From the email announcements sent Thursday, May 14.
Join us online again this Sunday as we co-create beloved community together in the midst of a global pandemic. We are suspending congregational worship gatherings until further notice to protect vulnerable members of our congregation and the larger community. You can watch our special live-streamed service on the church’s Facebook page at 10 am on Sunday morning, May 17. Our services are now reaching hundreds of people and are inviting us to be interactive in worship in new ways. In addition to sharing joys, sorrows, and milestones, you may want to light a chalice and sing along with our worship leaders in your home sanctuary. You do not need a Facebook account to watch the service live. Just visit the Facebook website or watch the livestream here at news.uusm.org or at uusm.org. The services will remain available on our UU Santa Monica Facebook page and on our YouTube channel. They are also archived on the uusm.org website and here on the newsletter site. If you need help getting online, please contact board member Eileen McCormack for assistance.
“Liminal Space” (Online Worship Service)
Rev. Kikanza Nuri-Robins, preaching • Natalie Kahn, Worship Associate
When you are finished with where you are, and not yet sure where you are going, and not entirely clear about why you are where you are, you are in Liminal Space. Resting in the arms of ambiguity might become a spiritual practice for you. Join us as we consider how we might take greater advantage of the grey areas in our lives.
Church Facilities are Closed
Please note that church buildings and offices are now closed for business and services until further notice, and church staff members are working remotely. See above for online Sunday service information.
Adult Programming
During this time of social distancing and uncertainty, the Adult Programs Committee is working hard to transition many of our groups and programs for personal and spiritual exploration to an online format, mainly via Zoom (but other platforms are a possibility). We’ll also be providing assistance to those unfamiliar with how to use Zoom – just let us know you’d like help by emailing AdultRE@UUSM.org at least a few days before the program you’d like to take part in. Instructions for scheduling a Zoom meeting are below the list of scheduled online events.
Check out the information and links below for UUSM online programs. We look forward to connecting with you!
Tips for Great Zoom Meetings
With all the Zoom meetings we are doing during this time here are some suggestions you may want to try during the meetings:
- To enable others to see you, be sure your head from neck or at least chin up shows in the screen.
- Be aware that if you are back lit or even side lit your face may show in dark shadows. Ensure that at least some natural or indoor light is in front of you.
- Use the mute button when you are not speaking. This blocks out ambient noise such as coughs, music, phone rings, etc.
- If you need to move around and plan to carry your device you can turn off the video—moving your device can make your image rotate in sometimes amusing and distracting ways.
- Look into your camera. It’s in the top middle edge of most computers. This lets others know you are present and paying attention.
- Sit up and be present as you would if we were meeting in person. Answering your phone or email while on a Zoom meeting can communicate a lack of caring or consideration for the others present.
Even though we are not in the same room we still want each other to feel cared about.
Submitted by Bettye Barclay
Upcoming Online Events
ONLINE>> Adult Programs–An Enjoyable Dive into Who and What We Are, Monday, May 18, 2020, 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm, Zoom Meeting. Please contact: AdultRE@UUSM.org to get the Zoom link and instructions for logging on. Bill Blake will help participants master specific meditation skills. We endeavor to answer the questions Who am I? (attitudes and beliefs) and What am I? (essence or true nature). This class will include meditations that explore participants’ spiritual goals. It is expected that participants will develop and enjoy a regular meditation practice.
ONLINE RE>> Pre-School Check-In, Tuesday, May 19, 2020, 11:00 am – 11:30 am, Zoom Meeting. Please contact Teri Lucas at uusmreassist@uusm.org or Cleo Anderson at dre@uusm.org with any questions. Join us for a chalice lighting, story, and discussion of our favorite parts of being at home.
ONLINE>> Open Meditation Wellsprings, Tuesday, May 19, 2020, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm, Zoom Meeting. Please email Meditation@UUSM.org for the Zoom link and directions. We listen to brief readings, sit together quietly for twenty minutes, journal and share with each other what’s on our hearts. You are welcome to join us when it feels right to you. If you come in late or need to leave early, just do so quietly. These are exceptional times, and we trust each person to use the group in a way that fits their need. Taking this time for quiet meditation and sharing in the intimacy of having sat in silence together can help sustain and ground us during these difficult days. We meet every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon from 12:00 to 1:00 pm, AND every 2nd and 4th Monday evenings, from 7:30 to 9:00 pm.
ONLINE>> Science Non-Fiction Book Group, Tuesday, May 19, 2020, 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm, Zoom Meeting. To receive the link, you will want to be on the group email list. Contact Rebecca Crawford at sci-nonfiction@uusm.org We will discuss “Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism and Progress,” by Steven Pinker. This is a very positive book about how much better off the world is in many ways than we think it is. It will be interesting to see if our acceptance of that concept has changed in view of the current state of affairs. All are welcome.
ONLINE>> Online Coffee & Teahouse Conversation with the Minister, Wednesday, May 20, 2020, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Zoom Meeting. Email minister@uusm.org for the Zoom link.
ONLINE>>CommUUnity Connection Meeting, Wednesday, May 20, 2020, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Zoom Meeting. Email at CommUUnity@uusm.org to register for the Zoom link. A time to connect with others and share experiences during this time of isolation. Margot Page and Wendi Gladstone will facilitate.
ONLINE RE>> Elementary Check-In, Thursday, May 21, 2020, 11:00 am – 11:45 am, Zoom Meeting. Please contact Teri Lucas at uusmreassist@uusm.org or Cleo Anderson at dre@uusm.org with any questions.
ONLINE>> Open Meditation Wellsprings, Thursday, May 21, 2020, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm, Zoom Meeting. Please email Meditation@UUSM.org for the Zoom link and directions for using Zoom.
ONLINE>> CommUUnity Connection Meeting, Thursday, May 21, 2020, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm, Zoom Meeting. Email at CommUUnity@uusm.org to register for the Thursday Zoom meeting. A time to connect with others and share experiences during this time of isolation. Bettye Barclay and Denise Helton will be conducting the meeting.
ONLINE>> UU Men’s Group, Thursday, May 21, 2020, 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm, Zoom Meeting. Please email AdultRE@UUSM.org for information. The Men’s Group offers a special opportunity to the men of the congregation and other like-minded men to join our welcoming group in provocative and stimulating discussion and to get to know others with UU perspectives in a more meaningful way. This evening’s topics will be: 1) the pandemic and 2) what is something creative you did when you were younger that you no longer do? Why don’t you do it now?
ONLINE>> Open Meditation Wellsprings, Monday, May 25, 2020, 7:30 p – 9:00 pm, Zoom Meeting. Please email Meditation@UUSM.org for the Zoom link and directions for using Zoom.
ONLINE RE>> Pre-School Check-In, Tuesday, May 26, 2020, 11:00 am – 11:30 am, Zoom Meeting. Please contact Teri Lucas at uusmreassist@uusm.org or Cleo Anderson at dre@uusm.org with any questions. Join us for a chalice lighting, story, and discussion of our favorite parts of being at home.
ONLINE>> Open Meditation Wellsprings, Tuesday, May 26, 2020, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm, Zoom Meeting. Please email Meditation@UUSM.org for the Zoom link and directions.
ONLINE RE>> Middle School Logic Puzzles, Wednesday, May 27, 2020, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Zoom Meeting. Please contact Teri Lucas at uusmreassist@uusm.org or Cleo Anderson at dre@uusm.org with any questions.
ONLINE>> Online Coffee & Teahouse Conversation with the Minister, Wednesday, May 27, 2020, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Zoom Meeting. Email minister@uusm.org for the Zoom link.
ONLINE RE>> Elementary Check-In, Thursday, May 28, 2020, 11:00 am – 11:45 am, Zoom Meeting. Please contact Teri Lucas at uusmreassist@uusm.org or Cleo Anderson at dre@uusm.org with any questions.
ONLINE>> Open Meditation Wellsprings, Thursday, May 28, 2020, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm, Zoom Meeting. Please email Meditation@UUSM.org for the Zoom link and directions for using Zoom.
Scheduling Meetings
Although our current in-person meetings and events have been canceled/postponed, we are working on offering online gatherings and other ways of maintaining our community spirit. Please stay tuned as we work out the details.
In the meantime, if you need to schedule a church business group or committee meeting via Zoom, please contact Cyndee Hayes at assistant@uusm.org 310-829-5436 ext. 102.
Please provide the following details at least three days prior to the meeting. If you would like the meeting to be posted in the Weekly Email Announcements, please email Sibylla Nash at OOS@uusm.org by Wednesday evenings.
- Title of meeting
- Meeting’s host information
- Start time and end time
- Participants’ email addresses for an Invite.
Individuals can attend the meeting by phone if they do not have an email address.
Canceled Events
CANCELED>> Ukulele Strum and Sing-Along, Saturday, May 16, 2020, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, Forbes Hall. This recurring event has been canceled until further notice.
CANCELED>> International Folk Dancing with Instructors, Saturday, May 16, 2020, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm, Forbes Hall. This monthly event has been canceled until further notice.
CANCELED>> D&D – Living in UUville, Sunday, May 17, 2020, 10:00 am – 11:30 am, Cottage NW. This recurring event has been canceled until further notice.
CANCELED>> OWL Meeting, Sunday, May 17, 2020, 11:45 am – 1:30 pm, Forbes Classroom 4, Mural Room. This recurring meeting has been canceled until further notice.
CANCELED>> FIA: Peace & Social Justice, Sunday, May 17, 2020, 11:45 am – 1:00 pm, Warren Mathews Conference Room.
CANCELED>> D&D – Living in UUville, Sunday, May 24, 2020, 10:00 am – 11:30 am, Cottage NW. This recurring event has been canceled until further notice.
CANCELED>> Children & Youth RE Committee Meeting, Sunday, May 24, 2020, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm, Cottage NW.
CANCELED>> Discussion and Support for Persons with Disabilities, Sunday, May 24, 2020, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm, Cottage SE.
CANCELED>> AAHS Freethinker Forum, Sunday, May 24, 2020, 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm, Warren Mathews Conference Room.
