MDUUC’s Mission Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church is a welcoming religious community. 

We bring to life our Unitarian Universalist values as we:  seek truth and work for justice; 

nurture compassion and courage;  reach out to each other and to our larger community of faith; 

bridge the divisions that wound the human family;  transform ourselves and our world. 

 

The 7 Unitarian Universalist Principles  

We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist ReAssociation, covenant to affirm and promote:  ❖ The inherent worth and dignity of every person; ❖ Justice, equity and compassion in human relations; ❖ Acceptance of one another and encouragement of spiritual growth in our 

congregations; ❖ A free and responsible search for truth and meaning; ❖ The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations 

and in society at large; ❖ The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;  ❖ Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.  

2018-19 BOARD OF TRUSTEES  MINISTERS AND STAFF Steve Hirsch, President 

Michele Carroll, Vice President Ron Ahnen, Secretary Chris Carter, Treasurer 

Sharon Solstice, Board Member Linda Russell, Board Member Kathy Teplitz, Board Member Doug Tamo, Board Member 

Jaynese Davis, Board Member Aki Rasmussen, Board Member 

board@mduuc.org    

Rev. Leslie Takahashi, Lead Minister / leslie@mduuc.net Rev. Dr. David Sammons, Minister Emeritus Rev. Rodney Lemery, Community Minister 

Rev. Ranwa Hammamy CommunityMinister Rev. Meg Richardson, Community Minister 

Jim Lewis, Consulting Minister Miranda Lennox, Intern Minister / intern@mduuc.org 

Indigo Lewis, Director of Religious Education / indigo@mduuc.org Chuck Rosene, Congregational Administrator / chuck@mduuc.org 

Marie Arce, Business Administrator / marie@mduuc.org Marena McGregor, Assistant DLRE. / marena@mduuc.org 

Mark Tuning, Music Director / madmin@mduuc.orgusicdir@mduuc.org Jen Marsh Prink, Publications Coordinator / publications@mduuc.org 

Tristan Thielman, Facilities Manager / facilitiesmgr@mduuc.org Brett Carson, Accompanists 

Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church 55 Eckley Lane Walnut Creek, CA 94596 

Sunday Meditation 9:00 a.m. Two Services Sundays 9:15 and 11:15 a.m. Office Hours: Tues-Fri. 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (925) 934-3135 

www.mduuc.org For more information on MDUUC and our programs, please go to www.mduuc.org.   

 

 Mt. Diablo 

Unitarian Universalist Church 

   

  

 “Refueling Community” 

Jim Lewis, Rev. Rodney Lemery, Miranda Lennox Sunday, November 17, 2019 

    

SUNDAY PROGRAM November 17, 2019 

WELCOME!  

❖ We welcome all of you and invite you to bring your full self. ❖ See ushers for large print copies of the order of service, hymn books, and hearing assistance devices.  ❖ A comfort room is available at the back of the sanctuary for those with small children. ❖ A gender-neutral restroom is located in the White Building, which is across the patio.  ❖ We use pronouns in our introduction to recognize the gender spectrum among us.  ❖ Accessible seating spaces for wheelchairs are marked in several places around the Sanctuary. ❖ A Fragrance-Free Zone is located on the right side of the Sanctuary, marked on the back of chairs. ❖ Please put your cell phone on a reverential setting.  

 

GATHERING SONG #1002, “Comfort Me” During a time when composer Mimi Bornstein-Doble was feeling unsettled and angry, the words and music of this hymn came to her bringing peace. 

PRELUDE Prelude in C Major, Op. 28, No. 1 (Frédéric Chopin) Brett Carson. piano WELCOME Rev. Rodney Lemery 

Jaynese Davis, Board Representative EXCHANGE OF GREETINGS  INVOCATION “Here Together” (David Glasgow) 

We are here, here together, in this holy moment, and we’re grateful for the winding road that brought us to this place. 

LIGHTING OF THE CHALICE  9:15 a.m.- Elsie Mills, 11:15 a.m. - Stephanie Singer Each week we light a chalice, which has become a symbol for Unitarian Universalists and our engagement in the world. CALL TO WORSHIP Michelle Paquette, Worship Associate HYMN “Here We Have Gathered”  (see screen for lyrics) 

UU Alicia Carpenter set these words to the tune for Psalm 124 in the 1543 Genevan Psalter. TIME FOR ALL AGES Guest At Your Table Indigo Lewis SINGING THE CHILDREN AND TEACHERS TO THEIR CLASSES 

As you leave this friendly place / Love give light to every face May the kindness that you learn / Light your hearts till you return 

HONORING TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE JOYS AND SORROWS Miranda Lennox, Intern Minister MEDITATION HYMN #1023, “Building Bridges” 

These words were set to a Quaker tune by women who occupied England’s Greenham Common peacefully protesting nuclear weapons 1983. Singing together helped them find solidarity and a sense of common purpose. 

 

TIME OF MEDITATION AND PRAYER  Rev. Rodney Lemery MUSICAL OFFERING “Help!” (John Lennon / Paul McCartney) House Band! CALL FOR THE OFFERING Michelle Paquette OFFERTORY “Autumn Nocturne” (Kim Gannon/Josef Myrow) Brett Carson, piano 

Each week during the Offertory we light two pillar candles to acknowledge that we are living in a nation at war. The candles represent our wishes for peace for all whose lives are endangered by violence and conflict, and our hopes for a peaceful and nonviolent world. While the offering is received you are invited to come forward and select a stone to place in the column of water representing our community life, sharing it as a sign of remembrance and hope. Feel free to watch and hold your intention as your stone settles into the water’s embrace.  

DEDICATION OF THE OFFERING  “To the work of this community, in transforming ourselves and our world, we dedicate ourselves and our offerings.” 

SERMON “Refueling Community: Lemons and Sugar” Jim Lewis, Consulting Minister CLOSING SONG “Lean on Me” (see screen for lyrics) 

This 1972 Bill Withers song was written in remembrance of his tough childhood in Slab Fork, West Virginia. Living in L.A. as a popular musician, Withers missed a spirit of community that saw people through hard times. 

BENEDICTION AND EXTINGUISHING THE CHALICE   POSTLUDE “Armando's Rhumba” (Chick Corea) Jazz Trio 

Please be seated. We ask that those who wish to leave during the Postlude please do so quietly, so that the music may be enjoyed in its entirety by those who choose to remain. 

Please join us for coffee hour following the service.  Our ushers are Pete Davis, Marianne Callahan, Barbara Halperin, Bill Yarborough, Bob Faxall and Carol Foxall. The House Band this week is Laura Zucker, Karen Chemler, Mark Tuning, Dan Barnard, Brett Carson, Bill Wentz and Bill Younger. Our AV Techs are Liam Takahashi, Colin Ketcham, and Jim Botts. The flowers were arranged by Melissa Allen. Sharon Solstice, Nancy White and Helen Reznick are at the Umbrella Table. Coffee Service is provided by Mary Alice Luchetti, Jean Geyer, Dolores Olson, Michelle Paquette, and Carol Sue Tracy.  NEXT SUNDAY: “Talk About Thanksgiving with Rev. David Sammons - “The great myth of the American Thanksgiving is that it celebrates the thankful Pilgrims inviting their Native American neighbors to dinner to celebrate their survival in the new land to which they’d come. But the holiday we celebrate today was proclaimed by Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War was not about that. It was a day meant to try to bring people together in a time of extreme strife and division. Each year the President has to proclaim the holiday anew. I don’t know that our currently divisive President has said about this Thanksgiving. His speech writer undoubtedly tweeted something a bit different than his tweets. But if we could proclaim a Thanksgiving instead of him, what would it be that it should say about what we’re thankful for?” Led by Rev David Sammons with music from the Chalice Choir. PLEASE RECYCLE THIS PRINT-OUT AT THE TABLE AT THE BACK OF THE SANCTUARY GREEN REMINDER: “16 STATES AND MORE THAN 400 CITIES HAVE VOWED TO STAND BY THE PARIS CLIMATE AGREEMENT” - ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND.  

 

This Week at Mount Diablo Unitarian Universalist Churchspark Sunday, November 17 8:45 a.m. OWL 8/9 (Owl Room) 9:00 a.m. Sunday Meditation Group (Fireside Room) 9:15 a.m. Worship (Sanctuary) 9:15 a.m. OWL 8 Parent Meeting (Sequoia Room) 9:30 a.m. Community Circle #1 (Redwood Room) 11:15 a.m. Worship (Sanctuary) 1:00 p.m. YRUU Youth Group (Sequoia Room) 1:00 p.m. Community Circle #2 (Mirror Room) 4:00 p.m. AA Meeting (Fireside Room) 4:30 p.m. Al-Anon Parents Meeting (Owl Room) Monday, November 18 7:15 p.m. Evening Yoga (Bortin Hall) Tuesday, November 19 5:30 p.m. 12 Steps for UUs (Sequoia Room) 7:00 p.m. A Space for Spirit (Sequoia Room) 7:00 p.m. Finance Committee Meeting (Owl Room) 7:30 p.m. Improv (White Building) Wednesday, November 20

Stonewall Remembrance 5:30 p.m. Community Dinner (Bortin Hall) 6:00 p.m. Middle School Youth Group (Sequoia Room) 6:00 p.m. Wednesday Night Community Circle (Fireside Room) 6:15 p.m. Uh Oh! Here Come the Holidays (Owl Room) 6:30 p.m. Vespers (Sanctuary) 6:30 p.m. Music Committee (Scaff Office) 7:30 p.m. Ministers’ Questing for Faith: The Sources (Sanctuary) 7:30 p.m. Creative Journal Writing (Owl Room) 7:30 p.m. Enneagram as a Reflective Guide (Children’s Chapel) 7:30 p.m. Climate Action Committee (Bortin Hall) Thursday, November 21 10:45 a.m. Parent/Toddler Group (Children’s Chapel) 6:30 p.m. LEAP Council Meeting (Owl Room) 6:30 p.m. Committee on Ministry (Fireside Room) 7:15 p.m. Chalice Choir Practice (Sanctuary) Friday, November 22 All day UU Border Trip Tijuana (offsite event) Saturday, November 23 All day UU Border Trip Tijuana (offsite event) 9:30 a.m. Caring Committee (Fireside Room)

PLEASE WEAR YOUR NAMETAGS!!

LIVING OUR VALUES

At Mt. Diablo UU Church we strive to bring to life our Unitarian Universalist values as we seek truth and work for justice and bridge the divisions that wound the human family. This is a place to learn a little about what is happening in our world and find quick ways you can take action. If you have suggestions, email to livingourvalues@mduuc.org.

ACTION NEEDED NOW ● Show your solidarity with our transgender kin. Please attend the Transgender Day of

Remembrance at Todos Santos Plaza in Concord at 7 p.m. Hosted by the Rainbow Center. DONATE

● DONATE BY WEDNESDAY so our delegation can bring needed items on next week’s Border Trip.See Justice Table for items needed and bring all donations to church by Wednesday night.

● Our Share The Plate for November is for Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity. Please put IMAHI in the memo line of your check or text MDUUCSHARE to 44-321.

● 350.org is collecting funds for Climate Action in the Bay area and this is a match week: https://350bayarea.org/event/climate-crisis-its-real-its-here-fix-it-now

● We are taking a special collection to help with expenses related to providing a home for our Honduran guest, E. and you can donate here: https://mduuc.churchcenter.com/giving/to/sanctuary or text MDUUCSANCTUARY to 44-321.

EDUCATE ● Continued sanctions against immigrants:

https://www.uusc.org/no_president_should_have_power_to_discriminate/ ● The Next Standing Rock is Everywhere:

https://newrepublic.com/article/155209/next-standing-rock-everywhere ● Interested in what UUs are saying about Climate Justice:

https://www.uumfe.org/get-involved/climate-action-network/ SAVE THE DATE

● June 20, 2020, Poor People’s Campaign Event in Washington, DC. This is a major national convening and local events will be happening as well. More info soon.

~~~~

(IT’S NEW! IT’S EASIER! GIVE IT A TRY!)

A celebration of life for Lyda Dicus will be held on December 14 at 3 p.m.

TODAY

Lunch - The youth will be serving lunch to raise money for their trip to Boston.

Congregational Forum for today has been postponed until December 15th.

Please join the Board and Lead Minister at our Congregational Forum Sunday, December 15 at noon in the Sanctuary. Congregational Forums are our primary means for engaging and hearing from members, particularly on issues and initiatives requiring member vote and approval. The agenda for the November Forum will include: • Presentation and Discussion of Proposed Bylaw Changes – We’ll share a draft for member input and feedback. This will be the first of two sessions leading up to our January Congregational Meeting where members will be asked to vote to approve and enact the new recommended Bylaw language. • Board Goals for the 2019 – 2020 Church Year – We will present the Board approved goals for the year and regularly share reports of progress against these goals this year. • Lead Minister’s Report and update on staffing – by Rev. Leslie Takahashi. We look forward to engaging with you today!

THIS WEEK

Monday Evening Yoga - Mondays, 7:15 p.m in Bortin Hall

Monkey Mind, Meditation, and Haiku, Tuesday, November 19, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. in the Owl Room. Led by Suzanne Lofquist. Monkey Mind Meditation and Haiku offers some quiet reflective time learning about haiku as a way of quieting your restless mind. Learn about the simple origins from two famous Japanese poets, Basho and Buson. “Monkey Mind” refers to the impulsive antics of monkeys much like our own restless minds. When redirecting your thoughts in another direction, such as haiku, a quiet meditative state may emerge.

12 Steps for UUs -Tuesday, November 19, from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. in Sequoia Room. Join us as we share our experience, strength, and hope with one another at MDUUC. Regardless of what kind of addiction you have, or whether the word addiction even feels right, you are welcome to join us as we engage in recovery as Unitarian Universalists. 12 Step UU meetings will be held on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Tuesdays of the month

A Space for Spirit, Tuesdays, November 19, and December 17, 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. in the Sequoia Room. Whether you call it God, the Gods, Spirit, or by another name, if you have a relationship with a Higher Power this may be the group for you! Together, we will create a space for mutual support, as we reflect on our journeys, share our stories with one another, and engage in spiritual practice together. Facilitator: Sally Wright and Bill and Inge Yarborough. Suggested Donation $5.

Last Chance! Deadline November 18! UU’s at Oregon Shakespeare Festival March 20-22, 2020. Join fellow UU’s at the 2020 Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the first under new Artistic Director Nataki Garret. We can see up to four plays, discuss, commune and dine with fellow UU’s, and enjoy the ambiance of early spring in Ashland, Oregon. Contact: Kathé Cairns at kathe.cairns@gmail.com, 484-802-9074

RIDES FOR UUs - A growing number of MDUUC congregants are in need of rides to and from church services, programs, and events. The Caring Committee is compiling a resource list of those who can offer rides. Please sign up at the Caring Table in Bortin Hall. Note which service, programs and events, and what area within our church community will be convenient for you to offer rides. To serve others is a blessing.

Climate Action Information - Join the Climate Action Information group by entering your email at https://www.mduuc.org/work-for-justice/environment/info/ This is a moderated low volume list that will provide actions you can take to moderate the climate crisis.

Join the Chalice Choir for the Holidays! “That first breath that a choir or orchestra takes together, a breath filled with focus, intention and emotion, a breath unified for no other reason than to make something beautiful together... that is the reason we do what we do.” - Eric Whitacre, conductor and composer. This is a great time to experience of creating magic with the Chalice Choir! We're preparing some wonderful music for our Christmas Eve service, so come join us and experience making beautiful music in community and harmony. 7:15-9:15 PM every Thursday (except Thanksgiving). Contact Mark Tuning at musicdir@mduuc.org for more information.

Vespers - Wednesday, November 20 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. This weekly space provides a quiet gathering with music, meditation, and community in the Sanctuary. Led by the ministers of the congregation, this space is a place of healing and renewal. Quiet Taize-style music, unison readings and a chance to share what is on your heart make this circle the perfect space for those seeking healing, connection, and peace.

Community Dinners - Join us on the first, third and fifth Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m this year for our Community Dinners. This year in solidarity with our work to counter climate change, we will be preparing a vegan menu which will give you the chance to learn just how tasty vegan food can be. This can be part of your resolution to be part of changing the world! Next dinner is Wednesday, November 20 at 5:30 p.m.

Ministers’ Questing For Faith: The Sources - Wednesday, November 20, 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. This year our Ministers’ Wednesday night class will be held on the first, third and fifth Wednesday of the month from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. and will focus on the our own Unitarian Universalist tradition, specifically the Sources. Adopted by the Unitarian Universalist Association in 1984 and amended in 1995, the six sources of the Unitarian Universalist Association provide a good frame for thinking about how it is that we ground and root our faith. Join Rev. Leslie Takahashi for a look at the sources, the trails they leave about what has been commonly believed among us, the implications for our minds, bodies and spirits today. Register on-line. Facilitated by Rev. Leslie Takahashi

Creative Journal Writing, Wednesday, November 20, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. Owl Room. Discover your fresh, adventurous, reflective, playful, healing expressiveness through journal writing in a group. Using suggestions from Natalie Goldberg’s Writing Down the Bones, we’ll write together. “Prompts” will be offered to jump-start your imagination.

Uh, Oh! Here Come the Holidays! Wednesday, November 20, 6:15 - 7:30 p.m. Looking for some different ways to celebrate the winter holidays in a more meaningful way? Join Indigo Lewis in claiming your own approach to the holidays centering on a restful and heartfelt celebration. We’ll work through some value clarifying exercises and create individualized plans for a lower-stress approach to a joyful holiday season. Suggested donation $5.

Enneagram as a Reflective Guide - Wednesday, November 20, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. in the Children’s Chapel. The enneagram is a way of thinking about personality that encourages us to reflect on our actions in life. If you’re unfamiliar with the enneagram and would like to learn more about it, come to our two-session workshop. In the first session, we will find out about what the enneagram is and how it can be useful as a tool for reflection. In between sessions you will be asked to do some light reading and reflect on what you find. In session two, you will return and have the opportunity to share what you have found helpful or challenging as we look more deeply at ourselves. Facilitated by Jim Lewis.

Time to register for our 2019 - 20 Children & Youth Religious Education programs! Registration is an important tool we use in creating safe and engaging environments for all participants. We provide children and youth an opportunity to explore, reflect, and learn in a nurturing spiritual community. Our religious education programs are geared by phase of life, inspiring:

● Ethical growth – internalizing enduring values like justice, equity, and compassion, and gaining tools to act on them in everyday life.

● Social growth – connecting with peers and people of all ages on a deeper level. Finding acceptance among people who see beyond the superficial.

● Spiritual growth – feeling a connection with the sacred within, among, and beyond us. Children’s religious education programs are typically offered on Sunday mornings, middle and high school youth programs are usually offered on afternoons or evenings. Register your family today!

MDUUC is committed to making adult faith formation programming available for all folks taking care of children - parents, grandparents, and guardians - with free childcare for program attendees. To schedule YOUR childcare requests, please email childcare@mduuc.org with seven days advance notice. We look forward to seeing you and the kids!