by Kitty Merrill | Feb 27, 2017 | Building and Grounds
by Linda Pietrzak
7PEAT, the environmental action group of the Social Action Committee, has been looking at ways to decrease our use of disposable cups, dishes, and silverware. When we have a food event at church the recycle and trash bins overflow. They and Building and Grounds want to commend the UUniques and the Meditation Group for bringing their own service to their monthly potlucks.
As part of the Church Mutual Insurance recommendations to improve safety around the church, Joyce Sattler and Linda Pietrzak painted the handicap ramps with yellow paint where they slope off to the sides to make the slopes more visible.
January’s Work Party saw 17 different jobs completed. Bill Peltola replaced door lights in Berg Hall and the Sanctuary, tested emergency exit signs, and removed pine needles. Mike Sixbey trimmed the Australian willows around the light standards and cleaned the gutters. Mike Duffy repaired the dented shelf in Becky’s office, relocated stepping stones and cinder blocks, thinned lavender near butterfly garden, weeded the butterfly garden, and re-adjusted a ceiling tile in the nursery. Merle Oberg removed ivy and weeds from the property and raked pine needles. Linda Pietrzak cleaned the lavender bed near the butterfly garden, weeded the parking island and the butterfly garden. Cindy Camillucci weeded the Meditation path and back island. Joyce Sattler removed century plants from a parking island, labeled trash toters (bins), replaced a drain cover, picked up trash, and fed and supervised the rest of us.
by Kitty Merrill | Feb 27, 2017 | Inreach/Outreach News
“No one has ever become poor by giving.” Anne Frank
Giving
In late January and early February our donations helped provide new school clothes for homeless and low-income children; end discrimination and bullying in our schools; allow homeless and low-income youth to participate in YMCA programs; supported undocumented Ventura County youth (VC Dreamers) and assisted those in our community needing help.
We collected $661 for Operation School Bell to increase the number of children in this program, which provides new school clothes for those from low-income families, increasing the children’s self-confidence and self-esteem and thus chances for a successful school experience.
Social Justice Fund received $475 which will help fund organizations that address prejudice and challenge discrimination and bullying in our schools.
The congregation donated $609 to the Ventura Family YMCA to allow 100 youth who are in low-income, homeless and transitional living situations the opportunity to participate in Y’s Open Doors program.
CLUE-VC, Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice, received $586 to help pay for training materials so 20 undocumented youth can participate in a leadership program that teaches public speaking skills, leadership training, advocacy skills and pays travel expenses for students to visit universities.
The offering of $729 went to the UUCV Inreach/Outreach Fund to help those in our community who need assistance. 19.
Inreach Outreach Votes
Last month 137 members and pledging friends voted to determine which organizations will receive our Sunday offerings in the months of March-June.
At newsletter deadline, offering dates for those groups that received the vote had not been finalized. However, it was decided on March 5 and again on March 12 the offering will go to the Winter Warming Shelter. There is critical need for the shelter to remain open until the end of March. The final schedule for Sunday offering dates will be posted on the We Care/We Share bulletin board in Berg Hall.
March 5 and March 12: Winter Warming Shelter. Help meet the critical need for the shelter to remain open until the end of March. .
Thanks for your donations
Anne Escobedo
by Kitty Merrill | Feb 27, 2017 | Justice Actions
Meet Sidia Anderson, Our new Child Care Coordinator
Sidia began in the field of pre-school education 15 years ago. Her experience includes over seven years as a preschool teacher at La Petite Academy of Ventura. For the past four years she has worked for the Ventura Unified School District as a para-educator for special needs children.
Last year she became our lead Child Care Aide and now has taken on the new position of Child Care Coordinator. Please go directly to Sidia when your church group needs child care on days other than Sunday. We have placed our trust in Sidia and she’s doing a great job.
Sidia has been married for 20+ years to her college sweetheart and has two high school age boys. Hiking with them and their dog Tenok in the mountains is one of their most fun things to do together. If she finds time she enjoys reading mystery stories for fun.
Sidia says when she married she grew to know her husband’s grandmother who was so open and accepting of everyone – a gift to her that has made her work with children natural and rewarding. It influenced her efforts to help young children discover the world. Since her husband’s grandmother belonged to the Santa Barbara Unitarian Universalist fellowship, she was comfortable applying for work with our Unitarian Universalist Church even though she is Catholic.
Sidia is a joy to watch with children. She can catch the eyes of a two year old from across the room with a nod and a smile. Her understated manner belies her sense of concern for the safety of her charges as well as her expertise and understanding of children. Sidia is an infant-toddler teacher’s gift – gentle, kind, and firm! We are glad we found her. Come by and introduce yourself, she is looking forward to getting to know you.
Exciting Learning In RE
Pre K-1st: Learn about our church and our religion. We will be making personal chalices, and learning the seven principles. We will also be exploring ideas of God, and practicing meditation.
Teaching Team: Laurie Lemson lead, Cheryl Gilbert, Katie Hutchins, Irma Sixby, Gerri Woodson
2nd-5th: Focus on the Christian Bible and learning about the life of Jesus. Jesus as a teacher. The Death and Resurrection of Jesus and Jesus as a miracle worker.
Teaching Team: Lauren Copus, David Smith, MaryKay Lambert, Jeff Steves, Phoebe Higgins
6th-8th: Learn about US Christian movements in the 1800’s; Mormonism on March 5, Christian Science on March 12 with special guest Avonna Ramsey, and Jehovah Witness March 19, and March 26 Blessing of the Animals – All Generations Service.
Teaching Team: Chris C De Baca, Michael Pezzuto, Marge Lorraine, Gina Norstedt, Mina Nichols, Ray Vargas
Mark Your Calendar
Youth Choir Rehearsals
Sunday • 11:25-11:50
Contact Carolyn Howard, Music Director
Youth Group Meeting
March 6 • Garage • 6-8pm
Info: Tanner Akseven, coordinator
Social Action Con
March 17-19 • Santa Monica
Tanner Akseven, RSVP, 805/231-1552
All Generations Service Blessing of the Animals
March 25 • 10 am
RE Teachers’ Meeting
March 26 • Garage • 11:15-12:30pm (next meeting May 7)
Religious Education Committee
March 28 • Conference Rm • 6-8pm
by Mina Nichols
by Kitty Merrill | Feb 27, 2017 | News (home)
The UU Kids Corps puts RE values and teachings into action, giving kids and families volunteer opportunities with a minimal time commitment from parents.
Here’s how it works:
Our goal is to provide a service/social action event each month. Twelve families will sign up to coordinate one event. For an hour’s effort, you get a year’s worth of activism!
Possible activities include:
- Work with UU RiverHaven outreach • Sing at a nursing home • Volunteer at an animal shelter event • Join in a beach cleanup day • Make care packages for homeless folks • Develop kids activities at a protest march
Many organizations have activities and a coordinator for a particular event The coordinator will need to know a date, numbers of attendees, and any age or accessibility restrictions.
A signup sheet will be posted at all the classrooms. You determine the activity, the date and time. Contact Vanessa Frank for ideas and support.
by Kitty Merrill | Feb 27, 2017 | Religious Ed News
The UU Kids Corps puts RE values and teachings into action, giving kids and families volunteer opportunities with a minimal time commitment from parents.
Here’s how it works:
Our goal is to provide a service/social action event each month. Twelve families will sign up to coordinate one event. For an hour’s effort, you get a year’s worth of activism!
Possible activities include:
- Work with UU RiverHaven outreach • Sing at a nursing home • Volunteer at an animal shelter event • Join in a beach cleanup day • Make care packages for homeless folks • Develop kids activities at a protest march
Many organizations have activities and a coordinator for a particular event The coordinator will need to know a date, numbers of attendees, and any age or accessibility restrictions.
A signup sheet will be posted at all the classrooms. You determine the activity, the date and time. Contact Vanessa Frank for ideas and support.
