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UUFSMA Newsletter December 2, 2019
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The Mission of this Fellowship is to serve the spirit as each individual understands it; to serve the educational and pastoral needs of our own community; and to serve our multicultural community through actions that further social justice.
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The next UUFSMA Board Meeting will be held on Thursday, December 12th at 1:00PM. Anyone wishing to attend, please contact Board President, John Simsarian at jcsimsarian@yahoo.com. |
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Mom/Katerina, Adero, Sedona, Dad/Jesus and Chris at the Welcome Table Social Action section bringing the Fellowship members awareness of the Children's Program commitment to raise funds to provide bees to an impoverished family. |
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Fourth Annual
Holiday Bazaar |
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Join us after the service on Sunday, December 15th for our Fourth Annual Holiday Bazaar. Last year we had over 20 booths offering a wide selection of articles, such as books, crafts, chocolates, stained glass and more. And, don't forget to drop by our White Elephant booth for those hidden treasures.
If you wish to have a table at the Bazaar, below are the rules:
- For a half table to sell your items they should be brought on day of sale.
- Set-up starts at 9 that morning.
- Only members of UU will be allowed to sell.
- There will be a sign-up Sheet at the Welcome Table beginning Sunday, November 17.
- Participants need to provide their own table covering (there will be two sellers per table).
- No hang-up art so bring your own easels if you need them.
- No glass objects.
- Supply your own change.
White Elephant Table
If you have Items you don't want or can't use, but are in good condition (no clothes or shoes), they need to be brought early on the morning of sale (9-10AM). There is no storage at the Aldea, but items can be brought to Arlena's garage before the sale and will be taken over to the Aldea on the morning of the 15th.
To drop off at Arlena's, please call first -154-8410. The location is Gracia 5 in La Aldea. We prefer small items that can be sold from a table; that is, no furniture.
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Several members of your Care Team will be visiting the Santa Sofia Assisted living/ retirement facility this week. During the past two years, we have visited five other residences for adults in the area. If you would like to receive information about some of these facilities, please contact Françoise or Joan.
Sylvia Stea and her husband David, who is recovering from back surgery, would enjoy hearing from you and having you stop by. Please contact Sylvia at 415-114-0825.
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If you are in need of assistance or know someone who does please contact Francoise or Joan.
If you are in need of a healthcare professional, you will find a comprehensive listing on DiscoverSMA.com under the Business Directory tab, Medical Services. You can search by specialty and/or name, and read reviews posted by others who have used their care.
For pastoral care, please contact Rev. Tom Rosiello -
415-122-2119, tomrosiello@gmail.com
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Calendar of Activities
All are welcome to attend any and all UUFSMA activities. Please join us!
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Tuesday Discussion Group, December 3, 10:15 am, How have I changed since I came to San Miguel? Or have I? Join us for these meaningful discussions led by Liz Stone.The group meets at the Quinta Loreto restaurant at the sunny end, Loreto 15.
Wednesday Lunch Bunch, December 4, 1:30pm, Cafe de la Parroquia, Jesus 11, Centro.
Women's Saturday Breakfast: Watch this space for breakfast gatherings beginning in early January.
Saturday Men's breakfast group - Men meet in the Jardin at 9:30am in front of the Parroquia and decide where to eat. The regular guys would like some new faces to join them!
Circle Cena - The Circle Cena is a social gathering for people who meet at a host's house once a month for either a pot luck of botanas and dessert or a full course dinner. The hosts coordinate the event as to how many guests they can accommodate and who brings what food to share. As the groups change from cena to cena, it’s a wonderful opportunity to get to know other UUs.
The next Circle Cena is Monday, January 6, 2020. Please sign up as host or guest at the Welcome Table after Sunday service or contact Arlena Lawrence, lawrencearlena@yahoo.com.
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Sunday, December 8, 10:30am
AIDS: The Disease That Changed
the World
Rev. Tom Rosiello
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At this Sunday’s Unitarian Universalist Fellowship service, the Rev. Tom Rosiello examines the enormous impact the disease of AIDS has had on the world, particularly the LGBTQ community, since first diagnosed in 1981. Rev. Rosiello will share his experience as a gay man just coming out as the crisis struck and examine the equality, worth, and dignity of every LGBTQ person.
Many mark the beginning of the LGBTQ movement towards equality with the 1969 revolt at The Stonewall Inn in New York City. From that point forward, the gay equality and gay pride movements began to take shape and spread to cities across the US. But most of America’s LGBTQ folks remained closeted.
Attitudes started to change in the 1970s, and LGBTQ folks began to move a bit out of the shadows and find self-acceptance and community. Then something horrifying began to happen. Young gay men started getting sick and dying for no apparent reason. The illness had no name and no real treatment. As the world began to see the correlation between this disease and the population of gay men affected by it, right wing religious conservatives claimed it to be a punishment from God, and political leaders ignored the illness that seemed to only affect an outcast community.
Since that first diagnosis, thirty-eight years have passed and millions of men, woman, and children have died. Entire communities have been devastated. Research and treatment have been challenged by homophobia, racism, and negative attitudes towards other classes of victims. There have been great medical strides made in prevention and treatment, but the infection is still spreading. AIDS has challenged our love and caused many to abandon hope. But it also brought the issue of LGBTQ rights to center stage, which are again being threatened.
Rev. Rosiello will share the journey of AIDS, beginning with its devastating effect on gay men in the 1980's and moving to its impact on other communities today. We will look at how it has changed the LGBTQ community, remember those we lost to the disease, and celebrate the lives of those living well with the disease. Together we will affirm hope for the future.
For more information about the UUFSMA, including our Sunday morning Children’s Religious Education program, Social Action outreach, weekly discussion groups, social activities, and Care Team, join us any Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at the Hotel La Aldea or check out our website at
uufsma.org.
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For moe informaltion about World AIDS Day, click on this link -
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A Guadiana Neighborhood Connection gathering is scheduled for December 10th. If you live in Colonia Allende, Guadiana, Ojo de Agua, or Caracol and have not received an email about this gathering, send an email to Ellie Goodwin at epgoodwin@hotmail.com to be included. |
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We now have held Neighborhood Connection (NC) gatherings all over town. These are an opportunity for UUs to get together with neighbors for social and care purposes. If you are interested in being in one and have not received an invitation to a gathering, please send your request to Joan Wolf who is keeping the grouplists current. Her email address is joanwolf@umich.edu.
Usually a Neighborhood Connection gathers in the home of a volunteer host for a potluck happy hour from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. All attendees contribute a finger food to share and bring their own beverage. Many close UU friends are made this way.
If you are willing to host an event, contact Ellie Goodwin at epgoodwin@hotmail.com
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The book
We: Reviving Social Hope by philosopher Ron Aronson will be the
focus of a UU discussion group the first week in February, organized by the Social
Action Committee.The author will be our Sunday speaker on February 2. His
book is a message to save us from the despair, cynicism and defeatism that
paralyzes too many in these troubled times.
Aronson argues that social hope is born from collective action, a 'we', not just 'I'. It
is in a movement that 'we become members of a larger entity, drawing power from
it, having responsibility to it, and experiencing ourselves within it.' Through
collective action 'the formerly powerless can generate something new, social hope,
by acting together.' And this can change not only the world in which we live, we
also change ourselves.
If you would like to participate in discussion with the author, sign up with Cliff
DuRand by email to global.justice.cliff@gmail.com. You are expected to have
read the 180 page book in advance. Order your copy now.
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If you have an idea about a new group, please pass your suggestions to Chris Chase, chris.chase1955@gmail.com or John Verplank, jandpverplank@gmail.com, co-chairs of the Member Services Team.
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The UUFSMA Social Action Committee (SAC) has been in existence since 2002. A large part of its work has involved reviewing and making funding recommendations on grant proposals from local Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs). These grants help improve the quality of life for Mexicans living in and around San Miguel. In 2019 the UUFSMA provided financial support to 11 NGOs with $45,000 USD in grants, representing about half of the Fellowship’s annual income. In addition, each quarter, the SAC and the Congregation help identify organizations with special, often one-time needs, for which the entire Sunday offering is given. We call these donations our “Blue Plate Specials.”
This year the SAC has expanded its activities in several ways by:
* Providing updates to the Congregation before each Sunday offering, detailing progress
grantees are making on the projects the UUFSMA has helped to fund.
* Acting as a conduit to the Board of Directors with information about local social justice
initiatives such as Climate Strikes and Calls to Action on the Migrant Crisis.
* Partnering with members of the Congregation and local organizations to provide small
group discussions and action steps members can take to address Climate Action – the 13th of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development goals.
If you are visiting San Miguel or live here part time, we are interested in learning about the
social action/social justice work of your US or Canada-based congregation. Please feel free to take a flyer from the Welcome Table, share it with folks, and act as a bridge between your congregation and us, so that we can learn more about them and possibly find ways to partner with each other. Thank you!
Meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month at 1:00 PM and all are welcome. For
more information, please contact Rebecca Langrall (rlangrall22@gmail.com) or Dick Snyder (rcs39@aol.com), Co-Chairs. |
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The Social Action Committee sponsors an ongoing food and supply drive for the migrants on the train tracks in Comonfort and those sheltered at ABBA House in Celaya. More and more families are in need of help, especially with these items:
Items Needed:
Multi-use powdered soap, Cloro, Knorr suiza (chicken bullion), Salt, Sugar, cooking oil
pasta along with can or carton of tomato sauce, Instant coffee, Bandaids, talcum powder, socks (a never ending supply is needed), Sanitary napkins, Underwear (men's and women's).
Medications needed:
Omeprazol (gastrointestinal)
Contac & Agrifen (cold medications)
Paracetamol (pain & fever)
Ketarolaco (pain, anti-inflammatory)
Naproxeno (pain, anti-inflammatory)
Miconazol crema (skin infections)
Vitacilina (anti-bacterial, skin infections)
Members and friends are encouraged to bring what you can each Sunday and drop it into the two large plastic bins near the sign-in table. Stan Allen and Luisa Field will take the items after the service each week to distribute to those in need. Thanks to all for your continued support of ABBA House and the migrants. Together, we can make an important difference in the comfort of these families as they journey toward a better future.
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Mujeres en Cambio will be having a Cocktail and Hors d'oeuvres Party on Monday, December 9th from 3:00-5:00pm at Galeria Atotonilco.
Price is $400 pesos.
There will be bus service out there for an additional $50 pesos.
For more information please call Beth Rosener at 150-0044. |
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The Annual Three Kings’ Day toy drive for campo kids has started. On January 3 rd, Les Pearson and his volunteers will be taking toys to over 870 kids in 12 poor communities outside of SMA. The toys cost about $125 pesos per child and these toys are sourced through bulk buying. Monetary donations are needed to support this worthy project. Please donate to https://www.gofundme.com/f/three-kings-day-toy-drive,
Les Pearson at mexicokid77@yahoo.com or give your donation to Bill Wilkinson at the Sunday Service. You can read more about the toy drive on the Gofundme site. |
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Non Profit Organizations Supported by the UUFSMA |
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Apoyo a Gente Emprendedora provides micro-lending, education programs and sustainability projects to rural communities. This year’s funding will support the educational component of the micro lending program. http://apoyo.mx/ |
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Casita Linda builds houses, helps create a sustainable environment, and provides workshops to help improve life for those living in poverty. The grant will pay for workshops to prepare families that are receiving a house on subjects such as community building, recycling, home maintenance and related issues. https://casitalinda.org/. |
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CEDESA organizes communities for sustainable living in rural areas and will use their grant to support three community development specialists that train and lead communities in building cisterns, recycling, composting, community gardens and more. |
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Escuela de Educación Especial is a school for persons with hearing impairment. Their mission is to ensure that all SMA children who are deaf become literate, independent, and productive citizens who set and achieve life goals. The grant will partially pay the salary of the Academic Director/Administrator. http://www.eeesma.com/. |
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Fundación de Apoyo Infantil facilitates learning processes, using participatory methodologies to promote children’s rights and the protection of their environment. The grant will help pay for classroom recycling bins. http://faiguanajuato.org/
Update of activities 2019 |
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Jóvenes Adelante provides university scholarships and support to financially challenged youth. The grant of $4,845 USD will continue to pay for the scholarship of four university students. A one time grant of $10,000 USD will be used to strengthen the Betse Davies Special Star Fund. http://www.jovenesadelante.org/
Read the latest JA newsletter by clicking on this link -
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Mujeres en Cambio provides scholarships to girls in rural communities to keep them in school.The grant will pay for five junior high and two high school students’ needs such as uniforms and suppllies. https://www.mujeresencambio.org/ |
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Patronato Pro Niños provides medical and dental care to area children. This year’s grant will help pay for radio announcements to inform rural communities where the dental clinics will be each day. http://www.patronatoproninos.org/ |
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San Miguel Literary Sala, Libros Para Todos promotes reading among children in rural communities. The grant will provide a special book for elementary children to read and then bring the author to town to meet the recipient students. https://sanmiguelliterarysala.org/community-projects/. |
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The UUFSMA Newsletter is produced each week for members and friends of the congregation. Information should be submitted by Wednesday each week to denise.uufsma@gmail.com
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Board of Directors 2019-2020 (as of April 1, 2019)
John Simsarian, President, 154-4771, jcsimsarian@yahoo.com
William Dalsimer, 1st VP, 917-991-7841, wrdalsimer@gmail.comJ
Chris Chase, 2nd VP, 170-4544, Chris.Chase1955@gmail.com
Jane Wilkinson, Treasurer, 152-8019, jane.wilkinson@gmail.com
Dan Neuspiel, Secretary, 415-154-5021, dneuspiel@gmail.com
Bonney McDowell, 415-145-7689, miko789@gmail.com
Eleanor Goodwin, 152-5700, epgoodwin@hotmail.com
Jim Harper, 152-2380, smaharper@yahoo.com
Joanna Kafarowski, 415 152 6111, joannakafarowski@gmail.com
Rebecca Langrall, 415-151-0065, rlangrall22@gmail.com
If you would like a copy of minutes from a Board of Directors meeting, please contact John Simsarian, President.
Affiliate Minister, Rev. Tom Rosiello, tomrosiello@gmail.com
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Committee Chairs and Activity
Administrative
Pastoral/Inreach
Cathy Canepa, ccanepamd@gmail.com
Coffee Hour
Peter Podesta, parlino27@gmail.com
Flowers
Cynthia Sterling, sterlingsilver33@gmail.com
Greetings & Name Tags
Jim Harper, smaharper@yahoo.com
Membership Services
Chris Chase, chris.chase1955@gmail.com
John Verplank, jandpverplank@gmail.com
Neighborhood Groups
Ellie Goodwin, epgoodwin@hotmail.com
Special Music
Jon Sievert, jon@humblepress.com
Order of Service
Denise Galipeau, denise.uufsma@gmail.com
Thanksgiving
Peter Podesta, parlino27@gmail.com
Social Action, Outreach and Publicity
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