Scene at Summit

Vol. 15, No. 3A / Early March 2005 / Semi-Monthly
Editor: Dolores Moore

Please note: Calendar items are not repeated here in the newsletter. Please visit the Calendar page to view all Summit calendar listings.

Looking Up
"Celebrating Our Gifts"
Over 15 lively Summitarians participated in our February Adult Religious Education series on "Discovering All You Can Be." We did exercises to determine our motivational styles; plotted key events along the timeline of our lives; reflected on our talents, skills, knowledge and interests; considered what we'd learned from our relationships; explored what we're most passionate about -- and how even our weaknesses and wounds might be gifts.

Writing a personal mission statement was one option for integrating what we'd learned. Several participants saw this as a helpful -- if challenging -- assignment. In case there might be others at Summit who'd like to give it a try, I offere here one I wrote several years ago as an example:

"My personal/spiritual mission on earth during my lifetime is to embody love for self and others, to act out of deep integrity, to serve others as my principle life task, to risk telling and defending truth, to be and remain open to the promptings of the spirit, to honor and enjoy my body / self, to champion justice, beauty and gratitude, and to trust in God's power to redeem and transform."

In our time together, we gained important insights about one another -- and about ourselves. We are a congregation of gifted, talented and passionate individuals. I hope that as a congregation and as individuals, we will continue to help one another grow in both understanding of and commitment to our highest values, ideals and aspirations.
--Rev. Ned Wight

March Birthdays
Congratulations and many happy returns of the day to the following Summitarians and Summitarian adjuncts. I hope you spouses and kids don't mind being called adjuncts. We are delighted that all of you were born to become part of our fellowship. They are Jim Dowdy, Joan Heidel and Pam Highfill on March 1; Bob Moore on March 2; Stacey Scott and Anna Simpson on March 3; Sally Gross and Jon Isenhower on March 4; Mary Palmer on March 6; Harriet Wright on March 8; Marissa Henry on March 9; Nicole Gamble on March 10; Jim Gates on March 12; Hal Summers on March 14; Barbara Perry and Carol Strauinger on March 18; Caitlin Ziernicki on March 20; Nicholas Orr on March 21; Jim Weed on March 24; and Sonia Rodriguez on March 25.

Authors' Exhibit
The downtown San Diego Library is having a local Authors Exhibit on view in the lobby thorugh February. Novels by Summitarians Lois Wells Santalo and Robert E. (Bob) Moore are on display along with about 60 others published in 2004. Don't delay; the exhibit will become history on March 1!
--Tara Hands

From the R.E. Director's Chair
Aah . . . Quiet and Calm with your Children!
We recently spent a Sunday exploring the Spiritual Practice of Mindful Meditation. We heard a story, "Everybody Needs a Rock" by Byrd Taylor. Then we each selected our "special" rock from our imaginary stream. We held our rocks as I led the children in our mindful meditation. In the quiet, holding our rocks, we concentrated on the size, the texture, the smooth parts, the rough spots, the color, and the weight of the rock. We focused on where th rock came from, the water, air and earth that worked together to form the rock. We wrapped our fingers around our rock and impressed it into our memories, so that we can find the calm anytime we need it, even if we don't have our rock with us. It was good.

Now, we also did this with a chocolate chip cookie. This was not so quiet, but a good lesson on patience and mindfulness. Watching these kids and adults hold that cookie, feel its texture, size, notice the colors, smell the cookie but not eat it. Then take only a nibble and taste the flavors, feel the textures on your tongue . . . well, you can imagine. The best part of course was to eat the cookie!

We offer these experiences in Spiritual Practices so that our children will have them to refer to on their own journey. But next time you take a walk, hike, go to the beach or take a trip perhaps you will find your own special rock and share a mindful meditation. Namaste.

**Nursery Attendant Needed: Our current worker, Sarah, will be out for knee surgery. We are looking for a loving, playful person, at least 16 years old, Sundays 10-12 noon. We would also welcome two workers so that there are Sundays off for each. Please contact Sandy Bernstein, Personnel Committee, or Karen Hagberg.

**New Office Hours for DRE Karen: I will now be available on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon. You may also make appointments or reach me by e-mail.

Together Hand in Hand
Karen Hagberg, DRE
drekaren.summit@juno.com

Cobblestone Concert
Cobblestone will be performing a fundraiser for Summit on Friday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m. at the Lodge. They are primarily known for lively Irish music, but they do a variety of European songs as well. They are a popular local band, so you won't want to miss this opportunity to enjoy an evening of great music while supporting Summit. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. We are also in need of volunteers who can help that evening with set-up, take-down, tickets and greeting. If you are supportive of Summit's efforts to bring small venue concerts to East County, then please help us by both attending the concerts and volunteering your time. See Lisa Garvey before the service and during the coffee hour on Sunday to purchase tickets.

March 6 Potluck
We'll join John and Suzanne McQuaide at their home. Suzanne calls it an early St. pAtrick's event because they hope to amuse folks who attend with a very short concert of Irish music. Families with or without small children are all welcome!

Covenant Group Sign-Up
We currently have six potential Covenant Groups, and three are already full! Sunday, February 27 is the last official sign-up day, though you can always join later i there's space.The days and times for groups that still have openings are the 3rd Tuesday, 7-9 p.m.; the 3rd Wednesday, 7-9 p.m.; and the Parenting Group, the 4th Monday, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. You can sign up at church or contact Pat Bryning.

Peace Workshop
Ferne Gaarder and Tara Hands attended a Peace Workshop with about 200 others at Church of Today-Unity in the Miramar area. Both are now on the Outreach Committee for our 52nd District. The parent group (www.thepeacealliance.org
) is encouraging support for Americans for the Department of Peace (Washington cabinet position).
--Tara Hands

UUCF Ecumenical Communion
The next ecumenical communion service of the year will take place at 4 p.m. on sunday, February 27 2005 in Clark Chapel at First Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of San Diego, 4190 Front Street (across from UCSD Medical Center in Hillcrest). A potluck supper will follow. Sponsored by thge San Diego Chapter of the Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship (UUCF), this inclusive service will include word, song, and sharing of bread and wine. Ken Herman, director of music at First Church, will share leadership responsibilities with Rev. Ned. All are welcome to the service and potluck. Note: the UUCF service in March will be an Easter Vigil on Saturday, March 26, 6 p.m. in the Clark Chapel.

Rev. Ned's March Travels
Rev. Ned will travel to Malibu for his annual ministers' study group meeting from Sunday, March 6 through midday on Wednesday, March 9. The following weekend, he will travel to Boston for meetings of the Panel on Theological Education from Sunday, March 13 through Wednesday, March 16. During these periods, please contact Summit intern Chris Smith for emergency pastoral needs. She can best be reached at 619-820-4780.

Summary of SUUF Board Minutes
January 27, 2005: Report of the Capital Campaign Steering Committee on presentation of Rev. Frank Placone-Willey on January 23 and the upcoming congregational meeting on January 30. The only item for discussion and vote on January 30 will be for a capital campaign director. The board nominated Bill Sinkford for president of UUA and Ned Wight for a second term on the UUA board of trustees. The board also voted to suport Chris Smith to perform marriage ceremonies.

Summary of SUUF Congregational Meeting
January 30, 2005: The congregation voted to authorize the Board to retain a professional Campaign Director and/or other professional assistance to help organize and conduct the Capital Campaign. The total budget for outside assistance in the Capital Campaign shall not exceed $40,000. The Board shall appoint a Capital Campaign Steering Committee, composed of Members and Friends of the Congregation, to provide oversight of the Capital Campaign and supervision of the Campaign Director. The Steering Commitee shall report to the Board and to the Congregation as a whole on a regular basis. 71 members voted: 69 yes, 1 no, and 1 "other."

--Submitted by Patricia Summers, Secretary

Women's Retreat
Our annual Women's Retreat will be at Questhaven in North County, April 8-10. Come share a weekend away (but not too far away) with other Summit women. THe weekend is a wonderful opportunity to connect with yourself, others and nature. Registration forms will be availeble at services or can be sent through the mail. Catch one of the committee members for more information: Liz McHugh, Vivienne Jacobsen, Teresa Polombo, Katy Orr, Pat Bryning, Karen Cleland or Barbara Gates.

Rev. Ned's Regular Office Hours
Except when Rev. Ned is away, from March 709 and 12-16, he is generally in the office every Tuesday afternoon from 1-4 p.m. and every Wesnesday morning from 9-12 (immediately following the 8 a.m. meditation group). During these times, you can call him or drop by to visit. Of course he welcomes calls to schedule meetings or visits at other times. Monday is his day off, and he appreciates being contacted only for significant pastoral emergencies on that day.

Summit UU Fellowship: Volunteers
As a caring, giving and loving community, we extend our gratitude to our volunteers who keep the heartbeat of Summit going with the gift of themselves.
OUR HONORED VOLUNTEERS
February 2005
Hospitality Committee:
~Janet Dixon~
Please take the time to personally thank her for giving back to Summit.

Capital Campaign Information Corner
"We'll Be Amazed at What We Can Accomplish!"
Welcome to the Capital Campaign Information Center. This new section is meant to keep you updated on the progress made by your friendly and hardworking Steering Committee.

The Capital Campaign Steering Committee has initiated biweekly meetings Wednesday mornings at Bread & Cie. A great place for meetings! Our first order of business was to select a logo (see the duckie). Like the duckling, Summit's going for it!

Our efforts are now focused on contacting other Cluster Congregations to learn from their experiences. We expect to be sending out a Request for Proposal to potential candidates for Campaign Director during the week of February 21-25. If you have any suggestions, please pass them on to one of the Steering Committee members: Rod Orth, Pilar Placone-Willey, Mary Braunworth, or Jamie Cleland. Also, we are eager to see the New Home Research Committee (formerly known as the "Building Search Committee") going full tilt again and will be coordinating with members of that committee. And LOOK OUT for the numerous announcements we will be making regarding volunteers needed for the various committees that will be forming in order to make this campaign a great success!