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Mission Peak UU – Fremont, CA
The Home of Liberal Religion in the Tri-Cities and Beyond!
January 15, 2020
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I consider myself a lifelong Unitarian Universalist even though there was a long break between my growing up in a Universalist Church in Illinois and my becoming a member of the Mission Peak Congregation when it first started in 1994.
But, I think that is one of the reasons I feel that Denominational Affairs are so important. We’re not an isolated religious community; we are part of a much larger group at several different levels. Our congregation is part of the Pacific Central District (PCD), which includes congregations in the northern part of California, Reno, Nevada and all the way west to Hawaii. Our District along with the districts south, north and east of us are all part of the Pacific Western Region (PWR). Nationally we are part of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA).
Go down to where it says: STAY IN TOUCH and click on “Subscribe Now”
It’s not too early to start thinking about attending the UUA’s annual General Assembly. It’s a bit far this year, in Providence, Rhode Island from June 24 to 28
th. But if you have other reasons to be going that way, consider attending. It’s quite an experience to be around several thousand Unitarian Universalists at a convention center. It is also possible to attend remotely and even serve as a delegate remotely.
The theme this year is Rooted, Inspired, & Ready!
We are in touch with our theological and historical roots. We are inspired to
transform our faith to be more inclusive and anti-oppressive. We are ready to take action.
The 2020 elections are the most important of our lifetime for ensuring that our movements for justice can survive and thrive , and UUs across the country will be mobilizing to “UU the VOTE.” Attendees will be inspired and trained to engage in electoral work as people of faith, living out our values in service of all our intersecting justice commitments.
We are the ones we have been waiting for.
Holly Ito
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Joint Martin Luther King, Jr. service with First United Methodist Church
This Sunday we will share our worship with First United Methodist Church as has become the tradition for many years. Rev. Jo Green and Pastor Hee Soon Kwon are pleased to welcome our special guest preacher Rev. Ron Swisher for this Sunday service. We will be meeting in the Sanctuary of First United Methodist Church. All will be welcome to share the dreams and legacy that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr bequeathed to us to make this world a better and more peaceful place.
Rev. Jo Green and Rev. Hee Soon Kwon will lead the service. Both Choirs from Mission Peak UU and First United Methodist Church will provide our music.
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Board Briefs
At our last board meeting on Jan 9
th we:
* Started process to make congregational covenant. Drew Wilson agreed to lead this effort.
* Discussed plans to
get more congregational feedback about our governance structure
* Decided executive team to come up with draft updated congregational policy to match current operation
* Helped select Love Hero Award
We announced that:
Justice Council meeting: Feb 9 after service in office
Operations/Personnel Council meeting: Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m., Steve’s house
Lance Holliday has stepped down from the search committee
For complete board minutes of previous meeting or text of committee charters go to the members only section of our web site at mpuuc.org/about-us/members-only
Our next board meeting is March 12th at 7:00PM at Allysson’s house.
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Open Forum on Governance Structure 2/2/20
At our Supercouncil meeting in October, one of the issues we discussed was the congregation’s governance structure, and how well it was serving us. However, because of constraints of time at the Supercouncil meeting, not everyone was able to say all that they wanted, so we will be having another meeting for just these topics. Whether you were at the Supercoucil meeting or not, if you have thoughts to share about the functioning of MPUUC, we invite you to come to a discussion meeting that Paul Davis will chair on Feb 2 after Sunday services. Please talk to Paul, Eric Ryan, Steve Wallcave or Melissa Holmes if you have any questions.
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Beloved Congregation
During the course of my Interim work here with the Mission Peak UU Congregation, there has been some fun work we’ve done and some challenging work we have done. I am asking for one more challenge that I would love to see every congregational member participate in.
The book White Fragility was highlighted at our last General Assembly and I even was privileged to speak with her and have her sign my copy of her book. I would like to have the congregation read this book and have a discussion on it on January 25, 2020 from1-3 p.m. in Ockerman 3/4. I can provide you the book if you cannot afford it, and also I can order them in bulk for those who would like me to. You can also order it on your own.
Please contact me if you would like me to order you a copy and we have over a month now to read it. I would appreciate your participation as I believe this is vital territory that we need to explore here in our congregation.
It takes courage to do this work. I believe you all are up to the task.
Thank you for your courage.
Blessings,
Rev Jo
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Upcoming Event
After the holidays we all need something to look forward to and the revival of Mission Peak’s Talent Showcase (a.k.a. Sunday Salon) is just the thing. The
T
alent Showcase will be held in Cole Hall on Saturday, February 8 from 3:00-6:00 p.m. Do you tell jokes? Recite poems? Sing? Act? Play an instrument? Perform magic? If so, we want you to sign up to share your talent with us. Kids are welcome and encouraged to participate. Sign-ups will start Sunday, December 1 after the service. Accompanists are available upon request and Knuti Van Hoven is available as a stage/voice coach (for a small donation to MPUUC). This is a great chance to share what you love with the rest of Mission Peak. We will even have space set aside to display physical artwork such as paintings, drawings, pottery, knitting, mosaics, etc. We hope that many of you will choose to participate.
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Youth Voter Movement
MPUUC had the privilege of participating in the national UU the Vote kick off Sunday, January 12. As part of our contribution we are partnering with Youth Voter Movement. Please sign up at
YouthVoterMovememt
if you would like to help register HS students to vote.
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ICE Training
The Rapid Response Network
helps train people to protect our undocumented neighbors from ICE by showing up
to witness
and document ICE raids as they occur.
Volunteers are needed for this role around the county. The next training in Santa Clara County is:
Saturday, January 25, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Casa de Clara, 318 N. 6th St., San Jose 95112
Allie King plans to attend the January 25 training and would be willing to carpool.
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Women’s March
We’re looking forward to having folks from MPUUC participate in the Women’s March on Saturday, January 18 in Oakland. Wear your MPUUC t-shirt if you have one.
The event will begin at
10 a.m. on Saturday, January 18, 2020
. Here is the schedule for the day:
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10:00 a.m. – Coffee, poster-making and music at Frank Ogawa Plaza
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11:00 a.m. – March beginning and ending at Frank Ogawa Plaza
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12:00 p.m. – Rally and Community Action Fair at Frank Ogawa Plaza
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4:00 p.m. – Event end
We will meet at Fremont Bart at: 9:30 a.m. to catch the 9:34 a.m. train to Richmond. It will arrive at Frank Ogawa Plaza (12th Street) at 10:10 a.m.. We will sit in the first car
so people joining at other stations can find us .
People joining from Warm Springs will catch this train at: 9:28. People from other locations will need to transfer to this or another Bart train.
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Just Mercy
– and the Book that Inspired It!
On December 25 Warner Brothers releases
Just Mercy,
starring Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Fox. It tells the true story of Walter McMillian, who,with the help of young defense attorney Bryan Stevenson, appeals his murder conviction. The 2015-16 UUA Common Read selection,
Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption
by Bryan Stevenson (2014, Spiegel & Grau, an imprint of Random House), is the book that inspired the movie! Let’s revisit the book after watching the story play out on the big screen and discuss it February 16 after the service. This will be a public event- see the movie with friends and family and invite them to the book discussion!
Allysson McDonald
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Please see attached
letter from Tr-City Volunteers. Our participation in the toy drive during the holidays enabled Tri-City Volunteers to purchase 1,000 new toys to distribute to 625 local children.
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Spiritual Practices for Courageous and Compassionate Living
First Unitarian Church of Oakland
January 21 through March 24, 2020
Co-Facilitated by Reverend Mary Foran, Affiliated Community Minister and Spiritual Director, together with Patricia St. Onge, Spiritual Director and Coach, Seven Generations Consulting and Assistant Adjunct Professor at Mills College, Department of Race, Gender and Sexuality Studies.
A Spiritual Direction Group for seekers who want more spiritually grounded lives. With liberation for all in mind, our aim is a diverse group of 10 to 12 participants, who are willing to experiment, reflect and support each other’s search for inner wisdom. Click here for more information.
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Mission Peak Wish List
Color Printer for the office
Printer Desk
Please contact Rev. Jo or Sandra if you can help with these items for the office.
Thank you.
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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
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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Take a Tour of LeaderLab!
Have you heard about LeaderLab, the UUA’s online resources for congregational leaders? Or, maybe you’ve visited the website and don’t know where to start.
This video will walk you through the website to help you find the resources that you need.
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Second Saturday Documentaries at Niles Discovery Church
Bedlam
The February Second Saturday Documentary is the film Bedlam, an examination of a
national health crisis-our failure to deliver needed mental health care. Impossible to mask when untreated, severe mental illness symptoms shove people who live with them into the path of police officers, ER doctors and nurses, lawyers, and prison guards. See the film on Saturday, February 8, 1:30 p.m., at Niles Discovery Church. Admission is free; a discussion led by the Rev. Barbara Meyers will follow the screening. Click here for flyer.
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East Bay Sanctuary Covenant
East Bay Sanctuary Covenant (
www.eastbaysanctuarycovenant.org) is seeking immediate short-term or longer-term housing for asylum clients. EBSC currently has two asylum clients in need of immediate housing – a single man (speaks English) and a mom with a toddler and a 9-year old son (speaks Spanish and some English). Ideally, housing would be free to start but they may be able to pay something moving forward if it is a good fit. EBSC will continue to provide legal representation and support to these clients.
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John McCutcheon
With Special Guest Red Tail Ring
Each year, St. James’ Episcopal Church hosts the John McCutcheon concert. John is a grammy-nominated singer and songwriter, a consummate entertainer, and a master musician. This year, we also welcome Red Tail Ring, a duo of vintage folk and root music. A portion of the proceeds is donated to Abode Services and their (our) fight against homelessness. The details of the concert are in the flyer. Please join us and/or pass it on.
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League of Women Voters Fremont-Newark-Union City
The League Invites You to Celebrate Its 100
th Birthday
With the Sensational Movie Iron Jawed Angels!
Sunday, January 26, 2020
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World Interfaith Harmony Day – Saturday, February 20, 2020 1-4 p.m.
Niles Discovery Church
Please click
here for flyer.
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Mission Peak UU | 2950 Washington Blvd Fremont CA | 510.252.1477 | missionpeakuu.org
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