by Kitty Merrill | Nov 1, 2016 | Justice Actions
During this time of transition in having Rev Dana as our settled minister, the committee has been meeting, and especially recently, revising and streamlining the instructions for Welcome Table Attendants on Sunday. Greeters’ instructions are also being amended and enhanced. Both of these volunteer teams are so very vital to our church’s Sunday Worship experience I wish to thank them again right now for their continued interest and devoted service!
The next big events on our calendar are the Pathway to Membership Orientation workshops starting this month. A complete schedule and detailed description may be found elsewhere in this Newsletter from Beverly Jordan, Membership Manager. Please look that over and when you see a newcomer in our midst, I invite you to extend an invitation to them to participate in these workshops, especially if they show an interest in learning more about Unitarian Universalism, our church, our congregation and minister. (Sign up sheets are located in Berg Hall near the Visitors Information Table).
In the meantime, please remember to wear your name tag (Rev Dana is eager to meet you) and speak to someone you don’t know and if you won a “Co-Exist” bumper magnet at the annual Service Auction, please display it!
by Gudrun Eastham
by Kitty Merrill | Nov 1, 2016 | Justice Actions
Making Plans and Real Life
At the beginning of our Sunday Service we ring the bell three times. Once for those who came before. Once for those who are here now. Once for those who are yet to come. It is a recognition of the circle of life, a cycling of the seasons that we, as individuals and as a congregation, experience. As each year passes I feel a deeper connection and appreciation with the message from the bell. Thoughts of gratitude come to my mind.
Those who came before: In the early days of this church some 58 years ago a few folks got together and met in small buildings and in homes. One of the original Founders of our church is Bobbi Schoenherr who still attends services and is one of the many dedicated and passionate members who has done so very much to make the dreams of the UUCV a reality. The complete history of our church is on our website, uuventura.org and worth reading. Even after 14 years as a member I don’t consider myself an old-timer. I can’t even imagine where the years went but I am amazed at what my experience as a UU has been and at what this church has accomplished. That’s what time can do for you. Yet we don’t live in the past and our accomplishments didn’t happen by accident. Progress was made by developing 5-year plans through the congregational process of visioning. We are standing on the shoulders of others.
Those who are here now: We are at a new beginning. During the past couple of years, we have experienced a transition in our staffing. You cannot say good-bye to a Minister, an Assistant Minister, a Religious Education Director and a Choir Director without experiencing some disruptions. The great thing is that we made it through those days together, and in good shape. We have a new Minister, Rev. Dana Worsnop; a new Choir Director, Carolyn Howard; a Membership Manager, Beverly Jordan; and we will be initiating a search for a permanent Religious Education Director. If you are new to the UUCV and wondering how to “fit in” the answer is to find an activity that appeals to you and get involved. Beverly Jordan can help you find your way. The daily life of the church is about the relationships we develop through participation. Every day that you help build the loving community that is the UUCV you create equity for yourself in the future of this congregation and you help change lives. That is why you being here today matters.
Those who are yet to come: One of the Jobs of the Board is to facilitate congregational visioning. We have a future to consider. Plans don’t always work out like we hope and they might not come to fruition as quickly as we would like. We are going to evaluate our progress with the 5-year plan developed in 2013 and see how it fits with our new beginning. At some point down the road, the congregation will begin to make new plans with the understanding that we are building a future for ourselves and for those who will follow. It is a deep responsibility to prepare what we have been given, by those who came before, for passing on to folks we do not know. We sing these words each Sunday; “From you I receive, to you I give. Together we share and from this we live.” That’s the real life of this church, and it’s the reason we make plans.
Living in Paradise,
Bryan Buck, President
by Kitty Merrill | Nov 1, 2016 | Justice Actions
When I was serving a church in Canada in the fall of 2000, the Liberal Party Prime Minister called an election, likely to stem a rising conservative movement. Just 6 to 8 weeks later there was a new parliament, though the PM remained the same. I was stunned at how quickly the whole thing happened. Especially as it came just weeks after the U.S. presidential election, when we still didn’t know whether Bush or Gore had won. I became expert at explaining the Electoral College to bewildered Canadians.
After watching the months unto years of presidential campaigning in the U.S., the parliamentary system was so zippy I blinked and almost missed it. Sixteen years later I am still envious of my friends to the north. Especially in this particular election cycle.
This one will actually be over in a week. I encourage you to vote, fill out your ballots from the top of the ticket down through all the state and local seats and all those ballot initiatives. In some ways, those down ballot races are the most significant and are the ones where our votes can make the most difference. Democracy is about far more than voting though exercising our franchise is the central and essential right and ritual. The democratic process is one of our core principles as Unitarian Universalists.
Vote your values, vote your conscience, and vote with a discerning mind and caring heart. Try not to despise or disdain those who disagree with you. As disheartening as this election season has been, I still have a deep confidence and faith in our democratic institutions. Whatever the outcome, I believe what is good and strong and true (and self-corrective) about our form of government will out. Democracy is messy, which may have been what prompted Winston Churchill to say, “Democracy is the worst form of government – except for all the others.”
And as I said above, democracy is about far more than voting. Whatever the outcome on Tuesday, we will have our work cut out for us. There will be much healing and action needed. I am so glad that I will get to be part of that and that we’ll be holding onto one another through it all.
So vote on Tuesday, and come to church on Sunday.
Together is the way we will make a difference.
With love and hope, Dana
by Kitty Merrill | Oct 2, 2016 | Justice Actions
A Heartfelt Thanks to the Brinkmeyers for hosting our annual RE Welcome BBQ and Pool party at their clubhouse. It was a wonderful day for all. Thank You’s to the many families who participated in the annual Coastal Beach Cleanup at Silver Strand Beach in Oxnard that same day.
Both activities culminated the Summer study program of the Channel Islands Eco-System. Our Santa Cruz Island trip was a wonderful adventure concluding our study of our Channel Islands. We saw dolphins, enjoyed hiking and were all thrilled to see the Island Fox. Our Ranger Naturalist, Andrea, told me our children had impressed her with their wide knowledge of the natural history of the channel Islands and their integration of the complexity.
A Big Welcome to all families and students, and teachers to our journey together this year! We are like a three-legged stool – all three legs are needed to hold the stool steady. If any leg is missing the stool cannot stand or be steady. Consider parents are one leg, your children the second and teachers are the third leg – a team working together to nurture your children’s spiritual growth and development.
You can check out “The Mindful Child, How to Help your kid Manage Stress and Become Happier, Kinder, and More Compassionate,” by Susan Kaiser Greenland from RE office. Greenland teaches how to be more effective with children, keep curiosity alive, and how mindfulness can be taught to even young children.
October Schedule
Regular Classes meet on October 2, 9, 16 and 23.
October 30 All classes meet in Berg Hall for a Pumpkin Caroling parade to the Lexington in Halloween costumes to give cards to residents
Pre K – 1st: The first part of the year will focus on treasuring our own and other’s thoughts and feelings. During the second half of the year the focus will turn outward to explore the treasures of our church, our UU faith, our world community, and the interconnected web of life. Central will be both a class and a personal treasure chest which will be taken home. Every Sunday the children will make or find a treasure symbolic of the day’s theme.
2nd – 5th: We’ll explore and discuss the stories of the Hebrew and Christian Bibles through an exciting curriculum Bibleodeon. We’ll act out some stories, listen to others and talk about a mystery question every week. We’ll make things and listen to music and look at art.
6th – 8th: This class will expand their understanding and experience of other churches, temples and places of worship. They will choose to visit 6 places of worship and learn the fundamental unity underlying all religions as well as the differences. They will also learn about their own spiritual development, the various stages of religious belief, faith and non-faith or agnosticism. They will practice service to others with visits to convalescent hospitals, taking cards to shut-ins, helping with our annual Homeless Memorial in December and Caroling in a nearby Retirement Home.
Youth Group – Our youth will participate in District meetings, area conferences and our regional Camp DeBenneville to develop their leadership skills, expand their understanding, knowledge and appreciation of our religion and appreciate the strength Unitarianism/ Universalism gives in their lives. Tanner Linden-Akseven is the Youth Coordinator for our church. With the help of our youth advisors, this group will continue the development of their living skills and spiritual growth. They are tentatively scheduled to host a District Youth Con (gathering) at our church in June, 2017.
Mark Your Calendar
Teachers Meetings October 9 • November 13 •
Our teaching team meets to collaborate as we support individual growth and our work as a team.
Youth Choir Starts October 16
All youth through middle school are welcome. We meet on Sundays after RE from 11:25-11:50am. The choir will sing on Nov 20 with the adult choir and on Christmas Eve. Contact: Carolyn Howard – Carolynhowardvoice@ gmail.com.
OWL Classes
Led by Vel Akseven, Coordinator, for 3rd and 4th Grade and Sr. High School. Starting date the Fall TBA.
by Kitty Merrill | Oct 2, 2016 | Justice Actions
Lift Up Your Voice (LUYV) To End Homelessness
by Sue Brinkmeyer
Once again, our UUCV advocates showed up at City Hall, and we made a difference.
Thank you to Harold Dale Cartlidge and Dorothy Fasthorse, who distributed our “Homes For All” placards to support housing. They came from UUCV and from our allied organizations: CAUSE, The Housing Authority of Ventura, VCCLUE, United Farmworkers, Church of the Foothills, Temple Beth Torah, Ventura Social Services Task Force, and others. Ten of these advocates spoke, and many more sent emails or contributed comment cards.
The result: City Council voted to add back in many more housing units, especially affordable housing, that would have been deleted from the city’s general plan. Thank you to all who played a part in this effort. We didn’t get everything we wanted, but we did make a difference.
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by Kitty Merrill | Oct 2, 2016 | Justice Actions
Process Takes Time
Process is defined as a series of actions or steps taken to achieve a particular end. That sounds right. But the experience can be quite different. No one can tell you how long it will take to reach that end or goal. When you engage in the work of process you are making an open-ended commitment to see the issue through to its conclusion. Some processes are fast and fun, and others slow and challenging. Either way, when the work of process is done well, the rewards are worth the effort.
In my August column I made reference to the work of Process when building relationships. We do not instantly know or understand each other in a minute or two without taking a lot of little steps together. Some steps are easy, like saying “Hi.” Some are more difficult, like saying you’re “sorry” to someone. Walking together and building friendships takes time. Becoming connected to the church community takes time and is a process that depends upon the making of friends. It’s an essential part of the spiritual journey.
The work of the church is typically organized by committees. It takes many committees and lots of people volunteering to make all of the things that happen at church a reality. Tom Berg used to say “Who do you think does all this work? Little Elves?” Well the answer is; We do the work and we seem to do it quite well. You see it’s part of each person’s own ministry to find what fills them and participate in the life of the church. All of us contributing to the common good through individual efforts of our time and energy to make the UUCV a vibrant, living, breathing place of spiritual discovery. We are an amazing church!
There is a song titled; “I’m a Unitarian” by Grace Lewis-McLaren, 1987, that follows an old Hungarian tune. We have sung it at campouts and “Open Mic Nights.” It is a musical satire of sorts on UUs, with one particular line reading; “Policies I do espouse, resolutions pending. But committees are my pride, meetings without endings.” UUs have a reputation for long meetings. When it comes to committee work, process, can test one’s character. Yet the rewards of those efforts are certain to include deepening of relationships and building friendships with those who served with you on the committee.
Working together is a process. Each day we get a little further along in our goals. Yet isn’t the purpose of committee work to get things done? Certainly there are plans to make, tasks to complete. And they will get done, but please, do not let getting the work done, get in the way of how we go about doing that work together. It is easy to understand how some folks avoid committee work. I hope that you don’t. You may have tried it before and didn’t enjoy the experience, but you are needed. Your help, your talent, your time, is needed and wanted.
You do not have to join a committee in order to help achieve the goals that a committee is tasked. Religious Education has a committee but what they need most are volunteers for classroom teaching. B&G has a committee but what they need most is to have volunteers come out once a month and spend a few hours caring for our church facility. The Social Action has lots of ways for you to get involved to promote the common good and build a better world. The Kitchen Committee, Pastoral Caring Committee, and many others need your help to not only make those activities what they are but to share the load in the friendship of building a loving community. They all need willing hands and hearts. Please reach out to what interests you. That’s a process of discovery and it’s worthy of your time and effort.
Living in Paradise,
Bryan Buck, President
