by Kitty Merrill | Jan 27, 2017 | Justice Actions
History and Vision
I was asked by Beverly Jordan, to speak at a New Member Orientation on the history
and vision of UUCV. The following are some of my comments:
The complete history of UUCV is on our website and I encourage everyone to be
familiar with our beginnings and how far we have traveled since 1958. If there were
a UUCV history book, I think it would have three chapters with a fourth in the
works.
Chapter one – How it all began. Fifty-nine years ago, a small group from the
Universalist Church of Santa Paula formed a Fellowship in Ventura. There are photos
in Berg Hall of the homes and rented spaces where those first meetings were held. In
1962 the name of the church officially became the Unitarian Universalist Church of
Ventura. Bobbie Schoenherr, a founding member, is still involved in church events.
That early church was much like ours today, with parents seeking a more vital religious
environment within which to raise their children and grandchildren.
Chapter two – The Terry House, a Ventura Historic Landmark. It was a bold move
to come together and commit to a mortgage. That takes trust. Frank Peterson, who
continues to be an active member, was instrumental in raising the down payment.
From 1969 to 2004 the Terry House was our home. It was peaceful and the view
was stunning. You can still see our Chalice on the parking lot gate near Foothill
and Day Roads. Social Justice work was at the forefront of our presence in Ventura.
Chapter three – The move to Ralston and the promise of this new facility was another
bold move to accommodate growth and be more accessible to the community of
Ventura. We have vitality and potential in this location. Our building does not look
much like a church; it was designed as an office building. The best features are the
large parking lot and the 14,000 sq.ft. of space. This is a busy and happening place.
Our calendar is scheduled everyday with activities and events. The lesson learned
is that a church is not its’ building, rather it is the community of people gathered
and what they do together.
As we begin Chapter four, the future is not yet written, we are writing it together.
We are on a journey. So far, the story of the UUCV is about the history of our times
and the building up of a people. My hope is we will carry forward the themes of
Boldness and Prophetic voice found in the first three chapters.
You may think differently, which would be typically UU, but I believe that our vision
for the future includes helping people change their lives, and the lives of others for
the better, fulfilling the meaning of being a justice-seeking people and making a
difference in the world by standing on the side of love.
How we do that work is up to us, democratically, while observing the 7 Principles
and our Covenant of Right Relations. The relationship we have with each other and
the world can be a place of tension. It is where we comfort the afflicted and afflict the
comfortable. To me, it is the heart of Unitarian Universalism to be in relationship
together, supporting one another in our individual search for truth and meaning.
So, what I want to know from everyone reading my column is this: How has the
UUCV changed your life? Please, write your UU Story and email it to me, bryanabuck@hotmail.com. I hope to share some of them in our newsletter.”
Living in Paradise,
Bryan Buck, President
by Kitty Merrill | Jan 27, 2017 | Justice Actions
Dear Ones,
My Installation is in less than three weeks!
No, we’re not hanging me on the wall like an art installation. Nor will I be installed like a dishwasher. On the evening of Feb. 19, I will be installed as the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura’s 7th settled senior minister. The service is an affirmation of the covenantal relationship between the minister and the congregation.
I’ve been talking a lot lately – to our newest members and to the latest covenant groups – about what it means to be a covenantal rather than a creedal faith. We do not gather around a set of shared beliefs. We gather around a set of promises we make to one another: promises about how we will live by our values, promises about what it means to journey together in faith, even as we believe many different things.
It is a powerful spiritual path when we do it well.
It sometimes surprises people when they find that the Puritans and Pilgrims of 17th century New England are our religious forbears. Indeed, the Pilgrims’ congregation in Plymouth, Massachusetts is a Unitarian Universalist church. Our direct lineage to them comes in two ways. They were both covenantal and non-creedal as we are today. They required no statement of belief to be a member of the community. They simply agreed to walk together.
One of the earliest covenants was a promise to “walk together in the ways of the Lord, known and to be made known.” Our religious forebears knew that revelation is an on-going process, that what is good and holy is constantly revealed more fully in our lives. Their beliefs were rather different than most of ours today. Yet after nearly 400 years, being covenantal not creedal made room for evolution of faith. And here we are.
So that lineage is handed down to us, today. We will move – together – a little farther down the path.
The covenant between a minister and congregation is particularly powerful in our tradition. We promise mutual support. I promise to minister with authenticity and integrity, from my understanding of what is good and holy. The congregation promises to live, learn and grow in spirit and to support the church. We promise together to be partners in this ministry.
I am anticipating a joyful and powerful service on Feb. 19. I hope to see you there!
With love,
Rev. Dana
by Kitty Merrill | Dec 30, 2016 | Justice Actions
Our church was designated several years ago as an outstanding welcoming congregation and we have been so very true to this compliment especially during the last two or three months of 2016.
During this time that we had an unusually high number of first-time as well as returning visitors at our Sunday Worship Services. So, if you find that you are sitting next to a newcomer, please invite them to an activity at our church, offer to escort them into Berg Hall where they may speak to a church member at the Visitors Information Table and where they may view our newly organized bulletin boards replete with descriptions of the many activities we have to offer.
As the new year begins, please wear your nametag, display your “Co-exist” bumper magnet, if you have one, and continue to be as welcoming as you have always been.
by Gudrun Eastham
by Kitty Merrill | Dec 30, 2016 | Justice Actions
New Group Forming
First meeting Sunday, January 29 • 11:15pm,
Religious Education Room 4.
Info: Vanessa Frank, Jamie King, or Kappy Paulson
A new group dedicated to helping our children understand the value of service to others is now forming! We invite all interested families to be a part of our effort. Our goal is to foster empathy, compassion, and understanding through volunteering in a variety of settings in our community. Our hope is to instill a passion for service that will continue throughout our children’s lives. Volunteer coordinators will select and create volunteer opportunities for the entire family, approximately once per month. Joining the group does not mean you’re obligated to attend! Come when you are able or inspired! Some projects may include: • Food Forward gleaning for fresh fruit/veg for Food Share pantry. • Making organic household cleaner to sell to raise money for gift cards for families in need at the holidays. • Volunteer Day at Senior Nutrition Garden.
Introducing our Religious Education Committee
Erica Duffy, Chair, Vel Akseven, Rena Pezzuto and our heartfelt welcome to our three new members: Mina Nichols, Gina Norstedt, Doug Tate. We are grateful to our Committee members for giving their time and talent to support our children and helping our program grow. If you want to learn more about our Religious Education program talk with one of our passionate and knowledgeable committee members. Our committee meets the last Tuesday of the month from 6 – 8pm.
by Kitty Merrill | Dec 30, 2016 | Justice Actions
(Nor like any you’ve ever attended)
Update: Registration starts Jan. 15!
Save the date for the Pacific Southwest District’s first-ever Justice District Assembly, March 31-April 2, 2017. Based in Tucson, Arizona, this justice district assembly will focus on border and migrant justice issues.
Following a plenary session in Tucson Friday evening, participants will have opportunities Saturday morning to fan out across southern Arizona for experiential activities led by several different groups working on justice issues in the region, including some cross-border activities.
This is part of our approach of partnering with others to work better, together. Saturday evening, participants will return to one of three different gathering locations for discussion and to share meals, which will be followed by a multisite video annual meeting led by yours truly.
Sunday morning, there will be a cross-border worship service to conclude the experience. The planners are hoping that participants will be inspired by what they have experienced and learned and take that inspiration back to their home communities for continued action. Check it out: http://justiceda2017.weebly.com/
by Jim Merrill
by Kitty Merrill | Dec 28, 2016 | Justice Actions
Lift Up Your Voice (LUYV) To End Homelessness
by Kathleen (Kappy) Paulson
For the 11th year we, and others from the Ventura faith community, honored those who died on our streets as homeless. Rev. Dana and the Ventura clergy read the names of fifty-three people with ages ranging from 2 hours to 81 years old.
We are especially thankful to Zoe and Linda Jean for their help with the snacks, flowers and programs. Andy Edgar-Beltran sang beautifully haunting songs. Thanks to Dan Flores for the use of his audio equipment. Manny Edgar-Beltran’s community Madonna Ministry donated $500 to prepare bags for folks in the park. So many others played small parts in making the afternoon successful. Finally, this is Sue Brinkmeyer’s last Homeless Memorial (at least the planning part). We are grateful for Sue (and Kent’s) dedication to our homeless brothers and sisters.
We remembered those in need this holiday season with generous contributions to Inreach/Outreach causes in late November and early December.
School on Wheels received $1137 to help provide one-on-one tutoring, mentoring, academic support, backpacks and school supplies for students living in homeless situations in Ventura. Volunteers are trained and then assigned to an individual child and work with him or her for one hour each week wherever the child’s location may be.
We collected $556 for SMART Recovery (Self Management and Recovery Training) which allows the group to meet weekly, as the facilitator volunteers her time. Participants work on recovering from all types of addictive behaviors, be that drinking, taking drugs, overworking or any other habitual action that is harmful to one’s health or life balance.
An offering of $609 went to IMatter Youth, a national grassroots organizing umbrella organization that creates tools for youth leadership on climate change. Funds will support mentoring of local youth leaders, resources and tools.
Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry of California (UUJMCA) received $507 to support leadership development and education; organizing and advocacy for environmental justice; immigration justice; lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality, and healthcare reform.
Homeless Count Needs Volunteers
by Kent Brinkmeyer
The County of Ventura needs your help to complete the Homeless Count on Tuesday, Jan 24. Local groups from each of our 10 cities lead the effort at count sites throughout the county. The count is a requirement for every community receiving HUD federal funding. In Ventura County, HUD funding accounts for almost $2 million annually to support homeless individuals and families. Volunteers will work in teams and receive training in recording the count. Teams go out in the early morning, during the day, and in the evening to places where homeless persons are known to gather. Counters must be 18 and are in the field for a couple of hours at a time,. Because we need to cover so much territory and many hours, a large number of volunteers is needed.
Won’t you consider joining us for this enormously powerful cause? Volunteers are encouraged to attend a volunteer count training in a convenient location in each city.
