registrations in exchange for 24 hours of volunteer work at GA. (Submit an application early as soon as possible to be considered.)
3) Secure a pledge of support from your congregation and apply for a GA Planning Committee Scholarship.
UU University - Pre-General Assembly on Tues, 6/19-Wed, 6/20 for present & future congregational leaders. Registration fee $125 until 5/1/07, $140 thereafter.
PCD 30th Annual Leadership School
July 21-27, 2007 (Saturday -Friday)
Westminster Retreat Center, Alamo California
Purpose -
to assist lay leaders in UUA communities
prepare people for new leadership roles
enhance overall leadership capabilities
expand and deepen our religious faith
Curriculum includes Worship Design, Religious Heritage, Wisdom Circles, and Community Building. Space is limited! Sponsorship by your congregation is required -your registration form must be signed by your Board President. Complete the registration form ASAP or by 6/30/07 deadline.
Total Registration $995 - Financial aid is available, through UU Fellowship or PCD Leadership School.
Cruise Stebbins 2007 at Asilomar from July 28-August 2, 2007 (Sunday-Thursday)
Workshops, networking, Information available from co-registrar Helen Oxley at hao@aol.com <mailto:hao@aol.com>
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Community Events for Personal Spiritual Development
Friday, April 6, 2007 at 6PM
Passover Seder at Congregation Beit Shalom of Visalia
Led by Rabbi Neal Weinberg
Kosher turkey plus much more
$18/Adult - details at 625-0289
April 21 through June 16, 2007
Pax Christi Non-Violence Workshops
"Learning to Live in a Non-Violent Way"
at St. Mary's Church (Serra Center), Garden & Race Streets
2nd half of 10 session series on alternate Saturdays between 10AM-1PM Cost - Adults $10, Students $5
4/21, 5/5, 5/19, 6/2, 6/16
Call church office to register 734-9522
Saturday, April 14, 2007 - Visalia 25th Annual Arbor Day Celebration, 9:00-11:00AM.. Volunteers needed to plant 150 trees along Packwood Creek (corner of Cameron Avenue and County Center Street, across from new hay-bale built Police Department Substation). Please bring a round point shovel and join in improving the environment of our community. Contact City Arborist Dave Pendegraft at 559-713-4295 or e-mail dpendergraft@ci.visalia.ca.us. Sponsored by the Visalia Beautification Committee and the Visalia Parks & Recreation Foundation.
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