Welcome to UUCB!

SUNDAY JULY 27, 2014

Worship Service at 10:00 a.m. Summer schedule – One service at 10:00 a.m.

The Prodigal Daughter: Forgiveness and Return, Rev. Carolyn Wood Colbert

With the help of the familiar teaching story in Luke—The Prodigal Son, only updated and recast—we’ll explore four steps in the process of forgiveness: hurting, hating, healing, and home. Yes, there are some betrayals almost too big to handle, so we’ll stay close to the ordinary, the relational: times we’ve hurt or been hurt by the people we count on, by the people to whom we belong, and by the people we have vowed to be in relationship with. We know we’ve been hurt when we lose our power to bless. It’s Zak’s last Sunday with us. Let’s send him off with our good wishes and appreciations.

Rev. Carolyn Wood Colbert, recently retired, is a double P.K. (preacher’s kid). Both her parents were Universalist ministers. Carolyn is a Starr King School for the Ministry grad and has served UU congregations in Washington, Oregon, California, New Jersey, and New York. She is Minister Emerita of the UU Church in Eugene, Oregon. Back home now in the East Bay, she is delighted to be a member of UUCB. While her ministerial career has been a joy, she says that her real calling and title should be “Stage Mother.” Just ask.

The Listening Post — every Sunday throughout the summer! Representatives from the Board of Trustees and Coordinating Team will staff a table in the Atrium after the service to hear your ideas, hopes, and concerns. Be a change agent! Come by and let's talk. To learn more about The Listening Post please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Summer Forum – Lee Lawrence and Rev. Craig Scott. “Social Justice at UUCB: Focusing on immigration and working with CCISCO” 11:15 a.m., Fireside Room

Humanist Connections – "Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World," Nicky Karam, 12:00 p.m., Safir Room

Activities and Announcements

July Good Neighbors

Ujima Family Recovery Services (www.ujimafamily.org) is dedicated to helping families recover from alcoholism, drug addiction and behavioral health problems. Since 1986, Ujima has made a significant contribution towards stopping substance abuse and empowering mothers and fathers to lead healthy, productive lives.

STAND! Against Domestic Violence (www.standagainstdv.org) is a catalyst for breaking the multi-generational cycle of violence, promoting safe and strong relationships, and rebuilding lives.

Quote of the Week

“I know that if odour were visible, as colour is, I’d see the summer garden in rainbow clouds.” – Robert Bridges

Transition News: The Board has appointed us--Lynn Hammond and Bob Moore--to serve as the first two members of a Transition Team to help Rev. Greg Ward, our Interim Minister, make a smooth transition into UUCB. Our first task is to help to arrange one-on-one conversations between Greg and UUCB leaders. He has provided a questionnaire to be filled out before meeting with him to help create a context for each conversation.

The first round of invitations and questionnaires are currently being mailed to the Board, the Coordinating Team, the Staff, and the chairs of the most active committees (supervisors, decision makers, coordinators). These meetings will start on August 5 and go for six weeks. After that, there will be additional opportunities for people to fill out a questionnaire and meet with Greg. He wants to meet with as many of us as want to meet with him.

We are determined to be transparent and will keep you posted. - Lynn Hammond & Bob Moore

Back by popular demand! The CT will be hosting another Caring Conversation and Potluck, Thursday, July 31, 5:30-7:30m this time facilitated by Linda Laskowski. This is a true potluck, (coffee and tea will be provided) so let us know what you will bring — and if you need childcare. Please request childcare by Sunday, July 27, with number and ages of children. Donations from all who attend will be welcome to cover childcare costs. Looking forward to seeing you. RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Benefit for our Village Education Project in Homoródúfalu - our Transylvanian Partner Church. Come by for a Transylvanian Snack Table on August 3, featuring Gulyas (goulash), ham/cheese Croissants, brownies and other delectables. On August 10th Hoa Voscott will be selling his famous tomato/cheese on sour dough baguette sandwiches as well. All proceeds go to fund the scholarships for students.

Vote on the New UUCB Name Tag – Online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5VZMT6L or at UUCB on Sundays in the Atrium. Voting will run through August 15. If you have any difficulties with online voting (or want to change your vote) please email Paul Hudson (see church directory for email address).

Annual Church Picnic at Freestone Retreat – Saturday, August 9 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Come one and all for a day of fun and games in beautiful Sonoma County. Bring your family and friends, and something to grill. Contact Norie Clarke for more information.

SAVE THE DATE! Saturday, August 23 Start Up Meeting! “The goal of the startup is to make sure that the congregation, leadership, and minister are all on the same page about what the congregation's goals and tasks are for the first year and whose responsibility it is to do what.” – Josh Searle-White, Executive Director, Pacific Central District

Worship at UUCB

Sundays in July

Sundays in July

Summer Worship Schedule: 10:00 a.m. (one service only)
Childcare available from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

July 6 - Voices of Compassion: Jesus and the Buddha

Although they lived far apart in time and distance, the Buddha and Jesus were remarkably similar in both their teachings and their lives. Both preached the golden rule; both saw living a life of compassion as the ultimate goal of their teachings. Rev. Craig Scott preaching, with worship leader Rev. Sue Magidson, Time for All Ages with Michèle Voillequé, Early Birds Choir and Larry Nagel (slides).

Rev. Craig Scott is a member of UUCB. He has recently retired (for the second time) as minister of the UU
Fellowship of Tuolumne County in Sonora, CA. Working with members of UUCB, Craig has pursued a ministry of social justice that includes engaging the congregation with community organizing in local Contra County communities, as well as work for immigration justice.

July 13 - Can Unitarian Universalist Theology Help in Times of Need?

We all have bad times as well as good. UUs have rejected a faith with pat answers, which sometimes leaves them without the awareness that there is help within our faith tradition during times of need. This sermon, based in part on Rev. Jane’s doctoral dissertation, is an affirmation of our UU faith and how our spiritual needs may be met. Rev. Jane Ramsey preaching, Time for All Ages with Merrin Clough, Kaeden Wemmer (slides).

Rev. Jane Ramsey is an ordained Unitarian Universalist Minister, a Community Minister affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley. Rev. Ramsey is currently completing her Doctorate in Pastoral Counseling. She has worked as a hospice chaplain and facilitated a Grief Support Group, a Facing Aging and Dying Group in the past and is currently facilitating a Support Group and a Guided Autobiography Group at UUCB.

July 20 - Faith in a New Economy

In this new era of corporate greed, communities around the world are eager for an economy that serves democratic society. From among the greatest peace-makers of the 20th Century to modest Christian communities in America today, we will explore ways people of faith are the center of a new economy, and consider our role as Unitarian Universalists. Student Minister Zak Wear preaching with worship leader Kay Fairwell, Time for All Ages, Karl Rimbach (slides).

Student Minister Zak Wear is a M.Div. Candidate at Starr King School for the Ministry. Residing in Richmond, CA, his previous work has included community/electoral organizing, non-profit governance, and worker cooperative management. Among other commitments, he currently serves on the board of the Atchison Village Credit Union, an $8M NCUA-insured institution that is committed as a low-income, community-development service to its members.

July 27 - The Prodigal Daughter: Forgiveness and Return

With the help of the familiar teaching story in Luke—The Prodigal Son, only updated and recast—we’ll explore four steps in the process of forgiveness: hurting, hating, healing, and home. Yes, there are some betrayals almost too big to handle, so we’ll stay close to the ordinary, the relational: times we’ve hurt or been hurt by the people we count on, by the people to whom we belong, and by the people we have vowed to be in relationship with. We know we’ve been hurt when we lose our power to bless. The Rev. Sue Magison and Student Minister Zak Wear are our worship associates. UUCB’s Director of Music Bryan Baker and organist Katya Kolesnikova will gift us with music. It’s Zak’s last Sunday with us. Let’s send him off with our good wishes and appreciations.

Rev. Carolyn Wood Colbert, recently retired, is a double P.K. (preacher’s kid). Both her parents were Universalist ministers. Carolyn is a Starr King School for the Ministry grad and has served UU congregations in Washington, Oregon, California, New Jersey, and New York. She is Minister Emerita of the UU Church in Eugene, Oregon. Back home now in the East Bay, she is delighted to be a member of UUCB. While her ministerial career has been a joy, she says that her real calling and title should be “Stage Mother.” Just ask.