Our Peace Village Housing project application was approved at the Santa Cruz Zoning Administrator hearing on October 4, on conditions we pre-negotiated with the city. That is the good news we’d been awaiting for years! Many of us were in attendance. Thanks to all who showed up!

As we had anticipated, a neighbor who objects to our housing project has appealed the Zoning Administrator decision to the Planning Commission. The matter of the appeal will be heard on Thursday, November 30 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 809 Center Street.

We are confident that the Planning Commission, like the Zoning Administrator, will approve our Peace Village Housing project anew at that hearing, despite the appeal. Nonetheless, we feel it is important for us to give the Planning Commissioners and the City Council political cover by organizing large numbers of friends and members of our church to show up in person at the appeal hearing to show support.

Please plan to attend the appeal hearing if you possibly can. We invite our supporters to gather on the patio in front of the city council chambers at 6:30 p.m. before the hearing begins. There will be an opportunity to speak on our behalf, though is not necessary for us to respond to the objections listed in the appeal. The Planning Department staff will respond as required to defend the approval decision. But a roomful of us, wearing our Peace and COPA buttons, will make a powerful statement that our community needs this new housing.

Other supportive community groups, including representatives of other COPA institutions, will be on hand to show solidarity with us in our commitment to provide new affordable apartment homes in our Peace Village Housing project.

Prepare for action, folks!

Jim Weller

Council Meeting 11/16

Council Meetings are usually held on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 6:30pm on Zoom. You are invited. It’s a great way to learn the goings-on and you might be enticed to join efforts in one of the many ministries.

Please consider joining our next Council meeting on Zoom on Thursday, Nov. 16th at 6:30 pm. Here’s the Council Meeting Zoom Link:

Zoom link HERE

Faithfully yours,

Lisa Hoesing and Maryse Postlewaite

Our next Kid's Night Out is scheduled for November 17th, from 5:30 to 8:00 pm. We had a most successful Kids' Night last month! We are seeking one more adult leader for this month to help with an activity. If you are interested, contact [email protected]

If you would like your child(ren) to attend, please RSVP by filling out the registration form using this LINK. ***NOTE: You must register each time you attend. Liability waiver only needs to be completed once.

Recognizing our Vera Taylor Scholars for 2023

We are pleased to introduce our family of scholars this year with Stewart Jenkins and his son, Javier Jenkins-Sorenson and daughter Marisol Jenkins Sorenson. All three are attending colleges in pursuit of advanced degrees.

Stewart Jenkins is continuing his studies at Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA. His goal is to receive his Master of Divinity degree and become a chaplain in a jail or prison or for a hospice organization. He was inspired to pursue this study after leading a spiritual service in the Santa Cruz County Jail in 2019. His connection with the inmates by offering support and comfort through the toughest time in their lives brought a sense of peace and calm to them as well as himself. His studies are giving him the tools and confidence to continue to help those in their darkest hour.

Javier Jenkins-Sorenson is continuing his studies at Williams College in western Massachusetts He has a double major in Political Science and Geoscience. By studying these two fields, his goal is to improve our forest management practices in the Western United States. He believes that human management of major ecosystems requires a knowledge and reliance on natural processes to ensure that regulations and bureaucratic systems are in line with scientific research. Javi states: “I hope to attain my masters in Forestry or Natural Resource Management at a different university and then apply these skills working at a government agency such as Cal Fire, CA State Parks, the National Park Service, or the Forest Service. Hopefully, I will be able to affect change in our nation’s forest, changes that will benefit many generations to come.”

Marisol Jenkins-Sorenson is also studying in Massachusetts. She chose Smith College because she can conduct research in animal behavior in partnership with a professor as early as her Sophomore year. Marisol states “I believe that pursuing a degree in biology at Smith College will provide me with the knowledge and skills necessary to make a significant impact in the field of behavioral biology.” Her passion for this field began as she often went on hikes and camping trips with her parents. Her biology classes in school ignited her interest in animal behavior and she hopes to become a research professor studying animal behavior such as the social behaviors of birds and make meaningful contributions to the scientific community.

Indigenous Voices Reclaiming Historical Narratives Nov 18th

In honor of Indigenous Peoples Month - local Amah Mutsun Tribal Band members and UCSC California Mission Project members speak at free special event.

What: Honoring Indigenous Voices -

Indigenous voices reclaiming historical narratives

When: Nov 18th, 10:30 - 2:30pm (lunch provided)

Where: Resource Center for Nonviolence.

612 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Cost: Free (donations appreciated)

Speakers:

Tribal members Alexii Sigona and Carolyn Rodriguez share their multifaceted perspectives on the cultural landscapes and history of Indigenous knowledge
UCSC Critical Missions Project Drs. Judith Scott, Renya Ramirez, and Daisy Martin dialogue with the community about current education practices, how listening can heal, and how collaboration builds a healthier future.

Details:

"Honoring Indigenous Voices" aims to bring our community together for a thought-provoking dialogue and shared learning. By delving into historical narratives of Indigenous history, we intend to forge a path towards addressing contemporary challenges to our humanity and the environment.

Amah Mutsun Tribal Band share their multifaceted perspectives on the cultural landscapes and history of Indigenous knowledge. UCSC Critical Mission Project dialogue with the community about current education practices, how listening can heal, and how collaboration builds a healthier future. A forum to explore what healing means in our communities. "Much harm has been inflicted on Indigenous communities, and this harm impacts all of us. This is a crucial time to do the healing work of not only restoring Indigenous knowledge and culture but healing on an individual and institutional level." "The Amah Mutsun asks that all people and institutions who live on these lands recognize that they are here today in part because of this destructive history and that there is still an abundant amount of healing to do." - Valentin Lopez Amah Mutsun Tribal Band Chairman

Website, tickets, and livestream link https://bit.ly/Honoring2023

More Information: email FriendsOfJ [email protected]

Garden Revamp!

Pam O'Dell, a newcomer to Peace United, has taken on the renovation of the garden down by High Street. She has weeded the raised beds and acquired a load of mulch, so the work has begun.

Are you interested in helping her plant a winter garden in the raised beds? She is looking for another gardener to share in planning, cultivating, and harvesting with her.

You can contact Pam at [email protected]

Spirit of Love, Spirit of Truth, guide us as we pray,

Silent, we bow our heads and feel Your presence everywhere.

(paraphrased from Children Worship)

For Milton Abbott’s recovery from a leg infection.
For Wai Yip Kwok’s aunt, in Hong Kong, battling cancer.
For Lonna Speer’s struggle with cognition problems.
For Karen Reed, grieving the death of her father Bob Reed in early October.
For Andrea Losee, recovery from a recent fall.
For Jim Weller’s former wife, Charlotte, at the end of her life, and for his pregnant daughter Anna.
For the people of Palestine and Israel and all victims of war and violence.
For all who grieve the loss of loved ones, within our church and around the world.

Gratitude for

Nick & Sybil Piediscalzi’s daughter, Teresa Walters’ unexpected (“miraculous”) recovery from a life-threatening illness.
Our church community, the courage to embrace change and stand for justice and mercy.
God’s promise to hear our prayers.

You may request prayers by emailing [email protected],

calling Lynn Walton (600-7343), or calling the church office (426-2010).

We Want to Hear Your Voice

We would love to have you as a liturgist (reader) in one of our Sunday morning worship services. It's a wonderful way of serving!

Sign up for a Sunday to read live and in person and we'll connect with you by e-mail on the Tuesday prior, sending all the information you'll need for getting ready.

If you'd like to give it a try, click on this link to choose a date.

Watch Out For Scammers

Peace United staff and leaders will never solicit you by e-mail, asking you to purchase or send gift cards or electronic funds for any purpose. Contact the church office if you have any concerns about emails you may receive.

Office Hours!

Monday through Friday, from 9 am - 2 pm staff are in the office, attending to the business of our church: monitoring e-mail, answering telephones and/or responding to messages, working on the dozens of different projects and connections that keep our ministry moving forward.

If you plan to come into the office, please call ahead to schedule a time when we know someone will be in to assist you. You can reach us by e-mail using the list below or by phone, 831-426-2010.

Pastor, the Rev. David Pattee - [email protected]
Facilities Manager, Aaron Abeyta - [email protected]
Office Manager, Devon Obert - [email protected]
Bookkeeper, Susan Robinson - [email protected]

Pastor Dave works from the church office, Monday through Thursday, and most weeks will have office hours on Saturday too, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Friday is his day off. In case of emergency, the pastor is available by cell phone, 773-255-8095. If you would like to schedule a meeting or would like to "drop by", please contact us via email using this link to make an arrangement.