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Our Church Circular
First Unitarian Church of San José * March 2015 * marzo 2015
160 N. Third Street, San José, CA 95112 * (408) 292-3858 * sanjoseuu.org
When We Meet Face to Face:
A Path to Healing Our Brokenness
by the Rev. Nancy Palmer Jones
In a large room on a hill above Monterey Bay, fifty Unitarian
Universalist ministers mill about, listening for our teacher’s instructions.
She first asks us to rush around, not making eye contact, grazing past
each other’s shoulders—not unlike walking on a busy sidewalk at
rush hour. Because we are moving at speed, our heart rate rises; our
adrenaline starts to pump.
Then our teacher prompts us to slow down, to widen our awareness to
our surroundings. The breath deepens. We feel our feet on the floor;
we notice the soft sea air blowing through an open window. As we keep
milling, we gently look into each other’s eyes. We offer a smile or a nod,
a brief acknowledgment of the beings with whom we share this space.
Our teacher now invites us to stop and turn to someone close by.
This person becomes our partner for the next part of the exercise. We
hold our gaze on each other’s eyes. Our teacher asks us to see that
person “whole,” which means to see both that person’s
brokenness (burdened by sorrows, wounds, pain beyond
what we can know) and that person’s wholeness—the
courage and strength, the commitment to caring for the
earth and all its beings, the capacity to change.
When we repeat these “milling exercises” for days in
a row, they actually work. What seems contrived—forcing
an intimacy with a stranger—becomes a real connection.
Something shifts. From our opening sense of despair about these
times—“a time when a radical confluence of crises sweeping the globe
challenges human and planetary existence and eco-system integrity,”
as the workshop description intones—we ministers move to an active
hope. Our own brokenness no longer feels insurmountable. Instead, it
forms a necessary element in creating a more sustainable wholeness.
How does this happen?
Our teacher Dr. Joanna Macy (aided here by the staff of Movement
Generation) guides us in The Work That Reconnects. These spiritual,
intellectual, and emotional practices pierce through the numbing effects
of our society. The work’s four stages reconnect us with our creativity
and clear-sightedness, even as we face full on the crises of our times.
The four stages of the work that reconnects:
1. “Coming from Gratitude”: When we remember how much
we love this earth, our life, and the creatures with whom we share our
planet-home, our monkey mind quiets down, and we touch the sources
of our strength, the motivation for changing our ways. “Gratitude holds
us steady, especially when we’re scared or tired,” Joanna Macy says.
2. “Honoring Our Pain”: This stage begins with a robust analysis
of the crises in our midst—from climate disruption, to economic
injustice, to violence against “the other,” and more. Then, touching our
sorrow over the sorry state of our planet—feeling our grief for the
mistakes we humans have made and do make—we reach a deeper
compassion, a true “suffering with.” We can live in love or in fear, the
writer China Galland tells us. When we live in love, we feel another’s pain
as if it is our own. Then we are no longer isolated but feel stronger for
our rediscovered solidarity.
3. “Seeing with New Eyes”: Now, wide awake and more deeply
connected to all around us, we feel our creativity return. New ways to
build sustainable community come to us; we turn toward a way of living
that nurtures diversity and responds with resilience
to new challenges. “We taste our power to change,”
Joanna Macy says, and we are ready for …
4. “Going Forth”: We turn what we have learned
on this spiraling path into practical steps that we can
take with others. Each of us contributes according to
our gifts, wisdom, and capacity. We form networks of
appreciation and support. We celebrate our turning
to a healthier, more whole and holy life. We vow to stay on the journey.
As we spiral through these stages again and again, they offer a palpable,
practical hope. I saw that hope alive in a room full of sometimes-jaded,
often-weary Unitarian Universalist ministers. Now I bring it home to you.
What if this path becomes our roadmap? Come experience the
possibilities at First Unitarian this month and beyond!
With you on the journey,
Rev. Nancy
Wonderful resources:
• Joanna Macy, (http://www.joannamacy.net/); numerous books,
including Joanna Macy and Molly Brown, Coming Back to Life (New
Society, 2014)
• Movement Generation (http://www.movementgeneration.org)
March Theme: Brokenness:
Thema de marzo: Quebrantamiento
Cuando Nos Encontramos Cara a Cara:
Un Camino para Sanar Nuestro Quebrantamiento
por la Rev. Nancy Palmer Jones y tranucido por Roberto Padilla
En una gran sala en una colina sobre la bahía de Monterey,
cincuenta ministros Unitarios Universalistas apiñados, escuchando
las instrucciones de nuestra profesora. Primero ella nos pide que
corramos al rededor, nos pide no hacer contacto visual, rozando más
allá de los hombros del otro— no como caminar sobre una acera
ocupada en la hora punta. Porque nos estamos moviendo muy rápido,
nuestro ritmo cardiaco aumenta; la adrenalina empieza a bombear.
Entonces nuestra maestra nos impulsa a desacelerar, para ampliar
nuestra conciencia en nuestro entorno. La respiración se profundiza.
Sentimos nuestros pies en el suelo; Notamos la suave brisa del mar
que sopla a través de una ventana abierta. Como seguimos apiñados,
suavemente miramos a los ojos del otro. Ofrecemos una sonrisa o un
guiño, un breve reconocimiento de los seres con quienes compartimos
este espacio.
Nuestra profesora ahora nos invita a parar y voltear hacia alguien
cercano. Esta persona se convierte en nuestra pareja para la siguiente
parte del ejercicio. Nosotros mantenemos nuestra mirada en los ojos
del otro. Nuestra maestra nos pide ver a esa persona “completa”, que
significa ver tanto el quebrantamiento de esa persona (agobiados por
los dolores, heridas, el dolor más allá de lo que podemos saber) y la
totalidad de esa persona—el coraje y la fuerza, el compromiso de
cuidar a la tierra y todos sus seres, la capacidad de cambiar.
Cuando repetimos estos “ejercicios de apiñamiento” durante
días en una fila, ellos trabajan en realidad. Lo que parece forzado—
obligando a una intimidad con un extraño—se convierte en una
verdadera conexión. Algo cambia. De nuestro inicial sentido de
desesperación de estos tiempos—”un tiempo cuando una confluencia
radical de crisis barriendo el mundo que desafía la integridad de la
existencia humana y el ecosistema planetario,” como la descripción del
taller entona—notros los ministros nos movemos a una esperanza
activa. Nuestro propio quebrantamiento ya no se siente insuperable.
Por el contrario, constituye un elemento necesario en la creación de
una totalidad más sostenible.
¿Cómo sucede esto?
Nuestra profesora, la Dra. Joanna Macy (asistida aquí por el personal
de Generación de Movimiento) nos guía en el Trabajo que Reconecta.
Estas prácticas espirituales, intelectuales y emocionales perforan a
través de los efectos sedantes de nuestra sociedad. Cuatro etapas del
trabajo nos reconectan con nuestra creatividad y clarividencia, incluso
cuando nos enfrentamos totalmente en las crisis de nuestros tiempos.
Las cuatro etapas de el trabajo que reconecta:
1. “Viene de la Gratitud”: Cuando nosotros recordamos cuánto
amamos a esta tierra, nuestra vida y a las criaturas con quienes
compartimos nuestro planeta-hogar, calma nuestra mente de mono y
Page 2 tocamos las fuentes de nuestra fuerza, la motivación para el cambio de
nuestras costumbres. “La Gratitud nos mantendrá firmes, especialmente
cuando estamos asustados o cansados,” dice Joanna Macy.
2. “Honrar Nuestro Dolor”: Esta etapa comienza con un análisis
robusto de las crisis en nuestro medio—de la alteración del clima,
a la injusticia económica, a la violencia contra “los otros” y mucho
más. Entonces, tocando nuestra tristeza por el lamentable estado
de nuestro planeta—sintiendo nuestro dolor por los errores que los
humanos han hecho y hacen—llegamos a una profunda compasión,
un verdadero “sufrimiento”. Podemos vivir en el amor o en el
miedo, nos dice la escritora China Galland. Cuando vivimos en amor,
sentimos el dolor ajeno como si fuera nuestro propio dolor. Entonces
ya no estamos aislados pero nos sentimos más fuertes por nuestra
solidaridad redescubierta.
3. “Ver con Nuevos Ojos”: Ahora, más despiertos y más
profundamente conectados con todo lo que nos rodea, sentimos
nuestra creatividad retornar. Nuevas formas de construir una
comunidad sustentable vienen a nosotros; giramos hacia una forma de
vida que nutre la diversidad y responde con resistencia a los nuevos
desafíos. “Probamos nuestro poder para cambiar”, dice Joanna Macy, y
estamos listos para...
4. “Yendo hacia adelante”: giramos lo que hemos aprendido
en este camino en espiral en medidas prácticas que podemos tomar
con otros. Cada uno de nosotros contribuye según nuestros dones,
sabiduría y capacidad. Formamos redes de reconocimiento y apoyo.
Celebramos nuestra vuelta a una más sana, más completa y más santa
vida. Nos comprometemos a seguir el viaje.
Como estamos en espiral a través de estas etapas una y otra vez,
ellas nos ofrecen una esperanza palpable, práctica. Vi esa esperanza
viva en una habitación llena de a veces hastiados, a menudo cansados
ministros Unitarios Universalistas. Ahora lo traigo casa para ustedes.
¿Qué pasa si ese camino se convierte en nuestra hoja de ruta?
¡Vengan y experimenten las posibilidades en la Primera Iglesia Unitaria
este mes y más allá!
Con ustedes en el viaje,
Maravillosas fuentes:
Rev. Nancy
• Joanna Macy, (http://www.joannamacy.net/); numerosos libros,
incluyendo Joanna Macy y Molly Brown, Coming Back to Life (New
Society, 2014)
• Movimiento Generación (http://www.movementgeneration.org)
Our Church Circular • March 2015 • marzo 2015
Tikkun olam Spirituality /
by/por Rev. Geoff Rimositis
La Espiritualidad de
Tikkun olam
Tikkun olam is a Hebrew phrase that means “repairing the world” (or
Tikkun olam es una frase hebrea que significa “reparando el mundo”
“healing the world”) which suggests humanity’s shared responsibility
to heal, repair and transform the world.
(o “sanando el mundo”) lo que sugiere que la humanidad comparte la
responsabilidad para curar, reparar y transformar el mundo.
Children, youth and adults will join together once again in the spirit of
Tikkun olam as we deepen our skills as peacemakers in the creation of
the Beloved Community in San José at the 2nd Annual Unitarian
Universalist Mosaic Peace Camp, June 15-19 at the First
Unitarian Church of San José. http://uupeacecamp.wordpress.com/
Niños, jóvenes y adultos se unirán una vez más en el espíritu de Tikkun
olam mientras profundizamos nuestras habilidades como pacificadores
en la creación de la amada comunidad en San José en el 2º anual
campamento Mosaico de la paz Unitario Universalista,
15-19 de junio en la Primera iglesia Unitaria de San José. http://
uupeacecamp.wordpress.com/
When we see the brokenness of our society as evidenced by the killing of
unarmed people of color in Ferguson and New York and countless other
Cuando vemos el quebranto de nuestra sociedad, según lo evidenciamos por
localities across the
la matanza de personas
country, we might be
d color desarmadas en
tempted to resign
Ferguson y Nueva York y
ourselves to the fact
muchas otras localidades
that America is a violent
en todo el país que estemos
society. But we know we
tentados a resignarnos al
are much more than those
hecho de que Estados Unidos
“if it bleeds it leads”
es una sociedad violenta.
stories that drown out the
Pero sabemos que somos
good work that is being
mucho más que esas “si
done everywhere by youth
sangra conduce” historias
organizations like our own Mosaic Project Outdoor Camp in Napa, CA / Campamento al Aire Libre del Proyecto Mosaico en Napa, CA que ahogan la buena labor
Third Street Community
que se está haciendo en todas
Center (TSCC) http://www.3street.org/ and the Mosaic Project, http://www.
partes por las organizaciones juveniles como nuestro Centro Comunitario de la
mosaicproject.org/ of Oakland.
Calle Tercera (TSCC) http://www.3street.org/ y el Proyecto Mosaico, http://www.
mosaicproject.org/ de Oakland.
These two organizations and our church once again meet at the intersection
of peace education and camp fun this June. Open to all children from 1st-5th
grades with opportunities for middle school youth to be Counselors in Training
(CIT’s), the peace camp brings together children of all faiths to practice
a Tikkun olam spirituality; repairing the brokenness of the world by our
commitment to becoming peacemakers in our lives.
Spread the good word of peacemaking and let families know about this
opportunity. Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me and you!
Contact Rev. Geoff Rimositis for more information and to register your child.
[email protected], 408-309-7796
Mosaic Family Camp: May 29-31st
Are you or your child someone who has already been inspired by The Mosaic
Project and who wishes that you could spend a weekend in the redwoods with
us? Save the date for our first ever Family Camp: May 29-31st, and stay tuned
for news about how to apply! Rev. Geoff plans to attend and would love church
families to join him!
Our Church Circular • March 2015 • marzo 2015
Estas dos organizaciones y nuestra iglesia se reúnen nuevamente en la
intersección de la educación de la paz y el campamento divertido este mes de
junio. Abierto a todos los niños de los grados 1-5 con oportunidades para
los jóvenes de secundaria para ser consejeros en entrenamiento (CIT’s), el
campamento de la paz reúne a niños de todas las religiones para prácticar una
espiritualidad de Tikkun olam; reparando el quebrantamiento del mundo por
nuestro compromiso para convertirse en constructores de paz en nuestras vidas.
Difundir la buena palabra de pacificadores y permitir que las familias sepan
acerca de esta oportunidad. ¡Que haya paz en la tierra y que comience con
migo y ustedes!
Contacte al Rev. Geoff Rimositis para mayor información y para registrar a sus
hijos. [email protected], 408-309-7796
Campamento Familiar Mosaico: May 29-31
¿Usted o su hijo, o alguien que ya ha sido inspirado por el Proyecto de Mosaico
y que desea que usted pueda pasar un fin de semana en el bosque de Secuoyas
con nosotros? ¡Aparten la fecha para nuestro primer campamento de familia:
29-31 de mayo y esten atentos a las noticias sobre cómo aplicar! ¡El Rev. Geoff
planea asistir y le encantaría que las familias de la iglesia se unieran a él!
Primera Iglesia Unitaria de San José • Page 3
In Our Own Voices:
Brokenness
In Our Own Voices” shares congregants’ free-flowing
responses to our theme. We draw these responses from
on-line surveys completed last fall.
The theme of “Brokenness” brings a wide range of
thoughtful responses. Some puzzle over the philosophical
questions: “Is brokenness the human condition?” Others
ask how Unitarian Universalism addresses brokenness,
since we believe so strongly in the inherent worth and
dignity of all creatures. Still others focus on the broken and
oppressive systems in our society, or they share their own
broken-openhearted stories of divorce, loss, despair. A few
hope to skip past this theme: “Been there, done that,” or
“I’m much more of an optimist than a pessimist, so I will not
dwell on this theme.”
Yet most of us find that facing our brokenness—personal or
societal—offers opportunities for healing and connection.
Moving into and through our brokenness promises a deeper,
richer integrity, a more compassionate way of living and
loving. Within our very brokenness lie the seeds of hope. I
look forward to nurturing those seeds with you!
Rev. Nancy
Broken or Whole? The Human
Condition
• Is brokenness the human condition? Is
there really such a thing as a whole person
who no longer needs to strive to grow and
unlearn his/her conditioning?
• Brokenness, the state of imperfection.
Yet if something is broken, it must have
once been whole or perfect, right? I think
brokenness is relative. An object, like a
dish or a bone, can be whole or broken.
But people? We are more complex than
that. We were never really perfect.
Brokenness as an Opportunity
• What opportunities does our brokenness
present that would otherwise be
unavailable? A chick breaks out of its shell
in order to hatch. What opens for us when
we break out or break through? And what
do we need to break through or break out
of in order to open ourselves to new levels
of growth?
• I truly believe that our wounds can become
our blessings. I see brokenness in losing
some of the physical functions of youth. I
see brokenness in our society and its huge
divisions, the painful legacy we are leaving
to our young people of ill-remunerated,
arbitrary work-lives and overpriced
education. But brokenness can be healed,
and it is our task to aid in mending.
• We all have felt broken in some way
at some time. We have to be open to
Page 4 experiencing the pain and then struggle to
find our way through it. How do we relate
to others in our brokenness, and how
should we respond to the brokenness that
others experience? Brokenness provides a
rare opportunity for connectedness.
• Brokenness can be the gateway to our
“aha” moments. As they say, the deeper
our sorrow, the more joy you experience.
My experience with brokenness has taught
me how to reach out, how to receive, how
to nurture myself, how to nurture others.
• We achieve a different kind of wholeness
once we integrate what has been broken.
There is strength in that—to take what
has seemed damaged, acknowledge the
failings of ourselves and others, and
move forward, using that knowledge in the
service of others. There are and always
have been things that are “broken,” but
we can choose to do what we can, to heal
and change and take actions together to
improve what is harmed or hurt (the earth,
a group of people, one individual). I find
hope in knowing that others have trod
the path of depression, of grief, of illness
and hardship and trial, yet they still band
together and find a way to keep going, to
lean on God and one another in trust.
• From the major Arcana of the Tarot, I think
of Temperance, in the sense of tempered
steel.
The Call of Unitarian Universalism
• What does brokenness mean when we
Unitarian Universalists reject the idea that
we are “born broken”? If we’re not born
broken, how do we get broken? What if
we’re not broken? If we are broken, how
do we heal?
• Brokenness is an overwhelming feeling
of loss and defeat when major things
go wrong in one’s life. Not everybody
experiences it, but for those who do it can
lead to despair, fatigue, and resignation.
Religion of all kinds helps people to deal
with these experiences by providing various
kinds of solutions. Unitarian Universalism
provides ways to live, but I don’t know if we
are as effective in dealing with brokenness
as religions that promise magical solutions.
Unitarian Universalism treats brokenness
by telling people that everyone has
inherent worth and dignity. I’m not sure
how well that works if one has suffered
overpowering loss.
• Sometimes it is so hard to detect
brokenness in someone else. Perhaps
it would be useful to us as Unitarian
Universalists to talk about how to detect
it in someone else and how to help or get
help for someone who needs help but is
telling us they are fine.
• How do we provide a safe place for
people to be broken open? How can we
compassionately confront people in their
brokenness, not let them off the hook?
Our Broken World
• If we attend to the constant dire newscasts
and messages, the world sounds
irreparably broken. Maybe it is. Certainly
climate change is inexorable and will
change humankind. What can we possibly
do to learn to live with this?
• How do we help heal our broken country,
which doesn’t provide for the health,
education, and wellbeing of such a large
percentage of our population?
• When will we admit as a society that
capitalism as so conceived in this country
is broken? Can we explore alternative
forms of governance? Speak to them and
advocate for them as a community?
Back to Basics
• Is all brokenness reparable? When do we
need to let go of trying to fix and repair,
and simply move on?
• This is a very powerful theme for me, even
though I struggle with it: the pain of loss;
struggling to put things back together
to make them whole, whether physical,
emotional, or spiritual. You can’t push the
“rewind” button and re-do one’s life. How
do we accept what is?
• I hope we don’t get stuck just seeing the
brokenness all around us and within us, but
rather that we find some tools and hope for
moving through it.
• The wheel of life turns, and we find
ourselves occasionally crushed at the
bottom. Here, faith that the wheel keeps
turning keeps us going, knowing that things
will get better!
• Let’s take care of people who have really
big problems. I do not consider everyone
“broken,” although I am sure that everyone
has problems.
• This would be a good month to talk about
the difference between “intent” and
“impact,” about microagressions, to think
about when broken-openheartedness has
made us better, stronger, warmer, deeper. I
can’t wait!
Our Church Circular • March 2015• marzo 2015
SUNDAY SERVICES / SERVICIOS DE DOMINGO
10:15 am
Todos los domingos – Alabanzas en español
Media Hora de Reunión del Pequeño Grupo del Ministerio Multicultural. Venga
a unirse a nosotros para este servicio simple de oración-meditación de
media hora (sin sermón) a las 10:15 am en una mezcla de inglés y español
en la biblioteca de la iglesia, a la izqueirda al entrar en la puerta principal
de la iglesia. Accesible e incluyente para todos, este servicio ofrece tiempo
para cantar, meditar y reflexionar en un pequeño grupo en preparación
para el servicio de las 11: 00 am.
11:00 am
March Theme: Brokenness /Tema de marzo: Quebrantamiento
March 1 – 1 de marzo
Growing in Spirit
We often talk about growth in our congregations and in our lives. Real growth
in spirit is both an individual endeavor and a community one. One without
the other just isn’t quite the same and isn’t as effective. With story, song,
and word, this Sunday we talk about growth.
Every Sunday – Alabanzas (Spanish Lauds)
Worship Leaders: the Rev. Nancy Palmer Jones and Two Special Guests
A half-hour multicultural Small Group Ministry gathering. Come join us for
this simple prayer-meditation service (without sermon) at 10:15 am, held
in a mixture of English and Spanish in the Church Library, on the left when
you enter the front door of the church. Accessible and welcoming to all,
this service provides time to sing, meditate, and reflect in a small group in
preparation for the service at 11 am.
A menudo hablamos de crecimiento en nuestras congregaciones y en
nuestras vidas. Un verdadero crecimiento en el espíritu es ambos, un esfuerzo
individual y en comunidad. Uno sin el otro no es lo mismo y no es tan eficaz.
Con historia, canción y palabra, este domingo hablamos de crecimiento.
Save the Dates
uMarch 1, Sunday, 1-3 pm, Book Study Group, Conference Room
uMarch 1, Sunday, 2:30-4:30 pm, Community Dance, Hattie Porter Hall
uMarch 5, Thursday, 7:15-9:15 pm, Women’s Alliance, Conference Room
uMarch 6, Friday, 8 pm, Dances of Universal Peace, Sanctuary
uMarch 8, Sunday, 2:30-4:30 pm, Community Dance, Hattie Porter Hall
Creciendo en Espíritu
Dirigen: la Rev. Nancy Palmer Jones y Dos Invitados Especiales
March 8– 8 de marzo
Journeys
The Senior High Youth Group offers their annual worship service to
the congregation on the theme of journeys. Come and hear from our
articulate and spirited youth as we contemplate together our journeys
of body and spirit. The special collection for March, voted on by the
senior high youth group, will be dedicated to offsetting the expenses of
our youth who will be going on the partner church trip to Hungary and
Romania this summer.
uMarch 9, Monday, 7 pm, Social Justice Council Meeting, Conference Room
Worship Leader: the Rev. Geoff Rimositis with Ruby Delgros and
Senior High Youth
uMarch 15, Sunday, 12:45-2:00 pm, Rights of Nature Group, Ramsden Fireside
Room
Viajes
uMarch 15, Sunday, 2:30-4:30 pm, Community Dance, Hattie Porter Hall
uMarch 16, Monday, 7:30-9 pm, HUUmanati Monthly Meeting, Church Library
u March 21 & 22, Saturday & Sunday, Circle Suppers. Contact Barbara at
[email protected]
uMarch 22, Sunday, 12:45 pm, Congregational Election Meeting
uMarch 22, Sunday, 1-3 pm, Ministry to the World, Board Conference Room
uMarch 29, Sunday, 10:15-11 am, Alabanza, Rev. János presentation on
current conditions, Ramsden Fireside Room
uMarch 29, Sunday, 6-8 pm, Potluck Dinner and Discussion of 2015 Pilgrimage
Plans by Rev. János, Hattie Porter Hall; RSVP Monty Low, low.monty@gmail.
com, 408-348-2778
u April 18 & 19, Saturday & Sunday, Circle Suppers. Contact Barbara at
[email protected]
uApril 25, Saturday, District Assembly, First UU Society of San Francisco. For
more information, see [email protected]
V
You make FUCSJ what it is! Whatever your talent and availability, there is
an opportunity for you to serve. Contact Liz Owen at lowen@data-time.
com or Bob Miess at [email protected]
Our Church Circular • March 2015• marzo 2015
El Grupo juvenil de Preparatoria ofrece su servicio annual a la
congregación en el tema de los viajes. Vengan y oigan desde nuestra
articulada y animada juventud mientras contemplamos juntos nuestros
viajes de cuerpo y espíritu. La colecta especial para marzo, votada por
el grupo juvenil de preparatoria se dedicará a compensar los gastos de
nuestros jovenes quienes estaran en el viaje a iglesia hermana a Hungría
y Rumania este verano.
Dirige: el Rev. Geoff Rimositis con Ruby Delgros y Senior High Youth
March 15– 15 de marzo
“Is There Still Time?”
The Spiritual Practice of Facing Our Climate Disaster
As our prolonged drought and February’s unseasonably warm weather
can attest, climate change is upon us. We have passed the threshold
at which we could have turned back the tide. How do we transform our
brokenness around our climate disaster into the broken-openness from
which transformation and right relationship are possible? A dramatic story,
a beautiful anthem, and a powerful sermon make this a not-to-be-missed
Sunday. Please join us!
Worship Leaders: the Rev. Nancy Palmer Jones and Nikira
Hernandez; Worship Associate: Mary Martin
continued on next page
Primera Iglesia Unitaria de San José • Page 5
Services / Servicios
continued from previous page
”¿Todavía Hay Tiempo?”
La Práctica Espiritual Frente al Desastre
Climático
Como pueden atestiguar, la prolongada sequía y
el clima inusualmente cálido del mes de febrero;
el cambio climático está sobre nosotros. Hemos
pasado el umbral en el cual podríamos haber
cambiado la situación. ¿Cómo transformamos
nuestro delicado entorno de nuestro desastre
climático en la ruptura-apertura hacia una tranformación correcta? Una dramática historia, un
hermoso himno y un poderoso sermón hacen que
este domingo no debe-ser-perdido. ¡Por favor
únase a nosotros!.
Dirigen: La Rev. Nancy Palmer Jones y
Nikira Hernandez; Asociada de Culto:
Mary Martin
March 22 - 22 de Marzo
Letting Life Be Your Teacher
The more we immerse ourselves in our lives, the
more we change. Let’s examine how we unintentionally step back from our lives and how we might
become more fully engaged. Come dive in with a
surprise special guest!
Worship Leader: Surprise Special Guest;
Worship Associate: Jim Rumbaugh
Dejen que la Vida Sea su Maestro
Cuanto más nos sumergimos en nuestras vidas,
más cambiamos. Vamos a examinar cómo involuntariamente saregresamos a nuestras vidas y
cómo podríamos llegar a estar más plenamente
comprometidos. ¡Vengan a bucear con un invitado
especial sorpresa!
Dirige: Invitado Especial Sorpresa;
Asociado de Culto: Jim Rumbaugh
March 29 – 29 de Marzo
“Empire and Resistance”:
A Personal Palm Sunday Story
Let’s take a Unitarian Universalist look below the
surface at the Palm Sunday story. What kind of
message was Jesus sending to his people and to
the surrounding society with his humble entrance
into Jerusalem and his flash of frustrated actingout at the temple? Rev. Nancy discovers surprising
connections between this ancient story and our
times. Come take a chance on this service! We just
might go home with a palm frond and some fresh
understandings to guide our way.
Worship Leader: the Rev. Nancy Palmer
Jones; Worship Associates: Oona
Cadorin and Karen Conrotto
Page 6 “Imperio y Resistencia”: Una Historia
Personal de Domingo de Ramos
Coffee Hosts Needed
Echemos un vistazo Unitario Universalista
debajo de la superficie en la historia del
Domingo de Ramos. ¿Qué clase de mensaje
estaba Jesús enviando a su pueblo y a
la sociedad que lo rodea con su humilde
entrada en Jerusalén y su repentino mal
comportamiento en el templo? La Rev. Nancy
descubre sorprendentes conexiones entre
esta antigua historia y nuestros tiempos.
Vengan, denle una oportunidad a este servicio.
Podríamos irnos a casa con una palma y
algunos frescos entendimientos para guiar
nuestro camino.
By Maggie Norris
Dirige: la Rev. Nancy Palmer Jones; Asociadas de
Culto: Oona Cadorin y Karen Conrotto
TransformationalThemebased Ministry:
Themes 2014-2015
In our current church year, we return to Year
One in our three-year cycle of transformational
themes. As we cycle through the themes (slightly
revised) a second time, we spiral deeper into what
they mean for us in this time and place.
u September: Oneness /The Unity in
Unitarian
u October: Death
u November: Gratitude
u December: Hope
u January: Creation
u February: Love
u March: Brokenness
u April: Transformation and Rebirth
u May: Awe and Wonder
I
s the social hour your second-favorite
Sunday activity? Do you start thinking
about coffee and doughnuts immediately
after the Benediction? Is your voice part
of the hubbub of friendly conversation in
Hattie Porter Hall? Are you in a position
to contribute just a little bit of time and
effort to this lovely tradition? Liz Owen
and Maggie Norris are hoping that a few
of you can step forward and answer Yes!
Volunteering for the social hour is a
nice, low-key way to contribute to the life
of the congregation during a time that
many consider to be almost as important
as the Sunday service itself. Most of you
know how this works: every Sunday, a
team of two people arrives a little early
to put the finishing touches on the
refreshments for the social hour. (The
hard work is done earlier by the sexton.)
They cut the doughnuts into bite-size
pieces and put them out with the other
snacks. After the service, they place the
serving plates on the tables in Hattie
Porter Hall. As the social hour winds
down, they take care of the cleanup tasks.
Each team is scheduled for one Sunday
every 2 months. That’s about an hour 6
times a year. (We’d like a commitment of
a year.) We welcome all volunteers.
Please speak with Maggie at the service
or contact her any time: maggienorris@
mac.com, or 650.814.1676.
First Unitarian Parents of Young Children
Support group for parents of young children meets in the church’s downstairs classroom the third Sunday of each month from 9:30-10:45 am. Child care is provided.
Rev. Geoff Rimositis facilitates meetings. Parents volunteer to be monthly topic leaders.
UU Parents Meetup
T
he Meetup group is a safe venue for parents and children who embrace a
Unitarian Universalist philosophy to connect. The group was formed by parents
in the First Unitarian Church of San José http://sanjoseuu.org who wanted an easy
way to get to know like-minded parents. Parents belonging to this group have many
different lifestyles and beliefs, but we are united in our commitment to acceptance
of each other and our children. Just go to our Meetup site, http://www.meetup.
com/UUParents/ and fill out a few profile questions, which are meant to verify you
are a parent with some interest in this group, and an organizer will approve you. For
more information contact the Rev. Geoff Rimositis, [email protected], or
408-292-3858, ext. 225.
Our Church Circular • March 2015• marzo 2015
For more information about our programs for
children and youth please contact our family minister,
the Rev. Geoff Rimositis, [email protected]
Children and Youth Programs
C
hildren and youth in Preschool (3 years) through high
school join the community for the first part of worship at
11 am and then go to their respective classes until 12:30.
Nursery: Birth - four years
Location: Nursery, Church’s Lower Level
Childcare Staff: Danni Fernandez, Kimberly Fernandez
W
e provide a safe, clean environment in which to
support each child in initiating play activities at the
developmental level they manifest. Each week our paid staff,
Danni Fernandez and Kimberly Fernandez, provides a loving
presence, engaging children in games, stories and crafts with
seasonal and holiday themes throughout the year.
Three- to five-year-olds: The Spiritually Growing Child
T
his curriculum is based on the philosophy that young
children learn about religion through relationships. What
is a person? Who am I? How am I related to others? What are
my responsibilities? What kind of world do I live in? These
are religious questions that children begin to answer as they
become acquainted with themselves, other people, and their
environment; all responses are mediated by the significant
adults in their lives. Each week the children look and listen to
an engaging picture book that reflects the week’s central theme
with accompanying activities. Themes from September to June
include: Individuality, Earth Day, Cycles of Life, Harvest,
Thanksgving, Christmas, Hannukah, Winter Solstice, Family,
Golden Rule, etc.
Grades 1-4: Faithful Journeys
A
ll sessions include hands-on activities as well as guided
discussion, reflection, and self-expression to engage
participants with various learning styles. Sessions that rely
heavily on verbal learning and expression also offer alternate
activities that may better reach learners who are more active.
Many core activities suggest adaptations to address different
abilities as well as learning styles. Each session of this program
includes rituals: sharing opening words, a chalice-lighting,
centering in silence before hearing a story, and singing. The
goals of the curriculum are to:
•Highlight ways the small and large choices we make
represent our personal faith and beliefs
•Promote understanding of, and sense of responsibility for,
the world’s interconnectedness, and reinforce cooperation,
nonviolence, and balance as necessary for our collective moral,
ethical, and spiritual health
Our Church Circular • March 2015• marzo 2015
•Engage participants physically as well as mentally and
spiritually through Move It! activities
•Foster the creation of a learning community in which
everyone is respected, welcomed and honored — a community
in which diversity is embraced, justice is practiced, and children
learn, grow and have fun together.
Grades 5-8 / Junior High Youth Group: Building
Bridges
B
uilding Bridges is a world religions program to deepen
youth’s understanding of the dynamic, fascinating, and
varied world in which they live. It seeks to broaden their
knowledge of humanity and embolden their spiritual search.
Participants will visit other religions as well as engage in class
activities. The goals of this program include:
•Increase knowledge of religions practiced around the
world and in local communities
•Understand how religion addresses basic human needs
•Foster acceptance of the diverse forms that religious
expression takes
•Build awareness of the diversity of followers within every
faith; understand that to know someone’s religious identity is
not the same as knowing what that person thinks, believes, or
practices
•Support the faith development of participants
•Empower youth to better appreciate human diversity
and connect with others and be able to respectfully discuss
important matters with people with whom they disagree
•Nurture open-mindedness and critical inquiry.
Grades 9-12: Senior High Youth Group
T
he senior high youth group meets on Sundays from 11:3012:30. The group offers its members a safe place to share
their lives and find support and friendship among open-minded
and loving peers. The group engages in discussions about issues
relevant to youth’s lives and communities. They plan social and
service projects throughout the year.
They also participate in youth conferences in area Unitarian
Universalist churches under the auspices of the Pacific Central
District of Unitarian Universalist Congregations and Young
Religious Unitarian Universalists - Pacific (YRUUP). The youth
group’s empowering philosophy educates youth to be leaders
within the group, church community and denomination.
Youth Group Advisors: Rev. Geoff Rimositis, Rick Morris,
Matt Trask
Primera Iglesia Unitaria de San José • Page 7
Middle School Unitarian
Universalist Gathering
March 20-22, 2015; Friday,
7 pm - Sunday,10:30 am, Napa
Valley Unitarian Universalists,1625
Salvador Avenue, Napa, CA 94558
M
iddle School Unitarian
Universalist Gatherings (MUUGs)
Retreats allow 6th through 9th graders to
meet other youth in small group meetings
for play, fun and just talking. Of course,
there are regular meals, snacks, a movie,
youth worship and large group activities.
The retreat leaders are youth, young
adults, and adults who particularly enjoy
working with middle school youth.
Cost: $50/youth (postmarked by
March 13, 2015). Registration costs
include snacks, three meals on Saturday,
breakfast on Sunday and all activities.
First time participants in MUUGs pay
$25. After March 13 there is a $10 late
fee. Late registrants must contact the
registrar to confirm there is space.
Questions about registration go to our
registrar, Marlene Abel: 707 763-0443
(home), 707 364-4526 (cell), marlenea@
sonic.net or check http://www.pcd-uua.org/
Chalice Camp - East Bay
August 10 -14, 9:00 am-5:00 pm,
(extended care 8:30 am-5:30 pm),
Lake Temescal in Oakland
Chalice Camp is a fun filled week-long
summer day camp for children entering 1st
through 6th grades. Chalice Camp deepens
children’s and youth’s connection to one
another, their understanding of themselves
as Unitarian Universalists and expands
their knowledge of Unitarian Universalism
and their capacity to be articulate about
our faith. The activities during the week
include daily worship, group building
exercises, games, drama, art, study, and a
service project. This year’s theme: Identity
and Justice. We explore the history of
institutionalized oppression, especially
racism, in our country and how we as UUs
create possibilities for a more just world.
Contact Rev. Sheri Prud’homme or
Laila Ibrahim at [email protected]
or register at www.chalicecamp.org.
Page 8 Make a bed for the children of other people in the place where your own children
sleep. — Moroccan folk saying quoted in Wisdom of the African World, edited by Reginald
McKnight
Spiritual practice among Lakota peoples is grounded in the expression “All my
relations,” which proclaims that spiritual activity is not only for those immediately
participating in it but for all beings everywhere. — Joan Halifax in The Fruitful Darkness
I cannot exist without in some sense taking part in you, in the child I once was, in
the breeze stirring the down on my arm, in the child starving far away, in the flashing
round of the spiral nebula. — Catherine Keller quoted in Lighting a Candle by Molly Young
Brown
With Younger Children:
We are Stitched and Sewn
Together
from UU World, Fall, 2012
We share the interconnected web with
millions of people we will never meet who
do jobs that make our lives better, in farms
or factories where we will never go. Gather
some garments and foods with labels
identifying fabrics/ ingredients and where
the item was made. Use clues from the
labels and the items themselves (without
opening packages or taking any clothing
apart) to list all the people connected,
through each item, to you.
- How did this item get from its point of
origin to us today?
- What exactly is it made of? Where do
those materials come from? Are they
manufactured, found, or grown? Where,
and by whom?
- How can we affirm that the people whose
hands’ work we use are each a sparkling
jewel, as singular and valuable as you or I?
By treating every person we encounter with
respect, we convey our gratitude for things we
use that others made. We show that every
person is equally important, no matter
where they live, what kind of work they do,
or whether we know them or not.
—
Imagery Exercise
— from Spirituality & Practice,
www.spiritualityandpractice.com/
Thich Nhat Hanh, the Vietnamese Buddhist
monk, uses the term “interbeing” to
describe the interconnection of all creation.
“When you touch one,” he writes, “you
touch many, and when you touch many, you
touch one.” Imagery is one way to know
yourself as part of the multitudes. This
exercise is based on Thich Nhat Hanh’s
description of eating a tangerine…
Breathe out three times. See yourself
holding a round orange tangerine that
Continued on next page
Our Church Circular • March 2015• marzo 2015
changes into a blossom on a tree. Sense
how the tree is bathed in the light of the
golden sun and then covered with soft cool
rain. Notice how the blossom becomes a
small fruit that grows into the tangerine.
See and smell the tangerine in your hand.
Breathe out one time. Imagine yourself
peeling the tangerine and eating a piece of
it, knowing that as you do so, you are being
part of the sun, the rain, the tree, and all
of the Creation. Then open your eyes.
For Us All: Move Around On
Our Interconnected Web!
Exercise Your Multicultural
Competence
Where do you, or could you, gain more
than a glimpse of humanity’s sparkling
diversity? If your life feels too segregated,
make changes. As a family, explore places
to shop, eat, play, and learn as a family
that are likely to involve a multicultural
encounter.
• Ride the train to the next stop and visit a
new community.
• Attend heritage festivals.
• Sign your child up for sports or arts
activities where you will find or bring
diversity. Multicultural competence requires
us to seek out people and groups unlike
ourselves in a spirit of curiosity, openness,
and respect. It asks us to communicate and
share across cultures with a willingness to
self-reflect and self-critique, and without
using assumptions or biases. Make
multicultural competence an intentional
practice:
• Become more aware of groups/people
who are not like you.
• Acquire specific knowledge about
individuals and groups from other cultures
and affiliations.
• Maintain a receptive attitude and
openness to all forms of diversity.
• Build cross-cultural communication skills.
• Cultivate a passion for multicultural
settings and intercultural engagement.
Our Church Circular • March 2015 • marzo 2015
Join the People in the Know!
T
he newly organized Communications Team, which manages the Website,
newsletter and Facebook page for the Church, needs volunteers. You can do as
little or as much as you want in preparing and releasing the Church’s communications.
We need photographers, writers, layout artists, reporters, and editors. This can be a
great way to get to know and work with many different people in our church.
If you are familiar with — or want to learn — any of the software and platforms we
use, you can help the team get the congregation’s messages out to the public as well as
keep members and friends up to date about our activities and goals.
We use: Microsoft Word, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Dreamweaver, Adobe Photoshop
to prepare materials for Our Church Circular, the church website, Facebook page,
Twitter, Youtube… or *your* favorite social networking platform!
And this is urgent! We particularly need you to volunteer soon, so that you can receive
training from our senior editor relocates to Seattle in April.
Contact Shirley Worth at [email protected] or Catherine Pelizzari at [email protected].
2014-’15 Religious Education and Family Calendar
Sunday, March 1 3-5 year olds
1st -4th grades 5th-8th grades 9th-12th grades
Families
Create Magic, Change the World
Visit to Cathedral Basilica of St, Joseph
Group meets at regular time, 11:30-12:30
Sunday, March 8
3-5 year olds 1st - 4th grades
5th-8th grades 9th-12th grades
Coming of Age (8th-10th)
Henry Works
Seek Truth
Senior High Service—NO CLASS
Senior High Lead Today’s Worship Service
Mentor-Youth Meeting, 12:45- 2 pm
(Bowling 2:30-4:30)
Sunday, March 15
3-5 year olds 1st -4th grades 5th-8th grades 9th-12th grades
Parent Meeting The Keeping Quilt
Ask Questions
Workshop 12: Christianity II
Group meets at regular time, 11:30-12:30
9:30-10:45 am, childcare available. Parents check in about their lives and parenting, followed by a discussion about parenting issues and concerns.
Sunday, March 22
3-5 year olds Spring Equinox
1st -8th grades Speak Out
5th-8th grades Visit to Antioch Baptist Church service, 10 am
9th-12th grades Group meets at regular time, 11:30-12:30
Middle School Unitarian Universalist Conference (MUUGS), March 20-22
Sunday, March 29
3-5 year olds 1st -8th grades 5th-8th grades 9th-12th grades
All I See is A Part of Me
Get Involved
Christianity Part 2, Part II
Group meets at regular time, 11:30-12:30
Primera Iglesia Unitaria de San José • Page 9
2015 Jean vonKaenel Tea
I
n recognition of the contributions and
support to the Partner Church program
by Jean vonKaenel, the tea presented
by the Partner Church Committee
was renamed to the Jean vonKaenel
Tea. This year’s tea, held on January 31,
was a great success. The tea was well
attended with entertainment by: Frank
Farris, Diane Saichek, Eszterlanc Folk
Ensemble dancers, Maddie Delgros,
Ruby Delgros, Alexander Castro Young,
Sean Ferry, Federico Madden, and Dan
Zulevic. Tea was served by youth and
travelers who will go on the pilgrimage
this summer to our partner church in
Homoródszentmárton, Romania.
Extra thanks go out to organizer
Connie Bloch; to assistant organizers
MM Feldman, Maggie Norris, and Deb
Fenzel-Alexander; and to major food/tea
preparers, the Feldman-Morris family.
All proceeds will be used to offset the
travel costs of our pilgrimage this summer
to our partner church.
Eszterlanc Folk Ensemble dancers
Jean Embree
Vic Clifford, Bev Clifford, Pam Price, Rev. Goeff Rimositis, and Diana Wirt enjoy good food and conversation
Third Street Benefit
“Inspire Young Minds”
Scheduled for May 2
Our Dear Friends of Third Street,
As we continue to move forward with
our ongoing fundraising efforts, we have
made progress with our annual event.
Please mark your calendars for Saturday,
May 2, and join us for our annual benefit:
Inspire Young Minds. Tickets will be on
sale soon. The event will start at 6 pm
(registration, wine, appetizers), followed
by dinner and a program.
If you have time, we are looking for
1-2 people who can help manage our
silent auction. Work includes securing
items, organizing bid sheets, etc. We are
also looking for table and event sponsors.
If you work for a company that has a
philanthropic heart, please ask them to
sponsor a table of 10. Companies tend to
sponsor when an employee asks. Please
contact Rosemary Baez if you would like
to discuss your involvement.
Thank you again for your ongoing
support of Third Street!
Warmly,
Vicky Del Arenal, Board Chair
Rosemary Baez, Executive Director
Rev. Nancy and Diana Wirt
Dana Spinney
Page 10 Youth serving the delicious tea-time offerings
Our Church Circular • March 2015• marzo 2015
Upcoming Events and Announcements
Submitting Ideas to Social
Book Study: The First
Women’s Alliance Meeting Justice Council
New Testament: Marcion’s Thursday, March 5, 7:15-9:15 pm,
Monday, March 9, 7:00 pm,
Scriptural Canon
Conference Room
Conference Room
by Jason D. BeDuhn
The Women’s Alliance will meet to
o be more transparent about how
Sunday, March 1, 1 - 3 pm,
Conference Room, led by Bob
Miess
O
n March 1 we continue our study of
our book, The First New Testament:
Marcion’s Scriptural Canon by Jason D.
BeDuhn, about Marcion, a second-century
heretic, and his New Testament. Marcion
was the first known Christian to create a
“bible,” but his “bible” was different from
what we think of as “the” bible today. This
month we will continue to discuss the
second and third part of Chapter 3 (pages
99-200), Marcion’s Evangelion (the single
Gospel that was in his New Testament)
and BeDuhn’s detailed notes about how
BeDuhn reconstructed it. Since this is an
extensive and detailed scholarly section, we
will discuss only selected parts to get a good
idea of BeDuhn’s approach. Last month we
covered about half (up to page 110 in the
Evangelion). This month we will continue
with the second half. Please bring a Bible
with the Gospel of Luke for comparison
– any translation will do – or use one of
our copies during the session. Questions?
Contact Bob Miess, [email protected], 408-753-0541. l
continue our discussion of Jimmy Carter’s
powerful book, A Call to Action:
Women, Religion, Violence, and Power.
We will concentrate on pages 52-117
at this session. For more information,
contact Nancy Coleman at nbcoleman@
gmail.com or 408 985 5778. All are
welcome. l
Dances of Universal Peace
Friday, March 6, 8:00 pm,
Sanctuary
C
ome join us on the labyrinth under
the dome of our church. The Dances
of Universal Peace are a spiritual practice
honoring the inherent worth and dignity
of every human being, celebrating the
interconnected web of all existence, and
using sacred phrases from the world’s
religions. Beginners and experienced
dancers join together in these moving
meditations. The words of the sacred
phrases, as well as the melodies and
movements, are taught each time.
Questions? Email Patrick Smiley at
[email protected] or leave a
message at 650-596-8829. l
Weekly Meditation Group
W
Monday, March 16, 7:30- 9 pm, Library
W
hat’s On Your Mind? Our
meetings are no-pressure gettogethers and conversations about
anything on your mind. There might be
board games. Join us! l
Our Church Circular • March 2015 • marzo 2015
projects are proposed, the Social
Justice Council wants people of all ages
to know that any of you may submit your
ideas, such as projects or events, either
on paper or by email to the Social Justice
Council. Events might be marches,
rallies, movies, speakers, actions, benefit
concerts, and so forth. Projects might be
something like 30 Days of Love, writing
campaigns, service, transportation,
accessibility, performances, greening
the church, improving our welcome, or
spreading Social Justice through all areas
of the church.
Write up your idea with your plan to
make it successful and submit it to the
Social Justice Council by email or bring
it to the meeting. Some funds may be
available. Social Justice Council meetings
are the second Mondays of the month.
Contact John Burk at 408-259-3781
or [email protected] with the
Subject line: Social Justice Project.
Please join us to make your voice
heard! l
Mondays, 6-7 pm, Sanctuary
HUUmanati Monthly
Monday Meeting
Remember to bring
your recyclable bottles
and cans to help
cover expenses of this
newsletter!
T
HUUmanati Sunday
Forum
T
he Sunday Forum is on hiatus for the
time being. l
e meditate starting at 6 pm for
30 minutes. We begin with the
ringing of the meditation bell and setting
the timer for 30 minutes. Come in the
door at end of the ramp and quietly
enter the sanctuary. You are welcome, no
matter what time you arrive, to sit in a
chair or on the labyrinth. You can bring
a cushion to meditate on. You can leave
after the meditation but all are welcome
to stay from 6:30 until 7 pm for a checkin about our meditation experience, and
practice. To be put on the meditation
group email list, contact meditation
group convener, Rev. Geoff Rimositis,
[email protected]. l
Primera Iglesia Unitaria de San José • Page 11
Rights of Nature Group:
Ocean Acidification and
its Remediation
Annual Election Meeting on Circle Suppers
Sunday, March 22
Saturday & Sunday, March 21 & 22,
Sunday, March 15, 12:45-2:00 pm,
Ramsden Fireside Room
e will hold our annual
congregational meeting to elect
officers after the service on Sunday, March
15th, in accord with our bylaws and the 6th
UU Principle on “the right of conscience
and the use of the democratic process
within our congregations and in society at
large.” All members of the congregation can
and are urged to vote. Anyone can attend
and speak.
Your attendance at this meeting
honors those who have volunteered as
candidates to keep our congregation
moving forward and making Love visible.
The slate of candidates from the
nominating committee will be announced
through all-church e-mail, in our Sunday
order of service and on the FUCSJ website.
Nominations may be made from the floor.
Absentee ballots are available in the church
office through Friday March 13th.
D
o you know about the “other”
carbon-dioxide problem? Dr.
Alexander Cannara, a consultant and
educator on climate and energy issues,
will describe how atmospheric CO2
dissolves into the oceans, forming
carbonic acid, and how our excess CO2
emissions are expected to make the
oceans too acidic by 2050 for continued
survival of the marine food chain. This
would not only threaten the entire
seafood industry (20% of human food
protein), it would also eliminate the
natural carbon sequestration services
provided by organisms with carbonate
shells and skeletons. Their disappearance
would make it even harder to keep a
lid on atmospheric CO2 levels, which
must be done to stop the upward drift of
global mean temperature. How might
humans halt ocean acidification before
it’s too late? This discussion is sponsored
by the Rights of Nature Group after
the service on March 15. For questions
about the meeting, contact Mike
Pelizzari at [email protected]. For a
chart showing the future effects of ocean
acidification, see below. For introductory
videos on this subject, visit this website:
http://coralreef.noaa.gov/education/oa/
presentation-videos.html l
Page 12 12:15 pm, Sanctuary
W
UUthful Spirits
Second and fourth Sundays, 12:45 pm,
Hattie Porter Hall by Newcomer’s table
J
oin our young adult and young-at-heart
fellowship group for Sunday Lunch!
Meet in Hattie Porter Hall nearish the
Newcomer’s table about 12:45 pm. We also
host a happy hour on the first Friday of the
month. For information, contact uuthful_
[email protected]. l
RSVP (by March 8) for locations
C
ircle Suppers offer an opportunity
for members of the church
community to get to know one another
at casual potluck suppers. Small groups
come together in members’ homes to
share food and conversation. Singles and
couples, long-time church members or
new to this church community, all are
welcome. Questions? Contact Barbara at
[email protected]. The deadline
to sign up is Sunday, March 8.l
My Ministry in the World
Sunday, March 22, 1 - 3 pm,
Conference Room
H
ow would you like to see the world
transformed? Can you play a role in
making it happen? Are there ways you can
draw other people into your dream? We
have a program that supports people in
creating ministries beyond the walls of our
church and putting them into action. In each
meeting we explore our callings and develop
strategies for fulfilling them. This month we
will talk about each person’s progress and
help one another discover great ways to put
our missions into practice. Come and join
kindred spirits in discovering and deepening
your mission, asking questions, learning
about our program. Questions? Contact
Bob Miess, Bob@Heart-HealthyLifestyles.
com, 408-753-0541. l
Our Church Circular • March 2015• marzo 2015
2015 Partner Church
Pilgrimage is Full
T
he Partner Church Pilgrimage to
Homoródszentmárton, Romania this
summer was consolidated into a single
trip from July 16 to July 30.
The trip is now full with a roster of 34
travelers. All group airline tickets have
been purchased and accommodations
have been booked. l
Climate Justice Month is
Coming!
From World Water Day (Climate
Justice Sunday, March 22) to Earth
Day (Wednesday, April 22), Unitarian
Universalists and other people of faith
and conscience can embark on a spiritual
journey for climate justice.
Individuals, families, groups, and
congregations can get faith-filled
resources, engage in powerful practices
throughout the month, learn together,
and discern how to most effectively shift
to a low carbon future, advance human
rights, and grow the climate justice
movement. Get the details and sign up
for Climate Justice Month daily messages.
Climate Justice Month is being
organized by Commit2Respond, the
new climate justice initiative led by UU
groups across our faith movement. Join
Commit2Respond to participate, and if
you’re a congregational leader, save the
dates for Climate Justice Sunday and
Earth Day observances.
Be inspired, get connected with
other people of faith and conscience
committed to climate justice, and commit
to long-term actions that will help save
our world. This is your movement. You
have the power to make a difference.
How will you respond?
www.commit2respond.org
Rights of Nature Group at FUCSJ
has signed up but you can also join as
an individual. For information see the
website, or contact Frey Leigh fleigh@
att.net. l
Our Church Circular • March 2015 • marzo 2015
Partner Church Minister
Visit
T
he new minister of our partner
church, Rev. János Pál, and his wife
Orsolya-Mária Andorkó will visit San
Jose from March 25 to March 31.
The primary purpose of the trip is
to work with us to plan the pilgrimage
to Homoródszentmárton, Romania
this summer. There will be two events
when Rev. János is scheduled to meet
the congregation. The first is during
Alabanza on March 29, 10:15 – 11 am,
where he will tell us about the current
conditions in Romania. The second
meeting will be a potluck dinner March
29, 6 - 8 pm in Hattie Porter Hall.
The primary topic for discussion at the
second meeting will be items related to
the pilgrimage this summer. Although we
will be discussing the pilgrimage, anyone
interested is invited to attend. During
this visit, we will also treat our guest to
some sightseeing excursions. If you would
like to attend the potluck or participate
in hosting our guests in any way, please
contact Monty Low, low.monty@gmail.
com, 408-348-2778. l
Anniversary? Shower?
Birthday? Club Meeting?
The perfect setting is — our
church! Picture your small party in
the Ramsden Fireside Room or a
bigger bash in Hattie Porter Hall.
See http://tinyurl.com/fusj-rentals
for details, or call Maxine at (408)
841-7542!
Celebrate 150 Years
of Making Love
Visible: Join the
Party(ies)!
by Madeline Morrow
I
n 2015-16, the First Unitarian Church
of San José celebrates 150 years of
Making Love Visible in the Santa Clara
Valley. Join us this Stewardship Season
as we Grow Love from Our Deepest
Roots!
Imagine 150 years of Unitarians and
Unitarian Universalists giving of their
time, talent, and treasure to support First
Unitarian’s spiritual and justice-seeking
ministries. In the coming year, we will
unearth the rich legacy inherited from
those ancestors and respond to our call
to leave a thriving congregation for those
seekers who come after us.
In our living tradition, Unitarian
Universalist congregations are selfgoverned, self-managed, and selfsupported. It is up to “just us” to support
this community we love and the work it
does in the world.
Help Us to Grow Our Love! Please
join us at a party:
Throughout March, the Stewardship
Table will be staffed by church leaders on
Sundays after service. You can sign up
to attend a party or find out more about
our season of stewardship. Stewardship
ambassadors will also be contacting
members and friends to connect everyone
to a house party for fellowship, food and
fun. There are ten parties, so you will
be able to find one that is right for you.
Families have a special Family Party on
Sunday, March 8, 2:30 to 3:30 at FUCSJ,
with childcare. Sign up to reserve your
place now!
For more information contact Diana
Wirt at [email protected]. l
Primera Iglesia Unitaria de San José • Page 13
Save the Year!
FUCSJ is approaching some
significant anniversaries:
uNovember 25, 1865: Rev. Ames gives
a sermon that sparks formation of a
Unitarian church in San Jose
uFall of 1866: Formation of Unity Church
(that’s us!)
u Fall of 1891: Cornerstone of church
building laid
uOctober 16, 1995: Church fire
T
he 150th Anniversary Celebration
committee plans a series of events for
2015-2016. We will have a big party in
fall 2015 to mark the 20th anniversary of
the fire and the 150th anniversary of our
spark: the Ames sermon. We will finish
with an even bigger event in fall 2016
to mark the 150th anniversary of our
founding and the 125th anniversary of
the laying of the cornerstone. All through
the year we will have commemorations
and events that reach out to the wider
community, including a historic note
every Sunday, a FUCSJ history exhibit
at MLK Library, church tours for the
community, invitational art exhibit on
themes from our history of working for
social justice, a concert (or concerts),
and more outreach: an anniversary book,
displays inside church, on the website, a
banner on our building.
Collectively we want to create a vision
for the future as we celebrate our history.
You can join in. The 150th
Anniversary Committee will be
coordinating the entire celebration, but
this is big, and we are setting up five
subcommittees:
Historical research (Kristin Rivers
and Catherine Pelizzari so far),
Financial, Event Planning, Public
relations/Publicity, and Displays/
Publications. Interested in making this
celebration fun, spiritually enriching and
community-building while preparing
us to go boldly into the next 150 years?
Contact coordinators Robert Strong
([email protected]) or Madeline
Morrow. (madelinemorrow@earthlink.
net). l
Page 14 Connect with FUCSJ’s
Online Ministries via
Facebook!
Get First Unitarian Church of San José
updates, reminders, inside scoops, minister’s
messages, and more every day of the week
on our Facebook page! You can “Like” our
page: facebook.com/FUCSJ
Help us grow our online presence and
continue the conversation on our Facebook
page. “First Unitarian Church of San José.”
New articles, thoughtful quotes, and photos
every week! Rev. Nancy welcomes your Friend
requests on Facebook, as well. You can find
her at “Nancy Palmer Jones.” You will find
lots of FUCSJ friends and friends-to-be on
Facebook, as well as the UU Parents Meetup
group, and more.
The Alegría Singers
Wednesdays, 7:00-9 pm, Sanctuary
J
oin the FUCSJ choir in singing at regular
Sunday services, at special events such as
Solstice Celebrations and Coffee Houses,
and bringing music to various church
activities. Come lift your voices with us! l
Guitars Aloud
Wednesdays, 6 -7:15 pm, Sanctuary
G
uitarists! Let’s get together to play
UU hymns and other music suitable
for services. This group welcomes multiple
levels and will help you develop your
musicianship as you serve the church
and its ideals. Ages teen through adult.
Questions? Contact Ed Gardner, 408712-4157, [email protected], or Sally
Cooperrider, [email protected]
Like to Write? Check Out
the UU Band of Writers
First Sundays, Youth Room
T
he UU Band of Writers offers
support and encouragement to
people who enjoy writing. We have a
monthly homework assignment and a
10-minute writing session during our
meetings, which is always a lot of fun. We
meet the first Sunday of each month at
1 pm in the Youth Room. New people are
always welcome. Hope to see YOU on
Sunday, March 1 or Sunday April 5! l
Community Dance
First and Third Sundays, 2:30 -5 pm,
Hattie Porter Hall
G
reat exercise, great LIVE music, great
fun! All dances taught - beginners
welcome. For more information,
see bacds.org/series/community/
san_jose or facebook.com/groups/
SanJoseCommunityDance l
Our Church Circular • March 2015• marzo 2015
UU Hikers and Friends
Here is our March 2015 hiking
schedule. Please call or email me if
you plan to hike. Home phone, 408
730-1052; cell, 408 769-0534; email,
[email protected]. ­—Joyce Miller
Wednesday, March 4
Coyote Ridge Regional Park. (Ttentative hike.)
Alice leads us into a publically unopened park,
about 4 miles. The wild flowers are wonderful, so a
shorter hike is probably fine--giving us time to take
pictures and identify the flowers. If the hike is not
a go (unlikely), I will send out an email. The backup
hike is Santa Teresa. We meet at Bed, Bath and
Beyond parking lot at 8:30 am. Alice instructs us
about getting to the trailhead.
Saturday, March 7
Almaden Quicksilver County Park, moderate, 5
miles. Use the McAbee entrance. Meet at Bed, Bath
and Beyond at 8:30 am.
Wednesday, March 11
Almaden Quicksilver County Park, moderate, 5
miles. Use the McAbee entrance. Meet at Bed, Bath
and Beyond at 8:30 am.
Saturday, March 14
Castle Rock State Park, 6 miles, moderate. Meet at
FINET Mortage of Saratoga and Village Burger Bar
(VBB) parking lot in Saratoga at 8:30 am. Turn
onto Big Basin Way at the 76 gas station and Food
Mart and take the first left--driveway by VBB--into
the parking lot.
Wednesday, March 18
New shuttle hike from Sanborn (Sunnyvale
Mountain trailhead on Skyline) to Saratoga Gap
Open Space Preserve. This is a new twist on the
other shuttle hike from Sanborn to Castle Rock.
Instead of going from Sanborn to Castle Rock,
we hike to the parking area at the intersection of
Highway 9 and Skyline. This hike is easy without
much elevation change, 5.4 miles. Meet at FINET
Mortage of Saratoga and Village Burger Bar (VBB)
parking lot in Saratoga at 8:30 am. Turn onto Big
Basin Way at the 76 gas station and Food Mart.
Our Church Circular • March 2015 • marzo 2015
and take the first left--driveway by VBB--into the
parking lot.
Saturday, March 21
Let’s try to do Big Basin again. I have put this on
schedule twice, and each time we have cancelled
and done closer hikes. We hike to Berry Falls and
back, about 8 miles. Plan for a longer day. We
should be back around 3:30 pm. Meet at FINET
Mortage of Saratoga and Village Burger Bar (VBB)
parking lot in Saratoga at 8:30 am. Turn onto Big
Basin Way at the 76 gas station and Food Mart,
and take the first left--driveway by VBB--into the
parking lot.
Wednesday, March 25
Los Trancos Open Space, 6-7 miles, moderate. Meet
at Page Mill/280 Park and Ride at 8:30 am.
Saturday, March 28
Sunol Regional Park, 6 miles, moderate. We do a
modified hike with some climbing but mostly flat
trails along the creek. Very pretty! Meet at VTA
Park and Ride on Capitol off Alum Rock at 8:30
am.
eScrip = Easy Income for
the Church
T
he credit card donation program that
is called eScrip is a highly successful
way of getting merchants to donate to
churches and schools automatically, in
exchange for us shopping at their stores,
which we are already doing anyway. Thus
free $ for us! You set up your Safeway
and credit cards once and the rest is
automatic except for occasional renewals
and remembering to use those cards.
To sign up, go to www.escrip.com
and click on “Sign-up” and follow the
instructions. Then stores such as Safeway
and others you where you use Visa or
Mastercard will donate 1% to 5% of what
you spend on those cards straight into
the church’s bank account. Our church
and other churches and schools across
the country have been participating for
years with no security problems. If you
would like more information before you
sign up, go to www.escrip.com or contact
Diana Wirt at [email protected] or
408-859-7112.
Sign up today! If you’re already signed
up, be sure to update your cards if they
have changed. l
District Assembly 2015
Save the Date!
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Walking A Faithful Path
D
istrict Assembly 2015 will be held
Saturday, April 25, 2015 at the First
UU Society of San Francisco. We are
very excited about the possibilities for
this year’s program, which will be on the
theme “Walking a Faithful Path.”
We have a wonderful day planned,
including two vibrant services organized
by our worship team, Rev. Theresa
Novak, Rev. Russ Menk, and Music
Director Shawn Reifschneider; an
innovative all-generations morning
program; an array of dynamic and
interesting workshops; and opportunities
to discuss some of the current challenges
and opportunities facing the PCD today.
We will also be holding our PCDUUA Annual Meeting —it’s never to
early to organize your congregation’s
delegates for this important meeting.
We are very grateful to the First UU
Society of San Francisco for hosting our
annual District Assembly!
Join us for dynamic worship,
workshops, connections, and celebration!
Watch the PCD Web Site and this
newsletter for more information.
PS: Has your congregation elected
your delegates to the PCD Annual
Meeting? Would you like to be a
volunteer for an hour or two, helping
at the registration desk or providing a
welcoming, hospitable presence for our
participants? Do you have special skills
in Audio-Visual technology that you
would be willing to volunteer for the
day? If so, then please contact District
Administrator Chuck Rosene at (510)
530-1437 or [email protected].
Primera Iglesia Unitaria de San José • Page 15
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH of San José
160 North Third Street
San José, CA 95112
Want to Receive the Newsletter?
To receive the newsletter on paper, fill out the form
at this link:
http://sanjoseuu.org/form/index.php?sid=2
or call (408) 292-3858
To receive the newsletter via email:
[email protected]
or join the church’s Yahoo Group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/uusj
Next issue copy deadline:
3 pm, Wednesday, March 22
Mailing:
Wednesday, March 28
View this newsletter online in PDF
format at: sanjoseuu.org
Donations are welcome to help defray the cost of printing and mailing.
Suggested donation: $18-$20 per year – please mail to Office Manager –
or bring returnable bottles/cans for us to recycle!
For Pastoral Care
Our community strives to offer compassion, companionship, healing, and joy to all its members.
Our pastoral care coordinators can help you find the listening ear or helping hands that you
may need in difficult times. Please contact the Rev. Geoff Rimositis.
Contacting the Ministers
Rev. Nancy Palmer Jones and Rev. Geoff Rimositis feel honored to serve this congregation,
and we cherish your trust! Here is how to reach us: Nancy (408) 292-3858, ext. 223
Mon.-Thurs.; cell (408) 952-9418; e-mail: [email protected]. Geoff: (408) 2923858, ext. 225 Mon.-Thurs.; cell (408) 309-7796; e-mail: [email protected].
Cuidado Pastoral
Nuestra comunidad se esfuerza en ofrecer la compasión, el compañerismo curativo, y la alegría a
todos sus miembros. Nuestros coordinadores en cuidado pastoral pueden ayudarle a encontrar
un oído que escucha, o las manos que ayudan cuando ustedes lo pudieran necesitar en épocas
difíciles. Para el cuidado pastoral, por favor, comuníquese con el Rev. Geoff Rimositis.
Contactando a los Ministros
La Rev. Nancy Palmer Jones y El Rev. Geoff Rimositis se sienten honrados de servir a esta
congregación y apreciamos su confianza! Aquí esta como puede contactarnos: Nancy
(408) 292-3858, ext. 223 de Lunes a Jueves; cell (408) 952-9418; e-mail: revnpj@yahoo.
com. Geoff: (408) 292-3858, ext. 225 de Lunes a Jueves; cell (408) 309-7796; e-mail:
[email protected]
READY TO BECOME A NEW MEMBER OF THE FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH OF SAN JOSÉ?
Contact Rev. Geoff, [email protected]
NEWSLETTER STAFF
Editorial Team:
Sherry Howd, Mina Kelly,
Catherine Leeson Pelizzari,
[email protected]
CHURCH OFFICE
HOURS: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9 am - 4
pm.
Phone: (408) 292-3858 (plus staff extensions)
Fax: (408) 292-4744; [email protected]
Website: http://www.sanjoseuu.org
Rentals: (408) 841-7542 or [email protected]
Our Church Circular is published on
the last Wednesday of each month. OFFICERS
Circulation is about 500.
PRESIDENT Madeline Morrow,
[email protected]
Translator: Roberto Padilla
SECRETARY
Nancy Coleman,
Assembly Coordinators: Andrea Dinolt,
[email protected]
Rebecca Mason
TREASURER Bill Shepard, [email protected]
Thanks for all the work you do and PERSONNEL OFFICER Sally Cooperrider
care you put into the newsletter.
[email protected]
PROGRAM OFFICER Francisco Hernandez,
[email protected]
FINANCIAL OFFICER Dena Dickinson,
[email protected]
CHURCH STAFF
SENIOR MINISTER,
The Rev. Nancy Palmer Jones, Ext. 223,
[email protected]
ASSOCIATE MINISTER FOR FAMILY MINISTRIES
The Rev. Geoff Rimositis,
Ext. 225, [email protected]
CHOIR DIRECTOR, John Ector,
[email protected]
OFFICE MANAGER, Dana Spinney,
Ext. 221, [email protected]
BOOKKEEPER Sue Evanicky,
Ext. 227 [email protected]
CUSTODIAN Edgar Cruz
PROGRAM & OPERATIONS
COUNCIL (POC)
John Burk, Greg Smith, Social Justice,
[email protected]
[email protected]
(open), Outreach
(open), Building,
Diana Wirt, Stewardship and Fundraising,
[email protected]
(open), Inreach
(open), Religious Education and Family
Ministries
NURSERY Danni Fernandez, Kimberly Fernandez
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Frank Bosche, [email protected]
Roberto Padilla, [email protected]
Marnie Singer, [email protected]
Rob Strong, [email protected]