BLACK LIVES MATTER

This week a group from PUC joined our sisters and brothers from the Long Beach UU Church and hundreds of others in a candlelight vigil for those slain by police using excessive force.  It was a deeply moving procession with speeches, prayers and meditation using Eric Garner last words “I can’t breathe”.

This is all part of a larger national campaign under the banner “Black Lives Matter” in hopes of encouraging dialog and reform in the way we police our cities and prosecute abuses of police power.  It is also deeply tied to addressing the institutional racism which still exists in our nation.

Many of my colleagues have adopted this mantra “Black Lives Matter” in their sermons, editorializing and even on their signs in front of their churches. My colleague Rev. Daniel Schatz in Buxmont, PA put that message on his street side sign. It wasn’t long before he received a letter from a local resident who was upset that he singled out black people, when “all lives matter”, claiming that God is color blind to the color of our skin.

Daniel response was profound:  “Central to Unitarian Universalism is the affirmation of the inherent worth and dignity of every person. Unfortunately, our society has long history of treating some people as less valuable than others…To say Black lives matter is not to say that other lives do not; indeed it is quite the reverse - it is to recognize that all lives do matter, and to acknowledge that African Americans are often targeted unfairly”.  It is precisely because African Americans and Latinos and any person of color is targeted that we need to hold up this distinction.  Black lives matter as much as all lives matter.

I do not believe God is color blind.  Why would there be such a palate of culture and skin color if we were meant to ignore that diversity? It is precisely because we are different that our laws and moral values need to treat each of as equal citizens.

In order for us to overcome the institutional racism that is our national heritage, we will need to stand up for those who are persecuted merely for being different. Difference is our wealth, Oppression of that difference is our poverty.

I encourage you stand up to those who thinks we should all be color blind. We live in a brilliant world that needs our prophetic voice now more than ever.

With Grace and Grit, Rev. John
 

We Nurture and Cherish
Our Children and Youth

COMING UP IN FAMILY RELIGIOUS EDUCATION*

Each week all ages gather in Henrickson Hall, PUC’s main worship sanctuary, to sing, light our Chalice, and hear a Story for All Ages.   After the story, children and youth head out to the classrooms.  Every other week there are small group sessions by age.  On alternate weeks we all meet together for our children's chapel. Once a month, everyone remains in the hall for an intergenerational worship service.  Childcare, with plenty of toys and caring child care providers,  is always available in the nursery in Classroom 3 starting at 10:00 a.m. 

December 14    Regular Classes

December 21    Intergenerational Worship Service

December 28    No Religious Education Program,  
                         childcare available

January 4         Children's Chapel

January 11       Regular Classes

January 18       Intergenerational Worship Service

January 25       Regular Classes - MLK Weekend

*”Religious Education” in Unitarian Universalism is what many call “Sunday School” in other denominations.  For more information about our Family Religious Education program look here.
 

COMING SOON
 

Look for information in future issues of The View on Coming of Age, a remarkable 7th to 10th grade rite of passage program coming this Spring!

I grew up in Pismo Beach and graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a Liberal Arts degree and teaching credential.  Although my family was not religious, I became involved in a fundamentalist Christian church from Jr high school through college.  I stopped attending church after college and for all these years since, have not been involved in any type of church.  I am thrilled to have found PUC and am learning to find a new meaning for "church".

I moved to So Cal after college and taught 3rd grade for 5 years.  A career change took me into the business world, and I worked for Sit 'n Sleep for 14 years, growing professionally as their business grew.  Currently, I work for a local glass tile manufacturer as their Customer Service Manager. 

I am a single-mother by choice.  My son, Alex, is now 16 and a Junior at Torrance High School.  He is a wonderful kid who brings great joy into my life.  The other most significant person in my life, Gloria, lives in NJ, and we have worked to keep a relationship going over the miles for the last 10+ years.  We are making plans to close the miles between us once Alex graduates from high school.

 

HOLIDAY DROP-IN GRIEF SUPPORT
Various Locations on the PUC Campus

For those who want to share support with others who are experiencing a loss and facing the holidays. This peer group is run in a flexible format with facilitation. We will share our stories and discuss ways to prepare and engage in active self-care over the holiday season. A diversity of  ages, beliefs, practices and values are welcome.

There are no fees, and no preregistration is required.  The location for the day will be posted on the door of the Director of Congregational Advancement, next to the kitchen.

• Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. December 16
• Wednesday at noon December 17
• Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. December 17

Kim Gosney, M.Div. serves as facilitator. Kim is a member of the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association. She is a trained hospice volunteer, has training in death midwifery and home funeral facilitation with Beth Knox of Crossings and, as founder of Alive and Mortal, presents workshops and lectures focused on the deep work of "evolving bonds™", rituals and impermanence.
 

Harbor Interfaith Collects Food
for the Holidays  

The Holidays are here and food is a part of the festivities. For years PUC has helped make this a reality for families in need by helping to stock the food pantry at Harbor Interfaith Services in San Pedro.  Holiday food will be collected from now until after Christmas.  Basic staples are needed:  canned vegetables, canned fruit, canned yams & canned cranberries sauce, plus all types of mixes in a box, basic staples like sugar, flour, coffee & tea, condiments like catchup, mayo & mustard, and jello & pudding mixes.

Why not add a few items to your grocery cart on each trip to the store between now and the holidays?  It’s a wonderful learning experience for your children and grandchildren.  Making your donations couldn’t be easier.  Drop them off at the  donation basket is by the door as you enter the Sanctuary.

One Voice LA 
Thursday, December 18  7:30 p.m.

Imagine hundreds and hundreds of psyched volunteers packing food baskets in an airplane hanger.  Wow.  Now imagine yourself there.  Join us for our annual food packing event to serve the Los Angeles families in need of food.  There will be car pools leaving from PUC to take us to this family-friendly event.  For more information check out the One Voice LA website here.

GUEST AT YOUR TABLE

Please continue displaying your Guest at Your Table box, bowl, plate, shoe box, any way you choose to honor our guests that continue to work in so many social justice areas around the world. Their tireless work deserves our recognition. 

Guest at Your Table is an annual fundraiser and education program that supports UUSC's human rights work.  This year's Guest at Your Table theme is food sustainability.  We invite everyone to take part during the holidays: families, small groups, congregation, and community organizations.

With your tax deductible donation, great or small, automatically gives you annual membership in UUSC which has earned the highest possible rating from Charity Navigator, America's largest independent evaluator of nonprofit organizations.  This "exceptional" rating reflects UUSC's consistent execution of its mission in a fiscally responsible way.

Learn more about UUSC's inspiring work and, if you like, how you can help at uusc.org.  To get a Guest at Your Table box, or if you have questions, contact PUC's Sandy McNeil, UUSC Ministry.

Writing as a Spiritual Activity 
December 22
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.-ish
Library

Drop in any 2nd or 4th Monday evening at PUC to share writing time.   We write for 30 minutes on whatever is on our mind or in our hearts, followed by the opportunity to share our writing and allow others to respond.  Some food for thought will be available to get our pens moving.   Drop-in.   $2 donations accepted.

 Bring paper or journal and pen!

Facilitator: Janet Steinberg

SMALL GROUP FACILITATOR TRAINING
JANUARY 2015

The purpose of the SGFT program is to cultivate trusted members of the congregation to grow in small group facilitation skills, teaching specific methods for building community through CONNECT small groups. We are seeking people with a heart for others to join us in this important training and work. Contact Kim Gosney to be on the mailing list. Our groups will always leave an empty chair in the circle, to indicate that we know there are people out there who are seeking what we have found, and to remind ourselves that those seekers are always welcome among us

Gentle Yoga Class for All
Wednesdays
11:30 a.m to 12:30 p.m.
Henrickson Hall

A Class designed for all levels, shapes, and ages.  We will focus on a gentle practice through movement:

To help unblock your flow of energy Increase your mental and physical flexibility while releasing stress and enhancing body awareness

Poses and exercises to build strength, relieve pain and stress, and improve balance

Suggested Donation: $15/class.  Taught by Debi Robinson

Questions: Debi@omhappy.com