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UU Visalia Quick Links
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Quick Calendar for May 2007
May 6, 2007
5:00 PM Worship: "The Asphalt Nation" by Katherine Singh.
6:00 PM Religious Education Meeting during potluck.
7:00 PM Film/Forum "The Oil Factor: Behind the War on Terror."
May 13, 2007
5:00 PM Worship on Mother's Day "The Lessons Mother Taught Us" by Anna Garcia and Dorothy Osak. (Share your mom's advice!)6:00 PM Social Justice/Green Sanctuary Meeting during potluck. May 20, 20073:30 PM Board Meeting. 5:00 PM Worship: "Sustainable Eating" by Bill Lovett. 6:00 PM Potluck & Film: "Welcoming & Repelling Fewer Visitors." May 27, 20075:00 PM "Pentecost with Flower Communion" by Marilyn Giese - Bring a flower!
SAVE THE DATE Sunday, June 3, 2007 - 4 PM. [Note earlier time]
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING & START OF SUMMER SCHEDULE
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May
6, 2007
5:00 PM Worship: "Asphalt
Nation" by Katherine Singh. "Asphalt Nation" is a powerful
examination of how the automobile has ravaged America's cities and landscape
over the past 100 years together with a compelling strategy for reversing
our automobile dependency. Jane Holtz Kay provides a history of the rapid
spread of the automobile and documents the huge subsidies commanded by
the highway lobby, to the detriment of once-efficient forms of mass transportation.
De monstrating
that there are economic, political, architectural, and personal solutions
to the problem, she shows that radical change is entirely possible. This
book is essential reading for everyone interested in the history of our
relationship with the car, and in the prospect of returning to a world
of human mobility.
6:00 PM Religious education meeting during potluck.
7:00 PM Film/Forum "The
Oil Factor: Behind the War on Terror" This documentary goes to the
roots of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Ed Asner narrates this
ninety minute film with an in-depth look at the war and the cause.
May 13, 2007
5:00 PM Worship: Mother's Day "The Lessons Mother Taught Us" by Anna Garcia and Dorothy Osak. Remember
those little things that mother used to tell you. Write down some of
those and bring them to share. What kinds of lessons did your mother
impart? What lessons did you impart to your children?
6:00 PM Social
Justice / Green Sanctuary Meeting during potluck. Please join
us as we prepare our final steps to achieving Green Sanctuary certification!
May 20, 2007
3:30 PM Board Meeting.
5:00 PM Worship: "Sustainable Eating" by Bill Lovett.
6:00 PM During the potluck, view and discuss a 15 minute DVD of "Welcoming the Newcomer" from UUA's Ideas for Growth Workshop Series. Segment #1 is on "Repelling
Fewer Visitors."
May
27, 2007
5:00 PM Worship: "Pentecost with Flower Communion" by
Marilyn Giese Explore the meaning of Pentecost and its message for Unitarian-Universalists.
Experience the service of Flower Communion, our annual celebration of
diversity in this Unitarian Universalist tradition. Please bring a flower
or two from your garden to add to the display.
6:00 PM Potluck
SAVE THE DATE
Sunday, June 3, 2007
4:00 PM [Note earlier time]
ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL BUSINESS MEETING & START OF SUMMER SCHEDULE
The annual congregational meeting is when we elect new officers, adopt a new budget, celebrate last year's accomplishments and next year's goals.4PM meeting to be followed by a light potluck of salads and socializing.
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 Fellowship News
FROM THE WORSHIP TEAM
Summer Choices
This summer, the topic of discussion will be Ralph Waldo Emerson. The book is "Emerson as Spiritual Guide" by Barry Andrews. Though we may debate whether Ralph Waldo Emerson is primarily a poet, an essayist or a philosopher, for Barry Andrews, he is above all a spiritual teacher. His fiery genius ignited not only Thoreau but also Whitman, Fuller and many others. Though his life was riddled with loss, including the deaths of his first wife, two brothers and his first son, this remarkable man produced dozens of inspirational essays and poems and became the most widely quoted author in America today. Andrews' commentary shows a new generation of Americans how Emerson's spiritual journey joined an open heart with a critical mind. This will appeal to readers who consider themselves spiritual though not necessarily religious. Andrews comments about the book "I believe Emerson is best understood as a spiritual guide and a spokesperson for an alternative American spiritual tradition. I have tried to make his message accessible and relevant to contemporary religious seekers."
Order your book from the UUA Bookstore or your favorite bookseller now! The schedule and discussion leadership of the series will be detailed in the June 2007 newsletter. _________________
Front Page of Local News
Faithful put energy into lighting up London
By Lewis Griswold / The Fresno Bee
04/11/07 04:30:26
David Hodges, a retired electrical engineer, brainstormed a bright idea at his church: free light bulbs. The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Visalia will now give two energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs to every home in London, a poor community of about 400 homes and 2,000 residents in northwest Tulare County. "We're concerned about energy usage, and we're concerned about global warming, as everyone should be," Hodges said. Fluorescent bulbs use less electricity and will help families lower their electricity bills, he said. David and his wife, Diane, have a strong connection to London, where the community center is named after Diane Hodges. She taught at Kings River School for 23 years. Carolyn Thomas, secretary of the London Community Water District, said she'll pass out two bulbs per family starting April 25, when people come in to pay their water and sewer bills.
The Visalia Fellowship's contribution was publicized in all three local newspapers - Fresno Bee - South Valley edition on 4/11/07 (above) and local section on 4/27/07, Valley Voice on 4/18/07 and Visalia Times Delta on 4/25/07. We hope such visible social actions will encourage other organizations to start similar partnerships.
PCD Awards to Our Fellowship
The UU Fellowship of Visalia received two awards at Pacific Central District's annual District Assembly this past month - the first as the congregation with the largest percentage increase in membership and the second for sending the largest percentage of members to Leadership School in the last six years.
By adding five new members (Kim & Dennis Litzan, Ben Briscoe, Leslie Dyer and Shell Melendez), our fellowship numbers grew from 24 to 29 members and we achieved a growth rate of 20.8%! This number may not seem significant, but we have put much energy and thought into growth efforts. This recognition can encourage us all to renewed effort! The Fellowship has sent four members to PCD Leadership School in Alamo,
CA since 2000 (Geoff Smith, April Hill, Debbie Wing and Dorothy Osak). So we are dedicated to not only growth, but quality! Friends from the Pacific Central District commented: "Keep up whatever you are doing!" The award was presented on April 28 during the Award Luncheon.
Your Web Searches can now benefit UU Fellowship of Visalia!
What if the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Visalia earned a penny every time you searched the Internet? Well, now we can! GoodSearch.com is a new search engine that donates half its revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. You use it just as you would any search engine, and it's powered by Yahoo!, so you get great results. Just go to www.goodsearch.com and be sure to enter "unitarian visalia" to designate us as the charity you want to support. Even if just our 29 members searched five times a day, we would raise over $500 in a year without anyone spending a dime! And, be sure to spread the word!
CropWalk
Visalia's CropWalk received contributions of $530 from our Fellowship's sponsors with donations to date totaling about $8,570. Donations may be brought to service or mailed to CropWalk c/o Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Visalia, PO Box 3469, Visalia CA 93278
Our Fellowship President on UULM Board
April Hill accepted an invitation to join the Board of the California Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry, working with Rev. Lindi Ramsden and others on statewide issues. Term is 3 years and involves 3 weekend meetings a year in different parts of California, as well as monthly telephone conference calls. She finishes 4 years on the PCD Nominating Committee in May 2007.
Words of Wisdom from Historical UU Figures - "I know that religion sends me out into the world with a stronger inclination to display a good will - a [more] just, honest, helpful will than I should have without it. Such is the leading test." From Rev. Minot Simons (1905).
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 Unitarian Universalist Events & News
SAVE THE DATES!
Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations
General
Assembly - June 20-24, 2007
GA 2007 in Portland, Oregon
What difference should Unitarian Universalism make in the world? Register for Housing early for the best prices and choices. Options summarized at here.
Registration is $330 between 5/1 and 6/25/07. Online Registration. Preceding GA will be UU University - on Tues, 6/19-Wed, 6/20 for present & future congregational leaders. Registration fee $140 after 5/1/07. Three Visalia Fellowship
members plan to attend GA so far. If you are interested or able to attend,
information is available at Fellowship meetings and on websites for PCD and
UUA.
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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, and 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.
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Stebbins 2007 at Asilomar from July 28-August 2, 2007 (Sunday-Thursday)
Workshops, networking, Information available from co-registrar Helen Oxley.
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Church of Larger Fellowship (CLF) Online Class on "Beginning Unitarian Universalism" and "Chosen Faith" are free on-line courses that cover basic
Unitarian Universalist belief, history and organization. There are opportunities
to ask questions, and to discuss the readings. What makes Unitarian Universalism
a religion? What makes the Church of the Larger Fellowship different from
other UU congregations? How can a new member connect to this congregation
which never meets in person?
More information about this and other online classes is available at CLF. |
Community Events for Personal Spiritual Development
April 21 through June 16, 2007
UU Relevance: Sixth Principle: The goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all.
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
5/5, 5/19, 6/2, 6/16. Register at church - 734-9522.
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Saturday, May 12, 2007
UU Relevance: Seventh Principle - "the interdependent web of which we are apart" -
Birding and Wildflower Viewing Field Trip to Eshom Valley, Dry Creek Road and Brava Lake. Meet at 7:15 a.m. at the south end of Visalia Sears' parking lot. E-mail Gary or Kim.
The famous North American birder/ writer Kenn Kaufman said that in order to have a more environmentally sensitive public, we must make sure that they have a true connection with nature. To achieve this connection, Kaufman feels that every American citizen should know at least 50 species of plants and 50 species of animals. (quoted by Kim Kuska in Tulare County Audubon Society "Tulare Tappings", 4/07.)
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Wednesday, May 23, 2007 7:00 PM
UU Relevance: Sixth Source: "Spiritual teachings of Earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature."
Tulare County Office of Education - Archaeological Society hosts Beth Johnstone telling legends of the Yokut Native Americans.
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Earth Day 2007 - CFLs and the Earth Day Pledge
On
Earth Day 2007, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Visalia celebrated
Earth Day with a special program entitled, "Change
a Light, Change the World," presented by Green Sanctuary Chair, Harold Wood. The Power Point presentation explained the wastefulness of conventional incandescent light bulbs and the much more efficient compact fluorescent (CFL) and LED lights now available. Going well beyond the basics, the presentation gave information on the three most important things to look for when buying CFLs - which involves learning some new language for most people: lumens, correlated color temperature and the color rendering index.If you missed the presentation: Download Power Point here.
At the end of the program, everyone attending was invited to take two dimmable compact fluorescent light bulbs home with them - for free - thanks to the generosity of congregation friend Daljit Singh. Dr. Singh also contributed the funding for 1,000 CFLs which the Fellowship has delivered to the low-income community of London, in rural Tulare County (pop. 2,000). See article above.
Congregational members and friends were also asked to sign the UU Visalia Earth Day Pledge. 99% of all attending turned in the pledge!
The 2007 UU Visalia Earth Day Pledge had three parts:
1) Part One asked each member or friend to replace three or more of the most used lights in their home with Energy Star Compact or Tube Fluorescent lights.
2) Part Two asked each congregant to in tern ask three friends or family to replace three or more of the most use lights in their home with Energy Star Compact Fluorescent lights.
3) Part Three asked each congregant to choose one additional action item of their choosing that would help combat global warming and promote greater harmony with the environment.
Here is a sampling of the creative additional items that members and friends pledged to do:
Eat less meat.
Purchase a Prius.
Use the thermostat to reduce energy usage.
Bike to work one day per week.
Use reusable cloth shopping bags.
Dry clothes on a line outside rather than using a dryer.
Stop buying bottled water, filter my own water.
Buy a new Energy Star HVAC.
Install a drip watering system for yard.
Buy local produce more often.
Introduce my kids to public transportation and use once per month.
Ask my legislator to increase auto fuel efficiency standards to 40 mpg.
Pick up trash wherever I see it - everywhere and always.
Promote CFLs on my e-mail signatures & website
Drive slower in the slow lane rather than in my former fast lane.
Use a bicycle for local errands.
I will talk to supply people in my work place to consider purchasing LED exit signs in all 11 of our buildings.
Use less toxic household cleaners & spread the word.
Bike to farmer's market once a month.
Walk to work one day per week.
Use a power strip to turn off instant-on appliances.
Strive to be a vegan.
Anyone interested in learning more about the environmental activities of UU Fellowship of Visalia may e-mail green@uuvisalia.org
P.S. Better World Shopper is a site dedicated to providing people with a comprehensive, up-to-date, reliable account of the social and environmental responsibility of every company on the planet AND making it available in practical forms that individuals can use in their everyday lives. They offer a summary that can be folded to fit in a pocket, purse or wallet (http://www.betterworldhandbook.com/pocketguide.doc). Coming out of more than 5 years of intensive research, this work is based on a comprehensive database of over 1000 companies and utilizes 25+ reliable sources of data to cover everything from the environment to human rights, community development to animal protection.
Favorite "elevator speeches" to explain Unitarian Universalism in less than a minute.
"It's a free-thinking liberal religion that is guided by shared values rather than a particular dogma or creed. This lets individuals claim their personal beliefs based on conscience and experience. At its core, Unitarian Universalism places an emphasis on the worth and value of every person and the interconnectedness of all things. UUs are encouraged to give life to their values, demonstrating compassion, respect, and justice; working together to make the world a better place to pass along to our children."
- By Erica Alston, quoted in Articulating Your UU Faith by Jaco B. ten Hove and Barbara Wells
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Contact Info
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Visalia
info@uuvisalia.org
(559) 477-4214
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