Santa Clarita’s Unitarian Universalist Congregation January, 2018

JANUARY THEME: “VISION”

December’s theme of “Enlightenment” examined the true light of the holiday season: the radiance of awakened human consciousness. Our January theme expands on this by exploring how bringing a higher level of consciousness into our lives and society—and with it better lives for the vast majority of people—begins with VISION.

Sunday, January 7 −10:30 am

Who Is Getting Older? Michael Hart

In his book Being Mortal, Atul Gawande suggests there are questions those of us who are getting older should ask ourselves. I had family-related reasons for asking those questions, but I see that they also relate directly to me.

Sunday, January 14− 10:30 am

Dr. King, Visionary Rev. Peter Farriday

On this day before Martin Luther King Jr. Day we explore this social and spiritual visionary’s prophetic call for peace and justice—and how his dream was (and still is) opposed by people fixated at lesser levels of consciousness.

Sunday, January 21 − 10:30 am

We Are Marching in the Light of Love

Rev. Peter Farriday Like “Marching on the Side of Love” did this same week last year, this service title plays on the name of a song in our Singing the Journey hymnal. It refers to the National Women’s March protest scheduled for January 20, 2018—the one-year mark of the last presidential inaugural. As in 2017, participants will share reflections on their protest experiences, and we’ll look at the vision set forth by the march’s founding organizers. Today’s Third-Sunday collection will be for Zoe International, for ending human trafficking. After today’s service, Rev. Farriday will hold a PRAYER CIRCLE from roughly 11:45–12:30.

Sunday, January 28 − 10:30 am

The Consciousness of Compassionate

Community Rev. Peter Farriday

This Sunday’s service explains how different levels of spiritual consciousness create differing social and political visions—and shows clearly that to create the beloved community extolled by Dr. King, “higher is better.” This leads into our February theme of “Love-in-Action,” which includes a Religious Exploration series on the visionary UUA Common Read book, Daring Democracy. (See Minister’s article on the following page for more on this.)

SERVICES ARE HELD AT: SCV Senior Center Bldg.,

22900 Market St. Newhall, CA

(½ block from Newhall Ave.)

www.UUofSCV.org 661-254-7866

UU of SCV

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The Year of Living Daringly

Rev. Peter Farriday

The dawn of a new year is often a time when we reflect on what has been, and envision what is to come. This is true individually, and can also be the case collectively. And as we enter 2018, I’m excited to offer a wonderful opportunity to collectively envision—and help create—our nation’s future. Each year the Unitarian Universalist Association (our national organization based in Boston) suggests what they call the “UUA Common Read.” A Common Read invites congregations all over the country to simultaneously delve into a book that UUA leaders consider especially important to our national life. This year’s selection is Daring Democracy: Igniting Power, Meaning and Connection for the America We Want. Co-authored by Frances Moore Lappé and Adam Eichen, Daring Democracy provides a compassionate social vision that is aligned with Unitarian Universalist values of dignity for all persons and respect for our planetary home. It also offers practical approaches for advancing this

vision amidst today’s serious political and civic challenges. So please mark your calendars, because from 7:00–9:00 pm on February 8, 15 and 22, we’ll explore this important work together. This Adult Religious Exploration program will meet at the Valencia Hills Clubhouse (the same place we hold our fall Harvest Dinner), which is located in Valencia at 24060 Oak Vale Drive, 91355. Details on possibly obtaining books through our congregation will be forthcoming, but you can also purchase one anytime and dive in. Participating in this program by reading the book and attending the sessions is itself an act of justice-making—and can inspire and empower us to engage in others. And we recall the importance of such acts with the words of Cornel West, that “justice is what love looks like in public.” So if one of your New Year’s resolutions is to be more loving (and who among us couldn’t use that on our list?), this Common Read is a terrific place to start. I urge you to make it a priority to attend all three Thursday evening gatherings, but if you can’t please read anyway and attend those you can. Again these will be held from 7:00–9:00 pm on February 8, 15 and 22 at the Valencia Hills Clubhouse. I look forward to seeing you there. Beaucoup Blessings, and Happy New Year. Rev. Peter Farriday

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This Month’s Activities

UU Estate Planning Workshop at CVUUF

Rev. Peter Farriday

(Condensed from a flyer distributed by the Conejo Valley UU Fellowship in Thousand

Oaks/Newbury Park.) Do you have a will? Dying without one leaves a real mess for your family. The Conejo Valley UU Fellowship (CVUUF) invites you to take the first step to creating a will by attending a free estate planning workshop on Sunday, January 28 from 12:30-1:30p.m. Members and friends from other UU congregations are invited to attend. Couples and single people are welcome, and feel free to bring friends.

Attorneys Christopher Botti & Paul Morison will conduct the workshop, where you’ll learn how to ensure that your final wishes will be followed, eliminate the costs of probate to your family, and help protect them from unnecessary expenses and tax burdens. There will also be a list of other trusted attorneys recommended by CVUUF members, plus web links for doing it yourself.

If your estate plans include a bequest to a UU congregation, now is an especially good time to make your bequest formal, because the UU Congregation at Shelter Rock, New York, has provided a $5 million matching grant to encourage legacy giving. Details of the matching program can be found at http://wakenowourvision.org/.

Again this free hour-long workshop will be held at the Conejo Valley UU Fellowship on Sunday, January 28, 2018 from 12:30-1:30p.m. Start the New Year right by creating a will, or revisiting the one you have.

Just-4-Flavor Dining

Susan & John Cooper The Just For Flavor International Dining Group meets once a month at a local, and usually ethnic, restaurant. It is a great way to socialize with old friends and to meet new people. As is usually the case, the dining destination for January had not been determined at press time. Wherever we dine, we will meet there at six o'clock on January 9th. Check with John or Susan after the first of the month for more details. Contact: cooper91355@gmail.com or rsbrant@yahoo.com.

Book Club John & Susan Cooper

The Book Club selection for January is Al Franken's memoir, "Al Franken - Giant of the Senate." Though Franken has resigned his position in the Senate, this memoir is a very readable, humorous and insightful look at life in the US Senate. In short, the book is a wonderful observation of how government works and sometimes doesn't. The Book Club will meet at the Cooper's at six o'clock on Wednesday and Thursday, January 24th and 25th. Read the book and then let John know what evening you want to attend, then come and enjoy good food, good company and conversation about good books. For more information, contact John Cooper cooper91355@gmail.com.

Drum Circle Beth Jenkins

On Friday, January 19th, at 7 pm, come join the peaceful flow found when blending your very own rhythm with those of the group. No experience or drums necessary! Home of Beth Jenkins, newbethj@yahoo.com.

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Game Night Beth Jenkins

Game Night will be on Friday, January 26th at 6:45 pm. Join us for real conversation, yummy snack pot luck, wine, and lots of laughter. At the home of Beth Jenkins, newbethj@yahoo.com.

Open Topics

Discussion Group Marianne Bakic

The Open Topics Discussion Group is an informal group that gets together to discuss topics on a wide range of subjects. Some of the topics discussed in the past were: To whom do you pray, what does freedom of religion mean to you, is there a power greater than ourselves, and what gives you hope about the future? The topic for the next meeting is decided at the end of our current one. Upcoming topics suggested are: Fears that you like to overcome, and if you could visit just one place before you die, where would that be and why? We usually meet on the last Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m. at someone's home. The next meeting will be January 29th. Contact Marianne

at mariannebakic@me.com for more information and for the location and time. All are welcome to come and join in. Bring an appetizer or dessert and your ideas to share.

New Members

Our New Member’s Ceremony, held on December 10th, welcomed into membership those who have joined our congregation over the last year and who had not already been recognized in a ceremony. We extend a very warm welcome to (from left to right): Barbara Wampole, Victor Scherb, Emily Larbaoui, Steve Tannehill, Karla Edwards, Paul Greenough, Suzie Rizzo, Becky Greenough. Rev. Peter Farriday is third from the right.

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Charitable Donations

Guest at Your Table is a Wonderful UU Service Committee Tradition

Louise Klatt

Guest at Your Table (GAYT) is the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee's annual intergenerational program to raise support for their work to advance human rights. The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) works with more than 75 grassroots partners in over 25 countries, and benefits thousands of individuals by promoting economic justice, bolstering environmental justice, and protecting rights at risk. The UUSC's Guest At Your Table program celebrates this work by introducing you to four of these individuals as your special holiday “guests.” The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee's GAYT is an opportunity to celebrate grassroots partnership, support human rights, and learn about just four of these individuals – the “guests” in Guest at Your Table.

This year’s program theme is Small Change is Big Change. We kicked off our congregation's participation on Sunday November 19, 2017 by talking about the program and having the children pass out the boxes to put your "spare change" into to the people at that service. If you weren't there to get your box, don't worry, boxes will be available for you on Sunday mornings. In the meantime you can use a jar or other receptacle to gather your coins & dollars. We will collect your monetary contributions on Sunday January 14th. It would be appreciated if you could convert the money you saved up into a check made out to UUSC with GAYT in the memo line. (If you don't have a check, cash will also be accepted). Please be sure to fill out your information on the side of the box so it can be properly tallied up before we send all the donations from our congregation to UUSC. Thank UU for your generosity!

Third Sunday Donation for Ending Human Trafficking Selected by Social & Environmental Justice

Team

Our Third-Sunday collection this month will benefit ZOE International. From their website: “End child trafficking with ZOE. We strive to reach every person with the love of God and rescue every child from human trafficking. Through our comprehensive prevention, intervention, and restoration programs, we’re able to transform each child from her past and give her an opportunity for a better future.”

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UUSCV Provides Over

$1000 in Holiday Gift Cards for Teens

Rick Kamlet Our congregation really came through again this year, with holiday gift cards for local teens who have been affected by domestic violence. UU of SCV donated forty-one (41) $25 gift cards worth $1025!!! While toys are great for younger children, the Domestic Violence Center informed us that teens often get left out. Gift cards to a movie theater or a store allow the teens to go see a movie or to choose items to buy that are appropriate for their age and interests. The success of this program is due to the wonderful generosity of this congregation. Thank you, everyone, for your contributions to this worthy cause!!!

Linda Lott delivered the 41 gift cards to Linda Davies, Executive Director of the Santa Clarita Valley Domestic Violence

Center. Thank you to everyone who donated!!!

Music

Imagine Your Song Being

Sung by Hundreds of UUs … Your Music Director, Scott Roewe

There is a UU hymn competition going on! First place is $1000! The deadline is April 30, 2018. Early submissions are encouraged. For more information go to http://www.uumn.org/page/silliman Vincent Silliman was a Unitarian minister, poet, hymn writer and worship arts specialist. His family left a fund in his name and every two years there is a competition with the purpose of creating music to be used for Unitarian Universalist worship. Look up his name in the index of composers, authors, and sources in our Singing the Living Tradition hymnal and you will see which hymns he wrote! What is a UU Hymn? My definition is a song (music and lyrics) suitable for group (congregational) singing that would enhance, uplift, and/or inspire Unitarian Universalist worship. More questions? Ask me scott.roewe@gmail.com

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Social Justice

The Social and

Environmental Justice (SEJ) Team Invites You!

The SEJ Team is the focal point for participation in activities that advance the causes of social and environmental justice. Our role is to learn while exploring the issues, and then, to share what we have learned with the congregation. We would love to have you join us, and take part in this experience, as we grow through our examination of the issues. Our regular monthly meeting is held on the 2nd Sunday at 11:45 am, following services. This month the meeting will be held on January 14th at the Senior Center. As always, each and every member and visitor is equally welcome to join us and participate in the variety of activities we engage in. You may contact Suzie Rizzo at baroness1@sbcglobal.net, or Sally White at sallywhite24@sbcglobal.net for additional information. The Team has engaging activities on an on-going basis. Several of the events are: Conversation, Dinner and a Movie - At 6 pm on Friday, January 12, 2018, we gather again for thought provoking conversation, a meal fit for royalty, and an engaging film presenting issues of social and environmental justice. We gather at 26242 Park View Road, Valencia, CA 91355. Call Suzie Rizzo, 805-490-1057, or Sally White, 661- 259-9407 with questions or to RSVP. Our January film is sure to be very engaging, and will be announced in the Weekly Bulletin. Watch for the announcement or just come on January 12th and be surprised! Do come and join in the fun! Bend the Arc is a Political Discussion Group led by Roselva Ungar. Bend the Arc invites you to gather your most egregious news articles and the latest book that may have captured your interest, and join us in

January for another lively discussion session. As we are in the process of changing the meeting date, please watch Weekly Announcements for this event! 3rd Sunday Outreach – each month SEJ selects a local, 501(c)3 charity to be the recipient of the collection (except once a quarter the collection is at the Board of Trustees' discretion). For January, ZOE International, an organization that helps combat human trafficking, is the selection. Women's March on January 20 – Stay tuned for the time and location of this event. Details will be in the Weekly Announcements.

Regional Assembly

UU Regional Assembly

April 27th – 29th in Portland Oregon

Louise Klatt

Sign-Up Begins January 4th

“Stories of Hope, Courage, Resistance, and Resilience” will be the theme of Regional Assembly, which will be

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held April 27-29, 2018, at the Double Tree Hotel in Portland, Oregon. Regional Assembly is a chance to learn from and be inspired by both nationally known speakers and a variety of thoughtful programs, while enjoying fabulous fellowship with other UU’s from the Western U.S. Rev. Farriday is likely to attend, and encourages you to join him if you can. The Keynote Speaker on Saturday, April 28, will be Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. Jayapal is the first Indian-American woman to be elected to the U.S. Congress. Before being elected to represent Washington State’s 7th District in 2016, Congresswoman Jayapal was an immigration and labor activist in Seattle. Her writing has been featured in The New York Times and The Nation. She has been written about in Mother Jones as well as many other publications. Worship service on Sunday, April 29, will be led by the Rev. Dr. William Barber. As an NAACP leader and civil rights activist in North Carolina, Barber led the “Moral Mondays” protests in that state beginning in 2013. The founder of Repairers of the Breach, an organization formed to train religious leaders across the country in social justice work, Barber is currently leading a new “Poor People’s Campaign.” His most recent book is The Third Reconstruction: Moral Mondays, Fusion Politics, and the Rise of a New Justice Movement. Rev. Susan Frederick Gray, the newly elected President of the Unitarian Universalist Association, will speak to us to share her emerging vision for the future of the UUA and our wider movement. For more details about Regional Assembly, visit www.uua.org/pwr. Registration is scheduled to open January 4, 2018.

Birthdays & Membership Anniversaries

Thanks to Chris Hankla for compiling these lists. Membership Anniversaries

for January Lourdes Villacorte 1/3/2016 Gloria Burr 1/10/2016 Steve Tannehill 1/22/2017 Lyndy Schaefer 1/29/2017

Birthdays

Luke Rigdon 1/14 Barbara Cogswell 1/19 Diane Geary 1/28

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Passings

In Loving Memory of Mary Indermill

Rick Kamlet

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Many of the newer members of UU of SCV may only recognize Mary Indermill as someone who showed up to services periodically over the last few years and for whom we arranged a different chair (a chair with arms to help with an lower-back accident she had a few years ago). However, Mary Indermill was one of the initial members of our congregation. She was vital in helping to create UU of SCV and leading so many of our functions. She stopped doing so much in recent years due to failing health.

Mary was a pioneer for women getting an education in -- and working in – fields that were traditionally male at the time. She was a pioneer in so many things during her life. Looking through old UU of SCV newsletters, I was reminded of how crucial Mary was in establishing this congregation in Santa Clarita, and of so many of the great traditions that we carry on even today. Here are some of the wonderful things she did: 2002:

• Mary helped organize our congregation’s involvement in a Habitat for Humanity project,

• Represented us at SCV Interfaith Council, • Was our first leader of the Social Action

Committee. 2003:

• She led our involvement with Heifer, International (through boys and girls collecting money in ark-shaped boxes),

• Our involvement with Seeds of Simplicity. 2004:

• Mary spearheaded a trip to Descanso Gardens and Norton Simon Museum,

• Organized a trip to the Museum of Tolerance, • Helped us make our beautiful church “Hands”

banner, • Connected our church with the local chapter of

PFLAG (Parent and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), • Helped with the UU of SCV garage sale fundraiser.

2005: • She organized volunteers for the local Special

Olympics, • Started us on the road of collecting peanut butter

for the Food Pantry, • Was a conduit between us and the Homeless

Shelter (now called Bridge to Home), letting us know what items they needed,

• Participated (along with others) in Make a Difference Day to collect food for the Church of Hope Food Pantry,

• Organized volunteers for providing dinners for the Homeless Shelter.

2006: • She continued her oversight of the Social Action

Team, • Was instrumental in getting us involved in the

Fourth of July Parade, • Continued to act as our conduit for collecting care

items for the Homeless Shelter. 2007:

• Mary volunteered her home for meetings of the Outreach Team,

• Continued with the Fourth of July parade work.

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2008: • She co-led a Meditative Nature Walk, • Put together a Multi-Generational Worship service, • Provided after-service refreshments a number of

times. 2010:

• Mary volunteered her home for Membership Team meetings.

2011: • The Membership Team continued to meet at her

home.

About Mary’s Life Lucy Bates wrote a profile article about Mary’s life for the October 2010 Flame newsletter. The article is repeated here in its entirety:

Mary Indermill’s family moved a lot as she was growing up. Her father was with the USGS as a Petroleum Engineer. Early memories were of Wyoming -- Casper was near the infamous Teapot Dome – and then of the family singing “Springtime in the Rockies” while living three years in Washington D C. The family did a lot of sightseeing there, not only in New England – “the bridge that arched the flood” as well as the mall, which was much smaller then. Soon after they moved back to Wyoming, where her father planned to open a consulting office, he passed away from pre-penicillin pneumonia, leaving her mom, Edith, to raise two kids alone. She needed to find a career that would make that possible. The night before the family was to move again to Minnesota where she could earn a library degree, everyone was wakened by the newspaper boys calling out “Extra” for the news that there was a war on! It was 1937. Edith stuck to her plan and got the degree. In high school, Mary was too scared to take “advanced” math because all the rest of the class students were boys! But by the next year as a freshman at University of Colorado with a goal of an architectural engineering degree, it seemed perfectly natural to join the class newly enlarged by lots of returning veterans from WWII. Burl Indermill was one of them. On their first date they went dancing, and they went dancing for years after that. They married, finished their degrees, raised four kids, worked as engineers, and attended a liberal church in the San Fernando Valley.

Mary’s career included employment at R.M. Parsons as an architectural and construction engineer. She earned her civil engineering certification so she would qualify to work for the City of L.A.’s Department of Water & Power. An MBA degree helped her to rise to the position of Water Rates Manager for the City. Mary remembers herself as the token woman at the office. After eight years on the job, other women were finally hired and she mentored them. The National Society of Women Engineers honored her with a Fellowship in recognition of her career and outreach to others, breaking into the traditionally male dominated field. Burl passed away in 1993, having only gotten to know two of his six grandchildren. Several are still at school here in SCV. Looking back, Mary considers herself very lucky to wake up happy practically every day of her life. Though retired many years, she is an addicted reader and current event hound. “It still ain’t dull!” she says. The following are Mary’s musings on UUSCV: “I’m amazed that I didn’t get acquainted with Unitarian Universalists before moving to Santa Clarita. When I found Rick Kamlet’s web site, I came. And I loved it because I didn’t have any reason to pretend I believed something I didn’t! We were few in number. As we were organizing with our first pastor, the board ‘business’ positions were filled first. After I volunteered to do Social Action, someone said the other positions aimed at maintaining a church, but this was WHY we would maintain a church. “The thing that stands out so wonderfully is our people! So many spiritual journeys, skills, talents, commitments, affection, thoughtfulness, generosity, kindness and on and on!” And you, Mary, are one of our wonderful people!

### We are so blessed that Mary Indermill crossed paths with us. Even if you never met her directly, if you’re part of this church, Mary influenced your life in one way or another. She will be dearly missed!!!

Rev. Farriday learned from Mary’s son that a memorial will take place sometime in 2018. Information will be communicated when it becomes available.

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CCAALLEENNDDAARR (See Most Recent Calendar Updates at

www.UUofSCV.org)

The Monthly Theme is VISION

Sunday Services

7 Sunday Service, 10:30 am Who is Getting Older?

Michael Hart

9 Just-4-Flavor Dinner, 6 pm (see article) 12 SEJ Team Presents: Conversation,

Dinner & Movie, 6:00 pm (see article)

Sunday Services

14 Sunday Service, 10:30 am Dr. King, Visionary

Rev. Peter Farriday Bring in Your “Guest at Your Table”

Collection Box (or check) Today! Social & Environmental Justice Team, 11:45

am, Senior Center after the service (see article)

Worship Team, 12:30 pm, the Jaffke’s home

19 Drum Circle, 6:45 pm, Beth Jenkins’ home

(see article)

Sunday Services

21 Sunday Service, 10:30 am We Are Marching in the Light of Love

Rev. Peter Farriday

Third Sunday Collection to be donated to Zoe International

Board Meeting, 1 pm, the Lott’s home

24 & 25 Book Club, 6 pm, Cooper’s home

(see article)

26 Game Night, 6:45 pm, Beth Jenkins’ home (see article)

Sunday Services

28 Sunday Service, 10:30 am

The Consciousness of Compassionate Community Rev. Peter Farriday

UU Estate Planning Workshop, 12:30 pm, UUCVF (see article)

Membership Team, 1:15 pm,

Lois Linnert’s home

29 Open Topics Discussion Group, 6 pm, (see article) Bend the Arc details to be announced. The Religious Exploration Team will not meet in January. MARK YOUR CALENDAR Feb 8, 15, 22 – Adult Religious Exploration, 7 pm, Valencia Hills Clubhouse (see article)

Services are held at the SCV Senior Center’s Main Building,

22900 Market St. in Newhall (½ block from Newhall Ave.)

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SSNNAAPPSSHHOOTTSS

Holiday Party

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Happiness from the Depths (Dec 3)

Rev. Peter Farriday

Rev. Peter Farriday lit a candle which burned

throughout the service in memory of long-time UU of SCV Member Mary Indermill.

Our guest pianist for the day, Brendan Coyle.

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The Light of Consciousness (Dec 10)

Rev Peter Farriday

A NEW MEMBERS CEREMONY was held during this service for those who have joined our congregation over the last year and who

had not already been in a welcoming ceremony (see article).

A big THANK YOU to outgoing members of the Board of Trustees – Chris Hankla, Diane

Tamburello, and Barbara McCoy

Gather ‘Round and Sing a Holiday Song

(Dec 17) Led by Music Director, Scott Roewe

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The Enlightened View of Divinity (Dec 24)

Rev. Peter Farriday