This Week on the Peak

This Week on the Peak – Wednesday, October 30, 2019
This Week on the Peak
Mission Peak UU – Fremont, CA
The Home of Liberal Religion in the Tri-Cities and Beyond!
October 30, 2019

Ministerial Musings
 
I read an interesting article awhile back that got me to thinking about giving to others or to an organization. Not monetarily, but when we choose to help by chairing a committee, giving someone a ride, setting the coffee out on Sunday mornings, setting up the Sanctuary.
 
This article was written by a woman who doesn’t like the word volunteer and I read it and thought, a like-minded person like me! I’ve never liked the word “volunteer”. And especially in these last years of my life when I’ve been ministering and chaplaining, I have found it increasingly inadequate. Now this author calls herself a Progressive Christian so there is where our paths diverge, but it was so encouraging to read another minister’s article that held my same beliefs. This past Sunday in my sermon I took note of my annoyance with this word. And this Christian minister spoke of how when her husband looks after the children when she’s away, others refer to him as babysitting and her retort is you can’t babysit your own kids. And that’s the same way I feel about congregations. We aren’t volunteering to keep our Sanctuary clean, we’re cleaning our own spiritual home. Volunteering seems more business related – we volunteer sometimes at our jobs or for non-profits, but that doesn’t seem very spiritual. This is our spiritual home. When we give service here at Mission Peak UU it means something more. We are more like a family, so it feels more like we are engaged with our family.
 
In my sermon on Sunday I said, Stop using the word volunteer. We are giving service to this community and when we do, it comes from our heart and not as an obligation. Giving service brings compassion for others, giving service can bring out the passion you have for a project or a cause, giving service offers you an opportunity to give back to others, to forward a cause, and will give you the satisfaction and happiness that maybe you’ve long been craving.
 
Volunteers many times only do it once, they are more like spontaneous, obligatory offerings of service for a certain cause or organization. Giving service however offers a deeper connection to community, it comes from the heart. We feel good about what we’ve done, it’s not an obligation but an opportunity to give back to something we’ve gotten so much richness from.
 
That’s how I would like us to view giving service here at Mission Peak. It’s not an obligation, but such an amazing opportunity to connect spiritually, to offer our gifts and talents not just once, but many times and to see how it connects us to this larger family – this congregation. Think of this place as home, your spiritual home.
 
I hope you all can begin to view giving service in this way. It will be remarkable what rewards you yourself will receive and it will be remarkable for the rest of the congregation to receive these gifts from you. Let’s banish the word volunteer from our vocabulary as it just doesn’t fit the spiritual wellness we are striving for here. See how you can give service and see what your heart feels like after.
 
Blessings to you all,
 
Rev Jo
 
 
Please feel free to contact me
By email:  minister@mpuuc.org 
By phone: 510-972-3890
This Sunday’s Service:

Honoring the Dead 
                       
This Sunday we will honor those in our lives who have passed away and yet are still in our hearts. In the tradition of Dio de los Muertos, we will learn of the Mexican tradition of honoring the dead and ask that you bring those photos of loved ones you wish to remember.  Also if there is a food your loved one loved, bring a small piece of it to place on the altar as that is part of the ritual. This service recognizes the cycle of life and how we are all a part of it. 
 
         
Rev. Jo Green will lead the service and assisting will be Worship Associate Yvonne Hughes. Peak Performers will provide our music
 
 
 
 
 
The Black & White Gala is in 3 DAYS!!!

It’s that time again.  Can you feel the excitement in the air? Only 3 more days until Mission Peak’s biggest social event and fundraiser of the year…The Black & White Gala!!

This year we’ve decided to save some money by not mailing out hard copies of the Black & White Auction Catalog.  You should have received an email with a PDF version of the Auction Catalog and Directions to the event.  However, in case it got lost in the internet here are links to the information:
 
The directions link is here
The catalog link is here
 
Please print out a copy of the catalog and bring it with you to the event (we will have a few print copies at the event for those who do not have access to a printer).

If you have any questions or last minute additions, please contact Jen King at  jenking@alumnae.mtholyoke.edu or 510-299-2825.  We encourage you to invite friends and family to the event. Tickets can be purchased at the door. However, this is not an event for children.  If you need help finding or paying for childcare, please contact Jen King.

Hope to see all of you (and your checkbooks) at the event on Saturday – 6:00 pm SHARP!
Congregation Meeting and Board update

At a special congregational meeting on October 27 we passed a motion to help interested Mission Peak UU members support asylum seekers. The passed motion is “Adopt as a Congregational project the support of and intended hosting and/or accompaniment of one or more persons seeking asylum in the United States; budget $1,000 from the Growth Fund as an addition to the Congregational budget for the 2019-20 fiscal year; authorize receipt of additional donations from members, including at a designated share-the-plate Sunday, to the budget line; and authorize the Board to provide for the organization of this effort by delegating specific responsibilities to existing committees or by chartering a new committee. The Board and committee(s) involved in this effort will report to the Congregation from time to time.”

The full meeting minutes are available in the members only section of the Mission Peak UU web site.

Our next board meeting is on Nov. 14th, 2019 at 7:00 PM at Allysson’s house. Please email president@mpuuc.org if you want an agenda.

 
 
 
 
All the Best,
 
Shawn
Interim Director of Religious Education
510-397-8758
Request for Class Proposals – Adult Education – Winter 2020

The Adult Education Committee is seeking proposals for classes for the Winter quarter – January through March of 2020. This is an opportunity for you to share what you know with others.
 
Past topics have included Buddhist meditation, healthy eating, art and spirituality, the Enneagram, Poems, and celebration of the sacred feminine. Classes can vary from one-time events to meeting every week.
 
How can you submit a proposal? Contact Linda Messia at 510 792-1539 or email her lmessia@yahoo.com with your course information.
 
Please submit your proposal no later than November 3.
 
Thank you!
Sexuality Education for 7th-9th Grade Youth


Our Whole Lives Sexuality Education Class for 7th-9th
Grade Youth is starting soon.
 
The last mandatory parent’s orientations is on:

Nov. 17th, 2019 3PM-6PM in San José
 
Parents must come to the orientation for their youth to participate. Youth classes are on 11 Sunday afternoons and 1 Saturday afternoon/evening, each covering multiple workshops, starting in January 2018.
 
For more information go to mpuuc.org/OWL or download brochure  
Questions – Contact Steve Wallcave 

JOIN US IN HONORING THE TRANSGENDER LIVES LOST THIS PAST YEAR.
NOV. 20TH 2019 @ 7 PM IN COLE HALL
MISSION PEAK UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION
2950 Washington Blvd, Fremont, CA 94539

Mission Peak Wish List
 

 
 
New Computer for the office
Color Printer for the office
Wardrobe Stand
Video Camera  
Printer Desk 
 
Please contact Rev. Jo or Sandra if you can help with these items for the office.
 
Thank you. 

Save the Date – Mission Peak Holiday Potluck & Fun Fest – December 7

Please plan to join us on Saturday, December 7 @ 5:00 pm in Cole Hall for a Holiday Potluck.  In addition to eating, we will be decorating holiday cookies, decorating the Christmas tree, doing crafts, and singing Christmas Karaoke!
 
 
 
 
Start Practicing Now for the MPUUC Talent Showcase – Saturday, February 8

Do you tell jokes? Recite poems? Sing? Play and instrument? Dance? Do
magic? If so, start polishing your act now so you can be part of the
MPUUC Talent Showcase to be held in Cole Hall on Saturday, February 8
from 3:00-6:00 pm.  More details on how to sign up coming soon. 
Accompanists available upon request. Please contact Jen King for more
information.

Sidewalk Talk 
 
“Sidewalk Talk is a non-profit organization with a local Fremont chapter led by Rev. Barbara Meyers, a community minister affiliated with MPUUC, whose ministry is focused on mental health issues.
We provide a welcoming listener for people who want to talk and be listened to in order to enable authentic human connection. 
There are two locations where listening is currently done in Fremont:
  1.  Outside the Fremont Public Library the 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month  from 1-3 pm 
  2.  At Tri-City Volunteers,  37350 Joseph Street, Wednesdays  from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm 
A third location at the Fremont mobile shower and laundry facilities is being investigated. 
The experience is very rewarding. Training is necessary.  You can find out more about Sidewalk Talk at:  https://www.sidewalk-talk.org/ 
If you are interested in being a listener, please contact Rev. Barbara Meyers at  com_minister@mpuuc.org
 
 
 
You Can Help End Prison & ICE Collaboration
 
On Friday, Nov 1st, we are partnering with Asian Prisoner Support Committee and Advancing Justice, Asian Law Caucus to host a  Rally and Vigil at our State Capitol, calling on Governor Newsom to intervene and pardon beloved community members who are at risk of deportation! 

We need the faith community to come out and support this action. We are also looking for support among the faith community and local elected officials in Sacramento to support Charles Joseph and his family.  
 
Our faith values calls us to protect immigrants, and demonstrate compassion for those who are incarcerated.

Prison and ICE collaboration impacts immigrants who have served time in state prison. Instead of returning to their families and community, immigrants who are found suitable for parole are directly transferred into ICE detention facilities where they await deportation.

This form of double-punishment is cruel and inhumane. One way to stop this prison-to-ICE-to-deportation pipeline, is for Governor Newsom to intervene!

RSVP here to join us on Nov 1!
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.

   
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
 
 
Candlelight Vigil
 
New Date: Monday, November 18
7:00-8:00 p.m..
 
St. James’ Episcopal Church
37051 Cabrillo Terrace, Fremont
(Thornton Ave. at Cabrillo)   
   
Take a stand against the causes of homelessness. Please join us for an interfaith candlelight vigil to remember and reflect on the lives affected by homelessness. Bring your canned goods and other non-perishable items to donate. Please enjoy the refreshments that will be served.  Please click here for flyer. 
                          
 
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 
Ro Khanna  (202) 225-2631 
Senator Kamala Harris   (202) 224 – 3553
Senator Diane Feinstein (202) 224-3841
 
 
Free Movie:  Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

Saturday, November 9, 1:30 p.m. Niles Discovery Church, 36600 Niles Blvd, Fremont A discussion will follow the screening,

Please see attached flyer by clicking here
You’re Invited! Complete Count Committee Meeting #3

When:  Monday, November 18 
Time:    2:30pm-4:00pm 
Where: CA State Building  1515 Clay St.  Oakland, CA, 94612
A ccessible by 12 St BART and self- paid street/garage parking
 

In this meeting, we will:
  • Share Census 2020 updates
  • Present the County’s Outreach Implementation Plan
  • Provide highlights from our Census Outreach Grantees and Census Ambassador Program
  • Preview upcoming trainings, outreach materials, and shared calendar
In partnership,

Alameda County Census Team
LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE 2020

THERE’S STILL TIME!!
This is a wonderful opportunity, please consider registering.
 
Leadership Experience…There’s space for you!

Leadership Experience is a Retreat/Online learning experience for both new and experienced leaders in UU congregations.If you lead or influence folks in your congregation as a board member, a program leader, a staff member, a finance or other admin volunteer, you’ll be inspired and equipped by this experience to better serve your people and your faith. More information here!

The work starts November 7, so you’ll have the best experience if your register by November 1.
STAY CONNECTED:
Mission Peak UU | 2950 Washington Blvd Fremont CA | 510.252.1477 | missionpeakuu.org