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Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Visalia Newsletter |  |
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Quick Calendar
Dec 3
Dec 10
Dec 17
Dec 24
Dec 31
December 3, 2006
Dec 10
Dec 17
Regular Fellowship Events Sunday School is now up and running. This year's program is based on the book, "Chalice Children". We are planning many fun, exciting holiday events and themes to celebrate all the holidays of the season. Invite a friend to come Sunday, 12/3/06, when we begin our winter holiday studies. Kim Litzan, with Debbie Wing. Every Sunday at 6:00 PM - Join us for Potluck after the Worship Service! Every Wednesday at 6:30 PM – Meditation Practice at Friends Meeting House. For information, contact Rick Meyers at meditation@uuvisalia.org. 1st Sunday - 6 PM. - Religious Education Committee Meeting. Everyone interested in RE meet during potluck in the atrium. For info, April Hill, president@uuvisalia.org 2nd Sunday 4 PM. - Drumming Circle - Come early to the Friends Meeting House, with or without a percussion instrument. You can bring a drum, a shaker, or other percussion device. If you don't have one, we can provide one. Shared rhythm creates a spiritual feeling unlike anything else! 2nd Sunday 6 PM – Social Justice/Green Sanctuary Meeting after the service. All welcome! For info, Harold Wood, green@uuvisalia.org or visit our Green Sanctuary blog. 3rd Sunday 3:30 PM - Fellowship Board Meeting at Friends Meeting House. For info: April Hill, president@uuvisalia.org 4th Sunday 6 PM – Membership / Growth Committee Meeting in odd-numbered months, Newcomer Orientation in even- numbered months. For info, April Hill, president@uuvisalia.org 22nd of each month – Newsletter deadline. Send items for newsletter to: editor@uuvisalia.org.
Are you interested in learning more about how to live in greater harmony with the Earth? This course provided by the Northwest Earth Institute will cover sustainable communities, sustainable business, sustainable food, sustainable buying, and overall sustainable living.
Eight people have signed up so far - we have room
for more!
Please register by December 15, 2006. Course attendance is free and open to the public, but you will need to buy the workbook: $15.00
To sign up, please contact Harold before December 15 at:
green@uuvisalia.org
In November we had some wonderful events! We welcomed several new members on November 5. Marilyn Giese gave a presentation about "What it Means to be a UU" which we hope to add to our website in the near future. On November 12, veteran Curtis Wilson gave a presentation about the considerable sacrifice our military men and women give to their country. Curtis regularly attends the monthly peace demonstrations in Visalia against the war in Iraq, and attends our Wednesday meditation practice sessions. He stressed how important it is for us to honor and appreciate the soldiers even if we protest the war. On November 19 we recognized the World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse, the 10th Anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and National Teddy Bear Day. We collected a bountiful number of teddy bears to donate to the police departments of the county for foster children. On November 26, our theme was "Thanksgiving Leftovers." Dorothy Osak shared some thoughtful words from theologian Paul Tillich on the difference between "gratitude" and "thanksfulness." Our members and regular visitors shared some both funny and heart-warming stories of past Thanksgivings. You should have been there to hear about the dog that stole the turkey, but nobody could beat for heart-warming the "Thanksgiving Wedding" of the Marshalls!
Volunteers needed for Visalia CropWalk coordinating committee, which is now coordinated by too-busy UUFV president and UUFV member / FoodLink director, will hold an evaluation/planning meeting on the afternoon of Saturday, December 9 (time and location to be decided). The annual hunger awareness event will be held March 10, 2007. Short-term project needs volunteers to support FoodLink and publicize Church World Service’s efforts to assist people who are hungry and affected by disasters locally, in the state, nation and internationally. Please contact president@uuvisalia.org or in person.
Welcome to new members Dennis Litzan, Kim Litzan and Shell Melandez who joined the Visalia UU Fellowship on November 5, 2006. Pledged Donations - Please respond to the Canvass letter with your planned contributions to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Visalia so we can plan our budget for the coming months and year. Thanks to all who give their time, skills, sweat, and vision, as well as money! Welcome a “Guest at Your Table” - Unitarian Universalist Service Committee’s annual collection will launch in mid-December, as we learn about human needs, human rights, and how to turn our values into action and share our blessings. Place a Guest at Your Table box where you have your meals and keep it there for several weeks. During that time, share human rights stories to imagine a different guest at your table. As often as you can, insert coins or bills in the box. Bring them or a check to UUSC by January 21, 2007 (checks for 2006 tax year will be mailed at that time). UUSC works to advance human rights in the United States and around the world. UUSC membership begins at $40, $20 for seniors, $10 for students or youth. Gifts of $75 or more from a family or individual will be doubled through a matching grant. Coat and Cold Weather Clothing Distribution - Sunday Dec 10, 2006, 10AM-12PM at 115 E Paseo (east of Court St, between Whitendale and Caldwell). Please look in your closets, drawers and storage spaces for gently used outgrown clothing (and new) coats, sweaters and sweatshirts to donate and bring to UUFV service at Visalia Friends Meeting House by Wednesday Dec 6. Part of your Visalia UU Fellowship's mission is to provide service to the larger community. Collaborating with other organizations on common interests is a natural way to reach out. Beit Shalom is the smaller Jewish congregation in Visalia, and very committed to social justice. Please join in making the event a success by contributing clothing to those less fortunate. Also, pass the word about the give-away event to the wider Visalia community, especially around Mt. View Elementary School. E-mail president@uuvisalia.org for donations to be picked up or to volunteer to help set up beforehand or serve hot chocolate and coffee and help “shop” on the day. New Small Group - meeting third Sunday of each month, beginnning in January 2007 - during potluck at the round table in the sunroom to discuss Unitarian Universalism and recent articles in the previous month's "UU World" magazine. Newcomers, guests and members are all welcome! Host Marriage Equality "Cottage Conversations” based on a powerful 25 minute video and a follow-up conversation guide. Invite friends, neighbors and colleagues who may not yet have thought through how marriage discrimination hurts. How many “Cottage Conversations” could members of our congregation sponsor? UULM hopes to get 1,000 going across the state. Please contact president@uuvisalia.org or in person.
Holiday UU Gifts for You and You
• Church of the Larger Fellowship - www.clfuu.org and
click on CLF Shop
January 13, 2007 in Walnut Creek: Annual Growth Conference “Mapping Uncharted Territory: New Directions for Growing Vital Congregations” with Larry Peers from the Alban Institute covering material on leadership, systems dynamics, appreciative inquiry and assessing the membership systems of your congregation - Welcoming, Nurturing, Empowering and Serving Leaders. Early registration $35 by Dec 15, $40 from Dec 16-31, late registration $50 due by Jan 10, 2007. Team Member #5 comes for free! To be followed by hospitality workshops in the Bay Area in March and May. Feb 27: RenMod Training for Religious Educators. For more information on how to participate, please contact PCD Director of Faith Development Yvonne Rochon at yvonne@pcd-uua.org or call 510-601-1437. February 24, 2007 at the UU Church of Fresno “Liberal Voices in a Conservative Landscape”, a Leadership Training conference sponsored by the California Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry (UULM), Fresno UU Church and Visalia UU Fellowship. Learn more about progressive California issues - single payer health care, marriage equality, global warming and how to improve your media skills. This is the third annual Central Valley conference and the first in our neighborhood - a great opportunity to be inspired and meet UUs from around the state. February 22-24, 2007 in San Diego – UUA Conference on Contemporary Worship “Spiritually Vital & Alive”. Keynote Presentation by Dr. Marcia McFee, (website www.marciamcfee.com) . at First UU Church of San Diego, 4190 Front St. Cost $250 includes all meals from Thursday dinner through Saturday lunch. Scholarships are available. For more information www.uua.org/ya-cm/resources/Worship/ Hospitality Workshops - March 3, 2007 at First Unitarian Church of Oakland March 17 at UU Church of Palo Alto, March 31 at UU Congregation of Marin, May 26 at UU Church in Livermore. April 27-29, 2007 – District Assembly at Foster City Crowne Plaza. June 20-24, 2007 UUA General Assembly in Portland Oregon. Preceded on 6/19-20 by UU University for present and future Congregational Leaders, a low cost fast paced workshop that will cover many key leadership functions needed to be a successful leader. 6/23/07 UUSC Teen Camp for a local project. July 28-August 2, 2007 Stebbins at Asilomar, UU Summer Gathering. Applicants to be on staff may present their proposal on Saturday, December 9, 2006, 11:30AM-2:30PM at the UU Congregation of Marin. For more information e-mail ruthlorain@sbcglobal.net
“Fall Drop Off” Yard Waste Recycling Event by City of Visalia Solid Waste Department from Nov 27 – Dec 23. Recycle yard trimmings and lumber scraps (except for bamboo, palm fronds or yucca tree). Tulare Co. Compost & BioMass, 24478 Road 140 (Lovers Lane), Monday-Saturday, 8AM – 4PM. Call 686-1622 for more information. Dec 2 Visalia Tamale Festival, 11 AM-4PM at Summers Park, 247 W Ferguson Ave Dec 2 Uncle Bill’s 6th Annual Antique Toy Open House at the Warners’ house, 1370 Monache Ave, Porterville from 1-5PM. Hundreds of toys on display that you won't find at Toys R Us, many dating back to the pre-WW II ( some pre WW I) era. Donations to the Heifer Project International. No admission charge. For more information contact warner1@sosinet.net or 782-9265 Dec. 3 - Monthly Peace Demonstration. Monthly Peace Demonstration is the first Sunday of the month at the corner of Mooney and Walnut. The demonstration is from 1 to 3 pm. Dec 3 at 3PM at Visalia First Presbyterian Church, 215 N Locust. Performance by College of Sequoias Master Chorale and Sequoias Youth Symphony of a holiday performance of Bach Magnificat and other selections. Dec. 6 “Light up a Life” ceremony at 6:30PM at the Visalia Convention Center. Join Hospice of Tulare County in celebrating the joy of remembrance. Dec 7 - Tulare Co. General Plan Public Meeting, 6-8PM at Visalia Convention Center Sequoia Room. Dec 8 “Talk of the Town” Film and Lecture Series 6:30PM potluck and presentation 7:30PM at Quaker Meeting House. South Valley Peace Center presents “Another World Is Possible” with activists who attended the 2006 World Social Forums in Venezuela and Whalen. Mike Rhodes, Pam Whalen, Simone Whalen-Rhodes, Jean Hays, Dan Yaseen, and Camille Russell will show a PowerPoint presentation featuring their pictures, analysis, and impressions. There will be a potluck dinner at 6:30 pm, and the presentation will be at 7:30 pm. This event will be at the Visalia Friends Meetinghouse, 17208 Avenue 296, Visalia, 93292. Dec 9 afternoon (time and location to be decided). Visalia CropWalk evaluation/planning meeting to plan March 10, 2007 hunger awareness event. Short-term project needs volunteers to support FoodLink and publicize local hunger Dec 11 - Tulare Co. General Plan Public Meeting, 6-8PM at Three Rivers Veterans Memorial Building. Dec 15 – 7PM at Tulare Co Office of Education - Joint Meeting of Tulare Co. Audubon Society and Sierra Club/Mineral King Group for a presentation of the Visalia Bicycle, Pedestrian & Waterways Committee on future projects. Dec 24 – Visalia Rescue Mission Christmas Eve Dinner, 11AM-2AM. Serving hundreds and distributing donated warm clothing and toys. Help needed for cooking, decorating, serving, washing dishes, cleaning, set up and take down, singing and just loving those around you. Also asking for donated food (mashed potatoes, corn, rolls, turkey dressing, pies, ice, beverage mix) and donations of coats, hats, gloves and toys for children 0-16. The Family Center needs white towels, twin bedding, quilts & blankets, pillows, small dressers, decorations, paintings, bathroom curtains, flowers, area rugs, end tables for living room, coats, socks, underwear. For more information call Mission Office at 740-4178. Applicants wanted for a new Americorps Service Program with Sierra Nevada conservation groups, including two at Sequoia Riverlands Trust doing land stewardship and youth education work. Visit www.sierranevadaalliance.org for an application and apply by January 15, 2007. AmeriCorps members will receive up to 350 hours of technical, ecological and skills development training throughout the year, a monthly stipend of $1200, standard health insurance and an education award of $4,725 upon completion of the program. For more information on Sequoia Riverlands Trust, visit www.sequoiariverlands.org.
Independent Film Series at the downtown
Visalia Stadium 10 theater on Bridge and Acequia.
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