First Unitarian Church of Oakland

Volume 72, Issue 7 September 2009

THE SOWER Sunday Worship Schedule Sunday, September 6 (10:15 AM) The Child Left Behind What happened to those long summer daydreams? The favorite games or dolls or hiding places? Does our childhood sometimes feel too long ago and faraway to seem relevant anymore? This worship service will explore spiritual lessons Reminder! We’ll be returning to our regular two service our childhood selves may have to teach us, drawing from worship schedule beginning Sept. 13. Join us at 9:30 AM or teachers such as Rumi, Jesus and Lao Tsu. Worship leaders: 11:30 AM. Laura Prickett and Emily Stoper Sunday, September 13 (9:30 and 11:30) Merging of the Waters We gather for our annual worship Water and Worship celebration to begin our new program year. We will also welcome our new intern , Catherine Ishida and Lynn On Sunday, Sept. 13 we gather for our annual “Merging of Gardner, our new Worship Arts and Coordinator the Waters” worship celebration and to begin our new for Children and Youth, that morning. Families, friends and program year. We will also welcome our new intern minister, newcomers of all ages are invited to worship together at 9:30 Catherine Ishida, that morning. Families and people of all and 11:30. Remember to bring a small sample of water from ages are invited to worship together at 9:30 and 11:30. your travels or from a place nearby that holds special Remember to bring a small sample of water from your travels significance from your summer experiences. or from a place nearby that holds special significance from your summer experiences. Sunday, September 20 (9:30 and 11:30) Wake Now Our Vision Rev. Kathy Huff, preaching; Kristen Montan, worship associate.

I NSIDE T HIS I SSUE Sunday, September 27 (9:30and 11:30)* Does Oakland Need a Unitarian Church? 1 Worship Notes and Schedule On this day in 1886 Charles W. Wendte called for the creation of the First Unitarian Church of Oakland. We will 1 Exploring Membership remember Wendte’s vision and call, and celebrate where we have come from and where we are going. Rev. Kathy Huff 2 September Theme: Vision will preach the auction sermon won by Judith Hunt. *Children are invited to worship with their families for the 3 Musings from the Minister first 20 minutes before going to their Sunday programs.

4, 5 Our Ministry for Children and Youth Exploring Membership

rd Considering membership? Wonder what it really means to be a 6 Our Shared Ministry; 3 Floor Office UU? This three-hour session is for those who are interested in learning more about Unitarian , this congregation and 7 Board of Trustees; Hamilton Hall Update the expectations of membership in our community. We’ll explore the history of this community and our own faith stories that 8 Executive Team; Leadership Development Team bring us to this time of seeking a spiritual home. Come and learn about our shared ministry and how your gifts and questions weave 9,10 Community Life into the fabric of our beloved community. Led by Rev. Susan Conrad, Rev. Kathy Huff and other church leaders. Sunday, Sept. 11 Denominational Connections 27, 11-2 PM. Call the church office, 510-893-6129 to reserve a space and/or to let us know of any special needs. Please note that 12 Publications Information; Church Contact the Community Life Council will be holding a potluck on this date so you may want to get lunch here. Otherwise, brown bag lunch is Information recommended.

1

Worship and Learning Focus 2009 – 10

Building Community Together

“Building Community Together” is our worship and learning program year focus for 2009-10. This year we will reflect, consider and act upon religious themes that connect us in community and help us live lives of spirit and integrity. Each month a particular theme related to our overall focus guides us as we worship, learn and grow together as people of faith.

September Theme: Vision

This new millennium requires extending our present limited horizons of mind, heart and imagination, as well as expanding our social and religious boundaries. To live with new horizons means constantly stretching our hopes and hearts as far as possible — and then gradually and progressively taking them even beyond those limits. — Edward Hays, The Great Escape Manual

Vision is the song in the heart, a motivating metaphor for guiding a particular purpose in life. A vision describes a picture of a preferred reality. It shapes identity and gives meaning. It considers questions such as: Who am I? Who are we? What am I here for? Why bother? What values and beliefs shape me? What does the future hold? What does life require of us? What do I want to see made real in my world, in my family, in my church, in my neighborhood, business or workplace?

A vision has inner urgency, it inspires greatness and brings about transformation. It provides focus and energy. It raises our expectations and makes demands. It almost always contains both good and bad news. It makes judgments and competes against other visions. It draws people in and drives them away. It makes fools of us but is never foolish. It asks us to risk what is for what might be possible. Conflict is inevitable. Courage is required. With vision, hope arrives.

When we as individuals or institutions articulate a vision, one that is grounded in reality and holds the potential for achievement, the vision becomes the “boss” of us. It determines our course of action and drives our decision making. With vision, we may hold ourselves to a higher standard and serve a god of our own making.

Reflections: Values and visions go hand in hand, which is why most visions contain an ethical action component. What is a vision you hold for yourself or others? What are the values and assumptions that underlie that preferred reality? How do they shape your ultimate decisions? What are you willing to risk to serve that vision? Can you identify an area that you might need to seek more understanding for or reframe in a different way?

Spiritual Practices: Create a vision statement or a vision “map” for yourself. Be realistic and specific. Refer to your map frequently. Devote significant time to following the path you have devised. Ask others to give you feedback, ideas and suggest resources. Test and stretch your vision by examining what you have done, or will do, to make the vision real. Offer this prayer by David Abram as a daily devotion: May a good vision catch me. May a benevolent vision take hold of me, and move me. May a deep and full vision come over me,and burst open around me. May a luminous vision inform me, enfold me.

Movies: Barbershop (PG-13); Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision (Documentary:NR)

Books for Adults (A), Children (C), Youth (Y): For the Time Being by Annie Dillard(A); Awakening Your Potential to Create a Better World by Peter L. Benson (A); Broken Open: How Difficult Times Can Help Us Grow by Elizabeth Lesser (A); The Spiritual Emerson, Essential Writings by David M. Robinson (A); King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table by Roger Lancelyn Green (Y); The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan (Y); Martin Luther King by Rosemary L. Bray (C); Nelson Mandela by Lenny Hort (C).

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Musings from the Minister

Why church? What do we so long Church is not just about how we contribute to its making. If last for that makes us get out of bed on a arrive but how we are changed and year was a year of review and Sunday morning when we could just what we put into motion as we go reconciliation, let this be a year of as well stay home, sleep in, play out into the world. renewed commitment to that soccer, read the newspaper or vision. Let this be a year of whatever else might be called for in Church is also the place where movement out and beyond, and of that hour? putting back the “beloved” into we test our core values and beliefs in the context of a vision that our communal life. Some of us say it is because we defines what we intend to want a sense of community, a place of collectively make real in our I look forward to our coming belonging. We want our personal religious community. At the year together, the mutual identities to be affirmed and accepted. Oakland church, our vision is to discovery and growth, the We want to experience a place where create a radically inclusive spiritual deepening and the ways we know that we are welcomed as we community. Our shared ministry is that we will offer leadership and walk through the door, warts, wonders the work of manifesting an care in service of the whole. As and all. intentional multiracial, always and as the year unfolds, I

multicultural, multigenerational will be eager to be in conversation Well, it is about being a community. This worthy work is with you about how we are doing welcoming place, to be sure, but it is what calls us together to serve and about how I might best also much more than this. Church is something greater than ourselves. It contribute to our vision and about a journey of the spirit. It is is part of the holy work that shared ministry. intended to be a place of self sustains challenges and changes us See you in church! discovery, of deep inquiry into the along the way. reason for being, and the ways we Love and blessings, might bring about wholeness into our As we enter our new program Rev. Kathy personal and family life and the wider year, and aspire toward this vision, community in which we are a part. it will take all of us together to

Welcome New Intern Minister Catherine Mie Ishida and

Worship Arts and Education Coordinator for Children and Youth Lynn Gardner!

We have the great good fortune to heart and body in creating a Unitarian Corvallis, Oregon. She will be welcome a new intern minister into our Universalist beloved community. working with us part time this midst. Catherine Mie Ishida. She will year especially with grades 5 join us at our Water Communion on Sept. You will have many opportunities to through 12 in developing their 13th. She is a student at Starr King meet and get to know Catherine Ishida participation in worship. She will School for the Ministry, studying for a during the church year. Meanwhile, also help to develop volunteers to Master’s in Divinity, and comes most the members of the intern committee provide meaningful ongoing recently from the Mission Peak Unitarian who will meet regularly with Catherine programming for our middle and Universalist Congregation. are Donna Fujioka, Judith Hunt, Susan high school youth. Killebrew, Chris Palm and Randall Our congregation's vision of a multi- Wright. With Lynn’s support, we hope cultural, multiracial and multigenerational to continue moving forward with beloved community is a large part of what We are also fortunate to welcome the implementation of the drew Catherine to seek an internship at Lynn Gardner as the new Worship Dreaming Team’s the First Unitarian Church of Oakland. Arts and Education Coordinator for recommendations for our 11:30 She is looking forward to the opportunity Children and Youth. Lynn is a recent service. (For more information to learn and to apply her skills in worship, graduate of the Starr King School who see the “Dreaming Team Report” th in bridging cultures and integrating mind, will be ordained on Nov. 8 in on the church website.)

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Our Ministry with Children and Youth

What’s Up With Worship? Youth Ministry Volunteers Needed

As we continue to deepen our identity and commitment as a Our ministry with and for children and youth greatly multigenerational worshipping community including our children and youth in the participation and planning for worship is crucial. Our new depends on the involvement of committed volunteers. program year offers us several oppor-tunities to do just that! As the new church year, and new exciting possibilities

We will not be resuming our 10:30 Children’s Chapel Service this begin, we’re looking for folks who are interested in year. Instead we will put our attention into a “Time for All Ages” on contributing energy to the programs for 5th-6th, 7th-8th, the fourth Sunday of every month. Children of all ages will worship and/or 9th-12th graders. This could be as a one-time with their families for the first part of the 9:30 and 11:30 services before going on to special programming. In the new year, we will guest, working on a project for several weeks, or being review how this is going and consider whether we have the resources to part of the program for the entire year. We have some add another weekly service especially for families with young children. amazing people returning to work with these older Our ministry with and for children and youth greatly depends on the involvement of committed volunteers. children and youth, and would love to have lots more. If As the new church year, and new exciting possibilities begin, we’re you are interested in participating, or have questions, looking for folks who are interested in contributing energy to the programs for 5th-6th, 7th-8th, and/or 9th-12th graders. This could be please call the church office, 510-893-6129, and ask to as a one-time guest, working on a project for several weeks, or being speak with Lynn Gardner or with Melissa James, our part of the program for the entire year. We have some amazing people Children and Youth Ministry Coordinator. You can also returning to work with these older children and youth, and would love to have lots more. If you are interested in participating, or have email us at [email protected]. questions, please call the church office, 510-893-6129, and ask to speak with Lynn Gardner or with Melissa James, our Children and Youth Ministry Coordinator. You can also email us at [email protected].

From the UUA Youth Ministry Office Exciting Reports on Ministry—a Must-Read for All UUs!

Youth Group The UUA has released two of our shared Unitarian highly anticipated reports, the Universalist community,” said Leaders Needed! Youth Ministry Working Group Rev. Linda Olson Peebles, Report and the Mosaic Report. Minister of Religious Our high school and middle These reports, available online at Education at the UU Church of school youth groups at First uua.org/youthministry and Arlington, VA, and former Unitarian are now recruiting for uua.org/mosaic, offer compre- UUA Trustee. adult advisors for the coming hensive recommendations for school year. Do you have a youth ministry at all levels of our The Mosaic Project report sense of humor? Are you young Association—from the local focuses on identifying the needs at heart? Like conversations congregation to the national of youth from a multiracial, about obscure and meaningful headquarters staff. Their goal is a multicultural perspective and topics? Energetic? Musical youth ministry that is spiritually considers the role of congre- talent a plus, but by no means deepening, faith developing, gations, districts, people of required. The high school and inclusive and anti-oppressive, and color communities, and the middle school youth want that provides multiple pathways UUA. By implementing the you!! If you do not currently for youth involvement in steps outlined in the Mosaic have teenagers of your own, but congregational life. Project, [we] can truly be as like young people, and are Theodore Parker calls us to do, committed to youth pro- “The (Youth Ministry Working to ‘have a church for the whole gramming and are able to Group Report) brings into being person’,” said Rev. Archene consistently show up at least the most exciting paradigm shift Turner, Coordinator of Senior twice a month, please contact for our congregations in over a High Ministry, Cedar Lane [email protected]. quarter century—not only for Church. youth ministry, but for the whole

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Lifespan Learning

Please join us this fall for some wonderful learning experiences offered to you by several members of our congregation as well as our and intern minister. If you’re interested in registering for a class, please call or email the church office, [email protected] or 510-893-6129, or contact the individual teacher listed below.

Good Book, Good Food Sundays, 5-7 PM, Sept. 20-Dec. 13 Ever wonder if your kids will grow up biblically illiterate? Ever get hungry for good food, good fellowship, and a family-oriented learning time? Then join us for “Good Book, Good Food,” Sunday nights 5-7 PM, developed and led by Lucia Savage. This potluck dinner and class is a chance for children and their parents together to learn more about what is in the Bible and to discuss its context and current meaning for themselves and other learners.

Classes are organized by themes and presented to be heard by the hearts and minds of grade-schoolers (and their parents). For example, in the first class, Sept. 20, we’ll talk about our own names, and names of people we know, and find out who the Biblical characters were who share our names, such as David, Leah, Margaret, Jacob, Rachael, Michael, Gabriel, etc. Other classes will look at poetry in the bible; popular music inspired by the Bible; familiar sayings from the Bible; and the biblical roots of the Middle East conflict. In each class, we’ll take about half the time to eat and socialize and half the time to learn, talk and do. Registration is required, and families should plan to come to at least 8 of the 10 classes, and to bring food to share (it is a potluck, after all). Classes have been scheduled to avoid significant family holidays such as the Jewish High Holy Days, Halloween, and Thanksgiving. There’s room for nd about 8-10 families, depending on how many from each, and we’ll be meeting in the 2 floor program room. Register during coffee hour in September as directed by the church office, or contact Lucia Savage, [email protected] after Sept. 1 to register or to obtain a copy of the syllabus. Suggested donation $50 per family and $70 for nonmember families, or give as you can.

Table Talk Explorations Monthly, starting Sunday, October 4 – June 13, 12:45 – 1:45 PM Grab a cup of coffee or tea after Sunday services and come explore our monthly worship and learning themes. These one hour drop-in sessions are a great way to connect with others in a small group setting. Look for the designated table in Wendte Hall. Facilitated by Intern Minister Catherine Ishida or Rev. Kathy Huff.

The Healing Magic of Empathy Mondays, 7-9 PM, Oct. 5 – Nov. 30 (skipping Oct. 12) This class will teach the basics of Nonviolent Communication (NVC) as developed by Marshall Rosenberg, PhD. I invite you to come and build community with other church members at the same time as you build skills in how to communicate. NVC helps us open our hearts to one another and connect across differences. It can help reduce the likelihood of conflict and if there is conflict it can help increase the likelihood of hearing one another and finding solutions that work for everyone. We will practice taking the judgment and blame out of our thinking and speaking and begin to ask for what we really want. This class is taught by Marlena Willis, who is currently in the North American Nonviolent Communication Leadership Training. Suggested donation: $50 for members and $70 for nonmembers, or give as you can. To register, call 510-306-6234 or email [email protected].

Are UUs Christian? Nov. 4 and 11, 7-9 PM You may answer “Yes,” “No!” or “Huh??” depending on our own relationship to . Why does this question matter? Or does it? Whether you’ve been hurt by Christianity, identify as Christian, or are feel totally indifferent, join us as we explore our feelings and thoughts about Christian dominance and take a look at Christian influences in US dominant culture and UUism – historically, culturally, spiritually, and personally. Come prepared to share, challenge, celebrate, hate, love, wonder, hope for, and struggle together! Join Cathy Rion, church member and seminarian at Starr King School for the Ministry. To register email Cathy Rion at [email protected]. Suggested donation $10 for members and $15 for non-members, or give as you can.

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Our Shared Ministry

Who Do I Go To For What? Every Member Ministry

Not sure who’s who or Sometimes it helps to have a visual of church life to who’s in charge of what? see how it all fits together. Stop by the bulletin board Want to get connected, outside Wendte Hall this month to see how our provide feedback, or congregation embodies our “Every Member Ministries.” volunteer for an area of ministry but don’t know Opportunities for Service who to talk to? Be sure to check out our website at There are many opportunities for getting involved at First Unitarian. Every www.uuoakland.org. See member is encouraged to find their ministry within the life of the congregation the Clergy, Staff and and to share in making our mission and vision real in the world. Each of us has Leadership Roster, which unique gifts, talents and passions that can be placed in service. We always have a gets updated regularly. Call need for ushers and office volunteers, teachers for our children and youth, and or email the church office mentors for the Lafayette school tutoring program in West Oakland. Some of the for specific contact current leadership openings include: YACOO Young Adult Ministries information or to receive Coordinator; Bell Choir Director; McClymonds Scholarship Fund Liaison; E-scip guidance for who to talk to Coordinator; and Sower Newsletter Coordinator. Contact the church office, about what. [email protected] to learn more or to volunteer.

rd From the 3 Floor Office

Summer Thank You’s! new church directory even while the office was closed in July. • Danny Schottenfeld, for cleaning out the church’s food • Bettina Roth, who worked along- 2009 Budget Update pantry shelves, organizing the side Linda and Charla to clean and

Meeting remaining food stuffs and reorganize the office as well as

delivering to the Alameda Food completing a hodgepodge of tasks. Sunday, Sept. 20, Bank . Charla Weiss, church • Leslie Brandt for washing the 3rd • manager, will host an Emily Montan, for preparing floor restroom curtains. information meeting and serving Sunday lunch. about the current status Homemade, healthy salads, Many thanks to those individuals

of the 2009 budget plus a sandwiches, pasta and desserts who volunteered to host summer preview of 2010 income were enjoyed by dozens of worship in July: Dave Belden, Joani and expense issues. A members, guests and friends. Blank, Leslie Brandt, Eva Bunce,

review of the budget Claire Eustace, Maryann and Tom summary sent to all • Pastoral Associates, for penning notes to all furloughed staff, Haw, Laura Ingram, Roxie Kellam, members during the Andy Lee, Jodie Mathies, Gerre summer will be one focus sending messages of thanks and appreciation for the staff’s McKenna, Dianne and Paul Pitman, as well as a dashboard Neil Planchon, Emily Ransom, dedication and faith through presentation of income Michael Schafer, Bev Smrha’s and expenses. these tough economic times. Covenant Group, Suzanne Van

• Clark Stanford, for continuing to Houten and Bob Waller. work on the soon-to-be-released

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From the Board of Trustees

Endowment Policy Forum

The Board of Trustees is sponsoring a forum for the congregation to discuss a draft policy for a proposed Endowment Fund, including establishment of an Endowment Committee. We will meet Sunday, Sept. 20, between services (room TBA). Copies of the draft policy will be available on the church's web site, under "About Us", listed under "Official Church Documents", after September 1. Copies of the draft will also be available Sundays, September 13 and 20 in the office.

______

Board of Trustees Meeting “Mini-minutes”

At its regular meeting on July 28, Trustees addressed the following issues:

• Follow-up to observations from Rev. David Takahashi-Morris about the Board’s process to develop a covenant. Rev. Takahashi-Morris, minister of the Mount Diablo UU Church, recently served as facilitator at a

Board gathering to develop a Board covenant. To help answer the central question of how the Board will hold its members accountable, Charles Williams, Gail Schulz, and Noemi de Guzman will identify agreements and expectations of Trustees which are already in place and incorporate them into a revised Trustee job description.

• Feedback to the subgroup on their report on the consultants’ recommendations. Trustees recommended to the Consultants’ Recommendations Subgroup that they incorporate feedback from the congregation, identify who is to take responsibility for implementation of each recommendation, and assure that timelines for action are established.

• Endowment fund policy. Trustees discussed the draft endowment fund policy, and Gail Schulz and Scott Weiss

(chair of the Endowment Fund Committee) answered questions about the design of the fund, its administration,

and distribution. Another draft will be prepared for Board approval in August and for presentation in a congregational forum in September.

• Technological solutions to Board linkage with the congregation. The Board is seeking ways to capitalize on available communication technology such as email and the church Website to improve linkage with the congregation, and Dan Goss will coordinate efforts with the church office communications team to establish ways to facilitate more timely exchange of information.

Hamilton Hall Renovation Update

Most of you have seen the progress we are making on our seismic upgrade project in Hamilton Hall and have read the update mailed to you in July. However, we would like to invite you to a slide show on Sept. 27, after the second service, and it will be in Wendte Hall from 1 to 1:30 PM. This will give you a better picture of the work as it has occurred. Our intrepid photographers, Stefan Schneider, Grace Ferguson and Bob Schulz have documented some exciting work.

Meanwhile, work is continuing apace, and we are looking forward to when, later this fall, we will be able to resume our worship in our newly improved Hamilton Hall.

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Executive Team Seeks Feedback

The Executive Team (ET) Rev. Kathy Huff, Charla Weiss and Charles Masten, need help as it continues to consider how to better streamline the operational life of the congregation and make more transparent our ministries and decision making processes. Healthy church practices always include a periodic review of operational structures and changing them as needed to meet better serve vision, mission and priorities. The ET has engaged in such a review for months and is seeking more feedback on its work and proposals.

Rev. Kathy’s report at our annual meeting outlined some of the opportunities and challenges the church faces at the start of this program year. The ET has been actively considering the input from our church consultants, the annual program health report, recommendations from the Dreaming Team, the Board of Trustees, Lead Convenors, volunteers, council members, clergy and staff. The results of this feedback can already be seen in better communications, broader fiscal transparency, creation of ministry teams as a more sustainable approach to volunteerism, and focused attention toward leadership development. Next steps are to deepen the conversation about some of the changes already in motion, consider whether we will move forward with some of the other recommended changes and determine if we should formalize some (or all) of the proposed structures of accountability.

The ET has prepared a “working paper” for reflection and consideration by the membership that outlines in greater depth the possibilities at hand. This paper can be found on the website (www.uuoakland.org) or by emailing [email protected]. The ET will host small group discussions in the fall for the general membership and continue to engage councils, committees and teams in the feedback loop. Watch the Sower and the Chalice Chatter, and listen for announcements on Sundays to learn more about how we will together help our congregation thrive and grow.

From the Leadership Development Team Enabling our Dreams: a Leadership Development Team Update

The new church year will include events to help us fulfill our dreams. The team spent the summer creating a leaders’ kickoff, a policy governance primer and a leadership retreat. The Leadership Development Team was formed at the annual meeting when congregants were invited to sign up to work on areas of interest. Hosting occasional tables during Sunday coffee hours, team members hope to meet with you! Autumn programs include:

Leadership Kickoff. All current leaders and those who aspire to assume a leadership role in the near future are invited to attend the leadership kickoff with dessert on Sept. 16. This is an annual event to create community and alignment for church leaders. If you are a current church leader or someone who aspires to become a church leader and did not receive an e-vite, please contact Julie Baeder at [email protected].

Policy Governance Primer. A seminar open to all members and friends on policy governance will be held after the second service on Oct. 11. This event is a direct response to multiple requests for more information on our governance system. See us during a coffee hour to share your questions so that this session meets your needs!

Annual Leadership Retreat is Nov. 6 - 8 at Calistoga’s Mountain Home Ranch with follow-up sessions on Nov. 11 and 18. We spent the summer adapting a development program successfully used in other UU churches. We will meet with committees to overview the program and continue to seek input to the final design. Current leaders and those who aspire to a leadership role within the church are encouraged to attend.

Contact Julie Baeder at [email protected] with questions and inquiries about joining this team. Rinda Bartley, Rev. Kathy Huff, Lauren Poole and Scott Weiss are also members of the team.

8 Community Life

Annual Labor Day Picnic Monday, Sept. 7, 11 AM - 3 Pancake Breakfast

PM. and Neighborhood Return to our larger church community after our summer of small group Walk – Sept. 26 gatherings. Share stories, songs and camaraderie. Please bring food to share and something to grill, musical instruments, games, kids galore and party- We who last year were the

loving pets. Compostable utensils, table covers, cups and plates will be church Port Campaign working provided, as well as a few ice chests. There is swimming in Lake Temescal for group invite you to our first a fee of $2 for children, seniors and disabled people and $3 for able-bodied event of the new church year: people from 16 to 61. Dogs are not allowed in the swim area. Location: Lake on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 9 AM, Temescal 6502 Broadway Terrace, Oakland. For more information contact a pancake breakfast and social Francey Liefert at [email protected]. hour at the church, followed by a walk in our West Oakland neighborhood to inform people Elders and Others – Sep 15 about resources to help with and prevent foreclosures. Elders and Others will meet at the home of Joan and Howard Poulter, 4375 Bridgeview Dr., Oakland 94602, at noon on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at noon. We Since the Clean and Safe will have a brown bag lunch and Joan and Howard will provide dessert and Ports Coalition had to suspend beverages. Please RSVP by phone to Joan and Howard at 510-482-5918. local work last spring, our Cathy Cade will discuss "Strategies for Creating Your Life Stories: Doing it support group (remember that Yourself and Getting Help." Cathy has helped several people in First rainy spring Saturday when we Unitarian to work on their life stories, and will show us how to get started. We carried leaflets about the free seemed to enjoy doing our mini-biographies when we first started meeting last asthma screening?) has been working locally on other year, and some of us may be inspired to put this information on paper and photos. projects, in particular on ACORN's Stop Foreclosure

actions. ACORN Community Utunes Coffee House Kicks off Second Season Organization of Oakland has specifically asked for the help Get ready for season two of the Utunes Coffee House. This concert series in of our church in raising Wendte Hall was loads of fun last year, with many great bands, and yummy community awareness of the baked goods and coffee. Please join us! Tickets are available in coffee hour, foreclosure crisis and letting and at www.utunescoffeehouse.org. people know where to turn for

help. Over the summer, our

All shows are at 8 PM, doors open at 7 group has been exploring this and other ways to create If you volunteer or bring home-baked goods, you can get in free. Here’s the fall lineup: alliances, build community and be of use in our neighborhood. September 18: SoVoSo Please join us on the 26th. This highly imaginative a cappella ensemble sings a unique, rhythmic mix of We will have fellowship, brief jazz, gospel, world and R&B music. training for the walk, more information about supporting October 9: Laurie Lewis foreclosure activism, and great This Grammy award-winning bluegrass and Americana artist played last year’s pancakes. (The group could use

opening night with fiddler Chad Manning. This year she’s joined by an all-star a new name-any ideas?)

cast, including Chad. Contact: Bill Chorneau, November 13: East Bay Anointed Voices [email protected] EBAV’s music is a mix of traditional and contemporary gospel styles, infused or Ann Parsons Greer, with jazz, Latin and Afro-Cuban rhythms. You may have heard them at the [email protected]. benefit for Christopher Rodriguez held at FUCO last year.

9 Community Life (cont’d)

Covenant Groups: Connection, Community, Spirit

Belonging to a covenant group is one Groups may initiate and explore of the ways we deepen our sense of themes of their own choice as well connection to our faith tradition and as work with the monthly worship grow in community with one another. and learning themes. Groups are Milestones One group member described his facilitated by church members who experience: “Next to my family, this is meet with and are trained by Rev. Ryan Savage, son of Mark the most important group I spend time Kathy Huff. and Lucia was the most recent with. I have learned more about myself Savage to climb Half Dome and my spirituality than I ever thought While you may join at any time, this summer. Ryan made the the very best time to begin with a possible.” fifteen mile roundtrip in one group is this month when new day, and climbed the 4800-feet Covenant Groups address ongoing groups are forming and existing descent (from trailhead at 4000 individual stories of faith and spiritual groups are opening up to add new feet to Half Dome peak at topics of interest. Group members offer members. To learn more or to sign 8800 feet). personal support and occasionally up, contact Linda Hodges in the Even the afternoon engage in acts of service for the church office at [email protected] or temperature of 100 degrees and/or the wider community. Meetings 510-893-6129 ext. 301. couldn’t keep the smile off his begin with a reading from a UU source face after his accomplishment. followed by personal check-in. The heart Way to go Ryan! of the process is the sharing of stories and questions of faith and meaning taken from the experiences of participants.

Legislative Advocacy Please Wear a Name Tag Wearing your name-tag is one way of participating in the church’s Tea Artemis is our church’s new mission of hospitality, so please wear your nametag each and every liaison with the Unitarian-Universalist Sunday. To get a new nametag, please check the nametag box on the Legislative Ministry of California ‘yellow membership’ card found in the back of the sanctuary chairs or (UULM), which does lobbying and in the hymnals and drop it in the collection plate or sign the nametag advocacy work on political issues in clipboard found in the sanctuary narthex (an usher can help you). You our state. This year the UULM is can also email your request to [email protected]. focusing on three issues: marriage equality, health care and access to Communications Team Forming water/environmental issues.

Contact Tea to work on marriage Like the rest of the world, First Unitarian needs to use and foster equality or access to water at better modes of communication to connect and inform congregants and [email protected] To work on guests plus promote outreach and church programs. Church manager health care issues, contact Laura Bogle Charla Weiss is forming a committee to critique what/how we currently at [email protected]. communicate, recommend changes and suggest implementation. All forms of communications will be considered: the Sower, Chalice Chatter, our website, future Facebook page(s) and Wikipedia. This will be a short-term ad hoc committee that will meet only 2-5 times beginning

mid-September. Please contact Charla at [email protected] to

indicate interest.

10 Denominational Connections

Report from Chuck Rosene, General Assembly Delegate

I had the privilege of representing the First Unitarian Church of Oakland at this year's UUA General Assembly in Salt Lake City (along with delegates Shams Cohen, Rev. Kathy Huff, Rev. Laurel Leifert, Charles Masten, Jamie McReynolds and Lauren Poole.). Here's my report (and thanks to Cilla Raughley and PCD Currents for some of this information)!

Of course, the big news from Salt Lake City is the election of Rev. Peter Morales as our new UUA President!

The announcement was made at General Assembly, telling us that he had received 61.4% of the onsite vote and

55.2% of the absentee ballots.

Other happenings of note:

The "Standing on the Side of Love" campaign was launched at General Assembly. "Standing on the Side of Love (SSL, pronounced “Sizzle”) is a public advocacy campaign, sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), promoting respect for the inherent worth and dignity of every person."

There was nearly $30,000 raised at our Sunday worship service in support of the Utah Pride Center, whose programs support GLBT youth, adults and their families. The funds will be used in part to expand the hours of their youth drop-in center to five days a week, supplying a safe and affirming place for youth to receive social support, food, and other resources.

By an extraordinarily close vote of 573 in favor to 586 opposed the delegates rejected the proposed revision to Article II of the UUA Bylaws, aka the changes to the Principles and Purposes. And, after a very lively debate, the delegates sent the Statement of Conscience on Peacemaking back to the Commission on Social Witness for another year of study and review.

On a personal note, I was elected for my third (and final) term as President of the Association of UU

Administrators. It has been my privilege to serve our movement by working with some wonderful and dedicated people across this country, and I look forward to another year of "promoting and strengthening" through professional administration!

Visit www.standingontehsideoflove.org.

13th Annual PCD Men's Retreat: Friday-Sunday, Oct. 16-18

The theme for this year’s retreat is: What will it take for you to be happy?

Come join men from all around the Pacific Central District for a weekend of fun, community building, kinship, singing, workshops and more! We will be gathering once again at the Westminster Retreat Center in Alamo (10 miles south of Walnut Creek), a beautiful location for reflection and enjoyment of natural surroundings.

The cost for the weekend is $225, with a deposit of $100 at time of registration. Please register now, since the

cost rises to $235 as of Oct. 1. To register or to get more information, go to http://pcd-uua.org/men/frames.htm.

11 Publications Information:

The Sower Newsletter Sower submissions are restricted to a 250-word limit. Keep in mind that long news items may be serialized over several months. Feature contributors (i.e. ministers) and Sower first-page lead articles (large fundraising events, special church events, etc.) are not bound to this word limitation. Sower: Deadline Sower deadline is 4 PM on the 10th of each month for the forthcoming month’s issue. Submissions should be emailed to [email protected].

The Chalice Chatte E-Newsletter

Word limitation per submission is 50-80 words (3-4 typed lines). Submissions should be emailed to [email protected]. Chalice Chatter: Deadline The Chalice Chatter email announcements are posted bi-weekly from September through December. Chalice Chatter email announcements are due Monday at 9 AM of the week it is to appear. There is no Chalice Chatter during the last week in December.

To reach the clergy or staff, dial the Nursery Care: Dorothy Paul Team church office, 510-893-6129 and Chalice Children/Toddlers: Chaplains: Rev. Laurel Liefert, the appropriate extension number, Crystal Moore Jamie McReynolds listed below: Board of Trustees Pastoral Associates: Claire Eustace, president; Dan Goss, Anne Lown, coordinator; Clergy and Staff vice-president; Dick Bailey, Gil Dacumos, Senior Minister: Rev. Kathy Huff, Noemi de Guzman, secretary; Carolyn Devol, Ronny Gaal, ext. 304, [email protected] Gail Schulz, treasurer; Judith Hunt, Roxie Kellam, Church Manager: Charla Weiss, Rinda Bartley, Jon Greer, Roger Katrina Kellogg, Claudia ext. 303, [email protected] Hallsten, Bev Smrha, Morgan, Bonnie Richman

Intern Minister: Catherine Ishida Charles Williams Membership Team Leader [email protected] Executive Team Christine Carter Church Administrative Assistant: Rev. Kathy Huff; Charla Weiss, Justice Council Convenor Linda Hodges, ext. 301 church manager; Charles Masten, Emily Stoper Lay Member [email protected] Worship Arts Team Leader Facilities and Rental Coordinator: Leadership Development Kristen Montan Stefan Schneider, ext. 302 Julie Baeder, Lauren Poole, Rinda Community Life Convenors [email protected] Bartley, Scott Weiss Katrinca Ford, Laila Ibrahim, Facilities Staff: Frank Tobor Hamilton Hall Renovation Kelly Jonick, Sheri Prud’homme Bookkeeper: Mary Margaret Scribner Gail Schulz and Glen Dahlbacka, Assistant Bookkeeper: Denise Lyons co-chairs Interim Music Director: Matt Wolka, Committee on Ministry ext. 307, [email protected] Chris Sutherland, chair; Accompanist & Assist. to Music Liam Aleguire, Rick Hecht, Charlotte Director: Renee Witon Dixon, Randall Wright Children & Family Ministry Internship Committee Coordinator: Susan Killebrew, Chris Palm, Melissa James, ext. 319 Donna Fujioka, Judith Hunt, [email protected] Randall Wright Worship Arts and Education Journey Toward Wholeness Coordinator for Children and Youth: Sharon Dolan and Jill Miller, Lynn Gardner [email protected] co-chairs.

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Your safety is our first concern. Community Bank of the Bay is pleased to keep you safe while at worship by providing financing for seismic retrofitting of your historic sanctuary.

And when you bank with us you can also rest assured your money is safe and secure.

Individuals, families, businesses and non-profit organizations find us ready to meet any of their banking needs. www.communitybankbay.com

1750 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612 Tel 510-433-5400 Fax 510-433-5431

First Unitarian Church of Oakland PLACE th 685-14 Street STAMP Oakland, CA 94612 HERE

To:

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