Within OCUUC, AIDS Team Ministry can use a few new drivers.  Contact Mary Lundholm   (presidentocuucorg)  to volunteer.  Our program continues to meet the needs of the neediest here in Orange County living with AIDS.

Also, the 42-42-42 program, which will begin March 11th and culminate on Earth Day, April 22, involves the following:

Getting 42 or more people at OCUUC to commit, for a period of 42 days leading up to the 42nd Earth Day, to taking action of their choice with respect to food ethics.

Please contact Maureen McConaghy if you would like to participate.

Outside of OCUUC, we need your help on a number of items:

#1:

Our church voted to support SB 810, the California Universal Health Care Act.

The bill has now passed out of an important State Senate committee and may come to a vote in the full State Senate as early as Wednesday the 25th.  Some State Senators, including Lou Correa of Santa Ana, are key Senators who’s support we need in order to pass SB 810. Their names and numbers are listed below. Please call on Monday or Tuesday to let them know you support this bill.  These are direct numbers to their offices in Sacramento.

Senator Lou Correa (Orange County/Santa Ana area)
Phone: (916) 651-4034

Senator Ed Hernandez (Los Angeles/West Covina area)
Phone: (916) 651-4024

Senator Michael Rubio (Fresno/Bakersfield area)
Phone: (916) 651-4016

Senator Juan Vargas (San Diego area)
Phone: (916) 651-4040

Senator Ron Calderon (Los Angeles/Montebello area)
Phone: (916) 651-4030

#2:

The SAFE California Act

is a ballot initiative that replaces California’s death penalty with life without the possibility of parole. In order to qualify for the November 2012 ballot, we need to gather signatures.  Click here to sign the petition to get this on the ballot.  We will also have petitions on the Faith In Action table for the next three weeks.

#3:On January 15, more than 20 people from four UU congregations in the Orange County, CA area attended a workshop and training withGrassroots Leadership.

UUs from Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Fullerton, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Laguna Beach, and Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church in Costa Mesa joined those from Tapestry, a Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Mission Viejo, CA.

Donna Red Wing, Executive Director of Grassroots Leadership, and Bob Libal, senior organizer, guided attendees in developing a plan to implement a visitation program at James A. Musick immigration detention center in Irvine, CA — the first of its kind in southern California.  Participants also heard from Jose de Jesus Penaflor, an ex-detainee who talked about his life before, during, and after detention. He was bonded out by a fund created at First Unitarian Church of Los Angeles.

If you are interested in this issue, please contact Birdie Reed immediately.  Over the next 6 weeks, plans will be in the works to organize efforts throughout all UU Congregations in Orange County.  A meeting will be held on February 26 at a site to be determined.  We will keep you posted on the location of that meeting as the date gets closer.

#4:

On January 19th, AB 1148

passed the CA Assembly Appropriations Committee with a 12 – 5 vote in favor.  The California Clean Money Campaign needs help making phone calls to mobilize their constituents to ask for them to support AB 1148.  PLEASE COME HELP make phone calls into strategic assembly districts.  Click here to register and to get details on their next phone banking event.

#5:

We all enjoy eating out.  Unfortunately, the workers

who cook, prepare, and serve our food suffer from poverty wages, no benefits like paid sick days, and little or no chance to move up to better positions. When the people who serve us food can’t afford to pay the rent or take a day off when they’re sick, our dining experience suffers.  The newly released Restaurant Opportunities Center’s National Diners’ Guide 2012 provides information on the wage, benefits, and promotion practices of the 150 most popular restaurants in America. The Guide lists responsible restaurants where you can eat knowing that your server can afford to pay the rent and your cook isn’t working while sick.

Click here to download a copy of this year’s guide.

For the latest information on these issues, visit us at the Faith In Action Table after both services.

How do you help others?  How can OCUUC help you help others?  We can help by working together! 

Within OCUUC: 
AIDS Team Ministry update – Clients are switching back to us because our food tastes better!  We have three freezers full of food and an active list of clients, but can use more help with logistics.  Contact Ted Lundholm  (atmocuucorg)   to help.

Join us at the Program Fair on Sunday, November 13th between services where we will ask you “What Do You Do For Others?”  Perhaps there are issues of social justice that you have in common with fellow OCUUCers!

Other UU Organizations Outside of OCUUC:
The 28th Annual UU Service Committee Latin American Encuentro was held yesterday at First Church Los Angeles.  It was the kickoff of the Social Justice GA that will be held June 20-24, 2012 in Phoenix.  As you may know, General Assembly 2012 will be a gathering with multiple ways of engaging in justice work for people of all ages. Joining with the people of Arizona, we will worship, witness, learn and work together.

The regional coordinator is Emrys Staton.  You can also learn more online by following these important

• General Assembly Blog
• Twitter
• Facebook

UU Legislative Ministry of California’s annual Leadership Summit will be held at Camp deBenneville Pines November 18-20. This will be an in depth training opportunity for justice leaders. Our Young Leaders SALT (Spiritual Activist Leadership Training) participants will also be engaged in this.

Organizations Recognized by OCUUC:

The California Alliance for Retired Americans held their 2011 Annual Convention last week in Long Beach.  8 resolutions passed:

1.) Eliminate the Death Penalty
2.)Protect Workers Rights
3.)Disclose Political Supporters
4.) Gay Pride Month Senior Centers
5.) Pedestrian Safety
6.)Protect CA from Dangers of Nuclear Power Plants
7.)Support an Immigration Policy based on Labor and Human Rights
8.) Outlaw Hiring Discrimination against the Unemployed

Consider joining this organization if these issues appeal to you (and you don’t have to be a retiree!)  See Eva Lu Goodwin Noriega for details.

CARA Town Hall on Social Security, Medicare, and Medi-Cal will be held on Wednesday, November 16, from 2pm – 4pm.  It will be held at the Dayle McIntosh Center, 13272 Garden Grove Boulevard, Garden Grove, CA 92843 (map).  The town hall meeting regards the federal budget negotiations in the Supercommittee, and how they will effect Social Security, Medicare, and Medi-Cal. If you or your loved ones are effected, this is an important opportunity to make your voice heard. Contact Eva Lu Goodwin Noriega for details.

ACLU Southern California is taking a stand against the death penalty in 2012.  The SAFE California Campaign is working to give voters a chance to replace the death penalty on the November 2012 ballot.  But the work begins now.  Contact Birdie Reed if interested in this issue.

This past Friday, the Student/Farmworker Alliance marched against Trader Joe’s.  One of the local organizers was Natasha Noriega-Goodwin.  Click here to read more about this very interesting, but seldom heard about event.

Faith In Action meets monthly, usually on the third Sunday of the month.  You are always welcome to attend, organize, and get people interested about a social justice issue important to you.  

Sincerely,
Charlie and Birdie Reed, Eva Lu Goodwin Noriega, Pat McCully, Ken Arnold, Dan Noel, Earl Hardenbrook, and Mike Harmanos, Chair 

This year’s theme is The Immigration Crisis: Humane Responses. It promises to be an excellent primer to the Justice General Assembly held next June in Phoenix.

Topics Include:

• “Immigration Situation Unchanged – Stop Deportations Now!” with Caitlin Williams, Esperanza Immigrant Program Director.
• Current Legislation with Dan Straka of UURISE
• General Assembly 2012 – Justice GA in Phoenix with Emrys Staton, Organizer
• First UU Church of Los Angeles Outreach Efforts with Rev. Rick Hoyt, Paul Kratzer, Rochelle McAdam, and Community Members
• “MIA in Guatemala” with OCUUC’s dear friend Lucia Muñoz
• A visit to the Francis Avenue Garden and conversation with neighbors in the community.

Register with Ted Shapin, Director of the UUSC Unit of Southern California. It is best to call Ted directly at this point at (714) 567-0188 to register. More information can be found on this flyer.

Consider taking Metrolink to this event via Union Station and then the Red Line to Vermont Avenue.

presidentocuucorg

In addition to having ample time for sharing and discussion, we will be able to hear from Erik Mohn, the Young Adult Spirituality and Service Consultant at the UUA and employee of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee on projects he is working on that might enrich our own programming.

YOU WILL NEED TO REGISTER FOR THIS WEBINAR. For more information on the webinar and how to register, please refer to this link: http://www.facebook.com/notes/campus-uus/best-practices-in-campus-ministry-iv-service-and-social-justice/270996599589177 (you do not need facebook to view this page).

Orangethorpe UMC will host Second Harvest again on Saturday, September 17 at 8:30 AM.  All are welcome.  The church is located off of the 5 and the 91, near the intersection of Magnolia Avenue and Orangethorpe Avenue.

Landon Singer-Harmanos and Friend Were on Pepper Duty

On May 1st, Karen Magoon Pearson, Amanda Horack, and Jonathan Pearson Magoon participated in the 25th annual AIDS Walk at Disneyland.  Amanda raised about $300 total to go toward the AIDS Services Foundation of Orange County.

Amanda said “I feel very fortunate that friends from OCUUC (and family and classmates) donated money to the cause.  I ended up becoming good friends with Steven Fenn and his partner Jose Lopez through the AIDS Walk.  They served as Co-Organizers for Team UU.  They are both new Board members at the Anaheim UU Church.”

Steven and Jose accepted the award at the dinner held at Jazz Kitchen in Anaheim recently.

Congratulations to OCUUC and all UU’s in Orange County for this outstanding award!!

COSTA MESA, Calif., June 23, 2011 — Orange Coast Unitarian Church (OCUUC), a welcoming, liberal church congregation known for social justice and community service, today announces its endorsement of SB 810, the California Universal Health Care Act, affirming its guiding principles that good health is essential for all life and therefore all Californians should have access to quality health care and coverage at affordable costs. SB 810, the California Universal Health Care Act was authored by Senator Mark Leno, D-San Francisco in March 2011, and provides for a “Medicare-For-All” style single-payer health care reform plan.

“Orange Coast UU Church is committed to fair and equal treatment of all people,” said Mary Paliescheskey-Lundholm, President of OCUUC. “As part of our social justice program, we voted as a congregation to support the passing of SB 810 to provide healthcare to everyone in California regardless of economic status.”

With OCUUC’s congregational vote to endorse SB810, it promises to support the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of California and its covenant to reach the following goals:

1. UNIVERSAL COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE COVERAGE: Ensure access to quality health care and coverage at affordable costs for all Californians. We hold as essential the provision of Quality Universal Healthcare with coverage for all members of our community. Coverage should include the most vulnerable (who are least able to inform and participate in public policy); including children and students, very low, low and moderate wage employees (irrespective of documentation status), people seeking employment, people with “pre-existing conditions,” the homeless, and those with special disabilities, rare diagnoses and chronic illness. This quality healthcare should also be comprehensive, including medical, dental, vision, mental health and prescription services.
2. INSURER OVERSIGHT: Establish oversight including stronger rules regulating insurers to elevate standards for coverage that preserve and increase consumer protections for all Californians.
3. LARGE PURCHASING POOLS FOR ALL that allow consumers to share risk, as opposed to efforts to shift risk and place financial burdens and barriers on individual consumers and families.
4. SINGLE PAYER INSURANCE SYSTEM: Work towards the development of a non-profit single payer system, which dramatically cuts administrative waste for both providers and patients alike.
5. PRESERVATION OF OUR SAFETY NETS: Including community and public health clinics, mental health and dental clinics, and public hospitals, on which we all rely, especially people who are left out of the system and without coverage.
6. SUPPORT FOR BOTH THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING of the population, including an emphasis on preservation of health and prevention of illness.
7. COST CONTAINMENT: Support cost containment focused on prevention, safety, efficiency, transparency, and group purchasing so that consumers pay less and get more.
8. DIVERSITY AND EQUITY: Meet the specific needs of the full diversity of California, toward equity and access for all. Any health care system should include language accessibility and address cultural diversity.

“I can’t think of a better way to live out our UU principles than by supporting SB810,” said Reverend Dr. Karen Stoyanoff, minister of OCUUC. “It treats everyone with respect for their inherent worth and dignity. I’m so proud of OCUUC and their willingness to stand up for justice in this case!”

Founded in 1953, Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church is a welcoming community encompassing different cultural backgrounds, lifestyles, and religious perspectives. OCUUC celebrates life and work on healing a wounded world, living out a three-fold purpose of seeking truth, building just communities, and caring for one another.

Most recently, OCUUC sent several members to Phoenix to protest Arizona’s SB 1070 as part of “Standing on the Side of Love,” a public advocacy campaign that seeks to harness love’s power to stop oppression.

For more information and news from Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist church, visit http://ocuuc.org/, follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ocuuc (or @OCUUC), or like our page on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Orange-Coast-Unitarian-Universalist/104923262884411.

About Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church (http://ocuuc.org/)

Founded in 1953 by Catherine L. Hofmann, a minister’s daughter, Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church (OCUUC) was formed in her living room, after she found no liberal churches that suited her in Orange County. By 1960, OCUUC was established in its current hilltop building at 1259 Victoria Street in Costa Mesa, California, coinciding with the year that Universalists and Unitarians combined to form one religion. As Unitarian Universalists, OCUUC affirms and promotes the inherent dignity and worth of every person; justice, equity, and compassion in human relations; acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations; a free and responsible search for truth and meaning; the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large; the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all; respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. OCUUC holds services each Sunday and a calendar of events can be found at http://ocuuc.org/. Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church is a member of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA).

SOURCE Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church

Beth Lear-VanderYacht – 1259 Victoria Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92627 – (949) 646-4652 - infoocuucorg  (infoocuucorg)   - http://ocuuc.org

Resolved

Whereas access to quality, affordable health care is the work of two UU Social Justice Organizations – the Economic Justice Action Group and UUs for a Just Economic Community, and,

Whereas The UU Legislative Ministry for California’s Health Care Reform Steering Committee has written letters in support of the following legislation and is closely watching them as they make their way to thru the legislative process and to the Governor’s desk, and

Whereas The following bill represent opportunities in California to further implement the Affordable Care Act, and

Whereas the Faith in Action Council of Orange Coast UU Church fully and unanimously supports the following legislation, therefore

Be it resolved that the congregation of Orange Coast UU Church of Costa Mesa, CA endorses SB 810, the Single Payer Universal Health Care Act of California.

“It was cool to know that all those people were there for this one issue. Everyone was excited,” said Karen Magoon Pearson, who was walking with her husband, Jonathan Pearson Magoon.

Magoon Pearson and her husband both have uncles who died of AIDS complications. “It’s a close issue in our families,” she said.

The couple walked with a group from Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church of Costa Mesa. Amanda Horack, who has participated for two years, was also with the church.

“The walk was fun. I’m glad to do it. I feel very fortunate,” Horack said. The event brings the community together, she said.

You can find the rest of the article here.

Photo by Armando Brown for the Orange County Register

Rev. Dr. Bill Schulz of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee speaks to OCUUC, April 26, 2011

Dr. Schulz first spoke about The Seven Deadly Sins. One of the sins NOT of the seven is Cruelty, and yet it is pretty common, but no less despicable. It makes the whole world less radiant. If there is one thing that UU teaches us, it is that the world is a bountiful, radiant place.

Cruelty is despicable because it erects road blocks to beauty. UUSC’s job is, therefore, to combat cruelty, in order to set radiance free.

UUSC does this in a number of ways:

• Saved women from the escape of rape by UN soldiers in Darfur.
• Helped codify the Earth’s rights in the new Ecuadorian Constitution
• Built a forensic laboratory in Guatemala to bring killers of Mayan natives to justice
• Raised the wages of poultry workers in Arkansas and restauarant workers in Georgia.
• Worked with liberal Islamic groups in the middle east to bring human rights to the forefront, some of which in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt.
• Donated $2 million to Haitian relief efforts combatting child slavery and poor health care.

A donation to UUSC can be thought of like a Cruelty Offset – like carbon offsets!

It was an entertaining, engaging conversation.  Please consider joining this outstanding organization.  Contact Jane Jepson  (uuscocuucorg)   to find out how.

It’s time to get ready. We will have 150 people come to us for projects and directions to projects in the area that need help. Check out our page on Big Sunday’s website.

I need help from people to man our stations as well as pass out T-shirts and water. Here’s a short list of projects. They’ll collect books for the Early Literacy Program and toiletries to be packed in SOS tote bags. They’re also writing letters to soldiers and hosting some cool craft projects that will be donated to Free Arts for Abused Children. And if that weren’t enough, they’ll be make Big Sunday’s signature papier-mâché flowerpots and bring them to nearby shut-ins. Contact Mary Lundholm, Hub Captain at presidentocuucorg to volunteer to help host. or find a project that appeals to you at the Big Sunday website.

Bill Schulz, current President of the UU Service Committee, former Executive Director of Amnesty International USA, and former president of the Unitarian Universalist Association, will speak at OCUUC!

He’s got a great column called the President’s Corner over at the UUSC webpage. Let me give you a sample of his last three columns:

• Do Human Rights Have a Future?
• Revelations from the Revolution : Tough Lessons for Human Rights
• Human Rights in Decline? Look How Far We’ve Come

More details to come in the Blast and this page as we get closer to the event. But please mark your calendars now!

In response to recent public demonstrations of anti-Islamic hatred, a number of local activists of all faiths have come together to show their support for Orange County’s Muslim community—and each other—by forming teams of “Interfaith Witnesses.”

Please join us on Wednesday, April 13 to learn how you can join us in this exiting interfaith effort. This planning meeting will be held to explain the concept and form geographical teams of Interfaith Witnesses. ALL people of ALL faiths, clergy and laity, are encouraged to attend:

Please note that we will not engage or confront harassers in any way at any time (you will be asked to commit to this before you participate at future events).

INTERFAITH WITNESSES
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
7:00 p.m.
At
Orange County Friends Meeting
2091 Business Center Drive, Suite 100
Irvine, California, 92612

For directions, please visit: http://www.orangecountyquakers.org/
For more information, or if you are interested in holding a similar organizational meeting in your area, call Vicki Tamoush: (714) 362-7676 or (714) 368-5100

Dr. Riba’s Health Club is currently operating at Hope Clinic, in Costa Mesa. The program focuses on the prevention and treatment of nutrition-related problems in children ages 0 –18 and their families. The program sees over 1,500 underserved families annually, targeting low-income areas in Orange County, where obesity and diabetes are serious concerns. The program works with individuals, provides health and nutrition information, operates the Fit Club Program in conjunction with Newport-Mesa Unified School District and, participates in Pretend City, which begins the process of helping children 0 – 5, to learn about health and nutrition. Childhood obesity and early onset type 2 diabetes are a local and national pandemic. For more information about DrRHC see Marilyn Giss or contact Rosario at (949) 379-9901.

There are many ways to help the overall quality of life right here in Orange County. For assistance in nominating a deserving cause, contact a Community Service Committee member, Naomi Blackwood, Kathleen McFarlin or Maurice Giss.

Thanks to Marci Carey, we are scheduled on Saturday, June 4 to help with Second Harvest’s food distribution. As you may know, Second Harvest works to eliminate hunger here in Orange County. In partnership with over 470 member charities, the Food Bank helps feed more than 240,000 individuals each month. Those served include the working poor, children, seniors on fixed incomes, single parents, the disabled, the homeless and individuals experiencing medical emergencies or recent job layoffs. Second Harvest is working with Feeding the Hungry in West Fullerton, a ministry of the Orangethorpe United Methodist Church, to coordinate efforts with local churches. OCUUC is already on their honor roll!

Marci will be the lead on this project, and the Young Adults and Religious Education programs are assisting. Any questions, please contact us  (fiaocuucorg)  .

I. OCUUC Committee Activities – Past and Upcoming

Share Our Selves needs our immediate help.  They need toiletries, so size probably does not matter. We do know that they like the little bottles one gets in hotels, but I’m sure thy can figure out how to use larger sizes. Shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, shaving cream, deodorant and lotions would be great.

The Green Theology course started on Wednesday, March 16.  We had 16 initial participants from as far away as Palomar UU church in Vista and Sherri Loveland from the Orange County Interfaith Coalition for the Environment.  We had a successful potluck dinner prior to the meeting as well.  Potlucks will be held from 5 to 7 PM on Wednesdays until April 20.  The class runs from 7 to 9 PM on Wednesdays, along with one weekend course on Friday and Saturday, April 29 and 30.

Mike Scott coordinated an event that was organized by Estancia High School’s ANSWER student group that was held at OCUUC on Saturday, March 12.  Contact Mike to see how it went, or Mike can just hit reply to all to let us know.

A friendly reminder that the Spring Auction will take place Saturday, May 7 at 4 PM.

Big Sunday will take place over the weekend of May 14-15.  Thousands of people from Southern California, of all ages and all backgrounds, work together at hundreds of nonprofits, schools and other agencies that need their help.  OCUUC will serve as a hub location for Big Sunday on the 14th for Orange County.  More details will come via email.  (It’s the reason why we are cleaning out Gillan 1 right now).

Information about the UUA/UUSC Japan Relief Fund can be read here.

Circulo de Amigas now has a Facebook page, so that you may keep up with the latest.

UULM-California’s January/February newsletter can be found here.

II. Upcoming Events with Recognized Groups

Eva reports that Health Care for All – Orange County will meet at OCUUC this Wednesday, March 23, at 6:30 pm.  This will make for a nice, busy Wednesday night of Social Justice!

Eva also reports that CARA (California Alliance of Retired Americans), amongst others, will participate in the Great American Write-In on Saturday, April 9, from 9:30 to 1:30 pm.  It will be located at the Woodbridge Community Center in Irvine.  For a copy of the flyer passed around at the meeting, click here.  A unique and inspiring event, the Great American Write-In is an Orange County tradition. In early spring, this letter-writing jamboree motivates hundreds of citizens to take an active part in democracy by expressing their opinions to legislators and other leaders. Participants select their favorite issues after speaking with representatives from dozens of advocacy groups. Loyal letter-writers have fondly dubbed it “The Conscience of Orange County”.

Eva also reports that CARA will have a Free one-day training event on how to be an effective activist.  It will be held on Wednesday, April 13, from 10 am – 3 pm at Teamsters Local 952, 140 S. Marks Way in Orange.  There is also an opportunity to review your prescriptions and medications.  To learn more, click here for the flyer.

Birdie and Charlie were not in attendance yesterday because they were in Los Angeles attending the passing of the torch at the ACLU – Southern California.  The new Executive Director of ACLU-SC is Hector Villagra.  The rumor was that Michael Moore showed up.  Here’s their Facebook page as well.

III. The Council At A Critical Juncture

We discussed and drew some conclusions yesterday based on three important questions.

1. How do we help the members and, therefore, the congregation build just communities?
Mike’s concern, expressed to me by other Members, was that we are failing to maximize the leg of OCUUC’s mission – building just communities.  Too often, the FIA meeting has turned into a forum for discussion instead of action.  Every Member has got to ask themselves “How do I build just communities?”  Then we, as FIA, help them act on it, get others involved, and spread the word.

We will need better communication.  This is an ongoing issue within OCUUC – it’s why we are having a survey about it now.  The Social Justice page of the website is an excellent way to get the word out.  The new and improved OCUUC Calendar will have a part where people can click on to see events happening outside of OCUUC with our Recognized Organizations.  Mike is aiming to have this up and running by next FIA meeting.  (April 17).

Judith Stamper brought up an excellent idea.  We need a method for Members to learn what other Members like.  With some concerns to privacy, we can do this within OCUUC right now.  We will announce in the Blast a call for your favorite Social Justice/Community Service group or project.  (Mine is my work and involvement in the Orange County Renewable Energy Society, by the way).  An online, password-protected spreadsheet might work to get this started.  The 15 of us can get the conversation going.

Finally, we all have to do a better job with the FIA table, starting with the Chair.  All of our Members are not online, therefore, the Reach and the FIA table are the best resources we have.  Plus, it’s a nice way to coordinate and hand out donuts for those who sign petitions or do other good work.

2. What procedural changes do we have to make to ignite the passion of our Members?
Some third Sundays of the month will conflict with popular and/or necessary events.  We found that out this past Sunday with CUUPS’s Ostara (another event that had a fully packed room, by the way).  But as we move toward more Town Hall meetings with the change in minister, we will have to adapt as well.  We will still have meetings on or around the third Sunday of the month, but subject to change.  Not to worry, you will all be notified as soon as possible.

Like the Women’s Circle, we will have to start brown bagging it.  For larger events, we might even do a catered lunch as we did with the FIA Election Forum last October.

We might have a Wednesday Night potluck FIA dinner as well, if it fits in the schedule, and if Wednesday potlucks prove to be popular in the next few weeks.

Please fill out the Communications Survey, when you can.  What you choose as your preferred method of communications will be the way FIA sends information to you going forward.

3. Why does the Faith in Action Council even exist?

We exist because we care.  We want to do more – always.  But for Faith in Action to truly succeed, we have to better personalize and make meaningful how members really build just communities.  This means we have to help build meaning in Member’s lives through service and justice.

Members also need to know that one person’s vision of service and justice might be quite different from another.  FIA’s role will be not to pick which vision, plan, program, or event is more important than the other.  That’s up to Members convincing each other.  FIA will assist in helping Members get the word out, follow the Standing Rules.  We will let our lights shine as positively as possible, too.

As the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) president, I traveled to Japan last August to meet with our religious partners there. The warm hospitality offered to my wife, Phyllis, and me left us with a beautiful and lasting impression of their country and culture. My heart goes out to the people of Japan for what they are enduring now.

As soon as the UUA received word of the tragedies of Friday, March 11, we reached out to our religious partners in Japan: Rissho Kosei-kai, Tsubaki Grand Shrine, the Konko Church of Izuo, the Tokyo Dojin Church, and the Japan Chapter of the International Association for Religious Freedom. We have worked in close partnership with these outstanding organizations for many decades, and have been in contact with them since Friday. I can only imagine the overwhelming sadness and fear they are experiencing, even as they try to determine their next steps.

To this end, the UUA/Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) Japan Relief Fund has been established to support the recovery efforts of our religious partners in Japan, as they consider the specific efforts to take to support the work of recovery. I encourage anyone wishing to contribute to this crucial effort to read more about the UUA/UUSC Japan Relief Fund here.

For several months, the Rev. Eric Cherry, the UUA’s Director of International Resources, has had a trip to Japan scheduled for later this month. The situation on the ground is still extremely volatile, but as I write this, Eric intends to make the trip if at all possible. If he is able to make the journey, he will convey my sincere condolences and profound hope for swift recovery on behalf of the entire Unitarian Universalist Association.

We at the UUA will hold the country of Japan in our hearts, as we work to support them in their time of great need.
Sincerely,
Rev. Peter Morales
President, Unitarian Universalist Association

The committee is at a critical juncture. We are faced with a number of questions that must be resolved. The following questions will be asked and answered:

1. How do we help the members and, therefore, the congregation build just communities?
2. What procedural changes do we have to make to ignite the passion of our Members?
3. Why does the Faith in Action Council even exist?

We look forward to seeing you then. UPDATE: We will meet in Boag 2.

Our Green Theology course starts Wednesday, March 16 at 7 PM.

The course syllabus has been posted.

From the syllabus: This adult religious education course in ecological theology is designed to facilitate new habits of perceiving and analyzing our social and natural environments and to embolden the moral judgments and political acts to which liberal religious people are called in a time of environmental crisis.

The Classes (and potlucks!) will be held on March 16, 23, 30, and April 6, 13, 20. This course will also have a weekend seminar on April 29 and 30. Mark your calendars now! These dates are set!

Regarding the potlucks, all are invited that evening, whether you’re taking the course or not. Please bring a dish with enough servings to share. Drinks will be provided. The potluck will run from 5 PM to 6:45 PM and have no “formal” program, but we will discuss important social justice topics in UULM, UUSC, and throughout Orange County.

OCUUC is working to increase commitment to this faith tradition and to the congregation by creating a replicable adult education curriculum on the topic theology and ecology, “Green Theology.” Our goal will be to deepen theological understanding particularly as it relates to a current day issue for our society. This course will be more intensive than a “Building Your Own Theology” course, but not as rigorous as a class at a seminary.

The project will be under the direction of Dr. Michael Hogue, Professor at Meadville Lombard Theological School and the Reverend Doctor Karen Stoyanoff, minister at Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, Costa Mesa, CA.

Contact Reverend Karen  (ministerocuucorg)   or Mike Harmanos  (greenocuucorg)   for details.

On Thursday, March 3, beginning at 7:00 pm we hope to fill our sanctuary for  :

“Freedom to Marry” movie and speaker Davina Kotulski, author of “Why You Should Give a Damn about Gay Marriage.”

She’s coming from San Francisco. We’re working on a flyer but I wanted you to have a heads up.

Ryan Peterson is the contact person and you may contact him by clicking here.  (ryanlaveniryahoocom)  

Please tell your friends and interested groups about this event; ask them to save the evening.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIVydqmoHtM

OCUUC Youth will travel to the Bay Area, in April, to take part in a hands-on social action project. Our high school youth have been invited to participate in the Faithful Fools Ministry in the San Francisco Tenderloin District. Headed by Rev. Denis Paul, the program provides hands-on help to the homeless and is a way for “sheltered, middle-class people to experience the company of homeless people, to listen to their stories, and to discover the common denominator of their humanity on a level playing field.” Later in the year, our OCUUC young people will participate in a process-designed result in an Orange County social justice project.

From time to time it is appropriate to assist activities within our community. This is especially true when our younger citizen’s are involved. We will be providing help with travel, workshop fees and meals. Rayna Hamre, OCUUC Director of Religious Education, can provide additional information.

Your Community Services Committee looks to our congregation for the nominations of worthy programs and projects to share our Sunday offering. For help with submission, see Naomi Blackwood, Kathleen McFarlin or Maurice Giss.

Gustavo Arellano of the OC Weekly has a great article keeping all of Orange County updated on the arrest of Lee Marie Sanchez (of the Anaheim UU congregation) and Jan Meslin (of Tapestry) this summer as they Stood on the Side of Love in Phoenix. On Sunday, Lee Marie will speak in our pulpit about welcoming the stranger. Click here to read the article.

Recognized Organizations can have their events publicized through OCUUC’s communication tools. Any group from which an OCUUC member is a sponsor may be granted reduced rent or free use of a facility.

If you have an organization that you would like to nominate as a Recognized Organization, please contact fiaocuucorg  (fiaocuucorg)  .

Here’s a list of all current Recognized Organizations.

Orange County Equality Coalition (OCEC). OCEC’s vision is equality and respect for all people in a progressive Orange County. OCEC and OCUUC worked together in 2008 to facilitate grassroots opposition to Proposition 8. Their goals are in concert with the first principle of our faith.  The OCUUC contact for this organization is AJ Blackwood.

Progressive Interfaith Alliance of Orange County (PIA-OC). An organization whose mission is to proclaim the progressive values of welcome, equality, inclusion,acceptance, and love and for the implementation of each in our community.  PIA-OC’s vision is to create a world where all people are treated with inherent worth and dignity.  This vision is in concert with the first principle of our faith.  The OCUUC contact for this organization is AJ Blackwood.

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Southern California. This organization’s mission is to defend the individual rights granted in the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights.  This is accomplished by lobbying, public education, and litigation in the following categories: The First Amendment of the Constitution, Equal Protection, Due Process, Privacy, and Groups and Individuals That Continue to Struggle For Civil Liberties.  As of June 3, 2010, the ACLU is listed as a Coalition and Partner organization on the Social Justice section of the UUA website.  The OCUUC contact for this organization is Birdie Reed.

Mad As Hell Doctors. This organization’s mission is to press for single payer health care reform and other changes in our health care system that are needed to restore health for Americans individually and as a society. There are two UU Social Justice Organizations that have a similar value structure to Mad As Hell Doctors.  They are the Economic Justice Action Group and UUs for a Just Economic Community.  The OCUUC contact for this organization is Eva Lu Goodwin-Noriega.

Health Care for All – Orange County.  This organization’s mission is to organize for universal health care in California. California regards health care as a human right and is dedicated to ensuring that all Californians have comprehensive, reliable, and affordable health care.  There are two UU Social Justice Organizations that have a similar value structure to Health Care for All – Orange County.  They are the Economic Justice Action Group and UUs for a Just Economic Community.  The OCUUC contact for this organization is Eva Lu Goodwin-Noriega.

California Alliance for Retired Americans (CARA). The California Alliance for Retired Americans (CARA) is a statewide nonprofit organization that unites retired workers and community groups to win social and economic justice, full civil rights, and a better, more secure future for ourselves, our families, and future generations. CARA is the official state affiliate of the Alliance for Retired Americans, www.retiredamericans.org. These values are very similar to the same values shared by the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of California.  The OCUUC contacts for this organization are Eva Lu Goodwin-Noriega and Pat McCully.

Move to Amend is a coalition dedicated to ending the legal doctrines “that prevent the American people from governing ourselves.”  Move to Amend rejects the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Citizens United, and move to amend our Constitution to: Firmly establish that money is not speech, and that human beings, not corporations, are persons entitled to constitutional rights. Guarantee the right to vote and to participate, and to have our vote and participation count. Protect local communities, their economies, and democracies against illegitimate “preemption” actions by global, national, and state governments. The UUs for a Just Economic Community, the UU Legislative Ministry of Florida, and three UU Congregations in Florida are official endorsers of Move to Amend. The OCUUC contact for this organization is Eva Lu Goodwin-Noriega.

Amnesty International uses human rights standards set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) and in international treaties and conventions. Amnesty International works independently of all governments and political ideologies to: Secure the release of prisoners of conscience (men, women, and children detained solely because of their beliefs, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, color, or language, and who have neither used nor advocated violence); Ensure fair and prompt trials for all political prisoners; and End all use of torture, “disappearance,” political killing, and the death penalty. Former UUA President and current UUSC president and CEO William Schulz was the Executive Director of Amnesty International USA from 1994 to 2006.  The OCUUC contact for this organization is Jacques Kilchoer.

Orange County Congregation Community Organization is a faith-based community organization working to strengthen families and improve neighborhoods. Congregation Based Community Organizing (also called Faith-Based or Broad-Based) is a movement that seeks to establish inter-faith, cross class, multi-ethnic and multi-racial grassroots organizations for purposes of increasing social integration and power in civil society and for making civic, regional and state-wide changes for social improvement. Three CBCO organizations are currently organizing in California.  One of those organizations is PICO California. OCCCO is an affiliate of PICO California.  The OCUUC contact for this organization is Eva Lu Goodwin-Noriega.

Parents, Family, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) of Orange County promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgendered persons, their families and friends through: support, to cope with an adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill-informed public; and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights. Their value structure is incredibly similar to the values we at OCUUC hold as a Welcoming Congregation. The OCUUC contact for this organization is Birdie Reed.

Artists United for Social Justice is an organization that empowers activists to create and distribute multimedia content that educates the public, particularly youth, about human rights violations and social injustices. AUSJ’s value structure is in concert with the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee.  The OCUUC contact for this organization is Sandra Kirkpatrick.

Standing on the Side of Love is a public advocacy campaign, sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Association, promoting respect for the inherent worth and dignity of every person. Standing on the Side of Love will confront exclusion, oppression and violence based on identity. It is through love that OCUUC works toward justice, whether it is about identity groups, class, education, health care, or just about any social issue. Learn more by clicking on the heart.

We build just communities and work toward justice through the following organized committees:

• AIDS Team Ministry, our long-standing commitment to those in Orange County who are HIV-positive
• Circulo de Amigas, our long-standing commitment to a rural village in Nicaragua
• Community Service with other organizations in Orange County
• Green Sanctuary, promoting earth ministries and the interdependent web in which we live
• Interfaith, outreach to other communities of faith
• Collaborative work with Share Our Selves, an organization helping those in need in Orange County
• Advocacy through the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of California
• Learning about worldwide causes through the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
• OCUUC is a Welcoming Congregation and works toward inclusivity of the LGBT community