Hello from the Canvass Committee! You may not know it, but this is the time of year when we start thinking about Canvass, our annual pledge drive to fund Mission Peak.

 

The Canvass Committee: Colleen Arnold, Linda Messia, Drew Wilson, Jay Steele, Eric Ryan and myself, has already started working on organizing activities for Canvass. Our theme this year is, “What will our legacy be? Celebrating silver and going for gold.” As we prepare for Canvass we would like everyone to start thinking about what we, today’s Congregation, want our legacy to be.   What do we want to work toward, and pledge our money for? In the future, what do we wa n t to point to as our accomplishments, whether it is 2 years from now, 10 years from now, or even 25 years from now?

 

We want Canvass to be a time to celebrate our accomplishments and pause for a few minutes to reflect on what Mission Peak means to each of us. The Fellowship Dinner and Dessert Parties which we have planned enable us to come together to do just that – you can read about some of the details in the write up further down in this edition of the Week on the Peak.

 

If you have read the Canvass brochure that came in your mail very recently, you know that, once again we find ourselves facing some financial challenges. This is not the first year we have been in this position, which means it is even more critical that we find a way to balance our budget so that we don’t keep facing deficits. We are asking that you educate yourself about Mission Peak’s budget, so that you know what we spend our money on, and why. We want everyone to know what resources are needed to keep our Congregation financially healthy and moving forward, and we want you to understand just how important your pledge is!

 

As you think about your pledge for next year, and you look at the UUA giving guide, and you consider your personal financial situation, please think about whether you can stretch your pledge to Mission Peak. If you are currently pledging below our average pledge of $1820, can you start working toward that amount? If you pledge above $1820, can you find a way to get closer to $2219 per member, the cost for a balanced budget? If you pledge more than $2219 per person, can you give a little more to help cover the cost for someone who can’t reach that amount?

 

As you consider ways you can stretch your pledge a little more next year, be creative! Last Sunday someone asked me about how to donate the mandatory withdrawals from their IRA directly to Mission Peak. If you have stock that you can donate we will gladly accept that! You can pay your pledge weekly, or monthly or quarterly or yearly – whatever fits your situation best.

 

It is up to all of us to make sure Mission Peak has the financial support it needs to continue our legacy into the future, to make sure we are here to welcome everyone who will be coming to Mission Peak.

 

Thank you

 

Melissa Holmes

Canvass Committee Chair

Our minds direct our lives in ways we don’t really know. Do you think in terms of abundance or do you think in terms of scarcity? Does either one determine what happens in our lives or does it have any effect? This Sunday let’s explore how we want to live our lives and ways we can enhance it.      

 

Leading the service will be Rev. Jo Green and assisting will be Worship Associate Ilze Duarte. Peak Performers will provide our music.    

This year’s Canvass is upon us, where we gather what is necessary to sustain our congregation and move together towards the future. By now you should have received in the mail the Canvass brochure.  Please read it over and think about what future we want to work towards, and how you can contribute to making that happen. 

As part of the Canvass efforts we have events both large and small planned.   To celebrate our 25th Anniversary we will have a Fellowship Dinner on March 16 at the same Dominican Sisters complex where we have the Black and White gala.  It will be a fun evening with a catered dinner, games and activities, and some special entertainment provided by Eric Neissner and his wife Angelina.  We will also have more intimate Dessert Parties later to discuss pledges and our collective vision for MPUUC.  Contact Jen King for questions about the Fellowship Dinner and Colleen Arnold for questions about the dessert parties. Please save the dates, and give some thought to what you would like Mission Peak to be, and how we can get there.

As part of our celebration of Mission Peak’s 25th Anniversary we would like to collect as many photos as we can from the last 25 years.  We are especially looking for photos of the early years. If you have digital photos, please send them to Beckett Gladney at artnfuzz@earthlink.net or

give them to her on a thumb drive.  We understand that photos from the early years will not be in digital form, but if you could get any printed photos you might have to Beckett or Jen King they will digitize them and get them back to you.  PLEASE put your name on the back of any printed photos that you give us (also the year the photo was taken if you know it). We would like to have most of the photos collected by March 10th if possible, but we will take them after that as well.

2019 marks 25 years of MPUUC’s existence as a congregation and we think that’s a milestone worth celebrating.  We will have many different celebrations throughout the year.  Please reserve the following dates on your calendar now.  You won’t want to miss them!

[More details regarding these events will follow closer to the dates.  If you have questions or suggestions for additional events or you want to help with an event, please contact Jen King].

The next Mission Peak U U  Board meeting will be Thursday, March 14, at 7:00 PM.  For further information you may contact President Paul K Davis at president@mpuuc.org 

In March, Rev Jo will meet for coffee to chat about abundance!  Do we think we have it and if not, why not?  Let’s meet at the other Suju’s Coffee, 4949 Stevenson Blvd. in Fremont on Thursday March 7th at 7 pm.  Last meeting we had 8 people join us in what, a by-stander mentioned to me afterwards, as a “lively discussion!”  And it was so enjoyable and enlightening and was so lively we ended up using a talking stick (a fork!) so that everyone could say their piece.  So please join us in a lively UU discussion on March 7th for this month’s coffee chat!

The CaYRE committee is taking a short survey to help us plan for our future.  Your input is appreciated as we collectively strive to make our RE programs for children and youth enriching and rewarding. Your responses will be anonymous unless you choose to provide your email address at the end of the survey. Please fill out the survey at link below: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2ZHK2FF

We are in need of Teachers and Assistants in March.  The K-5th class will be continuing on their Passport to Spirituality.  Our 6-8th graders will continue to explore our neighboring faiths.

You can sign up using our new online sign up form by clicking on the link here

You can also sign up using our sign up poster at the back of Cole Hall this Sunday.

If you have any questions please email cayre@mpuuc.org

We want the Fellowship diner to be a fun and festive occasion, but we’re also doing our best to be cost effective.  To that end we are asking for donations of wine and beer to be served at the dinner.  Please contact Jen King if you are willing to make a donation. Monetary or In-Kind donations will be accepted.

Because we value and need your input for the creation of a Settled Ministerial Search Team we sent an email asking for your input for the search team on 2/13. This is a reminder to send your nominations in if you have not already. Questions contact Steve Wallcave.

The next men’s Fellowship Breakfast for First Methodist Church and the Mission Peak Unitarian Universalist Congregation is at 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 2nd, at Minerva’s Restaurant,  37463 Fremont Blvd, Fremont. Please  RSVP to John Holmes holmesfam@comcast.net by 6 p.m. Friday, March 1st if you are coming. Questions contact Steve Wallcave

General Assembly (GA) is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Attendees worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through democratic process. It is an unforgettable experience for the thousands of Unitarian Universalists that attend.

This year’s theme is about collective power, “The Power of We.” I n a time of great challenge and heartbreak in our world, what does our faith demand from us? This year’s General Assembly will explore the power, possibility, purpose, struggle and joy of finding the path forward together as Unitarian Universalists. Attendees will leave inspired, with the tools needed to carry on the work into their own congregations and communities.  

 

If you’ve ever thought about attending the UUA’s General Assembly, consider attending this year since it is relatively close with direct flights and other transportation options. GA registration and housing reservations open on March 1. . Registration cost stays the same until May 1, but housing typically fills up quickly. Information is on the UUA website at https://www.uua.org/ga

Join faith-based & secular leaders advancing food security & sustainability!

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• Learn about successful models from diverse faith leaders in food justice!
• Bring home resources to grow your congregation’s work for healthy food for all!
• Be inspired by projects communities of faith are advancing nationally and locally!
• Prepare to influence federal and local policy!

The Interfaith Sustainable Food Collaborative’s 7th annual Faith, Food & Farms Conference is designed for lay leaders and clergy active or interested in food projects to connect with each other as well as secular leaders of the sustainable agriculture movement. The Faith, Food & Farms Conference emphasizes participation and problem-solving to empower congregational leaders in their own communities.

 

Workshop topics include: CSA (community supported agriculture), food policy advocacy, produce stands and mobile farmers’ markets, food waste reduction, and faithlands. 

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Who should attend? Leaders engaged or interested in food projects with their faith community and farmers seeking to develop relationships with faith-based groups.

Cost: $45 by March 1st, $55 after March 1st  Click here to register 

 

Questions? Contact info@interfaithfood.org or call us at 707-634-4672

Time: 6pm to 8pm 

Washington West 2500 Mowry Ave Fremont

Conrad E Anderson MD Auditorium rooms A and B.

Free to the community – please click here for flyer.

 

 

 

 

 

Bystander Intervention Training for middle and high school students 

 

Episcopal Youth Fremont invites youth groups to join us for a Bystander Intervention Training for middle and high school students on Sunday March 3rd from 4-6pm (with pizza served afterwards!) at St. James’ Episcopal Church off Thornton Ave at Cabrillo Terrace..

Please see attached flyer from FUMC.  Everyone is welcome to come see The Ataxian.  There is no cost with a reception to follow movie.

Turning Love Into Justice:

 

The Tri-City Interfaith Council (tcicouncil.weebly.com)  is a grass-roots organization bringing together people of diverse religious beliefs from Fremont, Newark, and Union City (California). Rev. Jo Green, Rev. Barbara Meyers and Paul K. Davis are members.  Join in!