The View: PUC's weekly newsletter
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December 3, 2015
Please send View submissions  to newsletter@pacificunitarian.org 
by noon on Wednesday.
Sunday Service 10:30 a.m.
Child care is available starting at 10:00 a.m.
Join us for some radical hospitality after the service!

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Change in View Submissions Deadline
 
Articles and announcements schedule…
For the week of

 
  • Christmas – due at noon Tuesday December 22
  • New Year – due at noon Tuesday December 29

Thank you for turning in your announcements early!


 

 
Contents
Festival Of Lights

This coming Sunday is very special - our Festival of Lights play. We’d like to make sure all kids and families are seated in the front rows for this inter-generational service! We will be touring all the major religions this morning, seeking light in each one - and recruiting actors from the audience!
 
Every major world religion speaks a language of light.  This Sunday, we will be saying: “Let there be light!”
 
Just a foretaste: Jews worldwide light their menorahs, eight-branch candelabras, to celebrate the Hanukkah miracle of enduring faith triumphing over evil. Diwali, the festival when a billion Hindus, Sikhs and Jains light lanterns and small earthen lamps, made nights' glow. Lights awaken awareness of God and the triumph of good over evil.
Muslims speak of the source of light — inspiring, motivating and guiding God’s people. Yet, neither God nor faith is required to find the deepest beauty in light from the cosmos, an artist’s canvas or a song.... Come this Sunday to learn more!
 
Whether we’re religious or atheist, scientist or philosopher, we all share a love of light in our ordinary understanding of the world.
 
Best,
Kim

December 6th, Sermon 

Festival of Lights
 
Join us for our traditional midwinter celebration! We will wander among the world's traditions through readings and music. 

Reverend James Ford and Kim Gosney 

 

December 13th, Sermon
A UU THEOLOGY OF STAR WARS
 
Our youth group has convinced James that Star Wars is filled with spiritual teachings appropriate to Unitarian Universalists. Today we shall see...

The Youth Group & James
Who's That?

To contact people named in The View please see the PUC Directory which is available in the Members Section of the PUC website.  If you need the password for the Members Section, or if you do not have access to a computer, contact the PUC Office for help accessing it.  The phone number and office hours are listed each week at the very bottom of The View.
Important Message
 
 
The Views’ volunteer editor Lora Childers is taking some much needed time off. We thank her for her generous gift of time and for going the extra mile week after week. Going forward please direct any articles or flyers to Gaberiel Gaynair, the church office administrator, at newsletter@pacificunitarian.org.
 
 
 
Joys
&
Concerns

Craig Block is at City of Hope for his long-awaited stem cell transplant. Back in spring, he had donated his own stem cells, so he's good to go. He's expected to require a three-to six-week stay for the process.

Cards would be appreciated, addressed to him @ City of Hope, 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010 - 3000.
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Come join friends in the PUC Library on Sunday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 and join the Joys and Sorrows Circle.  The Circle gives a compassionate space for sharing and listening.  Organized by Sandy McNeil.  
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To have your joy or concern appear here, send it to
joysandconcerns@pacificunitarian.org 
or call the PUC office.  For information on how to do so, scroll down to the
end of The View.
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If you have a pastoral concern, or know of someone in need, please contact Kim Gosney, our Minister of Congregational Life at (310)504-4919 or email 
pastoralcare@pacificunitarian.org.
 

Sunday Hospitality
Volunteers

It takes many hands to
make a Sunday.  Special thanks
to all of our volunteers!


Greeters
Jean Tordella
Peggy Tigerman

Welcoming Trustee
Dee Masters

Welcome Table
Lee Ann Hart
Missy Rogers

Top Chef
Andy Kissner

Usher
Carlos Angeles
Brad Shreve
 
Holiday Fair Trade
Sunday, December 13
11:30 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.

Holiday Fair Trade Sale at Pacific Unitarian Church

The public is invited to do some "guilt-free" shopping at the Sunday, Dec. 13 Holiday Fair Trade Fair at Pacific Unitarian Church, 5621 Montemalaga, Rancho Palos Verdes.

The free event is 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and will feature gifts from more than a dozen fair trade artisans and farmers from around the world. For sale will be jewelry, coffee/tea, olive oil, clothing, and arts/crafts.

Free parking is available in the church lot.
Plan to do any shopping this holiday season at Amazon.com? If so, use smile.amazon.com instead. 

You get the exact same amazon but Amazon makes a small donation to Pacific Unitarian Church when you shop. 

Happy shopping!  http://smile.amazon.com/ch/95-2250196  
“The purpose of life is not to be happy.  It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson (maybe — but even if not, it’s a good quote!)
 

Harbor Interfaith Adopt-a-Family Program
 
PUC will be playing Santa Claus!  As a congregation, we will adopt two Harbor Interfaith families, fulfilling some of their needs and holiday wishes.
 
The Zapata Family, mom, Bellaneth, father, Edgar, and their three daughters aged 14, 12 and 10, are struggling to pay the rent.  Edgar was working two jobs until one of them was completed and the other cut back his hours.  
The Coe Family, headed by single mom, Adrien, has had a difficult year.  They lost their apartment and “lived here and there” until they moved into Harbor Interfaith’s shelter last May.  Adrien and her three children, boys aged 17 and 14 and a 2- year- old daughter, recently moved into a new apartment with assistance from HIS.
 
Please stop by the Social Justice table to choose from a variety of gift requests in various price ranges to contribute toward our families’ Christmas wishes.  All wrapped gifts must be returned to PUC no later than December 16. 
Then join us for a wonderful celebration of the season when we have the unique opportunity to meet our adopted families, deliver our gifts and share a holiday lunch at the HIS Block Party on Saturday, December 19.  Volunteers will also be needed that day to help serve food at the Block Party.
 
Mitten Tree
 
You’ll notice a holiday “Mitten Tree” in the hall this Sunday.  We are asking the congregation to help us decorate it for a good cause!  Bring in new or gently used and laundered hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, and socks and place them on our tree.  This collection of “ornaments” will be delivered to the homeless through our outreach partners, including Harbor Interfaith.  The tree can serve as a weekly reminder of the true purpose of our coming together as a congregation — to make a difference in the world. 
 
 
One Voice, Santa Monica
 
Keeping with tradition, PUC members again will volunteer with One Voice at its family-friendly packaging operation at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica on Thursday, December 17, beginning at 7:30 p.m.  Families with children are welcome! Stop by the Social Justice table to sign up or email Cindy Byrne at cindybyrnemb@yahoo.com.
 
Each year One Voice provides Christmas food baskets, toys and books to 2,500 families (12,500 people) living in poverty in the Los Angeles area. All of the families are referred through the Head Start Program and meet federal and state mandated poverty levels.  In the spirit of the holidays, each child receives books and toys given personally by Santa and every family takes home a basket overflowing with all the makings of a wonderful holiday meal.  Join us to participate in this valuable holiday service.
 
 
 

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Our colorful Guest at Your Table boxes are here! The boxes and Stories of Hope are key components to our annual fund raiser. The boxes are kept at your dinner table or other gathering space throughout the program.  While the box is there to to collect your loose change and bills, it also serves as an important physical reminder of the work UUSC and our partners are doing to defend human rights around the world.

Stories of Hope is a booklet where you will find inspiring stories about UUSC's partners and their amazing work. Keep a copy near your box.  Each time you gather near the box (for dinner, as an example) you might read through one of the stories, discuss it, and consider the profound ways a Guest at Your Table gift will help advance human rights.

Holiday cards have also arrived! Check them out this Sunday on the patio.

Sandy McNeil, UUSC Ministry

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RE News

It's not too late to RSVP for our Tree-Trimming Potluck held this Sat. evening from 5-8.  Come join us for food and friendship, making merry, and great music provided by Severin from 6:30 to 8.  There will be ornaments to make, cookies to decorate, and a tree to trim, not to mention lots of great folks to have a good meal with.  All are invited, bring your friends, and come have fun!  RSVP to Vicki at religiouseducation@thecenteratpuc.org.

 

This Sunday the children will stay in the sanctuary for a multi-generational service, a new rendition of the “Festival of Lights”.  Bring your enthusiasm and volunteer for a role.  Kids are needed for many roles, also.  Come join the fun and start the season with thoughts on the importance of light in the darkest days.

 

Sunday the 13th will be regularly scheduled RE classes for our kids.  Thank their teacher when you pick them up from class.  It is a huge gift of time and talent that teachers give our church.

 

Please help our Social Justice Committee by signing up to buy a gift for one of the family members we have adopted.  If shopping is difficult for you, say so and something can be arranged to help you out.  Please plan to attend the luncheon scheduled at Harbor Interfaith if you donate.  It is an important way of showing your commitment to Pacific Unitarian, and the larger community to participate in this event.  It is friendly to all generations, so please, give the gift of your treasure and your time this season to make a special day for folks who will really appreciate it.

 

Finally, please look for RE's sale table this Sunday and the 13th, where we will be “selling” items for you to donate for the kids at Tobeman Center in San Pedro.  Thanks to Greg Garcia for coordinating this effort once again.


See you Saturday at the Party!


Love and Wonder,
Vicki
Director of Religious Education
veejaygavel@gamil.com

Religious Education Fall Calendar*  

 

November
Our post-service craft sessions continue through mid November.  This activity is staffed by your DRE and Child Care Providers and will meet from noon until 1:00 p.m.  Children must be signed in. Parents and others welcomed to participate.

December 6: “Solve It Sunday” led by Michele Bethune

December
December 13: RE Classes
December 20: Solstice Celebration with Vicki

*Adjustments are always a possibility.
Playing In the Sage

“After nourishment, shelter and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world.”
                                                             ---- Philip Pullman

Pacific Sage Preschool had its first Story and Art Time on Saturday morning November 14th, and it was yet again another beautiful day in the neighborhood!

After stories in the Gazebo, which included a PSP Improvisational Children's Theater production of "The Three Little Pigs", the children and their families had story related art projects waiting for them inside the school.  Along with the art projects, the children were able to explore our beautiful environment and materials and parents could see the Reggio Philosophy in action.

All the families who joined us had a wonderful time and are now anxiously waiting for their children to turn 3...so they can join us!

This “Story and Art Time” was sort of a test run and such a success, that we would like to make it a monthly activity for the community.

So for our story time event for the month of December, Pacific Sage Preschool invites children of ALL ages to join us for...

A Winter Solstice Breakfast and Stories with Santa
Monday, December 21, 2015
10:00AM - 11:30AM
 
This is the first day of Winter and a wonderful way to get into the spirit of the season (and help Santa carbo-load for his marathon trip around the world a few days later).
Our community events are generally free, but this is going to be a fundraising event to benefit UNICEF, which works to help at risk children worldwide. 

The cost for a delicious pancake breakfast, stories & art activities and a quick visit with “Santa True” (for those last minute wishes) is $5 for adults and children 3 and older.

For tickets and more information, visit the event page on our website pacificsagepreschool.org or contact us at (424) 241-0308 or info@pacificsage preschool.org

See you there and spread the Word!
 
Warmly,
Sylvia
Director
Pacific Sage Preschool

Women Reading and Responding Book Club
Third Monday of Each Month
Next: December 21
11:00 a.m.
PUC Library

Hi Ladies -

Looking forward to your joining us to discuss the following books with you on the third Monday at 11 am in PUC library. Please remember to bring or forward your book suggestions so we can plan ahead for the coming months. Paperback titles please!
 
    December: The Shipping News by E. Annie Proulx
    January: The Girl in the Swing by Richard Adams
 
Looking forward to having you join us! Contact Robin Arehart if you have any questions.
Yours,
Robin
 

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Gentle Yoga Class for All
Wednesdays
11:30 a.m to 12:30 p.m.
Henriksen 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 and increase your mental and physical flexibility while releasing stress and enhancing body awareness.  Poses and exercises build strength, relieve pain and stress, and improve balance.  Questions: Debi@omhappy.com.

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

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This Sunday's Flowers 

Deep in their roots,
all flowers keep the light.

~Theodore Roethke 


Please sign up for your turn to bring Sunday's Flowers on the Flower Calendar inside the door of the PUC Office.

This week's flowers are contributed by
John Einhorn & Lora Childers in gratitude for the community spirit
at Pacific Unitarian Church.


 
CALENDAR
 
PUC's calendar of events can be found here.

Congregational Meetings & Town Halls

 

Announcements & additional details on the specific topics
will be distributed prior to the meetings. 

 
December 6, 2015
Congregational Meeting
Fall Financial Review


January 31, 2016
Town Hall
Making PUC Work for You – Who’s Who in the Zoo – PUC’s Committees

 
April 3, 2016
Town Hall
Making PUC Work for You – PUC’s Organizational  Structure & Governance Part III

 
May 1, 2016
Town Hall
Annual Business Meeting Preview & Dialogue

 

June 5, 2016
Congregational Meeting
Annual Business Meeting
The PUC Board of Trustees

                     John Einhorn – President 
                     Bruce Lewis – Vice President
                     Randy Ripley – Treasurer
                     Trish Botsko - Secretary

              Mike Buttitta
              Ben Cowan
              Dee Masters
             James Ford – ex officio

Ways to Contact Your Trustees

board@pacificunitarian.org
This email is forwarded to the trustees, Lead Minister, Director of Congregational Advancement, Director of Religious Education, and Pacific Sage Preschool Director.

trustees@pacificunitarian.org
This email is forwarded to the trustees & Lead Minister (ex-officio.)

 

John Einhorn, President      johneinhornrhino@gmail.com

Randy Ripley, Treasurer     treasurer@pacificunitarian.org

Phone numbers and individual email addresses for all other Trustees can be found in the Member Directory.

 

For Sunday morning announcements contact Kim Gosney
 welcome@thecenteratpuc.org
 

We are located at
5621 Montemalaga Drive, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275

 

Office Hours

                Sunday             8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.                       

                Monday            Closed

                Tuesday           Phone messages are checked during the day.   

                Wednesday      10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

                Thursday          12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

                Friday               Phone messages are checked during the day.    

                Saturday           Closed

 

Hours for Reverend James Ford, Interim Minister
Appointments are always recommended.

               Tuesday         11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

               Wednesday    11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

               Thursday        11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.


 

Click here for Directions

Contact Us:

Office: (310) 378-9449    Fax: (310) 378-1508

admin@PacificUnitarian.org     www.pacificunitarian.org 

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