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Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Visalia Newsletter |  |
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Quick Calendar for November, 2006 Every Sunday after the service, please join us for the 6 PM Potluck! Read below for more details for these programs, plus a preview of our December schedule!
November 5, 2006
November 12, 2006
November 19, 2006
November 26, 2006
December 3, 2006
Regular Fellowship Events 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 6 PM - 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! 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 3rd Sunday 3 PM - Fellowship Board Meeting at Friends Meeting House. 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? Join our 9 week discussion course beginning on January 19, 2007! Sessions will be held at 7 PM on alternating Thursdays beginning on January 19 and ending May 10. Sign-ups are now available. 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 at:
green@uuvisalia.org
SESSION THEMES A Call to Sustainability: The goal of a sustainable society is popular, but difficult to define. How does the way our society functions affect the earth, and how can we be “a blessing to the planet”? Ecological Principles: Some argue that the earth is the best teacher of sustainable practices. How can nature’s organizing principles be applied in design, production of goods, and everyday living? Sustainable Communities: The more resources we use in the course of daily living, the larger our “ecological footprint” is. By looking at our actions within the framework of communities, we can learn to shrink that footprint?and gain a simpler, more balanced lifestyle. Sustainable Business and Economy: Is a growing economy equivalent to a healthy economy? What are other ways of measuring success, and how can we encourage businesses to adopt sustainable practices and perspectives? Sustainable Food: According to one author, our food travels an average of 1,300 miles before reaching our plates. How can we lessen our impact on the earth through choices about the way we eat? Sustainable Buying: Daily messages tell us to buy, buy, buy. How can we escape from these cultural pressures, and instead only purchase what we truly need, from the most sustainable sources available? Sustainable Living: The spaces and buildings we inhabit influence our lives and the earth. How can we build, work, and live together in greater harmony with the natural world? Visions of Sustainability: Choices we make today are shaping the world of tomorrow. How can we create the most sustainable society for our future?
In October we had some wonderful events! Our October 1 free showing of An Inconvenient Truth was a tremendous success, with over 50 persons attending, many from outside our congregation. We are energized to keep working against global warming! Learn more at: climatecrisis.net and read the UU Response to Global Warming on our website. Also
on October 1, our worship service covered the topic: "Save Darfur." A PowerPoint presentation and
discussion on Darfur was presented by Visalian Irene
Morse. She discussed the politics and geography of
the genocide, and her group's efforts to aid the
Iridimi Refugee Camp. She and her co-presenter
explained their decision to provide Solar Cookers to
help these people who have suffered so much. A
demonstration of the Solar Cookers also took place.
On October 8, we held our first Drumming Circle. This was a spiritual and fun experiment in rhythm and music enjoyed by over a dozen of us. We enjoyed it so much, we agreed to make it a regular event for the second Sunday of each month at 4 PM. Hope to see you there this coming month! Also on October 8, during our regular worship service we had a fascinating discussion celebrating ""Dia de la Raza" We heard a fascinating presentation about the origins of this special holiday celebrated throughout Latin America, which originated in Mexico. We discussed the destruction of Native American races in both North and South America, and the complicity of both European nations and the United States Governments in that. We viewed a video about the U.S. conquest of Hawaii, as one of our most recent examples of this imperialism. Knowing this history should help us resolve to promote better justice for all people in the future. On October 12 we began our five-week discussion course on Articulating Your UU Faith. On October 15 we celebrated United Nations Sunday. We learned about the UU Office of the United Nations does and is planning for the future. A special collection was taken this day for the benefit of the UU-UNO. On October 22 we celebrated Diwali (The Indian Festival of Light) Inspired poetry from the ancient scriptures that have shaped Indian thought. Readings from Krishnamurti gave us lots of food for thought about what is religion and what is not. (Hint: it isn't about belief, or ritual, or god!) On October 29 we held a special " service of remembrance." Members and friends brought pictures of loved ones who had died, and told their story. So many fond memories and inspiring lives among us! This was a candlelight service.
FoodLink needs volunteers Monday through Saturday from 8 am to 4 PM from November 1 through November 22. The volunteers will work 2-hour shifts at the Stuff the Trolley food drive. If you can work one or more shifts, please contact Sandy Beals at FoodLink 651-3663. Your UU Fellowship needs a few volunteers to help on the following:
To inquire about any of these, please call April or e-mail her at: president@uuvisalia.org .
Welcome to new members Ben Briscoe, Lesley
Dyer, Mona Selph and Connie Tippett who joined the
Visalia UU Fellowship in September 2006. Anyone
who is interested in a brief membership orientation,
please speak with the Fellowship president.
Pledge Drive - Letters will be distributed this month, asking members and regular visitors to budget a monthly contribution to the Visalia UU Fellowship. Payment options through PayPal and possibly automatic payments. Watch for an advertisement in the "Valley Voice" publicizing the Visalia and Porterville UU Fellowships. Grant funds enable us to reach out to Tulare County liberals and progressives and share the good news of a faith that draws from many spiritual traditions and strives to love our neighbors as ourselves, work for a better world, search for truth with an open mind, use reason to help us explore religious ideas and grant everyone the right to choose their own beliefs. Opportunity to Share - Coats Give-Away - contributions of used or new warm coats, sweaters, sweatshirts, long pants, socks, etc. for a cold weather donation, in partnership with the Beit Shalom Jewish congregation. Collections on November 19 & 26. More information to come. New Small Group - meeting third Sunday of each month 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! Call for Workshop Presenters at Fresno UU Church in late February or early March, 2007 (date to be confirmed). The Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of California (UULM) will hold the third annual "Liberal Voices in a Conservative Landscape" at the Fresno UU Church in late February 2007. A gathering of UUs from Bakersfield, Porterville, Visalia, Fresno, Stockton, Modesto and more. Workshops on developing publicity and outreach skills and related to current UULM issues - global warming, health care for all, marriage equality and water justice. Other areas of interest - prisons and air quality. Volunteers from Tulare County will also be needed to help with packets, name tags, logistics at the event. Please contact: president@uuvisalia.org The Seventh Principle Study Group - The focus of the group is earth based spirituality and the recognition of the "divine feminine" through study and celebration of the festivals of the "Wheel of the Year" and the pagan path. Email Marilyn Giese as to info regarding the next meeting at mjgiese_weaver@yahoo.com.
Fresno Interfaith Council,
with active members of the Fresno UU Church is sponsoring a
series of visits to different religious gatherings
with the goal of increase mutual understanding.
January 13, 2007 in Walnut Creek: "Annual
Growth Conference" featuring a seminar leader with
The Alban Institute, a national interfaith
organization focusing on congregational vitality.
Details to come at
January 27, 2007 - RenMod Training for Religious Educators. For more information on how to participate, contact PCD Director of Faith Development, Yvonne Rochon at yvonne@pcd-uua.org February 10, 2007 - Conversations on Ministry to and with Youth. Contact yvonne@pcd-uua.org
VOTE on November 7, or earlier with an absentee ballot! Affirm and promote UU Principle #5 - "The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large."
Nov. 1 - Independent Film Series at the downtown
Visalia Stadium 10 theater on Bridge and Acequia.
2:15 PM and 7PM, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
College of Sequoias Arts & Lectures -
11/17/06 - Eric Hetherington - COS geology instructor on Visalia's topography. Free, Room 350, 7PM.
More programs in 2007! View season program at:
Nov. 11-12, 2006 - Kearney Park Renaissance Fair produced by The Guild of St. Giles, 10AM - 5PM. $6/person ($1 off with a canned food donation)
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