Our Church Circular - First Unitarian Church of San Jose

Our Church Circular
First Unitarian Church of San José * August 2013 * agosto 2013
160 N. Third Street, San José, CA 95112 * (408) 292-3858 * sanjoseuu.org
Beach Finds: Our Funny Hearts
By the Reverend Nancy Palmer Jones
Summer walks on the beach:
The mind-chatter that fills the year’s workdays subsides. The senses
take over—through the warm grainy massage of sand between our
toes. The whoosh and roar of breaking waves. The jangling collars
and flapping tongues of dogs chasing sticks into the surf. The quiet
intent of children building sandcastles, and their shrieks when the tide
swamps them. The pulse of sun and breeze on bare skin.
And of course, the treasures we find in the sand.
This summer my walks unearth a trove of lopsided hearts. First, a
Mount Rushmore of craggy green and yellow rock, just an inch and
a half tall, with the heart’s tip broken clean away. Then, on another
beach, a pockmarked gray stone, light as a feather and pierced
through with a perfect round hole just about where the right ventricle
would be. And finally, still further away, a blue-gray rock just right for
skipping across the waves, so finely edged with salty rings that it looks
like petrified wood.
All of them, hearts—but not the Hallmark kind. Life and the elements
have tossed and tumbled these hearts into broken, beautiful works of
art.
I bring them home with me, to make sure that I
remember.
For many of us, this summer has brought plenty of wear and tear on
our hearts. Our main struggles may be internal—illnesses of mind or
body that seem almost insurmountable; the loss of a beloved friend
or family member, whose absence we feel every moment of every day.
We may also be grieving, angry, or wearied by the persistent weight
of those public oppressions that devalue some of us human beings.
I have felt despair over the stalled movement toward immigration
reform, renewed attacks on women’s rights over our own bodies, and
the pernicious death-dealing impact of racism and other -isms gone
unrecognized and unaddressed.
Storms toss and tumble and wrench our hearts into all
kinds of crazy shapes.
And at the same time ... On my travels this summer, I also experience
the life-giving power of love—friendship love, community love—to
heal, to remind us of joy, to break our hearts open with laughter, to knit
our souls together with shared memories. I listen to audiobooks from
the Dalai Lama (The Art of Happiness), Jill Bolte Taylor (My Stroke of
Insight), and to podcasts such as Krista Tippett’s “On Being.” Like the
spate of hearts I find on the beach, these sources all remind me that,
yes, suffering is a part of life, and that we have tremendous choices
about how we live.
We can live so that we create happiness, contentment, meaning,
fulfillment for ourselves and others. Like a true UU, I have no doubt
about the power we have to make good with our lives, no matter what
our circumstances.
We start by seeing, and loving, our funny, faithful, wounded, strong
hearts—yours, mine, others’. And we need each other to learn how to
do that.
I can’t wait to see you in church.
With great love for you and for all that we do together,
Photo by Rev. Nancy Palmer Jones
Rev. Nancy l
Las tormentas lanzan y revuelcan y
desgarran nuestros corazones en
toda clase de formas locas.
Encontrando una Playa:
Nuestros Graciosos Corazones
Por la rev. Nancy Palmer Jones y traducido por Roberto Padilla
Paseos de verano por la playa:
Los rumores de la mente llena de días
laborables del año sosegados. Apoderarse
de los sentidos— a través del masaje de la
granulada arena caliente entre los dedos. El
silbido y rugido del oleaje. El cascabeleo de
los collares y las lenguas aleteando de los
perros persiguiendo palos en el oleaje. La
tranquila intención de los niños de construir
castillos de arena y sus gritos cuando la
marea los inunda. El pulso del sol y la brisa en
la piel descubierta.
Y por supuesto, a través de los
tesoros que encontramos en la
arena.
Este verano mis caminatas desentierran
un tesoro de corazones desequilibrados.
Primero, un Mount Rushmore de escarpada
roca verde y amarilla, de pulgada y media
de alto, con la punta del corazón rota con
un corte limpio. Luego, en otra playa, una
cacariza piedra gris, ligera como una pluma
y perforada con un perfecto agujero redondo
que podría ser el ventrículo derecho. Y
finalmente, aún más lejos, una roca gris azul
justo para saltar a través de las olas, tan
finamente bordeada con anillos salados que
parece madera petrificada.
Todos ellos, corazones — pero no del tipo de
marca. La vida y los elementos han sacudido y
tirado estos corazones rotos, hermosas obras
de arte.
Las traigo a casa conmigo, para
asegurarse que recuerdo.
Para muchos de nosotros, este verano ha
traído un montón de desgaste y lágrimas en
nuestros corazones. Nuestras principales
luchas pueden
ser internas—
enfermedades
de la mente o
del cuerpo que
parecen casi
insuperables; la
pérdida de un
querido amigo
o miembro de Foto por la Rev. Nancy Palmer Jones
la familia, cuya ausencia la sentimos cada
momento de cada día.
Nosotros podemos también estar de duelo,
enojados, o cansados por el peso persistente
de las opresiones públicas que devalúan a
algunos de nosotros los seres humanos. Me
sentí desesperanzada sobre el estancado
movimiento hacia una reforma migratoria, de
los renovados ataques de los derechos de
las mujeres sobre nuestros propios cuerpos
y el pernicioso impacto de procedimientos
mortales de racismo y otros –ismos no
reconocidos y sin resolver.
Y al mismo tiempo... En mis viajes este verano,
también experimente el poder vivificante
del amor—amor de amistad, el amor de la
comunidad—para sanar, para recordarnos
de la alegría, de abrir nuestros corazones
con risas, a tejer nuestras almas junto con
recuerdos compartidos. Escucho audiolibros
de el Dalai Lama (El Arte de la Felicidad), Jill
Bolte Taylor (mi derrame de percepción) y
podcasts tal como Krista Tippett “Siendo”.
Como la racha de corazones que encontré en
la playa, todas estas fuentes me recuerdan
que, sí, el sufrimiento es parte de la vida, y
que tenemos una tremendas opciones acerca
de cómo vivimos.
Podemos vivir para que crear felicidad,
alegría, sentido, realización para nosotros y
para otros. Como un verdadero U.U, no tengo
ninguna duda sobre el poder que tenemos
para hacer el bien con nuestras vidas, sin
importar nuestras circunstancias.
Empezamos por ver y amar, nuestros
graciosos, fieles, heridos, fuertes
corazones—los suyos, el mío, el de otros. Y
nos necesitamos mutuamente para aprender
a hacer eso.
No puedo esperar a verlos en la iglesia.
Con gran amor por ustedes y por todo lo que
hacemos juntos,
Rev. Nancy l
UU Parents Meetup
T
he Meetup group is a safe venue for parents and children who embrace a Unitarian
Universalist philosophy to connect. Parents belonging to this group have many
different beliefs, but are united in our commitment to acceptance of each other and our
children. You do not have to attend any church or consider yourself religious to be part
of this group. Just go to our Meetup site, http://www.meetup.com/UUParents/ and fill
out a few profile questions 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], (408) 292-3858, ext. 25. l
Page 2 Our Church Circular • August 2013 • agosto 2013
SUNDAY SERVICES / SERVICIOS DE DOMINGO
11:00 am
10:15 am
Services in English
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 sala Fireside Ramsden. 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) held in a mixture
of English and Spanish in the Ramsden Fireside Room. Accessible and
welcoming to all, this service provides time to sing, meditate, and reflect in
a small group in preparation for the service at 11:00 am.
Save the Dates
FAugust 2, Friday, 8:00 pm, Dances of Universal Peace, Sanctuary
FAugust 3, Saturday, Climate Change Rally, meet at Richmond
BART Station
FAugust 4, Sunday, First Sunday Forum: Is Civics an Outmoded
Idea? 10 am, Hattie Porter Hall (See article on page 11.)
FAugust 4, Sunday, Farmworker Reality Tour and Dinner with
Partner Church Visitors, 3-9 pm, meet at church, event in Watsonville
FAugust 5, Monday, Last day to sign up for any Circle Suppers in
August. Contact Barbara at [email protected]
FAugust 7, Wednesday, 6-10 pm, Farewell Dinner for Partner
Church Visitors, Hattie Porter Hall
FAugust 10, Saturday, 9:00 am - noon, Service is Our Prayer
church improvement day, all over the church.
FAugust 14, Wednesday, Last Day to RSVP for All-Ages Circle
Supper Picnic. See Announcement for more details.
FAugust 17 & 18, Saturday & Sunday, Circle Suppers. Contact
Barbara at [email protected]
FAugust 18, Sunday, 5:00 pm, All-Ages Circle Supper Picnic,
Williams Street Park picnic area, see article with details on page 11
FAugust 19, Monday, 7:30-9:00 pm, HUUmanist Group: Are
current copyrights reasonable in the digital age? Youth Room
FAugust 26-31, Group Blood Drive, Stanford Blood Center–
Mountain View (see p. 8)
FSeptember 1, Sunday, 1:00-2:30 pm, Historical Christianity Book
Discussion, the Church
FSeptember 21 & 22, Saturday & Sunday, Circle Suppers. Contact
Barbara at [email protected] l
Our Church Circular • August 2013 • agosto 2013
August 4 – 4 de agosto
The Trayvon Martin Case:
What We Can Learn; What We Can Do
The shooting death of Trayvon Martin and the not-guilty verdict for
shooter George Zimmerman has sent shock waves of pain through many
communities. What do Unitarian Universalists say about this case—not so
much from a legal point of view but from a spiritual and moral one? What
does it teach us about the context in which we live, and what does it call
us to do? Come, let us wrestle with these questions in community, where
our best hope lies.
Worship Leader: the Rev. Nancy Palmer Jones
El Caso de Trayvon Martin:
Lo Que Podemos Aprender, Lo Que Podemos Hacer
La muerte de Trayvon Martin y el veredicto de no culpabilidad para el tirador
George Zimmerman envió ondas de choque de dolor a través de muchas
comunidades. ¿Qué dicen los Unitarios Universalistas sobre este caso —
no mucho desde un punto de vista legal, sino de uno moral y espiritual?
¿Qué nos enseñan sobre el contexto en el que vivimos, y lo que estamos
llamados a hacer? Ven, luchemos con estas preguntas en la comunidad,
donde nuestra mejor esperanza miente.
Dirige: la Rev. Nancy Palmer Jones
August 11 – 11 de agosto
All That Jazz!!
Jazz has a rich history and a lively present. It has deep associations
with social justice and speaks to our UU principles such as the free and
responsible search for truth and meaning. On this weekend of the San Jose
Jazz Summer Festival, we invite you to come hear some of this music and
its stories from people in and outside our congregation, including our choir.
Worship Leaders: Neil Kelly, Steve Madden and Rick Merrit
Todo el Jazz
Jazz tiene una rica historia y un presente vivo. Tiene profundas asociaciones
con justicia social y les habla a nuestros principios UU como la búsqueda libre
y responsable de la verdad y el significado. Este fin de semana del Festival
de Verano de Jazz de San José, les invitamos a escuchar esta música y sus
historias de personas dentro y fuera de nuestra congregación, incluyendo
a nuestro coro.
Dirigen: Neil Kelly, Steve Madden y Rick Merrit
August 18 – 18 de agosto
Being or Becoming: Good Enough or Not There Yet
Have you ever been told you are perfectly wonderful just the way you are?
Have you ever been told you really need to change yourself for the better?
Which of them is true? We hear both of these messages from our pulpit,
and from our society. And we tend to spread them to one another. They
are common themes in many of the world’s religious traditions. But which
is really true? Do we need to accept ourselves as we are, or do we need to
change ourselves for the better? The answer that comes from most, if not
all spiritual traditions is, paradoxically, “Yes!” But how might we do both at
the same time? Come explore the paradox of being and becoming human.
Worship Leader: the Rev. Nancy Palmer Jones
continued on next page
Primera Iglesia Unitaria de San José • Page 3
Services / Servicios
continued from previous page
Worship Associates: Bob Miess and Jim
Rumbaugh
¿Ser o convertirse en: suficiente bueno o
no todavía?
¿Alguna vez les han dicho que son maravillosos
tal y como son ustedes? ¿Alguna vez les han
dicho que tienen que cambiarse a ustedes
mismos para mejorar? ¿Cuál de ellos es
cierto? Escuchamos ambos de estos mensajes
desde nuestro púlpito y de nuestra sociedad.
Y tendemos a repartirlos a unos con los
otros. Son temas comunes en muchas de
las tradiciones religiosas del mundo. ¿Pero
que es verdad? ¿Necesitamos aceptarnos a
nosotros mismos como somos, o necesitamos
cambiarnos a nosotros mismos para mejorar?
La respuesta que proviene de la mayoría, si
no de todas las tradiciones espirituales es,
paradójicamente, “¡Sí!” Pero ¿cómo podríamos
hacer ambas al mismo tiempo? Venga y explore
la paradoja de ser y convertirse en humano.
Dirige: la Rev. Nancy Palmer Jones
Asociados de Culto: Bob Miess y Jim
Rumbaugh
August 25 – 25 de agosto
Poetry and Protest
August 28 is the 50th anniversary of the March
on Washington when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. It
was an oratory for the ages, a call to action, pure
poetry that lifted the crowd’s spirits with its flowing
cadences and vivid imagery. Poetry has the power
to inspire the multitudes out of their complacency
and fear to realize that they don’t have to accept
the status quo. This is democracy with a capital D.
Free verse, rhyming couplets, iambic pentameter,
haiku and you! For the lyrically adventurous there
will be a sharing circle after the service for those
who would like to recite a poem or short reading
and discuss why it is for you a call to action and
transformation.
Worship Leader: the Rev. Geoff Rimositis
Worship Associate: Bev Clifford
Poesía y Protesta
El 28 de agosto es el 50 aniversario de la marcha
en Washington, cuando el Dr. Martin Luther King,
Jr. dio su famoso discurso “Tengo un Sueño”. Fue
una oratoria para la posteridad, una llamada a la
acción, poesía pura que levantó los espíritus de
la multitud con sus fluidas cadencias e imágenes
vivas. La poesía tiene el poder para inspirar a las
multitudes de su complacencia y temor a darse
cuenta que no tienen por qué aceptar el status
quo. Esto es la democracia con D mayúscula. ¡Un
Page 4 Summer at FUCSJ
Worship Schedule
W
orship continues every Sunday at
11:00 am throughout the summer.
A half-hour Alabanza!, a lay-led smallgroup worship, gathers in the Ramsden
Fireside Room at 10:15 am.
Come share in the beauties of thought
and spirit led by our Worship Associates
and ministers. We welcome many visitors
during the summer; please offer your
own special hospitality to newcomers
throughout the summer months!
On-Call Pastoral Care Schedule:
Rev. Nancy Palmer Jones, Senior
Minister, is available for pastoral care and
counseling: (cell) 408-952-9418; email:
[email protected].
by phone at 408-292-3858, ext. 10. In
case of emergencies, you can reach Dana
when she is away from the office at (cell)
907-317-5028.
Custodian Edgar Cruz will work his
regular schedule through the summer, as
will our Weekend Custodian.
Partner Church Visitors, Special
Events, and Other Gatherings
Please check our on-line monthly
calendar at www.sanjoseuu.org, along
with the “Save the Dates” on page 3,
and watch your inbox for weekly emails
about opportunities to gather for fun,
learning, spiritual growth, and friendship
throughout the summer.
Both ministers will participate in our
Partner Church visit, July 23-August 8,
and we hope you will, too! l
Staff Schedules
Associate Minister
for Lifespan Faith
Development, the
Rev. Geoff Rimositis,
will be on vacation
August 9-16.
Office Manager
Dana Spinney will be
in the office Monday,
Wednesday, Friday, 9
am to 4 pm: fucsj@
sanjoseuu.org, or
Photo by Carol Low
verso libre, coplas rimadas, pentámetro yámbico,
haiku y tú! Para los líricamente aventureros,
habrá un círculo compartido después del servicio
para aquellos que les gustaría recitar un poema o
una lectura corta y por qué es para ustedes una
llamada a la acción y transformación.
Dirige: el Rev. Geoff Rimositis
Asociada de Culto: Bev Clifford
September 1 – 1 de septiembre
Labor Day Reflections
We look at what “work” means to us in the light
of making love visible. Does your work give you
a sense of purpose, or do you give your work
value and meaning? And how is the relevance
of work changed when we lose the job or are no
longer able to do work we are trained for or we
retire? Redefining our sense of purpose and spirit
can be difficult when changes are thrust upon
us. Labor of all efforts or jobs is lifted up for the
contributions to the greater good.
Worship Leader: Dena Dickinson
Worship Associate: Jenn Castro
Refleciones del Dia de Trabajo
Revisaremos lo que “trabajo” significa para
nosotros a la luz de haciendo visible el amor.
¿Tu trabajo te da un sentido de propósito, o le
das a tu trabajo un valor y significado? ¿Y cómo
ha cambiado la relevancia del trabajo cuando
perdemos el empleo o ya no podemos trabajar?
¿Estamos entrenados para retirarnos? Redefinir
nuestro sentido de propósito y espíritu puede ser
difícil cuando los cambios son empujados sobre
nosotros. Trabajo de todos los esfuerzos, o el
empleo es elevado para las contribuciones para
el bien mayor.
Dirige: Dena Dickinson
Asociada de Culto: Jenn Castro l
Our Church Circular • August 2013 • agosto 2013
For more information about our programs for
children and youth please contact our family
minister, the Rev. Geoff Rimositis, GRimositis@
sanjoseuu.org
Children and Youth Summer
Program
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 - three years
Location: Nursery, Church’s Lower Level
Childcare Staff: Giovanna Fernandez and Sandra Sotelo
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,
Giovanna Fernandez and Sandra Sotelo, provides a loving
presence as they engage children in games, stories and crafts
with seasonal and holiday themes throughout the year.
Three- to five-year-olds: Picture Book World Religions
T
he goal of this curriculum is to introduce world religions
through stories and allow young children to explore
the differences and similarities to their own lives. There are
beautiful picture books that introduce young children to
Hinduism, Islam and Buddhism in a gentle and respectful
way. These books teach about world religions by telling a story.
The stories illustrate concepts such as the value of wisdom and
loyalty in Hinduism (Savitri), the importance of family in Islam
(the Hundredth Name), and the practice of compassion for all
living beings in Buddhism (Tenzin’s Deer.)
In the Unitarian Universalist faith, we list “wisdom from
the world’s religions…” as one of the sources of our living
tradition. It is not appropriate to expect young children to grasp
the abstract concepts of comparative religious studies. But we
can share stories from different faiths, and help them begin a
journey of understanding, tolerance and celebration for the
diversity of human expressions of faith.
Aug 4 Islam: Ahemed’s Secret
Aug 11 Buddhism: Tenzin’s Deer
Aug 18 Buddhism: The Brave Little Parrot
Aug 25 Buddhism: Buddha in the Garden
Sept 1 Buddhism: The Mountains of Tibet
Sept. 8 No Class, Homecoming, Water Communion
Sept. 15Fall Classes Begin
1st-8th Grades Summer Schedule: Stories of Courage
and Wisdom
T
he goals of this curriculum are to introduce children and
youth to the stories of women and men who have acted
with courage and wisdom in their attempts to live their lives
fully and make the world a better place for others.
Our Church Circular • August 2013 • agosto 2013
These stories of women and men who have come out of our
religious tradition encourage children to live their own lives fully
and to use their own positive powers as they interact with the
world around them, and as they do so, to grow both spiritually
and ethically.
Aug 4 Beatrix Potter: The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Beatrix
Potter
Aug 11 Norbert Capek: The Man Who Loved Beauty and
Freedom
Aug 18 P.T. Barnum: Enthusiasm for Life
Aug 25 P.T. Barnum: The Greatest Show on Earth (The
children will stage a circus celebration and share it
with others at church.)
Sep 1 Celebrating Ourselves and the Many Ways to Be
Heroic
Sep 8 No Class, Homecoming, Water Communion
Sep 15 Fall Classes Begin
Grades 9-12: Senior High Youth Group, Youth Room
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. l
Youth Group Advisors: Rick Morris, Rev. Geoff Rimositis, Terra Wood-Taylor
Childcare Worker Opening at First Unitarian Church
We are an open, inclusive and progressive faith community seeking
an outgoing, caring and creative person to work in our nursery on
Sunday mornings from 10:30 am -1:00 pm. There are opportunities for
additional hours each month as we provide childcare at many church
classes and fellowship events throughout the year. These additional
hours are almost always weekend hours. The ideal candidate will
have some childcare experience and knowledge of child development,
developmentally appropriate positive guidance techniques and ability
to plan and lead toddler songs and activities. Candidate should be
comfortable welcoming and communicating with diverse families.
Clear background checks and health screen will be required prior to
working with children. Please send a resume to Rev. Geoff Rimositis,
[email protected], 408-292-3858, ext. 25, or mail to First
Unitarian Church, 160 N. 3rd St., San Jose, CA. 95112 l
Primera Iglesia Unitaria de San José • Page 5
Junior High 2013 Backpacking Trip
by the Rev. Geoff Rimositis
N
ine intrepid souls entered into the Ansel Adams
Wilderness area for our annual Junior High Backpack
Trip, July 8-14. The wilderness area east of Fresno and north
of Yosemite is spectacular even if riding on Kaiser Pass Road
to Lake Edison is something out of an
Indiana Jones movie. We took boats
across the lake that saved our weary
feet an additional six miles and found
a lovely spot near a roaring mountain
stream with views of high granite
peaks.
Bear-bagging your food is always a
challenge when you have a large group
with lots of provisions. You have to
hunt for a good tree limb to throw your
rope over and then work to
hoist and balance your bags
just out of the reach of bears.
It took us an hour to get
our bags in the tree the first
morning before we headed on
our day hike. And I am glad
we did because as we hiked up
the trail there was a nice big
specimen of fresh bear scat!
It was a hard hike getting
used to the elevation but we
all made it to gorgeous Silver
Lake (see pictures) at over ten thousand feet where we had
lunch and recovered.
The next day we lounged by Mono Creek, a mountain stream
that cascaded down over granite sheets. A couple of us
high energy types took a day hike into the next valley where
we encountered large old growth trees, an aspen grove and
annoying black flies.
The backpack trip is always a bonding and deepening experience
for its participants. We leave our everyday lives, comforts and
distractions behind us to be fully present with each other and
with the majesty and awesome beauty of the wilderness.
This is how we live out our Unitarian Universalist seventh
principle: the respect for the interdependent web of all existence
of which we are a part. In the wilderness we come to know our
essential selves, falling in love with our world, and emerging
from the backwoods with a passion to preserve it for today’s and
future generations.
Happy Trails,
Geoff
Page 6
Volunteer Opportunities:
You make FUCSJ what it is! Whatever your talent
and availability, there is an opportunity for you to
serve. Contact Liz Owen at [email protected]
or Bob Miess at [email protected]
Our Church Circular • August 2013 • agosto 2013
Partner Church Villagers Are Here!
—by Monty Low
The First Unitarian Church
of San Jose is excited to host 10
villagers from our partner church in
Homoródszentmárton, Romania. Our
visitors arrived the evening of Tuesday,
July 23 and will depart the morning of
August 8. Everyone is invited to join the
many activities we have planned. Please
contact Monty Low (low.monty@gmail.
com, 408-348-2778) if you would like
the latest schedules, or to participate or
help with any of the activities we have
planned.
Itinerary of Whole Church Activities
Tuesday Aug 6 – TENTATIVE – Late
afternoon and early evening bonfire
on the beach
Wednesday Aug 7, 6 – 9 pm, Farewell
dinner – Hattie Porter Hall
Detailed Itinerary
July 29-31 Mon-Wed – Camping and
visit Yosemite.
July 31 Wed – Afternoon – Adults
return to San Jose. College / youth
drive to Santa Barbara
Aug 1 Thur – College/youth travel
to Channel Islands National Park
to join the church high school
summer campout
Aug 2 Fri – Adults – visit Monterey
Bay Aquarium; College / youth
have a day on the island trip
Aug 3 Sat – College / youth return
from island trip
Aug 4 Sun – morning - regular church
service
Aug 4 Sun – Lunch - unscheduled –
Youth usually go out to lunch
Aug 4 Sun – Church members are
invited to join the travelers for a
farm worker reality tour. ($30 ea)
We will visit a strawberry farm in
Watsonville and have testimonials
and dinner with migrant workers.
RSVP: Monty Low
Aug 5 Mon – Backstage tour of the
Oakland zoo. Visit Pixar (limited
space available; priority will be
given to drivers and host families)
– Evening - no schedule
Aug 6 Tues – TENTATIVE – Morning
visit to Big Basin, late afternoon
and early evening bonfire on the
beach
Aug 7 Wed
– Morning - Unscheduled
–Afternoon – Visits to high
tech places like Apple, Google,
Facebook, Twitter…
– Evening – farewell dinner
Aug 8 Thur – Travelers fly from San
Jose to Chicago. American Airlines
Flt 828, Departing 7:50 am l
First Unitarian Parents of Young Children
P
arents of young children met in June to organize a monthly topic and support
group. Meetings will be held in the church’s downstairs classroom once a
month from 9:30-10:45 am. Child care will be provided. Rev. Geoff Rimositis will
facilitate meetings. Parents volunteer to be monthly topic leaders. Each meeting
will start with a deep check-in by parents followed with a topic conversation.
Contact: [email protected].
Dates
Topic
Aug. 25
Independence
Sept *
Loving Discipline
Oct*
Teaching our Values
Nov*
Balancing Needs
*Dates to be determined
Our Church Circular • August 2013 • agosto 2013
Topic Leader
Peter Lorenzen
Sarah Pu
Rosemary Parker
Renee McCain
Introducing Next
Year’s Worship
Themes
T
ransformational Theme-Based
Ministry consists of a three-year cycle
of themes that ask the Big Questions—
questions that every religion, spiritual
path, and faith movement ask and have
asked since humans evolved:
F Who are we?
F What do we value?
F How do we make sense of life?
F How are we to live from day to day in
ways that bring happiness, satisfaction,
meaning, and health to ourselves and
others?
F ...and more.
We use these themes to focus our
worship experiences. Every Sunday,
through the lens of the theme, we take up
both the Big Questions and the pressing
issues of our particular time and place.
This September we enter into Year Three
of our cycle.
Did you see the on-line Worship
Survey in your email recently? Please be
sure to take part! On this survey, you
can offer feedback on this year’s worship
experiences, and you can jot down your
current thoughts and feelings about each
of these themes. From your responses, we
draw the regular newsletter feature “In
Our Own Voices” each month. Please do
participate! Where’s that survey again?
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/
HVNS8MG
With heartfelt thanks for your
openness, depth, and curiosity,
Rev. Nancy
Third-Year Themes: 2013-2014
F September: Vision / Being Visionary
F October: Evil
F November: Ground of Our Being /
Mystery
F December: Second Chances
F January: Wisdom / Truth(s)
F February: Laughter / Playfulness
F March: Democracy and Covenant
F April: Being a Body
F May: Freedom and Responsibility l
Primera Iglesia Unitaria de San José • Page 7
It’s Not Too Late to Sign
Up to Save Lives
By Nicole Faby
D
o you want to burn 600 calories in
under 15 minutes? Do you want
an excuse not to do housework for 24
hours? Do you want to help save up to
three lives while eating cookies? And do
you meet the criteria listed at http://
bloodcenter.stanford.edu/donate/
EligibilityMedHisDeferral.html and have
an hour to spare? If so, please sign up to
give blood during our drive!
Blood donations are especially needed
this time of year because high schools
and colleges that normally hold blood
drives are on break. While our summer
congregation is too small to support a
mobile drive, the Stanford Blood Center
is offering a group blood drive at their
Mountain View branch, located at 515
South Drive, from Monday August 26
to Saturday August 31. All donors will
receive a free AMC theatres movie ticket,
points to use in the donor loyalty store,
and the knowledge that they have helped
save lives. Please make an appointment
by calling 888-723-7831 or by going to
www.sbcdonor.org.
The Stanford Blood Center is also
offering a tour of their labs, located at
3373 Hillview Avenue in Palo Alto, at
noon on Saturday, August 31. Nondonors are welcome to join us as we learn
about the process of testing blood for
safety and compatibility and the research
being done on nontransfusablewhite
blood cells and extra tubes of blood.
Please call Kevin O’Neil at 6507252540
if you have any questions about the drive
or the tour.
Page 8 The Multicultural Ministries Sharing Project
The following is a message from Audra Friend,
Program Coordinator, Office for Congregational
Advocacy & Witness, Multicultural Growth & Witness,
Unitarian Universalist Association:
A
re you a person of color, a person
with a disability, LGBTQ, or
otherwise marginalized around ability,
race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and/
or gender identity? The UUA is excited
to announce a groundbreaking project to
seek insight into your experience!
The Multicultural Ministries Sharing
Project consists of a comprehensive
survey, and, later, focus groups, to help
UU leaders and staff understand where
FUCSJ Board Meeting
Report
Update your eScrip!
(Not to be confused with the Partner Church
program’s Scrip)
By Nancy Coleman
By Diana Wirt
T
we are now and what we need to be wellequipped to meet the ministry needs of
UUs in the 21st century.
We need your help! Take the survey
and spread the word! All those 13 and
older with a UU affiliation who are
LGBTQ, people of color, people with
disabilities, or otherwise marginalized
due to gender identity, sexual orientation,
ability, race, and/or ethnicity are invited
to participate.
The Sharing Project Survey is open
now and ends October 31, 2013. Learn
more and take the survey! www.uua.org/
sharingproject l
his is to church members who are
doing eScrip. The amount of cash
the church receives from eScrip has
gradually gone down.
I suspect that, like me, you have
changed credit card numbers or added
new cards.
If you have registered your Safeway
card with eScrip, you may need to
renew that as well. It’s just one click to
do that; you don’t need to enter the
number again.
Please take a minute to go to escrip.
com and enter your new card numbers
so we can be getting the full advantage
of your shopping.
While you’re there, if your kids
are long gone from the school that is
benefitting from your eScrip purchases,
how about changing your “group
designation” to the church? If you
don’t remember your eScrip password,
no worries; you can log-in using your
e-mail address or other ways. Contact
Diana Wirt [email protected]
with any questions. l
T
he FUCSJ Board of Directors met
on July 25. Greg Smith was approved
as co-chair, along with John Burk, of the
Social Justice committee of the Program
and Operations Council. Treasurer Dave
Proulx shared that the surplus funds from
the recently completed 2012-2013 fiscal
year will be split between the building
reserve and the operating reserve. The
Board agreed to use an e-mail process to
select and approve candidates for this
year’s Audit Committee.
In addition, Jim Rumbaugh and Rob
Strong provided a detailed review of
the suggested changes to the church’s
bylaws proposed by the Bylaws Revision
Committee. The Board approved a
motion to recommend these changes
to the congregation. Two forums will
take place in September and October to
discuss the changes, and a link to the full
text of the proposed bylaws will be made
available on the church website. As the
current bylaws require, the Board has
called a special congregational meeting
to vote on the changes; it has been set for
November 10. l
Our Church Circular • August 2013 • agosto 2013
Upcoming Events and Announcements
Dances of Universal Peace Second Sunday Swap Shop
Friday, August 2, 8:00 pm,
Sanctuary
Sunday, August 11, after 11 am
Service, Hattie Porter Hall
C
B
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
the movements, are taught each time.
Questions? Email Patrick Smiley at
[email protected] or leave a
message at 650-596-8829. l
HUUmanist Group:
Are the current copyright
restrictions reasonable in
the digital age?
ring treasures (no clothes) to HPH
to pass on; then take some new ones
home! Just remember to take home
anything you bring that isn’t taken. l
Circle Suppers
August 20, 21 and September 21, 22
C
ircle Suppers offer an opportunity
for members of the church
community to get to know one another
at casual pot luck 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
Monday, August 19, 7:30-9:00 pm,
Youth Room
O
ur discussion will be about the
evolving concept of copyright
in the US. Originally written (in the
Constitution) to prevent others from
stealing an idea, then copying and selling
any resulting material, Copyright has
evolved to cover the use itself and even the
sharing of materials.
The internet is partially responsible,
but is it fair, or is its intention only
to benefit authors (to some extent),
publishers (to a larger extent), and
especially the selective copyright
prosecution by certain law firms. All
opinions are welcome.
Before the discussion, some
background materials will be sent out to
people who express interest in coming that
Monday night via email :
([email protected]) See you there! l
From left: Felicia, Rick and Nancy enjoy a recent
Ciircle Supper.
welcome. If you want more information
about these suppers or to sign up, contact
Barbara Derbyshire at CircleSuppers@
AOL.com.
The suppers in August will be Saturday
the 17th and Sunday the 18th. This
month, in addition to the usual suppers
in homes, there will also be a picnic for
a larger group on the 18th. Please see
the separate article announcing this
special supper for more information. The
deadline to sign up for any of the suppers
this month is Monday, 8/5. l
Our Church Circular • August 2013 • agosto 2013
Remember to bring your
recyclable bottles and cans
to help cover expenses of
this newsletter!
“Let’s Play with Story”
Workshop with Olga Loya at FUCSJ:
Saturdays, September 21 & 28; and
Sunday, September 29
N
ationally-known storyteller and
FUCSJ member Olga Loya will
work closely with participants to explore
and develop their own storytelling
styles, utilizing many fun and exciting
storytelling games and exercises.
Participants will learn a short folktale,
myth, or legend and then present the
stories to the congregation in worship on
Sunday, September 29. Participants can
work in teams if they desire. To register
for this workshop, please contact Office
Manager Dana Spinney by September 1:
[email protected].
Bilingual (English-Spanish)
storyteller, performance artist, teacher,
and writer, Olga presents to all ages from
preschool to seniors. She tells stories
that support her beliefs that we can work
together as a community, that we can
learn to look beyond racial and class lines,
and that we can take the time to enjoy
ourselves through stories and song.
For the last thirty years Olga has
performed and led workshops all over
the USA and Mexico. She has been
featured in many festivals including
the Guadalajara Storytelling Festival,
the National Storytelling Festival in
Jonesborough, and here at her home
congregation. l
First Sunday Forum: Civics
Sunday, August 4, 10:00-11:00 am,
Hattie Porter Hall
C
ivics refers to educating the citizens.
The United States has been criticized
for minimizing public civics education
opportunities in the past several years. Is
civics an outmoded idea and if so, how
can (or should) we revive it? Where is
the line between individual rights and
duties of citizens drawn?
Facilitator: Amy Baldwin,
[email protected] l
Primera Iglesia Unitaria de San José • Page 9
Historical Christianity Book Discussion:
Service is Our Prayer Day
Embracing the Human Jesus: A Wisdom Path for
Contemporary Christianity by David Galston
Saturday, August 10, 9 am-12 pm
All Church
Sunday, September 1, 1:00-3:00 pm, led by Bob Miess
Following our study of the Jesus
Seminar’s Five Gospels: What Did Jesus
Really Say, and L. Michael White’s From
Jesus to Christianity, we move on to a
new book, just published this year. We
have read that much in the gospels is not
historically accurate, and that the voice of
Jesus detected in the gospel material seems
to express a vision of a new way of being
in the world. We have read that the story
of what Jesus said and did was reshaped
in countless ways and in completely
new directions, by many currents of
thought, religion, politics, and economic
situations in the first four generations,
eventually taking form in the fourth
century Christianity that ultimately
became contemporary Christianity. In
this book Galston, a theologian, asks and
tries to address the question that many
Unitarian Universalists find themselves
asking: So what? If there is something
of a voiceprint of Jesus, what is it saying?
And, more important, does it have any
relevance to us today? If so, what choices
does it prompt us to make? And how
does this affect what we do in “churches?”
Galston explores the journey we’ve been
on and offers a proposal to Christians
that is surprisingly Unitarian Universalist
in flavor: It is not about what we believe,
but about what we do. It is not about
dogmatic religious systems, but about
creating community in which we can
learn to live with wisdom. Taking one
chapter of his book each month, we will
explore his proposal from a Unitarian
Universalist perspective. Then we will
make our own choices. The point, as
Galston says, is to be wisely present in the
world, each in our own way, not to find a
final answer. September 1 we will discuss
the Introduction.
By the way, David Galston will also
be speaking at the Jesus Seminar’s Fall
Meeting in Santa Rosa, CA, October
23-26. Feel free to join Bob Miess, who
is attending. For details see http://www.
westarinstitute.org/national-meetings/
westar-fall-meeting-2013/
For questions, please contact Bob
Miess, Bob@Heart-HealthyLifestyles.
com, 408-297-2066. l
A
re you tired of sitting in your
favorite chair and indulging in fruit
drinks during these lazy days of summer?
If so, please join us for an exciting
morning at the church where we will be
cleaning, painting and working to keep
the building absolutely beautiful. The
major projects include installing carbon
monoxide detectors, cleaning the rust
from the fence around the front and
side of the church, and installing three
fasteners for bikes in the courtyard.
As always we will meet at 9 am for
a blessing and work until noon when a
delicious lunch will be served. Sign-ups
will be after the service during coffee
hour on August 4.
If you want us to add a project.
contact Bob Miller at
[email protected]
Church Campout
Connect with FUCSJ’s
Online Ministries via
Facebook!
Breaking a piñata
was just part of the
fun for members
camping out along
Uvas Creek, Morgan
Hill, July 17-22.
Photos by Tom Tan
(top) and Catherine
Pelizzari (left).
Page 10
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
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. We look
forward to connecting with you! l
Our Church Circular • August 2013 • agosto 2013
The Alegria Singers
Wednesdays, 7:30-9:00 pm
Sanctuary
Guitars Aloud
Wednesdays, 6:00 -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]
Climate Change Rally:
Summer Heat Richmond
Saturday, August 3
T
he climate change action organization
350.org is co-sponsoring its only rally
and march in California this summer on
Saturday, August 3rd in Richmond, and
it looks like its going to be a big one. The
word is that Bill McKibben, leader of 350,
and the Mayor of Richmond will both be
there. Remember the fires at the Chevron
oil refineries in Richmond last August?
The folks who live there haven’t forgotten.
The Summer Heat Richmond rally
begins at 10:00 am at the Richmond
BART Station, 1700 Nevin Ave., followed
by a march to the Chevron refineries.
(BART deadline to strike again is Aug. 4,
so it looks like BART should be running.)
The demands being made by the
organizers are:
- No more life-threatening hazards;
- No refining of dirty crude oil (Chevron
is already refining tar sands crude);
- No more corporate tax evasion;
- No Keystone XL pipeline.
Bill McKibben is speaking in San
Francisco at the Nourse Theater the night
before the rally. To find more details
about these events, search “Summer Heat
J
oin the FUCSJ choir in singing at
regular Sunday services, at special
events such as Solstice Celebrations
and Coffee Houses, and bring music to
various church activities. Rehearsals are
held every Wednesday, 7:30-9 pm. l
Community Dances
Summer break – dances begin
again this fall.
F
or information about other English
and Contra dances in the Bay Area,
see bacds.org. l
Richmond” on the internet or go to
350BayArea.org.
This message is brought to you by
the Rights of Nature folks at FUCSJ.
We encourage your participation in
connecting the dots between nature’s
rights and our human communities. l
All Ages Circle Supper
Picnic
Sunday, August 18th
L
et’s meet at William Street Park in the
picnic area at the corner of William
and 16th Street at 5:00 for fun and
games.
Please bring a dish of your choice to
share and any games you’d like to play.
The picnic area has ample shade but
also areas that are flat and open, suitable
for volleyball, softball, soccer or...... but
we’ll need you to bring the necessary
equipment! Or just plan to join in
conversation and camaraderie.
Please RSVP to Liz Owen (257-2237)
or Sarabelle Hitchner (279-2976) by
August14th. We will need to know you
are coming to be sure we have enough
tables, drinks, plates, and so forth. l
Our Church Circular • August 2013 • agosto 2013
UU Hikers and Friends
P
lease call or email me if you plan to
hike. Home phone; 408 730 1052.
Cell: 408-769-0534 (use cell only the
morning of the hike). email j408miller@
sbcglobal.net.
­—Joyce Miller
Saturday, August 3
Wunderlich County Park, 6 miles, moderate. We can
do the longer hike to Skyline if folks want to. It’s all
in the shade. Meet at Page Mill/280 Park and Ride
at 8:00 am.
Wednesday, August 7
Saratoga Gap 6 miles. Meet at US Bank parking lot
in Saratoga at 8:30 am.
Saturday, August 10
Los Trancos, 6 miles, moderate. We have done
this hike on Wednesdays. It is an out and back that
goes from Los Trancos to Foothill Park through
a beautiful mixed forest. It is mostly in the shade.
Meet at PageMill/280 Park and Ride at 8:00 am.
Wednesday, August 14
Stevens Creek/Fremont Older, 6 miles. Meet at
parking lot at Stevens Creek County Park at 8:30
am. I will not be leading this hike; will be in Tahoe.
Saturday, August 17
Purissima State Park moderate/strenuous, 6 miles.
Meet at Page Mill/280 Park and Ride at 8:00 am.
Wednesday, August 21
Windy Hill, 6 miles. Meet at Page Mill/280 Park and
Ride at 8:30 am.
Saturday, August 24
Skyline Ridge Loop, 7 miles. Meet at Page Mill/280
Park and Ride at 8:00 am.
Wednesday, August 28
Huddart County Park, 6 miles. Meet at Page
Mill/280 Park and Ride at 8:30 am.
Saturday, August 31
Castle Rock State Park, 6 miles, moderate. Meet in
Saratoga behind US Bank at 8:00 am. I will not be
leading this hike.l
Primera Iglesia Unitaria de San José • Page 11
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:
3:00 pm Wednesday, August 21
Mailing:
Wednesday, August 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
Cuidado Pastoral
Contacting the Ministers
Contactando a los Ministros
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.
Rev. Nancy Palmer Jones and Rev. Geoff Rimositis feel honored to serve
this congregation, and we cherish your trust! Here is how reach us: Nancy (408)
292-3858, ext. 23 Mon.-Thurs.; cell (408) 952-9418; e-mail: revnpj@yahoo.
com. Geoff: (408) 292-3858, ext. 25 Mon.-Thurs.; cell (408) 309-7796; e-mail:
[email protected].
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.
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. 23 de Lunes a Jueves; cell (408) 9529418; e-mail: [email protected]. Geoff: (408) 292-3858, ext. 25 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]
Church
Office
Church Staff
Program and
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.
HOURS: Monday, Wednesday and Friday,
Senior Minister, The Rev. Nancy Palmer Jones, Operations Council
9:00 am - 4:00 pm.
(POC)
Ext. 23, [email protected]
Phone: (408) 292-3858 (plus staff extensions)
John Burk and Greg Smith, Social
Assoc. Minister For Lifespan Faith
Fax: (408) 292-4744; [email protected]
Justice, [email protected]
Development,
The
Rev.
Geoff
Rimositis,
Website: http://www.sanjoseuu.org
and [email protected]
Ext. 25, [email protected]
Rentals: (408) 841-7542 or [email protected]
(open),
Outreach
Choir director, John Ector, [email protected]
Officers
Bob Miller, Building,
Office Manager, Dana Spinney,
[email protected]
PRESIDENT Madeline Morrow,
Ext. 10, [email protected]
[email protected]
Jean Embree & Diana Wirt,
Stewardship and Fundraising,
SECRETARY Nancy Coleman, [email protected] Bookkeeper Sue Evanicky,
[email protected]
[email protected]
TREASURER David Proulx, [email protected]
Custodian Edgar Cruz
(open), Inreach
PERSONNEL OFFICER Liz Shivell,
Nursery Sandra Sotelo, Giovanna Fernandez
(open), Lifespan Religious Education
[email protected]
PROGRAM OFFICER Francisco Hernandez,
[email protected]
FINANCIAL OFFICER Dena Dickinson,
[email protected]
BOARD OF Directors
Frank Bosche, [email protected]
Roberto Padilla, [email protected]
Terra Wood Taylor, terrawoodtaylor@
yahoo.com
Rob Strong, [email protected]