1. family and parenting
2. children

Our Church Circular
First Unitarian Church of San José * December 2014 * diciembre 2014
160 N. Third Street, San José, CA 95112 * (408) 292-3858 * sanjoseuu.org
Building an Active Hope
by the Rev. Nancy Palmer Jones
The day I read the survey on our worship themes for winter-spring
2015, I must have felt overwhelmed by the world’s troubles.
January’s theme, “Creation,” makes me think of the crises caused by
climate disruption. “I feel like this theme could or should be called
‘destruction’!” I harrumph. For February’s “Love,” I offer a big
Eeyore sigh: “Oh, Love …” I grump on through the next two months’
themes: March, “Brokenness” – “Well, this one should be easy!” April,
“Transformation and Rebirth” – “Are second chances really available
for everyone?”
To be fair, after these first gloomy reactions, I do
offer some glimmers of hope, but nothing really
shifts my perspective until I get to May, “Awe
and Wonder.” To my surprise, what flies from my
fingers onto the screen is this:
“I do love this world. The awe of pausing even
for a moment to follow a butterfly flitting among
the bushes outside the church, asking it to pause for a moment while
I dig in my purse for my phone and come close enough to capture a
good picture of its furry body and tweedy yellow wings with those two
blue ‘eyes’ at the bottom … The wonder of making a new friend, like
my Tuesday-Thursday-morning-walking-friend Jennifer … The awe
of people’s courage as I witness congregants facing such difficult
circumstances and finding their way to hope, strength, companionship,
and perseverance. I love this world.”
What happened here? What caused my spirit’s move from
hopelessness to a deep appreciation that embodied hope? It has
something to do with moving from a generalized despair, which shut
down my senses and limited my choices about those themes for
January through April, to naming for May specific examples of my
values embodied in the world: the beauty of all our diverse creatures;
the importance of friendship; the strength and courage of the human
spirit. Stories of hope.
Eco-philosopher Joanna Macy’s book Active Hope: How to Face the
Mess We’re in Without Going Crazy (written with Chris Johnstone) points
out that if we only dare to hope for something that is likely to happen,
we cut off the full range of our responses to the world. There is no
guarantee that what we want will indeed happen. Does that mean that
we do nothing?
Of course not! The other kind of hope consists of acting on our gut-level
desire for constructive change – change that brings our deepest values
to life. “Hope is not something we have,” Joanna Macy says with passion,
“it’s something we DO.” It is an embodied spiritual practice, just like the
gratitude-in-hard-times that we practiced in November.
Macy and Johnstone spell out three key
moves that hope asks of us: First, we have to
look honestly at what is. If we turn away from
the depressing stuff, we numb our responses
and limit our energy and creativity. Second, we
must get specific about the directions in which we
want our lives and the world to move. We need
to name the values that we want to see tangibly
expressed. We cast a vision that pulls us forward,
even if don’t know exactly how we’ll get there. And third, we commit to the
journey of moving toward that vision, taking the steps, one after another,
that we discover together and that move us in the desired direction.
Every time we here at First Unitarian step toward our vision for a better
life for all, we move through these three stages – looking clearly at the
present reality, imagining the future we desire, moving forward one step
at a time. Every time I walk toward our vision of making Love visible – with
you, with my clergy colleagues and friends, with our partners in People
Acting in Community Together (PACT) – I sense this active hope alive and
at work in us.
Come to think of it, the December holidays, too, are built on stories of
active hope. At the root of Chanukkah, Christmas, Solstice, and Kwanzaa
celebrations lie visions of freedom from oppression, of love offered to all,
of life cycles promising second chances, of community deepening a sense
of identity and self-esteem. Such active hope moves us from a generalized
despair that deadens our senses, to the energy and joy of embodying our
values, moving toward our desires for the good, and discovering that we
are not alone. Come, engage in Active Hope with us this season!
With love and affection,
December Theme: Hope
Thema de diciembre: Esperanza
Rev. Nancy
Construyendo una
Esperanza Activa
El día que respondo la encuesta sobre nuestros temas de servicio para
el invierno-primavera 2015, debo haberme sentido abrumada por los
problemas del mundo. El tema del mes de enero, “Creación”, me hace
pensar en las crisis causadas por la alteración del clima. “!Siento como
si este tema podría o debería llamarse ‘destrucción’!” Yo Carraspeo.
Para el “Amor” de febrero, les ofrezco un gran suspiro: “Oh, amor...”
Yo refunfuño a través de los temas de los próximos dos meses: marzo,
“Quebranto” – ”! Bueno, éste debe ser fácil!” Abril, “Transformación
y Renacimiento” – ”¿Están las segundas oportunidades realmente
disponibles para cualquiera?”
Para ser justos, después de estas primeras reacciones sombrías,
ofrezco algunos destellos de esperanza, pero nada realmente cambia
mi perspectiva hasta que llegue a Mayo, “Asombro y Maravilla”. Para
mi sorpresa, que vuela desde mis dedos sobre la pantalla es esto:
“Me encanta este mundo. El asombro de una pausa aun
por un momento para seguir una mariposa revoloteando entre los
arbustos fuera de la iglesia, para hacer una pausa por un momento
mientras busco en mi bolso mi teléfono y acercarme lo suficiente
para capturar una buena imagen de su cuerpo peludo y rugosas alas
amarillas con esos dos ‘ojos’ azules en la parte inferior... La maravilla
de hacer un nuevo amigo, como mis caminatas-mañaneras-de martesjueves-con mi amiga Jennifer... El asombro del coraje de la gente
mientras atestiguo de feligreses frente a tales circunstancias difíciles
y encontrando su camino a la esperanza, a la fuerza, al
compañerismo y a la perseverancia. Me encanta este
mundo.
en nuestro instinto-por el nivel deseado de cambio constructivo –
cambio que da vida a nuestros valores más profundos. “Esperanza
no es algo que tenemos”, dice Joanna Macy con pasión, “es algo
que HACEMOS”. Es una práctica espiritual encarnada, al igual que la
gratitud-en-tiempos difíciles que practicamos en noviembre.
Macy y Johnstone puntualizan tres movimientos
claves que la esperanza nos pide: En primer lugar, debemos
examinar honestamente lo que es. Si giramos alejándonos de las cosas
deprimentes, nosotros adormecemos nuestras respuestas y limitamos
nuestra energía y creatividad. En segundo lugar, debemos ser
específicos sobre las direcciones en las que queremos que nuestras
vidas y el mundo se muevan. Necesitamos nombrar los valores que
queremos ver tangiblemente expresados. Echamos una mirada a lo
que nos empuja hacia delante, incluso si no sabemos exactamente
cómo llegaremos allí. Y en tercer lugar, nos comprometemos en el
viaje de avanzar hacia la visión, dando los pasos, uno tras otro, que
descubramos juntos y que nos mueve en la dirección deseada.
Cada vez que estamos aquí, en la Primer Iglesia Unitaria, avanzo hacia
nuestra visión de una vida mejor para todos, nosotros nos movemos a
través de estas tres etapas – mirando claramente la realidad presente,
imaginando el futuro que deseamos, moviéndonos un paso a la vez
hacia adelante. Cada vez que camino hacia nuestra visión de hacer
visible el amor – con ustedes, con mis colegas del
clero y amigos, con nuestros socios de Gente Actuando
Juntos en Comunidad (PACT) – Yo percibo esta
activa esperanza viva y obrando en nosotros.
¿Qué pasó aquí? ¿Qué causó el movimiento de mi
espíritu de desesperanza a un profundo agradecimiento
que encarnaba la esperanza? Esto tiene algo que hacer
con moverse de una desesperación generalizada, la cual
cierra mis sentidos y limita mis decisiones sobre esos
temas de enero a abril, a nombrar para mayo ejemplos
específicos de mis valores personificados en el mundo: la belleza de
nuestras diversas criaturas; la importancia de la amistad; la fuerza y el
coraje del espíritu humano. Historias de esperanza.
El libro de la eco-filósofa Joanna Macy, Esperanza Activa: Cómo
Enfrentar el Desastre que Tenemos sin Vlverse Loco (escrito con
Chris Johnstone) señala que si sólo nos atrevemos a esperar algo
que es probable que suceda, cortamos la gama completa de nuestras
respuestas para mundo. No hay ninguna garantía de que lo que
queremos pasará de hecho. ¿Eso significa que no hacemos nada?
¡Por supuesto que no! La otra clase de esperanza consiste en actuar
Page 2 por la Rev. Nancy Palmer Jones
y tranucido por Roberto Padilla
Piensen en esto, las festividades de
diciembre también se basan en historias de
esperanza activa. En la raíz de Chanukkah,
Navidad, Solsticio y Kwanzaa celebraciones que
descansan en visiones de libertad de la opresión,
del amor ofrecido a todos, de ciclos de vida
prometiendo segundas oportunidades, de comunidad, profundizando
en el sentido de identidad y autoestima. Tal esperanza activa nos
mueve desde una desesperación generalizada que amortigua nuestros
sentidos, a la energía y la alegría de personificar nuestros valores,
moviéndonos hacia nuestros deseos para el bien y descubriendo que
no estamos solos. Vengan, participen en la Esperanza Activa con
nosotros en esta temporada.
En esperanza y fe,
Con amor y afecto,
Rev. Nancy
Our Church Circular • December 2014 • diciembre 2014
Hope on Parade / Esperanza Galopante
by/por Rev. Geoff Rimositis
Hope does not sit on its hands.
La esperanza no se sienta en sus laureles.
Hope is gritty determination.
La esperanza es obstinada determinación.
Hope is the bridge between faith and love.
La esperanza es el puente entre la fe y el amor.
Hope believes that progress is possible
La esperanza cree que el progreso es posible
but knows it is not a straight line to success.
pero sabe que no es una línea recta hacia el éxito.
Hope doesn’t just let things happen
La esperanza no deja que las cosas pasen
but increases the odds in its favor
pero aumenta las probabilidades a su favor
by the diligent pursuit of health and happiness.
por la búsqueda diligente de la salud y la felicidad.
Hope does not mope around and complain
La esperanza no se desanima ni se queja
but rolls up its sleeves and gets to work.
pero enrolla sus mangas y se pone a trabajar.
We are the hope of ages past.
Somos la esperanza de épocas pasadas.
Will the future be so lucky?
¿El futuro será tan afortunado?
In Our Own Voices:
Hope
Our Worship Survey in August and September collected
congregants’ thoughts and feelings about each month’s
theme this fall. “In Our Own Voices” shares some of these
responses.
This picture of a tiny peeper frog the size of
a thumbnail I took in Mission Peak in Fremont
in a small spring that was mostly beaten down
by cattle. But this little frog managed to beat
the odds and survive. It is my symbol of hope
embodied! ~Reverend Geoff
This year, we return to the first set of themes in our threeyear cycle of “Transformational Theme-Based Ministry.”
How do we spiral into greater depth as we revisit each
timeless theme? What has changed in our world, in our
community, in our congregation over the last three years
that shifts our perspective? What do we need now from our
spiritual cooperative in order to meet the challenges of
these times?
The survey responses for “Hope” reveal the increasing
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 • December 2014 • diciembre 2014
depth and seriousness with which we Unitarian Universalists
are facing the issues before us. They show our hunger for
stories that can give us a tangible and active hope.
Come! Connect with us in December, dear seekers, through
our worship, small groups, on-line sites, and all our
gatherings. Together we will discover ever-deeper sources
of hope.
In faith, hope, and gratitude,
Rev. Nancy
Hope and Gratitude
• A good theme to follow Gratitude! And
also a good end-of-year theme. But hope
for a better future should involve some
commitment that we will help produce that
better future, for ourselves as well as for
our community.
• Hoping for a better tomorrow and living in
gratitude for today are somewhat contrary,
but we need to keep both going.
• As essential as gratitude, hope seems
related to trust and faith. All are difficult
to live but so life giving. Can we study
exemplars in order to learn how to follow
this path?
Living with Hope in a Messy World
• It’s a pretty messy world right now. How do
we hold out hope that we, our families, our
community, our country, the world, all life
will have a decent future?
• We need hope in a world with so much
bad news. We need hope to keep working
to bring community. Maybe looking back
on times when things looked very bleak
and humanity muddled through would be
helpful. Somehow we have to navigate
through naive optimism and despair.
• I find it difficult to find the balance between
taking in all the disturbing news without
feeling sad and depressed, and staying
focused on living my own life, without
feeling guilty.
• In political blogs, the word hope has pretty
much lost any meaning at all. Let’s look at
why we should have hope and then offer
examples of how people who have kept
hope have been empowered.
• With what is going on in the world, hope
seems increasingly difficult to maintain. Yet
stories of real people persevering, staying
faithful to their own callings, not giving up
– these stories do inspire hope.
• I need to be reminded about stories of
hope, like Richard Hobbs’s recounting
of the collective in Spain that had been
succeeding since the 1950s! It’s easy –
and our brains go there anyway – to get
overwhelmed by the bad news, especially
for people like us Unitarian Universalists
who want to change the world for the
Continued on next page
Primera Iglesia Unitaria de San José • Page 3
better, yet sometimes it only seems to
get worse. Stories of hope keep the light
shining at the end of the tunnel.
• Touching on Hope brings us back to the
Death theme, with the same question: “How
do we go on in the face of death?” Holding
on through depression, Blue Holidays,
despair at the woes of the world and our
apparently imminent destruction (whether
economic or ecological) – there are many
ways to talk about Hope without getting
into saccharine Pollyanna hope!
• Oh, well, more about Hope is always good.
I’m not satisfied with the answers I’ve
heard to the dire despair of global climate
change. I’ve heard (from FUCSJ) that if we
act together and connect about it, we will
alleviate our own sense of hopelessness
and despair. I have not found this to be the
case so far.
• How can we balance a hope that sustains
us and one that lifts us up with false
optimism? I have struggled with having too
much hope, leading to a large letdown if
it was misplaced. I believe that the world
could benefit from having some examples
of what gives hope to others along with
practical means of making those hopes
a reality. I feel that Unitarian Universalism
does bring hope by being in the vanguard
for many of the causes it supports or
champions.
Hope and Possibility
• Hope is what often separates those who
dream from those who have given up. It’s
often the 6 inches between the ears – our
attitude – and the presence or lack of
resources that determine our ability to
hope.
• I am not so sure about the word hope. I
would rather think of possibilities. Hope
has an element of “wish” in it, while
possibilities can be brought about through
our own will and the flow of grace.
• What do we hope for? Something to do,
something to look forward to, someone to
love.
• What do we hope for? While creating the
beloved community here and now, how do
we sustain the hope of success?
• Hope for whom? Hope for what? Are there
some things for which we should give up
hope? Sometimes clinging to unrealistic
hopes can lead to stress and painful
living. An example: After my divorce and
remarriage, I imagined that my two families
could be one big happy family. It turned out
that they did not all get along, and some
even felt threatened by members of my
“other” family. My hope for unity of these
families was the source of a lot of stress.
Page 4 Once I gave up this hope, though, I found
that I could be present with either family
and truly enjoy the experience. Other times,
hope is what sustains me through long
hard work.
• What is the difference between faith and
hope?
• “We live in hope,” I like to say, meaning that
we keep acting for the good even though
the results of our actions are uncertain.
But a friend of mine prefers to put it this
way: “We live in faith.” What’s the nuanced
difference here? Where is the ground of
hope in our Unitarian Universalist faith?
What are the roots and sources of our
hope, if not in our faith in the worth and
interconnectedness of all beings? What
we do, how we live, how much we care – it
matters deeply. So now I’ll say: “We live in
hope and faith!”
• We can live each day and month and year
hoping for the best but knowing that there
is no perfection here, that good times will
be followed by bad but also that bad will
turn into good, accepting the cycle and
embracing the living moment
Please Help Keep Third Street Open
to Our Youth!
Dear Friends of Third Street,
Thanks to you, the Third Street
Community Center has been able to
open doors of opportunities for children
in San Jose since 1998.
Each year, we serve over 130 children
through the After School Academic
Program, the Young Engineers Program,
and our Summer Camps. Over 98% of
these children are Latino and from lowincome backgrounds. Currently, we have
over 90 volunteers supporting our work.
But we can’t continue to help children
The Season of Hope
• Hope is hard to talk about in the summer
(when I am answering this survey). The
days don’t need or want hope; the green
and gold of summer sings hope, the
longer days feel bathed in it. The sun’s
warmth, the sunflowers in my backyard,
and the farmer’s market mornings filled
with colorful vegetables and fruit all wrap
me up in joyful hope that it and the people
I love will be here forever. Alas, you have
selected Hope for December. A dark month
for me. It’s when I’m forced to remember
my holidays guarded by the smile of my
mom dressed in red. It’s when I recall my
kids so young and still excited for Santa.
Poignant memories that hold grief within
them. Where will we find hope this year?
• This is a great theme for the last month
of the year and the time of Winter Solstice
when the earth is looking forward to
rebirth. This theme makes me think of
earth-focused religious rituals honoring
the death and rebirth of sun, earth, moon.
Despite the darkness and cold we find in
winter, there is the hope of warmth and the
spring life that will soon follow.
• I love teaching kids about how so many
winter holidays are about hope, the literal
light in the darkness of winter. How the
candle in the darkness of the holiday is the
sign of hope that the sun really will return.
I love this link among Diwali, Hanukkah,
Christmas, and the Winter Solstice. l
without your support.
We urgently need your help to keep
our own doors open. The next two
months are crucial. Please consider
making a contribution to Third Street
today. Your gift will ensure that the 40
academically at-risk children currently
enrolled in our After School Academic
Program will continue to receive the
support they need to succeed.
Supporting children at Third Street is
easy. You can make a one time donation
online or by check. Or you can make a
monthly commitment by becoming our
Madrina or Padrino!
If you haven’t done so already, please
visit us on Facebook to view a recent
news clip of two girls discussing how
our work, and your support, has inspired
them!
Warmly,
Vicky Del Arenal, Board Chair
Rosemary Baez, Executive Director
Our Church Circular • December 2014 • diciembre 2014
Board Meeting Reports
October Board Meeting
T
he Board of Directors met on
October 23. Treasurer Bill Shepard
took us through the updated financial
picture, noting that while pledges
and rental income are somewhat
below expectations at this time, so are
expenditures, resulting in a budget that
is still on track. And the Mystery Dinner
raised a substantially larger amount than
last year toward our PACT dues! Bill was
also excited to show us Dave Proulx’s
newly constructed database, which will
allow the Finance Committee to send
detailed, regular messages to members
and friends regarding their pledges and
other financial activity, as well as aiding
the tracking of revenue. Thank you,
Dave!
We discussed a request from the
Third Street Community Center for
an adjustment in their rental contract
due to current financial difficulties. The
following motion carried: Whereas
TSCC is a nonprofit organization that
shares our building and embodies the
mission of this church, and whereas
TSCC strengthens this congregation’s
relationship with the wider community,
we resolve to work with TSCC to address
their current budget shortfall and ensure
that they thrive.
Members of the board, POC, and
TSCC will be meeting soon to look for
ways to address the concern.
Next, we reviewed the updated board
goals, along with goals we have drafted
for consideration by the POC, and joint
goals. Several board members will meet
with the POC on October 28 to discuss
these objectives. A motion to this effect
carried.
President Madeline Morrow and
Director Robert Strong shared the
report from the 150th Anniversary
Committee. Events are being planned
to begin in the fall of 2015, marking
both the 20th anniversary of the fire and
the 150th anniversary of the sermon of
Reverend Ames that led to the formation
Our Church Circular • December 2014 • diciembre 2014
of FUSCJ. A capital campaign is being
considered as well.
The board approved the Worship
Monitoring Report submitted by
Reverend Nancy.
Upcoming board meetings have
been shifted to avoid conflicts with the
holidays. We will convene on Thursday,
November 20, 2014, and Wednesday,
January 7, 2015, instead of November 27
and December 25.
November Board Meeting
T
he FUCSJ Board of Directors met on
November 20, a week early, due to a
conflict with the Thanksgiving holiday
on our regular meeting date. We heard
an update from Treasurer Bill Shepard,
who reported that the church continues
to be in good financial shape. Following
consultation with Bob Howd of the
Endowment Committee, a motion was
made to move the generous bequest of
beloved church member Jean von Kaenel
into the Building Reserve portion of the
Endowment Fund. This motion carried.
President Madeline Morrow reported
on the recent POC meeting which several
Board members attended in order to
discuss some goals and priorities for the
Board, the POC, and for both groups
to pursue together. One outcome is the
formation of a task force to look at a
more efficient and effective process and
format for Monitoring Reports, which
the POC provides to the Board in order
to assess the progress we are making
toward our Global Ends in the areas of
worship, lifespan faith development,
service, fellowship, social justice, and
stewardship. Madeline also shared that
the 150th Anniversary Celebration
Committee is meeting again and has
exciting ideas.
We will not meet in December due
to a conflict with the Christmas holiday.
Our next meeting will take place on
Wednesday, January 7, 2015.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Coleman
Board Secretary
Small-Group Ministry Open
Enrollment Coming in January!
by Rebecca Mason and the Rev. Nancy Palmer Jones
S
mall-Group Ministry Open
Enrollment takes place this January.
On all four Sundays in January 2015, you
will find a sign-up table in Hattie Porter
Hall during Social Hour after worship.
Current group leaders will staff the tables,
ready to answer questions and to take
signups. Signup sheets will show how
many openings each group has, as well as
where and when they meet.
Our Small-Group Ministry program
engages a great group of members and
volunteer leaders, with a current total of
114 participants gathering in 12 small
groups. We have room for more! This
program brings small groups of people
together twice a month for informal
worship in people’s homes, taking up the
themes of the month and other real-life
topics in a deeply personal way. Members
are invited to share their feelings and
thoughts on the topic, while the other
members contribute by offering their
sincere deep listening to the speaker.
There is usually a reading, a song, a chalice
lighting, and a closing benediction.
FUCSJ’s talented volunteers create our
Small-Group Ministry sessions, which are
now used around the world.
Because these groups help to build a
sense of closeness among group members
as well as a connection with our deepest
values, it is good for new members to
make at least a one-year commitment to
the group. Groups are flexible when a
member’s life circumstances change their
ability to participate – but each member’s
commitment adds depth and value to
everyone’s experience.
Small-Group Open Enrollment is
also a good time for long-term group
members to consider shifting to a new
group. In this way, you expand your circle
of connections in the congregation, and
you gain fresh perspectives.
If you have questions or would like to
sign up for a group but cannot make it to
Social Hour on the Sundays in January,
please contact me, Rebecca Mason,
Small-Group Ministry Coordinator, at
[email protected]. l
Primera Iglesia Unitaria de San José • Page 5
SUNDAY SERVICES / SERVICIOS DE DOMINGO
10:15 am
Servicios en español
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.
Every Sunday – Alabanzas (Spanish Lauds)
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.
Save the Dates
uDecember 4, Thursday, 7:15-9:15 pm, Women’s Alliance, Conference Room
uDecember 5, Friday, 8 pm, Dances of Universal Peace, Sanctuary
uDecember 7, Sunday, 9:45-11 am UUmanati Sunday Forum, Hattie Porter Hall
uDecember 7, Sunday, 1-3 pm, Book Study Group, Board Room
uDecember 7, Sunday, 2:30-4:30 pm, Community Dance, Hattie Porter Hall
uDecember 8, Monday, 7 pm, Social Justice Council Meeting, Board Room,
uDecember 13, Saturday 10 am, Healing Circle, Fireside Room,
uDecember 14, Sunday, 11:00 am, Children’s Holiday Play, Sanctuary
uDecember 15, Monday, 7:30-9 pm, HUUmanati Monthly Meeting, Church
Library
uDecember 19, Friday, 6:30-7:30 pm, Cardiac Comeback Club, Fireside Room
u December 20, Saturday , Circle Supper Gala. Hattie Porter Hall. Contact
Barbara at [email protected]
uDecember 21, Sunday, 12:45 pm, Rights of Nature Group, Downstairs
Classroom
uDecember 21, Sunday, 1-3 pm, Ministry to the World, Board Conference Room
uDecember 24, Wednesday, 5 and 8 pm, Christmas Eve Candlelight Services
uJanuary 31, Saturday, 1:30-3:00 pm, Partner Church Benefiit Tea
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]
11:00 am
Services in English
T hur sday, December 4 - jueves, 4 de diciembr e, 7 pm
ANNUAL “BLUE HOLIDAY” WORSHIP SERVICE!
“Be Links No Longer Broken, Be Sweet Forgiveness Spoken”
If you sometimes feel the holiday blues instead of holiday cheer … if you
have made a mistake this year for which you’d like forgiveness … if you have
experienced a loss for which you seek healing … if you would love a quiet
hour in our candle-lit sanctuary among friends: come gather here! Please
join us for an evening of meditation, music, reflection, ritual, and candle
lighting as we listen to our hearts and to each other. Let us discover a deeper
meaning for this season as we share the gifts of compassion and care.
Worship Leader: The Rev. Nancy Palmer Jones
Worship Associates: Karen Conrotto, Susan Miller, Marnie
Singer, and the Alegría Singers
SERVICIO ANUAL DE “FESTIVIDADES DEPRESIVAS”
“Estar Conectados, Ya No Fragmentados, Estar Hablando del Dulce
Perdón”
Si ustedes sienten a veces la depresión navideña en vez de la alegría
de las fiestas... si ustedes cometieron un error este año para el cual les
gustaría el perdón... si ustedes ha experimentado una pérdida para la que
buscan sanar... si les encantaría una hora tranquila en nuestro Santuario
con velas entre amigos: ¡Vengan aquí! Por favor únase a nosotros para una
noche de meditación, música, reflexión, rituales e iluminación con velas,
mientras escuchamos a nuestros corazones y a los demás. Descubramos
el significado más profundo para esta temporada mientras compartimos
los dones de compasión y cuidado
Worship Leader: La Rev. Nancy Palmer Jones; Asociadas de Culto:
Karen Conrotto, Susan Miller, Marnie Singer, and the Alegría
Singers
December 7 – 7 de diciembre
Hope in the Dark
Advent II: Love
First Unitarian’s 2014-15 Minister-in-Training Nikira Hernandez reflects on
the hope we can see when we “dim the lights.” We invite the “dark of winter”
to help us see more clearly, letting its peace flow through us. We discover
hope in the midst of difficulties by sharing stories that honor Pearl Harbor
Day, Nelson Mandela, and more. Advent II: “Light of Love, sweep through
us. Restore us to our true and loving selves.”
Worship Leaders: Nikira Hernandez, Minister-in-Training, and
Rev. Nancy Palmer Jones; Asociado de Culto: Jim Rumbaugh
Esperanza in la Oscuridad
Adviento II: Amor
Nikira Hernández, Ministra-en-Entrenamiento de la Primera Iglesia
Unitaria para 2014-15 reflexiona sobre la esperanza que podemos ver
cuando nos “apagan las luces”. Nosotros invitamos a la “oscuridad del
invierno” que nos ayude a ver más claramente, dejando que su paz
fluya a través de nosotros. Descubramos la esperanza en medio de las
dificultades compartiendo historias que honran el día de Pearl Harbor,
Nelson Mandela y mucho más. Adviento II: “Luz de Amor, barrida a través
de nosotros. Restauremos a nuestro ser verdadero y amoroso”..
Dirige: Nikira Hernandez, Ministra-en-Entrenamiento, y la Rev.
Nancy Palmer Jones; Asociado de Culto: Jim Rumbaugh
continued on next page
Page 6 Our Church Circular • December 2014 • diciembre 2014
Services / Servicios
continued from previous page
December 14 – 14 de diciembre
Children’s Holiday Service
Advent III: Joy
Come and celebrate the beginning of the holiday
season with the annual children’s holiday service
led again by director extraordinaire, Ruby Delgros.
Please make sure to bring your lists and check
them twice, for that jolly old elf, Santa Claus will
be making an appearance after the service. Joy
to the world. Love has come!
Worship Leader: The Rev. Geoff Rimositis
Servicio de la Festividad de los Niños
Adviento III: Alegria
Vengan a celebrar el comienzo de la temporada
de fiestas con el servicio de vacaciones anual
infantil dirigido otra vez por el extraordinario
director, Ruby Delgros. Por favor, asegúrese de
llevar sus listas y verificarlas dos veces, para que
ese viejo duende alegre, Santa Claus hará una
aparición después del servicio. ¡Alegría al mundo.
El amor ha llegado!
Dirige: El Rev. Geoff Rimositis
December 21 – 21 de diciembre
Winter’s Heartbeat: Solstice and an Active
Hope; Advent IV: Peace
“Hope is not something you have, it’s something
you DO!” resounds the inspiring cry of ecophilosopher Joanna Macy. On this shortest day
of the year, we explore the sources of an Active
Hope. We give ourselves time to settle into the
darkness, which is where life begins. We share
stories of solidarity that bring us back to life.
The Alegría Singers lift our spirits with a new
song, “Winter’s Heart,” and we celebrate Advent
IV: “Light of Peace, show us the way. Let us be
makers of peace.”
Worship Leader: The Rev. Nancy Palmer
Jones; Worship Associates: Inés
Zapiola, Nikira Hernandez, and the
Alegría Singers
Latido de Invierno: Solsticio y una
Esperanza Activa
Adviento IV: Paz
“La esperanza no es algo que tienen, es algo que
Hacen!” resuenan los inspiradores gritos de la
eco-filósofa Joanna Macy. En este día más corto
del año, exploramos las fuentes de una Esperanza
Activa. Nos damos tiempo para adaptarnos a la
oscuridad, que es donde comienza la vida. Compartimos historias de solidaridad que nos traen
a la vida. Los Cantantes Alegría elevan nuestros
espíritus con una nueva canción, “Corazón de
Invierno,” y celebramos el Adviento IV: “Luz de
Our Church Circular • December 2014 • diciembre 2014
Paz, indicanos el camino. Seamos hacedores de
la paz.”z.
Dirige: La Rev. Nancy Palmer Jones;
Asociadas de Culto: Inés Zapiola,
Nikira Hernandez, y los cantantes
Alegrías
Tuesday, December 24, 5 pm and
8 pm
CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICES
The Surprising Joy of Life-Giving Hope!
Advent V: Birth of a Child
“Sometimes what we least expect opens us
to the most life-giving possibilities,” we say
together in our Advent reading on this special
night. Christmas Eve tells the story of the birth
of a child who brings life-giving hope. Tonight we
share traditional stories and carols alongside new
ones. We hear the voices of our youth and young
adults. We celebrate the brand-new lives we have
welcomed in our families and communities this
year. We relish Crystal Isola’s singing of “O Holy
Night,” we bask in the glow of candlelight, and we
take home renewed hope for the New Year. “On
this night,” our Advent reading invites us, “may
truths at once ancient and contemporary guide
us, as we create a more just and peaceful world.
May hope, love, joy, and peace be born in us this
night.” May it be so!
Worship Leaders: Rev. Nancy Palmer
Jones and Rev. Geoff Rimositis
¡La Sorprendente Alegría de la Vida Dando
Esperanza! !
Adviento V: El Nacimiento de un Niño
“A veces cuando menos lo esperamos, nos
abrimos a las posibilidades más vivificantes,”
decimos juntos en nuestra lectura en esta noche
tan especial. La Nochebuena narra la historia
del nacimiento de un niño que trae la esperanza
de vida. Esta noche compartimos tradicionales
historias y villancicos junto a otros nuevos. Escuchamos las voces de nuestros jóvenes y adultos
jóvenes. Celebramos la vida nueva que este año
hemos recibido en nuestras familias y comunidades. Nos entusiasma Crystal Isola cantando de
“Noche de Paz”, disfrutar del resplandor de la
luz de las velas, y regresar a casa con renovada
esperanza para el nuevo año. “En esta noche,”
nuestra lectura de Adviento nos invita, “que las
verdades antiguas y contemporáneas nos guíen,
mientras creamos un mundo más justo y pacífico.
Puedan la esperanza, el amor, la alegría y la paz
nacer en nosotros esta noche.” Que así sea!!
Dirigen: La Rev. Nancy Palmer Jones y el
Rev. Geoff Rimositis
December 28 – 28 de diciembre
Money and Real Life: Hope As
Generosity
Few things can stir up as much personal anxiety
or family tension as our need for money and
our wish for the things it can bring us. This is
nothing new, of course. Come hear a personal
story and reflect on the role of money in your life.
What messages did you learn about money while
growing up? How do you think about receiving
and giving money?
Worship Leader: The Rev. Roger Jones,
Senior Minister, Unitarian Universalist
Society of Sacramento
El Dinero y la Vida Real: Esperanza como
Generosidad
El Rev. Roger JPocas cosas pueden provocar
mucha ansiedad personal o tensión familiar
como nuestra necesidad de dinero y nuestro
deseo por las cosas que nos podemos aportar.
Esto no es nada nuevo, por supuesto. Vengan
a escuchar una historia personal y reflexionar
sobre el papel del dinero en su vida. ¿Qué
mensajes aprendieron acerca del dinero
mientras crecían? ¿Qué opinan acerca de
recibir y dar dinero?
Dirige: la Rev. Roger Jones, Senior Minister,
Unitarian Universalist Society of Sacramento;
TransformationalThemeBased Ministry:Themes
2014-2015
In the coming 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. Take a look at these
topics, and let them begin to play in your mind and
heart. Then look for the online Worship Survey we
sent. There you can offer your brief reflections
on these themes and help set the course for the
coming year.
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
Primera Iglesia Unitaria de San José • Page 7
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: Spirituality for Children and Faithful
Journeys
Spirituality for Children (September-December 2014)
B
y spirituality we mean a looking inward to fulfill our
potential to achieve happiness, love and joy, and a looking
outward to foster positive connections with other individuals
and with the greater community. The program helps children
recognize their potential, focus on goals and understand the
impact of their choices. The curriculum’s goals are to:
•Deepen children’s sense of purpose in life
•Encourage them to reflect on their actions
•See challenges as opportunities
•Develop self-worth
•Awaken their desire to make a difference in the world
around them
Faithful Journeys (January-May 2015)
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
•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
Continued on next page
Page 8 Our Church Circular • December 2014 • diciembre 2014
•Nurture open-mindedness and
critical inquiry.
Grades 9-12: Senior High Youth
Group
T
he senior high youth group meets
on Sundays from 11:30-12:30. 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 (YRUU). 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
7th-9th Grades Curriculum:
Our Whole Lives
Sexuality Education
Class Begins In January 2015
O
ur Whole Lives is based on the
philosophy of comprehensive
sexuality education, which helps
participants make informed and
responsible decisions about their
sexual health and behavior. It equips
participants with accurate, ageappropriate information in six subject
areas: human development, relationships,
personal skills, sexual behavior, sexual
health, and society and culture.
Grounded in a holistic view of sexuality,
comprehensive sexuality education
provides not only facts about anatomy
and human development, but also helps
participants to clarify their values, build
interpersonal skills, and understand the
spiritual, emotional, social, and political
aspects of sexuality as well.
Classes will be held January 5-May 4,
2015. l
Our Church Circular • December 2014 • diciembre 2014
With Younger Children:
‘Tis the season for your own
family rituals
By Meg Cox, Unitarian Universalist World Magazine
Many of us still struggle to find the right mix
of family traditions for this time of year.
Let’s start by going back to basics: No
matter how historically suspect the date
may be, Christmas is fundamentally the
celebration of the birth of Jesus. In
Unitarian Universalist classrooms and
homes, Jesus is lauded as a wise man
whose devotion to peace and justice are
worthy of praise and emulation. All the
Unitarian Universalists I know take the
birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. very
seriously as a holiday: Should we celebrate
the birthday of Jesus with any less
intensity?
So let’s start by embracing the validity of
celebrating Jesus’s birth and then consider
how to observe his values and teachings
in a Unitarian Universalist context. Talk
about his messages and methods to your
children, share stories of Jesus helping
the poor and outcast, feeding the hungry,
and furthering peace. And talk about how
closely these values align with the Unitarian
Universalist Principles.
Talking isn’t enough. Rituals require action.
Jesus believed we should help those most in
need. So one way to celebrate his birthday
is to create memorable philanthropic
traditions with your kids, even if you have
very little money to spare. Here’s one
simple ritual: I know a family who buys
double groceries for every major holiday
feast, including Easter and Christmas. If
they are having ham and potatoes, say,
they will buy a second ham, another bag of
potatoes, and dessert and drop it off at a
local charity that helps low-income families.
Part
of your holiday craft traditions could
be making and decorating a Unitarian
Universalist Helping Others box, to which
the family will regularly contribute money
for the coming year. You can cover a coffee
can with paper, and cut a slit in the lid. The
kids can donate part of each allowance.
Christmas is a good time to vote on family
charity: You can research three or four
charities and discuss whether to support
them all a little or to give everything to one.
Make it real: If you decide to give money
to Heifer International, which gives farm
animals to needy families, for example,
paste a picture of a chicken or pig on the
jar and try to raise enough money to buy
one.
Another idea is to make a family vow to
serve your community in the year ahead.
Light a chalice or a candle and promise
to participate weekly or monthly in a local
community service project. As you light the
chalice, talk about why this is a season of
light and how one of the ways Unitarian
Universalists shine their light in the world is
by helping others. Talk about how Unitarian
Universalist principles say that each person
is precious and deserving and that we need
to care for the earth. Then brainstorm
some projects that help you live these
principles. Your family could help feed and
care for cats and dogs in a local shelter. Or
pick up debris in local parks. Or read to the
elderly in a senior center.
St. Nicholas Day, December 6, is another
holiday that has Unitarian Universalist
compatibility. The loose model for Santa
Claus, St. Nick was a real guy, a bishop who
lived in what is now Turkey. He is said to
have been extraordinarily generous to the
needy, especially children, and preferred
Primera Iglesia Unitaria de San José • Page 9
to give secretly. Unitarian Universalist
families can start a tradition similar to
Secret Santas, in which each family member
draws a name from a hat and then does
good deeds for that person anonymously.
One mother I know gives her children craft
kits on St. Nicholas Day so they can make
presents for others.
Some Unitarian Universalist families and
congregations celebrate the winter solstice,
which also makes wonderful sense. The
celebration of Jesus’s birth was moved to
this time to coincide with existing pagan
rituals, and celebrating the cycles of
the earth fits with Unitarian Universalist
teachings to honor the environment. Some
families have solstice trees and give gifts
on this holiday. At my house, we turn out
all the lights and talk about the significance
of the solstice, then light multiple candles
and throw open the front door and holler,
“Come back, Sun!” Then we drink Sun
Shakes (orange juice and vanilla ice cream)
and listen to the Beatles’ “Here Comes the
Sun.”
Celebrating multiple holidays this time
of year, honoring many traditions while
emphasizing our own principles is a very
Unitarian Universalist thing to do. But
doing it more consciously with a Unitarian
Universalist spin can help us deepen the
season’s meaning and stop the feeling that
we’re just nibbling this time of year--while
others are sated from a full meal.
With Older Youth and
Adults: Hope as a Spiritual
Practice
Hope is a positive and potent spiritual
practice with the power to pull us through
difficult times. It is usually described with
light metaphors – a ray, a beam, a glimmer
of hope; the break in the clouds; the light
at the end of the dark tunnel. It is often
discovered in unexpected places.
Hope can be learned with practice. Certain
attitudes support it. One is patience, an
ability to tolerate delays, a willingness to
let events unfold in their own time. The
other is courage, an attitude of confidence
even when facing the unknown. A third is
persistence, the determination to keep
going no matter what happens. We have
Page 10 hope when we can say, all will be well, and
we mean it.
Daily Cue, Reminder, Vow,
Blessing
• Turning on a lamp is a cue for me to
practice hope.
• When I plant a seed or a bulb, I am
reminded to plant hope in my heart.
• Whenever I meet people who are
thrashing about in gloom and doom, I vow
to hold up the banner of hope.
• Blessed is the Spirit of Life who has
birthed hope in our hearts and a positive
attitude in our minds.
Imagery Exercise
Any attitude can be reinforced by working
with the image that you attach to it. Recall
the image and you resurrect the feeling.
Here are several exercises based on
common images of hope. Do whichever one
speaks to you or adapt the format to your
own images of hope.
Close your eyes. Breathe out one time. See
yourself in a long tunnel with nothing but
darkness behind and ahead of you. Moving
forward, see a dot of light in the distance,
which is getting larger the closer you move
toward it. Walk out of the tunnel through
the light. Then open your eyes.
Close your eyes. Breathe out one time. See
a plant blooming in the desert. Then open
your eyes.
Close your eyes. Breathe out one time. Find
yourself standing outside on a very cloudy
day. Looking around you, notice how all the
plants, buildings, and objects are becoming
lighter and brighter. Look up and see the
sun in a cloudless sky. Then open your
eyes. l
www.spiritualityandpractice.com
2014-’15 Religious Education and Family Calendar
Sunday, December 7
3-5 year olds Elijah’s Angel
1st -4th grades Overcoming Fears
5th-8th grades Evangelical Christianity, Part II
9th-12th grades Group meets at regular time, 11:30-12:30
Coming of Age (8th-10th) Making Bowls at Blossom Hill Crafts, 1:30
Children’s Holiday Play Rehearsal - 9:30 am, Rooms 4-6
Saturday, December 13, 10 am-noon Children’s Holiday Play Rehearsal, Sanctuary
Sunday, December 14 Children’s Holiday Play
NO CLASSES. Nursery available
Coming of Age (8th-10th) Mentor-Youth Meeting, 12:45- 2 pm
Parent Meeting 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, December 21
3-5 year olds 1st -4th grades 5th-8th grades 9th-12th grades
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee Sunday
The Shortest Day
The Power of Words
The Quakers – Lamb and Lion
Group meets at regular time, 11:30-12:30
Wednesday, December 24 Candlelight Services 5 and 8 pm
b
Sunday, December 28
3-5 year olds 1st -8th grades 5th-8th grades 9th-12th grades
3-5 year olds go to the Nursery
Interclass Gathering
Visit to Quaker Meeting, 10 am
1041 Morse St., San Jose
Group meets at regular time, 11:30-12:30
Our Church Circular • December 2014 • diciembre 2014
Upcoming Events and Announcements
Women’s Alliance Meeting Book Study: The First
Healing Circle
New Testament: Marcion’s Saturday, December 13, 10 am,
Thursday, December 4, 7:15-9:15
Scriptural Canon
pm, Conference Room
Ramsden Fireside Room
by Jason D. BeDuhn
lease join the members of the
ome join our monthly healing
P
Women’s Alliance this year as we
examine women’s history from medieval
times to the present. We will continue
our reading of Riane Eisler’s The Chalice
and the Blade, focusing on Chapters
7-10 . Contact Nancy Coleman at
[email protected] or 408 985 5778
for more information. All are welcome. l
Dances of Universal Peace
Friday, December 5, 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
Social Justice Council
Meeting
Monday, December, 8, 7 pm in the
Conference Room
Please join the Social Justice Council
on Monday, Dec. 10th, at 7:00 pm, in
the downstairs conference room, to
talk about which current justice issues
hold the most interest for congregants.
Which require us to take action? Under
discussion are actions related to service
to the homeless, war in Israel and to
violence by police. Please join us to make
your voice heard! l
Our Church Circular • December 2014 • diciembre 2014
Sunday, December 7, 1 - 3 pm,
Board Room, led by Bob Miess
O
n December 7 we continue our study
of our book about Marcion, a secondcentury 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.
Although Marcion’s teachings and his bible
were ultimately rejected by most of the
Christian tradition, Marcionism continued
for hundreds of years. It had a profound
impact on the church’s interpretation of
Paul and Jesus, and introduced the practice
of using a canon of accepted writings as
way of enforcing authority. This month we
will discuss Chapter 2, which introduces
Marcion’s New Testament and describes how
Jason BeDuhn has reconstructed it from the
available sources, which are mostly writings
of Christian writers who rejected Marcion
and his New Testament. Questions? Contact
Bob Miess, Bob@Heart-HealthyLifestyles.
com, 408-753-0541. l
HUUmanati Sunday
Forum
Sunday, December 7, 9:45 am,
Hattie Porter Hall
I
f you could make any changes to the
world at large, what would it be? We’ll
assume all the obvious: ending hunger
and poverty; instituting social justice
worldwide, free health care for all... Come
talk about the little things that drive you
nuts. Me - I’d ban gray clothing. We meet
at the table nearest the coffee. Note the
new start time: 9:45 am.l
Remember to bring your recyclable bottles
and cans to help cover expenses of this
newsletter!
C
circle. Newcomers and drop-ins
welcome! We will engage in guided
discovery exercises to promote greater
well-being, drawing from healing energy
practices and Systemic Constellations
work. Suggested donation $10, or free
will donations accepted as you are
comfortable. Individual hands-on healing
sessions are also available as part of
pastoral care. For more information or
to sign up, please email Amy Lorenzen
at [email protected], or call
650-847-0366.l
Weekly Meditation Group
Mondays, 6-7 pm, Sanctuary
W
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
HUMMM: HUmanati
Monthly Monday Meeting
Monday, December 15, 7:30- 9 pm,
Library
W
e’re discussing Humanism and
why it is good for society. We’d
like to recommend reading “The God
Argument” by A. C. Grayling or any issue
of The Humanist magazine.l
Primera Iglesia Unitaria de San José • Page 11
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
Cardiac Comeback Club
Friday, December19, 6:30-7:30 pm,
Ramsden Fireside Room
F
or many people a heart condition means
making some lifestyle changes and
taking more care in certain circumstances.
We are people with heart conditions, here
for one another. We come together to
explore the impacts of a heart condition
on our experience of life, our families,
our friendships, our work, our view of the
future, and our sense of ourselves. Through
discussions and fun activities together
we support one another in our personal
journeys. These free gatherings are open to
members and non-members alike. They are
sponsored by Bob Miess, who lives with
a heart condition himself. [email protected], 408-753-0541. l
Rights of Nature Group’s
Efforts Continue into 2015
December 21, 12:45 pm, Downstairs
Classroom
T
he Rights of Nature (RON) Group at
FUCSJ aspires to bring us humans,
as the part of Nature that has the most
influence on the rest of Nature, to be
more present to that influence. We
work in our own small way to rectify
humanity’s injustices to Mother Earth
and her inhabitants and to chart a path
to a healthier future. It’s a tall order, and
the choices people have to make to move
forward in this complex, interconnected
world are seldom simple.
The RON Group has been focusing
Page 12 on church-wide or community-wide
education around environmental issues,
in particular the effects of climate change.
We have presented several films in the
past year (Bidder 70, Over Troubled
Waters, Chasing Ice, Thirsty for Justice,
Growth Busters) and expect to have
“Symphony of the Soil” in early 2015.
Up-coming presentations/discussions
for 2015:
January: Solar panels for homes,
organized by Bob Howd
February: GMO food issues, organized by
Frey Leigh
March: Nuclear energy issues with
emphasis on California, organized by
Michael Pelizzari
April: RON Group will take part in the
Earth Day Sunday service
The RON Group has a regular meeting
time at 12:45 on the third Sunday
of the month, everyone is welcome.
Presentations will likely be held at that
time, watch for announcements. We
welcome your input on these topics (and
suggestions for future topics), especially if
you are knowledgable on the topics. l
Circle Supper Gala
Saturday, December 20, 5:30 -8 pm,
Hattie Porter Hall
W
e are planning a special holiday
potluck this year. Plan to join us
Saturday, December 20, 5:30 - 8:00 pm in
Hattie Porter Hall.
Everyone is welcome, including
children, but it is important that you sign
up in advance so we’ll know how many
places to set.
There will be time to mingle while
nibbling appetizers and enjoying festive
beverages before we sit down to enjoy the
special dishes you all will bring.
Look for the Circle Supper Gala signup table after services beginning soon.
Questions? Contact Barbara at
[email protected] or Marty
Glanzman at [email protected] l
Partner Church Benefit
Tea and Lunch
My Ministry in the World
Saturday, January 31, 1:00-3:30 pm,
Hattie Porter Hall
Sunday, December 21, 1 - 3 pm,
Board Conference Room
P
lease plan to attend the Partner
ow would you like to see the world
Church Tea and lunch! It is a church
transformed? Can you play a role
favorite and a time when our church
in making it happen? Are there ways you
is decked out with its finest linens and
can draw other people into your dream?
china, with great food and entertainment We have a program that supports people
as well. Treat your mom, neighbors and
in creating ministries beyond the walls of
other friends to an enjoyable afternoon
our church and putting them into action.
at our church. (Think about a ticket as a
In each meeting we explore our callings
“stocking stuffer”.) We are asking for $20
and develop strategies for fulfilling them.
donation for adults and $10 for children
This month we will talk about each
and youth.
person’s progress and help one another
The donations from the Event will
discover great ways to put our missions
help to fund our next trip to our Partner
into practice. Come and join kindred
Church in Transylvania, Romania in the
spirits in discovering and deepening your
Summer of 2015. We need to book tickets mission, asking questions, learning about
soon and plan the trip subsidies and the
our program. Questions? Contact Bob
Village project that makes our pilgrimages Miess, Bob@Heart-HealthyLifestyles.
work so well. We are looking for folks
com, 408-753-0541. l
who can donate frequent flier miles to
help defray trip costs. l
Our Church Circular • December 2014 • diciembre 2014
H
Welcoming Our New Members
Amy Chin Lorenzen
Deborah Rosenquist
A
my was
born in
New York and
grew up in the
suburbs. She
has also lived
in Boston,
Chapel Hill,
Seattle, and of
course, the Bay
Area. She has a
Bachelor of Science degree in Humanities
and Engineering from the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, and a MA in
Psychology from the Seattle residential
program of Saybrook University. She has
studied energy healing since 1996, most
recently at the Dynamic Duality Center
for Energy Healing near Olympia,
Washington. Her first career was writing
software manuals, which she did for
nearly two decades. She is transitioning
to a new career in psychotherapy and
energy healing, and is much happier
surrounded by people than by computers.
She enjoys reading, taking long walks,
and singing in a group. Amy began
attending UU services in the Seattle area
about four years ago, and felt at home
immediately.
Spencer Jonathan Lorenzen’s favorite
activities are practicing karate and playing
Minecraft. He also likes collecting
Pokemon cards. He is a 3rd grader at
Covington Elementary School in Los
Altos. He has a great sense of humor,
and especially loves absurdity. You may
have seen him lighting the chalice or
acting in skits at the church, such as
The Good Samaritan and the last two
children’s holiday plays. Spencer was
born in Chapel Hill, North Carolina,
and is a big fan of UNC Tar Heel men’s
basketball. He recently earned his blue
belt with green stripe, the sixth belt level
in the United Studios of Self-Defense
mixed martial arts system (karate, for
simplicity). l
Our Church Circular • December 2014 • diciembre 2014
I
was born
in the San
Fernando
Valley,
Southern
California,
which seems
like such a
long ways
away. I was
raised Foursquare, and believed the
church to be fairly liberal, having a female
founder and all. My dad died when I
was 6, and my mom clung to the church
for support, bringing us to services
three times a week and sometimes on
Saturdays. The church people became
family, the youth group members, my
only friends, and this seemed like the
perfect situation.
Once I began attending college and
questioning not only my faith but also my
sexuality, I was shunned by a community
that made promises of loving me like
family. I was done with phony religions.
I sat in churches thinking that if the
members knew me, knew what was in my
mind and heart, they would all judge me
and find me worthless. I raised a son as a
single mom with no support from those I
thought would be there for me forever.
My son is now 23 still living in Los
Angeles, I have gotten a B.A. and an
M.A. at Cal State Northridge, and I teach
7th grade Language Arts, Reading and
AVID (college prep) at a school I love,
Easterbrook Discovery School. Even more
than that, I have found a relationship not
only with the love of my life, Suzey, but
also with myself. Together we are going
on a journey with our three new children,
armed with the safety and security only
love can provide, and looking for a
welcoming place to recharge and educate
all of us each week. This is what FUUSJ
freely and openly provides. l
Suzey Delacy
S
uzey was
born
and raised
in Tupelo,
Mississippi.
Her family
attended
a large,
Southern
Baptist
church there. Suzey remembers, from
the age of 8, after getting “saved,” that
she knew she would change traditions as
soon as she understood what that meant
and how to do it. She had decided that if
her kind of spirituality couldn’t be found,
she would create her own “Church of
Suzanne.” Luckily, she found Unitarian
Universalism. She often quotes anecdotes
from her self-titled, unwritten, holy
scripture, “The Book of Suzanne.”
Suzey went to college in Mississippi
and Alabama, and started her career as
a Registered Nurse. She then became a
travel nurse, working short contracts in
Intensive Care Units all over the U.S.,
until she decided on California as a
place to drop anchor. While living in
Los Angeles, she snagged Deborah, her
partner and fiancée.
Suzey has a background in classical
music/voice, and went to college on a full
music scholarship, playing the oboe. She
majored in vocal performance (mezzo
soprano) before deciding on nursing as a
career. She now performs exclusively in
the shower and early in the mornings for
her 3 foster children, to mixed reviews.
Suzey loves reading, camping, taking
road trips, blowing money on seasonal
decor, lecturing people on the benefits of
good hand washing, and wasting entire
afternoons on the computer. However, she
doesn’t do much of this due to working to
complete her doctorate degree as a Family
Nurse Practitioner at the University of San
Francisco. She sees patients at the Asian
& Pacific Islander Wellness Clinic in the
Tenderloin district of San Francisco.
Suzey and Deborah have 3 foster
children they hope to adopt as soon as the
court process releases them for adoption. l
Primera Iglesia Unitaria de San José • Page 13
And Here Are
Our Very Newest
Members!
Hello all,
Jason and I are happy to announce
that our son, Damian Wayne Kirkendall,
was born yesterday (October 16, 2014) at
2:15 pm. He weighed in at 7 lbs 4 oz and
19.5 inches long. Everyone is doing great
and we are happily getting to know our
new little one.
–Erika ( Jackson) and Jason Kirkendall
Damian Wayne Kirkendal
Damian Wayne Kirkendall & happy parents
Hello all,
Just wanted to share our happy
news that our daughter, Nova Miette
Whickergreen, was born Monday night,
11/17, 8 lbs! Everyone is healthy and
doing fine. Shad Whicker and I are so, so
grateful for the Caring Hands program
and Natasha Myers, who was able to
watch Ollie while we were at thehospital.
Don’t know what we would have done
without them! Hope to see everyone
soon once we have healed and rested.
–Laura Green and Shad Whicker
Page 14 Connect with FUCSJ’s
Online Ministries via
Facebook!
Save the Year!
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 at: facebook.com/FUCSJ
Help us grow our online presence and
continue the conversation on our Facebook
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
FUCSJ is approaching some
significant anniversaries:
uNovember 25, 1865: Rev. Ames gives
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
page. “First Unitarian Church of San José.”
every Sunday, a FUCSJ history exhibit
New articles, thoughtful quotes, and photos
every week! Rev. Nancy welcomes your Friend at MLK Library, church tours for the
community, invitational art exhibit on
requests on Facebook, as well. You can find
themes from our history of working for
her at “Nancy Palmer Jones.” You will find
social justice, a concert (or concerts),
lots of FUCSJ friends and friends-to-be on
and more outreach: an anniversary book,
Facebook, as well as the UU Parents Meetup
displays inside church, on the website, a
group, and more.
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
First Sundays, Youth Room
coordinating the entire celebration, but
this is big, and we are setting up five
he UU Band of Writers offers
subcommittees:
support and encouragement to
Historical research (Kristin Rivers
people who enjoy writing. We have a
and Catherine Pelizzari so far),
monthly homework assignment and a
Financial, Event Planning, Public
10-minute writing session during our
meetings, which is always a lot of fun. We relations/Publicity, and Displays/
Publications. Interested in making this
meet the first Sunday of each month at
1 pm in the Youth Room. New people are celebration fun, spiritually enriching and
community-building while preparing
always welcome. Hope to see YOU on
us to go boldly into the next 150 years?
Sunday, December 7! l
Contact coordinators Robert Strong
([email protected]) or Madeline
Morrow. (madelinemorrow@earthlink.
net). l
Like to Write? Check Out
the UU Band of Writers
T
Our Church Circular • December 2014 • diciembre 2014
ARsOUND
y
G stone f the
it
un I want to be up to date with you, so here’s what we need: birthdays
le es o mm (especially those with zeros), parties of any kind, promotions, college
i
M liv Co
destinations, anything that you diverse groups are doing is interesting to
the ian
in itar everyone else. “Tell Me Everything” when you see me at church, or e-mail me at
n
U
st [email protected].
Fir
CIRCLIN
UU Hikers and Friends
The all-new all-different Circling Around
by Torchy
Hunter
And Heere’s Torchy...with more news!
Here is our December 2014 hiking
schedule, with many of the hikes
modified to accommodate slower hikers
and new hikes added. If you want to get
a schedule for after December, you can
e-mail me at [email protected]. –
Joyce Miller
Wednesday, December 3
ne of the many ways by which people can be sorted, in addition to, say, gender,
age, eye color, race, or weight is by preference for light. I just made this up. But
when I went around buttonholing folks about whether they liked Daylight Savings
Time (which our brutal government had recently ripped from us.), some of us kind of
didn’t care. (Imagine! One of us without an opinion!) But the rest were as clear about
it as I am.
Santa Teresa County Park 4.7(short) and
6.9(long) This is a new hike. We will go to the
Bernal Road entrance and hike trails in part of
the park where we have not hiked. There will be
a longer option which adds a loop for those who
choose to do it. We will still meet at Bed, Bath &
Beyond at 8:30 am. I will have directions to the
Bernal Rd entrance.
I love light. Would love Alaska in the summer. Had SAD before they named it. Hate
the dark. Hate fall. Hate December until the solstice. Was slack-jawed with shock
when I first came to church, and Rev. Lindy Ramsden was organizing a bonfire at
the beach at night on the solstice!!!! What madness! I always hunker down smaller
and smaller during December, fearing the sky will, oh, I don’t know, collapse. That we
are on this long slide into darkness. I am a hard case about this, you can see. But then
I began to conjure with the notion of celebration! Blasphemy! Heresy! Possibility! I
still hate the darkness, but can hear Lindy’s voice talking about the great wheel of the
heavens.
Anyway, some of us, as usual, gave me very mild responses and at the other end of
the curve, some became almost enraged if I expressed love of light. (There are trolls
among us.) Dana Grover likes DST and prefers light. An enlightened photographer.
Doesn’t want things to change, but didn’t state which way. Like just pick one! Frank
Farris is another enlightened one, who likes DST. Rick Morris, on the other hand,
hates it because the solstice is his favorite holiday. Jay Porter says DST is not natural.
Is that a yes or a no, Jay? Jo Balzer claims to like winter. Geez. And she’s even from the
midwest. Maybe her memory of snow is fading. Bob Howd says he misses sunrises.
You didn’t know he’s a romantic, I bet. And the arguments and dumb ideas raged on:
don’t like driving in the dark, the kids won’t get up in the dark,, and on they went like
those little cars at the ends of cartoons with the smoke coming out and fists coming
out, and it was too dark to have any light.....l
Saturday, December 6
O
Guitars Aloud
Wednesdays, 6 -7:15 pm, Sanctuary
The Alegría Singers
Wednesdays, 7:30-9 pm, Sanctuary
W
e return to choir rehearsals for this
church year on Wednesdays, 7:009:00 pm. Join 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
Our Church Circular • December 2014 • diciembre 2014
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]
Joseph Grant County Park, around 5 miles. This
is new hike for us. We will do a flatter hike in the
valley. We can decide how long we want to go
based on the elevation gains. According to the
map it looks pretty flat. There are several loops to
choose from. Meet at VTA Park and Ride on Capitol
off Alum Rock at 8:30 am.
Wednesday, December 10
Long Ridge Open Space, approx. 5 miles. This is a
new hike for us. We are doing the Achistaca trail to
the Skyline to the Sea Trail. There is an additional
loop called Summit Meadows Trail that folks who
want a longer hike can do. Meet in Saratoga
behind US Bank at 8:30 am. We can decide if we
need to adjust the car pool arrangements based
on who wants to do the longer hike.
Saturday, December 13
Alum Rock Park, 5 miles, moderate. We will do the
usual south rim hike. Meet at VTA Park and Ride on
Capitol off Alum Rock.
Wednesday, December 17
Sanborn/Castle Rock Shuttle, 5 miles, moderate.
Meet in Saratoga behind US Bank at 8:30 am.
Saturday, December 20
Almaden Quicksilver, McAbee entrance, approx. 5
miles, moderate. Meet at Bed, Bath & Beyond at
8:30 am.
Wednesday, December 24
Wunderlich County Park, approx. 4.5 miles. This
a modified hike that is shorter and has somewhat
less climbing. Others can do the usual hike, which is
around 6 miles. Meet at Page Mill/280 Park and Ride.
Saturday, December 27
Baylands starting at end of San Antonio Rd. We
can decide how long we want to hike when we get
there. Meet at trail head at 8:30 am.
Wednesday, December 31.
Arastradero 5 miles moderate. Meet at trail head
at 8:30 am. l
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, Monday, December 15
Mailing:
Monday, December 22
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,
Shirley Worth
[email protected]
Our Church Circular is published on
the last Wednesday of each month.
Circulation is about 500.
Translator: Roberto Padilla
Assembly Coordinators: Andrea Dinolt,
Rebecca Mason
Thanks for all the work you do and
care you put into the newsletter.
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]
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]
OFFICERS
CHOIR DIRECTOR, John Ector,
[email protected]
PRESIDENT Madeline Morrow,
[email protected]
OFFICE MANAGER, Dana Spinney,
Ext. 221, [email protected]
SECRETARY Nancy Coleman,
[email protected]
BOOKKEEPER Sue Evanicky,
Ext. 227 [email protected]
TREASURER Bill Shepard, [email protected]
CUSTODIAN Edgar Cruz
PERSONNEL OFFICER Sally Cooperrider
[email protected]
NURSERY Danni Fernandez, Kimberly Fernandez
PROGRAM OFFICER Francisco Hernandez,
[email protected]
FINANCIAL OFFICER Dena Dickinson,
[email protected]
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
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Frank Bosche, [email protected]
Roberto Padilla, [email protected]
Marnie Singer, [email protected]
Rob Strong, [email protected]