The Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica

Featured Articles - December, 2007

UUCCSM Members and Friends Join March Against the Iraq War

Aspirited group of Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica members and friends joined thousands of anti-war demonstrators marching in downtown Los Angeles to call for an end to the U.S. War on Iraq. The October 27 protest was sponsored by a coalition of anti-war groups, led by ANSWER.

Although our numbers were small (11), we raised the church banner high for everyone to see. Members of half a dozen other UU churches greeted us when they saw our banner. Our hand-lettered signs related the genocidal, anti-Muslim aspect of this war to the racist treatment of the African-American victims of Hurricane Katrina and to the closing of Martin Luther King Hospital in Los Angeles. Along with many other demonstrators, we linked the war to the U.S. drive for control of the Middle East and its oil wealth.

The L.A. march was small, around 10,000 people, compared to the march in San Francisco, where 30,000 protesters commandeered the streets, but the commitment of the local demonstrators was clear. We were disappointed that more of our Unitarian- Universalist brothers and sisters did not join us in this protest. Although there are many ways — petitions, e-mail campaigns, letters and visits to members of Congress — to voice our opposition to this war, mass demonstrations are the most impressive way to express the outrage that billions of our dollars are being spent to subjugate an entire people, and that thousands of young working men and women are returning home to face a very difficult future — if they return home at all.

— Margaret Rhoads

Accessibility Committee Says, "Thanks"

We Heard You!

The accessibility committee thanks the 70 churchgoers who responded to our October survey on accessibility. We are gratified to know that the Sunday services are more comfortable for many thanks to enhancements already in place, such as shortened pew rows to accommodate wheelchair users, FM sound system, and large-print orders of service. However, you let us know that we should do better. Ratings showing “needs to improve” included accessibility of the sanctuary (21%), seating (32%), hearing (28%), visibility of all parts of the service (33%), restrooms (26%), and events held outside the church (26%). We also appreciate receiving individual comments focusing on particular needs.

Committee members are eager to use these results to build on earlier improvements. Some will become part of longer-term projects. Carol Agate’s “Chair Choice” article in the November newsletter explained the issue regarding seating. More immediately, work on the ramp to the chancel should resume soon.

Also, Warren Mathews has generously agreed to look into difficulties with the speakers and sound system. We encourage members to check out the assistive listening devices, available in the office. No matter where you sit, you’ll be able to hear just about everything.

The improvements identified above are largely physical. Accessibility means also that people with special needs should feel that they are fully accepted as an integral part of the church. So we ask: if you have special needs, please explain them and ask for help. And all of us should be sensitive to the needs of our fellow churchgoers, and help them find the time, the space, and the accommodations that they need. As the Rev. Judith Meyer reminds us each Sunday, we intend to make our congregation a welcoming place for all.

Committee members Sara van Dyck and Peggy Rhoads would welcome comments or suggestions.

— Sara van Dyck

Letters to the Editors: "Shall We Change Our Name?"

We, the members of the Santa Monica YRUU, have discussed the issue of the name change and would like to share with you what we came up with. YRUU stands for Young Religious Unitarian Universalists and is our high school group. Please keep in mind, most of us grew up in the church, went through Coming of Age, and many of us are members. We are lifelong UUs and have some strong feelings about this.

The first thing we did was look up “church” in the dictionary. American Heritage Dictionary says “church — a building for public worship.” Using that definition, we are a church! Any attempt to somehow cover that up doesn’t make any sense. Sure, the term “church” carries some baggage for people, but hopefully by being part of our church, they can see the positive part of going to church. What are we scared of? We are what a church should be — welcoming, supportive, and caring.

Also, what would we say instead? “Sunday morning I went to that religious community I belong to.” And what would Judith be the minister of? It just doesn’t make sense and “church” really expresses who we are.

So in conclusion — we don’t want to change it. We are the Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica. It says it all.

— YRUU of Santa Monica

As I have been on my spiritual journey, the UU Church of Santa Monica has been an important support for my exploration and learning about what is holy in our world.

For the past few years, I have felt an increasing rejection and lack of respect for the Christian traditions that many of us find meaningful. The statement is usually that “Christianity has hurt people deeply,” but I doubt that there is a faith tradition that hasn’t hurt someone deeply, yet because of our shared traditions, it is easier to trash Christianity than, say, Buddhism or Judaism.

Last night I looked up Unitarian and Universalism in the Larousse Dictionary of Beliefs and Religions, and I was reminded why I chose the Unitarian Universalist Church as my chosen faith. Here is what it says:

“Unitarians: A religious group which, although in many ways akin to Christianity, rejects the doctrines of the Trinity and the divinity of Christ.”

“Universalism: The religious belief that all people will be saved. It implies rejection of the traditional Christian belief in hell. A feature of much contemporary Protestant theology, it is motivated by moral doubts concerning eternal punishment, and by a recognition of the validity of other non-Christian world faiths.”

These definitions feel comfortable and perfect for me!

The simmering anti-Christianity and an even greater atheism culture at the UU Church of Santa Monica has alienated me. While we respect other religious traditions, we are snarky and dismissive of Christian traditions. Although I do not believe Jesus was more divine than, say, Jimmy Carter, I believe that both of these men reflect the higher power of unconditional love, the holiness of communal action, and the worship these god forces deserve. I would never admit to these beliefs in a Sunday service, which is more like a meeting or performance than worship. The announcements, recognitions, applause, and whole services devoted to non-worship activities are not what I want to do on Sunday mornings! The removal of the multifaith banners and the consideration of eliminating the word “church” from our name drive me further from my spiritual home at the UU Church of SM.

In my independent religious exploration I have found some brilliant and moving work by UU ministers who identify as Christian. I wish they weren’t in places like Kansas! I am a Unitarian Universalist who follows the Universalist tradition of “recognizing the validity of non-Christian world faiths,” as well as the Christian tradition. Like other faith traditions, Christianity has much to teach us. I am especially interested in finding the overlaps among the great faith traditions (group practice, kindness, self-reliance, and meditation come to mind). Christianity deserves the respect of a UU congregation, whether it calls itself a church or not.

I choose to belong to a church that is characterized by ecumenical spiritual exploration and acceptance of differing beliefs. I want my church to participate in the National Council of Churches, and as an advocate for separation of church and state. I love belonging to a church that is a leader in welcoming all kinds of people, and that believes in sanctifying marriages between two people who love each other, regardless of gender. I am proud to be part of a church that is a leader in the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice. I am inspired by the variety of religious symbols welcoming those of all faiths to our church. Most of all, I strive to respect and honor the truths and the practices common to all world faiths. Church should be where that can happen.

-- Abby Arnold

How to Become a Member of the Church

There are many people on staff and in volunteer positions that can help you with the decision of membership. Depending upon your interests and/or questions, you can set up a personal visit with our minister, the Rev. Judith Meyer; the volunteer coordinator for congregational life, Marsha Smith; the director of religious education, Catherine Farmer; our membership coordinator, Ofelia Lachtman; or our president, Ron Crane.

To be a member you must reside within the Pacific Southwest District (PSWD) of the Unitarian Universalist Association. You also must be at least 18 years of age, or have successfully completed the church’s Coming of Age program, and make a financial contribution of record, or a pledge to do so, to the Church. Having met these criteria, the specific path to membership is outlined in the following steps:

Pick up and sign for a membership packet at the office or at the “Ask Me” center after the service. When you sign and receive the packet, a person from our membership committee will contact you by phone to set up a membership appointment.

Decide upon your financial commitment level. Financial information on pages 15 and 16 of the packet will help you with that decision. We understand this is a personal decision for you and one that can change over time and as your situation permits. To be a member of record you must pledge as little as one dollar per year. Our fair-share giving guide, a part of the new member packet, is what we ask our members to review before making their decision.

Sign a statement of intent to participate as a member in the community life of the church.

Fill out the various forms in the membership packet including the skills and interests survey so that we might better understand you and introduce you to the programs and activities that align with your interests. Meet, if you like, with the minister of our congregation, the Rev. Judith Meyer.

Attend a 30-minute sign-in session where you will officially sign the book of record and turn in your completed forms. Have your photo taken at a time convenient for you.

Be confirmed at the next board meeting (the second Tuesday of the month).

Receive a confirmation of your membership from our president, currently Ron Crane.

Be introduced by name to the congregation in the newsletter and at the first service following the board meeting.

Join the Women's Alliance

Continue the living tradition of women’s programs at the Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica …

In 1927 our church and our Women’s Alliance were founded. The Alliance, as an affiliated organization, has for eight decades provided ordinary and extraordinary opportunities for leadership training, interesting programs, fundraising, worship, good food, community outreach, personal growth, and getting to know some amazing women. Our twin-circles logo acknowledges the many gifts received from our Unitarian and Universalist foremothers, and we tend the flame that they tended for us.

In 2008 we’ll gather quarterly on Sundays, nurturing friendships on February 3, April 6, July 6, and October 5. Program ideas are always welcome. Non-members are always welcome. Dues allow us to maintain our membership in the Unitarian Universalist Women’s Federation (uuwf.org), which has an exciting grants program that “advances equity and justice for women and girls by funding bold, innovative projects that effect positive social change.” If you’re interested in being an Alliance member, please join by December 18 since we want to forward our dues to Boston on time. Checks for $25 payable to “UUCCSM” and marked “Women’s Alliance” in the corner can be mailed to the church or dropped in with the offertory.

Any questions? Please contact us because we’ve loved being in the Alliance for many years and want to share the experience with you: Joyce Holmen, president or Sue Moore, treasurer.

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