by Admin | Aug 7, 2018 | Notes from President's Desk
Last June we held our Annual Meeting and exercised our 5th Principle concerning democratic process within our congregation. We voted and approved the Slate of Candidates, the 2018-19 Budget, and agreed to move forward with the creating of a permanent RE/Multi-purpose room in Berg Hall. Thank you to everyone who participated in the governance of the beloved community that is the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura!
By all accounts the discussion of the church budget went smoothly. Credit goes to the budget subcommittee of David Smith, David Frank and Rev. Dana Worsnop for giving us a document that supports our children, our staff and our vision for growth. That does not mean that the future is without concern. It was announced at the Annual Meeting that there will be two Congregational Conversations, September 16 and January 27, focusing on our 2019-2020 budget deficit. Those events will be about how to manage our income against expenses incurred in the running of our church. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, resolving the deficit gap is about making choices. Questions such as: “What do we value? What do we want as a community? What can we do?” represent the start of this journey. The information gathered at those meetings will give leadership direction about how to move the UUCV forward. If I have made it seem that our financial situation is dire, that would be the wrong conclusion to reach. Not only do we have time to develop solutions, but we have a history of rising to meet financial challenges. It was not that long ago that we had capital campaigns to put in a new floor in Berg Hall; for funding of the solar panels to reduce energy costs; for the creation of the Outdoor Sanctuary; and of course, for the major efforts that resulted in the buying of our current home and subsequent paying off of the mortgage. We have a history of being bold!
The RE/Multipurpose Room received approval and had a clear request for additional information from the congregation. This is a project that looks easy enough but has some complications. The revised quote came in higher than expected and the contractor did not want any responsibility for “plans and/or permits” that may or may not be needed. The result is that a review of the scope of work is taking place with a visit planned to the Building and Safety department at city hall to discuss the need for a permit. We already have funding of $10,500.00 in place for the room. Getting the project completed will just take a little longer as we work to get it done in a proper and correct manner, aka “getting it right.”
And finally, with a new year and a new Board, comes a reminder for everyone. The Board meets on the third Thursday of every month in the Conference Room at 6:00PM. Like all committee meetings, Board meetings are open to members to attend. There is an opportunity to speak to the Board on any concern you have at the beginning of the meeting. This is just one of the many ways that your voice can be heard at the UUCV.
Living in Paradise,
Bryan Buck, UUCV Board President
by Admin | Aug 7, 2018 | LUYV
UUCV Safe Sleep Highlights
by Neal Ortenberg
For many years the UUCV has partnered with the City of Ventura and the Salvation Army in offering 10 vehicle spaces as a safe place for people to park and sleep in their vehicles as they work toward moving into more permanent housing.
The first half of 2018 UUCV provided 20 people a safe place in our church parking lot from 7pm to 7am, giving them an opportunity to have an undisturbed night’s sleep. They are supported in reaching their goal of more permanent housing by UUCV volunteers who check in with them evenings and mornings, the Salvation Army Case Managers who guide them toward reaching their housing goals and the Securitas Security Service that inspects our property daily between midnight and 4am.
The UUCV Safe Sleep Team works to make our Safe Sleepers feel at home and welcome. As friendly neighbors we invite them to attend our Sunday services, and we host a once-a-month dinner and social hour in the garage at 5:30pm on the first Thursday of the month for Safe Sleepers and church members. This month it was a Pizza night during which we all deepened our connection with each other. Our Safe Sleepers have shown their gratitude to the church by weeding around the property and by sweeping around the back-parking lot.
I am pleased to report that two of our Safe Sleepers not only have become members of the church but moved out of their cars into rented housing.
If you have any questions about our Safe Sleep program, call or email either of our UUCV Safe Sleep Coordinators, Neal Ortenberg- 805/368-9835, nealstuart@gmail.com or Darryl Marquez-805/232-8834, darryl.marquez@gmail.com
by Admin | Aug 7, 2018 | Inreach/Outreach News
August Recipients
August 5: Ventura Homeless Prevention proceeds go directly to residents of the homes and apartment buildings destroyed by the fire and flood. All funds are dedicated to supporting long-term recovery and re-building efforts for low-income families affected by the fire and flood
August 12: Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Ventura County. Our Mission is to provide all children facing adversity with professionally supported, one-to-one mentoring relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. Funding would allow us to continue to expand our mentoring program and ensure its continued success in helping children who face adversity.
August 19: Citizens for Responsible Oil and Gas. Our mission is to defend communities and wild places from the adverse impacts of oil and gas activities. Funding will build our organization’s capacity to educate the public and decision makers about risks to air quality, water and soil
August 26: UUCV Inreach/Outreach to help those in our own congregation or someone in the wider community who is in need of assistance.
Reccent Inreach/Outreach Recipients
Your generosity toward those who ask for our help continues to be amazing.
June 24: LUYV Park Outreach Team – $818.41
July 1: City Center Tansitional Living – $660.25
July 8: Innocence Project – $713.24
July 15: LUYV Park Outreach Team– $725.08
Thanks so much for all your generous donations!
For more information about suggesting organizations for UUCV to support click here http://www.uuventura.org/wp-admin/post.php?post=1188&action=edit
by Admin | Aug 7, 2018 | Justice Actions
Dear UUCV Community,
We are so excited for Peace Camp! It’s a weeklong day camp that teaches peacemaking, emotional resilience, and social justice using music, field trips, and cooperative activities. We’ll sing at the Lexington, go to a museum, and enjoy a beach party!
In a new book Testimony about the transformative power of Unitarian Universalism, colleague Aisha Hauser writes about becoming UU: “We visited on Sunday, and when I asked the religious educator if they taught about hell, she answered, ‘Good Lord, no.’ As soon as she took the Lord’s name in vain, I knew this was the place for me and my family.” I would love to hear the moment you knew UUCV was the place for you!
With Love
Emily Carroll, Director of Religious Education
emily@uuventura.org
by Admin | Jul 5, 2018 | Support Group News
The UUCV “Mostly Senior Men” meet on the first Saturday of the month for breakfast and social conversation.
Please come to meet new and old friends and enjoy the friendship, fellowship and food. All UUCV men are welcome and encouraged to join us.
Days: First Saturdays
Time: 9:00 am
Location: Marie Callender’s Restaurant on Victoria Ave.
Contact: Ray Escobedo (805) 658-8543, Cell:( 805) 216-3294; raye3294@gmail.com