summituuf.org April 2021 THE SCENE AT SUMMIT Newsletter of Summit Unitarian Universalist Fellowship 8778 Cottonwood Ave., Santee, CA 92071

Sunday Services via Zoom begin at 10:00 a.m. Theme: BECOMING

April 4, 2021 April 18 “Flower Communion” “The 8th Principle of Unitarian Universalism” Rev. Everett Howe, Minister Social Justice in Action Committee and Paula Cole Jones Service Associate: Josh Barrett Service Associate: Katie Boskoff

Please join us for our annual Flower Communion service! “We, the member congregations of the Unitarian We can't all meet together in person to exchange flowers, Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and but we will still find a way to give and receive flowers to promote... journeying toward spiritual wholeness by honor our working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved connection to one Community by our actions that accountably dismantle another and to our racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our beloved institutions.” community. The Social Justice in Action committee is advocating that th our fellowship vote to adopt the 8 Principle, which articulates a commitment to dismantle white supremacy within the stated principles of our faith. We welcome th Paula Cole Jones, co-author of the 8 Principle, to share with us the history of this movement, explain its rationale, and describe the process for adoption at the April 11 General Assembly. “It Takes Practice” Paula Cole Jones is a senior management consultant and Matt Meyer former Racial & Social Justice Director for the Joseph Service Associate: Joani Mountain Priestley District (now Central East Region). She is the founder of ADORE (A Dialogue on Race & Ethnicity), a Our favorite songs, whoever the artist or whatever the former president of DRUUMM (Diverse & Revolutionary style, were created in a strange alchemy of study and Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Ministries), and is the inspiration, of strict practice and of letting go. Spiritual author of Encounters: Poems About Race, Ethnicity and Practice is a similar combination of dedication, muscle Identity, published by Skinner House Books. memory, and perhaps a little divine inspiration. Join us for a musical exploration of learning to risk, building the April 25 muscle memory of courage, and the spiritual practice of “Summit and the Eighth Principle” relationship when things around us are changing fast. Rev. Everett Howe Service Associate: Joani Mountain Matt is a musician and worship leader who has led hundreds of services for UU At our service on April 18th, we heard Paula Cole Jones, congregations across the country. He one of the authors of the proposed Eighth UU Principle, has a degree in hand drumming and speak about the history of the project, the need for serves as Director of Community Life Unitarian Universalism to specifically address racism and for Sanctuary Boston. other oppressions, and the process by which the Unitarian Universalist Association can adopt a new principle. In this service, we'll take a look at what that might mean for us here at Summit — and how we can start doing the work. FROM THE MINISTER’S DESK

The Rev. Everett Howe

Spring is here, and already we can see signs form soon, and if you can of new life in many different places. The rains responsibly stretch your pledge from a few weeks ago have led to greener hillsides to a higher level, please do so. and to the appearance of some wildflowers. More It will help Summit grow and metaphorically, the slowly increasing availability of thrive in the coming year. COVID-19 vaccines is raising hopes of a return to a more familiar world. We’re going to be living with And finally, we have a chance to grow in masks and social distancing for a while yet — and, another way. On April 18, we will hear from Paula personally, I hope that in the future people will Cole Jones, one of the authors of the proposed feel more comfortable wearing masks outside Eighth UU Principle. This Principle asks us to affirm when they are feeling under the weather — but as and promote the goal of building a diverse, more people are vaccinated and the number of multicultural Beloved Community by considering cases goes down, running errands around town how racism and other oppressions appear in will feel less fraught with risk. ourselves and in our institutions, and by working to dismantle the systems that support these When might we be able to meet again at oppressions. This is work that must be done with Summit? The Board has formed a task force that accountability to the people who have been most will come up with specific measurable criteria — affected by racism and oppression, and it will not related to the prevalence of the virus in San Diego be easy. This is not a “check the box and move on County, and the transmissibility of the variants to something else” kind of change — it will instead known to be in the county, and the percentage of require deep reflection, and a willingness to see people vaccinated, and so forth — that will ourselves and our community in a different and determine when we can resume various in-person sometimes unflattering light, so that we can learn activities at Summit. It will probably be quite some what we have to do to improve. time before things are close to “back to normal,” but we will be getting there eventually. The Social Justice in Action committee is working on a number of ways for us to learn Our annual pledge drive, which kicked off about the Eighth Principle and discuss it with one on March 21, is another sign of life and growth. another. I hope that we all will take advantage of We are hoping that members will be able to these opportunities, so that we too can grow this resume pledging at (or better, above) their pre- spring, both as individuals and as a community. pandemic levels. In order to start the search for a full-time minister, we want to be sure that we’ll be able to pay their salary, and support the programs With love and gratitude for you all — that are the heart of Summit. Return your pledge — Everett

The Mission Statement of the Summit Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

In spiritual community, we commit ourselves to building a compassionate, just and sustainable world.

Page 2 RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION NEWS MARY CARTER-VAIL, DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION

I have a question for you… connected, supported each other and have been in What happens next? We spiritual community during a time of great are watching as folks are transformation. Some of our families have stayed getting vaccinated. Some of engaged and participated in virtual gatherings us, myself included, are while others needed to step away from screen time blessed to have been vaccinated already. Viral and are waiting until we can be together in person infection rates are going down in some areas and, again. We honor all choices as each family is though we are not out of the woods yet, it is navigating this time in the way that works for beginning to feel like we will be able to “get back them. Starting last fall and with Summit Board’s to normal” soon. We are following the science approval, we have had monthly parking lot and the wisdom of healers and we continue to gathering opportunities for Summit children and wait. The question that is top in my mind is: youth. All gatherings have been socially distant What happens next? with current safety protocols in place to offer a time for children and youth to see each other and This month our theme is Becoming. Becoming is participate in fun family activities. This month we the process of coming to be something. It feels will have a chalk art flower drawing on Easter appropriate as we are in the process of discovering Sunday and Garden Harvest & Planting on April how we can stay healthy and well in community as 25th for Earth Day. (Watch your email to sign up.) we return to a “new normal”. This phrase — “new normal”— seems inadequate to me as it feels Back to my first question: What happens next? like we are in the process of becoming something We need to figure this out together. new. Sit with that for a moment and reflect. How have you changed over this past year? How have We need your voice now. Usually at this time of you been transformed? It may be in small ways or the year, I am talking to parents, children, youth in big transformations. It feels like we are all in a and volunteers about our fun summer plans, and place of becoming as we are beginning to frame the fall program for the we discover new next year. This year we are currently in what feels ways to be during this like a “Between” time as we figure out our next time. steps to returning to in person meetings. I am reaching out for your help as we discover what is We are Becoming. needed and explore our options to gather again. Our faith community This is YOUR program. Summit’s Religious is figuring out how we Exploration is for your children, grandchildren, will be together in youth and adults. What do you want and need person again. The Summit Board of Directors has a right now? How about over the summer or next new task force that is looking into the science, fall? Sit with that for a moment and let your community guidelines and health imagination wander…. What could our program recommendations that will guide us as we prepare be if we all give our attention to this becoming? to gather once again. Will we throw the doors Will your voice be a part of creating what is next? open and all come rushing back at once? Not yet. Your voice, your ideas, your participation is This will take some time, preparation, and needed. Let’s do this together in community as we planning as we work toward the goal of becoming continue this work of becoming together. an in-person faith community again. Join us for a Zoom meeting to All year long Religious Exploration has continued share ideas on Thursday, April 22, to meet virtually, each week. Summit children, at 7 pm. Watch the eNews and RE youth and adult volunteers, have stayed Newsletter for the Zoom link.

(See next page for April schedule.) Page 3

May we continue to thrive with love as our guide.

Our April Theme for RE: Becoming We have a fun month planned for our Virtual RE program as we discover Beloved Community together. Here are the dates to save and current plans: April 4 – Easter Sunday Flower Communion and Chalk Art “Garden” in Summit parking lot April 11 – Becoming through Change: Keeping an Open Mind April 18 – Becoming People of the Earth April 25 – Becoming through Growth: Garden Harvest & Planting (Drive-thru Harvest Table.)

With deepest love and brightest blessings, Children’s Religious Exploration Committee Mission Statement: Mary Our Mission is to create a safe and welcoming She/Hers spiritual home for children & youth through

creative exploration of the Unitarian Universalist Outdoor events on the Summit UU campus Principles and Sources.

RESOURCES FOR ALL AGES inner heart. You can add a lovely cloth under it, place it with a plant, a photo or art that YOUR CHALICE HOME speaks to you or just place it on the kitchen counter. It’s your choice as this is your How are you doing at home? Have Chalice Home. Trust your instincts as this is you been able to join us on Zoom just for you. for worship? For many this has been the highlight of their week and for others, a great  Once a day, once a week or as needed, light challenge. Have you explored creating a soulful your chalice, and breathe. Be fully in the sanctuary of your own at home? Would that be moment, fully present, even if it’s just for a few something that could offer a moment’s peace during minutes. Take the time to just be. You can read this tumultuous time? Introducing: Chalice Home. a poem, journal, draw, be silent, or sing and This will be a monthly resource to support each of dance. What ever fills you up in that moment of us at home with simple ways for each of us to self-care. deepen our connection to ourselves, family and beyond by creating sacred moments of reflection.  Connect with Summit’s monthly theme and resources, or not. It’s up to you. Look through  Start by creating a space for your chalice and the packets linked below and choose resources more. Here are some ideas to create your own that you resonate with: little spot of care, connection, and peace:  Becoming (April’s Theme) https://  Chalice and candle – you can create a chalice drive.google.com/file/d/1YMk4xJSCbPrb- of your own from any vessel that says CdG1uz48BDP7ceM34le/view?usp=sharing “chalice” to you! A candy dish, a basket, a  Commitment (March’s Theme) box made of Legos, an upside down flower  Beloved Community (February’s theme) pot.. anything that speaks to you as a vessel  Imagination (January’s theme) of community and love. Add a candle, just  Stillness (December’s Theme) use a battery-operated candle for anything  Renewal (September’s theme) that is not flame safe. (Please be safe!) The  Deep Listening (October’s theme) candle represents our flame of commitment  Healing (November’s theme) to community, compassion and love.

 Find a place for your chalice. This could be Email questions to [email protected] anywhere that you will see and use your chalice when you need a moment of With deepest love and brightest blessings, connection to your spiritual community or Mary

Page 4 This month our theme is Becoming. I Remember that we love the feelings conjured up with that word. are in the middle of our To be becoming is to not yet be finished. I annual pledge drive, Together We Thrive. am a true believer in lifelong learning and Please get your forms sent in as soon as continuous improvement. All the books and possible. We need them back even if you can podcasts I can get my hands on, the better. not contribute financially at this time. Yet as a community, a spiritual fellowship Pledging is a big determinate for what we will how are we Becoming? be becoming as well. This year we have simple goals such as returning to pre-COVID The world will always be changing, the levels of giving and building a budget that question we have to ask ourselves is how will would support a full time minister in one to we change with it? Or even, how might it two years. Let’s make sure that while we are change us? Isn’t that so true for what the away from the campus, we are still becoming pandemic has done to Summit? We have a welcoming liberal beacon in East County. transformed the ways in which we do services, auctions, pledge drives, and covenant Finally, I wanted to make you aware groups. that the task force has been assembled and will begin meeting soon to develop our Some of our members are currently reopening guidelines. This may take some working on a grant from the Spirit Level time and I just ask you to hang in there and Foundation, a local UU organization that be patient while we figure out our path to in- grants money to UU congregations for special person gatherings. projects. This year’s grant would help us upgrade our technology even further. Some of the ideas I am aware of: With love, Your President,  Better video quality in the sanctuary Easton Bajsec  Hearing assistance devices in the sanctuary for members who need them

 The ability to digitally connect to meeting rooms at Summit from anywhere, for those who may have a challenging time driving at night or another reason they couldn’t make it in person.

The Summit Board of Directors meets on the third Thursday of the month at 7 pm. If you would like to attend, please email Easton for the link at [email protected].

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For those of you who have already turned in your pledge form for FY 21-22, Thank You!

If you have not yet completed your pledge for next year, we invite you to do so. If you need the links to the documents, please visit the Summit website at: https://summituuf.org/giving- overview/pledge/

Together We Thrive! Summit Board of Directors

THE SUMMIT UU BOOK CLUB On Tuesday, April 6, at 7 pm, the Summit UU Book Club will be meeting via Zoom (per Debbie Wingard) to discuss The Accidental Tourist, by Anne Tyler.

Anne Tyler explores the slippery alchemy of attracting opposites, and the struggle to rebuild one's life after unspeakable tragedy. Travel writer Macon Leary hates travel, adventure, surprises, and anything outside of his routine. Immobilized by grief, Macon is becoming increasingly prickly and alone, anchored by his solitude and an unwillingness to compromise his creature comforts. Then he meets Muriel, an eccentric dog trainer too optimistic to let Macon disappear into himself. Despite Macon's best efforts to remain insulated, Muriel up-ends his solitary, systemized life, catapulting him into the center of a messy, beautiful love story he never imagined. A fresh and timeless tale of unexpected bliss, The Accidental Tourist showcases Tyler's talents for making characters--and their relationships--feel both real and magical.

Here's our reading list for 2021: May 4 A Tale for the Time Being, by Ruth Ozeki June 1 Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead, by Olga Tokarczuk July 6 The Splendid and The Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family and Defiance During the Blitz, by Erik Larson August 3 Herzog, by Saul Bellow September 7 A Year of Wonders: A Novel of Plague, by Geraldine Brooks October 5 The Ultra Secret, by F. W. Winterbotham November 2 I'll Be Your Blue Sky, by Marisa de los Santos December 7 The Last Painting of Sara De Vos, by Dominic Smith January 4 Caste: The Origins of our Discontents, by Isabel Wilkerson

Everyone is welcome - either to participate or listen. If you have any questions, please e-mail Cheryl at [email protected]

We welcome new members. – Cheryl Smrek

Page 6 SOCIAL JUSTICE IN ACTION

Social Justice in Action meetings are held the 2nd Sunday of the month. To get the zoom link for these meetings, contact our Chair, [email protected].

General meeting — April 11th, 12:30 pm

The 8th Principle of Unitarian Universalism

We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.”

In preparation for the discussion and hopeful adoption of the 8th Principle by the Summit congregation, the SJiA committee members have been engaging in anti-racism education. Each Saturday morning since January, a group has been meeting to discuss the book me and white supremacy by Layla F. Saad. Each section walks the reader through important concepts that help white people understand white supremacy, examine the ways in which we are complicit in this system, and reflect upon how to create change. As our group continues to engage in this work, the need for the adoption of the 8th Principle has only become clearer, as shown by the recent events in Atlanta.

Paula Cole Jones, co-author of the 8th Principle and our speaker at our April 18 service, has shared “After working with congregations on these issues for over 15 years, I realized that a person can believe they are being a ‘good UU’ and follow the 7 Principles without thinking about or dealing with racism and other oppressions at the systemic level.” We continue to see day after day, week after week, the instances of oppression and realize how much work we, as a spiritual community, a nation, a family of the world, have yet to do. It may not happen in our lifetime, but it won’t happen ever if people don’t take the first step.

For information about joining and learning how we become good ancestors, please contact Ryn Corbeil ([email protected]) or any committee member.

Page 7 UU MEN’S FELLOWSHIP SPRING VIRTUAL RENEWAL APRIL 23 (EVENING) AND 24, 2021

All interested men are invited to attend the UU Men’s Fellowship Spring Virtual Renewal April 23 (evening) and April 24, 2021. The theme is Finding Courage. In these times, how and where do we find the courage and support to move forward? Our Unitarian Universalist Men’s Fellowship Spring and Fall Renewals have provided the refuge for many of us to unpack these issues and share our deepest feelings and concerns in a supportive, caring environment. Please consider making a commitment to join us for three renewal sessions of 1 ½ to 2 hours per session on Friday evening, Saturday morning, and Saturday evening, with optional workshops on Saturday afternoon. We hope to make our time together a sacred space where we can separate from other commitments and obligations, a place where we can be in true and deep fellowship. Due to the capacity restriction of our zoom license, our attendance will be limited to the first 100 registrants. We ask that you register in advance, and, if possible, make a $50 or more tax deductible contribution to Camp deBenneville Pines. Donations to the camp are voluntary. If such a contribution will cause financial hardship, please ignore. You are our brother and are most welcome.

Contact Mike Dorfi at [email protected] or Mark Weedman at [email protected] for a registration form

HOW ARE THE SUNDAY SERVICES? MEN’S DISCUSSION GROUP #2 The Sunday Services Committee would like your feedback on how you think Zoom Sunday Summit’s Second Men’s Fellowship and Support Services are going. Please send your feedback Group meets on the 1st & 3rd Wed, from 7-8:30 and suggestions to Josh Barrett at pm. We invite you to join us if you wish. We [email protected]. are an “open” meeting in the sense that any man who wants to can participate if he so Sunday Services Committee: wishes. Joani Mountain (chair), Josh Barrett, Katie Boskoff, Pat Bryning, Lynn Feinberg, Tyler You can use any Apple or PC/Android device Mitchell, Mary Tina Morgan (desktop computer, laptop, iPad or other tablet, smart phone) to access our meeting, but it must have a microphone and a camera. THE SUMMIT WOMEN’S GROUP

To get the link, please email Denny at This multi-generational group is open to all [email protected]. interested Summit women and their friends. The group will meet via Zoom. If you would like to be added to the e-mail list to get the Zoom link, please contact Carolyn Woodbury at [email protected] if you have questions.

Contact Carolyn to find out the date of our next meeting.

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Summit Unitarian Universalist Fellowship 8778 Cottonwood Ave. Santee, CA 92071

OFFICE HOURS Tuesday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

MINISTER the Rev. Everett Howe [email protected]

DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION Mary Carter-Vail 619-562-0833, ex 205 [email protected]

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Linda Peck 619-562-0833, ex. 202 [email protected]

PROPERTY STEWARD Mark Weedman [email protected] April WEEKLY ENEWS EDITOR Pam Kerr [email protected] About SUUF Publications

SCENE AT SUMMIT NEWSLETTER EDITOR Please send submissions for the monthly SCENE AT SUMMIT Elinor Weed NEWSLETTER via e-mail on or soon after the 20th, to [email protected] [email protected]. . ______

Please send submissions for the eNEWS, the weekly Board of Trustees announcements, to [email protected] by Tuesday noon. Easton Bajsec—President Elinor Weed—Vice President Check the eNEWS and website for additional news throughout Carol Schnaubelt—Secretary the month. Debbie Wingard—Treasurer ______Mary Tina Morgan—Past President Directors; If you have any questions, call the office, 619-562-0833, Josh Barrett, Janni Pedersen, or e-mail us at [email protected]. Toni Rogers, Greg Williams