Congregation News
Please register children and youth for the 2019-2020 school year
Please register your children for religious education programs for the 2019-2020 school year. It really does help us to plan when you register every year. It’s easy, register online here: forms.gle/yRGogUd7Xa5fuR6h6Hotel de Zink – Service Opportunity for Families
UUCPA will be hosting the Hotel de Zink homeless shelter during the month of September, as one of our annual service projects. People from the congregation sign up to cook dinner for Hotel de Zink. Although dinner is served at 9 p.m., past bed-times of younger kids, families with older children may want to deliver ...August 11, 2019 Bulletin
Tune In To UUCPA Services On FM88.7
UUCPA services are now being broadcast on FM 88.7! Bring your radio* and tune in if you find yourself moving around campus, prepping for Second Sunday Lunch, weeding our beautiful landscaping, tending to small children in the nursery or Thatcher playground, or off-site at the Magical Bridge Playground or Stevenson House. * Some cell phones ...Your Garden Chair Can No Longer Garden!
Since my physical therapist has instructed me not to garden, we need a team of people to help in the garden, where I can still provide instruction and guidance. Please let me know if you can help, whether intermittently or regularly. We would love to have high school students, who can receive credit for community ...Seeking Videographer for 2020 Pledge Drive
The Stewardship Committee would love to make a video about our 2020 pledge drive. Are you good at making videos? Do you know someone who is? Please email stewardship@uucpa.org.Donations for UUCPA – Amazon Smile
We now have an Amazon Smile account! This means that UUCPA will receive a small percentage of every dollar you spend at Amazon. You only have to set it up once and then it’s automatic. Go to smile. amazon.com and when asked what charity you want Amazon to support, put in UUCPA. After that, whenever ...Story Time – Second Sundays Between Services
Come join us between services every second Sunday in Room 1 for UUCPA Story Time, where each month we will read a short story about a different religion or social issue. Children young and old are welcome to join us! After the story, children with their parents are welcome to check out a book bag containing books on different ...Weaving the Web: What I did on my summer vacation
— Rev Amy Zucker Morgenstern Near the end of June, a year into the new “zero tolerance” policy of deterring immigration by separating families and locking up children, I learned that July 12 would be a day of nationwide protest (“Lights for Liberty”): against the camps in particular and for humane immigration and asylum policies in ...The Brown Bag Book Discussion Group – August 2019 Update
Brown Bag Books does not meet in July or August. The September book selection is The Far Away Brothers: Two Young Migrants and the Making of an American Life by Lauren Markham (non fiction). This is the “story of (two) brothers who escape El Salvador’s violence to build new lives in California – fighting to survive, to stay ...Join me–be a Chalice Lighter!
Chalice Lighters is a program to help to spread the light of liberal religious values throughout our Pacific Central District. A few times a year, grants go from those who have agreed to be Chalice Lighters to a specific growth project, usually by a single congregation, occasionally by a multi-congregational initiative or a UU-affiliated organization. Those ...No Yard Sale This Year (2019)
The Yard Sale will not take place this year. There were a number of factors: the lobby was rented through the whole period; two services begin again in Aug.; also the Board has concerns about the amount of staff time involved and the amount of stuff left over. If you have donations and if you can, ...Making a difference – UUCPA style
On Sundays, volunteers help run the service, lay out hymnals, run the audio, cook and answer visitor’s questions – all with a smile. Volunteers are awesome – and a critical part of UUCPA life. Now, imagine one time a month when you join them. What would bring a smile to your face? Many volunteer opportunities don’t ...Upcoming Bulletin Deadlines - August 18 and Sept 1, 2019
August 18 and September 1, 2019 are the next two deadlines to submit items for publication. Send them to newsletter@uucpa.org or leave hard copy in the church office. Note that we do not publish personal phone numbers/email addresses to safeguard privacy.From your Associate Minister of Religious Education – 2019-2020 Overview
With so many great things happening in our children and youth religious education programs this year, I’d like to give you a quick overview of what’s coming up. We’ll be offering the Our Whole Lives (OWL) comprehensive sexuality education curriculum for three age levels this year: gr. 4-6 and gr. 7-9 beginning in January 2020, and ...Training for teachers and youth advisors
a. If you’re teaching Sunday school during the 2019-2020 school year, or thinking about teaching, join Greg Becker for a teacher training session on Sunday, August 11, at 10:45 a.m. (room to be announced). Whether you’re new to teaching, or an experienced teacher, this workshop will help you understand what makes our Sunday school special, and will give you tips and techniques ...Coming of Age in 2019-2020
The UU Church of Palo Alto (UUCPA) will be offering the popular Coming of Age program in 2017-2018 for youth entering grades 8-9 in the fall. A description of the program is online here: https://www.uucpa.org/learning/coming-of-age/. If your child is thinking of participating in Coming of Age this year, please have at least one parent/guardian and/or the young ...Middle school Sunday school choices in 2019-2020
Middle schoolers in gr. 6-8 can choose one of two Sunday school classes. Ecojustice class involves hands-on environmental projects. NeighboringFaith Communities takes field trips to other nearby faith communities. Both classes include fun activities and time for socializing. We recommend that middle schoolers take 1-2 years of each class — ideally, young people will have taken a year of ...Navigators Bias-Free Scouting Group
Navigators, our bias-free scouting group, meets twice a month, September through May. Contact Ed Vail at chapter42leaders@navigatorsusa.org to be put on the email list. Read more about Navigators at UUCPA here: NavigatorsFall 2019 Adult Religious Education Brochure
The Fall 2019 Adult and Family Activities Brochure is now available. Pick one up at church or here below. Spring 2019 Classes include:
Sci Fi / Fantasy Discussion Group – Dr Who ‘Blink’
8/21/2019
7-9 pm
Impact or Ideology: What Kind of Politics Do We Want?
8/25/2019
12:30-2 pm
Tour of Our Historic Building
9/8/2019
1-2 pm
Introduction to Meditation, Part 2
9/15/2019
12:30-2 pm
Growing up Biracial
9/22/2019
12:30-2 pm
The Future ...July 28, 2019 Bulletin
What Is The PCD?
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto is in the Pacific Central District (PCD). The Pacific Central District (PCD) is a member of the Pacific Western Region, one of five regional bodies of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Our 37 member congregations are in northern Nevada, northern California, and Hawaii, giving us an official membership ...Cabins Still Available for Bass Lake Weekend (Aug 15-18) – Register now!
The annual UUCPA Bass Lake Camp weekend family getaway still has a few cabins left. For many UUCPA individuals, families, and families with children, this is a great way to wind up your summer. The camp cooks three meals a day, and there are plenty of recreational opportunities. Also, there will be plenty of water ...The Brown Bag Book Discussion Group – September Update
Brown Bag Books does not meet in July or August. The September book selection is The Far Away Brothers: Two Young Migrants and the Making of an American Life by Lauren Markham (nonfiction). This is the “story of (two) brothers who escape El Salvador’s violence to build new lives in California – fighting to survive, to stay ...Would You Like to Attend Silicon Valley Pride – Sunday, August 25, 2019?
While most Pride celebrations took place in June, Silicon Valley Pride will take place this year in August. The Action Council has approved the use of the UUCPA banner at the parade, which will take place Sunday, August 25, from 10:00 a.m. to noon, beginning at Market and E. Julian St in San Jose and ...Sunday Meditation Resumes
On August 4, Sunday Meditation will resume its regular schedule of 10:00 until 10:50 am. It continues to meet in the UUCPA Library, with quiet entrance and exit permitted at any time during the Meditation through the side door of the Library (across from the restrooms) The format includes two readings by the leader (usually ...Summer BBQ’s – Fridays, Memorial Day through Labor Day
During the summer, we invite you to join us for our Friday night and holiday BBQ’s which run from Memorial Day to Labor Day. All are invited including non-members, friends and visitors. The BBQ area is in the back right-hand corner of the church property. We generally throw our entrees on the fire around 6 ...About Sunday Collections
Contributions to our justice partner were previously 10% of each week’s collection. A more generous formula was proposed by the Stewardship and Finance Committees and approved by the Board: we now give the whole offering for one week per month to the community organiza- tion chosen by the congregation, while the other weeks’ offerings go to ...June 25, 2019 Board Meeting Minutes Posted
The June 25, 2019 Board Meeting Minutes have been posted to the Board Meeting Minutes Page. You can follow the link above, or navigate under the pulldown “About”, choose “Our Governance” and click on “Board Meeting Minutes” in the lefthand column.Green Sanctuary Meets 2nd Sunday Every Month
We are a Green Sanctuary Congregation and continue our active push toward being truly Green in our energy consumption. The committee meets on the second Sunday of each month at 11 am in Room 9. Newcomers and drop-ins are welcome. For more information, contact: greencom@uucpa.org
Elder Journey
We meet on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month in Room 6 from 1:30 to 3 pm. Second Tuesday we focus on telling our personal stories, read our favorite poems, or discuss our favorite books. Fourth Tuesday generally features a visit by one of our ministers and a topic of their choosing. —Armand ...Bulletin Deadlines – August 4 and 18 2019
The Bulletin has resumed the regular schedule which is to come out every two weeks. August 4 and 18. are the next two deadlines to submit items for publication. Send them to newsletter@uucpa.org or leave hard copy in the church office. Note that we do not publish personal phone numbers/email addresses to safeguard privacy.July 7, 2019 Bulletin
UUCPA Banner Approved for Use in Pride Parades
The Action Council voted to approve the use of the UUCPA Banner at the San Francisco Pride Parade and the Silicon Valley Pride Parade.
Endorsement for the SF parade on Sunday, June 30th is symbolic only as registration to march in the parade is full and closed. Although if someone wants to march they could perhaps ...Membership Engagement Update – July, 2019
In my last update, I told you how the Membership & Growth Committee and I have been removing barriers that discourage visitors from returning or keep newcomers from engaging more deeply. You may have seen some of our work in the new banner out on the street that says, “Diverse People, Diverse Beliefs, One Community” ...UUJMCA’s Intergenerational Justice Summit, August 4 – 8
UUJMCA’s Intergenerational Justice Summit “Turning the Tides”, August 4 – 8 Benneville Pines, Southern California Programming includes: Deepening our spiritual call And connection to justice Collaboratively designed and led worship and spiritual practices • Strategy development for our collective liberation “Activism”: sustaining our creativity and imagination in our work for justice Participant-led programs and conversations Opportunities to relax and refresh your ...By Your Side Singers – Pastoral Care Choir
By Your Side Singers (BYSS) is UUCPA’s pastoral care choir, founded in 2016. In small groups, we visit and sing for any church member or friend, of any age, who seeks comfort, strength, or connection with UUCPA during times of illness, major life transition, or not being able to get to church. To arrange a visit ...Want To Read The Board Minutes?
The board meeting minutes can be found on the website under the pulldown “About”, choose “Our Governance” and click on “Board Meeting Minutes” in the lefthand column. Or click this link.Bulletin 2019 Summer Schedule
Send items for the Bulletin to newsletter@uucpa.org or leave hard copy in the church office. Note that we do not publish personal phone numbers/email addresses to safeguard privacy. Here is the summer schedule: Deadline Comes Out Service Info For June 9 (3 weeks) June 16 June 23, 30; July 7 June 30 (3 weeks) July ...Ministers’ Summer Schedule
For the next few weeks, Amy is on vacation (June 29-July 13) and study leave (July 14-20). Dan is also on leave at the same time. So, we have three ministers answering the pastoral emergency line (x25 at the church) Melissa Thomson, Millie Phillips, and Stefanie Etzbach-Dale. If you are gravely ill or injured, have been arrested, or ...Summer Sunday school schedule
Summer Sunday school is more like summer camp than Sunday school, with fun activities that often emphasize being part of a cooperative group. All ages from gr. K-8 are invited to join in. Middle schoolers make take on leadership roles by helping the lead teacher. High school students are always welcome to participate as co-teachers ...Immigration action: Detention centers / raids
Many of us are watching the humanitarian crisis at the border and asking, “What can we do?” On Sunday, we answered that question with action: about 15 letters sent to our elected officials. Several other people took sample letters and calling information, and several asked for online information, so here it is. One action to take ...June 16, 2019 Bulletin
Help Lead Our Services: Be A Worship Associate!
Worship Associate applications for 2019-21 are now being accepted! They are due June 25. Full information on what is involved in this important ministry to the folks of UUCPA is at https://www.uucpa.org/worship/worship-associates/, and links to the applications follow from there. Contact Amy with any questions.Sunday Meditation Summer Schedule
During the weeks when UUCPA has only one service (June 16 through July 28), Sunday Meditation will occur from 9:30 to 10:20. It will still be held in the UUCPA Library, with quiet entrance and exit at any time during the session through the side door (across from the bathrooms). We hope that some folks ...Next Sci-Fi Discussion Group Meeting: June 19
Just making sure you have the info about the next book we’re discussing, on Wednesday, 6/19, 7-9 p.m. via Zoom. It will be The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin. This novel, which won the Hugo Award in 2016, takes place on a world that experiences catastrophic climate change periodically and explores how the society ...Re: Phishing
The Unitarian Universalist Association Website has an interesting article about phishing, titled “Phishing: don’t take the bait!” “Someone calls the church office describing an emergency, claiming to be a staff member or leader. They have been robbed and need money wired to them ASAP. “Or congregation members receive emails that are requesting gift card donations for a ...Weaving the Web: The Thespians’ Final Bow
We start a lot of new groups at UUCPA, which, ideally, means a flurry of publicity and how-to-get-involved information. And sometimes groups end, and we should mark that as well. Decades ago, several (as it was then called) Palo Alto Unitarian Church members who loved music and drama organized an arts-in- worship group. They created dramas ...Thank You!
When we needed someone to take the baton to organize a few Get Better Bistros, Ana Crespo grabbed the baton and ran! Thank you to those who have answered her call to provide meals. —AmyPreview of New Main Hall Screen Display, June 30th
Preview of New Main Hall Screen Display, June 30th