UUCLB Announcement

Click Here to View the Full Announcement in Your Web Browser

Weekly Announcements

December 14, 2023

Sunday service online at uuclb.org/service or on Facebook Live.

Sunday Service

Sunday, December 17, 2023

10:00am ONSITE and on Zoom and Facebook Live

Homegrown Hope: Contemporary Holiday Service

with Rev. Lissa, Danny Pravder and the Homegrown Collective, and our own Wylder Spirits

These times of war and crisis call us to celebrate a different kind of Christmas. Rev. Lissa and Danny Pravder lead us through a contemporary service exploring the four Advent themes of yearning for Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. Homegrown Collective is an independent LA-based artist collective with a passion to share love and provide a creative and accepting space for artists. They aim to foster community through a shared mission: Awakening through Authentic Musical Expression.

Sunday, December 17, 2023

RE Children & Youth

Your monetary gifts sustain our beloved community and enable us to further embody our values through our gatherings, programs, and community outreach. Please consider UUCLB in your charitable gifts for 2022-2023.

ONLINE GIVING — TRY IT!

GIVE

You can also give quickly and easily on your phone at https://tithe.ly

or download the Tithe.ly app to your phone!

For ACH auto-donations please contact achrep@uuclb.org

Checks can be mailed to UUCLB, 5450 E. Atherton Street, Long Beach, CA 90815

Things to Do This Week

Thursday, December 14

7:00pm Racial Justice Meeting ZOOM

Friday, December 15

10:00am Buddhist Group ZOOM

Saturday, December 16

3:00pm Game Night Rm 2/3

Sunday, December 17

10:00am Youth RE

10:00am Services Onsite & on ZOOM

Monday, December 18

2:30pm Atheist / FreeThinker Meeting

Wednesday, December 20

6:00pm Wylder Spirits

7:15pm Choir Rehearsal

7:30pm Challenges Book Group

Thursday, December 21

6:00pm Yule / Winter Solstice

6:00pm RE Committee Meeting

Click here for the UUCLB Church Calendar, ZOOM / Google links, event details,

campus usage and closures / meeting place and contact info

https://www.uuclb.org/calendar

Visit our Website

Upcoming Services

Please note: No Sunday Morning Service

December 24, 2023, 5:00pm — ONSITE and on Zoom and Facebook Live

Candlelight Christmas Eve

with Rev. Lissa, Danny Pravder and the UUCLB Choir

Come enjoy the beauty and joy of Christmas eve featuring timeless carols, closing with the beloved candlelight singing of Silent Night. Our Christmas Eve offering will be divided between the Minister’s Discretionary Fund: an emergency fund to provide temporary assistance to our congregation and community in times of need, transition and crisis; and the Minister’s Holiday Collection Recipient: UNICEF Global.

December 31, 2023, 10:00am — ONSITE and on Zoom and Facebook Live

“Looking Back to Grow Forward: Setting Intentions for the New Year”

with Amy Brunell

Amy Brunell is a second year student at Starr King School for the Ministry and is grateful to be with UUCLB. Her family started attending the Unitarian Church of Santa Monica in 1971. She has volunteered at Camp de Benneville Pines as a camp Dean for well over a dozen various family camps, church camps and Thanksgiving camps. She is passionate about deepening conversations regarding our UU Principles, our Sources and now our evolving Article Two values. Unitarian Universalism offers a rich liberal faith tradition to a world that is often in despair. Currently, Amy facilitates workshops for adults on developing strategies to deepen emotional intelligence.

Upcoming Events

Saturday, January 6, 2024 2:00pm to 5:00pm in Wylder Hall

MUSIC SEARCH UPDATE

Share Your Feedback, and Join a Music Program Feedback Workshop!

Our Music Director Search is progressing! We have had over a dozen talented applicants! We now have initial interviews scheduled, and will be looking to audition candidates live with the choir and Wylder Spirits in mid-January. The candidates are a good mix of styles and experience, racially and culturally diverse, with the exception of gender diversity. You are invited to a Congregational Music Workshop with Stan DeWitt on January 6th, 2-5 pm, where you can share feedback and envision the future of the program. An online feedback form is also available. Please share your thoughts with us as we move into the interview phase and our search becomes real! CLICK HERE TO SHARE FEEDBACK.

Saturday, January 13, 2024

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR PARADE

When: Saturday 1/13/2024 Park & Assemble 9:00am, Parade Start 10:00am

Where: The parade kickoff starts at the intersection of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue and Anaheim Street and ends at the Martin Luther King Jr. Park (1950 Lemon Avenue, Long Beach)

For Parade Participation Details RSVP to Jimmy Brink at jimmybrinkchiefs@gmail.com 562-400-9258

Festival Booth UUCLB Outreach – Volunteers requested. For Outreach Support – RSVP to Kathy Adams at katole@uuclb.org 562-619-8612

Reserve Sunday January 14, 2024 after Service to participate in the Social Justice Forum – Racial Justice Dialogue

On-Line the last week of January 2024…

In-person main event Saturday, January 27, 2024

UUCLB Annual Winter Lights Service Auction

Online Sunday, January 21, 2024 through Friday, January 26, 2024

In-person main event Saturday January 27, 2024

This is the yearly event that everyone loves!

Stay tuned for more information -- and if you want to volunteer and donate your time, talent or treasure...

please contact Mimi at winterlight@uuclb.org

Announcements

BIPOC NEWS!!!

The BIPOC Fellowship will restart monthly meetings in January. We will be planning seminal events for the New Year. If you want to be part of our meetings and planning, please reach out to Kamilah Holmes and/or Jimmy Brink with your contact email and if you have ideas for events, celebrations, worship experiences, educational tools, etc. You can reach us at bipoc.chair@uuclb.org

Year End - Time for Charitable Gift Gifting!

Here are some Options to Consider

There is still time to make tax deductible donations to UUCLB, but please make sure to check with your tax advisor and ask about these options.

Use of appreciated assets to make charitable gifts.
Open or add to a Donor Advised Fund.
Do you qualify for an IRA Charitable Rollover? The IRA charitable rollover is an attractive option that permits the transfer of up to $100,000 per year (indexed for inflation) from an IRA to charity, free of any income tax. In addition, such rollovers help satisfy the IRA minimum distribution requirement (RMD) for people over 72.

Your investment advisor will help you set up these gifts to UUCLB. Please make sure you notify UUCLB to watch for their checks. Thank you for your generosity.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

For the UUCLB Annual Service Auction

on Saturday, January 27, 2024...

We can't have an Auction without volunteers! Your Auction Committee starts meeting this month. We are looking for everything from available helping hands, to folks to train on the job for leadership positions!! This is an exciting all church party and fundraiser! Your volunteer service helps make our biggest party of the year a fun filled social event while raising money for our annual budgets! Come join us and be part of the team.

If you are interested, please reach out to Mimi Gephart-Seeley at

Winterlight@uuclb.org or mimigs100@gmail.com

Major Denomination Gatherings

April 19-20 ’24 Regional Assembly for the Pacific Western Region. Denver, CO and Online (uua.org/pacific-western)

April 26-28 ’24 Pacific Southwest Service Area Assembly & Camp de Benneville Pines annual meeting & PSWSA Youth Con. Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura, CA, and online. (uucamp.org)

June 20-23 ‘24 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association. Virtual only. (uua.org/ga)

The 2025 GA will be multi-platform, in Baltimore and online.

Service Area Happenings: Camps and Assemblies

Camp de Benneville Pines: Two Awesome Youth Camps Coming Soon!

“Camp Carry On” 2023 Senior High Winter Camp

December 27, 2023 - January 1, 2024 ...Bring a Friend Discount is On!

Sharing is saving! Bring a friend who registers anytime between today and December 15th and you both will receive a $75 discount off the registration fee. Offer valid up to two new camper registrations per inviter.

Please note that this camp requires a minimum of 25 campers. To ensure ample notification time, the registration deadline for this camp is now December 15th. READ MORE & REGISTER

“Super Hero Academy" 2024 UU Elementary Family Winter Camp

February 17-19, 2024 ...Registration is now OPEN!

Together we’ll harness the forces of confidence, character, and creativity to discover the superpowers hidden inside us all. READ MORE & REGISTER

2024 Pacific Southwest Service Area Assembly

If you can attend only one denominational assembly next year, this one gives you the most bang for your buck! It’s like a mini-GA, but much closer and shorter, lots less expensive, and far more personal. Ventura, April 26-28. It draws UUs from congregations all over Southern California, Southern Nevada and Arizona. The theme is “Promoting Justice: Amplifying Voices at the Intersections of Race, Class, & Environment.”

Do you have a teenager? Here’s a chance for them to connect with UU teens from the wider UU world at the Youth Con – same place, same time: Ventura, April 26-28, 2024.

To be on the list for updates and alerts about April’s PSWSA Assembly, Sign Up Here!

From the Pacific Western Region

Every Active Member and Church Leader should be receiving the monthly newsletter from the Pacific Western Region. Learn what’s happening throughout the region – and the UUA! Find out about training opportunities and different ways to “do church.” The newsletter comes in the form of an email just once each month, and it’s filled with information about programs, events, people, and places. Click here: Subscribe to the PWR newsletter.

Register now for the PWR Transitions Team Party! Meet dozens of people online from all over the entire region. Just register here for either Saturday, December 16, 12-2 PM or Tuesday, December 19 6-8 PM. You’ll meet people in several breakout groups, with ice-breaker questions available. Here’s a time to socialize with UUs from a HUGE part of the US.

Regional Assembly Registration for RA opens in January. Meantime, program planning continues apace. If you have great ideas for the Assembly, reach out to Sarah at sschurr@uua.org. You can also participate in the planning by filling out this survey.

Taproot: A National BIPoC Space BIPoC Leaders rooted in Unitarian Universalist congregations are invited to take part in this monthly, virtual gathering on the second Thursday of the month. Details and registration.

YUUP stands for Young UU Project. To become acquainted with this national community care network that centers BIPoC, trans/non-binary and neurodivergent youth, and offers a transition zone for young people moving into emerging adulthood, sign up for the YUUP newsletter.

YARN is the Young Adult Revival Network, which offers a non-traditional worship service on the third Sunday of each month. All people 18 and older are welcome. Register here.

Chalice Lighters Watch for the program to return in January.

News from the Unitarian Universalist Association

Don’t Forget to Check the InSpirit UU Book and Gift Shop for special items for your UU friends and family – books and beyond! uuabookstore.org

General Assembly ‘24

The theme for 2024 all-virtual General Assembly is Love Unites, Stories Ignite.
The full tentative schedule is now available: uua.org/ga/program/schedule
GA ’24 organizers have put out a call for program proposals and invitations to
sponsor exhibits: uua.org/ga/program/contribute
Once again, registration (and fees) at several levels will be available. uua.org/ga/registration
Consider surprising a friend or loved one with a gift certificate to General Assembly. https://www.uua.org/ga/registration/gift

There’s lots more information available for browsing and dreaming and planning, at uua.org/ga

Winter Break. The UUA office will be closed from 11:00 am, Wednesday, December 20 through Tuesday, January 2, including virtual and home offices.

Offered by UUs for a Just Economic Community (UUJEC):

“The Current Situation in Palestine, the Worldwide Response to it, and UUs”

Webinar offered on Thursday, December 14, 5:00 PM.

Click here to register to watch on Zoom. Click here to watch on Facebook.

Long Beach Homeless Memorial

December 21, 2023, 6:00 PM at Forest Lawn Cemetery

This annual interfaith celebration of life honors and remembers every individual who passed away this year while living without housing in Long Beach. You are invited to share brief remarks in loving memory of the departed, December 21, 2023, 6:00 PM, Forest Lawn Cemetery.

Join us on the longest night of the year, as we remember those we lost and recommit ourselves to the fight to end homelessness. The service will culminate in the reading of the names and lighting of candles in honor of everyone who passed away in Long Beach while experiencing homelessness this year.

Adult Faith Development Team Seeks Volunteers

For more info, contact afd.chair@uuuclb.org

2024 Saving Democracy Team

Important Dates and Activities

Email: DemocracyTeam@UUCLB.ORG

Ballotpedia California Elections 2024

Including Statewide Ballot Measures, Resources, Elections by State, 2024 Elections, How to Vote in Each State

California Statewide election dates

March 5, 2024: Primary

November 5, 2024: General election

Wednesday, January 10, 2024, 5:00pm PT

Saving Democracy: A User's Manual for Every American

Author’s Presentation by David Pepper

On Zoom. Register at: bit.ly/3uuhyMP

Be sure to register to vote and vote.

In California: https://registertovote.ca.gov/

Find your State Representative: https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/

QR Code takes you to CA Secretary of State's office to register to vote in CA

Local Organizing Committee

Mission Statement:

The mission of the Local Organizing Committee is to build coalitions with interfaith communities around common interests, related to economic justice. We foster leadership in organizing.

We are working to prevent homelessness - join us.

Meets First Wednesdays at 3pm on Zoom. For link go to: UUCLB.org/News/Calendar

Statement of Purpose

Awaken people to their power in social justice activism and advocacy

LA Voice “Listening Campaign” & “Home is Sacred” Narrative has resulted in SB567 being Signed into Law in 2023 – Thank you for supporting this effort:

Listening to our Congregants
Postcards & Letters
Rally at the Capital in Sacramento
Meetings with our State Representatives & Senators, Long Beach Mayor
News Conferences with the Press

When we started this journey together back in 2022, we knew the fight to get SB567, the Homelessness Prevention Act, through the legislative cycle and signed into law would be an uphill battle.

Through the Senate and the Assembly, through the ups and downs, we hung on, grounded by our faith, and our conviction to build an LA county, and a California with equity and abundance for all.

Email Kathy Adams at: LOC@UUCLB.ORG

Explore the Side With Love Action Center:

https://sidewithlove.org/actioncenter

The Unitarian Universalist Association sponsors “Side with Love” a public advocacy campaign that seeks to harness love’s power to stop oppression. All are welcome to join online. For the latest updates explore and sign up for the online webinars at https://sidewithlove.org/

Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice

ACTION ALERTS: Your Voice Matters!

Take action on your issue. Click on any of the links below:

Download Flyers and send a Letter to Legislators

Anti-Poverty (Snap)

bit.ly/UUSJ-SNAP2023

Democracy

bit.ly/DefDemocracy2023

bit.ly/StrongFarmBill

Voting Rights Act

bit.ly/VRAA2023

UUSJ Contact: Patricia.Marr.29@gmail.com

Flyers are located in Members Only Drive (Social Justice/UUSJ/Action Alerts Folder).

Interested in Membership? Please join our next "Starting Point"Email request to membership@uuclb.org. Starting Point meets First Sundays of the month January to November (no meeting in December)

In these classes you will:

share your personal religious journey.
discover the church's many programs & activities.
meet other prospective members.
learn about some of the church's statements of philosophy such as our Principles, Bond of Fellowship, Congregational Covenant, and Mission Statement.
learn more about the next steps.
learn how you can support UUCLB.
be invited to become a member.

For more info, see our webpage at https://www.uuclb.org/connect/become-a-member/

Or email: Membership@uuclb.org

Will you be attending via ZOOM? Please let us know so that we can welcome you virtually. email: membership@uuclb.org

Meeting ID: 921 8298 5381 Passcode: 704679 -- Or paste this link into your browser window: https://zoom.us/j/92182985381?pwd=dDJxeTZidC9QVm N5dUNxVUsxVEJnUT09

Memorial Donation for Opportunity Fund

in Memory of

Barbara Atlas

Because Barb was a big supporter of the kinds of uses these funds are directed toward.

From

Sandra Kroll 12/13/23

A Tribute

In Loving Memory of

Barbara Atlas

From

Phyllis Daniel

Make a Tribute!

Make a Memorial Tribute in memory of, or to say “Thank You” to someone for a gift, a good deed, a job well done, or just to tell someone “You are special!”

You can make your Tribute by check or use tithe.ly. Checks should be made out to UUCLB and marked "Tribute To insert name here". Or for tithe.ly text-to-give, text the words “Tribute for insert name here" and the amount to 833-931-1845. If making a tribute by check, drop your check off at the church office on Sunday or mail to: UUCLB, 5450 E Atherton St., Long Beach, CA 90815

Your Tribute will be posted on the bulletin board and will appear in the weekly announcement.

This is your invitation to join the UUCLB choir!

We are an all-inclusive choir, and a wonderful fit for all skill levels ranging from experienced to novice. We rehearse every Wednesday from 7:15- 9:00 PM, and lead the music for UUCLB service around twice a month.

Any questions? We would love to hear from you at music.director@uuclb.org . See you there!

FUNDRAISER

Wylder Hall Screen Tech Upgrade

UUCLB received a 1:1 matching grant to upgrade our analog video screens to 85" digital monitors. We need to raise $7797 from our members & friends to meet the grant requirements. Please make a check to UUCLB with "WH Tech Upgrade" in the Memo or use the Tithely App, Select Special Collection and write "WH Tech Upgrade" in the memo line.

Upcoming dates for contributions to the ADVANCE Newsletter have changed!

Please send your articles, announcements, photos, artwork and other contributions before 9:30pm on the Tuesdays listed below. Email to: ADVANCE@uuclb.org

Due Date: Tuesday, December 19 for the January 2024 issue

Due Date: Tuesday, January 16 for the February 2024 issue

Stay in touch with your Church Community by contributing to the Weekly Eblast Announcements and the ADVANCE Newsletter.

To share in the weekly ANNOUNCEMENTS or the monthly ADVANCE NEWSLETTER:

Prepare a brief notice for the Announcement or an article/brief about your event for the ADVANCE
Include name of event, date, time, ZOOM link or meeting place and contact information for your event
Submit in an UNFORMATTED Microsoft Word document -or- type into the body of an email.
NO SPECIAL FORMATTING / SPACING
Graphics and images should be attached in JPG format (rather than embedded in a MS Word file)
Proofread your document and make any necessary corrections before sending

Submit Weekly Announcements/Eblast to: ANNOUNCEMENTS@uuclb.org

DEADLINE: Tuesday at Noon!

To share in the monthly ADVANCE newsletter:

Send submissions to ADVANCE@uuclb.org

NOTE: THE SUBMISSION DATE FOR THE ADVANCE NEWSLETTER HAS CHANGED.

Please submit your items for the ADVANCE before 9pm on the 3rd Tuesday of each month.

Please note: submissions will be published on a space available basis subject to the decision of the editor.

*Flyers and/or announcements that need to be retyped will not be accepted.

Click here to download the UUCLB ADVANCE Newsletter!

December 2023

Social Justice Collection

UNICEF Global

UNICEF is the United Nations Children’s Fund, working in the world’s toughest places to reach the most disadvantaged children and adolescents – and to protect the rights of every child, everywhere. Before, during and after humanitarian emergencies, UNICEF is on the ground, bringing life-saving help and hope to children and families. “In all wars it is children who suffer first and suffer most.” Since the horrific terrorist attacks on Israel on October 7th, the escalation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip has had a catastrophic impact on children and families. Children are dying at an alarming rate – thousands have reportedly been killed and thousands more injured. An estimated 1.5 million people in the Gaza Strip have been displaced – more than half of them children. Please donate to UNICEF to help support on the ground aid efforts in North Gaza and refugee support for displaced families. Thank you for your generosity.

You can support UNICEF up until the last Sunday of the month, by mail, text, or online. If by mail, note “Social Justice Collection” on your check, and send it to UUCLB, 5450 E. Atherton St., Long Beach, CA 90808. Using Text-to-Give, to give $25 for example, text the words “25 Special Collection” and the amount to 833-931-1845. To cover any convenience fees for the church, you can add the word “cover” (so “25 Special Collection $25 cover”) or simply text “Cover fees on” to cover fees on all text gifts. For online giving go to uuclb.org/give.

Of Note

Members! The UUCLB Church Directory can be downloaded as a pdf file...

Download the August 2023 UUCLB Church Directory pdf from the Members Only Drive at this link: Church Directory

Planning a ZOOM meeting? Have an item for the UUCLB Calendar?

FOR ZOOM MEETINGS: Use this link to request a ZOOM room reservation : http://www.uuclb.org/ZOOMRES (Please submit your request at least a week before your meeting to allow time for scheduling.)
TO ADD AN EVENT TO THE CALENDAR: If you would like your event to appear on the UUCLB calendar, please email the ZOOM reservation and link, along with your event information (name of event, date, day of week, time start/end and contact info) to: calendar@uuclb. (Please submit your request at least a week before your event to allow time for calendaring.)