August 2007

Vol. 17 No. 87 August 2007 Monthly

Minister: Rev. Kathleen Green summitrev@cox.net

President: Debbie Wingard dwingard@ucsd.edu

Editor: Linda Peck Summitunitarian@sbcglobal.net
phone number, 619-562-0833.

Sunday Services - 10:00 a.m.

Aug. 5: Former Summitarians Speaker: Bob Moore

Bob will share with us his remembrances of several Summitarians from the past, their gifts and contributions that laid the foundation of today’s Summit UU Fellowship.

Aug. 12: Meditation Speaker: Carol Rawlins Service Leader: Margo Mariana

Several members from the two meditation groups will speak on meditation and lead the congregation in meditation experiences.

Aug. 19 The Kindness of Strangers Service Leader: Gwen Baldwin

On occasion, when in need, a stranger responds with love and kindness, rekindling our faith in the world. Come hear Miles Beauchamp, Suzanne Ghorpade, and Pilar Placone-Willey share such experiences. The Close Enough Band will provide the music.

Aug. 26 The Welcoming Church Service Leader: Ed Davis

As a "Welcoming Community," Summit welcomes people of all races, ages and sexual orientation. Today’s service celebrates love in diversity and includes fellowship members’ sharing their experience as gay or lesbian persons, or member of PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays - an international organization).

Sept. 2 Welcome! Rev. Kathleen Green

This will be Rev. Kathleen’s first service in Summit’s pulpit as our settled minister. This service will focus on Labor Day with a representative from the Interfaith Shelter for Worker Justice. Please join us as we celebrate and fellowship!

Lost and Found

Lost coats have been taken to Linda’s office: fleece hoody with gray stripes on arms, blue wind-breaker, gray hoody, zippered sweat shirt jacket, a woman’s black dress jacket, and a long-sleeved yellow t-shirt. And a blue water container. We also have a basket in the hall in the office of other lost items.

The Scene at Summit’s September 2007 edition deadline will be:
Aug. 20 Deadline Aug. 23 Mailing

Attention RALPHS Shoppers
It’s time to register (or re-register) your Ralphs Club card at www.ralphs.com to earn contributions for your grocery purchases for Summit UU Fellowship. Registration is required annually on or near September 1. Click on the "Community Contribution" link. Summit’s Ralphs NPO number is 80942.

Summit’s office has a new email address: summitunitarian @sbcglobal.net And web site address:www.summitarian.org

Rev. Kathleen Green From the Minister’s Mailbox

Dear Ones,

We’re he-e-e-e-r-e! Mitchell, Adam, Lucy, and I arrived in El Cajon two short weeks ago and we are settling into our new home and surroundings. I must admit that moving is at the top of my "things I loathe doing" list. And it isn’t even a long list at that! I’m not sure if it’s the physical aspect of packing and unpacking, or the idea of ‘starting over’ that makes me so uncomfortable. I do know that what keeps me going, with a smile on my face, is the thought of beginning my ministry at Summit and being with all of you. You have offered and given help to my family and me as we transition from Chicagoans to San Diegans. I’ve already seen evidence of shared ministry at work. This is encouraging as we’ve got an exciting and busy church year ahead of us and it will take all of us working together in order for our goals to be met and dreams to become reality. It will take each one of us being willing to offer help and support where we can and accepting help and support when we are in need. I am grateful to be entering a compassionate community such as Summit.

Here is an update on my schedule: My official start date at Summit is Aug. 15, with regular office hours tentatively being set for Tues., Wed., and Thurs., beginning that week. My first pulpit Sunday will be Sept. 2, though I will be attending services from time to time until then. During the next few weeks, I plan to get my office together, meet with various committee leaders, and continue to familiarize myself with East County.

Whether literally or symbolically, as each of us packs, unpacks, or starts over this summer, may we remember to be gentle with one another. May we speak the truth in love and may our shared ministry flourish.

Yours for the good cause,

Rev. Kathleen

Membership News

Please welcome five of our youths who signed the Membership book on June 17, 2007. They are: Daniel Bernstein, Alissa Davis, Marissa Henry, Julia Shu and Lee Simpson. Under the guidance of Mark Wheeler, they have agreed to follow and support our Unitarian Universalist Covenant and Principles. A "new members ceremony" for them will be conducted in early Fall by our Minister, Kathleen Green.

The membership committee now has seven members including: Neal Biggart, Gwen Curry, Guenter Esslinger (secretary), Jeanne Hayes, Roberta Osuyos, Patti Robison Heyer (in charge of our greeters and ushers), Pat Summers, Elaine Harper and Joan Chan (co-chairpersons). Agendas for our monthly meetings will be posted in the office. All are welcome to attend.

Committee members have updated our membership and friends list for our website and pictorial directory. A decision has been made by the Board of Directors that those who did not meet the requirements by Lifetouch for a free copy of our forthcoming directory (to be issued in late August); the charge will be $10 each for all additional copies. Since only a limited number of copies will be ordered; please let Joan Chan know by email at jmcpc@cox.net if you wish to order a copy or extra copies by August 3, 1007.

Thank you in anticipation of your co-operation. Joan (Chan)

? Congratulations to first time grandparents, Pat and Lynn Gille, who are celebrating the safe arrival of new grandson, Chase.

? And congratulations to Revs. Carolyn and Tom Owen-Towle on the addition of a new grandchild last month.

? If you know of a Summitarian who is sick, stressed or just plain suffering from summer heat, light a candle for them, give them a hug, or pat on the back to let them know they are part of a loving community.

Summitarians March in Pride Parade

Seventeen Summitarians marched in this year's Pride Parade including eight of our youth. As with the AIDS walk, this was a cluster-wide event with 3 other congregations from San Diego County participating. Marchers from our congregation were Gary and Gwen Baldwin, Ben, Daniel, Laurel and Sandy Bernstein, Adam Green, Marissa Henry, Austin Klich, Al Mork, Denise Lopez, Roberta Osuyos, Stacey Scott, Julia Shu, Lee Simpson, Bill Stanhope, and Mark Wheeler. Everyone had a great time.

If you missed the Sunday service that highlighted the recent General Assembly in Portland, or would like more information on what you heard, please check out the UUA website www.uua.org. You can see pictures, watch videos of some of the events, and hear some of the great lectures/workshops. And when you see Rev. Kathleen, ask her to tell you her Daniel Ellsberg story!

Summit

Children's Choir

We will not be singing as a Choir during the summer.

Enjoy the summer! Thanks for your support.

~ Neal Biggart and Connie Henry

Thanks

to Summiteer Recyclers!

We really appreciate everyone bringing bottles and cans each week. We have a request: Could you give a quick rinse to bottles and cans that had something other than water in them? It would make our job a lot easier (and smell better).

Update on the

Giving Tree

The Giving Tree is in moth balls for a while. It was in a too public place and will return when an appropriate new location can be found. The last money you all donate to it was added to the monies we collected to stop torture. Thank you for years of faithful giving.

The Gardener

From Our

Secretary...

Board Meeting July 19, 2007 was a short business meeting combined with a potluck at the home of Pierre Vaughn and Debbie Wingard. Rev. Kathleen and Mitchell Green also attended having successfully moved to the San Diego Area.

The business conducted was primarily reviewing Summit’s financial situation and the renovation of the Salon Building. John McQuaide informed us that the fellowship spent more than income during fiscal year 2006-07. Reasons: Pledges were behind in collection as well as fees related to our rental. These issues are being followed up.

Rev. Kathleen reported that her first correspondence awaiting her was from a prison inmate. She plans to look into it and follow up with the appropriate actions, should any be needed.

Respectfully submitted by -

Ellen Gifford, Secretary

Debbie Wingard From the President’s Desktop

Last month as I wrote this column, I was leaving for GA. Today, even though it is now five weeks later, I am still feeling awed by the experience. To be in one place with over 6,000 fellow UUs was amazing. While five days of programming, from 7am until midnight, was at times overwhelming, the wealth of information on everything from spirituality to social action to politics, was truly inspiring.

Ed, Connie and Marissa Henry, Jennifer White, Reverend Kathleen and I brought back tons of information to share with you. We will be bringing items and ideas to committee meetings, but feel free to contact any of us if you have questions. I also brought back 12 books on a variety of topics for our library, funded by Rev. Tom’s book sale.

In the realm of social justice, there was a report on implementation of the 2006 Statement of Conscience (SOC) on "Threat of Global Warming/Climate Change". We adopted a new SOC on "Moral Values for a Pleuralistic Society" and heard about progress on a potential SOC on "Peacemaking" to be voted on in 2009.

We also voted in six Actions of Immediate Witness:

Support UN Convention on elimination of all forms of discrimination against women
Support immigrant families by urging cessation of immigration and customs enforcement (ICE) raids
Support comprehensive sexuality education legislation
Support cessation of US sponsored torture
Support repeal "don’t ask, don’t tell" policy, with appropriate protections in place
Support passage of employment non-discrimination act with transgender inclusion and protection

I encourage everyone to consider attending next year, June 25-29, in Fort Lauderdale Florida. Even if you cannot attend, try internet participation! Notes and summaries are posted daily. You can still read and/or watch streaming video of many sessions from this year’s meetings at: http://www.uua.org/events/generalassembly/2007/index.shtml

I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer, with plenty of time to enjoy family and friends, as well as the beauty of San Diego.

Debbie

Social Action Corner

Service Is Our Prayer

Helping Others

Baby Items for Crisis House – Thank you to everyone who contributed baby items and money at the Sunday, July 15 service. Crisis House will appreciate our additions to their supplies for disadvantaged and homeless families. Your amazing and continuous support of social justice activities is uplifting and encouraging.

Amnesty International USA Group 672 - The SD East County Group of Amnesty International gained new momentum last month when it obtained official charter status from AI’s Western Regional office. Our work to discover the human rights activists in Santee is proving successful! The event organized on June 26^th to denounce torture drew many newcomers. Thanks to all Summitarians who supported the formation of this group and to Viraj Ward for her leadership.

What is Fair Trade Coffee? This is coffee produced by democratically run farming cooperatives that are owned and governed by and for the farmers. The benefits of fair trade actually reach the farmers and their communities. There is a commitment to ecologically sustainable farming practices that help build a long-term economic base for farmers while promoting community health and protecting the environment.

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

Financial : Summit has an opportunity to be of service to our new community, Santee. At our August 19^th Sunday Service, we will be collecting funds to support Challenge Day at three local schools. This event promotes positive changes in race relations and cultural sensitivity while strengthening leadership skills. Volunteers for the event are also needed. If you are interested in volunteering on September 6^th and 7th, please contact Tyra Myles. For more information about Challenge Day go to http://www.challengeday.org/ .

People Power: The next meeting of Amnesty International is on Tuesday, July 31 at 7:00 pm. The August meeting will be Tuesday, August 28 at 7 pm. Please note that starting September 24^th our meetings will shift from the last Tuesday of the month to the last Monday of the month. Unless special events are planned, all meetings start at 7:00 pm. Hope you can come. Contact Viraj Ward if you have further questions.

Buy Fair Trade Coffee - Your purchases of coffee, tea and chocolate bars on the third Sunday of each month help support this cause and the profit we make on each item goes directly into our Summit general funds. It is possible to order a case which is 6 - 12 oz. bags, at a price ranging from $41.50 to $47.50 depending upon the product. For more information, contact Lynne Slaughter. Our next date to have the products available is August 19.

FYI: California Coastal Clean Day, September 15, 2007, 9am – noon. Join over 5,000 volunteers at more than 60 sites around San Diego County to pick up debris and be part of the solution to marine pollution.more information, go to http://www.cleanupday.org/ .

Our next Social Action Committee meeting will be Sunday, August 12 at 8:30 am in the conference room. Newcomers are always more than welcome!

Religious Exploration for Children and Youth at Summit

SEVENTH PRINCIPLE SUMMER: So far, our multi-aged group has learned about the importance of being kind to phytoplankton and of the helpfulness of trees and plants. Next on the agenda is taking a closer look at how we can practice the three Rs: reduce, reuse, recycle. We’re creating eco-friendly things along the way, and on September 9 will have a coffee time sale of these goods, the proceeds going to a local environmental organization chosen by the children. Two field trips are in the planning stages: one to the Cuyamaca College Conservation Garden and another to the beach.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY is an experience worth having! Being under one roof with six thousand fellow UUs is moving and memorable. The mind-boggling number of workshops and lectures promises something for everyone, and the opportunity for resource-gathering is great. I returned with lots of books, curricula and ideas and look forward to putting them to good use. And Tom Owen-Towle’s generous gift to Summit of the proceeds from the recent sale of his books was used partly to order two DVDs and four CDs of six of what Debbie Wingard, Ed Henry, Marissa Henry and I decided were among the best presentations we’d experienced at GA and wanted to bring back to share with our congregation.

COMING OF AGE: Our seventh through ninth graders will have the opportunity to participate in Coming of Age in September. This special program is designed to mark the transition from childhood to youth. Throughout history, many cultures have marked this passage with rituals, learning, testing and celebration. The curriculum we will use was carefully developed with this in mind by the UU Church of Greater Lansing and offers a rich variety of engaging, meaningful and often fun experiences. The group will meet on Sunday mornings for 26 sessions. If you have friends or relatives who might be interested in joining Summit’s Coming of Age, please have them contact me.

AND SERVICE BE OUR PRAYER:

Thanks for assisting with serving, cleanup and childcare at Tom’s July 1 farewell service and luncheon to: Daniel Bernstein, Erica Braymen, William Braymen, Alissa Davis, Marissa Henry, Tom Schad and Julia Shu.

Please continue to bring your recyclable cans and bottles and stash them in or beside the green marked container in the R.E. activity area. If they’ve held other than water, please give them a quick rinse before putting them into recycling.

Many thanks to our July teaching volunteers: Norma Pizarro, Mark Wheeler, Diane Slagle, Alan McQuaide, Don Jania-Smith, Barbara Jania-Smith, Erica Braymen, Elizabeth Braymen and Mark Weedman.

Please contact me with any questions, concerns, ideas or to talk about teaching opportunities.

Connie Henry, D.R.E.

conniehenry@cox.net

(619) 460-4794

Summit Endowment Fund Purpose?

After the service on August 5^th, the circle discussion topic will be: "For what purposes(s) should Summit Endowment Fund income be used?" (An endowment fund is a permanent fund that generates income used to support the mission and vision of an organization. Typically, endowment fund principal is never spent.) Our Planned Giving Task Force (Mary Braunwarth, Rod Orth, and Vic White) will soon be recommending specific Endowment Fund structure and policies for formal consideration and approval by members of the congregation…at a congregational meeting…in the future and after Rev. Kathleen Green’s formal arrival. The congregation, at that meeting, will be asked to vote on:

Proposed changes to our Bylaws (to establish an Endowment Fund),

Endowment Fund Trustees (that will be legally responsible to the congregation for management of the Endowment Fund and how Endowment Fund dollars are expended), and

General purposes for which Endowment Fund dollars may be used.

The discussion on August 5^th will be an opportunity for all to help determine "general purposes for which Endowment Fund dollars may be used" …in the future…in support of our important mission. All and all ideas are welcome! Can’t make it on August 5^th? No problem: please see one of us before August 5^th and we will make sure your suggestions are included with others.

Vic White, for the Planned Giving Task Force

Circle Dinners on Saturday, August 25

On Saturday, August 25, at 6:30 pm we will have our Summit Circle Dinner for Spring.

A circle dinner is a gathering of 6-8 adult Summitarians at the home of one of their fellow Summitarians. In the past the host has supplied the home and the main dish and contacted the guests to let them know where to report for dinner and what side dish, salad, etc. to bring. This time there will be a lesser option for hosts if they care to accept it. That is, you may supply only the house and dishes and allow one of your attendees to take over the responsibilities of being the host.

You may now sign up at two levels of commitment as a host.

Type A host - Be the traditional circle dinner host. Provide the house, main dish, food coordination and contact all the guests. OR;

Type B host - Be slightly less dedicated but still virtuous host. Provide the house and the tableware but let someone else prepare the main dish, plan and coordinate the food and contact the other guests.

Or, you can sign up at two different levels of commitment as a guest .

Guest 1 - Be the guest who prepares the main dish, coordinates the food and contacts the other guests. OR:

Guest 2 - Be the traditional guest. Bring your requested food contribution and gratitude to the dinner.

Please sign up in the greeting room with Suzanne McQuaide or email suzanne-m@cox.net or call 619-229-0081. New members, we want you, too!!

From the Librarian. . .

Due to recent generous donations, we are running out of shelf space in our John Carey Library. To help solve the problem, we are eliminating the mystery fiction section. These books will be on sale at $.50 each, for several up-coming Sundays.

From the Office

Administrator . . .(Diagram not Showen)

Most of our members and friends aren’t around the facilities during the week. So, since the Editor has a blank spot in the newsletter I thought I would take some time to orient folks to the layout of the offices.

The DRE, Minister and Administrator have bins next the doors of our offices for anything that needs to be left for us, messages, letters, etc. In the case of the Admin./Bookkeeper, this is where you would leave your filled out forms with receipts, memos, etc.

Across from the door to conference room 2 is a stand (rectangle gray box on the diagram) with a basket on it. The basket is Lost & Found. The lost coats and jackets mentioned on page one are hanging inside the door of the Administrator’s office.

In the hall in the center of the office area is the copier and paper storage. Both sizes of paper are in the cabinets there. As you stand at the copier facing the wall, to your left is a bin with forms in it (the little black box on the diagram). The most often asked for forms and stationary are here: reimbursement forms, purchase request forms, offering forms for the ushers, Summit letter heads and return address labels, and labels for offering envelopes.

When you call the office to reserve an area of the church or one of the conference rooms, it would be good to have an idea of how many people will be meeting in the area. Conference room 2 has a refrigerator and cabinetry as well as the storage cabinets with office supplies. Conference room 1 is larger and has the collection of Summit’s history binders and UU reading material. Several of Rev. Tom’s books are here.

Our library has many interesting titles ranging in a wide variety of topics. Gini Schmitz, our Librarian, has a sign out binder in the library area between conference rooms 1 and 2. This binder is also where you can look for books by title or author.

I hope everyone will remember the office supplies are for Summit uses and that they have been purchased with our offerings. If you notice we are out of something or running low please let Linda Peck know.

Thanks so much!

Please update your directory with the following information. This will cut down on calls to the office. Thank you.

Russ & Misha Chapman’s email:

blewskyz@cox.net

Ed Davis has moved:

7747 Tommy Dr., #9, San Diego, 92119

619-462-2047; edward22@earthlink.net

Brian Scherrer has moved:

1008 Cordova Ct., Chula Vista, 91910

619-985-1695; brian-s@cox.net

Michelle Beauchamp’s email:

mbeauchamp12@hotmail.com

Judi Bonilla’s email:

eurosweet@gmail.com

Bill Stanhope has moved:

2750 Joshua Creek Rd., Chula Vista, 91914

619-306-2378; bill0304@aol.com

Freethinkers

Tuesday, Aug. 7, 7 pm, in religious exploration large room, join us to view The U.S. vs John Lennon. This DVD focuses on Lennon's evolution from beloved Beatle to iconic inspiration for peace, with Nixon and Hoover attempting to deport him. Great look back at Nixon and the Vietnam years, with comparison to Bush's current use of presidential secrecy and authority. Appearances by John Lennon, Carl Bernstein, Walter Cronkite, Mario Cuomo, John Dean, Ron Kovic, Yoko Ono Lennon, G. Gordon Liddy, George McGovern, Bobby Seale, Gore Vidal and many others.

For information on Freethinkers activities, please call Wendell or Carol Rawlins, 619- 644-1963.

Lunch Bunch

All Summitarians who would like more fellowship and food after Sunday service & Circle Discussion, are welcome to meet with the lunch bunch. On August 5 we will eat Italian style at La Trattoria, 9720-A Mission Gorge Road, Santee (by Best Buy). On the 12th, we'll be at Mimi’s, 9812 Mission Gorge Road, Santee. Then on August 19, we'll "gorge" at Skootz, 9535 Mission Gorge Road, Santee (across from the Post Office). On August 26, we dine at Olive Garden, 9800 Mission Gorge Road, Santee.

If you intend to join us, please print your name on the hanging sign-up sheet in the lobby during the coffee time so we can phone ahead for reservations. See you there!

Schoolpop

Visa Card Holders

Schoolpop Visa Card holders must register their cards with Schoolpop for Summit to receive contributions. This also applies to replacement cards with new numbers. Call Schoolpop at 1-888-200-2088 or visit www.schoolpop.com.

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

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 or friends.

For more info, contact the Summit office at 619-562-0833. The Summit Caring Committee oversees the distribution of these funds where they might be needed.

From the

Caring Committee…

Summit’s 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. 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 Jania-Smith at 619-461-7039. You and your occasion will be mentioned in that Sunday’s order of service. Thank you!

About Chalice Lighters . . .

Summit is currently the latest recipient of the Chalice Lighters grant, which will allow us to extend DRE Connie Henry’s hours. Many of us didn’t know about this philanthropic UU program prior to this.

Chalice Lighters is a program of the Pacific Southwest District created to help fund the growth of the member congregations of this District. The program is designed to provide grants for: facility improvements, such as buying land, building, rebuilding, furnishing or enlarging facilities; one-time development expenses, such as the costs of hiring a Minister or Religious Educator. These are improvements that would significantly strengthen the scope of a congregation’s ministry.

The funds for these grants come from UUs like you-subscribers who pledge to pay $20 or more, three times per year.

Sign up to be a Chalice Lighter today!

Forms are available in the Greeting Room and the office

Women’s Retreat

Relax, Renew and Reconnect with old friends and new! Women Together Retreat invites you to join us in "Touching the Feminine Face of God"- a celebration of the Divine as seen in ourselves. Will your inner Goddess plan a workshop? Participate in Worship? Swim in the pool? Dance, sing or play dress-up? Meet with Diane Lowrie Sunday August 12, after Summit’s Sunday service. You can register, pick up a workshop form, or just say "Hello!"

Leadership Training School

First UU Church Leadership Training School is coming! Save the dates of September 27-30 if you are interested in attending an LTS hosted by First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego at the Prince of Peace Abbey in Oceanside. The school will cover a wide range of topics, including running effective meetings, managing conflict, working in teams, creating worship services, awareness of the UUA's Journey Toward Wholeness initiative, and living our Unitarian Universalist heritage and values. Check in your church office for brochures, and look for details and the registration form at www.firstuusandiego.org/site_general/927leadershiptrng.html. Open registration commences August 1, 2007 at a price of $390 per person ($420 after September 8). Questions? Contact Susan Weaver at 619-579-0803 or skweaver@cox.net.