Ministerial Musings

 

The Impeachment hearings have begun. I decided to watch a bit of it that I taped and then realized how anxious I was feeling and decided to stop. In this month where we are thinking of the theme of belonging, I didn’t feel that sense of belonging that I wished to feel. I was only feeling anxious, angry, frustrated and sad watching people who are in positions of power say things to each other that were either wrong or completely untrue or meant to hurt. I didn’t want to fall into this trap where I felt this way and also felt helpless to make an effect, to make any change as to what was happening in this world outside of me.

 

What do you do when you want to change something that you do not have the power to change? It’s a lesson in futility most of the time. And yet there’s that old saying, if you’re not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. Do we have the power to make change in this world? Or do we hold that power and don’t even realize it?

 

I believe we do. So, when I turned the channel, Ellen came on and she had a segment where she brought a family in from New Jersey to tell their story. One of the children, an 8-year old boy, had been saving up his ice cream money and allowance and whatever money he got, to send to Ellen to save a Gorilla. She has a foundation she began to build a sanctuary for the endangered gorillas in Rwanda and this little boy decided to give everything he had to her to save a gorilla. It was so heartwarming it brought tears to my eyes. This husband and wife with three children were living with their parents because they had recently become homeless and here they were, supporting their son, collecting over $300 to give to this foundation to help save gorillas that desperately need saving. It may seem like such a little thing, but it was making a difference in the only way they knew how, even as they had nothing of their own.

 

What small thing can you do this week to help the to change the world? We just honored Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday and his lasting wish was to make change, to change the systemic racism, economic inequality and militarism in our country. He made a profound change, he was a man of great dignity and honor, and yet, how much have we changed in this country? There are times when I think, if he couldn’t do it, what in the world could I do? What kind of change could I make? Then I see stories like this little 8-year old boy and I know that it’s not the outcome of the change that should spur me on but the mere act of doing it.

 

Change is inevitable. Nothing stays the same. So every morsel of kindness that we can provide the world is a conduit for change, not the result we wish to see, not the effect our presence will make, but the mere act of thinking of another living being and working to make their lives more comfortable and safe. That helps me to feel true belonging in this interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

 

May you find a morsel of kindness to spread to another living being this week.

Please feel free to contact me

By email:  minister@mpuuc.org

By phone: 510-972-3890

This Sunday’s Service:

When was the last time someone really listened to you? What did it mean to you? What did it mean for the listener? We will give an update on Sidewalk Talk in Fremont now that we’ve been doing it for over a year, with stories and lessons learned, along with a review of sacred listening. And we’ll discuss some new findings about how listening helps give stress reduction beyond what is experienced with mindfulness. 

    

Unfortunately the transformation of Cole Hall from a bare room into our place of worship each week is neither effortless or magical.  However, the age old addage of “Many hands make light work” really is true.  However, the number of hands volunteering to help with set-up and take-down and all of the other Sunday Operational Support tasks has dwindled as of late.  The following positions are currently open:

A sign-up poster will be available after the service on Sunday, January 26 and Sunday, February 2.  If you have any questions about any of the Sunday Operational Support tasks or would like to volunteer, please contact Jen King.

At our last board meeting on Jan 9 ^th we:

 

*    Finished signing our board covenant, You can see it at https://mpuuc.org/about-us/congregational-documents/

*    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 with Eric Ryan 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 12^th at 7:00PM at Allysson’s house.

 

For more information email president@mpuuc.org 

Steve Wallcave

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.

You still have a few days to read the book and you also don’t need to have read it to attend the discussion.  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

SGM consists of lay-led small groups that deepen and expand the ministry of a congregation . Groups of 6-10 people meet twice per month from February to November to reflect on and discuss meaningful topics. Each session is structured and facilitated by a leader, and all members have the opportunity to share their individual perspectives. SGMs are an excellent opportunity to get to know ourselves and one another much more deeply.

 

If you have questions or want to sign up for a group, see the SGM table after the service this Sunday January 26. If you’re interested but unable to attend this Sunday, please contact Linda Messia at 510 792-1539 or at lmessia@yahoo.com.

The Mission Peak Talent Showcase will be Saturday, February 8 at 3:00 p.m.in Cole Hall.  A number of intrepid souls have signed up to sing, dance, and orate their way into your hearts. We still need two things:

 

1) We need more performers/presenters.  If you sing, dance, play an instrument, tell jokes, read poetry (written by you or someone else), do magic , etc. we want you to share your talent/passion with us.  Also, if you paint, take photos, knit, draw, sculpt, do metalwork or ceramics, make jewelry, etc. we’d love to put your talents on display.  

 

2) No showcase of talent is complete, or even possible, without an audience. So even  if you don’t have a talent that you wish to share publicly, please make plans to attend the Talent Showcase and show your encouragement and appreciation of those who are performing/presenting. This will be a fundraiser.  Tickets will be $5 per person at the door (no one will be turned away).

To sign up, or if you have any questions, please contact Jen King at jenandmelissa@att.net or 510-299-2825.  Thanks!

 

Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality.

– Dalai Lama

 

No one learns as much about a subject as one who is forced to teach it.

 – Peter F. Drucker

 

The Adult Education Committee is seeking proposals for classes for the Spring quarter – April through June of 2020. This is an opportunity for you to share what you know with others.

 

Past topics have included Buddhist meditation, Jesus, healthy eating, compassionate communication, drumming, building your own theology, joy of movement, art and spirituality, grief support, 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 at lmessia@yahoo.com with your course information.

 

Please send in your proposal no later than Monday February 10.

Allie King plans to attend the January 25 training and would be willing to carpool.

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.com if you would like to help register HS students to vote.  

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 

 

 

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. 

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

 

 

 

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.

For more information or if you have an available room, please contact: lisa@eastbaysanctuary.org or 510-540-5296 ext. 133.

The League Invites You to Celebrate Its 100 ^th Birthday

With the Sensational Movie Iron Jawed Angels!

Sunday, January 26, 2020 

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.

   

   

 

Please see attached flyer for discount programs.