k aleidoscope - unitarian society of santa barbara · bond-upson (who likes to be called “lee”)...

“We seek spiritual growth in a welcoming and caring community”

aleidoscopeJuly, 2014 The Monthly Newsletter of the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara, CA Newsletter: Nancy VanAntwerp

Sunday Worship Services—9:15 am & 11:00 amOur Theme For This Month is WAIT

July 13

Sometimes waiting for things seems to take forever. When our time is limited, it can seem to take even longer. Given that we all have a finite amount of time, when is waiting worth it and when is the time for action? Come and join us for this reflective service.

Rev. Julia Hamilton

“Love in the Light of Day”—Pride Sunday

July 6Worship Hosts: Charla Bregante & Ben Schroeder

July 27Worship Host: Michael Guinn

Bad WaitersBad waiters. Is it possible for bad waiters to have good tips at the end of the day? With our July theme on “Waiting,” what kind of service can you expect from some self-confessed bad waiters? We hope you’ll join us at the table on July 27th to find out. We’ll have a special menu of music appetizers, with a side dish of ponderings on patience as we attempt to present an entrée worth waiting for.

July 20Rev. Julia Hamilton

Welcoming all people of goodwill means creating a space that is accessible and inviting. For those with hearing loss, participation in our services and events can be frustrating – until now! A technological upgrade of our sound and hearing assistance systems is also an “upgrade” in our ability to widen the circle of our community.

In the Loop

Sounds of Song and Silence—Taizé

The ongoing struggle for LGBTQ equality has given us many gifts, but the greatest of all is a more sophisticated understanding of how Love works in the world. Join us as we celebrate Love and the Pride that comes with it!

July 9, Wednesday at 7:00 pm

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This contemplative service is a refreshing mid-week break from the hustle and bustle of summer! Join us for an hour of song, medita-tive silence and reflection. In the ancent tradition of Taizé, short songs are repeated again and again. This singing becomes a way of listening to our inner selves.For a time of song and silence, please join us in the Sanctuary. All are welcome.

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Waiting Takes Forever!

Did you miss the annual meeting? Our congregational year runs from July 1 to June 30. Each year in June we hold a meeting to look back at the year that has been and look ahead to the year to come. Just over 100 people attended the meeting on June 8 in Parish Hall at 12:15 pm.

• • • • • •

As we do every year, we honored the memory of those who died this year. Aaron and Julia lit a candle to each of these former members, one at a time, noting that each had brought unique qualities and contributions to our shared life. Those members are:

• • • • • •

Distinguished service awards were given, by ministers Aaron and Julia to two members whose volunteer contri-butions are significant and distinguished. Those awardees this year were Susie DuPont, who has made significant leadership contributions in her five years as member, and to Mary Grimm, who has served the congregation in in-numerable ways in her 36 years of membership.

• • • • • •

Julia and President Carol Schwyzer recognized Aaron McEmrys for his service to the congregation as our senior minister, thanking him for the many ways in which his vision and energy has shaped and strengthened our con-gregation. And Carol acknowledged Director of Adminis-tration Erin Wilson for her professionalism and her many accomplishments in her first five months of service to the congregation.

• • • • • •

Aaron and Julia shared the review of the projects and accomplishments of the year including the life-saving warming shelters, our dynamic music program and choirs, innovative RE program, the pastoral care pro-gram, Connection Circles and more.

Annual Meeting 2014The rich variety of programs and projects we have cre-

ated and our growing outward focus are part of an overall plan and are made possible by the depth of planning and preparation byt our staff, leaders and volunteers. Part of the foundation is in the governance structure the board has built and which we expect to adopt formally in the fall. This structure helps us all to contribute to the achievement of our goals.

One of our goals this year of course will be to prepare for the calling of a senior minister. This will involve a pro-cess of learning more about who we are now and where we want to go, recognizing that we have many newer members and that our life together is always developing and unfolding.

• • • • • •

We elected three board members: Colin Jones, Charlene Little and Melinda Staveley, and three members of the nominating committee: Joya Sexton and Andrew Rose to three-year terms, and Sally Hinton for a one-year term.

• • • • • •

Our annual budget and two financial policy recommen-dations passed by wide margins. The resolution to divest from fossil fuels was cause for celebration as we join the movement in the UUA and across the nation to address the climate crisis we face. Ted Stern and the members of our financial volunteer community were thanked for their support with the care with our finances.

• • • • • •

The Reverend Kenneth W. Collier, former minister at USSB, was named Minister Emeritus by acclamation.

• • • • • •

The Board of Trustees was installed by Julia Hamilton.

• • • • • •

Energizing singing was led by by Charla Bregante, Robin Montz, Ken Ryals and Chuck Champlin.

• • • • • •

The meeting was followed by a celebratory pizza lunch and a superb choir concert led by our choral director Ken Ryals.

Here’s to a grand new year!

Claire Nisbet Eileen Clark Pat Strayer Janice Chelini

Marilyn Quam Kenneth Kruger Paula Westbury

The Interim search committee of Gary Welterlen, Kath-leen Boehm and Ted Myers has been successful in their search for our interim senior minister. Rev. Leland Bond-Upson (who likes to be called “Lee”) will be join-ing us in mid-August. He and Julia will work as a min-isterial team to serve the needs of the congregation for the coming year as we prepare for calling a settled senior minister.

Lee is a graduate of the University of Washington and Starr King School for the Ministry. Lee’s passion is In-terim Ministry. He has been serving as interim minister at the UU congregation in Bellingham, Washington. His areas of expertise include fundraising, money manage-ment and working with worship committees and worship associates. He and his wife, Deborah, who is also a gradu-ate of Starr King, have a home in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Lee has sent this message to the congregation:

Dear members, friends, and staff of the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara:

It is with great pleasure that I greet you this Sunday, after having been chosen by your

A Letter from Our Interim Senior Minister

Interim Search Committee to be your interim senior minister for the coming church year.

A more detailed self-introduction will follow soon, but for now, I want you to know that I have been a Unitarian for more than 60 years (almost born and raised), and believe deeply in the suit-ability of liberal religion for the coming times.

I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible. Given the size of this church, that may take a while.

The Church’s leadership has given me a marvelous welcome. I can hardly wait to get started. See you in August. Lee

I know you all will join the board and the search commit-tee in giving Lee a warm welcome when he arrives in August.

Carol Schwyzer, President, Board of Trustees

(And please thank Gary, Kathleen and Ted when you see them!)

Good News!

The USSB Nominating Committee is pleased to present the following nominees for the 2014 Ministerial Search Committee to be voted on at a Special Meeting of the USSB congregation on July 6, 2014:

2014 Ministerial Search Committee Nominees

Eileen Bunning Katherine Eastman Paul Freeman Kate Mead

Ted Myers Ken Ralph Ben Schroeder Kirsten Zecher

Nominations may also be made from the floor on July 6, which requires the prior consent of the nominee.

Absentee ballots will be available in the garden between services on June 22 and June 29.

Learn more about the nominees for the Search Com-mittee in the next issue of the Kaleidoscope.

In faithful service, USSB Nominating Committee:

Laura Bushnell • Mary Ellen Hoffman • Chuck Wolfe Gary Welterlen • Gun Dukes • Terri Stelzer•

“...that concert was amazing!”

“...none of this could have happened without your leadership, energy, and passion, Ken! And choirs, I wish you all could have seen your faces while you were singing. Such joy!”

“Everyone is to be congratulated on a stunning concert. I don’t know how anyone feels about it, but I heard mur-murings of ‘Can’t wait until next year’s concert.’ It’s a lot of work for everyone, but the art and ministry of music are well worth it.”

“There is no other in the world like Heather! You are not only a superb pianist, but you are always there, ready to do even some of the crazy things we come up with at the last minute. Your playing inspires me, your smile delights me, and we are so very fortunate to have you with us.”

“We are choirs, we are a ministry, we are family. It’s possible we could sing as well under different circumstances. . . but we would not be the same without the truly gifted leadership and talent of Ken, Robin, and Heather.”

“I had such joy as part of the audi-ence. Relaxing and listening with my eyes closed, I thought I was in heaven!”

“I was overcome with pride in our music ministry.”

On June 8 in our Sanctuary, the Unitarian Society’s three choirs, all led by our music maestro Ken Ryals, joined musical forces to present an impressive performance of diverse music to a large and enthusiastic audience. After Marcia Sherman’s pre-concert harp-playing—which set the stage for all that was to come—the concert took off with seven choral pieces by the Chancel Choir, four by the Women’s Chorale and three by the Men’s Ensemble!

A solo piece performed by Mahlon Balderston, our organist emeritus, an operatic aria sung by Carol Sharpe, and a small-group cover of Shower the People rounded out the program.

The Music Ministry is happy to report that thanks to the enthusiastic and generous donations received, we will be supporting the Women’s Chorale’s attendance at the July Unitarian Universalist Musicians Network Confer-ence in San Diego.

It was wonderful to have in the audience Marilyn Pow-er Scott, who wrote the beautiful meditative work Peace Comes which we performed in three groups arranged around the sanctuary. Similarly, it was a pleasure to have in attendance Barbara and David Harlow, the owners of the Santa Barbara Music Publishing Company which publishes several of the works that were performed. Da-vid took a video of the Men’s Ensemble performing There Has To Be A Song which they have posted to YouTube and will place on their website. The URL is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQlaRbCZJh4 .

This gracious note that Barbara sent to us after the concert is a credit to our music ministry:

“I thought that concert was amazing. Only a choral conductor like me could appreciate all the effort that went into this—Ken should be Knighted—he is exceptional and the Unitarian Church is VERY lucky to have him. The joy of the participants was palpable, the music beautifully performed, and the audience, including us the picky-est of all, loved it.

Happy to assist in any way we can with repertoire ideas. We’ve got a batch of new pieces coming later this month. Thanks to the influence of Ken and composer Jason Shelton who recently paid us a visit, we now have a Unitarian section at our website.”

We are grateful for the support of our community, and there were so many hands that contributed to its success! Special thanks to the Membership Committee and Sally Hamilton who all set a welcoming tone with the pizza, salad, and cookie offerings beforehand!

Remember, all our choirs are non-audition, meaning that YOU can take part no matter what you may think now of your singing skills. Come, join us and experience the joy of singing! Jared Dawson, Bass

June 8th’s Choral Concert a Joyous Success

Such good news! USSB is soon to become a participant in Santa Barbara’s Let’s Loop Santa Barbara campaign! The goal of this project is to turn Santa Barbara into one of the most hearing-accessible cities in California by encouraging venues to install a Hearing Looping System and USSB is going to be a part of it!. This technology is the only assistive-hearing system providing clear, pure sound directly to hearing aids. These Hearing Loops, in use in Europe for many years, are the international standard for universal hearing access.

Here’s how it works: A hearing loop is a (copper) wire that “loops” around a room and is connected to any sound source that produces sound electronically (like a micro-phone, TV, public address system). This creates a magnetic field which transmits an audio signal directly into a hear-ing aid outfitted with a “telecoil”— a tiny little wire which functions as a wireless antenna and now built into almost all hearing aids and in all cochlear implants. It delivers clear sound directly to the listener’s hearing aid. No more background noises (the bane of the hard-of-hearing). Music is no longer muffled; voices are crystal clear. As-tonishing! And no additional hearing-assistive devices are necessary (vs. an FM system where sound is sent through radio waves and all users must wear a receiver and ear bud — what we have now and is not nearly as simple and (cost) effective as the Hearing Loop.)

But…here’s the good part: our looping project will provide inconspicuous head sets that are T-coil enabled for anyone who wants to have a better hearing experi-ence—hearing impaired or not (a good way to self-test your own hearing!).

So why is this important? Because too many people are being left out of church. They have difficulty hear-ing—and therefore can’t participate in worship in the Sanctuary, meetings and movies in Parish Hall, being with our children. People come to church to be part of a community, to be with people, to be engaged, but ‘listening’ is just too hard, too exhausting. Some stop coming altogether. Attending religious services is listed in various surveys as one of the top three most difficult listening situations.

In response to this, we will will be looping our sanctu-ary and Parish Hall over the summer. The T-coil tech-

Can You Hear Me Now? Yes! Yes, I CAN hear you now!

nology will radically improve the experience of anyone with any degree of hearing loss. And still better news: we will be updating our speaker system in the Sanctuary as funding allows. More on this later.

Among the venues that are looped:

B’nai B’rith, First Congregational Church, Inde-pendent Living Resource Center, Jewish Federa-tion of Santa Barbara, Lobero Theater, Ensemble Theater, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, University Club, UCSB Campbell Hall, Valle Verde, Wood Glen Hall, Carpinteria Library, Carpinteria Smiles, Ojai Play House, St. Andrew’s Episopal Church in Ojai, and many more.

Our Sunday services on July 20 will focus on this proj-ect. How does it link to the values that inspire us? How does it connect to our UU values and principles? …By making us richer when we have people with diverse life experiences integrated into the community. We can only do this if we are intentional and are building spaces that are intentionally-accessible. It is this that moves us closer to the goal of Beloved Community.

We will have guest speakers from the community shar-ing their stories—and “signing” too, which is just plain fun to watch. Though hearing is not your usual “social justice” issue (think protest marches or online petitions), the issue does touch on Generation X. Rock concerts and boom boxes have helped to move some of us “younger” members closer to this social concern.

This “invisible issue” bears on two UU principles: equality and the interdependent web “of which we are all a part.”

Come August, look for this sign in our buildings

Come and share your ideas and dreams for this year’s Auction & Celebration. Bring memories of what you found successful in last year’s Auction, and your ideas for how we can create even more fun this year. Help us build excitement and energy for this important event.

And —bring your ideas for a Theme!!! The annual auction is our largest fundraising event. We celebrate and socialize while filling our social calendars with fun events and treating ourselves to exquisite and practical services.

•This year’s Auction Celebration will take place on October 11th• The Auction is a volunteer-driven activity that builds community. Your involvement

as a volunteer is a fun way to get to know other USSB members and a great way to sup-port the USSB. Planner, task member, auction host—the opportunities for participation are endless. For more information, contact Erin Wilson, [email protected].

•See You on Thursday, July 24th in Blake Lounge•!

Shortly after my wedding at the Unitarian Society, I was curious about what worship here looked and felt like. I was drawn to the space and so began visiting regularly. I had been searching for some time for a faith that allowed me to feel my roots within a community, within tradition, and to sense the expansion of my spirit. What I found here can only be described as a sense of coming home. Being somewhat shy, I quickly found ways to volunteer that al-lowed me to challenge myself and meet others.

I have always enjoyed helping people. As an Instruc-tional Aide in Special Education, and later as a creden-tialed teacher, my greatest joy was in that moment when a student or friend recognized her/his strengths and set another goal. My mother always said I was born to teach. Working alongside LeeAnn Williams as a member of the Children’s RE Story Selection Team and in my role as Coordinator of Children’s Religious Education, I realized that more than teach, I was born to share my passion for lifelong learning.

Jena FosterOur New Acting Director of Religious Education

Welcome!

I am grateful for LeeAnn’s mentorship and the incred-ible foundation that allows for programs like Wellspring Wednesday and Workshop Rotation to flourish. I hold a Master of Education from UC Santa Barbara and taught elementary for Santa Barbara Unified School District for five years before stepping into my role here at the Unitar-ian Society. I also teach Nia, a sensory-based movement practice designed to strengthen one’s connection to body, mind, emotions and spirit.

In my role as Acting DRE, I will maintain the integ-rity of Religious Education at USSB. My experiences as a student and as an instructor ground my strong belief in collaborative, student-centered learning environments that naturally foster compassion, respect for and acceptance of others as well as a sense of responsibility to self and community. I’m very much looking forward to RE in the coming year. Please feel free to send me an email ([email protected]) or stop by the Religious Education office to introduce yourself or chat. In kindness, Jena

Auction Planning MeetingBlake Lounge

Thursday, July 24 5:30–7 pm

Schedule for JULY, 2014Tuesday, July 1 7:00 am Toastmaster Club 5 / Parish Hall

Wednesday, July 2 5:30 pm Yoga Class / Jefferson Hall

Thursday, July 3 5:30 pm Worship Committee / La Paz Lounge

Friday, July 4-Offices ClosedSunday, July 6 9:15 & 11am Worship Services 9:00 am Childcare / Starr King Nursery 9:15 am Children’s RE / Classrooms 10:15 am Community Social Time / Parish Courtyard

Monday, July 7 5:30 pm Yoga Class / Jefferson Hall

Wednesday, July 9 3:30 pm Finance Committee / La Paz Lounge 5:30 pm Yoga Class/ Jefferson Hall

Thursday, July 10 5:15 pm Committee on Shared Ministry / La Paz Lounge

Sunday, July 13 9:15 & 11 am Worship Services 9:00 am Childcare / Starr King Nursery 9:15 am Children’s RE / Classrooms 10:15 am Community Social Time / Parish Courtyard 7:00 pm USSB Womens Group / La Paz Lounge


Tuesday, July 15 9:30 am Pastoral Care Team / La Paz Lounge 5:30 pm USSB Board of Trustees / Jefferson Hall 7:00 pm Book Discussion Club / La Paz Lounge

Wednesday, July 16 5:30 pm Yoga Class / Jefferson Hall 7:00 pm Women’s Spirituality Group, location TBDFriday, July 18 7:00 pm Years of Living Dangerously / Blake Lounge

Saturday, July 19 9:30 am Path to Membership

Sunday, July 20 9:15 & 11am Worship Services 9:00 am Childcare / Starr King Nursery 9:15 am Children’s RE / Classrooms 10:15 am Community Social Time / Parish Courtyard



Thursday, July 24 5:30 pm Auction Planning Meeting, Blake Lounge

Friday, July 25, 2014 7:00 pm SPAN / Blake Lounge

Sunday, July 27 9:15 & 11am Worship Services 9:00 am Childcare / Starr King Nursery 9:15 am Children’s RE / Classrooms 10:15 am Community Social Time / Parish Courtyard 7:00 pm USSB Women’s Group / La Paz Lounge



k Congratulations to Lesley Grogan, who won a ribbon for her painting at the SCAPE art show held over the Memorial Day weekend!

k Congratulations to Conny Clark, who is cele-brating her 100th(!) Birthday in July. USSB and The Al-liance salute our long-time member whom we elected years ago to the UUWF’s Clara Barton Sisterhood hon-oring her good works in our Santa Barbara community.

k Our thoughts and prayers are with Janet Brinckmann whose Aunt Carolyn died suddenly on June 15, leaving Janet’s 92 year old mother the last of the siblings.

All in the Family

If you are interested in joining a nurturing, soulful Women’s Circle, please contact Nica Guinn at [email protected]. The group will meet for the first time on Wednesday, July 16th from 7–9 pm and from there determine the nature of the group and how of-ten to meet. RSVP required for location.

Women’s Spirituality Circle

Proofers and copy editors for this issue are Birdie Newborn, Paul Nay, Joanie Jones, Lesley Champlin.

Thank you for your continuing outstanding and ever-present work to make this and every issue of the Ka-leidoscope a great read! We know it’s a L O T of work!

Our Proofers!

Next Newsletter Deadline:July 8, Tuesday, for material covering

August 1–31, 2014E-mail: [email protected]

The Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara

1535 Santa Barbara StreetSanta Barbara, CA 93101Office. (805) 965-4583Fax. (805) 965-6273

e-mail. [email protected]. www.ussb.org

Leland Bond-Upson, Interim MinisterJulia Hamilton, Assistant MinisterJohn Alexie Crane, Minister EmeritusKenneth W. Collier, Minister EmeritusErin Wilson, Director of AdministrationAnna Royer, Office AdministratorJena Foster, Acting Director of Director of Religious EducationKen Ryals, Director of Music Ministry

Sunday Worship Service: 9:15 am & 11:00 am; Children’s Program: 9:15 am Nursery & Children’s Care: Sun 9:00 am – 12:15 am, Starr KingSummer Office Hours: Mon– Fri: 9 am–noon

Our Sanctuary Building is Recognized as a Historical and Architectural Treasure!

On June 10, 2014, Mayor Helene Schneider, on behalf of the Santa Barbara City Council, declared the Unitarian Society sanctuary building to be a City Landmark. The City Histor-ic Landmarks Commission recommended this designation based on the building’s historical and cultural significance. Mayor Schneider presented us with a certificate which we will be displaying soon. You will be hearing more as we celebrate this special recognition of our beloved sanctuary.

k aleidoscope - unitarian society of santa barbara · bond-upson (who likes to be called “lee”)...

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