The Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica

Featured Articles - June, 2006

Annual Choir Concert Stirs a Desire for Peace

The choir sang, the string quartet played, moving texts were read, soloists took their turns, and Steve Wight coordinated and conducted a stirring “Let There be Peace on Earth” choir program held Saturday night, May 6, to an enthusiastic capacity crowd in our sanctuary.

Midway through the first half of the program, Louis Durra took his turn in a solo role, singing Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land.” The congregation joined him in the choruses as he sang the verses, including the last verse which is often left out and includes the lyrics: “And some are grumblin’ and some are wonderin’/ If this land’s still made for you and me.”

The tone had been set been set from the start, with songs that included the haunting “Will You Harbor Me” and the beautiful lament “Cuando El Pobre” (When the Poor One) arranged by choir member Rima Snyder. Blended into these opening songs was a series of texts read by Patrick Meighan and Amy Thiel that included Edna St. Vincent Millay’s stunning poem “Conscientious Objector,” words by Martin Luther King, and the statement Bartolomeo Vanzetti delivered shortly before his execution.

The talent of the choir shone brightly all through the concert. Bronwen Jones arranged two songs written about the senseless World War I battle at Gallipoli in Turkey, the Australian song “The Band Played ‘Waltzing Matilda,’” which she sang, and the Turkish song “Canakkale Icinde,” that the choir sang. Judy Schonebaum sang the traditional “Mrs. McGrath,” a song about a mother’s son coming home from a war with his legs blown off. Jeff Greenman sang a depression- era song “Money is King,” written by The Growling Tiger, and then sang “Blowin’ in the Wind” with Tom Ahern, with the audience joining in and trying to remember all the words.

Among the many other high points in the concert was Steve Wight’s joyful arrangement of the Beatles’ “All You Need Is Love.” Steve channeled John Lennon on piano and vocals, accompanied by string quartet, keyboard, choir, and audience. The concert ended with the beautiful “Let There Be Peace On Earth / And Let It Begin With Me.”

Afterwards, musicians and audience both enjoyed fellowship, food and drink in Forbes Hall.

— Nels Hanson

Note: The choir and the Music Committee would like to express gratitude to Sue Moore, who donated her time, resources, and considerable culinary skills to make the Dining for Dollars concert reception possible.

New Workshop Offered

Sustainable Works is a non-profit environmental education organization sponsored by the City of Santa Monica. They provide workshops with hands-on, interactive educational experiences in our community. Ferris Kawar will be leading a series of six classes designed to help families learn about important topics such as water, energy, waste, chemicals, transportation, and food and shopping.

During the six weeks, those who attend can expect to learn how to:

• Save $300 a year on utility bills
• Reduce your junk mail
• Reduce your garbage by 50%
• Learn 20 simple ways to conserve water
• Learn 20 more simple ways to conserve energy
• Reduce your air pollution by 250 lbs per year
• Increase your car’s gas mileage
• Replace toxic cleaning chemicals with safer alternatives

Free energy-saving light bulbs, showerheads, product samples, bus passes, and more will be passed out to participants; these are worth over $100.

Classes begin Wednesday night, June 7, in Room 4 at 7 p.m. A $25 donation for workbooks is requested of Santa Monica residents; $35 for others.

Sign up in Forbes Hall on Sunday June 4th, when Mr. Kawar will speak, pass out flyers and be available to answer your questions. For more information contact Ferris Kawar or visit sustainableworks.org.

— Sandra Trutt

Church Newsletter Has New Editorial Team Chair

This month I am happy to announce the newsletter was composed by Dayla McDonald. After my seven years at the helm of this publication I have a successor who I am confident will be doing an outstanding job.

Dayla has been a member of the newsletter staff for several years, working as a designer. There are three designers, rotating the job among themselves. For this issue Dayla is both the designer and the editor-in-chief. For future issues she will continue doing the design once every third issue, but will also be selecting the stories and laying them out for every issue. She will also be the chair of the editorial team, coordinating the work of our many volunteers.

Dayla brings over 30 years’ experience on the creative side of the advertising business to our newsletter editorial staff. She has been a member of the choir since she joined the church, and is serving on the board as secretary.

It was in preparation for this change that I have been asking everyone to send newsletter submissions to newsletter@uusm.org instead of to me. Please continue sending everything to that address so Dayla is free to take vacations and have the e-mail go to whoever is covering for her.

— Carol Agate

The Bible and the Constitution

Ever wish you could come up with a quick, witty response? Myra Wald submitted this perfect example:

On March 1 of this year, in Annapolis, at a hearing on the proposed constitutional amendment to prohibit gay marriage, Jamie Raskin, professor of law at AU, was asked to testify. At the end of his testimony, Republican Senator Nancy Jacobs said: “Mr. Raskin, my Bible says marriage is only between a man and a woman. What do you have to say about that?”

Raskin replied, “Senator, when you took your oath of office, you placed your hand on the Bible and swore to uphold the Constitution. You did not place your hand on the Constitution and swear to uphold the Bible.”

The room erupted into applause.

(Read the full story on Raskin's campaign site.)

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