Summit Newsletter

Upcoming Sunday Services - 10:00 a.m.

November 5: “Greater Than the Name of God Itself!”
Rev. Tom Owen-Towle
What could that possibly be? Come and find out, as we worship in spirit and truthfulness with fellow Summitarians. Carol Straubinger will be our pianist.
November 12: “Taking Care of Each Other”
Gwen Baldwin
How do you express your care for others? What do you expect when others care for you? Many miscommunications arise around how caring is expressed. Come hear Roberta Osuyos, Rene Schad and Brian Scherrer address this topic. Our own Close Enough Band will perform at this service.
November 19: “Graying Gracefully”
Rev. Tom Owen-Towle
How can we age in a conscious and compassionate way, be we 25 or 95? Carol Rawlins and Barbara Sorensen have crafted a special litany to honor our Summit elders, 80 years old and above. Music will be furnished by our Choir, and we will launch our UUSC Guest At Your Table program.
November 26: “The Holiness of Waiting”
Rev. Tom Owen-Towle
As we enter the Advent season, how can we partake in the delicate art of creative waiting? Elaine Harper and Richard Wilkie will contribute their musical gifts.
December 3: “Staying Joyful During the Holidaze!”
Rev. Tom Owen-Towle
Given the hecticity and oft-dreariness of the season, come and learn how we Unitarian Universalists can sustain a spirit of joyfulness. Two of our high schoolers, Marissa Henry and Julia Shu, will grace us with their musical offerings.

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WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO IN CHILDREN’S R.E.:
UU Identity is the theme for Summit’s 2006-2007 Sunday school year.
Preschool and younger children: have been enjoying playing together as well as hearing stories about trying to be kind and truthful.

Kindergarten to second graders: are learning about Unitarians, Universalists, and UUs whose actions embody the UU Principles. Ask them about Olympia Brown, Clara Barton or Christopher Reeve.
Third to fifth graders: considered sports and teamwork, and learned of two UUs whose lives embodied the seven principles: Elizabeth Blackwell and Albert Schweitzer.
Sixth to eighth graders: have learned about Rosh Hashana and forgiveness, heresy in UU history, and the creation of UU memorial services.
Ninth to twelfth graders: considered philosophical issues inspired by Monty Python, shared favorite music as a vehicle for discussion, and have begun the curriculum “Living in UU Ville” which provides a novel opportunity to examine the seven principles.
“GISH” prayer beads: October 8 was a wonderful beading day as kids and teachers put together UU prayer bead bracelets and learned how to use them. Each bracelet includes the letters G,I,S and H, standing for gratitude, improvement, sorrow and hope. It’s not too late for those who would like to make a bracelet! Supplies and instructions are on the bookshelf next to the piano in the R.E. area.

AND SERVICE BE OUR PRAYER: Hats off to our teens who participated in AIDS Walk San Diego on October 1: Daniel Bernstein, Alissa Davis, Marissa Henry, Julia Shu and Lee Simpson and to Mark Wheeler and Alix Hart for leading the way.

The pause that refreshes: Summit’s first concert in our new home was a great success in many ways, one being that $158 was raised for R.E. in refreshment sales. Thanks to all who donated goodies, bought goodies, and to Ben Bernstein, Daniel Bernstein and Marissa Henry for selling goodies.
UU Kids Can: Please continue to bring your recyclable cans and stash them on or by the bottom shelf of the bookcase next to the piano in the R.E. area. Thanks!
MANY THANKS to our October volunteer teachers: Pat Gille, John McQuaide, Miles Beauchamp, Mark Wheeler, Melissa Moore, Patti Robison-Heyer, Neal Biggart, Linda Peck, Juli Graham, Jack Shu, Barbara Gates, Jack Slagle, Diane Slagle, Leslie Robard, Carolyn Owen-Towle, Pierre Vaughn, Michelle Beauchamp and Stacey Scott.

Connie Henry, D.R.E.
(619) 460-4794 / conniehenry@cox.net

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In the News...

Sunday Morning Meditation: We will have a meditation/prayer session from 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. each Sunday morning before the service begins. And Wednesday Mornings At 8:30
Hiking Summitarians! The weather is once again favorable to getting out and about. For those interested in hiking to the summit of Cowles Mountain, meet in the parking lot at Navajo and Golfcrest on Wed. mornings at 8:30 am.
November Update
October was a bustling time for the Ministerial Search Committee. We distributed the results of the Congregational Survey and Focus Groups. If you haven’t picked one up, and would like one, let us know. We submitted to the UUA: our Congregational Record (16 pages of who we are and what we need/want in a minister), an Application for Minister (our geographic area, size of congregation and salary range offered) and a Draft Ministerial Agreement (a draft detailing components of a ministerial contract). In mid-November, we get to view information on the candidates. This is getting more like computer dating all the time!
Thirty-two Summitarians attended a 3-hour workshop led by UUA facilitators on Beyond Categorical Thinking. During the workshop, participants were asked to share their personal concerns, their perceived congregational concerns and the benefits of calling a settled minister who might be a person of color, a person with disabilities or a person who is gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. It made for a lively discussion. We’ll be sharing the summary of that experience with you in the very near future. At the workshop, we learned that there are presently 125-150 ministers who will engage in the search process and 130 congregations in the U.S. searching for a minister – some for the Fall of 2007 (like Summit) and some for 2008. Within the pool of ministers searching for congregations, the estimate is that 5-15 are people of color; 15-25 are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender people; 3-10 are people with some disability; most ministers will be in their 40s and 50s, though there are ministers in their 20s, 30s, 60s and 70s; there is an even split between male and female; some are financially independent, many are middle class, some come from blue-collar families and some are scraping to make it by. Some congregations are seeking part-time or consulting ministers or assistant or associate ministers. Some ministers have geographic restrictions, or are interested only in one or two particular congregations, but most are open to going anywhere. The next few months hold great promise. Thank you, and stay tuned…
“Graying Gracefully,” November 19
How can we age in a conscious and compassionate way, be we 25 or 95? Carol Rawlins and Barbara Sorensen have crafted a special litany to honor our Summit elders, 80 years old and above. Music will be furnished by our Choir, and we will launch our UUSC Guest At Your Table program.
Social Action Corner
"Service Is Our Prayer:"
AIDS Walk 2006 – The San Diego UU Churches walked together on October 1st in the 2006 AIDS Walk. Over half the participants were from Summit including five of our teens. The Cluster raised $5,369.00 - the 9th highest total of the approximately 275 groups that contributed more than $400,000.00 this year. Thanks to all our walkers and sponsors.
Crisis House’s Domestic Violence Shelter – Summitarians have done it again and exceeded expectations by contributing over $760 for the purchase of household items for Crisis House’s Domestic Violence Shelter. Thank you so much for your generous hearts and thanks also to our volunteers, Viraj Ward and Vic White, who will purchase the needed items.
How can you help Summit’s efforts in social action?
Financial - “Helping Others Across Our Borders” – Sunday, November 19 – Our children will be passing out the annual Guest At Your Table collection boxes. Please take a box home, place on it on your table, and add funds as the spirit moves you. Mealtimes are great times for families to share their blessings and talk about the importance of helping others. The boxes will be collected in early 2007 and the funds given to the UU Service Committee to support their many social justice programs in the US and across the world.
Don’t forget to purchase Fair Trade Coffee. Lynn Slaughter and Vic White will again have a table set up outside the lobby on Sunday, November 19.
People Power - Please join us for the next Social Action Committee meeting on Sunday, November 19, 8:30 am, in the conference room. Everyone is welcome.

—ATTENTION—
Editor’s Corner
The Scene at Summit’s December edition deadline will be:
Nov. 20 Deadline/
Nov. 23 Mailing
Linda Peck, editor

~Remember Margo Mariana and her family for the passing of her sister-in-law on Oct. 22. Your prayers are much appreciated.

~ It was good to see Lynn Nelson at church on Oct. 22, a quick visit from “Summit East.” She is still adjusting to the climate changes in Prescott.

~ It is good to have Lois Davies back in our midst and feeling better. We have missed you!

~ Occassionally Jacquie Dowdy needs house and pet sitting when she travels. If you are available to help please call her at 619-460-2924.
Within the Congregation

The Honoring/Memorial Fund
This Fund has been established to accept contributions to celebrate moments in our lives such as weddings and to commemorate deaths of loved ones. After Mike Evans, one of our long time members, passed away, Rod and Barbara Orth started this fund. They wanted to contribute in honor of Mike’s life and contributions to Summit. Rod and Barbara are hoping this becomes a tradition. For more info, contact the Summit office at 619-562-0833.

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I always feel like a stranger each time I stand and introduce myself at UU services during my travels, be it in Baltimore or Boston. However, I invariably bump into somebody with whom we have a UU friend or acquaintance in common. All UUs are separated not by six of Kevin Bacon’s degrees of separation, but no more than three. I recently checked the Website of one of the six congregations I’ve been a member of, First UU Church of Albuquerque. I was a member there for nearly eight years and served on the board. While the senior minister, Christine Robinson, and many of my old friends are still members, the lay leadership is all new. Meanwhile, Albuquerque has gone from roughly 300 pledging units a decade ago to about 650 today. At General Assembly this year in St. Louis, I didn’t recognize anybody in the group from First UU Church of Nashville, where I was a member for five years. I’m sure my other former congregations in Farmington, NM, Brookfield, WI, and Arlington Street Church in Boston have been transformed by new faces as well.

Luckily, Summit is young enough to be blessed with the regular attendance and service of founding members such as Dorothy Greene, Gini Schmitz, and Bob and Dolores Moore. But these founders are the first to credit a wave of energetic newcomers with injecting vitality into the congregation. In just the past couple years, Summit has attracted new board and committee leaders such as John McQuaide, Pilar Placone-Willey, LaMar and Toni Rogers, Debbie Wingard, Ellen Gifford, Suzanne and Jai Ghorpade, Alix Hart, Roberta Osuyos, Margo Mariana, Bob Dryden, Susan Goodrich, Vic White, Gwenda Curry, Neal Biggart, and others. These newcomers are your current and future leaders. If you had left Summit only 5 years ago and returned this Sunday, all of these leaders would be strangers to you.

From week to week and month to month it’s hard to notice, but Summit is undergoing a profound metamorphosis. In the past year alone, about 30 newcomers have joined our community, giving us a total of roughly 125. Our 10-year plan calls for Summit to reach 200 members, but we may eventually surpass that number. Of course, this transformation wouldn’t be possible without current long-time leaders, including the Baldwins, Bernsteins, Brynings, Chans, Janet Dixon, Garveys, Harper-Wilkies, Henrys, Orths, Rawlinses, Jack Shu, Diane Slagle, and others. As our community continues to grow, I hope we will treasure all former and current members and personally welcome each newcomer.

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Adult Religious Exploration (A.R.E.)
Summit Seminars take place on the third Tuesday of the month, 7 to 8:30 pm, in our conference room, 8778 Cottonwood Ave., Santee, CA. For information call Richard Wilkie, 619-443-3543.

“Rhetoric, Reason and the Western Mind”
Presenter: Dr. Richard Wilkie
Dr. Wilkie is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Rhetoric and Communication, SUNY Albany, NY. Date: Tuesday, November 21

“Conflict Resolution Across Cultures”
Presenter: Roberta Osuyos
Ms. Osuyos has a Masters in Social Work, and is a licensed Clinical Social Worker with a certificate in conflict resolution, California State Dept. of Mental Health.
Date: Tuesday, December 19

"Getting Acquainted Sessions" will be held following the Sunday morning worship service, after refreshments and greeting folks. Join our interim minister, Rev. Tom Owen-Towle, and a lay leader in the conference room from 11:30-12:00, to learn more about the philosophy and programs of Summit, as well as introduce yourselves to us. Our fall gatherings will be November 5 and December 3, the first Sundays of each month. Please call the office to register.
Lunch Bunch

All Summitarians who would like more fellowship and food after Sunday services are welcome to meet with the lunch bunch. On November 5 we will eat at Mimi’s Café, 9812 Mission Gorge Road, Santee, phone 562-2644. November 12 will find us at Applebee’s, 107 Fletcher Parkway, El Cajon, phone 593-3066. On the 19th, we'll be at Olive Garden, 9800 Mission Gorge Road, Santee, phone 562-1622. Then on November 26, we'll "gorge" at Michael’s Grill, 9621 Mission Gorge Road, Santee, phone 258-2110.

If you intend to join us, please sign up on the clip board on the table under the Summit banner before 11:30, so we can phone ahead for reservations.

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Rev. Tom Owen-Towle Ministerial Musings
It’s never easy, for the sturdiest among us, to navigate the oft-murky, choppy waters of the wintry holiday season. But this much I know to be true: I’m spiritually replenished, whenever I engage in daily rituals of gratitude and gladness that spur me to bless our world. And the optimal time to launch our exercises of thankfulness is immediately following Halloween, in order to give us a good jump on the holidays.
Here’s one daily ritual of meaning, my homespun version of a Nepalese body prayer. Perhaps you’ll find it useful for your own spiritual fortification.

Upon rising from bed, I plant my feet firmly on the floor, usually following a jaunt to the bathroom. After finding my body’s center of gravity, I slightly bend my knees and cup my hands in a receptive mode, right above the navel. I affirm my very being with words such as: “I’m a child of the universe. I belong here. It’s good for me to be alive.”

Then my hands lift, barely touching and fully stretched to the sky in prayerful gesture, and I continue speaking out loud: “i thank You God for most this amazing day” (Unitarian poet e. e. cummings), or similar words of bone-deep gratitude.

When my arms reach their apex, I open wide my hands and shape them into a chalice to welcome all the manifold gifts, both challenges and comforts, to be delivered on this irrepeatable day. My words are: “into my hands are received today’s delights and difficulties, sorrows and joys.” Then, slowly, in circling fashion, I draw my extended hands back to the beginning position, while assertively uttering: “I promise to spread these blessings to every living entity whom I greet this precious day.”

I repeat this ritual, perhaps three or four times, to stretch my being in ample measure. I confess that after performing this body-and-soul exercise, my day consistently tastes better.
May you find, and then embody, rituals of nourishment that enable you to bless your daily world…especially during this darkening season of the year.

In faith, hope, and love…Tom

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Deepening Our Roots Auction 2006
November 4, 6:00 p.m.
This is the first Auction in our new home! Are you ready? Have you checked off the things you have done to support the Auction? Do you have your Auction Catalog? They have been available at church on Sundays and in the office. If you haven’t picked one up yet, don’t worry! They will be available at the door.
Here are some ways you can be a part of making this Auction the best.
Donate. Fill out one, or two, or three (or more) of the gold colored donation forms.
Donate an item for the raffle or for one of the prizes.
Buy Auction tickets and bring some friends so they buy Auction tickets too!
Buy lots of raffle tickets because there will be lots of great raffle items.
Buy someone a glass of wine, champagne or beer from the bar, and because you’re so nice, buy two for you!
Eat more than one piece of dessert! God (if there is one) knows there will be lots of different kinds of mouthwatering desserts from Summit’s best pastry chefs!
Bid high, and bid lots.
Think “Holiday Shopping.” Auction items make great holiday gifts for family and Summit friends. Who wouldn’t want their car detailed or their house cleaned?
We look forward to seeing you at the surprise-filled auction on November 4th at 6:00PM.
My best to all, Pilar Placone-Willey, 2006 Auction Coordinator
Please contact me with any questions, concerns or ideas.

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The Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice
3rd Annual Benefit Breakfast To Honor Rev. Ned Wight
Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2006/ 7:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Point Loma Ballroom of the Kona Kai Resort
For those interested in attending, invitations (with price lists) are available at the Greeter’s table and the office. Or you can call Bet Lawrence at 619-584-5744, ext. 60, or email ICWJ@onlinecpi.org.
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Freethinkers
Freethinkers meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at 7 PM in the RE lobby. 1st Tuesday - Nov. 7 we will be listening to an audio tape of Chilean-American poet and a Duke professor addressing THE CORRUPTING POWER of TORTURE on NPR. It's a stunner. He spoke in defense of a Washington Post article he wrote. We also have printed copies of his radio address and the Post article available.
2nd Tuesday, Nov. 21, we will attend the Summit Seminars to hear Richard Wilkie’s seminar, “Rhetoric, Reason and the Western Mind.”
The world is saved in quiet ways, day by day, whenever ordinary people bless it. Rev. Patrick O’Neill
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Capital Campaign Update
While the bulk of the Capital Campaign fundraising effort occurred last year, be assured that the Capital Campaign is alive and well! We continue to visit new members, to explain the annual and capital needs of our congregation. To date we have a total of nearly $658,000 pledged, of which over $282,000 has already been received. Even our children have raised $115 to date, by recycling cans and water bottles!
Between received pledges, grants, our pre-existing building fund, and other sources, we have received over $735,000 towards our Capital Needs. Most of this has been applied to our down payment and mortgage. The Finance Committee has projected a three-year budget for paying down our mortgage, as well as annual projected income from pledges. Our goal is to end up with a mortgage of less than $400,000 at the end of the three-year Capital Campaign. This would leave us with an affordable monthly mortgage payment (similar to the rent we were paying before for the Lodge and Office combined).
In addition to paying down the mortgage, we would like to make some improvements to our property. The Finance Committee has carefully reviewed the expected flow of Capital income and expenses to determine how much we can safely afford in improvements at this time. We also asked our major committees to submit itemized wish lists for improvements to our home (as opposed to ongoing annual expenses). These items were shared with other committees, the Finance Committee and the Board of Directors. After careful consideration, we have determined that we can afford the following priority items during the current fiscal year:
Soundproofing the greeting room, Sanctuary staging, Aesthetics (including signage, sanctuary window treatment and wall hanging), CRE improvement (additional chairs, carpet replacement), Kitchenette remodel, Tool shed for landscape and maintenance equipment, Improved ceiling speaker system in sanctuary
Another top priority was an outdoor fenced play area for CRE, however, this is on hold until we make changes to our Conditional Use Permit (CUP). Other improvements have been identified for future years (sooner if Capital Income is received quicker than projected). These include long-range landscaping, additional aesthetics/art, CRE and programming needs. Next month we will also share a list of items that committees have identified that might be donated or underwritten.
Thanks again for everyone’s ongoing support of our beloved community! Every donation of time, effort or funding is greatly appreciated. If you would like more detail on any of the above, please feel free to contact us.
Debbie Wingard, for the Board of Directors

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Directory Band-aid
Please make the following changes to your Aug. 2006 Summit Directory:

Mac Downing’s apt. number should be #232.

Don Stouder
2907 Shelter Island Dr., #105
San Diego, CA 92106
619-602-5151
sportpilot@mac.com

Eleanor Simmonds - 619-440-4963

Vic & Jennifer White
7499 Hazard Center Dr.
San Diego, CA 92108
619-543-9890
victorwh@aol.com, jenniferwh@aol.com

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The Giving Tree
Help for Darfur
Funds collected on The Giving Tree in the hallway outside the administrator's office will be going this time to Darfur. Relief organizations are having an increasingly difficult time getting into and being safe in Darfur. Please quickly add your donation so we can harvest the tree and get the money to the relief organizations for when they have little windows of opportunity to feed the starving homeless millions in this, the most horrendous genocide in decades.
Thanks for your help
~The Gardener

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UUSC Holiday Cards
Support UUSC while sharing the spirit of the season. Your purchase of unique UU holiday cards will help us advance human rights and social justice in the United States and around the world. To view this year’s cards and to order, go to http://www.uusc.org/holidaycards or call 617-868-6600.

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Lay Leader Tools
Resources Online & Close to Home
We value the vital role you play as a leader in your congregation. Our goal is to support your leadership, and to thank you! Online, please visit www.uua.org/layleader, where you can find InterConnections Resources offering support.

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A Year After Katrina
The Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge is managing the UU Katrina Volunteer Coordinating Center. Help is still needed. This office is in touch with needs in Louisiana and Mississippi. Congregations can volunteer help by contacting them at uukatrina@bellsouth.net or 225-926-2283, 225-223-3203, or 225-223-2876.

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4th Annual Christmas Sing-Along
Come one, come all to the Christmas Sing-Along on December 2, 2006. We will start singing at 7:00 pm. Hot mulled wine and apple cider will be served. Bring some light snacks to share. If you have folding chairs, please bring them. And don’t forget to bring your instruments! Where to be? Janet Dixon’s -
6683 Maury Dr., San Diego, 92119/ 619-465-1160 or spierdixon@mac.com

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From the Program/Worship Committee . . .
Ed Henry has agreed to serve as Chair of the Program/Worship Committee, the committee that works with the Minister to provide inspiring Sunday services. Other members of the committee include Carol Rawlins, Barbara Sorensen, Ed Davis, Andrea Newall, Connie Henry, and LaMar and Toni Rogers. Gwen Baldwin has also recently served on the Committee. If you have any suggestions on sermon topics or logistical matters relating to the services, please feel free to bring your suggestions to Ed Henry for consideration. All the members of the Committee and the teams it coordinates with will be functioning in a "shared ministry" partnership with our interim minister. Thanks, Ed, for adding this new role to the many other things you do for our community.

From the Caring Committee…
Your Summit Caring Committee is responsible for providing transportation for those members who are unable to drive and need help getting to our Sunday service, meetings or medical appointments. At present, the need is modest, so volunteers should not be overtaxed.
If you are willing and able to help occasionally, please let us know. We’ll try very hard to make it convenient for you. Please contact Rod Orth at 619-583-3405.

Flowers for Sunday Services
The flowers at our Sunday services always add a soft spirit to the room. If you would be interested in commemorating a personal special occasion or honoring a loved one by providing a flower arrangement for a particular Sunday, contact Barbara Orth (619-583-3405) or Vivienne Jacobson (619-469-4945). You and your occasion will be mentioned in that Sunday’s order of service. Thank you!

Resources to Create a More Accessible Congregation
The UU World magazine is available for free from Identity-based Ministries for anyone who cannot read the regular print magazine. Call or email us at:
access@uua.org / 617-948-6451
Also, these “talking books” are available on 4-track cassettes:
A Chosen Faith
Unitarian Universalist Pocket Guide
Day of Promise
Order info is available in the office (see flyer), email: rpierson@mabcommunity.org, or 617-972-9117.
Information from the
Larger UU Community and the UUA

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From the Cluster . . .
To raise UU visibility, S.D. UU’s will be participating in the North Park Toyland Parade on Saturday, Dec. 2, beginning at 11:00 am. They are wanting to involve all ages of UUs, include a UU marching band; carry the redesigned Cluster banner and hand out “gifts” along the 1-mile route, etc.
The Cluster also plans to enter parades throughout the county. For more info contact Martin Kruming at MKruming@aol.com.

A Note From …
Former SUUF member, Karen Hagberg, reports that Granite Peak UUC and Prescott UUF joined their efforts for the annual Empty Bowls Event, raising $12,000 for food banks in their area. Summit’s Elly Dotseth and her potters guild also contributed bowls. Congrats to one and all!
What is a Unitarian Universalist?

Universalists believe that God is too good to damn people, Unitarians believe that they are too good to be damned.

People who believe in life “before” death.

PS. Keep in mind I will be taking some much needed time off in mid November. We will all need to be flexible and schedule accordingly.
Thanks, Linda, the Office Admin.