the catalystthe catalyst non-violence: why i’m proud of our unitarian and universalist christian...
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In This Issue September Theme:
Nonviolence
Sept. 4: Service
Inshallah with Rev.
Jeremy Nickel
Sept. 9: Movie Night,
Where To Invade Next
Sept. 11: Douglas Flat
Service, Chelsea Page
Doctrine of Discovery
Sept. 15: Ladies Lunch
Bunch, 12:00 @ BeWok
& Sushi
Sept. 16: Skyline
Discussion Group on
Nonviolence
Sept. 17: Listening
Hearts Adult Covenant
Group w/ Rev. Sonya
Sept. 27: No Guilt Book
Club reads Frankenstein
by Mary Shelley
the Catalyst
Inshallah with Rev. Jeremy D. Nickel Sunday, Sept. 4, 10 a.m., Fellowship House
Rev. Nickel says, "Growing
up in the 1980s I knew
almost nothing about the
Islamic faith outside of the
terrible stereotypes served
up by mainstream TV and
movies. My journey of
understanding with Islam
began in earnest in college,
inspired by a Quaker
professor of mine who
assured me that few things
had made him a better
Quaker than his study of
Islam. Many years later, I
couldn't agree with him
more. I am definitely a
better UU because of my
study and engagement
with Islam and its inspiring
adherents and this Sunday
I will share three lessons
from Islam that have
helped me greatly on my
spiritual journey." A
potluck follows the service.
Rev. Jeremy D. Nickel has
been the Minister of
Mission Peak UU in
Fremont, CA for six
years. A graduate of the
Pacific School of Religion in
Berkeley, CA and Earlham
College in Richmond, IN,
Rev. Jeremy grew up
attending a UU
congregation in Newton,
MA. He is married to Rev.
Nicole Lamarche, a UCC
Minister, and is the father
of five year old Eliza.
A Potluck will follow the Service
the Catalyst 1 September 2016 Vol. 1
Before-the-Call Dinners
UUFTC continues to offer a series of potluck-style dinners at various homes extending into the
Fall. The purpose of these “Before-the-Call Dinners” is to offer our congregation’s members and
friends the opportunity to get to know Rev. Sonya in smaller, more intimate gatherings as we
move forward in UUFTC’s formal process to “call” her as our minister. These dinners are also a
chance for Rev. Sonya to find out more about what motivates and nourishes you at UUFTC. A
call between a congregation and a minister is an open-ended arrangement signifying that the
minister and congregation see specific and doable ways to work together to bring about our
highest values in the community. Bring your questions about the call process and your
enthusiasm for the Fellowship in addition to a dish to share.
The “Before the Call Dinner” dates currently scheduled are Saturday, Sept. 17, 6 p.m. hosted by
Dave Ingram and Mike Strange, and Sun. Sept. 18, 5 p.m. at Fellowship House, hosted by Janet
Telford and Craig Mineweaser. Additional dinners will be scheduled and Sign-up sheets will be
available at upcoming Sunday services.
Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to get to know our minister in a relaxed setting and
participate in this important step of our call process.
Skyline Discussion Group Nonviolence,
September 16, 3:30 - Skyline Place – 12877 Sylva Lane, Sonora
Skyline residents, visitors and UUFTC members and friends are invited to a discussion of the
Touchstones Journal essays and quotes on the topic of Nonviolence. Sandy Banzet can make
hard copies of the Touchstones Journal for Skyline residents, and Rev. Sonya Sukalski can
electronically forward this resource from the First Universalist Church in Denver for all who
would like to join in sharing the wisdom of our elders on the topic. [email protected]
the Catalyst 2 September 2016 Vol. 1
“The word ‘jihad’ has nowhere been used in the Qur’an to mean war…. It is used
...to mean ‘struggle.’ The action most consistently called for in the Qur’an is
...patience.” Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
Douglas Flat Service – September 11
10:30 a.m. Douglas Flat Schoolhouse, 1358 Main St.
Doctrine of Discovery with Chelsea Page
Chelsea Page, member of First Congregational Church Murphys and the Catholic Worker Farm,
will be presenting on the Doctrine of Discovery, a 600-year-old religious law that was
incorporated into US law during the early 1800s. The Doctrine of Discovery gave Christians
permission to steal land from non-Christian indigenous peoples during the European settlement
of North America. In the last ten years, multiple religious groups including the UUs have
publicly repudiated this doctrine.
Listening Hearts Adult Covenant Group
Kickoff, Saturday, September 17 11:30-1:30,
Fellowship House
Rev. Sonya Sukalski and Pam Taylor will
facilitate new sessions from the authors of
Heart to Heart and Soul to Soul. This third
volume in the popular series contains
fourteen new gatherings on topics ranging
from mental wellness and miracles to leaps
of faith and bucket lists. Each gathering
includes an essay, inspiring quotations,
questions, and activities for participants to
reflect on at home, as well as a program for
sharing about the topics in a small group.
Using a deep listening method that allows
participants to feel truly heard in a safe
setting, the rich tradition of helping people
gather in small groups and form a sense of
community while reflecting on life issues
that affect us all will continue at UUFTC.
Contact Rev. Sonya at
[email protected] to participate or
if you have questions.
Movie Night – Friday, September 9th, Fellowship House, 5:30 Potluck, 6:00 Movie
Michael Moore’s Where To Invade Next
With an eye toward finding solutions to the social problems plaguing America,
provocative documentarian Michael Moore embarks on a European expedition to
interview ordinary citizens about their nations' effective policies and practices.
the Catalyst 3 September 2016 Vol. 1
Please check out the UU Justice Ministry of California’s advocacy portal at
http://action.uujmca.org to find out how you can make a meaningful impact on important
legislation. There is information on legislation as well as ways you can take action to
advance justice today.
Nonviolence
Taken from Introduction to the Theme by
Rev. Kirk Loadman-Copeland (Touchstones
Journal)
While Unitarian Universalism is not a
peace church like the Church of the Brethren,
the Quakers, or the Mennonites, there has
been an abiding appreciation of the
importance of non-violence resistance. This
goes back to Henry David Thoreau on our
Unitarian side and the Rev. Adin Ballou on
our Universalist side.
As Gandhi and Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
knew, non-violence resistance is at root a
spiritual practice before it is an inter-
personal tactic or a political strategy. The
purpose of the spiritual practice is to first
help us meditate on the role of violence in
our life. What role has violence played in
shaping who we are? What harm has been
done to us as a result of violence? How have
we harmed others because of how we have
been shaped by violence, either consciously
or unconsciously? What triggers in us either
feelings of violence or acting violently? The
way to non-violence is a thorough-going
exploration of inner and interpersonal
violence.
Violence is a continuum that is influenced
by power, stress, anger, will, fear,
conditioning, and more. That is a lot to
unpack and much of it is part of our
emotional field. And it takes cultivation of an
awareness of self and other, and of
compassion, empathy, courage, non-
judgment, the ability to choose, and
authentic self-empowerment as opposed to a
default to passive aggression, which is yet
one more form of violence.
Ultimately, compassion asks more of us. This
is what Gandhi and King knew: non-violence
informed by compassion moves from an
interpersonal level to become a vehicle for
social change whether it involves marriage
equality, immigration, black lives, Syrian
refuges, or peaceful Muslims who know that
their religious values support their political
allegiance to America.
the Catalyst 4 September 2016 Vol. 1
“I have nothing new to teach the world. Truth and non-violence are as old
as the hills.” Mahatma Gandhi
No Guilt Book Club
Tuesday, September 27 - 7:00 p.m. Fellowship House
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Few creatures of horror have seized readers' imaginations and held them for so long as
the anguished monster of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. The story of Victor
Frankenstein's terrible creation and the havoc it caused has enthralled generations of
readers and inspired countless writers of horror and suspense. Considering the novel's
enduring success, it is remarkable that it began merely as a whim of Lord Byron's.
"We will each write a story," Byron announced to his next-door neighbors, Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin
and her lover Percy Bysshe Shelley. The friends were summering on the shores of Lake Geneva in
Switzerland in 1816, Shelley still unknown as a poet and Byron writing the third canto of Childe Harold.
When continued rains kept them confined indoors, all agreed to Byron's proposal.
The illustrious poets failed to complete their ghost stories, but Mary Shelley rose supremely to the
challenge.
Ladies Lunch Bunch
Will meet Thursday, September 15, 12:00 at
Be Wok and Sushi (near cost-u-Less and Orchard Supply) 764 E. Mono Way, Sonora
UU Women, their guests and friends will gather together for this monthly luncheon. Please call Peg
Sheldon, 586-9182, by Tuesday, Sept. 13, for a reservation.
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 [email protected]
Laurie Livingston, Web Design
______________________________________
Rev. Sonya Sukalski, Minister / Rev. Craig Scott, Minister Emeritus 209/533-8883 Church Office
the Catalyst 5 September 2016 Vol. 1
SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS
Roy Phillips * Richard Close * John Kramer * Rebecca Miller-Cripps * Don Payne
Martha Kramer * Susan Schlindwein * Dave Jenkins * Suzanne Thomas * Patti Cherry
Kathy Seaton
In This Issue September Theme:
Nonviolence
Sept. 15: Ladies’ Lunch
Bunch, 12:00 @ Be Wok
& Sushi
Sept. 16: Skyline
Discussion Group on
Nonviolence
Sept. 17: Listening
Hearts Adult Covenant
Group w/ Rev. Sonya
Sept. 17 & 18: Before-
The-Call Dinners
Sept. 18: Sonora Service
Sept. 18: Nonviolence:
Greater Than the Sum of
Our Fears with Rev.
Sonya
Sept. 18: A trip to
Transylvania? Learn
more after Sun. Service
Sept. 25: Douglas Flat
Service, Blending of the
Waters Ceremony
Sept. 27: No Guilt Book
Club reads Frankenstein
by Mary Shelley
Oct. 2: Sonora Service at
Main Library
the Catalyst
Non-violence: Why I’m proud of our Unitarian and
Universalist Christian heritage
Rev. Sonya Sukalski
When I
traveled
to
Poland 2
years
ago to
learn
more
about the Polish Brethren who
were siblings to the
Transylvanian Unitarians back
in the 1560s, I was interested to
learn that they refused military
service and opposed capital
punishment. Often the
Brethren carried wooden
swords as a symbol that they
would not take up arms in a
disagreement. Others called
them Socinians or Arians (after
the Arius who refused to
recognize Jesus as divine
during Constantine’s empire,
but I digress), but they
preferred to be known as
simply Christians or Brethren.
Today, there is not
wholehearted abhorrence of
war among Unitarian
Universalists, but there has
been a deep grappling with the
ideas of just use of force and
what to do when bullies or
injustice are on the rise.
There is a fantastic Ken Burns
documentary airing on
September 20 (at least on KQED
in the Bay area – 9-10:30 pm)
that documents the resistance
Waitstill and Martha Sharp
pursued in the face of Hitler’s
rise. I can’t think of a more
heroic example of “Christian
nonresistance” as Adin Ballou
would have called it a century
earlier. Henry David Thoreau
saw his patriotic duty as
“Resistance to Civil
Government” and didn’t pay
his taxes as a protest of the
Mexican-American War. Ballou
and Thoreau get the idea from
Jesus story in the gospel of
Luke when you are asked for
your shirt to give also your
cloak, and to offer the other
cheek if someone slaps you in
the face. Meaning when
someone acts aggressively,
instead of returning violence
for violence, to consider
absorbing the affront, and not
responding in kind. I wouldn’t
be surprised if we all have
lashed out at those we love
most when life isn’t going as
one would hope. It is truly a
gift of human compassion to be
met with kindness,
understanding and curiosity by
a loved one rather than
aggression. Unitarians for the
first several centuries of our
movements in Europe and here
in the US for the first 100 years
were Christians trying to live
into this message that there is
more love possible in any given
situation, and the best part of
humanity is to viscerally bring
that love to bear.
I often hear when visitors come
to our Fellowship that they feel
that tangible sense of
connection, community and
kindness among us. I see it
when we meet for a class to
hear each other into deeper
understanding and integrity as
we will be doing with our
“Listening Hearts” class
starting soon. I know it when
we meet with the UU
Adventurers and everyone
brings a tasty offering to share
or makes sure everyone is
included in the activities. And I
see the face of this spirit on
Sunday mornings when new
folks come into the oak grove
and bring their questions and
curiosity. Keep up the good
work! The spirit of love needs
us today, in Sonora, and in this
season of national decision
making.
Skyline Discussion Group Nonviolence,
September 16, 3:30 - Skyline Place – 12877 Sylva Lane, Sonora Skyline residents, visitors and UUFTC members and friends are invited to a discussion of the Touchstones
Journal essays and quotes on the topic of Nonviolence. Sandy Banzet can make hard copies of the
Touchstones Journal for Skyline residents, and Rev. Sonya Sukalski can electronically forward this resource
from the First Universalist Church in Denver for all who would like to join in sharing the wisdom of our elders
on the topic. [email protected]
Request from Rev. Sonya
Rev. Sonya would like to know if someone would be willing to host a viewing of the Ken Burns Documentary
on PBS about Waitstill and Martha Sharp on Tuesday 9/20 from 9-10:30. Please contact her if you are willing and
able. [email protected] Martha and Rev. Waitstill Sharp, WWII Unitarians who secretly worked
in Nazi-occupied Europe to rescue Jews, dissidents, and refugee children, are the subject of a PBS
documentary by Ken Burns and Artemis Joukowsky, airing on September 20th which focuses on fighting
today's hatred and discrimination toward Muslims and refugees.
the Catalyst 2 September 2016 Vol. 2
Listening Hearts Adult Covenant Group Kickoff
Saturday, September 17 11:30-1:30, Fellowship House
Rev. Sonya Sukalski and Pam Taylor will facilitate new sessions from the authors of Heart to Heart
and Soul to Soul. If you have a drum, rattle or other percussion instrument, please bring it. We will
begin this session with a few minutes of percussion together to center ourselves. If you don't have an
instrument, we have a few at the Fellowship House you are welcome to borrow. Contact Rev. Sonya
for further information [email protected]
Nonviolence: Greater Than the Sum of
Our Fears, Sunday, September 18, Fellowship
House, 10 am
Martin Luther King carried on a tradition
harkening back to Henry David Thoreau
embracing civil disobedience and nonviolence; the
next iteration of this tradition is what Rev. Dr.
William J Barber II calls the “Third Reconstruction.”
It is a “state-by-state movement that unites black,
white, brown, rich and poor, employed and
unemployed, gay and straight, documented and
undocumented, religious and secular. Only such a
diverse fusion movement he argues can heal our
nation’s wounds and produce public policy that is
morally defensible, constitutionally consistent and
economically sane.” Rev. Barber recently
addressed Unitarian Universalists at our General
Assembly. We will take up the Moral Mondays
movement and how it might touch our lives and
communities here. Rev. Sonya Sukalski
Ladies’ Lunch Bunch
Will meet Thursday, September 15, 12:00 at
Be Wok and Sushi (near Cost-U-Less and Orchard Supply)
764 E. Mono Way, Sonora
UU Women, their guests and friends will gather together for this monthly luncheon.
Please call Peg Sheldon, 586-9182, by Tuesday, Sept. 13, for a reservation.
Datk Transylvania
Interested in Transylvanian Unitarians? Come
learn more Sunday, September 18th after
service and potluck!
Several people have become intrigued by our
cousins in Transylvania who have kept the
Unitarian faith since 1568. We have been invited
to visit Datk, a Saxon town in Southern
Transylvania, and Allen Silver and Monty
Thornburg have agreed to head up the
effort. Rev. László Major holds a summer camp
for the town's children every August, as well as
engaging his congregants in community
outreach and development projects. We are
invited to take part, and may end up visiting a
variety of pilgrimage sites if there is
interest. This meeting will help us begin to
identify our interests and opportunities for
exchange with Rev. László's congregation.
the Catalyst 3 September 2016 Vol. 2
Non-violence is not inaction. It is not discussion. It is not for the timid or weak... Non-
violence is hard work. César Chávez
Douglas Flat Service – September 25
10:30 a.m. Douglas Flat Schoolhouse, 1358 Main St.
Blending of the Waters Ceremony - In this traditional UU service we will all blend water from our summer
travels. Bring a vessel with actual or symbolic water from your summer travels and your particularly
memorable or inspirational moments.
No Guilt Book Club
Tuesday, September 27 - 7:00 p.m. Fellowship House
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Few creatures of horror have seized readers' imaginations and held them for so long as the
anguished monster of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. The story of Victor Frankenstein's
terrible creation and the havoc it caused has enthralled generations
of readers and inspired countless writers of horror and suspense. Considering the novel's enduring success, it
is remarkable that it began merely as a whim of Lord Byron's.
BACK TO THE LIBRARY
We will resume our winter meetings at the Main
Sonora Library, 480 Greenley, Sonora on Oct. 2nd.
UUFTC member Richard Close explores the theme
of Justice: Justice and Truth, Persuasion and Ethics
are these Really Big Words too
hot for the hands of mere mortals?
Richard Close was an English teacher, Yoga teacher,
and just about anything else that could make him a
living while asking questions and dodging answers.
the Catalyst 4 September 2016 Vol. 2
Social Justice Committee Information
Monthly meetings are on every second Thursday (next one Oct. 8th), 3:30 at Schnoogs in
Sonora Timberhills shopping center.
Lambert Center – we will resume hosting there on Sunday afternoons in November. A Sign-
up sheet will be circulated at the Oct. 2nd Service. Please consider this community service
and ask a friend to join you.
Save the Dates! Before-the-Call
Dinners September 17-18
UUFTC will be offering a series of potluck-style
dinners at various homes, beginning in mid-
August and extending into the Fall. The purpose of
these “Before-the-Call” Dinners is to offer our
congregation’s members and friends the
opportunity to get to know Rev. Sonya in smaller,
more intimate gatherings as we move forward in
UUFTC’s formal process to “call” her as our
minister. These dinners are also a chance for Rev.
Sonya to find out more about what motivates and
nourishes you at UUFTC. A call between a
congregation and a minister is an open-ended
arrangement signifying that the minister and
congregation see specific and doable ways to work
together to bring about our highest values in the
community. Bring your questions about the call
process and your enthusiasm for the Fellowship in
addition to a dish to share. Don’t miss out on this
great opportunity to get to know our minister in a
relaxed setting, enjoy a delicious meal with
interesting company, and participate in this
important step of our call process. September 17 at
Chef Dave Ingram's (770-6364) and September 18
hosted at the Fellowship House by Janet Telford
and Craig Mineweaser (928-5874), both at 5 p.m.
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 [email protected]
Laurie Livingston, Web Design
______________________________________
Rev. Sonya Sukalski, Minister / Rev. Craig Scott, Minister Emeritus
209/533-8883 Church Office
the Catalyst 5 September 2016 Vol. 2
Justice for Farmworkers! Abuse of farmworkers in California must be stopped. Long-omitted from national
labor protections, there is now an effort to restore some dignity to the hard working farm laborers in our
state. Visit uujmca.org/economicjustice to find out more and take action today.
From UU Justice Ministry of California’s Newsletter
The non-violence practiced by men like Gandhi and King may not have been ...possible
in every circumstance, but the love that they preached ...must always be the North Star
that guides us on our journey. Barack Obama
UUFTC PHOTO GALLERY
Rev. Jeremy D. Nickel at UUFTC Poetry on The Patio
Sept. 4 Service Aug. 7 service
UUFTC Fun Day at Utica Lake July 31
the Catalyst 6 September 2016 Vol. 2