Hi folks –

KPOJ POJ-cast 7-8 am 6-20-07 (Bill’s 15-minute interview starts just after 7:30 AM).

There are a wide variety of discussion groups that you might be interested in attending over the summer:

• Women’s Book Discussion
• Chalice Readers
• Summer Forum
• Women’s Meditation and Buddhist Study Group

Women’s Book Discussion

Penny Gerritsen & Christy Trigeiro

On Tuesday, June 19th at 7:15 pm we will discuss On Becoming Fearless by Arianna Huffington.  In July, we will read and discuss The Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle. 

New participants are always welcome. Call Christy at 619-464- 7889 or Penny at 760-591-4824 for more information.

Chalice Readers

Mary Pomerene & John Drewe

On June 29th, we will discuss Children of God by Mary Doria Russell. The discussion on this strikingly original, richly plotted book will be led by Mary Pomerene.  

Questions? Call Mary or John.

Summer Forum

The Forum meets at 10:15 Sundays at Chalice. The Forum topics for Sundays in June:

• Election Reform/Clean Elections,
• Immigration,
• the Separation of Church and State and
• Privatization of Prisons.  

Please review these topics and if you are interested in facilitating the discussion please contact John Gaunt. Each facilitator should bring some information about the topic in order to begin the discussion. Contact John  858-487-8367  to volunteer and check
summer topics for July and August.

The guidelines for the Forum:

1. All who are attending get 1-2 minutes to express their thoughts.
2. The facilitator is responsible for a discussion where all who wish to
   speak are encouraged.

Women’s Meditation and Buddhist Study Group

Sali Weiss

On the first, third and fourth Wednesdays of the month a Women’s Meditation and Buddhist Study Group meets at Chalice. The group meets at 10 am and “sits” for about 45 minutes. Then, at 11 am we discuss Buddhism, its philosophy and how it can impact us daily. 

This study is not about the religion of Buddhism, but about how we can become more “present” in our daily activities and learn to enjoy every minute of every day. We have a lively discussion based on the book Buddhism Without Beliefs and will be studying from other sources  in the future. The group is open to all women. If you are interested in deepening your meditation practice and/or joining our group discussions, please contact Sali at 619-519-1188.

I’ve been running a survey on the front page of the website and here are some of the preliminary results from the last 15 days.  The survey consisted of 10 questions, 8 about the website and 2 demographic questions. We got 10 responses to the survey and about 1000 unique visitors over the same time for a response rate of 1% which is pretty reasonable. Overall the impression of the website is fairly good and I have already implemented some changes to address some of the issues.

1. Is this the first time you have visited our website?

Yes - 33.3%
No - 66.7%

2. What is the primary reason you came to the site?

•  ref from UUA emailing
• get minutes for Board meeting
• For more info
• to see how the password protected system worked
• edit page
• to look for recent music
• a member of Chalice
• to check on data
• see what the upcoming sermon are
• tom chapin

3. Did you find what you needed?

Yes - 50%
Yes, some of it - 50%
No, none of it - 0%

4. If you did not find any or all of what you wanted, please tell us what information you were looking for.

• Looking to see if I could do on line membership here. Also looking to get involved.  
• I have a wiki system for UUism.net but don’t know if there is a password aspect to it. I really need to take a few hours and work with it for a while.  
• I was looking for music performed recently at Chalice.
• am just now exploring the site–am not familiar enough to say if all I want is here

5. Please tell us how easy it is to find information on the site.

Very easy - 50%
Easy - 40%
Average - 10%
Difficult
Very Difficult

6. What’s your overall impression of the site?

7. What is the likelihood that you will visit the site again?

Very likely - 60%
Likely - 20%
Unsure - 20%

8. Please add any comments…

There were a few comments.

9. What is your age?

10.  Where are you from?

Dean

May 10, 2007

Patty Carlisle

The Religious Education Committee reported that attendance at the first service has been zero, with second service maintaining a solid average of 13 children.  Stuart Holmes is organizing a work crew for a June push to complete the yurt deck improvements. 

The Technology Committee will have set up a computer in the Common Room with lock, child security software, and MS Office read-only application by the time this newsletter is mailed. Dean Goddette and Wayne Schroeder have been constructing a new members section on the Chalice web site that will allow users to contribute to content and discussion on topics of interest.  Adam Stout has been working on the new design for the web site.  David O’Gwynn continues to work on the ailing remote hearing-impaired system. 

The Outreach Committee reported that Tom Carlstrom, Patty Carlisle, and Grunion Run will be performing at the Rancho Bernardo Fair (RB Alive) on June 3 representing Chalice UU Congregation.  The committee is seeking members to man the CUUC booth and is designing palm cards for distribution at the Fair. 

The Music Committee is planning Cabaret Night 2007  logistics, with performances scheduled October 18-21. The results of Tim McKnight’s evaluation were reported.  He “once again had a stellar evaluation….  We are thrilled to have him as our Director of Music.”

Suzette Southfox, Inreach representative from First Church, was invited to speak before the Membership Committee, sharing First Church’s new member packets and describing how their group handles new members (orientation, canvassing, and their Partner Program).  Our committee continues work focusing on new member packets, methods of tracking visitors, and processing in new members.  A New Member Recognition Dinner is set for May 12.  

David Miller was ratified as our Student Minister for the summer, taking over sabbatical ministerial duties from Carol Hilton. 

Maude Ann Petzoldt, Al Weiss, Sali Weiss, and Colleen Wells have been appointed and ratified as our Delegates to General Assembly. 

The agenda for the June 10th Congregational Meeting was set and includes the election of new officers and trustees.  Informational packets will be distributed to voting members before the end of May.

A new infestation of termites was found in Margo’s office.  It will be treated under the warranty given by the company that treated the crawl space infestation (which is still free of termites.)

Stuart Holmes

“June is busting out all over,” which brings us to the official end of the RE year. Of course the fun is just beginning as we get the summer rolling. Check your calendars and look forward to these great RE summer events!

The summer season begins on June 17th with “Tie Dying Fun” led by Paul Dulaney. Just for starters we’ll hike at the San Miguel River Park near Lake Hodges, spend a day in the science lab, and have a rock climbing adventure. There’s bound to be a watermelon, water balloon- packed picnic in store, as well. Check the weekly announcements or your email for the most up-to-date information on these and other events. Got any ideas you want to share? Don’t hesitate to let me know.

In addition to all this fun, a team of volunteers will be working to complete modifications to the yurt deck with the goal of improving access to the yurts for all of our members. A platform will be added, both increasing the deck area between the yurts and raising the deck to eliminate the step up into each yurt from the platform. In the future a ramp will be added along with handrails to allow easy access for wheelchairs and those with difficulty climbing steps.

Summer Camps at de Benneville

Nineteen spaces remain available for the elementary and middle school camps, and 26 spaces remain for Sr. High Camp. Don’t miss out on this fantastic resource in our local mountains where kids can meet other Unitarian Universalists from all over the district as they live out our values in shared community for a whole week.

Elementary camp runs July 8-14, middle school July 15-21, and Sr. High July 22-28. For more information and registration forms visit www.uucamp.org

Important Dates:

• August 26th – 2007/2008 RE year Kickoff Sunday

- Stuart Holmes

“Who are you?” said the Caterpillar…”I-I hardly know, Sir, just at present,” Alice replied rather shyly, “at least I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then.”  Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland 

Change is not easy.  In the many years that I worked for and consulted with organizations in the for-profit and nonprofit world, I found that change management was the most difficult of all management processes. But there are many more changes than just those affecting organizations that decide on new or different business directions. Change can come in the form of a new baby, entering and changing the lives of the parents forever. Change can come in a new job or leaving a job that you have had for many years. Change may show up in the appearance of sudden riches or sudden expenses. And of course, change may, and inevitably will, come to all of us in the loss of friends and loved ones. A big part of change, however, is in how we react, how we feel, how we process and ultimately what we do in a world where change is a constant.

This congregation has experienced some significant changes lately. These changes have been rather sudden and potentially unsettling.  But a strong sign of a healthy, supportive and loving congregation is dealing with these wrinkles in the journey with love, compassion, understanding and a healthy dose of grace.   Also, it is significant to mark the changes and yet lovingly continue the spiritual and community-centered work of the congregation. 

This congregation has shown its best side during the last couple of months. Events and activities have been beautifully implemented, committees are continuing their work and Chalice has done much to support those in need.

As we move into the summer months, another change will occur when we return to one service on July 1^st at 10:30 am.  We have an exciting worship schedule shaping up and many wonderful activities including the joyous celebration of Tom and Margo’s wedding.  It is an honor and a privilege to be able to share this time with you and I look forward to joining you this summer on our wondrous journey.

Peace,  

David  

If you go to the Internet you will find many religious sites trying to answer the question, “If God is good, why is there evil in the world?” I think a more interesting question is, “Why is there good in the world?” If people acted only in their own self-interest, why don’t they just lie, cheat, and steal to get what they want at the expense of others? Some people have proposed that we don’t because we realize that, if we did, others would do the same, and we don’t want them to do that to us. I call this virtue through fear. Alexis de Tocqueville (if you’re not familiar with him, you should read his Democracy in America) held the notion that Americans voluntarily joined together in associations to further the interests of the group. He called this “Enlightened Self-interest.”
   However, I’ve got another idea. It’s just that there is something within us all that knows “the right thing to do.” Call this conscience, call it goodness, call it spirituality… Somewhere within us all is an innate knowledge of good and evil. And, most of us choose to do what is good. But even that’s not enough… It is not a choice. We do not say to ourselves, “Shall I do this or that?” We just act. And, almost always, that act is the one of kindness, generosity, and love. An amazing thing, the human mind. Then again, some say it’s hard wired into our DNA. Whatever it is, let us be thankful that it exists.
   Of course, there is always H.L. Mencken’s definition of conscience: Conscience is the still small voice that warns us that someone may be looking.
   Finally, I would like to thank everyone for their counsel and support during this past year. It has been an honor and a privilege to have been allowed to serve as your President. I could not be prouder of representing such a warm and caring family.In Peace & Love,
Al 

The Chalice outreach effort during the RB Alive! Expo this past Sunday was a huge success. In addition to a booth, the Chalice-based Grunion Run band (left to right above: John Schulz, Deb Coon, Dean Goddette and Paul Dulany) shared the stage at the food court with Chalice member Tom Carlstrom. They sang a number of UU songs as well as other blues, folk and rock favorites. Behind the musicians hung a banner reading, Unitarian Universalists of San Diego County. Chalice volunteers handed out more than 200 bookmarks to people they spoke with, as well as brochures about the congregation. The booth was well organized and festive, with materials about UUs and Chalice, a banner, and folding chairs decorated with the American flag. Volunteers also sold Grunion Run CDs. More than 40,000 visitors attended the day-long event in Rancho Bernardo, which featured 300 booths and plenty of entertainment. Fifteen members of the Chalice Outreach Committee worked on the project.Events of this sort are held in areas where our congregations are located, and the Chalice outreach effort shows just how successful they can be in reaching out to potential UUs. Chalice prepared for the expo with a training session for the volunteers, and plenty of attractive and informative materials. “The day was very successful,” said Rob Molek of the Outreach Committee.Photo by Jan Waugh, article cribbed by Dean from San Diego Cluster Newsletter

If you have news that you want to share such as how a recent event went such as the booth at RB Alive last week, you can do it here! This will not only allow you to update the congregation but it will keep an archive of Chalice activities over time. You can also post pictures, etc.

 Dean