Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
MDUUC’s Mission Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church is a welcoming religious community.
We bring to life our Unitarian Universalist values as we: seek truth and work for justice;
nurture compassion and courage; reach out to each other and to our larger community of faith;
bridge the divisions that wound the human family; transform ourselves and our world.
The 7 Unitarian Universalist Principles
We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote: ❖ The inherent worth and dignity of every person; ❖ Justice, equity and compassion in human relations; ❖ Acceptance of one another and encouragement of spiritual growth in our
congregations; ❖ A free and responsible search for truth and meaning; ❖ The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations
and in society at large; ❖ The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all; ❖ Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
2018-19 BOARD OF TRUSTEES MINISTERS AND STAFF Michele Carroll, President
Steve Hirsch, Vice President Sharon Solstice, Secretary David Stanley, Treasurer
Ron Ahnen, Board Member Kathe Cairns, Board Member Steve Reyes, Board Member
Kathy Teplitz, Board Member Doug Tamo, Board Member
Jaynese Davis, Board Member [email protected]
Rev. Leslie Takahashi, Lead Minister / [email protected] Rev. Neal Anderson, Minister for Engagement & Justice /
[email protected] Rev. Ranwa Hammamy, Community Minister /[email protected]
Rev. Dr. David Sammons, Minister Emeritus Aaron Eaves, Intern Minister / [email protected]
Indigo Lewis, Director of Religious Education / [email protected] Chuck Rosene, Administrator / [email protected]
Marena McGregor, Religious Education Asst. / [email protected] Mark Tuning, Music Director / [email protected]
Jen Marsh Prink, Publications Coordinator / [email protected] Tristan Thielman, Facilities Manager / [email protected]
Brett Carson and Larry Crummer, Accompanists
Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church 55 Eckley Lane Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Sunday Meditation 9:00 a.m. Two Services Sundays 9:15 and 11:15 a.m. Office Hours: Tues-Fri. 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (925) 934-3135
www.mduuc.org For more information on MDUUC and our programs, please go to www.mduuc.org.
Mt. Diablo
Unitarian Universalist Church
“For Love of Language” Rev. Leslie Takahashi
February 3, 2019
ORDER OF SERVICE February 3, 2019
WELCOME! ❖ We welcome all of you and invite you to bring your full self. ❖ See ushers for large print copies of the order of service, hymn books, and hearing assistance devices. ❖ A comfort room is available at the back of the sanctuary for those with small children. ❖ A gender-neutral restroom is located in the White Building, which is across the patio. ❖ We use pronouns in our introduction to recognize the gender spectrum among us. ❖ Accessible seating spaces for wheelchairs are marked in several places around the Sanctuary. ❖ A Fragrance-Free Zone is located on the right side of the Sanctuary, marked on the back of chairs. ❖ Please put your cell phone on a reverential setting.
GATHERING SONG #390 “Gaudeamus hodie” “Today rejoice!” Natalie Sleeth was a noted choral composer and hymn writer from Dallas, TX.
PRELUDE "Son binocle" from Les trois valses distinguées du précieux dégoûté (Erik Satie) Brett Carson, piano WELCOME Rev. Leslie Takahashi
Kathe Cairns, Board Representative SHARE THE PLATE - Winter Nights Rev. Rodney Lemery EXCHANGE OF GREETINGS INVOCATION “Ubi caritas” (Taize chant)
Ubi caritas et amor, ubi caritas Deus ebi est (Where charity and love abound, God is there.)
LIGHTING OF THE CHALICE 9:15 Susie Symons 11:15 Jim Hasse
Each week we light a chalice, which has become a symbol for Unitarian Universalists and our engagement in the world. CALL TO WORSHIP Bill Yarborough, Worship Associate HYMN “86, “Blessed Spirit of My Life”
This hymn’s music and words were written by Shelley Jackson Denham, a Unitarian Universalist and the director of extension and worship at The Mountain, NC. The text was written as a prayer.
TIME FOR ALL AGES “Celebrating Chinese New Year!!” SINGING THE CHILDREN AND TEACHERS TO THEIR CLASSES
As you go, may joy surround you; as you go, go in peace; Know our love is with you always, as you go, as you go.
JOYS AND SORROWS Rev. Leslie Takahashi MEDITATION HYMN #15, “The Lone Wild Bird”
Henry R. MacFayden was pastor of a Presbyterian church in North Carolina when he wrote this poem for a hymn-writing contest. It is set to a tune from The Southern Harmony, a 19th century European-American shape-note singing collection.
TIME OF MEDITATION AND PRAYER Rev. Leslie Takahashi MUSICAL OFFERING “Words” (Anders Edenroth) MDUUC House Band! CALL FOR THE OFFERING Bill Yarborough OFFERTORY Improvisation Brett Carson, piano
Each week during the Offertory we light two pillar candles to acknowledge that we are living in a nation at war. The candles represent our wishes for all whose lives are endangered by the conflict, and our hopes for peace. While the offering is received you are invited to come forward and select a stone to place in the column of water representing our community life, sharing it as a sign of remembrance and hope. Feel free to watch and hold your intention as your stone settles into the water’s embrace.
DEDICATION OF THE OFFERING “To the work of this community, in transforming ourselves and our world, we dedicate ourselves and our offerings.”
REFLECTION Rev. Rodney Lemery MUSICAL INTERLUDE SERMON “For Love of Language” Rev. Leslie Takahashi CLOSING HYMN #128, “For All that is Our Life”
When he was a member of the Hymnal Commission responsible for Singing the Living Tradition, Rev. Mark Belletini shared these words from British Unitarian Bruce Findlow with a California rock musician named Patrick Rickey. Within twenty-four hours this hymn was born.
BENEDICTION AND EXTINGUISHING THE CHALICE POSTLUDE “Take Five” (Paul Desmond) MDUUC Jazz Trio
Please be seated. We ask that those who wish to leave during the Postlude please do so quietly, so that the music may be enjoyed in its entirety by those who choose to remain.
Please join us for coffee hour following the service. Thank you to our ushers today. Audio and video support is provided by Colin Ketcham, Jim Botts and Brian Seamount. The flowers were arranged by Mariann Kessler. Elsie Mills, Nancy Rivara, and Paul Damrow will be at the Umbrella Table. Coffee Service is provided by Jennifer Tate, Carol Sue Tracy, Dianna Lowell, Rana Miller-Owen, and Carol Gogstad. The Caring Listeners are Karl Livengood and Randall Wiley. NEXT SUNDAY: 9:15: "Precious Treasure" - with Balazs Scholar Rev. Lehel Molnar - Our faith heritage is one of the freedoms that people have been persecuted for throughout the centuries. How we live our lives is a major aspect of how our heritage is transmitted to the next generation. Come hear a story from our Unitarian cousins in Transylvania – our shared history stretches back 450 years. 11:15: “Can I Touch Your Hair?” Join us for a multigenerational service which celebrates friendship across difference. This will be a service for all ages which will help us remember why friendship matters and why we need one another. Led by Indigo Lewis and the ministry team. PLEASE RECYCLE THIS PRINT-OUT AT THE TABLE AT THE BACK OF THE SANCTUARY GREEN REMINDER: WHEN WE TRY TO PICK OUT ANYTHING BY ITSELF, WE FIND IT HITCHED TO EVERYTHING ELSE IN THE UNIVERSE. - JOHN MUIR
This Week at Mount Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church
Sunday, February 3 9:00 a.m. Sunday Meditation Group (Fireside Room) 9:15 and 11:15 a.m. Worship 10:15 a.m. Children’s Choir (Children’s Chapel) 11:00 a.m. Coming of Age (Children’s Chapel) 1:00 p.m. Getting to Know UU (Children’s Chapel) 1:00 p.m. YRUU Group (Sequoia Room) 1:00 p.m. Minister’s Special Forum 1:00 p.m. Harmony Singers Rehearsal (Fireside Room) 1:00 p.m. Nominating Committee (Heritage Room) 2:30 p.m. MDUUC - Join Us (Children’s Chapel) 4:00 p.m. AA Meeting (Fireside Room) 4:30 p.m. Parents Meeting Al-Anon (Owl Room) Monday, February 4 7:00 p.m. Books and Connections (Fireside Room) 7:15 p.m. Yoga (Bortin Hall) Tuesday, February 5 5:30 p.m. The 12 Steps for UUs (Sequoia Room) 7:00 p.m. SURJ Steering Committee (Sequoia Room) 7:00 p.m. Community Circle (Redwood Room) 7:30 p.m. Stewardship Committee (Owl Room) 7:30 p.m. Improv (Mirror Room) Wednesday, February 6 5:30 p.m. Vespers (Sanctuary) 6:00 p.m. Family Community Circle (Fireside Room) 6:30 p.m. Community Dinner (Bortin Hall) 7:30 p.m. Counterweight Values for Our Times: A UU Conversation Thursday, February 7 10:00 a.m. Program Meeting (Scaff Office) 10:30 a.m. Open Women’s Group Luncheon (Bortin Hall) 2:00 p.m. Celebration and Tea for Til Evans 7:15 p.m. Membership Committee (Owl Room) 7:30 p.m. Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary) Friday, February 8 10:30 a.m. Parent/Grandparent Toddler Playgroup (Children’s Chapel) 12:00 p.m. Grief Group (Redwood Room) 4:30 p.m. Coffee & Conversation (offsite 6:00 p.m. Tween Mother/Daughter Group (Owl and Sequoia Room) 7:00 p.m. Racing Extinction (Bortin Hall) Saturday, February 9 9:00 a.m. Men’s Breakfast (Owl Room) 9:00 a.m. Beach Walk (Pt. Reyes) 11:00 a.m. Intern Committee (Fireside Room) 6:30 p.m. Dances of Universal Peace (Bortin Hall)
Announcements for the Week of 2/3/2019
Please feel free to pull out this section to take home! ***********************************************************************************
Ministers’ Salon - Because people have requested further background and information about our conversation about race and bias, Rev. Leslie will present a conversation about the history of these issues within Unitarian Universalism from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. TODAY in the Sanctuary.
Celebration Tea for Til Evans. A celebration of life with afternoon tea will be held this Thursday at 2 p.m. in the Children’s Chapel of the Gilmartin Building. We are also collecting succulents to honor Til with a garden near the Scaff Building. If you are attending the service, please bring a tea item to share. If you have succulents to donate, please contact Rev. Leslie or Tristan Thielman.
Books and Connections - Monday, Feb. 4, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room. Happiness is taking refuge from winter with a long and satisfying novel, like this month’s read: “Pachinko,” by Min Jin Lee. Join our conversation about the saga of four generations of a Korean family who outlive the tyranny of colonization. While learning how love, loyalty, faith and identity can save a people, we may see parallels with our own families. For more information and our discussion guide, contact [email protected]. The 12 Steps for Unitarian Universalists - Tuesdays, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Join us as we share our experience, strength, and hope with one another at MDUUC. Regardless of what kind of addiction you have, or whether the word addiction even feels right for you, you are welcome to join us as we explore what it means to be both a Unitarian Universalist and someone in recovery.
Vespers - Wednesday, February 6, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. A weekly quiet gathering with music, meditation, and community in the Sanctuary. This week led by Rev. Leslie Takahashi on the question of “How Are We Beloved?” Quiet Taize-style music, unison readings and a chance to share what is on your heart make this circle the perfect space for those seeking healing, connection, and peace.
Community Dinners Are Back Each Wednesday Evening! We are excited that our own Noah Reyes has joined us as our lead chef for our dinners in 2019. Please come and enjoy a simple meal. We will be reintroducing “curious questions” on different themes around faith and identity at our meals which will allow us to get to know each other better. Dinners are held at 6:30 p.m., following Vespers.
Counterweight Values for Our Times: A Unitarian Universalist Conversation. Wednesday, February 6, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. This week we will have an important conversation about the role of covenant among us. Meets on the first and third Wednesday through May. With Rev. Leslie Takahashi and Intern Minister Aaron Eaves.
Open Women’s Group - The Open Women's Group luncheon this month will be on Thursday, February 7, 2019 in Bortin Hall. This month will discuss books we've read in the past year. Come with a book you'd like to share, or just come to listen and get great recommendations for the coming year. Please arrive promptly at 10:30 am and bring food to share with 6-8 people.
Donate by Texting any amount to 84321 to give. You can even use this for our special collection today. If you have never set up Text-to-Give, you'll be asked to select MDUUC and set up a payment method. From then on giving will be as simple as sending a text.
**************************************************************************** The Winter Adult Religious Education (ARE) brochure is now available online at https://www.mduuc.org/learn/adult-programs/ or in Bortin Hall. Please check the calendar at https://mduuc.org/events to RSVP for our classes and events (including Community Dinner). It’s nice to know whether you will be attending!
****************************************************************************
Being Sanctuary: Want to make a difference? At Mt. Diablo UU Church we strive to bring to life our Unitarian Universalist values as we seek truth and work for justice and bridge the divisions that wound the human family. As you consider how you are moved to answer the call of love, here are some suggestions for action.
ACTION
Support non-governmental organizations and people of conscience providing humanitarian aid to migrants and refugees in the US borderlands and globally. Humanitarian aid is never a crime! https://actionnetwork.org/forms/nmdpublicsupport/
A new report estimates that thousands of children were being separated from their parents for at least one year before the administration announced their separation policy to the public. HHS officials failed to keep records of the identity or tracking of these children because they say they were not legally required to do so before the June 2018 court order. Read report and take action here:https://tinyurl.com/ycbvan46
Learn about House Resolution 8 which is intended to update our national background check laws, and help keep our communities safe from gun violence. https://tinyurl.com/y8c3qb4y
If you haven’t already, add your personal pronouns to your nametag at church and make a commitment to wearing it when you are here. For more information about why pronouns matter go here: https://www.mypronouns.org/what-and-why/
Attend Paul Kivel’s workshop on February 24th at 2 p.m. in Bortin Hall.
Attend the training on February 28th at 6:30 p.m. in the Children’s Chapel to learn what microaggressions are and how understanding them helps us to better live out our values of radical hospitality and Beloved Community.
Racing Extinction - Saturday, February 9, 7:00 p.m., Bortin Hall. Join us for the film, “Racing Extinction,” Saturday, February 9, 7:00 p.m., Bortin Hall. This event is co-sponsored by MDUUC’s Green Group, the Interfaith Climate Action Network of Contra Costa County, and the Mt. Diablo Peace and Justice Center. Following the movie young people from the Sunrise Movement will talk about the Green New Deal. This is the group that has been in the news
recently and endorsed by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and others.
LGBTQ Awareness and Welcome - Sundays, Feb. 10 and March 10, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. in Children’s Chapel. MDUUC first formally became a LBGTQ Welcoming Congregation in 1991. However, a lot has changed in the areas of sexuality and gender since then! Join us as we dive into these changes and learn about how we as individuals and a congregation can be more welcoming to our LBGTQ members, friends, and allies. These workshops will be part of our congregation’s renewal as a Welcoming Congregation. Led by Intern Minister Aaron Eaves.
A Space for Spirit - Tuesdays, February 13, 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. in the Oak Room. Whether you call it God, the Gods, Spirit, or by another name, if you have a relationship with a Higher Power this may be the group for you! Together, we will create a space for mutual support, as we reflect on our journeys, share our stories with one another, and engage in spiritual practice together. Suggested Donation: $5. Ongoing, 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month.
Beloved Commitments Movie Night - February 15, 7:00—9:00 p.m in the Children’s Chapel. On a Friday of each month we come together to deepen our conversation on race, through collective viewing of a movie/video, followed by spirited, supportive conversation. This month: Disobedience tells the David vs Goliath tales of front line leaders around the world risking life and limb in the fight for a liveable climate. Interwoven with this riveting verité footage are the most renowned voices in the global conversation around social movements and climate justice for a series that is personal, passionate and powerful. The stakes could not be higher, nor the missions more critical. The film is 45 minutes long and will be followed by an opportunity to discuss it’s content and where we go as a religious community with the knowledge shared in the film. Led by Rev. Neal Anderson. Suggested Donation: $5
Relationships, Boundaries, and Healthy Communication -Saturday, February 16 , 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in Bortin Hall. Join us in this exciting workshop hosted by the Pastoral Visitors program, where we will be providing tools that are useful to parents, partners, caregivers, and more! We will explore what it means to communicate both effectively and compassionately, how to know where our boundaries are and ways to honor them, and how to give and receive care in a way that is life-affirming and sustaining.
Tween Mother/Daughter Group - Saturday, February 16, 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. in Oak and Sequoia Room. Want to stay connected with your pre-adolescent daughter and help her thrive while getting the support you need to do the tough work of mothering? Join Indigo Lewis in a monthly gathering for mothers and their tween daughters that fosters continued connection during this time of change. Our gatherings will begin with meeting separately for guided checkin and games, then coming back together for food and shared activities that help support and deepen your relationship. This gathering is best for girls in grades 4—6.
Will or Trust – is it enough? You don’t know what you don’t know - Time and time again financial planners and estate attorneys run into situations where a client’s will or trust does not actually accomplish what they had planned for it to do. Situations change, laws change and associated documents can conflict. Are you sure you are “set”? Is it structured to minimize tax liabilities for your loved ones? Did you want to leave a legacy to your favorite charity? Did the questions give you just a teensy bit of pause?
You are in luck: MDUUC has such an incredible pool of talent and generosity in our membership that the Legacy Committee is able to offer you a free and easy seminar by a group of experts to cover just the most common pitfalls. It will be informative, entertaining and be ushered in by a delicious light lunch. Mark your calendars for Sunday, February 17, after the 2nd service – 1:15 p.m. in Bortin Hall. Weather permitting, lunch seating may spill over onto the side patio. For questions or to RSVP please register at https://mduuc.org/events
Register NOW for Mystery Pals! - Join us in our popular UU Program that encourages communication between the generations and fosters fun and fellowship. Mystery Pals is an intergenerational opportunity for adults and children to get to know one another while their identities remain TOP SECRET. The pals communicate with each other by way of Mystery Pal Pockets that are hung in the Children's Chapel and Bortin Hall. Adults send letters to their young pals with clues to help the children guess their identity, while children write about their hobbies, pets and favorite foods. The Secret Pal Program culminates with an “unveiling” Secret Pal Ice Cream Party where the pals meet for the first time. Register at https://form.jotform.com/90247070360146 or in Bortin Hall. Exchanges begin Feb. 17th, with the big Reveal party on March 17th. If you are an adult or a high school youth who would like to be someone's "Pal," please register.
Nominating Committee Seeks Input - The Nominating Committee seeks your input to identify candidates for leadership positions for 2019 - 2020, including self-nominations. If you wish to nominate or have any questions about the process, please ask any member of the Nominating Committee, or contact: [email protected]. More detail at https://sites.google.com/a/mduuc.org/nominating-committee/current-projects. Come to the General Assembly of the UUA, Spokane, WA, June 19 - 23. If you're interested in enjoying this amazing experience, go to the UUA website (https://www.uua.org/ga), and learn all about GA. To download forms and more information on becoming an MDUUC delegate, go to https://www.mduuc.org/who-we-are/our-denomination/
Accompaniment Team Formed - We are happy to announce that we have a team accompanying A.S., a 28 year old asylum seeker from Guinea. Please look for more information about the team and S. in the next Beacon.
