by Kitty Merrill | Apr 27, 2017 | Justice Actions
When I had been in my old church in Oregon for a couple of months, I remember people asking me, hopefully, “So, are you all settled in now?”
The process of moving to a new place and starting up in my very first church was still just a little overwhelming, and I wasn’t sure how to answer at first. I knew they meant to be positive and encouraging. So I learned to breathe and say, “Yes, I am settling in.” I’m not sure when I actually felt truly settled.
So, I’ve been ready for a similar process here in Ventura, and I have not been disappointed. I am still settling into my new condo and even into my office at church. Over a recent weekend, I actually sorted through accumulated files, some more than 10 years old. I culled and resorted, and I recycled some ancient documents. I still have furniture to acquire and pictures to get up on the walls. At some point, my office will feel comfortable and familiar to us all.
I suspect the settling in process is happening for us all. And it’s not yet done. This summer will bring us a new office administrator and a new Director of Religious Education. More settling for individuals and for the institution.
This kind of staff turnover is part of the natural rhythm of the church and often happens when a new minister arrives. I will remain eternally grateful for Becky Burnham who delayed her retirement for a year or two to help with the transition from settled-to-interim-to settled ministry. My gratitude extends to Joyce Faber who stepped in as a volunteer DRE to cover the transition in that position as well.
In the next months when we have both positions newly filled, the longest serving staff member will be Beverly Jordan who has been at UUCV for almost 3 years.
This may seem like a whole lot of change for folks who’ve been around for a while. Yet it is also another fresh start in a congregation that has seen more than a few transitions in its near 60 years.
I hope we do feel more settled in before too long, though never entirely settled. We need to keep learning and growing, challenging ourselves as individuals and as a community.
I am so very glad to be in this settling process with you.
Rev. Dana
by Kitty Merrill | Apr 27, 2017 | Minister
When I had been in my old church in Oregon for a couple of months, I remember people asking me, hopefully, “So, are you all settled in now?”
The process of moving to a new place and starting up in my very first church was still just a little overwhelming, and I wasn’t sure how to answer at first. I knew they meant to be positive and encouraging. So I learned to breathe and say, “Yes, I am settling in.” I’m not sure when I actually felt truly settled.
So, I’ve been ready for a similar process here in Ventura, and I have not been disappointed. I am still settling into my new condo and even into my office at church. Over a recent weekend, I actually sorted through accumulated files, some more than 10 years old. I culled and resorted, and I recycled some ancient documents. I still have furniture to acquire and pictures to get up on the walls. At some point, my office will feel comfortable and familiar to us all.
I suspect the settling in process is happening for us all. And it’s not yet done. This summer will bring us a new office administrator and a new Director of Religious Education. More settling for individuals and for the institution.
This kind of staff turnover is part of the natural rhythm of the church and often happens when a new minister arrives. I will remain eternally grateful for Becky Burnham who delayed her retirement for a year or two to help with the transition from settled-to-interim-to settled ministry. My gratitude extends to Joyce Faber who stepped in as a volunteer DRE to cover the transition in that position as well.
In the next months when we have both positions newly filled, the longest serving staff member will be Beverly Jordan who has been at UUCV for almost 3 years.
This may seem like a whole lot of change for folks who’ve been around for a while. Yet it is also another fresh start in a congregation that has seen more than a few transitions in its near 60 years.
I hope we do feel more settled in before too long, though never entirely settled. We need to keep learning and growing, challenging ourselves as individuals and as a community.
I am so very glad to be in this settling process with you.
Rev. Dana
by Kitty Merrill | Apr 7, 2017 | Justice Actions
Looking for ways to practice and strengthen your faith? Hoping to meet others in meaningful service? We have many avenues of connection to offer you.
Stop by the Adult Programs table in Berg Hall, check out the monthly newsletter online or pick up a copy at the church.
You can find out about social justice opportunities at the Social Action Table, chat with a Member at the Visitors Table and/or email Beverly Jordan, the Membership Manager: Beverly@uuventura.org, 805/644-3898 ext 102.
by Kitty Merrill | Apr 7, 2017 | Justice Actions
Belonging
Belonging was the theme woven through the UUA Membership Professional Conference I attended in March. What does belonging mean to you? How do you know that you belong? This is certainly a relevant topic in today’s world. For many, their sense of belonging is being shattered. My thoughts and feelings of personal belonging include the knowledge that this is currently a sensitive and hard place for many.
Unitarian Universalism is a religion of belonging. All are welcome into this faith. Our doors are open to each person as we offer Beloved Community. We offer a place of belonging. Where did that start for you? Perhaps being asked to volunteer for something or seeing a task to be done and doing it? Maybe it was more of a gradual commitment to the values and mission of UUCV. For many people, committing to Membership was a catalyst to becoming integrated in the church community or was the byproduct of a growing sense of belonging.
Belonging includes responsibility. It is about staying at the table in a crisis. It is about being accountable to one another. It is so much more than feeling “at home.” It is recognizing that each and every one of us has value and dignity, we all deserve equity and compassion, and we are foundationally connected not only to each other, but to every part of the web of all of existence.
What does belonging at UUCV require of you? How do you live out the values of Beloved Community in our local community and beyond? May we deepen in our trust of one another, practice loving accountability and take risks that result in both success and failure. May we cultivate, tend and share this gift of belonging.
— by Beverly Jordan, Membership Manager
by Kitty Merrill | Apr 7, 2017 | Building and Grounds
Have you been coming to UUCV for a while but not making connections? An easy way to do this is to volunteer. We love volunteers at our B&G Work Party. No commitment necessary, just show up on the third Saturday of the month at 9am. Choose from a list of jobs that need completing, one that matches your interests and skills. Soon you will feel the pride of being a part of the whole church, the building, the grounds and the people.
Eight intrepid workers showed up for the B&G Work Party on a drizzly wet morning in February. In attendance were Mike Sixbey, Geoff Dann, Merle Oberg, Joyce Sattler, Cindy Camillucci, Bill Peltola, Linda Pietrzak and Kitty Merrill. Work inside the church included: installing baby changing tables in the RE restrooms, moving furniture, replacing burned out fluorescent light tubes, installing new emergency lights and cleaning out the Lost and Found. Work on the outside church grounds included: pulling weeds, raking pine needles, clearing drains, and cleaning up the trash enclosure.
What a difference a month makes. In March, Mike Sixbey, Bill Peltola, Geoff Dann, Bryan Buck, Linda Pietrzak, Cindy Camillucci, Merle Oberg and Joyce Sattler attended the work party. We focused our energy on weed removal and parking lot cleanup. In addition five members of the Friendship Sangha of the Heart, Neil Ortenberg, Anna Mares, Chris Garlington, Lisa, Otero and Dave Davidson, worked to weed and clean-up the meditation path. At the end of our work party we marveled at the improvement to the church yard. We felt proud of our crew for showing up and pitching in. Please thank them and plan to join us next month!
– Linda Pietrzak and Joyce Sattler
