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Mission Peak UU – Fremont, CA
The Home of Liberal Religion in the Tri-Cities and Beyond!
September 11, 2019
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Ministerial Musings
We need to stop asking about the meaning of life, and instead to think of ourselves as those who are being questioned by life – daily and hourly. Our answer must consist, not in talk and meditation, but in right action and in right conduct. Life ultimately means taking the responsibility to find the right answer to its problems and to fulfill the task which it constantly sets for each individual. These tasks, and therefore the meaning of life, differ from person to person, and from moment to moment.
(Viktor Frankl, 1905 – 1997)
Our spiritual theme this month is Individual Identity. Who are you? What is your purpose in being on this earth? What is your best self?
Many of us don’t really know. We follow and believe what others tell us from early on in childhood and those impressions are imprinted on our brains, sometimes as a lifelong influence. We need to do reflective work on ourselves, deep inner deliberation to confront those demons and angels that reside in our minds, about ourselves, about how we relate to others, about where we fit in this world. It’s hard. It is never easy to confront that which you wish to avoid. But that is exactly what I’m asking you to do this month. To confront those ideas and thoughts that do not serve you or others. What do you tell yourself when you look in the mirror? Do you praise what you see or do you pick apart and name and criticize all that you see as imperfect?
Sometimes we need to break those patterns that do not serve us and the longer we’ve had them, the more difficult it is. Try using some of these techniques. Take a moment to sit quietly, begin to listen to your breathing, and meditate. Watch yourself calm yourself down. It could take moments, it could take many minutes. Then ask yourself some questions. What fills me with passion? What did I want to be when I grew up when I was 7 years old? Has your path taken you there? If not, why not and what can you do to change it? Is it still a passion for you?
Sometimes just asking ourselves the question provides the answers to us. Be honest with yourself, see what purpose arises for you. Then go out and pursue that. It’s never too late to create that life you are longing for.
Use this month to devote to you. Look inward, self reflect, process, be kind to yourself. Then go out and make a change. Our world depends on you.
Blessings to you all,
Rev Jo
Please feel free to contact me
By phone: 510-972-3890
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Time for A Global Climate Strike
The younger generation is leading the way and it’s time for the adults to follow. Greta Thunberg will address the United Nations about the climate crisis and a general strike has been called for September 20th. Learn how we as a community, as a denomination, will participate in this event to show our world leaders it is time to act.
Leading the service will be Rev. Jo Green and assisting will be Worship Associate Paul K. Davis. Peak Rocks will provide our music.
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Welcome Back Shawn as our Interim DRE!
Shawn Snavley graduated with his Master’s in Divinity in May of 2016. Shawn served as DRE for Mission Peak from August 2014 to May 2017. Shawn left Mission Peak to take a full time position as a case manager for a special granted program in San Francisco serving Transgender women recovering from substance use and mental health issues. Shawn recently left the granted program to work as a mental health case manager for Baker Places Assisted Independent Living Program which is his first ever 9 to 5 job! Prior to coming to Mission Peak in 2014 Shawn had previously served within the United Methodist denomination teaching children’s choirs, serving as interim pastor, running youth programs, and leading several service programs. Shawn is very excited to be back serving as the Interim DRE and working with the awesome children and youth at Mission Peak.
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Board Meeting Notes
Our next board meeting is Thursday, September 12 at 7 pm. Please let Steve Wallcave know if you want an agenda or want to attend. All members are welcome.
Our last board meeting was July 11th. For more details on what our board of trustees do at our meetings go to the mpuuc.org web site and navigate to about–>Members only–>Board Documents
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Sandwich Squad
Due to an extremely heavy church calendar this month, Sandwich Squad has to be cancelled for September (even though it has five Sundays). Sandwich squad will resume on the third Sunday in October.
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Have you filled out the Congregational Survey?
It is very important that you participate in this survey. We need to gather meaningful, accurate information about our congregation that we can then share with prospective ministerial candidates.
If you haven’t filled out the survey yet, there’s still time! Please click on this link
www.mpuuc.org/survey to be directed to the survey. It should take 15 to 20 minutes to complete.
Thank you for your time!
Your Ministerial Search Committee
DeAnna Ilze Lance Stephen Tiffany Megan Don
Alm (chair) Duarte Holliday Longfield Longfield McMillen Ramie
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Beyond Categorical Thinking
on September 22
Our congregation is looking for a new minister, and perhaps distinct images come to mind of what a minister is. A particular gender? Race? Age? We can have biases we’re not even aware of, and limit ourselves in finding the minster who is really best for Mission Peak.
On Sunday, September 22, there with be a free workshop to help us be fair and open-and heard. The Unitarian Universalist Association is sending a facilitator to conduct “Beyond Categorical Thinking.” This will help us consider our hopes, expectations and concerns about a new minister.
After the Sunday service, there will be a light lunch provided for all attendees, with the program to run from noon to no later than 3:00 p.m. Childcare will be available if you RSVP. Use the online form link below to RSVP, or contact Don Ramie.
If you want to have input that will help the Search Committee find a great new minister, this workshop is for you! All are strongly encouraged to attend.
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Bring A Friend Sunday – September 29
Help share the good news about our caring and vibrant community! Invite a friend, relative, or acquaintance to attend the Sunday, September 29th service and learn more about Mission Peak UUC. There will be a potluck luncheon following the service. Visitors are our guests. Food will be provided by members and friends.
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Children & Youth Religious Education (CaYRE)
Shawn Snavley (our DRE from 3 years ago) has agreed to work as our interim DRE until we hire a permanent DRE. He will be working a reduced schedule of 10 hours most weeks. He started last week.
Our elementary age classroom will be exploring Judaism and Christianity through the Joyful Path Curriculum. Using the Bible and other wisdom stories, A Joyful Path teaches interdependence, self awareness, respect for nature, stillness, forgiveness, prayer, meditation, and integrity. Topics Covered are: energy, the body, feelings, heart nature, the will, the intellect, God within all, letting go, the universe, prayer, the Bible, the life of Jesus, Christian holidays, kindness, and nature.
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Black & White Gala – November 2, 2019 – Save the Date!
This year’s Black & White Gala will be Saturday, November 2 starting at 6:00pm. Please put the date on your calendar and start picking out your outfits, making items for the boutique, and thinking up offerings for the auction. I’ve been making jam…what have you been doing to get ready?
For those of you who are new to the congregation, our annual Black & White Gala is our biggest fundraiser of the year. It’s a great opportunity for you to dress up (if you’d like) and support Mission Peak by participating in our service auction, buying unique, handmade items at our boutique, and testing your luck by participating in our basket raffle. All while enjoying yummy sweet and savory snacks and alcoholic
and non-alcoholic beverages.
Jen King
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Appreciative Inquiry Committee
Hello everyone! There were 5 people during this workshop that offered to be on this committee and I neglected to write your names down! Please contact me as I know you were interested and I need your help!
Last June we held an Appreciative Inquiry workshop where many of the members interacted and answered questions about their memories of MPUUC, their hopes for the future and what they saw as this congregation’s strengths. I have compiled all of the information you all contributed and now I am looking for a committee to be formed to gain conclusions about what this congregation needs and wants and sees in their future.
As your Interim Minister, I have been guiding you through the journey of grieving, of healing, and preparing to transition you all for a new settled minister to come. This workshop gave us some answers as to how you see yourselves, what you value, what stories in this congregation are life-giving, and how this congregation has made a difference in your lives.
Appreciative Inquiry is a way to keep a congregation thriving and recreating itself by its conversations and its stories. It is a process that you can apply and look back on in the future and use in any walk of life. This is an opportunity for this congregation to define itself, to hold those memories which are most important and to define your future!
Please contact me, Rev Jo, and notify me if you would like to be on this committee. This work is very important for this congregation and will give you new insights and direction in moving towards the future you wish to have.
I look forward to meeting with you all!
Blessings,
Rev Jo
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The Fellowship Committee Needs YOU!
Do you enjoy the social events we have at Mission Peak? Would you like to see more events? The Fellowship Committee needs more members. Many hands make light work, and we could use a few more hands. We meet around once a quarter and try to plan or support 2-3 events a quarter. Best of all we have a lot of fun together. If you’re interested in joining our ‘merry band’, please contact Jen King.
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WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!!
We NEED your help! Cole Hall does not magically transform into a special place for our services each Sunday. It requires a small army of volunteers. We’ve had a few ‘retirements’ lately and we have some spots
to fill. PLEASE let Jen King know if you can fill in for any of the following:
URGENT: We have no one to do set-up for the 2nd Sunday of each month!
We also need people for the following:
Additional Set-up assistance for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Sundays of each month
Additional Greeter for the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month
Powerpoint Clickers & AV Technicians for many Sundays (We will train you! We
promise!)
Additional Take-down assistance for the 2nd Sunday of each month.
You can sign up on an ongoing basis for the Sunday’s indicated above by contacting Jen King, or you can sign up on and ad hoc basis by following this link:
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Introduction to Accompaniment Team Training
and September 15th Share-the-Plate
On Sunday, September 15, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM in Cole Hall (after our service), Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity (IM4HI,
http://www.im4humanintegrity.org/) will hold an intro session on their Nueva Esperanza Accompaniment Team (NEAT) program. The event will be open to the public.
An accompaniment team is a group of 4-5 people who commit to help an asylum seeker or family of asylum seekers adjust to life in the U.S. Especially when the asylee(s) first arrive, there is lots to do: finding a lawyer, connecting with local services, going to medical appointments, getting kids signed up for school, signing up for English classes, learning the local mass transit system, ICE check-ins, court dates, and more.
The NEAT program prepares accompaniment teams logistically but also emotionally and politically. Asylum seekers are often fleeing threats on their life, and they may have experienced significant trauma. The root causes of their plight can often be traced to policies of the United States over the past decades. It is the goal of NEAT to address root causes as well as immediate needs of asylum seekers through education.
To help support this program the September Share-the-Plate will be held on Sunday, September 15 and the proceeds will go to IM4HI.
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SUPPORT OUR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT TO BOYCOTT
The UU Association has published its 2019 Actions of Immediate Witness which includes supporting our first amendment right to boycott.
The UU define immediate witness as “the public profession by word or deed of the convictions of an individual or group regarding a particular issue. Actions of Immediate Witness profess convictions grounded in Unitarian Universalism” and “requires immediate action to make an impact.”
SUPPORT OUR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT TO BOYCOTT
(UUA 2019 Action of Immediate Witness)
UUA defines Immediate Witness as “the public profession by word or deed of the convictions of an individual or group regarding a particular issue. Actions of Immediate Witness profess convictions grounded in Unitarian Universalism” and “requires immediate action to make an impact.”
For those who are willing and able:
Then UUA is distributing a petition
Petition in Support of Our First Amendment Right of Free Speech!
…We affirm our commitment to the constitutional right to free speech. We affirm that boycotts and divestment in support of human rights are free speech and are aligned with UU principles upholding democracy in human affairs and the right of conscience…
Copy of the full petition will be available after the worship service on Sunday for all those interested in signing.
You can also print and sign a copy to mail at
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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!
Join the Interfaith council as we stand together for the
WE ARE ONE RALLY – CLIMATE JUSTICE
Thursday, September 26, 2019
5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Paseo Padre & Walnut, Fremont
Call your Elected Officials!
Calls can make a difference! Contact your representatives to alert them to your views!
Congressperson Eric Swalwell 510-247-1388 or go to
house.gov
Senator Kamala Harris
(202) 224 – 3553
Senator Diane Feinstein (202) 224-3841
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Mission Peak UU | 2950 Washington Blvd Fremont CA | 510.252.1477 | missionpeakuu.org
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