DECEMBER 2012

Theme-Based Ministry Resource Flyer

UUofSCV Mission
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Santa Clarita Valley enhances the lives of members through spiritual development and active service in the community. We offer a diverse, non-dogmatic spiritual home to all who share our values as dened by the Unitarian Universalist Association. We provide a liberal religious voice, a social justice presence in the Santa Clarita Valley, and a stimulating and supportive environment to help our members on their own spiritual journeys during all stages of their lives.
Draw a symbol of peace:

PEACE

Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say Im a dreamer, but Im not the only one. I hope someday youll join us, and the world will live as one.
(John Lennon)

Peace, as challenging as it may be to experience, is a universal human ideal. However you say it (Shalom, Friede, Salam, La Paz, Kapayapaan, NabadDa, Pingan, Pax, Santipap, Pax, eacepay, to name a few) peace is understood as either an inner state of calm or as societal harmony. Either one can affect the other and quite often does. During times of personal stress or conict within our families or within our societies we become particularly aware of this dynamic. How can one achieve an inner state of calm when there is social unrest? How can there be harmony within a society or among societies if individuals within them are ruled by aggression, anger, fear and discord?

In the month of December, which is often quite stressful, our attention is brought to religious stories of yearnings for peace and manifestations of peace, both miraculous and mundane. The Jewish celebration of Chanukah commemorates the struggle by the Jewish people to reclaim their Holy Temple from the Maccabees in the 2nd century BCE. When that war ended they found only enough oil in the Temple to burn for one night - yet it lasted for eight. This was seen as a sign of Gods favor, bringing peace to the hearts of the faithful. The Pagan observance of Yule is noted as revolving around a joyous feast, drawing people together in peace and mirth, and appreciation for the

harmonious cycle of seasons. The Christian celebration of Jesuss birth is lifted up as the fulllment of an old prophecy heralding the arrival of the Prince of Peace and a new age of peace for humanity. Whether or not these stories inspire your spiritual identity, consider how you can promote and nurture the experience of peace for yourself and others this month. What spiritual practices might you explore? What organizations might you support? Consider the role of compassion, justice, patience, generosity, responsibility and interdependence (and, of course, this beloved community) in the creation of peace.
In Awe & Gratitude, Rev. Stefanie

Tuesday, December 4th at 7:00 PM SHARING CIRCLE: a meditative

evening of readings and personal reflections on Peace. Invite a friend! Led by Rev. Stefanie; please RSVP

Unitarian Universalists of Santa Clarita Valley

Website: http://uuofscv.org

Sunday services at 10:30 a.m. 22900 Market St., Newhall, CA

The New UUofSCV Community Space: 22916 Lyons (corner Newhall) Suite 2B (Check the calendar for hours)

The Reverend Stefanie Etzbach-Dale

PEACE IN MOVIES All Quiet on the Western Front Ghandi The Milagro Beaneld War The Karate Kid The Sneetches PEACE IN SONGS Peace Train, Cat Stevens Peaceful Easy Feeling, Eagles Better Way, Ben Harper Peace, Norah Jones Peace of Mind, Boston Peace, Miles Davis Love & Peace or Else, U2 PEACE IN BOOKS Hanh, Thich Nhat. Peace is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life Delgado, Adam. The Sutras of Abu Ghraib (Beacon Press) Chittister, Chishti, Waskow. The Tent of Abraham: Stories of Hope and Peace for Jews, Christians and Muslims (Beacon Press) Tolstoy, Leo. War & Peace Wiesel, Ellie. Night Tolle, Ekhart. Transmuting Suffering into Peace PEACE IN THE SLT HYMNAL Readings: 573, 640, 681, 686, 507, 581, 462, 577, 602, 511, 505, 598, 636, 589, 67, 508, 509, 574, 584, 578, 583 Hymns: 48, 155, 110, 126, 115, 415, 100, 142, 131, 143, 167, 144, 117, 276, 58, 400, 122, 95, 159, 399, 314, 137, 136

Meditation on Breathing
(STJ 1009, Sarah Dan Jones)

Quotes to consider:
There was never a good war or a bad peace. B. Franklin Never for the sake of peace and quiet deny your own experience or convictions. D. Hammerskjold When you make peace with yourself you make peace with the world. M. Ghosananda True peace is not the absence of tension. It is the presence of justice. M.L. King, Jr. Symptoms of inner peace: a tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than on fears based on past experience; an unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment; a loss of interest in judging others; a loss of interest in judging self. S. Davis May the power of love replace the love of power. M. Gladstone

When I breathe in, Ill breathe in peace; When I breathe out, Ill breathe out love...
ASK YOURSELF Peacemakers all have the same basic goal, but there are many different ways of achieving peace, both in the world and in one's personal life. When it comes to world peace, there are those who think nonviolence is always the ultimate way to peace, and others who believe that it's ok to resort to violence when necessary in order to create a lasting peace. If you were a peace maker, which path would you take? (Beliefnet.com)

PRACTICING PEACE Think about a moment when you have felt at peace, recalling the details of that time and place. Spending time in that memory will help you relax and feel more peaceful. Be mindful of the way peace (or its absence) manifests in language and in images/ media, in relationships and consumer choices. Challenge yourself to choose peace. Dont wait for it. Be it!

Next months theme is

GRACE

UUofSCVs Theme-Based Ministry is a religious exploration program offering a variety of opportunities for people of all ages to engage with timeless theological themes - encouraging spiritual literacy, relationships, and a stronger sense of responsible personal theology. The 2012-2013 (September-May) themes are: unity, vocation, gratitude, peace, grace, prayer, letting go, salvation, and truth. Contact Rev. Stefanie (RevStef@gmail.com) to speak with her about your ideas on this months theme, or if you have a book, poem, lm, story, practice, or service project recommendation relating to next months theme. You may also contact the contact the Committee on Shared Ministry: Rick Kamlet, Sara Brown, Gerri Brehm.