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UU Visalia
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uuvisalia.org
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Calendar
PLEASE NOTE: This month (August, 2008) our regular services begin earlier than usual, at 4:30 PM. We will resume 5 PM services in September.
August 2008
Note: Our regular worship services this month are replaced by a special month-long August Adult Education series, "Articulating Your UU Faith." This series is designed to help you speak more effectively about our liberal religion and your particular perspectives on it. (See fuller description below.) This series is conducted on Sundays at 4:30 PM - 30 minutes earlier than our regular worship service time. Pick up advance reading materials at Friends' Meeting House or from Anna, April or Dorothy.
August 3, 2008 - 4:30 PM - SPECIAL 5 WEEK SERIES BEGINS: "Articulating Your UU Faith." First Session allows us to reflect on and share the experience of talking about Unitarian Universalism, particularly out of our own vocabulary and experience. First Session moderated by Anna Garcia.
Religious Education Team meets after potluck - all interested parties are invited.
Friday, August 8, 2008 - 5 PM - Potluck with UU Legislative Ministry Youth Water Tour (bring salads, beverages, or side dishes). Home hospitality requested. Friends Meeting House - See below for details.
August 10, 2008 - 4:30 PM - Second Session - "Articulating Your UU Faith"- Second session explores how we talk about Unitarian U Universalism and introduces the concept of the Seven Principles as pillars. Moderated by Bryce Lane.
Social Justice & Green Sanctuary Team meets after potluck.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008 - 5:45 PM - Board Meeting at Colima's Restaurant in Von's Shopping Center. All members welcome. (Moved from usual Monday meeting day.)
August 16, 2008 - 9 AM - Board Retreat and Potluck at Harold & Janet's house. Focus will be on preparing our Chalice Lighter Grant Application. All members welcome and encouraged to attend.
August 17, 2008 - 4:30 PM - Third Session - "Articulating Your UU Faith"- Third session broadens participants' awareness of UU history and provide some very practical experience that will make us more effective when answering questions about our faith. Moderated by Harold Wood.
Worship Team meets after the potluck.
August 24, 2008 - 4:30 PM -Fourth Session - "Articulating Your UU Faith"- This session gives participants the chance to share and get feedback on their "Coffee Hour Chat" statements. Moderated by Janet Wood.
Marriage Equality Team meets after the potluck.
August 31, 2008 - 4:30 PM - Fifth and last Session - "Articulating Your UU Faith"- In this session we will prepare a future worship presentation, and discuss more deeply relevant topics generated by the participants and have some more articulation practice. Moderated by David Newman.
Please Note: (Service topics are subject to change) Sunday Services through August are more casual. The basic format will be continued, with songs and written word, but formal children's Sunday School will not be offered, as our teachers prepare for Sunday School classes in Fall..
The 5PM Worship Service is followed by a light potluck supper at 6 PM to which all are welcome! Please do not hesitate to come to church and join us for dinner potluck. Even if you forget to bring a dish, we always have enough and your company is most welcome. |
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 UU Visalia Fellowship News
Articulating Your UU Faith in August
At 4:30 PM during August 2008 our worship services will consist of a special discussion workshop on Articulating Your UU Faith. The focus of this curriculum is on articulation - practicing how and what to say in various settings in which you might be called upon to declare yourself religiously or to illuminate something of our liberal religious movement that has touched and changed so many lives for the better. Our times together are precious opportunities to deepen your own path and perhaps grow a happy awareness in someone else about our rich "living tradition." Many of us struggle to describe our religion adequately to others. This course provides hopeful inspiration and resources, plus the opportunity for meaningful connection to fellow UUs. Some light home-work is required - please contact Anna Garcia for the reading materials. This workshop will be held from 4:30 PM - 6 PM each Sunday in August. UULM Water Justice Tour in Visalia - Friday 8/8-Saturday 8/9/08 The Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of California (UULM) and the UUA Pacific Southwest District are sponsoring a road trip for young adults ages 18-25 to learn about water justice and climate change in California. The weeklong tour will start on Saturday, August 2 in Sacramento, and travel from Mt. Shasta through central California to Tulare County, learning about water and climate change. On Friday night, we are invited to meet with them, to share a potluck dinner (beginning at 5PM) and to offer home hospitality to one or more. They will stay overnight in Visalia Friends Meeting House on Saturday 8/9. The trip ends on Sunday after a worship service and closing at the UU Church of Fresno. P.S. If you have foam sleeping mat(s) to make their stay more comfortable, please contact April Hill.
Visalia UU Fellowship Contributions to FoodLink
"No Child Goes Hungry" In early July, Katherine Singh challenged the Fellowship and friends to contribute to FoodLink's summer food service program, setting a goal of 25 contributions of $35 each. We gave more than $1,000 total and other gifts are still coming in! If you would like to help fight hunger in Tulare County, please send a check to FoodLink at PO Box 1544, Visalia 93279 or give on-line at www.foodlinktc.org
Low Carbon Ring Continue in September
Our first "ring" is well underway as of this writing that meets on Sundays. If you'd like to join a new group that meets on Thursday evenings, we're setting up another "Low Carbon Ring" to fight global climate change and save energy! Each Ring is limited to 5 to 8 households. The Thursday night group will begin September 4, led by Harold Wood. We also would like to begin another week-night group for a different day of the week in November; please volunteer if you would be willing to moderate that group. Contact your group leader to order the two workbooks we'll be using. You will also want to download the free materials posted on the UULM website: http://uulmca.org/main.html#climate This special "low carbon challenge" program will save you money, save energy, and save the planet, while enjoying and working with other members of your Carbon Ring. MEETINGS
August 3, 2008 - 6:45 PM - Religious Education Team meeting after potluck in the solarium at the Meeting House. August 10, 2008 - 6:45 PM - Social Justice & Green Sanctuary Team meeting. After potluck in the solarium at the Meeting House.
August 12, 2008 - 5:45 PM - [NOTE DATE CHANGE] Board Meeting at Colima's Restaurant on Noble Ave. (Von's shopping center, near Roller Towne). All members welcome.
August 16, 2008 - 9 AM - Board Retreat & Potluck at Harold & Janet's house. Focus will be on preparing our Chalice Lighter Grant application. August 17, 2008 - 6:45 PM Worship Team Meeting. After potluck in the solarium.
August 24, 2008 - 6:45 PM - Marriage Equality Team meeting after potluck in the solarium.
Ongoing Meditation Sessions Each Wednesday, 6:30-8PM at Friends Meeting House. An opportunity to practice this universal spiritual discipline and discuss mindfulness.
Friday UU Visalia Social Lunch Group
Join us every Friday for the lunch buffet at the Taj Palace Indian Restaurant, at southwest corner of Noble and Linwood, every Friday at 12:15 p.m. Address: 4545-B W. Noble Ave., Visalia, CA 93277 (559) 625-2500. For more info, call Harold at 739-8527 or email harold@uuvisalia.org. (We do miss an occasional Friday - so call or e-mail ahead to R.S.V.P. if you can!)
Our Vegetarian Cookbook Project
Please contribute your recipes for our Vegan / Vegetarian UU Visalia Cookbook. Submit your items to Lesley or email them to: info@uuvisalia.org.
Caring as a Fellowship
If you know of any Fellowship member or friend experiencing a life challenge (including yourself!), please tell a board member so we can offer support. E-mail your request to: info@uuvisalia.org or mention during "Joys and Concerns."
We Need More Chalice Lighters!
Because our Fellowship plans to apply for another grant from the Pacific Central District (PCD) of the Unitarian Universalist Association, it will help if more of our friends and members would become Chalice Lighters, pledging at least $10 three times a year in response to a Chalice Lighter call. It's easy to sign up on the PCD web site, and doing so is a powerful act on behalf of promoting Unitarian Universalism throughout our region.
 UU Visalia Online Bookstore Expands
Our online bookstore allows you to purchase anything available from Amazon.com (even cameras, ipods, and auto parts, etc.) at www.uuvisalia.org/bookstore/ We have a number of new books in our Featured This Month section, and have created an entirely new category for "Famous UUs." We also have a large number of CDs available in our new Music section.
Our bookstore is a valuable resource for spiritual growth, learning and just plain fun. Please support our Fellowship fund-raising when buying online!
Reminder to GoodSearch! Search the World Wide Web with www.goodsearch.com - powered by Yahoo! Search on "Unitarian Visalia" to earn monetary points for us.
Bring Your Used Printer Cartridges! Recycle your cartridges and earn cash for the Visalia Fellowship. Please place in the Empties4Cash box on the shelf in the entry. Thanks!
Share Your UU Magazines After you have read the UU World, Interconnections and/or CLF Quest publications, please contribute them to the library for visitors and potential new members.
Visalia UU Fellowship Worship Services - 4:30 PM during August - but in September back to regular 5PM time, each Sunday. To find us, check out our new Directions and Map page on our website, including a printable map! Go to www.uuvisalia.org
Children's Education Opportunities Our Fellowship does not offer Children's Religious Education during the summer months. But never fear - we have resources from the UU Church of the Larger Fellowship that you can use at home with your family. Children's RE will resume in September. |
Responding to Knoxville UU Tragedy
We are all affected by the tragedy at our Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist
Church in Knoxville, where a despondent gunman opened fire at Sunday Services,
killing two and wounding eight others. He is in custody, leaving behind a note
stating that his target was intentionally chosen to express his rage at "the
liberal movement."
The tragedy affected two congregations, who were having a joint presentation
of the musical "Annie, Jr.": the Tennessee Valley UU Church (TVUUC), and the
Westside Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.
Below, you will find a copy of the press release from President Sinkford. Information is also available at www.uua.org.
What you can do to help:
The Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations in collaboration with the Thomas Jefferson District has established the Knoxville Relief Fund to bring ministry, spiritual care, and practical financial assistance to those affected by the tragedy in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Read more.
Donate Online Now
Letters of sympathy may be mailed to both Knoxville congregations:
Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church
2931 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, TN 37919-4624
Westside Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
616 Fretz Road
Knoxville, TN 37934-1604
UUA President William G. Sinkford Released this Statement on July 27, 2008:
"I am shocked and sorrowed by the terrible shootings in the sanctuary of the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. My heart is heavy and my prayers are with our injured sisters and brothers in Knoxville. While many details of this tragedy remain unclear, our Association will do all we can to support Unitarian Universalists in Knoxville in the hard days to come.
A
tragedy such as this makes us acutely conscious of the beauty and fragility
of our lives and those of our loved ones. I am especially saddened by this intrusion of violence into a worship service involving children and youth. I know that many people, both in Knoxville and around the country, are struggling with shock and grief right now. I
pray those so affected will find strength and comfort.
Members
of the Unitarian Universalist Trauma Response Ministry are on their way
to Knoxville to offer additional ministry to the congregation as it grieves. And
Unitarian Universalists around the world are sending love and prayers to
the Tennessee Valley congregation to tell them they are not alone on this
dark day.
It will take time for Unitarian Universalists to mourn and to heal.
But let me assure you that we will not change our beliefs or compromise
our demands for social justice. Fear will not prevent us from standing
on the side of love, and we will continue to open our doors and our
hearts to all people. This Sunday, just like any other, more than one
thousand Unitarian Universalist congregations will be open for business,
and our business is to welcome the stranger, to love our neighbor, to
nurture the spirits of our people, and to help heal our wounded world."
For more news on the Knoxville UU tragedy, see the www.uua.org website.
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Unitarian Universalist
Events & News
 UU LEGISLATIVE MINISTRY - "Deepening Faith, Growing Leadership, Building Justice" Marriage Equality
For the next few months, the primary focus for the UULM-CA will be partnering with the Equality for All campaign to defeat a November 2008 ballot measure (Proposition 8) amending the California constitution to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry. This hurts the fundamental rights of loving, committed couples. UULM is working with CA Faith for Equality to educate and mobilize and will provide Congregational Mobilization Kits soon. Curriculum on marriage equality and Prop 8 is being developed by the Council of Churches and should be ready to use by the end of August.
The Visalia UU Fellowship has acted to support the issue in past years and invites you all to join a team to reach out to other supportive congregations, to get endorsements from community organizations, to phone bank beginning in September (scripts and training coming) and to form a speakers bureau. Please e-mail info@uuvisalia.org if you know a prospective speaker and join a meeting on Sunday, August 24, at 6:45 PM at Friends Meeting House solarium. Contact April Hill for more information.
Church of the Larger Fellowship Online Courses
Available at the Church of the Larger Fellowship - Spirituality available 24 hours a days, 7 days a week!A Sampling of 2008 Summer & Fall Online Courses:http://clf.uua.org/learn/- On-going and free: "A Chosen Faith - Self-Study Guide" and "New UU - Self-Study Guide"; Additional courses $40: "The Gospel According to Harvey" 8/4/08- 9/1/08 - "The Soul of Nature: A Journey into the Poetry of Mary Oliver;" 9/8/08-10/20/08 - "A UU Approach to the Bible" 10/13/08 - 12/8/08 - "Religion and Ecology: A Shared Fate, a Shared Task" 1/12/09 - 2/20/09
Unitarian Universalism: Nurture Your Spirit. Help Heal Our World |
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Community Events for Social Justice and/or Personal Spiritual Development
8/9/08 - Work Party at Friends Meeting House.
Stop Higher Phone Rates! Graciela Martinez alerted us to the pending rate hike for basic phone service, that would unfairly impact lower income people and seniors living on fixed budgets. Phone service is as essential to modern life as food, heat and water and should be accessible to everyone. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) must seek public input on rate hikes. The Utility Reform Network (TURN) offers a message to send to the CPUC. Link at www.turn.org
PFLAG-Tulare Kings County The newly formed Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) meets on the third or fourth Sunday of each month at 2PM, in Room 1 of the College of Sequoias Administration Building (8/24/08 instead of 8/17; 9/21/08, etc.) PFLAG is a national non-profit organization with over 250,000 members and supporters and 500 affiliates in the U.S. They work to provide dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity. Come to a meeting to learn more or check www.pflag-tulare-kings.org.
Cancer as a Turning Point - From Surviving to Thriving - Sept 13-14, 2008 - Free conference in Sacramento's Memorial Auditorium, 1515 J Street. The program's purpose is to educate, inspire, connect and celebrate all whose lives have been touched by cancer or any life-altering illness. No charge to attend, but donations are welcomed and pre-registration is suggested. More information at www.healingjourneys.org.
Sierra Nevada Alliance Sept 12-14 - Annual Conference "Leading a Climate of Change: Hot Topics, Cold Facts and New Answers for the Sierra." North Tahoe Conference Center. Visit the Alliance website for more information or call 530-542-4546.
Visalia Farmer's Market - Saturdays - 8-11:30 AM at Sequoia Mall Parking Lot (near Sears) and Thursday evenings in downtown Visalia. Come buy locally grown fruits and vegetables. Remember - buying locally grown food is reduces your impact on global warming! It's all part of Ethical Eating! | |
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