by Beverly Jordan, Membership Manager
The newly formed Adult Programs Coordinating Team (APCT) includes myself, Xenia Young and Annette Gale. APCT oversees both the Spiritual Growth Programs and The Adult Programs.
If you are interested in facilitating an adult program at the church, contact us for an application. We’d enjoy hearing your ideas! Beverly@uuventura.org
by Gudrun Eastham
Pathway to Membership Workshop #2 was held on Saturday, April 8 from 10-2 in Berg Hall. A dozen newcomers to our church were treated to an inspiring interactive experience. Rev Dana, Beverly Jordan, Membership Manager, and Board President, Bryan Buck presented discussion topics that included the meaning of being in Covenant, a brief UUCV history, the benefits and expectations of membership, the theology of Giving and Funding the Mission.
After a vibrant conversation over a buffet lunch, attendees were invited to participate in a special exercise entitled “Embracing the Spectrum” where five questions were presented and attendees were asked to place themselves on an invisible horizontal line. One question was, “what styles of Worship do you like?” and another, “What are some goals you have for yourself in this congregation?” Everyone learned something about themselves and others! Membership Committee was honored to participate in this day.
Upcoming: a mini celebration, May 3, for those signing the Membership Book and returning pledge cards and New Member Recognition, May 7, during the Worship Service.
In the meantime, I invite you to seek out visitors at Sunday Services, introduce yourselves and while I’m on the subject, if there is someone you haven’t seen at church in a while, please call and invite them to return or offer them a ride.
by Linda Pietrzak
What a gift from one of the Covenant Groups! They selected helping at a B&G Work Party. Since they couldn’t all come on the same day, three members came to the April Work Party and more will come in May.
Bryan Buck chose to do trash pick-up around the property, Lauren Copus and Stephanie Tiffany planted succulents in the Olive Garden near the church entrance and in front by the church sign. The plantings look great and the trash pick-up is always a blessing. They also did some sweeping in front of the church entry so it would be welcoming for the Easter Service.
The B&G Committee has been working on completing tasks recommended by Church Mutual, our insurance company. We are down to the last three. Two of the three were fixes that didn’t work, but will be taken care of this month. Doug Tate discovered that the child safety outlet covers were more of a hazard than a fix. John Puccetti is getting covers for backflow valves.
The third is finally begun! You may recognize how big that is when I tell you that it is to clean out the B&G Storage Closet. Thank you Michael Akseven for starting the project and for taking the old paint to be disposed of.
The rest of the Work Party crew worked around the grounds. Sherry Anderson, also, planted succulents. Chelsea Tate and Linda Pietrzak tackled the rosemary bush (that was on its way to becoming a tree). Merle Oberg worked on some irrigation issues. Cindy Camillucci weeded the Meditation Path. Mike Sixbey did weed removal around the grounds. Joyce Sattler guided us to work opportunities and picked up trash around the parking lots.
During the week, Joyce and Linda painted over two sets of graffiti. And there was still time to Kick Back, Relax, and Enjoy Snacks.
by Jim Merrill
Wow, do we have a lot to celebrate, despite unsettling times at the UUA!
Our own Tanner Akseven, aka Tanner Linden, has been elected Youth Observer to the UUA Board! His term begins at the close of this year’s General Assembly, at which time he will serve alongside the current Youth Observer, Bailey Saddlemire, during the final year of her term. Tanner is the second of the last four Youth Observers to come from the PSWD.
The PSWD Justice District Assembly in southern Arizona was an inspiring, moving, and motivating success. Attendees participated in immersion excursions to learn about the services that dozens of organizations throughout Arizona and in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, provide to support the justice, well-being, and very lives of migrants making their way across our border in the Sonoran desert. The business meeting, held together among three sites by the Internet, baling wire, and chewing gum, proceeded smoothly. Following the business meeting, attendees at all three sites heard reports from Camp de Benneville Pines about an exciting capital campaign to make much-needed improvements.
The weekend’s activities concluded with an experiential Sunday service at the border “wall” between Nogales, Arizona, and Nogales, Sonora. Participants were challenged to consider how their own experiences related to migrants’ experiences. Participants were moved to deep reflection, and sometimes to tears. Nine of us from UUCV attended Justice DA and are planning how to share our experiences with the congregation.
With all the introspection, grief, resignations, and ongoing dialogue about concerns regarding the history of and inherent systems in our association’s practices, the Congregational Life Staff – those professionals who provide services to our congregations in crisis, in collaboration, and in transition – continue to provide those services on a daily basis.
May 2017