January 6
Rev. Betty Stapleford & Members of the Adult RE Ethics Class: Ethics And Life
During the course of an eight-week class, this group looked at a number of difficult ethical questions and situations. This morning they will present some of these dilemmas to us and encourage us to participate in grappling with possible solutions. Come prepared to be challenged and engaged. Children's Chapel for RE classes.

January 13
Rev. Betty Stapleford & CVUUF Members and Friends: A Journey Toward Wholeness
Examples of disenfranchisement in our society are easy to find. Join us this morning as we look at the specific ways we can heal the wounds of racism, classism, and cultural discrimination in our community. A child dedication will be held, and a special offering will be collected to support a project in our community.

January 20
Robin Lindsey and Members of the Rise Up and Call Her Name Group
Women who have taken part in the Rise Up and Call Her Name woman-honoring journey into global earth-based spiritualities have found this exploration life changing. Come and listen to their profound and insightful discoveries.

January 27
Rev. Anne Felton Hines: With Fear and Trembling...Some Reflections on Faith
Archie Bunker once said, "Faith is when you believe in something that nobody in their right mind would believe in!" No doubt, many Unitarian Universalists would "ditto" that sentiment. Yet the events of Sept. 11th have reminded us that there are times in our lives when we may need some sort of faith that will sustain us and give us courage. What is it in which those of us in our "right mind" can put our faith?

February 3
Rev. Betty Stapleford: Sharing Our Good News - UU Evangelism
In some UU circles evangelism has gotten a bad name, but today we will look at the positive things that can come from sharing the religion that we have found with others and some techniques for doing that with skill and grace. Our special guest for this service will be Bill Docker, all the way from Cambridge, Massachusetts, with a short message about what the UU Service Committee is doing for us in the world. Children's Chapel for RE classes.

February 10
Rev. Betty Stapleford: Living With Compassion in a Difficult World
Vicky Murphy from Casa Pacifica will be joining us on this Sunday before Valentines Day, to look at the ways that we, and the children in this congregation, can practice compassion in our lives everyday. We will also be putting together "Luv You Bags" for Casa Pacifica at the end of the service. Lists of needed articles will be handed out in advance of this service so you can contribute to this worthy cause. - Intergenerational Service Choir accompanied by Kim Kilgore, violin.

February 17
Revs. Betty Stapleford and Craig Chapman: Justice and Injustice - What Your Mother Never Taught You
In 1999 we voted to become a Welcoming Congregation. This morning we will explore what that means for our congregation today and what the larger issue of justice says about many aspects of our lives. Our special guests this morning will be members of the Metropolitan Community Church of Ventura and their minister. Let's make them feel welcome.

February 24
Rev. Betty Stapleford:Taoism in Everyday Life
What do you know about Taoism other than the fact that it has a strange pronunciation? It has been said of the tao that when you think you have found the tao, you can be sure that you have not. Come this morning to learn about and experience this ancient spiritual practice. It could just change your life - or not.

March 3
Rev. Betty Stapleford: True Community
The word "community" has become a kind of cliché in our time. It is something that many individuals and groups aspire to but that very few truly seem to understand. The sermon this Sunday will unpack some of the ideas from F. Scott Peck's A Different Drum and other sources to get at the meaning of this important concept and the way it can be lived. There will be CVUUF Community Group open house after the service today. Children's Chapel for RE classes.

March 10
Julie Crooks and the CVUUF Choir: Singing from Your Heart - The Sound of Gospel
Come join us for another new musical experience. This service will feature the CVUUF choir and YOU, the congregation, singing gospel style music. We'll take a look at how each of us can get let go a little bit more and enjoy a foot stompin', hand clapping, spirit raising morning. Older kids may really enjoy this, so consider letting them stay in service. We guarantee a great time for all!

March 17
Rev. Terry Sweetser: So Much More
We often say, "Things aren't what they seem," and conclude the sentence with "they are so much less." The teachings of both our Unitarian and Universalist forebears are exactly the opposite. In fact, to live the lives we wish we could, our faith challenges us to find fullness in the wonder of life. This is a service that urges us to imagine that things aren't just what they seem; they are so much more!

March 24
Justine Fischer and others: UU Women In History
This Intergenerational Service is sure to be fun and a great chance to learn about UUism. We have no idea who will show up! I have it on good authority that Beatrix Potter herself might be reading the children's story and Susan B Anthony or Reverend Olympia Brown might be the Worship Associate! Come share our rich and diverse heritage in story, song and verse!

March 31
Rev. Betty Stapleford: Using the J word at Easter
Easter is a challenging time for many Unitarian Universalists because it requires us to examine the importance of Jesus whether we like it or not. On this Easter Sunday, we will look once again at the importance of this central figure in the lives of Christians and seek, if possible, to find the significance of Jesus' life and death for the meaning of our own. We will hold our traditional Flower Communion with each person bringing a flower to share.

April 7
Rev. Betty Stapleford: The Courage to Be Rich
The sermon title today is also the title of a best-selling book by Suze Orman. While much of the book is about the practical aspects of money management, its subtitle is "Creating a Life of Material and Spiritual Abundance," and it seems to me, that is something that we are looking to do in our lives and in this congregation. Living from abundance is a spiritual practice that can enrich all of us. Come to learn how. There will be a New Member Induction and Children's Chapel for RE classes.
Special Music: Julie Land, soprano accompanied by Fred Land, piano, Frances Pardee, flute and Gary Johnson, clarinet.

April 14
Rev. Bill Sinkford: A Brighter Coming Day
This year, hope has been particularly hard to find. The terrorist attacks of September, war in Central Asia, on-going violence in the Holy Land and financial uncertainty here at home have shaken our confidence. Our assumptions, indeed, our faith itself, has been tested. Where can we look for hope? What in our tradition and where in our life together is solid ground on which we can move forward? What can support us in these uncertain times.
Choir Sings

April 21
Rev. Betty Stapleford : The Challenge of Religious Fundamentalism
Based on a book called The Battle for God by religious analyst Karen Armstrong, today's sermon will focus on the way in which we can have an impact on the world as religious liberals in the face of religious fundamentalism. Since September 11, we have had to learn to look at the world and the impact of religious diversity in a new way. Hopefully, new insights into the hearts and minds of religious fundamentalists can help us in that journey.

April 28
May Day Celebration
Come join us in celebrating Beltane, the time of year when we give thanks for the fertility of the land, the creativity in ourselves, and experience the joy of being alive! In this intergenerational service, we will share stories, sing, and dance the Maypole. This service is being produced by our own pagan group, Ace of CUUPS.

May 5
Coming of Age Service
We will be celebrating a wonderful group of young people today. The Coming of Age group will be bringing us an intergenerational service on what they have learned during the exploration of themselves and Unitarian Universalism.

May 12
Rev. Betty Stapleford: Peace and Motherhood
In a time when peace seems so hard to find in our lives and the larger world, we will be looking at what Unitarian Julia Ward Howe envisioned when she was inspired to found the celebration that has become Mother's Day in this country and the ways in which we can work to realize her dreams and our own in this religious community. We will also be celebrating with a child dedication service.

May 19
Rev. Betty Stapleford and the Lay Ministers : The Gifts We Can Share
Each of us has talents and passions to contribute to our religious community. On this Sunday our Lay Ministers will be telling us about themselves and the specific ways in which they will be serving this congregation. As a part of this service, our Lay Ministers will also be officially inducted by the congregation in a brief, but meaningful, ceremony. Choir sings.

May 26
Rev. Betty Stapleford: God Bless America
We have all continued to see banners, signs, and bumper stickers asking for support from God for our country in this time of sorrow and re- evaluation after the September 11th attacks in New York and Washington D.C. On this Sunday of the Memorial Day weekend, we will explore the meaning of patriotism and terrorism as we try to understand our feelings as individuals and as members of this Unitarian Universalist congregation. CVUUF Wind Quartet.

June 2
Annual Meeting
Board President, Dennis Wieher will be presiding at our annual meeting this morning. We will be doing some groundbreaking work today as we vote on the coming year's budget, by-laws, Long Range Planning Report and vote in new Board members who will be representing us in the challenges and exciting opportunities that lay ahead for our Fellowship. Only members can vote, but friends are invited and encouraged to attend. A quorum is necessary, so please come. Candidates are listed on page nine and a copy of the by-laws and budget will be mailed out to all members before the meeting. Absentee votes may be cast for Board members only. We will be celebrating the 40th Anniversary of our Fellowship after the service. A light luncheon will be provided but you are welcome to bring your favorite treat to share. So let's party!

June 9
Rev. Betty Stapleford: Sneak Preview of the 2002 General Assembly
There are a number of important issues that are decided each year at the UU General Assembly - being held this year on June 20 - 24 in Quebec City, Canada. Come to this service to find out what the "hot" topics are and share your opinions with our delegates so that they can vote accordingly. There will also be a new member induction, and both the adult Choir and Kids Khoir will sing

June 16
Rev. Betty Stapleford: When Father Knows Best
This service will explore the positive lessons that we learned from our fathers or that some learned by being fathers. If you have any stories or lessons from either of these vantage points, please share them with Rev. Betty for inclusion in this Sunday's sermon. There will also be a Bridging Ceremony for our graduating high school seniors.

June 23
Ross Blasman: A Chumash Summer Solstice Celebration

June 30
Rev. Kusala: Buddhism And Everyday Life
This highly esteemed Buddhist monk will give us a brief introduction to the basics of Buddhism, and will provide answers to questions like: "Who was the Buddha?" "Do Buddhist's believe in God?" "Do they go to heaven?" "What do Buddhist's practice and how do they live in the world?"

July 7
Linda Delorey: Home Schooling and UU Values: Beyond Socialization
Many people have a preconceived notion of Home schooling. They believe that the basic social and educational needs of the child will not be met. Can a parent develop an approach that provides these needs and more? Come listen to one family's journey and learn how these issues were met and the deeper cultural and spiritual implications it leads to in their lives. Come get some insight into this fast growing alternative lifestyle.

July 14
Hank Crooks: "UU Humanists and Pagans: Can This Marriage be Saved?
Yes! And the Children Will be Scientific Pantheists"
This service, originally presented to the UU Fellowship of Corvallis (Oregon) by lay member Richard Hervey, explores a religious philosophy that holds that the universe, as a whole, possesses attributes traditionally attributed to divinity, such as power, magnificence, grandeur, and omnipresence. Hank will present Richard's UU service that tells the Creation Story, includes artistic and defining descriptions, and shares the Scientific Pantheists' statement of belief. The sermon will suggest that pantheism can bridge the gap between rational humanism and the need for celebration of the natural world. Interspersed with music and songs, the service will conclude with a sharing of Nature's wonders.

July 21
Rev. Betty Stapleford: Ayn Rand and Unitarian Universalism
This Sunday's sermon is the fulfillment of the pledge made by our minister to the winning bidder for a sermon topic at our annual CVUUF auction. It will be an opportunity to show the ways in which the philosophy of this author is consonant with our Unitarian Universalist tradition and the ways in which it is in stark contrast with our values. If, as we say, a diversity of beliefs is something that we value, this Sunday will be a chance for all of us to test our ability to stretch our minds and our hearts

July 28
Theadora Davitt-Cornyn: A Love Letter to the CVUUF
When Theadora joined this Fellowship almost ten years ago, she would have never dreamed that it would lead her on a path that would take her to Starr King School for the Ministry in Berkeley where in August she begins her studies in Community Ministry with a special focus on migrant ministry. As she will be away from us for three years, she would like to express her gratitude for the challenges, guidance, and support given to her in the transition to the seminary.

August 4
Lorella Hess: Wisdom of the Ages: A Generational Service for Adults
A selection of 20-40-60-80-ish Fellowship members will offer their perspectives on the lessons of maturity in this service celebrating the CVUUF's generational diversity.

August 11
Dr. Pamela Brubaker : Visions of Peace in a New Nuclear Age
Dr. Brubaker, Professor of Religion at California Lutheran University, will draw on her experience at the international interfaith women's conference in Geneva this spring titled "Peace with Justice: Women Speak Out," to discuss visions of peace in an increasingly un-peaceful world. The timeliness of this discussion is particularly poignant given that August 6 is the commemoration of Hiroshima day.

August 18
Rev. Betty Stapleford: Becoming a Cultural Creative
In their provocative book, published in the year 2000, authors and researchers, Paul Ray and Sherry Anderson describe those people that they consider "cultural creatives." These are people whose ideas and values they believe will help to save the earth and our human connections. This sermon will illustrate the ways in which their ideas are resonant with Unitarian Universalism and how we at CVUUF can become a part of this dynamic group, if we aren't already.

August 25
Tom Powers: Death: A Musical Romp with Kurt Weill, the Three Julies, and the CVUUF musicians and Men's Chorus
Death is the one milepost that we all share on our separate journeys. Yet it is not a topic we talk about very often. Reverend Kusala, our guest speaker last month, said it best: "Death is the last forbidden subject." The Buddha was sheltered from seeing death until he was able to tour the world outside the palace. But seeing it changed his life and for the better, most would say. Come share a musical view of death - its starkness, its finality and, yes, its humor - in our third annual celebration of the Kurt Weill centenary.

September 1
Darcey Lober: Dancing from the Inside Out
If you can talk, you can sing. If you can walk, you can dance. We will create sacred space where we will move with spirit and let the spirit move us. Let's make our own music and bring drums, rattles, or whatever music makers you have.

September 8
Rev. Betty Stapleford: Earth Journeys
At our Ingathering Service we will be sharing samples of earth from our summer adventures, at home or away, and short descriptions of their significance for us. Come and welcome new and old friends and our new Student Intern as we begin a new church year together. Then, after the service we will share finger food and drinks and take our earth to the park behind the Goebel Center for the rededication and cultivation of Rev. Betty's Installation sycamore tree.
Remember to bring a bit of earth from your travels

September 15
Dr. Bader Iqbal: On the Islamic Faith
Dr. Iqbal, a local physician, represents the Islamic Center of the Conejo Valley and will answer the many questions we have about the Islamic faith and what it is like to be a Muslim in the United States especially after the events of 9/11.

September 22
Rev. Betty Stapleford and CVUUF Lay Leaders: Our Shared Ministry
Ministry is not just the calling of our professional minister. It is something that we can all do together. At this service our minister, representatives from our CVUUF Shared Ministry Committee, and our music program will be telling us what they do and why they find their ministry with our congregation so meaningful. But be careful. You may just find your calling too. New member induction

September 29
ACE of CUUPS: The Second Harvest
Harvest your closets?! Join us as ACE of CUUPS presents "The Second Harvest," an intergenerational service that celebrates and marks yet another turn in the Wheel of the Year. As day and night is at a balance, we must bring balance into our lives as well. It is also a time when we learn about sharing that abundance with those less fortunate. (See article on page 9 for important information on this service).
Or at the CVUUF Retreat at deBenneville Pines - Join us as we explore the topic of "Roots and Branches" on Sunday morning at our beautiful UU camp in the San Bernardino Mountains.

October 6
Rev. Betty Stapleford: Prayer is Not a Four Letter Word
Beneath the literal truth of this title, lies the contention by many Unitarian Universalists that prayer is "against their religion." We may ask to whom can we pray and for what? This Sunday's sermon will address the ways in which we UUs can benefit from prayer, while still keeping our sense of integrity intact. Choir sings.

October 13
Rev. Betty Stapleford, Justine Fischer, and Our Young Adults : Mind the Gap Sunday
The focus is on youth and young adult issues in our church and denomination. Throughout October UU congregations nationally have been asked to hold a Mind the Gap service. A special collection will be asked for to help support youth and young adult ministries.

October 20
Rev. Betty Stapleford: Living an Imperfect Life
Some of us grew up in households where the expectations for our behavior was, if not perfection, something very close to that standard. However, as we may since have learned, such a possibility is beyond most of us. This Sunday we will explore possibilities for making peace with our past and our present in ways that are spiritually and emotionally satisfying

October 27
Beth Leehy and Others: Sharing Our Memories; an Intergenerational Service of Remembrance and Celebration
Mexicans have the Day of the Dead, Christians have All Souls' Day, the popular culture celebrates Halloween this week; it's an appropriate time for us to pause to remember those who are no longer in our lives, both physically and emotionally. We'll be building an altar during the service, so please bring a small token representing those whose life you want to honor. Choir sings.

November 3
Dale Reynolds : Thomas Jefferson Is Coming!
Actor/Historian Dale Reynolds will be with us to portray our third President, an act he has done for more than 25 years. His presentation is completely ad-libbed, so come with questions: the tougher, the better!

November 10
Rev. Betty Stapleford: An Alternative to the War on Drugs
At the Unitarian Universalist General Assembly in Quebec City this past June, a Statement of Conscience was passed to support the decriminalization of drug use in the United States in light of the seeming inability of our government to control the abuse of illegal drugs in our country. Do we agree with this statement? The sermon this morning will explore the ways in which such a proposal, if it were to be put into effect, could change our lives and those of the people we love and care about. Choir sings.

November 17
Jim Scott: Gaia, Mother Earth and the Oneness of Everything
Jim Scott is a Unitarian Universalist Musician/Activist who travels around the country presenting his music and his message about spiritual ecological awareness. He was co-chair of the UU Seventh Principle Project and has written songs, poetry and short stories on the issues of ecology, justice and peace. His hymn "Gather the Spirit" is one of our favorites. You won't want to miss this inspirational intergenerational service!

November 24
Rev. Betty Stapleford: When Gratitude Is Hard
During this season of the year, we are encouraged to think of all the things for which we should be thankful. But what about those times in our lives when gratitude is not an easy thing to find? This Sunday we will explore the ways in which we can engage with those difficult experiences and find ways to live through them with dignity and grace - or at least with a sense of personal integrity.

December 1
Rev. Betty Stapleford: Honest to Hanukkah
Can we legitimately celebrate Hanukkah and other religious holidays when they are not our own? On this first Sunday after the beginning of the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah, our sermon will look at the ways in which Unitarian Universalism can honor the heritage of other religious traditions without just misappropriating them for our own use.

December 8
Rev. Betty Stapleford: The Nature and Practice of Heroism
What is it that makes a person a hero and who are the people that you consider heroes? This is the first Sunday after Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, and we will explore the subject of heroism as it has been expressed in the past of our country and as we might express it in our lives in the present and future. We will look at heroes, past and present, to see what lessons we can learn from them and pass on to our posterity.

December 15
Ace of CUUPS: Hot Yule!
Join with Ace Of CUUPS in examining what Winter Solstice means in our warm climate as we celebrate a modern Saturnalia, the ancient Roman holiday. At the heart of Saturnalia was the custom of family and friends feasting together and exchanging presents, customs that continue in modern day Christmas celebration. So let us gather to celebrate and do magic for a more peaceful planet!

December 22
Rev. Betty Stapleford: Our Unitarian Universalist Christian Heritage
Sometimes we seem to forget that both Unitarianism and Universalism were originally Christian traditions, albeit heretical ones. On this Sunday morning before Christmas, we will look at some of our UU Christian background and the importance it can hold for us today. We are no longer a predominately Christian religious group, but we can still learn something from our past.

December 29
Beth Leehy: What Do We Say, "Yes" To?
Another year passing, another year ahead. Although we do not all participate in New Year's Resolutions, it is critical that we say what we mean and mean what we say. We have all experienced the power of words, both positively and negatively. With readings, music and musing, this service will focus on the how the words we use can be another force for creative change. Let's come and sing and speak in faith together.