the Catalyst 1 March 2017 Vol. 1

In This Issue March’s Theme: Respect

Mar. 5: Sonora Service:

Respect & Non-Violent

Communication

Mar. 9: Social Justice meeting

Mar. 10: Movie Night at

Fellowship House 5:30

Mar. 12: Douglas Flat Service-

Non-violent confrontation

Mar. 17: Skyline Discussion –

Respect: Gainful Bickering

Mar. 18: Listening Hearts –

FSH 11:30-1:30

Mar. 18: Spiritual Tools for

Activists- a workshop

Mar. 19: Sonora Service and

Pledge Kickoff – Sonora Hills

Mar. 28: No Guilt Book Club

April 14: Chocolate Seder

Respect and Non-Violent Communication

Sunday Service March 5th, 10:00 at Sonora Library

With Lisette Sweetland from the Center For A Non

Violent Community

Lisette Sweetland from the Center For A Non Violent

Community (CNVC) will speak on Respect and Non-

violent Communication, with emphasis on healthy

ways for people to communicate their needs to one

another.

CNVC focuses on assisting people who are

experiencing intimate partner violence, sexual assault,

and human trafficking in Tuolumne County. The center

also offers services in prevention.

Lysette Sweetland came to CVNC just over a year ago

after nearly a decade in professional theatre

administration. However, as a child of abuse, she is

grateful to have a platform in which to share with

people that life after domestic violence is more than

possible.

Practice Respect

Rev. Tom Owen-Towle

How can Unitarian Universalist …[congregations] foster right relationships? First, they need

to learn how to embrace conflict as inevitable, even desirable. Every viable organization ...both

yearns for stability and pushes for achievement. ...Progress is both expansive and disruptive:

progress spells change, change causes anxiety, and anxiety precipitates conflict. But conflict is not

only unavoidable, it’s beneficial. Hearty turmoil elicits new ideas and understandings.

the Catalyst 2 March 2017 Vol. 1

…Ironically, genuine conflict frequently emerges in eras of strength, when a community is

swelling in a size or morale and is strong enough to tackle the problem. A healthy church learns

to integrate the forces of stability with the forces of change. It can bicker gainfully. Opposing

opinions can actually create a golden opportunity—that is, for a church equipped with goodwill

…[in order to turn] conflict into growth.

…Healthy churches heed what Native American activist Catherine Attla calls “the big law of

respect.” A respectful church is one where boundaries are kept, saboteurs are confronted, and

crises are faced. Good behavior is expected and rewarded. Parishioners are urged ...to engage one

another with an active gaze and a level glance.

...Respect must be evident in the details of church organization and programming from the

moment a newcomer crosses the threshold. ...Members are always asking, “What does it mean to

practice a kinder regard…?”

…To be respectful literally means “to look at something or someone again.” The Buddhists call

this process “seeing with unfurnished eyes”—that is, eyes empty of mental clutter and inherited

furniture. Respectful persons are those who look again at what is readily ignored or missed.

Source: from Growing a Beloved Community: twelve hallmarks of a healthy congregation by Tom

Owen-Towle, 2004, Skinner House Books, Boston, MA.

From Touchstones Journal on Respect

SOCIAL JUSTICE MEETING

Our UUFTC Social Justice Committee is looking forward to some changes this New Year. We

welcome anyone who would like to become a member. Meetings are on the second Thursday of

the month, 4:00 at Schnoogs. Next meeting March 9th.

Douglas Flat Service – March 12th, 10:30

Douglas Flat Schoolhouse, 1358 Main St.

Nonviolent Confrontation - Marcus Collogne from the Catholic Workers Farm will talk about his

experiences and training in non-violent action related to nuclear protests and other social justice

issues.

Dear Green Baggers,

Another good haul: 3865 lbs. and $75 in cash donations.

Sincere thanks for your great effort.

Next green bag collection day: April 8 (the 5th anniversary of the Mother Lode Food Project)

the Catalyst 3 March 2017 Vol. 1

Respect: Gainful Bickering - March 17th 3:30 pm Skyline Place

Rev. Tom Owen-Towle writes, “…Ironically, genuine conflict frequently emerges in eras of

strength, when a community is swelling in a size or morale and is strong enough to tackle the

problem. A healthy church learns to integrate the forces of stability with the forces of change. It

can bicker gainfully. Opposing opinions can actually create a golden opportunity—that is, for a

church equipped with goodwill … [in order to turn] conflict into growth.” Rev. Sonya Sukalski

of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Tuolumne County meets monthly with Skyline

residents and all who wish to join to talk about pertinent subjects of the day. She especially

enjoys the remembrances Skyline residents share as memories are triggered of times that can

shed light on today’s affairs.

Spiritual Tools for Activists Saturday, March 18, 6:30-8:30 pm Fellowship House

Following up to the skills and tools shared in January which hopefully were useful in “letting

there be peace on earth, and letting it begin with me,” as Jim Cherry is fond of saying, we will

offer tools for mediation and understanding between us and people in our community. This

workshop will take a look at framing discussions as well as non-judgmental listening to

understand. Cheryll Giles retired to the foothills after a career as an ombudsman, and Jim Cherry

is a lawyer by training and a mediator in heart and spirit. Drawing from her MS in Adult Health

and Wellness, and tools honed while developing the Spiritual Activist Leadership Training

(SALT) for the California UU Justice Ministry for young adults, Rev. Sonya Sukalski, Jim Cherry

and Cheryll Giles will offer a workshop on branching out from contemplative tools for people

wanting to step up involvement in justice oriented work. People of all faiths and no faith are

welcome.

I don’t have to agree with you to like you or respect you. Anthony Bourdain

Tolerance isn’t about not having beliefs. It’s about how your beliefs lead you to treat people who disagree

with you. Timothy J. Keller

Michael Strange * Joanne Rovno * Bob Hornauer

Peggy Day * Starla Nelson * Marilyn Stith

Anne Berner-Calderwood

the Catalyst 4 March 2017 Vol. 1

Sonora Sunday Service and Pledge Drive Kickoff

Seeing Ourselves with Unfurnished Eyes March 19th, 10 am Sonora Hills – note we will meet in

a space that can allow for a dessert buffet to celebrate our pledge kick-off!

Tom Owen-Towle says, “To be respectful literally means “to look at something or someone

again.” The Buddhists call this process “seeing with unfurnished eyes”—that is, eyes empty of

mental clutter and inherited furniture. Respectful persons are those who look again at what is

readily ignored or missed.” As we begin our pledge drive, looking at our common endeavors

with respect, as well as an eye toward what is yet undone that we would like to reach for, we will

discuss questions about what is sustained in our personal and community lives by involvement

in UUFTC, and what breaks our hearts about the world that we can address together. Rev. Sonya

Sukalski and the Pledge Drive Task Force will preside.

The No Guilt Book Club

Tuesday, March 28th - 7:00 p.m. at the Fellowship House

(meets the fourth Tuesday of each month except December)

This month’s selection is The Burgess Boys by Elizabeth Strout

From inSpirit: The UU Book and Gift Shop <bookstore@uua.org>

Taking bold, courageous action for intersectional racial justice never ends. We lift up the

following books and additional resources as you deepen your commitment to justice.

This Is An Uprising: How Nonviolent Revolt Is Shaping the Twenty-First Century by Mark and

Paul Engler

Dreamers: An Immigrant Generation's Fight for Their American Dream by Eileen Truax

Be the Change: Poems, Prayers and Meditations for Peacemakers and Justice Seekers by Stephen

Shick

Chocolate Seder

Hosted by Laurie Bailie

The Chocolate Seder will be on Friday evening, April 14 from 6-8 PM. at the Fellowship House.

Cost is $15.00 per person. Make checks payable to UUFTC. For reservations call Laurie at 533-

2584 or by email at Lasnuffy1@gmail.com. Reservation cutoff date is Tuesday April 11. The

Fellowship House living room can only accommodate 25, so participation will be limited. First

reserved, first served.

the Catalyst 5 March 2017 Vol. 1

UUFTC PHOTO GALLERY

2-16-17 Ladies Lunch Bunch at Columbia Kates

2-5-17 Sonora Service

with Rev. Bob Klein – Stockton Minister

Monty Thornburg on Courage and Heroes

at 2-19-17 Service

Dave Ingram – UUFTC Chef and Musician

the Catalyst 6 March 2017 Vol. 1

New Members welcomed at 2-19-17 Service

UUFTC Members Laurie, Lane, Ann & Janet

at McClintock Town Hall Meeting 2-22-17

UUFTC: 19518 Hess Ave Sonora, CA 95370 / (209) 533-8883

Quick links: UU Fellowship of Tuolumne County/ www.uuftc.org ; Pacific Central District/ www.pcd-uua.org

UU World Magazine/ www.uuworld.org ; UUFTC Calendar/ www.uuftc.org/calendar

UU Service Committee/ www.uusc.org UU Association of Congregations/ www.uua.org

the Catalyst appears on our website each month. When each new issue is posted, notification of its availability is sent to all

subscribers via email. We do not share our list of addresses.

Linda DuTemple, Editor 209/928-4364 lindaldu@comcast.net

Laurie Livingston, Web Design

______________________________________

Rev. Sonya Sukalski, Minister / Rev. Craig Scott, Minister Emeritus 209/533-8883 Church Office

the Catalyst 1 March 2017 Vol. 2

In This Issue

March’s Theme: Respect

Mar. 16: Ladies Lunch Bunch

Mar. 17: Skyline Discussion –

Respect: Gainful Bickering

Mar. 18: Listening Hearts –

FSH 11:30-1:30

Mar. 18: Spiritual Tools for

Activists.

Mar. 19: Sonora Service Seeing

Ourselves with Unfurnished Eyes

and Pledge Kick Off

(location Sonora Hills)

Mar. 19: Introduction to

Unitarian Universalism

Mar. 26: Douglas Flat Service-

Spring Equinox

April 2: Green Bag pick up

Mar. 28: No Guilt Book Club

inSpirit: UU Book & Gift Shop

Mar. 30: TGIP, Patio Party

April 14: Chocolate Seder

Board Notes from Feb. 18

Sunday Service and Pledge Campaign

Kickoff Followed by potluck dessert buffet!

March 19, 10 a.m., Sonora Hills

Tom Owen-Towle says, “To

be respectful literally

means “to look at

something or someone

again.” The Buddhists call

this process “seeing with

unfurnished eyes”—that is,

eyes empty of mental

clutter and inherited

furniture. Respectful

persons are those who look

again at what is readily

ignored or missed.” As we

begin our pledge drive,

looking at our common

endeavors with respect, as

well as an eye toward what

is yet undone that we

would like to reach

for, we will discuss

questions about

what is sustained in

our personal and

community lives by

involvement in

UUFTC, and what

breaks our hearts

about the world that

we can address

together. Rev.

Sonya Sukalski and

the Pledge Drive

Task Force will

preside.

2017 Pledge Campaign Kickoff!! Followed by potluck dessert buffet – bring

something to share

the Catalyst 2 March 2017 Vol. 2

Ladies Lunch Bunch

March 16 11:30 at El Jardin in Twain Harte

22997 Joaquin Gully Rd. Twain Harte, CA 95383

UU women, their guests and friends will gather together for this monthly

luncheon. All are welcome. Please call Peg Sheldon, 586-9182, by Tuesday, March

14, for a reservation.

Enjoy authentic Mexican food with UU friends

Respect: Gainful Bickering

March 17th 3:30 pm Skyline Place

Rev. Tom Owen-Towle writes, “…Ironically, genuine conflict frequently emerges in eras of strength,

when a community is swelling in a size or morale and is strong enough to tackle the problem. A

healthy church learns to integrate the forces of stability with the forces of change. It can bicker

gainfully. Opposing opinions can actually create a golden opportunity—that is, for a church

equipped with goodwill … [in order to turn] conflict into growth.” Rev. Sonya Sukalski of the

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Tuolumne County meets monthly with Skyline residents and all

who wish to join to talk about pertinent subjects of the day. She especially enjoys the remembrances

Skyline residents share as memories are triggered of times that can shed light on today’s affairs.

Spiritual Tools for Activists Saturday, March 18, 6:30-8:30 pm Fellowship House

Following up to the skills and tools shared in January which hopefully were useful in “letting

there be peace on earth, and letting it begin with me,” as Jim Cherry is fond of saying, we will

offer tools for mediation and understanding between us and people in our community. This

workshop will take a look at framing discussions as well as non-judgmental listening to

understand. Cheryll Giles retired to the foothills after a career as an ombudsman, and Jim

Cherry is a lawyer by training and a mediator in heart and spirit. Drawing from her MS in

Adult Health and Wellness, and tools honed while developing the Spiritual Activist Leadership

Training (SALT) for the California UU Justice Ministry for young adults, Rev. Sonya Sukalski,

Jim Cherry and Cheryll Giles will offer a workshop on branching out from contemplative tools

for people wanting to step up involvement in justice oriented work. People of all faiths and no

faith are welcome.

the Catalyst 3 March 2017 Vol. 2

Introduction to UUFTC

Fellowship House, 12:ish (after dessert reception at Sonora Hills), Sunday March 19

A new and improved introduction to Unitarian Universalism's history, how UUFTC became what it

is today, and how to get involved, presented by Rev. Sonya and UUFTC Leaders. If you plan to

attend RSVP to sonya.sukalski@comcast.net with what kind of pizza you like.

The No Guilt Book Club

Tuesday, March 28, 7:00 p.m. at the Fellowship House (meets the fourth Tuesday of each month)

This month’s selection is The Burgess Boys by Elizabeth Strout.

Haunted by the freak accident that killed their father when they were children, Jim

and Bob Burgess escaped from their Maine hometown of Shirley Falls for New

York City as soon as they possibly could. Jim, a sleek, successful corporate lawyer,

has belittled his bighearted brother their whole lives, and Bob, a Legal Aid attorney

who idolizes Jim, has always taken it in stride. But their long-standing dynamic is

upended when their sister, Susan—the Burgess sibling who stayed behind—

urgently calls them home. Her lonely teenage son, Zach, has gotten himself into a world of trouble,

and Susan desperately needs their help. And so the Burgess brothers return to the landscape of their

childhood, where the long-buried tensions that have shaped and shadowed their relationship begin

to surface in unexpected ways that will change them forever.

Douglas Flat Service

March 26th, 10:30

Douglas Flat

Schoolhouse, 1358 Main

St.

Spring Equinox - Tom

Spiritbringer will provide

an Equinox program on

the ever unfolding

Universe Story.

Green Bag Collection

April 2nd after Service

This collection will be especially significant

because it will mark the FIFTH anniversary

of the Mother Lode Food Project! To date we

have collected 136,368 lbs. of food and

$7750.66 in cash donations. Amazing!

Sincere thanks to each of you for your part

in achieving these incredible

numbers. Together we are truly making a

difference in our community.

the Catalyst 4 March 2017 Vol. 2

One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening

to what another has to say. Bryant McGill

March is Women's History Month. Honor it with resources that will

inspire and educate as you persist in your activism, your search for

spiritual sustenance, and all that you do.

We Should All Be Feminists offers readers a unique definition of feminism for the

twenty-first century, one rooted in inclusion and awareness. An of-the-moment

rallying cry for why we should all be feminists.

A groundbreaking anthology for women searching for spiritual guideposts

to the second half of life. Contributors include Maya Angelou, Isabel

Allende, Vivian Gornick, Audre Lourde, Erica Jong, and more.

Chocolate Seder

Hosted by Laurie Bailie

A Chocolate Seder will be held on Friday evening, April 14 from 6-8 PM. at the Fellowship House.

This is a unique opportunity to experience a Jewish Seder in a fun and creative way. For reservations

call Laurie at 533-2584 or email her at Lasnuffy1@gmail.com.

The cost is $15.00 per person: make checks payable to UUFTC. Space in the Fellowship living room is

limited, reservation cutoff date is Tuesday April 11.

This event will replace Movie Night this month.

TGIP Evening Gathering Friday

March 30 - 5:30 Fellowship House – 19518 Hess Ave, Sonora

Join us for post-work week fun and fellowship. Everyone is welcome. Bring a favorite

dish and/or beverage to share. No RSVP needed, just show up. For more information

contact Dave Ingram at 928-1306 or dave4dessert@gmail.com

the Catalyst 5 March 2017 Vol. 2

UUFTC Board of Directors Meeting Notes

UUFTC’s board of directors meets monthly at 9 a.m. on the third Saturday of each month at the

Fellowship House. The following are some highlights from the Feb. 18 meeting.

Teri Olsson has resigned as chair of the Social Justice committee as she wishes to focus her

energies on environmental issues. Lane Willey has offered to keep track of county groups and

write a column for the Catalyst.

The board is having a retreat on March 11 at the Fresno UU church, facilitated by Jan Christian.

This may also provide an opportunity to meet with board members of that group.

The annual pledge campaign will begin March 19 with a Sunday service and kickoff at Sonora

Hills, followed by a potluck dessert buffet. This year’s campaign will be six weeks long: March 19

– May 7.

There will be a Chocolate Seder Friday, April 14, 6-8 p.m. which will take the place of the Movie

Night. The cost of this fund-raiser is $15. Reservations must be made with Laurie by Tuesday

4/11/7.

The UUC Church (First Congregational Church of Murphys) has invited UUFTC to participate

with them in their study curriculum White Privilege. Details to follow.

Be respectful to your superiors, if you have any. Mark Twain

Nothing living should ever be treated with contempt. Whatever it is that lives, a …person, a tree, or a bird,

should be touched gently, because the time is short. Civilization is another word for respect for life....

Elizabeth Goudge

UUFTC: 19518 Hess Ave Sonora, CA 95370 / (209) 533-8883

Quick links: UU Fellowship of Tuolumne County/ www.uuftc.org ; Pacific Central District/ www.pcd-uua.org

UU World Magazine/ www.uuworld.org ; UUFTC Calendar/ www.uuftc.org/calendar

UU Service Committee/ www.uusc.org UU Association of Congregations/ www.uua.org

the Catalyst appears on our website each month. When each new issue is posted, notification of its availability is sent to all

subscribers via email. We do not share our list of addresses.

Linda DuTemple, Editor 209/928-4364 lindaldu@comcast.net

Laurie Livingston, Web Design

______________________________________

Rev. Sonya Sukalski, Minister / Rev. Craig Scott, Minister Emeritus 209/533-8883 Church Office

the Catalyst 6 March 2017 Vol. 2

UUFTC Photo Gallery: The following are just a few of the people who are central

to the functioning and success of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Tuolumne County

and listing just a few of the things they are known for and do for us.

Rev. Sonya Sukalski, UUFTC Minister Dusty Taylor, Board President

Marilyn Waggoner: a

founding member, teaches

Moving Meditation, active

member of the UU

Adventurers hiking group

Chef Dave Ingram: keyboard at services;

Movie Night; TGIP; wonderful food

Rachael Phillips:

Hoedown Chair

Mike Strange: Program presenter;

Board Member; Singer

the Catalyst 7 March 2017 Vol. 2

Movers and shakers:

Patti Cherry (one of our resident artists); Laurie Bailie (Book Club leader); Jim Willey (Social

Justice committee); Janet Telford (Board Member, past treasurer & past president) Lane

Willey (Social Justice committee ); Laurie Livingston – just visible behind the sign (graphic

artist, web designer)

Rev. Sonya, Janet Telford and Craig Mineweeser ( Past Board member &

Linda DuTemple, newsletter editor president, facilities manager) and

Jim Cherry (program presenter)