A modernized version of "The Prodigal Son," which would be better titled, "the Loving Father." The sermon will focus on "You Are Accepted" the famous Tillich quote.
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.
Joys
&
Concerns
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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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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.
§ 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.
It is that time of the fiscal year when your Finance Committee begins work on the operating budget for next fiscal year (July1, 2016 to June 30, 2017). See a committee chair or staff member if you want to influence their budget input. Don’t know who’s on committees? Check in the office or contact the Finance Committee at finance@pacificunitarian.org. Committee chairs - the budget request forms have been emailed to each of you and are available in the church office in the Finance Committee mailbox - completed forms are due back by February 21st. Contact a member of the Finance Committee if you have any questions: Randy Ripley, Trish Botsko, Ben Cowan, Ann Bailey, Claire Moss, Missy Rogers or Judy Shaffer.
The RE Committee, myself, and the attendees of our Feb. 13th Parent Night Out wish to thank the wonderful teens that showed up to help us out. We know your Saturday evenings are precious, and appreciate your presence. Thanks also to our capable adults, RE committee members Michele Bethune and Kimberly Storr. We all had fun here together, and we hope parents got a needed break from routine.
Religious Education classes will be held the rest of the month. Please remember to pick up your child after church, unless they are going to youth choir with Severin, in which case you should get them a plate of food to have when they are finished rehearsing.
We are making plans to start Our Whole Lives (OWL), a comprehensive sexuality education program developed by the UUA and the UCC (United Church of Christ) which is nationally recognized as the gold standard for sex ed. We will be offering the 7-9th grade program. If your youngster has not yet participated in OWL and you are interested in enrolling them in this program, please contact me so we can plan to meet your needs. Classes will be meeting every other week starting in March.
It is important that kids and adults alike are reminded from time to time that we try to make PUC the safest and inclusive community possible. Please check in with your family and PUC friends from time to time to see how they are feeling about their inclusion in church activities. Do they feel welcomed, respected, and encouraged to participate equally? Please remember that people of color and people who identify with cultures and or genders which have had less privilege in our society can be hurt by the insensitivity of those who have not walked in their shoes. We are asked by our religion to listen respectfully to different ideas. We are asked to share our own ideas with courage, and yet humility. We are asked to stand up against sexual harassment, stereotyping, and intolerance. I know as a woman, many men seem to think I should not mind jokes about parts of my body or my “lesser abilities”, but I do mind, because I experience this as exclusion. I know that I have to be constantly vigilant in my own thinking not to stereotype groups of people as somehow different from me. I consider PUC and our community together to be holy, not because we are divine, but because we WORK to be just, even though it isn't always easy. So, talk amongst yourselves. Ask the hard questions. Keep our community growing forward.
Love and Wonder to you all,
Vicki, Director of Religious Education
veejaygavel@gmail.org
“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” —Jane Goodall
In the philosophy of Pacific Sage Preschool, the environment is an equal part of the learning triangle that includes the children and the adults (parents and staff collaborators) that work with them. As we thoughtfully planned for and constructed our learning environment, we kept in mind PUC’s commitment to environmental responsibility. We chose Kohburg, which is a “green” company, for our beautiful (and cost effective) furniture. They are also the ‘IKEA’- of children’s furniture, which meant when it finally arrived on that slow boat from China, we had to put everything together ourselves! Thanks again to all who stared down tables, shelves and 57 little chairs without blinking (much moaning but no blinking). Kohburg creates “Classroom Galleries,” a mini-catalog to highlight schools and programs that use their furniture. They have chosen schools on universities and Reggio inspired programs on the West Side. These are distributed far and wide. Pacific Sage Preschool was asked to be their 6th issue. Of course, it was a beautiful day on the hill and they loved the site. They brought some pieces we didn’t have (budget) and gifted some of them to the school. Our copies just came and we are beautiful! Go Green!
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.
Additional details on the specific topics will be distributed prior to the meetings.
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.
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.
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.
