RE flections

Amy_RandallsquareYea! It is autumn! This is my favorite time of year, despite being in Southern California. I still think of leaves changing colors, and cooler weather even if it doesn’t always seem that way here.

Besides the change in season, it signifies a time for me reflect more and be less busy. Our classes are well underway, most registrations are completed, and the Halloween Party is over (RE’s biggest party of the year). Our programs of Coming of Age and OWL are running smoothly. Planning takes a little break, and there are fewer meetings to coordinate and attend. And the weather DOES eventually get cooler.

I enjoy the chance to breathe, take time to calm down and clear my mind, and enjoy the kids and the programs. This poem celebrates Autumn, so I hope all of you take a time to breathe, enjoy nature, and calm your souls too!

Incredible Autumn by Marilyn Lott

While traveling across the country
You see trees of all different kinds
And when autumn is the season
It’s the most delicious time

You see the shades of autumn
Like a bright canvas of an artist
You must have your camera ready
Just perfect for a photo quest

That’s what happened the other day
I was out for a leisurely drive
Fields adorned with horses
So happy that I had arrived

You know, I think they realized
It is a wonderful time of year
A crispness of autumn in the air
They didn’t seem to have a fear

The air so delightfully fresh
With sun on the crispy land
It’s such an enjoyable time
Both for beast and man

So enjoy this time of year
Wherever you may live
For nature is changing colors
We must savor what it has to give!

Happy Autumn! Enjoy!

Amy Randall
Director of Religious Exploration

Sustainable Development Goals – UU United Nations Office

These are the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations:

SJCC Newsletter10_15 pdf

They will be in place for the next fifteen years. You can go to the following website to find out more about the goals: sustainabledevelopment.un.org

Time To Act:

In light of the newly adopted Sustainable Development Goals , the following “Time to Act” suggestions are related to the First SDG:

End poverty in all its forms everywhere Raise the Minimum Wage: Help the UUSC and UUA lobby for a fair minimum wage by signing on to their statement at http://actnow.uusc.org/site/PageNavigator/Newdesign_UUA_UUSC_Minimum_Wage_Statement.html

Campaign for worker’s rights: Our partners at the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee have information on “Fight for $15”, “Justice in the Food Chain”, and “Compassionate Consumption” at http://www.uua.org/economic/livingwage

Tell the CEO of Wendy’s fast food chain to join the Fair Food Program at: https://secure2.convio.net/uusc/site/Advocacy;jsessionid=3BB6BE617298278C07DB7E41AFCE6FF0.app267a?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=438&autologin=true&AddInterest=1023

Host a screening of the film “The Dark Side of Chocolate” or sign petitions to promote the rights of workers at http://www.laborrights.org/action-center

Thanks to Jeanine Little, our UU UNO liaison, for sharing this.

GUEST AT YOUR TABLE

Guest at Your Table is an annual fundraising and education program that supports UUSC’s human rights work. We invite everyone to take part: individuals,
families, small groups, congregations, and community organizations. Over the decades, Guest at Your Table has raised millions of dollars for human rights projects that have made a real difference in people’s lives.
This year Guest at Your Table highlights the empowerment of refugees and displaced people. One of UUSC’s major focuses is serving the people who are most overlooked or discriminated against in the midst of humanitarian crises such as forced migration, large-scale conflicts, genocide, and natural disasters. As UUSC celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, we’ll look back to our origin: Martha and Rev. Waitstill Sharp helping European refugees escape persecution during World War II. We are excited to share several inspiring stories this year!
See more at: http://www.uusc.org/guest-at-your-table-forbeginners
Thanks to Anne Thorward for being our UUSC representative

Report on the October 11th “Walk for the Hungry”

Sunday, October 11th was a beautiful hot day in Claremont for the 42nd Annual Walk for the Hungry sponsored by the Inland Valley Hope Partners a local organization that supports six food pantries, a women and children’s homeless shelter and most recently CHAP an organization that works primarily with homeless men.

Leading off the Monte Vista UU Congregation team of walkers, some 22 plus, was our very own youth team carrying a beautiful banner naming our congregation. Yes, there were the walkers, those of us who can walk, but just as important there were those who supported the walkers with cash and checks for walking. Helen Keller said, “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much”.

All together as a team this congregation raised $2,657.00 dollars. This surpassed our goal of $2,500. This action for our community provided the opportunity for us to express together the second UU Principle of “Justice, Equity and Compassion in Human Relations”.

Thank you all.

Kathy Mason, Walk Co-ordinator