SOUTH BAY UNITARIAN FELLOWSHIP

MEETINGS: 11:00 a.m. SUNDAYS at 2603 Mathews Avenue, Redondo Beach, CA

http://sbuf.org   sbuf@yahoo.com

SBUF  Telephone Information:  (310) 374-1451

President:  Carol Simpson     Newsletter:  Penny Hendricks      Programs:  Linda Klein

 

 October  2005  Newsletter

 

“The sense of this word among the Greeks affords the noblest definition of it:  enthusiasm signifies ‘ God in us’.”     Mme. De Stael

 

SUNDAY PROGRAMS

October 2 - STIGMA AND THE MANAGEMENT OF SPOILED IDENTITY.   The Rev. Ernie Pipes discusses how every culture stigmatizes some of its people.  This phenomenon, more subtle than pigeonholing or stereotyping, is not only a social/cultural branding, but can also be a psychological self-branding of accepted disfavor.  It is in the broadest sense a disease - at once a social and psychological pathology.  It is curable - or at least treatable - and its various forms need to be identified.  Moderator:  Bob Johnson

 

October. 9 -- RECESS FOR THE SOUL 2.   We welcome back Redondo Beach author Bernie DeKoven, who will present an all-new unpublished version of his playful meditations. Bernie's readings delighted us in August, so if you missed him then, don't miss him this time!    Moderator: Carol Simpson

 

October 16 - ELECTION ISSUES.   Bob Johnson will present the pros and cons of the propositions we will be voting on in the November 8th election. Please bring any relevant information you may have along with your own viewpoints on the propositions.  Moderator:  Bob Johnson

 

October 23 - THE UNITED NATIONS.   October 24 is United Nations Day and we celebrate as our speaker, Jim Stansberry, professor of Political Science at Harbor College, gives us an update on this world organization.  Moderator:  Ted Doty

 

October 30 - ABORTION AND THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT.   Charles Rulon, a skeptic and secular humanist views the Ten Commandments not as a sacred list of divine moral standards for all time, but as a flawed and often immoral collection of fallible facts unsuitable for today's world. He will discuss how "Thou shalt not kill" has been co-opted by the religious right.  Rulon is Professor Emeritus, Life and Health Sciences, Long Beach City College, and has spent the last 35 years lecturing and writing on the subjects of evolution, science and religion, the Christian Right, pseudo science, the paranormal, abortion, homosexuality, and environmental issues.    Moderator: Carol Simpson

 

November 6 - CHINA AND TIBET.   Peter and Lenore will show a video and report on the history, religion and culture in this fascinating part of the world.  They do things very differently in Tibet:  they have yak boats and butter; several brothers will marry the same woman; some bathe only once a year; and they have mountain and river burials.  They also visited the Great Wall and Forbidden City, the Terracotta warriors, the Panda reserve, the Dalai Lama's palace, the Three Gorges of the Yangtze and an island near Hong Kong.  Moderator:  Peter Landecker

 

November 13 - THE BOTANY OF DESIRE - a report on a book of that title by Michel Pollan, dated 2001.  It reports four country-wide unreal desires for four substances: apples, tulips, marijuana, and potatoes.  Milt Holman will present a psychologist's take on these "desires," including where they started, who promoted them, who desired them, who tried to profit from their popularity, and how they ended.  There are some unbelievable surprises in each story.  Which of those plants might you have become addicted to, what would you have done about it?  What new addictions have we seen, and which ones can we expect in the future?  What can and should WE do about any of those not yet causing problems?  There will be lots of time for discussion of each, so bring a few prejudices with you.  Moderator:  To be determined.

  

                                                VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE

Opening

Date

Refreshments

John S.

      Oct. 9

Chuck Hendricks

Les B.

      Oct. 16

Dave Miller

Miles T.

      Oct. 23

John Simpson

Penny H.

      Oct. 30

Penny Hendricks

Lorna Mc.

      Nov. 6

Miles Thompson

John S.

      Nov. 13

Claire Aukerman

Les B.

      Nov. 20

Les Berg

       *****ATTENTION: For Openers and Refreshment persons:  ***** 

OPENERS arrive at 10:30 a.m., unlock doors, cabinet, put out sign, start water, put on tablecloth, set up cups, coffee, etc. for the refreshments.  Please display the fellowship candle on the circular table.

REFRESHMENTS need to arrive by 11:00 a.m.  Please arrange a trade if you cannot attend or clean up on the day assigned.  When you bring refreshments, it is your turn to be responsible for the clean up of the entire refreshment table including the coffee water and supplies.  If you need help, just ask.  By the way, thank-you very much!!! 

 

***************CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS*************

   October 9 - SBUF BOARD MEETING at Mathews Cottage after fellowship at approximately 12:30. Anyone who would like to attend is welcome.

 October 22 – The 21st Latin America Encuentro:  The Winds of Change:  U.S. & Latin America. 

It is Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. -  4:00 p.m. at the UU Church of Long Beach.  Call Ruth Shapin at (714) 567-0188 for information.

 

October 29 - LIBRA PARTY  and GENERAL MEETING   This party/potluck has become an annual event and all others who were born under different signs are definitely invited.  (Try not to feel slighted!).  Where is it?  At the home of Bob Johnson and Linda Klein.  Time: 4:00 p.m.  Please RSVP what you are bringing by phone, email or in person. If this is the first time you are attending one of our potlucks, you can join us without obligation to bring a dish. After dinner we will have a brief meeting.  Please join us for good food and fellowship fun.

 

 ***************Communications Corner***************************

Quiet on the communications front this month.

 

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