I need your help better to understand how you connect with UUCR. So, I'm using my blog space at the beginning of October 2009 as an invitation to everyone who participates in our congregation to complete a survey. Over at "Survey Monkey" you can fill out six questions, which I'll tabulate at the end of the month and post the results in a follow-up blog here.

I imagine that it will only take you a few minutes, 10 at most, to answer the questions. Thanks for you help.

Sunday morning, before leaving home, I speak to my sons about their behavior at our church. It’s a parent’s lot to talk often (and often be unheard) with their children about expected behavior, but as the minister at UUCR, it’s even more important because my sons are “PKs”. That’s “Preacher’s Kids” and that means they are much more in the eye of our community than other children and are often judged to be the standard of behavior.

Sundays, I name the usual stuff:
“No screaming,”
“No running,”
“No gross jokes,”

Today, Tuesday, August 25, 2009, I met with Congressman Ken Calvert. I went with a delegation from Inland Congregations United for Change, non-partisan interfaith community organizers. “Delegation” might be too strong a word, as it was Deacon John DeGano, from St. Catherine’s Catholic Church, and Elizabeth Ayala, our Lead Organizer for Riverside. We went to learn from the Congressman his position and plans on the issues of health care reform and foreclosure.

July and August are a very busy time for our Worship Committee, Pat, Tammy, Alicia, Matthew and Angie. This team is responsible for nine consecutive worships during these summer months. Each of these Sundays they share their various talents and diversity of belief enriching and enhancing our time together.

Last Tuesday's election was a mixed bag. I feel a great deal of hope with the new president elect, and I feel heartsick with the vote that removed the right to marry from loving, committeed gay and lesbian couples. I have been meditating, breathing, and waiting for some meaning to come from the passing of Prop 8.

We are heartsick over the deaths of Greg McKendry and Linda Kraegar and chaos caused by the shooting in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Knoxville, in Knoxville, TN during their worship service on July 27, 2008.

I just read that the California Supreme Court is upholding its decision to offer marriage equality to all committed and loving couples in California, despite there being two initiatives on the November ballot. That means on June 17, gay and lesbian couples who wish the rights and reponsibilities of straight couples can finally be married!

I'd write more, but I'm dancing for joy!

A few Sundays back, we had a "Question Box" Sunday. This is when, instead of a sermon, I take questions from the congregation and offer (hopefully) clarifying answers. Unforntuately, I cannot get through all the questions in the service, so I'll be answering those I didn't get to here.

With technology the way it is today, there are many, many
ways to communicate with another person. In spite of choices among the tools to
communicate is anything really being said when we do communicate? And
alternatively if something meaningful is put out there, is it being heard?

"If we really want (but all depends on really wanting) to learn how to forgive, perhaps we had better start with something easier than the Gestapo. One might start with forgiving one's husband or wife, or parents or children ... for something they have done or said in the last week." C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

We affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person.