Copy
View this email in your browser
Hi, <<First Name>>,
Greetings from UUSLO!


FEBRUARY 12, 2023
https://uuma.zoom.us/my/uuslo
Meeting ID 834 863 1482
Or dial in by phone: +1 669 900 6833

10:30 am
 

Rev. Rod Richards
Worship Associate: Ingrid Pires
I Darwin
Ok, it's the anniversary of Charles Darwin's birthday, but what does the theory of evolution have to do with love?



Religious Exploration


 

Order of Service
February 12, 2023 at 10:30 am

I Darwin

                 
           PRELUDE                  The Missing Link? Mark Pietri/Piano              
                                                                                           

           WELCOME                         Worship Associate Ingrid Pires                                         
           CHALICE LIGHTING

           DOXOLOGY                  Rev. Rod Richards and Congregants

          CALL TO WORSHIP                                 Rev. Rod Richards        

           HYMN                                #21 For the Beauty of the Earth
                                                                                                  
          TIME FOR ALL AGES                               DRE Janet Murphy

          JOYS, SORROWS, CONCERNS                 Rev. Rod Richards                                 

          HYMN                                    #391 Voice Still and Small (2x)                                  

            
          OFFERING     Central Coast Coalition for Inclusive Schools                                         
          OFFERTORY     Adagio from Toccata  BWV914 by J.S. Bach                                           
         
          ANTHEM                                  
Nature Boy by Eden Abhez          

          MEDITATION AND SILENCE

                                                        
           SERMON                                              Rev. Rod Richards 
           
           HYMN                            #1003 Where Do We Come From?                                      

         
           EXTINGUISHING THE CHALICE
              
 
           BENEDICTION                                                              


           POSTLUDE                                    Apeman by The Kinks
 

   
                           
                                                             
          
Looking Ahead in Worship                      

February 19, 2023
Rev. Dana Worsnop (Ventura UU) in the UUSLO pulpit
Worship Associate: Jan Meslin

Start with Your Neighbor
The Golden Rule - love thy neighbor as thyself - appears in some form in just about every religion. Jesus took it a step farther and said we should love our enemies, which our culture particularly struggles with in these fractious times. So maybe our best bet is to start with our neighbors.
 





Board of Trustees Regular Meeting
Thursday, Feb 16, 2023 - 2:30 pm in UUSLO Library and zoom


AGENDA
  1. Call to Order
  2. Welcome and Lighting of the Chalice
  3. Check-in - Please share something of significance or something you need to share that will enable you to be fully present for the meeting.
  4. Spiritual Practice - Humble Inquiry: Susan / Dawn, Chapter 5
     5. Additions to the Agenda
  1. Approval of the Board Minutes - Dawn
  2. Treasurer’s Report - Mid-year budget review - Chris
       8. Minister’s Report - Rod
       9.   Old Business
             9.1       Perimeter fence estimate
             9.2       Minister’s Evaluation update- Laura /Deb/ Douglas
             9.3       Review Board Goals
            Board Goals for 2022-23
Generate engagement in a multi-platform world / 5-year financial plan / Reorg/regovern post covid
             9.4       Mask policy
             9.5       Next Steps Weekend
  1. Information gathering update - Dawn
  2. Weekend Schedule- Dawn
  3. Information Dissemination to Rachel         
     10.  New Business
            10.1     Endowment Bylaw change- add to annual meeting- Dawn
            10.2     Policy on filming in sanctuary
            10.2     Staff evaluations
            10.3     Stewardship Campaign report- Rick
         11.   Extinguish the Chalice/Adjournment
 
Board of Trustees meets March 16, 
from 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm in library and zoom

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84010716580?pwd=VXNSUitvY2N1R2pzS3BWNnVvc0lJZz09
Meeting ID: 840 1071 6580 / Password: 975288
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
Contact: Board President - Dawn Olsen

**********

Minutes for the Board of Trustees Regular Meeting
Thursday, January 19, 2022 - 2:30 pm in UUSLO Library and oom
Present: Rod Richards, Minister
Dawn Olsen, President 
Rick Miller, Vice President 
Deborah Cleere, Corporate Secretary 
Chris Heinrichs, Treasurer 
Douglas Pillsbury, Member-at Large 
Dave Bernhardt, Member-at-Large,
Susan Stenovec, Member-at-Large 
Guests: Janet Murphy, DRE (virtual), Jamie Woolf (in person), Terry Throop (virtual)
 
Treasurer’s Report - Chris
We brought in more than we spent in December. $50K is in the reserve fund. We Care Food Share Fund established, as discussed in the December meeting. 
 
Piano Reserve Fund
Specific fund (which is $1000) for piano replacement exists. We don’t have a reserve fund for anything else (such as audiovisual equipment, etc.). What is the point of having that fund sit there, requiring that we track it, if we don’t anticipate needing to use it? It has been there for five years. We do spend money on the piano (tuning, etc.) but it doesn’t come out of this fund.
 
(Dave/Susan Moved that the BoT in accordance with the Financial Stewardship Team's recommendations close the piano reserve fund and move the $1000 back into the operating fund. Passed 6-0)
            
Minister’s Report - Rod
Report was distributed in advance of the meeting. 
 
Questions about the need for a fence exist even though some of the activity by unhoused people has abated somewhat during the recent rain. The Facilities Manager is working on getting a quote for a perimeter fence. 

Old Business
Christmas bonuses funded from the Board’s account were distributed to the staff.

New Business
Endowment distribution recommendations - Terry Throop and Jamie Woolf, etc.
 
Jamie Woolf shared that she has had a concern for several years about the amount of money we allocate from the Endowment annually. She knows that some other organizations allow an annual allocation of 3.7%. The UUA recommends 4%. Generally, 4% is acknowledged as an appropriate number. Acknowledged that the UUSLO has needed money. Now that we have had a large donation to our endowment, the percentage represents a larger number than last year. Jamie suggests that we could ease back a little and act a little more conservatively. Jamie said she believes the purpose of the Endowment is to provide long term stability and support rather than to fund short term needs.
            
Terry Throop shared that he also felt this was a different situation than in the past because of the larger endowment. Collectively he feels we (Congregation, BoT, Endowment, etc.) need to discuss objectives. Terry shared that the return on investments is what would be used to fund projects and maintain the value of the endowment, taking inflation into consideration. Bylaws state up to 5% may be distributed. The income from investments this year has not been good. At the end of ¾ of the year, our endowment was outperforming most of the popular benchmarks. We should typically see an 8% return so we could distribute 5% to the congregation and grow the endowment to account for inflation. This year we clearly will not have an 8% return. Terry feels strongly that the endowment should increase annually.
            
Susan asked if we need a large endowment? If we have a large endowment it may disincentivize people to give. Rachel Maxwell will be weighing in on this in our Next Steps process. We operate at a deficit budget currently. How is our church going to stay solvent with diminishing pledges and increasing costs? That's a more pressing discussion than the Endowment alone. We can’t continue the way we are now.
 
Dave said that he felt this needed to be a larger discussion. He has a more optimistic view of the future. Deborah said she has heard others say that we can’t be held hostage by our endowment when we have immediate needs. Dawn shared that our Consultant Rachel Maxwell will be asked to help us figure this out. Currently we have $20-30K of funds that must be expended for current needs of our facility. 
 
Rod suggested these concerns need to be integrated into the budget conversation. We have employee positions that are funded by the Endowment. In many cases that is a typical thing for other UU congregations. Right now, we have 25 hours budgeted for administration and facilities. (The previous administrator did both and had 30 hours.) Rod reminded us we have just been through a global pandemic. This might be the time to look at what we need to recover from that. Would endowment monies be appropriate given our current situation?
 
Discussed the need to remove a stump, trim trees and replace or repair a wooden fence around the Meadow rental house. / Dave/Rick Moved to approve the tree trimming and stump removal using the maintenance reserve fund, passed 6-0 (per Greenvale Tree Company quote)
Board agreed to authorize staff to use existing maintenance reserve fund to address the fence around the rental house property
 
Online Auction planning and task force. We have budgeted $8,000 income from the project. Dawn has agreed to take on the project. Tentative May 7 kick off. Deborah agreed to help. 
  
UU & YOU
U(nitarian) U(niversalism) and YOU 
(are welcome here!)

You’re all encouraged to attend UU & YOU gatherings to learn about where we came from, who we are, and what we can be together. You need bring nothing but your questions and reflections. 

ONSITE: On the First Sunday of March. Meet at noon in the Social Hall.
ONLINE: Second Sundays beginning this Sunday, February 12, at noon in the Worship Zoom Room.

 



Mission Statement: To provide women an opportunity to join together for mutual support, personal growth, spiritual enrichment, just plain fun and to help strengthen our congregation by strengthening our relationships.


Our next meeting is February 28th at 2:30 via Zoom.
Topic:  Time to Laugh: Share something funny, a story, a joke, make a funny face, share a favorite cartoon, etc.

All women are welcome.  The WDG meets via Zoom (most meetings) at 2:30 on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of most months.  Contact Wendy (wendygault@gmail.com) if you would like to join in.
 



 


 
Join the UUFRC Conscientious Projector Film Club's online discussion of the film “Miss Representation” on Friday Feb. 24 Via Zoom
 
The Conscientious Projector Film Club is like a book club for movies addressing topics of Social Justice and Climate Justice. Participants watch the film on their own and discuss online with fellow participants. 
When: Friday February 24, 2023 at 7pm Pacific Standard Time
 
This film is appropriate for interested teens who will lead us into the next two generations. We would encourage and welcome their participation.
 
Film: The documentary “Miss Representation” (2011, 1:25, Not Rated, Director Jennifer Siebel Newsom) Moderator: Amy French (filmclub@uufrc.org)
 
Synopsis of Featured Documentary: “You can’t be what you can’t see”. This film explores the distorted and damaging image of women portrayed by the media and its adverse effects on girls, boys, women, men, and society.
 
Where to Watch: The film is available for streaming on Amazon for those who subscribe, It is also available on Kanopy via the public library.  Kanopy link:  https://www.kanopy.com/en/redwoodcity/video/128008
 

Film Preview/Trailer: https://youtu.be/W2UZZV3xU6Q
 
Film Web Site with learning resources: https://therepproject.org/films/miss-representation/
 
RSVP Appreciated: filmclub@uufrc.org
 


Worship Arts Committee
Asks for Input from UU's

 The Worship Arts committee invites you to let us know which aspects of the Sunday service help UUs renew their sense of connection to our UUSLO community. What makes visitors want to return? If you attend on Zoom, what helps you experience UU values? 

To understand what can strengthen our connection, WA committee members are asking some of the following questions: What is your experience on arriving, during, and leaving the Sunday UUSLO Service (in-person or online)? What parts of the service help you connect and feel alive, present, and engaged? What aspects of service interfere with your feeling connected?

To share your response with any member of the Worship Arts Committee, you are invited to set up a conversation or express yourself in an email to one or all of us. Thank you for your interest and for helping us to connect with you.
 
Susan BaileyKadin - sbkadin@gmail.com                                                                         
Alison Rittger -  alrittger@gmail.com                                  
Ron Sampson – isamp927@gmail.com                                                
Ann Hou – Anilou222@gmail.com
Mary Glick – glick.mary@gmail.com
DRE Janet Murphy – dre.uuslo@gmail.com
Rev. Rod Richards – minister.uuslo@gmail.com

Thanking you in advance - Susan BaileyKadin, Worship Arts Chairperson
 


 

Coffee with the minister for February 2023!
Deepening connections, one cup at a time…

This is open to everyone, whether you like coffee or prefer another refreshment (or none!). My “coffee shop schedule” for the upcoming month is below; I invite you to stop by if it is convenient for you. There is no agenda, just conversation and connection (though I may invite any reflections you may have about the theme for February: The Path of Love). Look forward to seeing you! 
 
8:30-10:30am
  at all locations
 
Tuesday, 02/14/2023
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
354 5 Cities Dr.
Pismo Beach
 
Tuesday, 02/21/2023
Joebella Coffee Roasters
3168 El Camino Real
Atascadero      
 
Tuesday, 02/28/2023
Ascendo Coffee
1230 Los Osos Valley Rd
Los Osos

 


 
UUSLO Climate Community hosts
Pre- Super Bowl Party in Social Hall
 
Don't forget about the UUSLO Climate Community event this Sunday!  Join us for this interfaith action and taco bar lunch.

Don Maruska, instrumental in developing a spiritual earth stewardship program at St. Benedict's in Los Osos, will tell us about their efforts, and also about his new book,  "Solve Climate Change Now: Do What You Love for a Healthy Planet." 

We promise to have you out well before the one-woman-show at UUSLO by violinist Brynn Albanese. And of course well before super bowl kickoff!  Please RSVP to one of the emails below so we know how much food to prepare. We suggest a donation this time.


Date:  Sunday, February 12
Place:  UUSLO social hall
Time: 12 noon to 1:30
Program: Don Maruska will speak for about 30 minutes, and then answer questions. 


Next meeting is set for March 12th.
 




Brynn Albanese
in a One-Woman-Show
@ UUSLO this Sunday at 2 pm
 

LOCATION: This performance will take place at Unitarian Universalists San Luis Obispo (UUSLO), 2201 Lawton Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401.

DONATIONS ONLY: This is a fundraiser for UUSLO. A suggested Donation of $20 per adult will be gratefully received, at the door or in advance via brownpapertickets.com

MASK ETIQUETTE: Mask wearing is highly recommended but not required.

Enjoy the concert and then take in the Super Bowl. There's time for both.
 



Joys, Sorrows & Concerns - 2/05/2023

Ryan Page: My mom is still in the hospital. Hopes & Prayers for her full recovery.
Gina Whitaker: Ken and I participated in a worthwhile and fun Inclusion Workshop yesterday with Michelle Call. She did an excellent job of awakening our awareness to some of the ways we can be MORE welcoming, MORE inclusive and MORE aware of our members' and visitors' needs.
Janet Lester for the Music Committee:  The Music Committee is looking forward to Brynn Albanese's "One-Woman Show" which takes place right here at 2 pm next Sunday, February 12. Don't miss it!

**********

J/S/C Instructions

Please fill out the form at https://uuslo.org/joys-sorrows and we will read your joy/sorrow/concern at the next Sunday service. Deadline is Saturday at noon for the upcoming Sunday. Submissions received after that will be read the following Sunday. Let us know on the form if you would like them printed in our Weekly NUUs. Any questions or problems with the form, please contact Jan Clarke (janclarke@charter.net). We will continue having paper forms available at the in-person worship to be filled out before the service. 
 


Want to help a Tijuana family build their home? 

I’m excited! So far, Jan Meslin and I, Douglas Pillsbury, from UUSLO will be going to Tijuana in April to help a family build and furnish their home. Marie Haworth and Tracy Weddell are interested as well. In truth, I’ve never built a house before, but skilled local craftsmen will be joining us volunteers to lead the way. Luckily, there will be easy jobs as well as skilled jobs to choose from. 
 
The UU Justice Ministry of CA is partnering with Casas de Luz (Houses of Light), a project of the UU Fellowship of San Dieguito, to make this happen. In the past five years, Casas de Luz has brought together volunteers from many organizations to help build over 100 houses, both in Mexico and the San Diego area. Families who are selected must have limited income but also must own the land already. They must have children and be willing to participate in the build. 
 
Several of us at UUSLO joined an orientation on Zoom this past week to learn more about it.  We saw people from six California UU congregations. 
 
The total cost to build this home, along with our room, board, and transportation is about $12,000. Lots of fundraising is happening so that it will be affordable for anyone who wants to go. If you are interested in helping support us financially, or want to go with us, contact Douglas (douglasesl123@gmail.com) or visit this website: https://uujmca.org/pilgrimage-to-the-border-house-build/
 
"This is what love in action looks like! "-Douglas Pillsbury



From the Article II Commission...

"... the proposed version of Article II we have presented is indeed a significant departure from our current version, just as past changes to Article II were significant changes from their predecessors. The 1985 version which first introduced the Principles was a radical change from the Purposes and Objectives of the previous version. We are continuing in the line of proposing changes that fit the times in which we live. We fully expect that one day another Commission will review our work and significantly change it. We are writing this in pencil, not etching it in stone."



Interdependence. We honor the interdependent web of all existence.
We covenant to cherish Earth and all beings by creating and nurturing relationships of care and respect. With humility and reverence, we acknowledge our place in the great web of life, and we work to repair harm and damaged relationships.

Pluralism. We celebrate that we are all sacred beings  diverse in culture, experience, and theology.
We covenant to learn from one another in our free and responsible search for truth and meaning.
We embrace our differences and commonalities with Love, curiosity, and respect.

Justice. We work to be diverse multicultural Beloved Communities where all thrive.
We covenant to dismantle racism and all forms of systemic oppression.
We support the use of inclusive democratic processes to make decisions.

Transformation. We adapt to the changing world.
We covenant to collectively transform and grow spiritually and ethically.
Openness to change is fundamental to our Unitarian and Universalist heritages, never complete and never perfect.

Generosity. We cultivate a spirit of gratitude and hope.
We covenant to freely and compassionately share our faith, presence, and resources.
Our generosity connects us to one another in relationships of interdependence and mutuality.

Equity. We declare that every person has the right to flourish with inherent dignity and worthiness.
We covenant to use our time, wisdom, attention, and money to build and sustain fully accessible and inclusive communities.

Here is the link to the report: https://www.uua.org/files/2023-01/a2sc_rpt_01172023.pdf

 




 

Central Coast Coalition for Inclusive Schools

is the recipient of the UUSLO
February Community Outreach Offering 

Central Coast Coalition for Inclusive Schools (CCC41S) is an affiliation of individuals and organizations that actively supports the development of safe and affirming school communities. CCC41S strives to celebrate diversity, advocate for social justice, and transform educational cultures by empowering youth, families, professionals, and organizations. CCC41S ' work is in alignment with Unitarian Universalist SLO's principles as our work helps to ensure that all students are treated with respect and given an opportunity to thrive, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, ability, gender identity or gender expression.
 
CCC41S was formed due to a lack of implementation of The Fair, Accurate, Inclusive and Respectful Education Act, passed in 2011. This law requires California public schools to provide Fair, Accurate, Inclusive and Respectful representations of our diverse ethnic and cultural population in the K-12 grade history and social studies curriculum, such as instruction in the study of the role and contributions of LGBT Americans, persons with disabilities, and members of other cultural groups, to the development of California and the U.S. Often such laws are passed without "teeth" and without funding, as result progress has been slow.

Your generous contribution will be used first and foremost to support our organization's work analyzing the California Healthy Kids Survey data. Every other year, 7th, 9th and 11th grade public school students take this survey. Students had an opportunity to self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender for the first time in 2013. Since 2013, CCC41S has obtained the CHKS raw data and prepared detailed reports regarding bullying, assault, suicidality, substance abuse, etc. and comparing the experiences of LGBT students versus straight, cisgender students. These reports have provided the much-needed proof that LGBTQ+ students are at a much greater risk on our campuses and have opened doors to SLOCOE, school districts and county cooperation. 
 
 






 

FEBRUARY 2023

1   Barbara Curry
9   Wendy Gault
13 David Cochran
14 Buzz McCartney
18 Abigail Heston
19 Scott Steinmaus
21 Cyrus Jenei
22 Kerry Taylor
25 Eric Olsen
26 Dawn Olsen

If your birthday is not listed, let us know at newsnotes.uuslo@gmail.com


Sunday Services at 10:30am.
In person 

2201 Lawton Ave., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
And online
https://uuma.zoom.us/my/uuslo

Meeting ID 834 863 1482
Or dial in by phone: +1 669 900 6833


Board of Trustees Meets February 16 at 2:30 - 4:30 pm in the library with zoom available for those who can't attend in person.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84010716580?pwd=VXNSUitvY2N1R2pzS3BWNnVvc0lJZz09
Meeting ID: 840 1071 6580 / Password: 975288
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
Contact: Board President - Dawn Olsen

CCC: Congregational Communications Contacts
Weekly NUUs
: Jan Meslin & Alison Rittger – newsnotes.uuslo@gmail.com
UUSLO Facebook/Instagram pages: Jamie Woolf – slowoolf@gmail.com
UUSLO RE Families Facebook page: Carisa Kluver – carisa.kluver@gmail.com
UUSLO Website: Alice Reinheimer – aliceR1@charter.net

Hours to reach Congregational Administrator Pinar Perrine
are Tuesday and Thursday 9:30 am - 4:30 pm /  office.uuslo@gmail.com,
805-439-0188, ext. 1
 

Rod Richards, Minister                 
minister.uuslo@gmail.com

Jo Ernest, Facilities Manager
facilities.uuslo@gmail.com

Pinar Perrine, Congregational Administrator
office.uuslo@gmail.com

Tom Brown, AV Tech
Janet Murphy, Director of Religious Exploration                
dre.uuslo@gmail.com

John Knutson, Music Director
music.uuslo@gmail.com

Mark Pietri, Pianist
pianist.uuslo@gmail.com
 


Articles and announcements for UUSLO Weekly NUUs should be sent by Wednesdays at noon to: newsnotes.uuslo@gmail.com 
Jan Meslin and Alison Rittger, co-editors
Facebook
Instagram
Website
YouTube
Copyright © 2023 UUSLO, All rights reserved.


Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp