A BRIGHT FUTURE

My, how quickly the days pass. It’s hard for me to believe that we are already halfway through the church year. Furthermore, this year we are celebrating 50 years in our beautiful Montemalaga church. So this evening, as President Obama delivers the State of the Union address, I find myself pondering the state of our church. Just as with our nation, we have come through some difficult times, and perhaps some of us still feel a bit shaky and uncertain as we look to the future. And while we will undoubtedly have some more difficult times ahead, I’m confident that things are perking up and the future of PUC is bright.

One spot that seems particularly bright is reflected in the fine work being done by our Preschool Task Force. Hopefully most of you know that we are working hard this year to figure out whether, how and when to replace the preschool that that met in PUC for many years. For a lot of reasons, and after careful consideration of alternatives, your Trustees have chosen to investigate developing our own, PUC-affiliated preschool rather than simply renting out our space. To this end, we have chartered a task force to explore this issue this year. That team has been doing terrific work and have moved from a simple spreadsheet Godfrey created in August, to a robust plan on how we might support a Fall 2015 opening of Pacific Sage Preschool. To this end, they have recently created a lovely Facebook page and sent out the first of three mailings to judge the market; seeking input from interested parents in the surrounding area. If you know of anyone in our area, with children between three and five, please point them our way! Your Trustees and the members of the Preschool Task Force will be working together throughout the remainder of January and into February to decide whether to commit to this exciting and important new undertaking.

So as I reflect on the state of our church, I realize that I’m proud to be your President in this important year here at PUC, and I’m humbled by the talent, commitment and generosity I see all around me in this our beloved congregation.

                Sincerely,

                Clay Bosler
                President, PUC Board of Trustees
                310-779-7540

Long time member Shirley Mokren died on January 14th, 2015 after a long illness. She was born on March 26, 1919. She and her husband were very active in the church and instrumental in its early years of formation.  Shirley will be remembered for her love of literature and her many friends.  There will be a graveside service Monday January 26th at 2:00 p.m. at Green Hills Cemetery in San Pedro.  Everyone is welcome. A "Circle of Remembrance" will follow in the near future.  We are in need of six pall bearers. If you are able to help please contact Rev. John.

Shop, Dine Out, and Earn $$$ for PUC

 Click on this eScrip link to find out more     http://www.escrip.com/howitworks/index.jsp.     The information and link are also available on the PUC Members Section of the PUC website.  If you need the password for the Member section, call the PUC office at (310) 378-9449 on Tuesday through Friday between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

 The eScrip site includes grocery stores (Vons, Vons Pavilion, Bristol Farms, etc.) as well as online shopping, and a list of participating restaurants!  Just register on-line with your grocery Club Cards, choosing PUC as your non-profit organization, then register your debit/credit (for grocery stores), and any credit cards you use when shopping and/or dining out.

 When you click on the above link, or the eScrip logo in the Members Section of our PUC website, you can find participating stores.  Online shopping includes Amazon.com!  So remember to go through the eScrip site when accessing Amazon, and PUC automatically receives a % based on your spending.

 See Pam Harris or Judy Shaffer on the patio this Sunday for more information.

Join The Sprint To Achieve Our Goal!

The Women's Reading and Responding
Book Club
3rd Monday of each month
11:00 a.m.
PUC Library

             Feb: Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley
             March: Breathing Lessons by Anne Tyler
             April: Water is Wide by Pat Conroy

Please read and join us!

Robin Arehart

Writing as a Spiritual Activity 
January 26
6:30 pm. to 8:00 p.m.-ish
PUC 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!

Janet Steinberg

Resurrection of a Much Needed Program

At one time PUC was accepting recyclables like batteries and printer cartridges, as well as serving as a collection point for prescription medications that require proper disposal.  Social Justice is working to reinstate this program and is looking for volunteers to help.  If this is a mission that speaks to you, please contact Naresh Deo at ndeo@earthlink.net.

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