July 2: "Being Lazy in All Good Conscience"
                 Rev. Tom Owen-Towle
As we move into Summer, our bodies and souls hanker for a more restful pace. I will underscore the spiritual benefits of a lifestyle of "laziness." Summit's former minister, Rev. Ned Wight, will be with us that day, before he leaves for his new post in New York. A potluck will follow.

July 9: "Holding Tight and Letting Go"
Rev. Bets Wienecke

Rev. Bets Wienecke will describe the process which has proven to result in a successful search for a settled minister. She will serve as coach, consultant and cheerleader to Summit's elected search committee throughout the process.

July 16: "Religious Orientation"
Jai Ghorpade with Ed Henry assisting

Jai will discuss some of his insights gleaned from the survey he circulated at Summit a few months ago. Considering the many facets of religious and non-religious beliefs within the congregation, this should be interesting.

July 23: "UU'ism in San Diego County"
Harriet Wright and Barbara Sorensen

One of our past presidents, John Wilson, gave this sermon in 1993, describing UU'ism's early start in this county. This is timely for all Summitarians today in our new home.

July 30: "Sumi Massen" (It Is Not Finished) Bob Moore and LaMar Rogers

This service will take a look at where we have been and where we are going.

August 6: Title Unknown but our one time intern minister, Rev. Don Stouder, will be with us.

Newsletter of Summit Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Ministerial Musings Rev. Tom Owen-Towle

The dedication of a new or renovated or expanded building ranks among the most memorable high points of a congregation's life. Like most moments of glory, the high is often followed by a letdown, by the post-construction blues. We can anticipate it, plan around it, or pretend it isn't there, but in the end we have to sing each other through it. - Dan Hotchkiss, Church Consultant

Again, I want to heartily congratulate you, each and every one, for a year of astounding sweat and success. I can't imagine any church enjoying a more collaborative and satisfying adventure than the one we've just shared during 2005-06. And we're blessed with yet another year together; may we lustily sing ourselves through it!

During the past 12 months, Summit has bade farewell to its beloved senior minister; crystallized a 10-year comprehensive plan; mounted face-to-face annual and capital stewardship campaigns; purchased, pledged, and prepared your first sacred site; welcomed with open hearts an interim minister; plus formed a committee to search for your settled minister, coming July of 2007.and, oh yes, carried on all the normal duties of a vital and growing congregation.

According to the Rahe psychosocial stress analysis, Summitarians should be way off the charts. And pieces of some folks probably do teeter on the edge. But it's all worked, because you've been willing to shoulder your load of the freight, with radiance and grit, realizing that you're achieving something of major and enduring worth: namely, creating a liberal religious presence in East County. You've come to understand that life's key isn't believing in the future so much as behaving the future into reality.

But as the song goes, "we've only just begun." Parish pros sagely note the appearance of "post-construction blues" syndrome; so it's my job to assist in keeping us on purpose, to help us avert a slump in program, finances, or morale. After negotiating the adjustments of our first summer in Santee, we'll need to hit the ground running in the fall.

Both our inreach and outreach efforts must be thickened. Toward that end, we have a half dozen adult religious growth options already in the works. A quarterly concert series is underway. There will be familiar as well as fresh fun-fundraisers. We hope to occasion a rotating art gallery, and we have a crew of people working on community outreach. New wrinkles will arise in both our social action efforts and Sunday morning worship. Of course, we must walk a fine line between over-doing and under-doing during the first year in our new home.

Individuals are working assiduously in keeping our grounds beautiful, and we want to welcome and hold newcomers through our own version of radical hospitality. Next year, I will focus my sermons on Unitarian Universalism-our history, theology, evangelism, and identity-so that veterans and newcomers alike can better know and spread the core of our proud and noble faith. Although my job remains to stay close to home (namely, ministering to Summitarians), I'm already on the docket at the Santee Council, to lead the prayer at the beginning of the meeting.

And we hope to properly and wholeheartedly dedicate our wonderful new church sometime in January 2007, after we've tweaked and scuffed it up a bit.

So, my spiritual buddies, I exhort you to stand ready to carry your fair share of shaping Summit into a beloved community with a civic circumference. We will need every one of us delivering our gifts in order to sustain the energy we've launched. If we rest on our laurels, we will slide downhill into irrelevance.

Reportedly, in the last 140 years of Unitarian Universalist presence in San Diego, there have been three failed experiments in East County. But, folks, not this time around. "Failure is impossible," noted our Unitarian fore-sister, Susan. B. Anthony, for we know that we belong to a Love that will not let us go, will not let us down, and will not let us off. "Rest assured," as our Universalist forebears phrased it.

May the summer of 2006 be a restorative time for our individual and communal souls.

Yours in faith, hope, and love.Tom

WHAT WE'RE UP TO IN CHILDREN'S R.E.:

HOME SWEET HOME: June 11 was a day of joyful firsts for both the children and adults of Summit . We're still adjusting to the luxury of actual classrooms and of not having to pack things away each week. The R.E. wing is a very happy work in progress. Thanks to all who have donated furniture, games, toys and books to our holdings.

APPLES FOR OUR TEACHERS: At the June 18 service, we honored the many wonderful people who have worked with Summit's children over the past school year. For those who missed it, hearty thanks to:

Gary Baldwin, Gwen Baldwin, Michelle Beauchamp, Laurel Bernstein, Sandy Bernstein, Neal Biggart, Judi Bonilla, Joe Braunwarth, Mary Braunwarth, Mark Bryning, Phillip Chan, Misha Chapman, Ed Davis, Elly Dotseth, Jacquie Dowdy, Barbara Gates, Jim Gates, Susan Goodrich, Juli Graham, Ed Henry, John McQuaide, Suzanne McQuaide, Harriet Nissenbaum, Katy Orr, Teresa Palombo, Frank Placone-Willey, Kathy Radinovsky, Leslie Robard, Patti Robison-Heyer, Lamar Rogers, Toni Rogers, Stacey Scott, Jack Shu, Mary Ellen Shu, Diane Slagle, Jack Slagle, Barbara Sorensen, Carol Straubinger, Pierre Vaughn, Viraj Ward, Debbie Wingard and Harriet Wright.

CULTURE CAMP SUMMER SUNDAYS: From July 2 through September 3, our summer program will offer ten weeks of "Culture Camp," using a curriculum that aims to foster peace through play. It is based on the idea that understanding leads to appreciation, which opens the way to empathy, and empathy is necessary for true peace. Different cultures (Australia, Brazil, Ghana, Greece, India, Morocco and Native North America) will be visited, and the sessions will include insights into cultural practices as well as stories, music, crafts, games and food. Let me know if there's a particular culture you might like to help out with.

MANY THANKS to our June volunteers: Barbara Sorensen, Mary Braunwarth, Leslie Robard, Juli Graham, Stacey Scott, Susan Goodrich, Mary Ellen Shu, Misha Chapman, Michelle Beauchamp, Teresa Palombo and Judi Bonilla.

Connie Henry, Acting D.R.E.

(619) 460-4794 / conniehenry@cox.net

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

All Contributors (101 units as of 6/8/06)

Thank you to everyone who made a commitment to Summit's Capital Campaign!

Each and every gift is important. Please let us know if there are any errors or omissions. We would like to thank everyone appropriately and will republish this list in the fall when remaining members have been visited.

The Greeters at our Sunday Services are requesting Members to wear their name tags to church so they can tell you from the visitors.

The Honoring/Memorial Fund

Freethinkers

As usual we will meet at 7 p.m. the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month. However, there will be no meeting on the 4th of July. On the 18th we will meet in the RE area. The format will be to have each person bring a newspaper clipping or short magazine article to discuss at the meeting. Hopefully, there will be time for several articles. So, bring an article on any subject you think worthy of discussion and we will provide at least as many opinions about it as there are people in the room.

There will be no meeting in August but we will return to a normal schedule in September.

Lunch Bunch

Now that we are having services in our new building in Santee, after church services you may be extra hungry for food or fellowship. If so, find both with the Lunch Bunch, which will be eating together about Sunday noon on July 9th at Mimi's, 9812 Mission Gorge Road (northeast corner of Cuyamaca), Santee, phone 562-2644; on the16th at Michael's Grill, 9621 Mission Gorge Road, Santee, phone 258-2110; on the 23rd at Coco's, 1025 Fletcher Parkway, El Cajon, phone 442-9271. Last chance in July will be on the 30th at Olive Garden, 9800 Mission Gorge Road, Santee, phone 562-1622. Be there and eat square!

If you let Carol Rawlins know you're coming, she can arrange for a table the right size.

The Scene at Summit's August edition deadline will be:

July 24 Deadline/

July 27 Mailing

Linda Peck, the editor

Congregational

Meeting

June 18, 2006

A Committee Summit is planned for July, chaired by Rex and Vice-President elect LaMar Rogers.

Rex discussed Summit's application for UUA's First Home Grant. Moved, seconded and passed unanimously to approve receipt of a Unitarian Universalist Association First Home Grant.

The 2006/2007 Budget information was provided to members for review and discussed. Moved, seconded and passed unanimously to accept the budget of $209,603.

Rebate Fundraising

It's easy to earn merchant contributions for Summit through our Rebate Fundraising Program.

Call Fran Spevak (469-9836) for information, or look for the flyer on the information table at church.

Social Action Corner

Service Is Our Prayer

Our Social Action Committee met in our new home for the first time on June 18. Potential new committee members, Viraj Ward, Tyra Myles and Toyce Hughes, joined us. Not wanting to waste any time, one of our primary agenda items was searching out ways to integrate with our new Santee neighbors.

Led by Tyra Myles and Elizabeth McHugh, the research has begun to identify organizations, events, and community groups we can collaborate with in our quest to make a difference.

Viraj Ward volunteered to see how Summit could become active by establishing an East County Chapter of Amnesty International. Rene Schad is seeking ways to publicize the Social Action Committee's community outreach.

Established by Barbara Gates, Summit's participation in the Fair Trade Coffee Project has been a big success. Lynn Slaughter and Vic White have agreed to accept co-stewardship of the Fair Trade Coffee project and continue the good works initiated by Barbara. Many thanks to Barbara for her initiative in getting this economic justice project in place, and to Lynn and Vic for volunteering to carry on.

How can you help Summit's efforts in social action?

Financial - Sunday, July 2 - Don't forget to put an extra dollar in the plate for our Esperanza student, Lina Marleth Martinez.

Goods - Mark your calendars for our July 9 collection of baby goods in support of Crisis House. Please bring formula, baby food, diapers and baby wipes. These are much-needed items for families in crisis. If you are going to be gone vacationing, bring your goods to the SAC storage area in the office.

People Power - Please join us for the next Social Action Committee meeting on Sunday, July 16, at 8:30 am in the conference room. Everyone is welcome.

Sunday Morning Meditation Offered at 8:00 a.m.

We will have a meditation/prayer session from 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. each Sunday morning before the service begins.

Wednesday Morning Prayer/ Meditation

Please note: we will start our Wed. morning prayer/meditation group at 8:30 am from now on. This will give us more driving time to get to our new home as we are scattered far and wide.

Within the Congregation

Sally Gross had to go to emergency recently for an infection in her leg. Remember her with calls and prayers.

Continue to remember Jacquie Dowdy in your thoughts and healing prayers as her broken leg heals. She is doing well at home.

From Lynn Nelson - First, thank you all who offered up prayers or sent positive thoughts my way... I started my first day today at North Central University here in Prescott, AZ. Everyone seems so nice and I really like what I'm doing. I just wanted to let you all know how much I appreciated your prayers. Love, Lynn ManyFires

Our hearts go out to John and Suzann Mcquaide and their family at this time. John's mother, Doris, passed away on June 17th. Her long life was celebrated in Summit's sanctuary on June 24th.

To those who remember Anne Wall, we would like to acknowledge she had been an early friend of Summit and member of First Church. Anne passed away April 2nd, 2006, in Portand, OR. She is remembered at Summit for her delightful "Supper and Scrabble" nights offered at the Service Auctions.

Hello Summitarians!

The dust is starting to settle in the office a bit but there are new changes to adjust to all of the time. Bob and Dolores are hanging up their "Office Volunteer" hats for a well deserved respite. They have held the fort and bravely answered questions about Unitarian Universalism and talked with sales people and Jehovah Witnesses whenever they graced our doors. I know they will greatly miss serving Summit in this capacity and I will miss their strong and dear presence with me.

With that said, we need to find folks willing to fill their shoes and help in the office. The tasks are answering the phones, folding brochures, making copies and calls sometimes, labeling mailings, and whatever else I can think of. We're not pushy so we will never give anyone more than they can do. We are also short handed doing the newsletter.

And again, thank you to everyone for your warm hearts and support of my position in Summit. I am so proud to be a part of this Beloved Community!

Sincerely yours, Linda Peck

Hello, Enthusiastic

Summit Members and Friends!

Alix Hart and I have been charged with the task of being the "Aesthetics Committee" co-chairs. We will do our best to solicit ideas from you when we begin to design the balance of our new facility. While we would like to see Summit's facilities evolve into stunning and spiritually uplifting areas , we cannot accept everything that the congregation might wish to donate. We ask you to please call either Alix or me to find out if we can use what you would like to donate. Please do not bring items to our new home to store without checking with us first.

Thank you, Elly Dotseth

Women Together Retreat

September 23, 24, 25, 2006

Camp Stevens in Julian

The San Diego UU Church will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Women Together at Camp Stevens in Julian on September 23, 24, 25, 2006. This silver jubilee celebration will include Rev. Carolyn Owen-Towle, one of the founding women of this traditional annual event.

San Diego UU Church extends an invitation to the women of Summit UU Fellowship to participate in this retreat. This will allow our Summit sisters to meet other UU women while engaging in a three-day retreat that has a 25-year history of events, ceremonies, and comradeship for women, by women.

Application forms for the retreat will be sent to interested women in late May. Registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Please contact Pat Summers at plsummers@cox.net or phone (619) 589-0755 if you are interested.

Schoolpop Visa Card

The Schoolpop Chase Visa Card earns 1% for Summit on all purchases made with the card, whether you are vacationing or just around town. Visit www.schoolpop.com to apply for the Schoolpop Visa Card and to register with Schoolpop. Summit's Schoolpop I.D. number is 0629279.