Under the Umbrella

Inspired by our UU principles, we are a vibrant, intentionally diverse congregation that models and promotes both locally and globally: love, spiritual growth, service, right relations, and sustainable living.

Contacting Our Minister

Reverend Ellie's email: RevEllie@uufsd.org.

To make an appointment: calendly.com/revellie

Please remember, Rev. Ellie does not use an "@gmail" email account. These are phishing emails attempting to obtain your personal info. Do not respond to them. Report them to your email host or delete them. Also be suspicious of text messages signed with her name.

FROM THE BOARD

UUFSD Board Meeting

Sunday, May 5, 2024, 12:30am - 2:30pm, Founders' Hall - West

All are welcome to attend and observe.

FELLOWSHIP LIFE

Shout Out to Spring Fair and Feast Volunteers!

Last Saturday's fair and auction was a great success thanks to the many people who pulled together to make it happen: from planning that began last fall through decorating, making and serving food, auctioneering, and entertaining us with song the day of.

Here's a shout out and big thank you to Rich Macdonald, Andi MacLeod, Christie Turner, Betsy Gilpin, Louise Garrett, Rose Riedel, Elizabeth Michel, Greg Brown, Wenda Alvarez, Trent Ulm, Charlotte Ulm, Cathy Leach Phillips, Greg Phillips, Jan Berlin, Cheryl Close, Donna Gerhauser, Stuart Gaiber, Linda Luisi, Ted Foster, Sheryl Goto, Julia Darling, Greg Trigeiro, Susan Coombs, Karen Eckhart, Kay Plasterer, Patricia Cofre-Stone, Kathryn Sturch, Ross McKendrick, Ron Demuth, Linda Platt, Norma Showalter, Maria Moodie, Barbara Walker, Caitlin McClune, Ed Lam, Susan Hahm, Mark Tuller, and Alisa Guralnick.

It takes a village! And everyone volunteered enthusiastically. No arms were twisted. Hopefully nobody has been left out. And Kudos to the attendees and bidders. It couldn't have happened without you!

Investing in Our Future

The Forum on the Future of the Fellowship began with an update on all we’ve accomplished in the last 10 years and the announcement that we are ready to proceed with the next phase in September if we have the financial commitment of the congregation. This will bring needed safety, accessibility, and infrastructure improvements that are requirements before we can finish the task, enhancing the amphitheater with accessible walkways and ramps, a new kiosk, and restrooms.

Attendees heard from Tricia Smith, who was 9 years old when her parents helped start UUFSD; Caroline DeMar who started us on a campus renovation program more than 10 years ago; and Jon Host who is passing his UU values on to his young family as members of UUFSD.

A slideshow will be playing in Founders Hall before the service in the coming weeks summarizing our campaign.

Investments to date total over $300,000. Thank you to: Caroline DeMar, Tricia Smith, Lisa Shaffer & Steve Bartram, Pamela Parker & Michael Scott, Karen Eckhart, Doug & Libby Scott, Linda Pratt, John & Mary Ellen Drummond, Scott Thacher & Guliz Kuruoglu, and Ken & Mary Lou Schultz.

For more info, go to https://uufsd.org/giving/capital-campaign-2024/

Promoting Justice: Amplifying Voices at the Intersections of Race, Class, & Environment

Pacific Southwest Service Area Assembly

-and-

PSWSAA Spring UU Youth Con 2024

Friday, April 26 - Monday, April 28, 2024

At the Pacific Southwest Service Area Assembly, Regional lead, Rev. Carlton Smith, will present UUA updates and hold open discussions with board presidents and leaders. The weekend is packed with meaningful keynote topics, an assortment of workshops, youth con activities, music, worship, meals and more!

Plenary speaker, Hop Hopkins has been a catalyst, thought leader and social change strategist for over 25 years. Plenary speaker, Lucas Zucker, the Co-Executive Director of CAUSE (Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy) will discuss creating grassroots power through community organizing.

Youth Con is a weekend youth conference and overnight gathering for UU youth in grades 7 through 12. The weekend is being planned and led by some amazing Camp de Benneville Pines Leaders, UU Religious Educators, Youth Advisors, and Adult Volunteers.

Long-time UU favorites Emma's Revolution, the musical duo of Pat Humphries and Sandy O, will perform on Saturday night.

There are two ways to attend this Assembly: In Person or Virtually via Zoom.

To register visit Camp de Benneville Pines website, and for more information click here to see the PSWSAA Assembly flyer.

Hosted by UU Church of Ventura, and supported by Chalice UU Fellowship of the Conejo Valley. Rooming in the home of a fellow UU makes the trip to Ventura quite affordable

“Planet-Healthy Potluck“

hosted by UUFSD’s Climate Action Task Force (CATF)

Sunday, April 28 2024, 11:00am - Noon, Core Area

Let’s ALL participate!

Bring a healthy plant-based dish for a fabulous outdoor luncheon. If you want to eat a more plant-based diet, this potluck makes it easy. If you discovered a delicious plant-based dish, this is when to share it.

What we eat every day makes a difference in the health of our planet, ourselves, and all life. This small action cultivates a new mindset. Doing it with friends is an adventure.

List your main ingredients. Gluten free? Nuts? Dairy? We’ll supply cards to label your dish Vegetarian or Vegan. Or bring a recipe card. Salads & fruit plates welcome.

Plant-based Vegan: no poultry, meat, fish, dairy, egg. Vegetarian: includes dairy and eggs.

Those who arrive at 10:00am enjoy an Earth Day Service with a guest speaker, singers, and a guest musician! Contact Linda Luisi at lindamluisi@gmail.com.

Singalong with Steve Milloy

Sunday, April 28, 2024, 12:00pm - 1:30pm, Founders' Hall

After the Planet-Healthy Potluck hosted by UUFSD’s Climate Action Task Force (CATF) on Sunday, April 28th, join the choir for a Singalong hosted by Steve Milloy. This is a Fundraiser for UUFSD from the 2023 Auction catalog.

Whether you're a shower singer, a karaoke pro, or just someone who loves to have a good time, get ready to sing your heart out with us. Mix your voice with the dulcet tones of our own Music Director Steve Milloy! We will sing a little of everything from folksongs to Broadway showtunes!

Ticket Price $25 ** 18 and under FREE** (Those who paid for tickets in 2023 have been notified by email.) Questions? Call or text Cathy at 650 224-1974.

All Ages Art Club

Sunday, May 5, 2024, 11:30am - 1:30pm

Founders' Hall

Please join All Ages Art Club on Sunday, May 5, 2023, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm in the Core Area. Note there will be an Article II debate in Founders' Hall at the same time. Art Club holds space so you can work on your own creative projects: drawing, collage, knitting, jewelry making, card making, journaling, book club reading, GOTV, etc. Bring your own materials. We also have extra paper, pens, and crayons if you want to give Art Club a try. Light snacks provided. Contact Alice at artclub@uufsd.org.

The Great Debate

Sunday, May 5, 2024, 11:30am

Founders' Hall

When the two radical, but theologically divergent, religious groups, the Unitarians and Universalists, joined together in 1961, they uncovered the (tiny) overlap between their two theologies, and came up with the 7 Principles. Now 60 years later, with a merged religion that has become increasingly cohesive, can we do any better at articulating our theological purpose? Which one -- the 7 Principles or the 7 Values -- is most closely aligned with our activities in the pulpit and in society, and which one gives a more accurate description of us for new visitors to see?

The debate will focus on the differences between the 7 Principles and the 7 Values given by two of our esteemed members. The debate will be moderated by our beloved Minister Rev Ellie Kilpatrick, and facilitated by our distinguished panel of Article II Task Force members. Your part will be to listen and then submit questions in writing after the debate. The voting will go on for about a month.

Pizza and salad for everyone!! Brownies?

Childcare will be provided.

Mark your calendar! This important event will also be streamed and recorded. Contact Mark Tuller at tullermark@gmail.com.

American Heart Association Heartsaver CPR AED certification class

Saturday, May 11, 2024, 9:00am - 12:00pm, Founders' Hall

UUFSD is hosting an American Heart Association Heartsaver CPR AED certification class that covers all ages and is valid for 2 years, with professional trainer Nathan Kohen.

This course is being offered to RE Volunteers free of charge. We are also opening it to the wider congregation at a cost of $65 per person. Space is limited to 20 persons, register now as spaces will fill up fast!

Register here: https://uufsd.breezechms.com/form/cf810c

2nd Monday Book Club

Monday, May 13, 2024, 6:30pm, Founders' Hall

At 6:30pm on May 13th, here at UUFSD (West end of Founders Hall), the 2nd Monday Book Club will be discussing

Underland: A Deep Time Journey (2019) by Robert Macfarlane.

In his latest book, the nature author explores subterranean spaces. Descending below the Earth's surface, he says, brings us into the realm of deep time, a chronology "kept by stone, ice, stalactites, seabed sediments and the drift of tectonic plates."

Deep time should be experienced, he says, "as a radical perspective, provoking us to action not apathy."

Email bookclub@uufsd.org or call/text Cathy Leach-Phillips at 650 224-1974 if you have questions.

MUSIC SUNDAY

Sunday, May 19, 2024, 10:00am

SAVE THE DATE! Our Music Sunday this spring is on May 19th at the normal service time of 10am.

The theme is Make a Joyful Noise.

Guest musicians and vocalists will be included in this celebration along with the choir, pianist Katie Klarich and Music Director Steve Milloy.

Please make a note of the date and come join us to listen and sing along. Contact Cathy Leach-Phillips cathy@leachphillips.com

April 2024 Quarterly Magazine

The April 2024 Quarterly Magazine “Dialogue” is now available on our website. I hope you enjoy this issue which features several poets in our UUFSD community. You can also learn about the State of the Fellowship, from the Board of Directors, and what’s happening in our Religious Exploration and Fellowship. We have a summary of our Social Justice undertakings, our ongoing programs, upcoming events and also introduce several new members.

You can access the April 2024 Quarterly Magazine by clicking here: UUFSD Quarterly Magazine. Contact Irv Himelblau at ihimelblau@gmail.com.

GOOD NEWS AND OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST

“If people sat outside and looked at the stars each night, I’ll bet they’d live a lot differently.” – Bill Watterson

• Cancer Breakthrough Found to Boost Immune Cells Without Harmful Side-Effects By Directing Protein Cytokines
• Millions of Birds Now Migrating Safely Through Darkened Texas Cities After Successful Lights Out Campaign
• Canada Agrees 200 Islands Belong to the Indigenous Haida Nation

Proposed UUFSD Values and Mission

From what you shared during the three Visioning sessions you attended in February and March, the Board worked with consultant D. Orlandt from Unity Consulting to create a draft of our Values, Mission and Ends. These fill the Nested Bowls of our Vision. We will be meeting in small groups over the next several months to digest and discuss these together. Here they are:

Values - Love, Connection, Purpose, Transformation.

Mission - We are a community rooted in love, acting with purpose and inspired to transform ourselves and the world.

Ends - We the members and friends of UUFSD honor our past, celebrate our present, and look to our future by affirming this covenant to:

- ground our actions in purpose and gratitude

- foster fellowship with and in nature

- offer opportunities for moral and spiritual exploration and growth for everyone

- care for the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of congregants and

friends

- model and promote transparency and openness in decision-making,

communication and relationships

- prioritize the needs and nourishment of families, children and youth

- cultivate learning from interaction across ages, cultures and backgrounds

- encourage and enact change that dismantles oppression and builds positive

relationships

- drive positive change through participation in social action and justice

programs, locally, nationally and internationally.

“Israel and Gaza: The Question of

Genocide, International Law,

and the Struggle for Palestinian Liberation”

Talk Hosted by First UU Church of SD Justice Team

Via Zoom

Tuesday, April 30, 2024, 6:00pm

The Palestine-Israel Justice Team of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego invites you to join us for a virtual talk titled “Israel and Gaza: The Question of Genocide, International Law, and the Struggle for Palestinian Liberation” with guest speaker Prof. Raz Segal, Israeli historian, Associate Professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies, and Endowed Professor in the Study of Modern Genocide at Stockton University. For more information click here.

The event will take place via Zoom on Tuesday, April 30^th, at 6pm PDT.  You can register for the event here.

Want to Learn More About

What's Happening at the Fellowship?

Visit our website at uufsd.org.

Share information, ideas and conversation with other UU's at our NextDoor Page here.

Watch your email inbox for our weekly "Stay Connected" update. It arrives on Saturday mornings.

Our Dialogue Quarterly Magazine is available in both digital and print form.

You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/uufsd.

Note: those who use the Le Port School parking lot on Sundays: the gate code is 152