The Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica

Featured Articles - December, 2008

Dining for Dollars Needs You

Dining for Dollars is our biggest fundraiser of the year and it’s just around the corner. This version of a silent auction is held the last two Sundays in February, but our scheduling of the events will be happening in about three weeks.

The Dining for Dollars committee has been making phone calls to church members and even church friends, looking for people interested in hosting an event, either at their own house or at another venue, such as a park or a restaurant.

If you haven’t been contacted and would like to be a host/hostess, please contact me. If you have already said “yes” to hosting an event, here’s a big “Thank You!” You are what make the D4$ fundraiser so successful. In any case, I hope you will bid in February on some of our events, which will run from March through November of 2009.

— Melanie Sharp

There are Stars Among Us

There are Stars among us Are you wondering why some church members’ nametags are adorned with a star? You too can be a Star.

Stars is a program that was developed by Dennis Haskin and has been successful in other UU churches. The goal of Stars is to create member awareness of visitors to UUCCSM and provide you with tips on making visitors feel welcome. To learn more about this, chat with any Star or contact Dennis Haskin or Pat Gomez.

Coffee time following Sunday services can be challenging for visitors and newcomers. UUCCSM is an active community. Many of you wear multiple hats, often at the same time. Maneuvering through Forbes Hall can be daunting. Too often we get caught up in the business of UUism — committee meetings, planning for events and activities, sign-ups for workshops, classes, special events, and catching up with friends. All are important and part of the life of UUCCSM. But while we are busy with all of this we are missing the opportunity to connect with newcomers and visitors.

The Stars program will be explained in a future one-hour session that will give you the tools to reach out to visitors to create a warm welcome and a desire to return.

— Pat Gomez Membership & Leadership Chair

Commitment Sunday

Lisa Cahill and the Rev. Roberta Haskin celebrated Commitment Sunday from the pulpit

The congregation celebrated commitment to the church with brunch on the patio

Becoming a Member of Our Church is Simple

Becoming a member of our church is simple To be a member you must live 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 plan to 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 a membership packet at the office or ask that one be mailed to you (office@uusm.org).
• When you receive the packet you will be contacted by phone by our membership coordinator to set up a membership appointment.
• Complete the various forms included in your packet:
  1) statement of intent to participate as a member in the community life of the church,
  2) financial commitment,
  3) contact and other personal information,
  4) short “getting involved” survey and a one-paragraph biography.
• Attend a brief meeting where you will officially sign the book of record and turn in your completed forms. At that time church activities in which you might like to participate will be discussed.
• Have your photo taken at a time convenient for you.
• Have your name read into the minutes as a member at the next board meeting.
• Receive an invitation letter from our interim minister, the Rev. Roberta Haskin, to personally meet with her if desired.
• Receive a confirmation letter of your membership from our president, Ron Crane.
• Be introduced by name in the newsletter and to the congregation at a Sunday service.

Marion Holmen Passes

Marion E. Holmen, a long-time member of UUCCSM, died on Saturday, November 15, at the age of 88, after living with Alzheimer’s for over 20 years. A memorial was held at the church on November 22.

Marion was born in Twin Falls, Idaho, on October 16, 1920. She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Milton; their daughter Rachel, of Berkeley; their son Bruce, of West Hills; their daughter Joyce, of Sherman Oaks; and their son Scott, of Silverdale, WA. In addition, she is survived by her sister Ardis Read, of Sacramento; her brother Roscoe Patton, of Idaho Falls, ID, and her sister Beverly McAlpine, of Thatcher, AZ. She was preceded in death by her sister Lorraine Whitaker, of Riverside.

She earned BS and MS degrees in Chemistry from the University of Arizona, where she was Phi Beta Kappa and where she and Milton met. During World War II she taught chemistry at the University of Arizona then worked for Polaroid in Boston. Following this, she worked as Director of the Religious Education program at UUCCSM, where she also served as President of the Board of Directors for three years. While raising four active children she found time to chair the PTA, go square dancing, learn how to sail, and travel the US visiting family, friends, and national parks. Her leadership style was inclusive and self-effacing. She was artistic, creative, warm, shy and outgoing at the same time, devoted to her husband and family, always inquisitive, and generous with her time and affection.

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