by Admin | Jul 3, 2018 | Justice Actions
Dear UUCV Community,
Happy summer to you! It’s been a phenomenal first year with you all, and I am so excited for many more to come.
This year we have completed a Coming of Age program for our 12-14 year olds, enjoyed a monthly parenting support group, held Children’s Chapels for all the children and youth together, and so much more.
Our mission is family ministry that develops wisdom and resilience with UU values and action, builds relationships across the ages, and builds connections to serve and learn within our congregation and beyond!
We hope each child, parent, guardian, teacher, and grandparent feels loved, connected, inspired, and valued by UUCV, and we are so grateful for your presence among us!
Armfuls of Love
Emily Carroll, Director of Religious Education
emily@uuventura.org
by Admin | Jul 3, 2018 | Building and Grounds
by Linda Pietrzak
During the months of May and June, Building and Grounds had help with several projects. The Covenant Group consisting of Susan Franzblau, Phoebe Higgins, Diane Wamsley, Veronica Bear, Mary Jo Kusiak, Joyce Lombard, Helen McPherson, Peggy Anders, and Mary Kay Lambert, painted reflective arrows at the entry as well as the posts marking the entry while adding reflectors. We thank them for coming up with a much-needed project.
I heard from Kathy Powell and Sally Shampine that some of our Safe Sleep guests were pulling weeds along the Ralston side of the church. When I checked on Sunday there were three large trash bags full of weeds with roots. I also heard Ruth Owens took time to pull weeds between church activities. Way to go Ruth, good use of spare time. I guess this is a big hint for what needs to be done at the July Work Party.
New Building and Grounds Chair
We welcome Wil Devine as the new B&G chair. I met him and his wife Haibiba Peterson when Beverly Jordan introduced us. She said they were interested in getting involved with Building and Grounds. Wil came to meetings, Work Parties, and got to know all the other committees that B&G interacts with. His goal is to increase the number of volunteers and have B&G work in collaboration with other committees in the church.
Contacts Linda Pietrzak: linda.w.pietrzak@gmail.com Wil Devine: wildevine929@yahoo.com
by Admin | Jul 3, 2018 | Finance Committee
• July 1 marks the first day of our 2018-2019 church year. Our total expenses for the new year are expected to be $496,607. This pays for the maintenance of the church property, all of our programs, committees and teams. Our program costs are primarily for worship services, religious education, growing our membership and music.
• The amount of this year’s expenses is significantly more than our sustainable annual income. The next two years will challenge us if we want to sustain our current level of programs and activities.
• You can make one time donations or set up automatic pledge payments at http://www.uuventura.org, by clicking on “Give” on the right side of the header, click on the picture of the mouse and following the instructions; or contact David Smith at 805/216-9331 or davidpaseo@verizon.net.
by Admin | Jun 11, 2018 | Justice Actions
Spring seems such an apt time for the theme of Blessing, especially here on the Central Coast of California. Long before serving this congregation in Ventura was even a gleam in my eye, I always said that this coast had the best climate in the world. Especially in spring when the abundance and blessing of living here is so evident.
Yes, fires, mudslides, not to mention earthquakes, are among the hazards of living in the Golden State. The climate is changing in unpredictable ways. And June Gloom may yet descend upon us.
And still we are blessed. For we have community to rely upon, to lean into for support and sustenance. We know that other people need us and we need them. We find here comfort and inspiration.
Yes, the world seems fraught and uncertain. The truth seems to have become a moving target. Our neighbors are too often afraid and turning inward.
And still we are blessed. For ours is a free faith, seeking ever to learn, uncovering new truth. We are guided by principles, which hold us to account and carry us through the rough terrain. We seek to know our place in creation and live lightly on the earth.
Yes, there are too many people without homes or too close to it. We live in a culture of income inequality, greed or indifference in the face of poverty We are a land built on the strength in diversity, yet we build walls against the next immigrants.
And still we are blessed. For we are a covenantal community, living by our values, knowing that we need not think alike to love alike. Together there is so much we can accomplish. The world is a kinder, more just and loving place because we are here.
I continue to feel so blessed to have been called to live and serve among you. This is just our second year together, and I imagine so much more good and many blessings ahead.
With love, Rev. Dana
by Admin | Jun 11, 2018 | Justice Actions
With gratitude we introduce our newest members: Linda Hillman, Trish Ann Isom, Sam Jefferson, Xina Kingshill, John Moore, Gary Noreen, Alison Oatman, Claire Rithner, Henry Urick and Jane Van Note.
We look forward to getting to know these folks through church related programs and service in the wider community. We are so glad you have chosen UUCV as your spiritual home!
The next series of Membership classes will be offered in October. Email me if you’d like to be added to the list of interested folks. (Beverly@uuventura.org)
Seth Fisher in the book Upcycle Your Congregation (edited by Sarah Lammert) writes: “We need to take a step back and distinguish between “church” and church. “Church” is candles and piano music and vestments and readings. Church is community where people grow together and help each other create lives of meaning. “Church” is great if you are into that sort of thing. We’re not in the business of getting people to sing hymns and listen to sermons. We’re in the business of transforming lives. And this is something that is in demand.”
If we view UUCV as a container for transformation, how might that change the approach we take to program development, membership, leadership and welcome? How might UUCV attract people who are not interested in “church?” Fisher suggests coffee hour could become a social event with live music, an art display, social action volunteers hosting a booth with resources for community involvement. And advertise coffee hour on Social Media and as a community Meet Up. I envision the Connecting Committee in full swing, listening to people’s stories and connecting them with UUCV programming. Seth shares her experience: “What we ended up with didn’t look a whole lot different from our usual coffee hour. It was just a new and improved version – a little more vibrant, a little more deliberately connected with our larger mission, and consequently a little more like the Beloved Community that we strive for.”
What ways do you see UUCV continuing the transformational aspects of church and how can we strengthen that?
– Beverly Jordan, Community Life Coordinator
