Author: Brynda Jones

ANNUAL STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN & DINNER

Posted on by Brynda Jones

INTO OUR FUTURE!

Our 2016-2017 Pledge Goal is $147,000. This amount will support what we envision. As good stewards, all of us are expected to contribute to our spiritual home.

Saturday night, April 2, 2016 was a wonderful evening of dinner, music, dancing and conversation with one another and famous UUs:  Kurt Vonnegut, Pete Seeger, Thomas Starr King, President William Taft, Joseph Priestley, Florence Nightingale, Alexander Graham Bell, Clara Barton, Henry David Thoreau, Abigail Adams, Bela Bartok, and George de Benneville.

Thanks to our wonderful Barbara Dev, coordinator for food and table assignments.  What a terrific job.  Thanks very much to table hosts, teens and everyone who brought delicious food enjoyed by the 93 attendees.  Participant’s ages ranged from 2 to 95.   It was a truly inter-generational, interactive experience for everyone.  Thanks also to the Licata Brothers’ magnificent music. 

  • Dinner Preparations
  • Dinner with teens
  • Dick & Jeanine
  • Licata Brothers' Band
  • COA youth
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Now that we’ve “Sprung” into our future, please make your Financial Commitment to insure that future.  (Click here to get a form.)  For the next two years, as we engage a full-time minister, we ask that you make MVUUC #1 on your list of charities. UUA suggests a pledge of 5% of gross income, a strategy called Five to Thrive. 

The UUA Suggested Fair Share Contribution Guide may be helpful to you.  Our largest expense at MVUUC is for people—-our incredible staff—-those who bring us inspiration, music, programs for children & youth, wisdom, stories, religious exploration, personal support and more.  For the first time in many years, the Board voted unanimously to engage a full-time minister with a significant financial benefit package based on UUA guidelines.  All members and friends, from students to retirees are encouraged to make a Financial Commitment.
Make our future what we envision.  Pledge today.  Pledge payments acceptable via check, bank draft or credit card.  Contact Finance Chair or Treasurer for details. 

Please complete your Commitment Form before April 15th, or soon thereafter.  Thank you.

 

A First WELCOMING LUNCH at MVUUC

Posted on by Brynda Jones

“Thank you to all who came out to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation on Sunday to welcome the Wawieh and Kanjou families. They felt the warmth of your embrace and support and are excited about the many new connections made. Thank you to all who have offered to tutor them in English and those working with them now. If anyone is in need of a talented custom furniture maker and carpenter, Mr. Kanjou is your man. Until the next gathering… wrote Dr. Tayyarah

Pam, Rev Ann & AnneOUR WELCOMING LUNCH held on JUSTICE SUNDAY (March 6, 2016) was quite a success.  The patio was packed.   Pam Sparr from UU Service Committee delivered a dramatic sermon about the Syrian refugee crisis entitled The Knock at the Door”.   Jeanine and Halah read poems full of emotion. There were only a few dry eyes in the room.  Over lunch, many special guests and several visiting students shared their anticipated volunteer support for upcoming justice work.

Thanks to everyone who brought food to share. Many people arrived early and stayed late to set up, serve, and clean up. Special thanks to our tireless Kitchen Crew: Kathy, Danita, Jesus, Marissa, Tim, and Jason. Thanks to Worship Committee for providing the families fruit gift baskets and to Eleanor for the now much-loved stuffed animals. They were a hit!

Tom's Peace ShirtSo many thanks to Dr. Aswad, who brokered the negotiations with three Syrian refugee families, making them comfortable to attend a different place of worship. Their smaller children became restless until they found our playground where true international play happened. Another WELCOMING event is probably now essential when the third family can join us too.

Mr. Tarifi wrote: “Good morning Anne, I just want to thank you for the lovely luncheon on Sunday, we all enjoyed it specially Tom’s kebab. Please let your congregation know how much the Syrian families appreciate the Love and support they received. I look forward to host your congregation at the Islamic center (Claremont) in the month of Ramadan, so we may share more beautiful time together.”

This WELCOMING LUNCH was the beginning of a wonderful community friendship. Salaam.

Welcoming Lunch for Syrian Refugee Families – March 6

Posted on by Brynda Jones

Sunday, March 6, 2016

10:30 am: It’s JUSTICE SUNDAY: Service and WELCOMING LUNCH.
The Knock at the Door” Pam Sparr from UU Service Committee, will speak of the Syrian refugee crisis & what we called to do as Unitarian Universalists and people of faith and good will. Pam is Associate Director for Justice Building at UUSC based in Boston. Special music by Gary Daniels & Harry Ragland.

11:45 and beyond:

We are having a “WELCOMING LUNCH” to meet our local Syrian refugee families and friends. Breaking bread together is the universal way to create community. You will meet several families. The families have children ages newborn to 21. (Translators will be present). Children and Youth welcome.

A Potluck lunch for everyone. Please bring something to share (no pork). All other foods are OK. Please Come. Share in community.  Representative of the Islamic Center of Claremont will say a few words of introduction.
People at Dinner

The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) was founded in 1940 to rescue refugees from Europe during World War II. UUSC has been doing social justice work ever since. Justice Sunday is UUSC’s annual program to learn about and take action on a key human rights issue. More info at www.uusc.org

Saturday Work Day at MVUUC

Posted on by Brynda Jones

Thanks to Bruce Mount for his leadership to organize a Work Day on our church grounds.  All volunteers made a difference in our “street view” and enjoyed the experience. Manny Soto, Joyce Greene, Terrie Maguire, Catherine Rowlee, Corey Boss, Tom Thorward, Anne Thorward , Bob Taylor, Lori McLaughlin, Doug McLaughlin, Dave Albay-Yenny, Steve Shirley, Bob Mendoza, & Bruce Mount.

Special thanks to Doug McLaughlin for trailering his garden tractor to the site, and to Manny Soto and Bob Taylor for bringing weed whackers.