|
|
|
|
Mistakes Were Made:
A Meditation on the Ecological Crisis.
Reverend James Ford
|
|
|
|
HIJACKS, OMISSIONS & A HINT
This sermon examines Franz Schubert’s life, music and poetry to pique our interest in his beliefs.
Kim Gosney
|
|
|
|
Monkey Mind
I was asked what I thought about interim ministers, and what they are supposed to do for a congregation. And, I realized I’m actually a pretty good person to answer that question. Partially, of course, because I am doing it, practicing on you all in case you haven’t noticed. But, also, I have some informed views about us as a congregation here at PUC and about what interims can do for a church, and this church in particular.
Interim ministers come in several flavors, but two are significant for our purposes. I belong to the group that are recent retirees. We bring a range of experience, and are near completely unshockable. While we’re good for the unexpected, we are best for churches that are not dealing with big issues but are simply moving from the service of one minister to the next. We can provide stability and a sense of the bigger picture. And I think that’s a good thing.
And, that brings us to the other principal flavor, the professional interim. Here you get someone who has specialized in the issues of transition, who are familiar with the traps and possibilities within this liminal time between what was and what is to be. A particularly talented interim minister should be able to assist the leadership in identifying the issues the congregation is dealing with both in the short term and long term, holding up the realities of the situation and suggesting adjustments to priorities, and most of all to the budget.
This can be very important, and is a skill. As one of the recent retirees I certainly can do much of this, but I’m also aware that like anything one does it best by doing it often, and the interim, a good interim, has sharpened these particular skills relevant to immediate change. And you just can’t beat the right experienced, professional, interim.
And, of course, for us there is that one other thing. I am here less than full time. We’ve been able to do all that we do because we also have had Kim Gosney with us. With she and I gone next year, it is very important if we can do it, to have a full time minister. First, as the interim for next year, and as the lead in for the next settled minister.
So, one more word about our annual operational pledge drive. We’re off to an amazing start. But, we need to take it all the way through. So, if you’ve made your pledge, thank you, thank you! And, if you haven’t yet, please think about the church, what it has meant for you, what you think it can do for others, and make the most generous pledge you can at this time.
Did I say thank you? Thank you!
See you in church,
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.
|
|
|
§
Reminder: a memorial for Lou Sutherland is scheduled at Pacific Unitarian Church on Saturday, April 16, 2016 at noon and we hope you can attend.
Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers. |
|
|
|
_______________________________________________________________
 §
Wendy and Heather Clancy, members of the church, are seeking your prayers and good thoughts. Heather, 12 years old, is diagnosed with a pure cell germinoma.
Chemotherapy begins on Monday, April 11.
Cards are very welcome. Their address is in the PUC directory.
We are also putting together a meal system for the family. Wholesome, freezable meals are sought, to be augmented with fresh salads as we can. Kim Gosney, Minister of Congregational Life, has information available on Sunday, please come by to learn how you can help the Clancy's get through this busy time.
|
|
|
§
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.
|
|
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
Mike Buttitta
Welcome Table
Kim Pratto Storr
Kris Willimason
Top Chef
Andy Kissner
Usher
Kevin Gallagher
Amin Damji
|
|
Upcoming Membership Sessions!
Sign up for one - April 10 or May 22...Held 12 - 2 PM.
Following these classes, we will host a New Member Ceremony: SUNDAY, May 29 at 10:30 AM. Sign up, and you will receive the packet to read and to fill out before the session. Get information at the Welcome Table or email Kim Gosney at membership@pacificunitarian.org. We so look forward to getting to know you better!
|
|
|
|
SAVE THE DATE - Sat May 14
WHY? Because it is auction time!
What to do between now and then? Start thinking what you can create/imagine/share as an auction item. This is such a great community building event. The evening itself is filled with fun and friendship, but there will be numerous opportunities to bid on other adventures with your church community.
|
|
|
|
And Justice Our Foundation
Some of us are spiritual. Some humanist. Some Jewish, Buddhist, Christian, atheist, agnostic, exploring. As diverse as our journeys are, we have each agreed to come together under seven principles. More than anything else we could do, PUC’s social justice work shows how these principles anchor our church and guide our actions in the world. Social justice work is also the most welcoming invitation to others to join PUC in an effort to heal ourselves and the world.
In 2015/2016 PUC donated food, blankets, and more to help fill the critical needs of the working poor and homeless of San Pedro. We also adopted two families for Christmas. In 2016/2017 we hope to expand our Social Justice visibility and our efforts. We recognize the critical role of voting in bringing greater justice to our world and will work on this issue throughout this election. We will raise awareness of the issue of human trafficking in our community.
The Social Justice budget request includes two modest proposals. First, there is the annual UU Social Justice summer camp. Our goal is to provide two scholarships, one to a committed teen, to attend this camp and bring back enthusiasm and concrete ideas for how to grow our existing Social Justice program. Second, our Social Justice committee would like to bring in one to two speakers to inform our congregation about social justice issues and actions. Well-publicized presentations by highly regarded speakers are an invitation to those outside of PUC, thus raising PUC’s visibility and social justice leadership in the community.
In the year ahead we will each be given opportunities to put our UU principles into practice through Social Justice work based largely on volunteer hours. If you would like to learn more about Social Justice at PUC speak with Cindy Byrne or Phyllis “Missy” Rogers.
Return
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
