In This Issue

December’s Theme:

Mindfulness

Dec. 3: UU Adventurers hike

Dec. 4: Sonora Service with

Mike Strange Mindfulness:

It’s Not What You Think

Dec. 4: Green Bag pick up

Dec. 4: Congregational

Meeting after Service

Dec. 9: Movie Night

Dec. 11: Douglas Flat

Service, Letting Go and

Surrender

Dec. 15: Ladies’ Lunch

Bunch

Dec. 16: Skyline Discussion

on Mindfulness – 3:30

Dec. 17: Listening Hearts

group meets at 11:30 a.m.

Dec. 17: Solstice Fire and

Cheer 5:00 p.m.

Dec. 18: Solstice Service and

Dinner

December: there will be no

TGIP or No Guilt Book Club

Feb. 4: Chocolate Lovers’

Hoedown fundraiser

Sonora Service – December 4th

10:00 a.m. Sonora Library, 480 Greenley,

Sonora

Mindfulness: It’s Not What

You Think

Brain, Mind, Consciousness, Intellect

– are they all synonyms? Or do they

describe different aspects of the human experience? Mike

Strange will present a model of mindfulness, based on

Buddhist meditation practice, neuroscience, and anthropology.

Mike is a longtime member of UUFTC, and has made a life

study of science, psychology, and spirituality.

Congregational Meeting December 4

We will have a congregational meeting after the service on

December 4th to consider what we have learned about

ourselves and about Rev. Sonya, and whether we would

like to take the next step of calling her as our minister. If

we choose to call her, Rev. Sonya’s ministry with UUFTC

would then be open-ended. Either party could terminate

the relationship with notice; however, it would be

assumed that we would continue together going forward.

She would remain on a part-time schedule until we are

financially able to increase her hours.

the Catalyst 1 December 2016 Vol. 1

Movie Night - The Christmas Candle December 9th -Potluck: 5:30 Movie: 6:00

Deep in the heart of the English countryside lies the enchanting

village of Gladbury. Legend has it every twenty-five years an angel

visits the village candle maker and touches a single candle. Whoever

lights the Christmas Candle will receive a miracle on Christmas Eve.

But in 1890, at the dawn of the electric age, this centuries old legend

may come to an end. When David Richmond (Hans Matheson), a

progressive young minister from London arrives in Gladbury, the

villagers discover a new formula for miracles; good deeds and acts of

kindness. Now with a skeptic in the pulpit, the fiery candle maker Edward Haddington

(Sylvester McCoy) must fight to preserve his family's legacy. When the Christmas

Candle goes missing the miraculous and human collide in the most astonishing

Christmas the village of Gladbury has ever seen. Cast: Hans Matheson, Samantha Barks,

Lesley Manville 2013, PG, 1hr 40m

the Catalyst 2 December 2016 Vol. 1

Ladies’ Lunch Bunch

Will meet Thursday, December 15, 11:30

The National Hotel - 18183 Main Street, Jamestown

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

luncheon. Please call Peg Sheldon, 586-9182, by Tuesday, Dec. 13, for a reservation.

UU Adventurers

Saturday, December 3rd at 10 a.m.

Group will meet at Columbia State Park behind the Fallon House Theater for a 2

hour hike on trails between the park and Columbia College. Call Bob Smitheman,

hike leader, for more information 586-5975.

Douglas Flat Service – December 11, 10:30

10:30 a.m. Douglas Flat Schoolhouse, 1358 Main St.

Coincident to our recent discovery of the heartfelt surrender song "I am willing" by

Holly Near, the theme for December is Letting go/Surrender. We will share the resources

provided through our UUA with rapid-fire readings of the thoughtful quotations and

reaction during our communion. Following the service, the Fellowship will share their

various favorite craft gift ideas. Please bring supplies, a “how to sheet” to explain the

process and an example of the finished product.

Solstice Service and Dinner with Rev. Sonya Sukalski

Las Posadas: Finding Light in the Night

Sunday, December 18th, 4 p.m. Senior Center, 480 Greenley, Sonora

Join into the holiday spirit as only Unitarian Universalists can with wassail and singing

with Sincerely to start off our storytelling aided by Tomie DePaola's The Night of Las

Posadas. One of Rev. Sonya Sukalski's favorite Christmas traditions is "farolitos" - little

fires - which are lit all around Northern New Mexico in celebration. In this time of the

longest night of the year, find your light in the night. A Capella trio will sing "As Mary

Walked Through Thorny Woods," and all are invited to our potluck afterward.

Our Solstice dinner theme will be Southwestern cuisine. Chef Dave will make Chicken

Tamale Pie. We'll need salads, sides, desserts, etc. Check with Dave if you would like a

suggestion (770-6364). ** The setup and tear down/cleanup crew would like a couple

more volunteers for this event; please contact Janet Telford if you can help - 928-5874 or

jtelford829@gmail.com.

the Catalyst 3 December 2016 Vol. 1

Solstice Fire and Cheer, Saturday, Dec. 17, 5 pm

Join us for an informal solstice potluck. Rev. Sonya will have plenty of hot

chocolate and cider on hand, and maybe even her Swedish glögg. Bring warm

clothes so you can enjoy a fire out back!

Minister’s Column on Mindfulness – Rev. Sonya Sukalski

This month we engage the topic and practice of mindfulness. It couldn’t

come at a better time! Old family patterns come up en masse, sometimes

overwhelming the entire season. What are your deepest values that you are

committed to bringing forth in this life? I know some of you immediately go

to peace; I hope for many of you compassion is high on the list. Recently, as I nursed a crick in

my neck that wouldn’t quit after the election, I saw and connected with the words, “flow” and

“delight.” After a moment of mindfulness on why I picked those out of a hundred choices, a

small group sat and listened each other into deeper mindfulness about why we picked certain

words. One of my group members chose “reciprocity” which I often deeply connect with – so I

asked her to sit with me for further deepening discussion. One place to find a list of universal

needs that might spark your thinking is: https://www.cnvc.org/Training/needs-inventory.

Another one that comes from an Indigenous perspective relevant to the Standing Rock tribe in

North Dakota is the Lakota way, it is also beautifully and powerfully written.

I noticed that the night and morning after the election had two influences on my values. One is

that I woke up to the idea that our elected leaders are not showing us the way to a better world.

They are in a system that insists on profit, and big profits for the very, very few. So my first

value is to stay awake to suffering around me. This takes the form of really connecting with

people trying to cut me off in traffic, of looking service providers – cashiers, house cleaners,

wait staff in the eye and really taking them in as humans with all their strengths and joys and

challenges. This is all in preparation to see the cracks that are not being addressed in our

society by our leaders. I aim to see how folks are really doing. I haven’t seen people being

actively bullied, but if that were to happen in my presence, I would want to already have a bit

of a relationship with those around me so that we might address it together - someone might

make a call, or open a door, or in some other small but profound way stand together like our

closing song “Stand!” asks.

I’m sure I will miss opportunities, and be sad and angry about it. I am sure if I do speak up, I

will make mistakes. But what I notice already is that I feel more connected, more mindful, more

awake, more hopeful, more compassionate even, essentially more alive. So, in this month of

mindfulness, I am so curious to see and hear what you are finding about your highest values?

Are you finding new ways to put them into action? Do you notice cricks in your neck as a

result? Certainly I think my crick was because I felt grim about needing to stay awake, be

engaged and step up with compassion. When I realized that “flow,” and “delight” were also

important to incorporate, I got happier, had less jaw strain, and, as a side effect, I am seeing the

goodness in people around me.

the Catalyst 4 December 2016 Vol. 1

I’m noticing on social media and beyond that others are creating symbols of their shift in

attitude and consciousness.

I’m curious to see the many creative ways we might put those shifts in action. Joanna Macy

talks about such things extensively in her writing: paraphrasing, she makes the case that we

live in times with so much potential for destruction that it lures many of us to creatively tap into

those values, places and relationships we most love. Though I am not sure that is true of

everyone – there are a lot of hurt souls out there - I believe it is possible for many, many more

than we think. It’s always a mystery and a puzzle to me who grows how and why. In our

mindfulness, I look forward to your responses with great anticipation.

GREEN BAG PICK UP

December 4th after Service

ATCAA has asked that for the December collection we focus on

nutritious items for everyday meals. Various community service

groups and churches are generously assisting ATCAA with family

holiday baskets, but donations for every day meals are also needed.

2017 MLFP Refrigerator Magnets with collection dates for 2017 are

available from your coordinator. Call Linda DuTemple 928-4364 for more information.

the Catalyst 5 December 2016 Vol. 1

They Say it’s Your Birthday, Happy Birthday to You

Marilyn Waggoner * Teri Olsson * Ann Denton * Beth Wilton

Don Wilton * Diane Wright

Chocolate Lovers’ Hoedown Mark your calendars for February 4th

Notes from event Chairman Rachael Phillips

We did it once; let’s do it again!! It’s time to plan for the Chocolate Lover’s Hoedown for 2017.

Many aspects of the event are already being managed by members. Here are ways you can help:

I am still looking for someone to be responsible for decorations. I did it last year and it isn’t

very hard, we still have last year’s supplies.

Help needed at truffle making Jan. 15, after service and lunch.

Need homemade chocolate items to auction off.

If you have a skill that could be auctioned off (lead a hike, teach

an art class, provide dinner for 4-6 at someone’s home, a couple

hours of yard work, you get the idea).

Donate items for raffle baskets (big $ maker last year). Basket themes are: Italian; Spa; Pet;

Picnic; Wine & Cheese; Chocolate; Art; Movie/Theater; Cooking; Gardening.

SELL TICKETS

Please help us double our success from last year. It will take all of us to it.

Thanks, Rachel Contact me at 962-0805, 505-2541 or rhphillips9001@att.net .

Rev. Sonya’s Picks for Relevant Books for Our Times

Active Hope: How to Face the Mess We're in without Going

Crazy Paperback – March 13, 2012 by Joanna Macy, Chris Johnstone

Why the World Doesn't End, Tales of Renewal in Times of Loss Paperback –

October 30, 2012 by Michael Meade

Especially relevant to Standing Rock:

The Lakota Way: Stories and Lessons for Living by Joseph M. Marshall III

Especially relevant to looking at life through more than one lens:

Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the

Teachings of Plants Paperback – August 11, 2015 by Robin Wall Kimmerer

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 December 2016 Vol. 1

UUFTC GALLERY

UUFTC Members supporting Standing Rock Sioux at the No Dakota Access Pipe Line

demonstration, Knight’s Ferry BLM office.

Sonora Service – 11-20-16

Jeff Hartwig playing Singing Bowls

Rev. Sonya during meditation

the Catalyst 1 December 2016 Vol. 2

In This Issue December’s Theme:

Mindfulness

Dec. 15: Ladies Lunch

Bunch at the National Hotel

Dec. 16: Skyline Discussion

on Mindfulness – 3:30

Dec. 17: Listening Hearts at

11:30 a.m.

Dec. 17: Solstice Fire &

Cheer

Dec. 18: Sonora Solstice

Service & Dinner 6:30 @

Senior Center

Dec. 25: Douglas Flat

Service 10:30

December: No TGIP or

Book Club this month

Jan. 1: No Service, Potluck

and Games at Fellowship

House, 1:00

Expect Something Good - Rev. John Taylor

The season of Advent is a

time of affirming that

something good is going to

happen, and it is going to

happen to us. It arrives

none too soon. All year we

have heard those who

predict doom. They of

course may prove to be

correct, but what difference

do they make to either the

society around them or

themselves? The people

who make the changes,

who move themselves and

society, to whom

monuments are raised, and

whose names are praised,

are those who expect good

things to happen and do all

within their power to make

sure that they do. If we

don’t expect good things to

happen, it is almost certain

that they won’t. If,

however, we expect the

wonderful and prepare

ourselves for it, there is a

good chance that our

expectations will be

fulfilled. Of course, we

may be disappointed,

but is that so bad? Isn’t

the expectation, in its

own way, reward

enough? It gave us some

brightness for our days,

and the disappointments

can never take that

away. To paraphrase

Tennyson, “Tis better to

have expected and been

disappointed, than

never to have expected

at all.” The Advent

season initiates all the

trappings of the

Holidays, but most of all

it brings a whisper

which says to each and

to all, “Expect, expect

something good,

the Catalyst 2 December 2016 Vol. 2

Ladies Lunch Bunch

Will meet Thursday, December 15, 11:30

The National Hotel - 18183 Main Street, Jamestown

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

luncheon. Please call Peg Sheldon, 586-9182, by Tuesday, Dec. 13, for a reservation.

something true, something wonderful to happen to you. Expect life.”

From the Touchstones Project Unitarian Universalist Reflections on the Season issue.

THE CALL

Nearly three years ago, we formed a search committee, and the congregation was surveyed to

determine what the committee should look for in a minister. Ads were placed, and candidates

interviewed. The process led us to “pre-candidate” Rev. Sonya Sukalski in March, 2014. Rev.

Sonya was invited to be the candidate for a contract ministry. There was a subsequent

unanimous congregational vote soon thereafter, and she began a ¼ time contract ministry with us

for 10 months a year in the 2014-2015 fiscal year. We later increased her time and created a 2-year

contract for 2015-2017 with an understanding that we would consider a mutual “call” during that

time.

After several months of small gatherings with members and Rev. Sonya as part of the formal

“call” process the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Tuolumne County on December 4th at a

congregational meeting with 31 members present (a quorum) voted to call Rev. Sonya Sukalski as

our minister. 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.

Welcome Rev. Sonya and congratulations to the congregation on making an outstanding choice.

“May the lights of Hanukkah usher in a better world...” unknown

the Catalyst 3 December 2016 Vol. 2

Solstice Service and Dinner with Rev. Sonya Sukalski

Las Posadas: Finding Light in the Night

Sunday, December 18th, 4 p.m. Senior Center, 480 Greenley, Sonora

Join into the holiday spirit as only Unitarian Universalists can with wassail and singing with

Sincerely to start off our storytelling aided by Tomie DePaola's The Night of Las Posadas. One of

Rev. Sonya Sukalski's favorite Christmas traditions is "farolitos" - little fires - which are lit all

around Northern New Mexico in celebration. In this time of the longest night of the year, find

your light in the night. An a capella trio will sing "As Mary Walked Through Thorny Woods,"

and there will be other special music. All are invited to our potluck afterward.

Our Solstice dinner theme will be Southwestern cuisine. Chef Dave will make Chicken Tamale

Pie. We'll need salads, sides, desserts, etc. Check with Dave if you would like a suggestion

(770-6364). ** The setup and tear down/cleanup crew would like a couple more volunteers for

this event; please contact Janet Telford if you can help - 928-5874 or jtelford829@gmail.com.

Douglas Flat Service –December 25th 10:30

10:30 a.m. Douglas Flat Schoolhouse, 1358 Main St.

Tom Spiritbringer will lead us in a new rendition of the ever-changing Universe Story. On this

auspicious date we make our quarterly connection to the Universe Story and how it all came to

be. Solstices and equinoxes mark our march through the year. As the calendar turns the fixed

date of Jesus’s birth rotates through the days of the week. It has fallen on our meeting date before,

and it will again. It is all part of the whirling stars and endless coincidences that coalesce into a

fantastic tapestry of life on the planet. The passing of Winter and the beginning of the return of

Summer light is a time for renewing hope. No wonder our Christian brothers and sisters use this

time to celebrate their Holy Birth. John Kramer

Solstice Fire and Cheer, Saturday, Dec. 17, 5 pm

Join us for an informal solstice potluck. Rev. Sonya will have plenty of hot

chocolate and cider on hand, and maybe even her Swedish glögg. Bring warm

clothes so you can enjoy a fire out back!

the Catalyst 4 December 2016 Vol. 2

What we need - for Our Inner Life

Rev. László Major, Unitarian minister, Datk, Transylvania

First of all, we have to quit playing God!

What does it mean to play God? It means living under the delusion that life is controllable. It

means constantly struggling to maintain the illusion that you are controlling it.

As long as you maintain the illusion of control, you are fine, but eventually and inevitably life

slips out of control, and you are faced with a very difficult choice:

Quit playing God, and abandon the delusion of life’s controllability, or find some way to escape

the reality and maintain the illusion that you are in control.

God is what is, and what was, and what is not yet.

The more mature our spirituality is, that is, the more we embrace life with justice, compassion,

curiosity, awe, wonder, serenity, and humility, the more we become aware of God in.

Spirituality is not what you are, but something that you do - it refers to behaviors designated to

free yourself.

We all have our own religious/spiritual practices - saying prayers, repeating mantras, chanting…

We are doing these practices over and over again, for our souls to become soft.

I was fascinated by the myth of Sisyphus. Sisyphus, who was compelled to

continually roll a huge rock up a steep hill. Each time he drew near the

summit, the rock would roll back down to the base, and Sisyphus would be

required to roll it up the hill again.

Sisyphus is us! – it is our religious spiritual life!

When we imagine that we might get that rock to the top, and leave it there once and for all, it gets

away from us, rolls back to the bottom, and leaves us with no alternative but to push it up the

mountain once more.

This is how we practice our souls each day.

The glimpse of eternity appears when we realize that rolling the rock up the mountain over and

over again is simply the nature of our life. Just as Sisyphus never finishes pushing his rock up the

mountain, so we never come to the end of our prayers.

The specific practices of specific religions aside, the universal message of the daily prayers, of the

garland of beans is the eternal round.

Yet as our practice for our souls deepens, there is a quiet joy that arises in us.

It doesn’t matter that we never arrive at the mountain’s summit. The important thing is to bring

joy in ours and in others’ lives practicing our faith.

the Catalyst 5 December 2016 Vol. 2

Living in this way our souls will become softer and softer, and if our souls are practiced and soft

we can sit really close to each other, without judgment and fixing, sharing the space.

We can build really deep friendships, and we can be there for each of us in need.

January 1, 2017 - The Fellowship will not hold a formal service, however we will have an Open

House Food and Game Day, 1:00 at the Fellowship House. Bring a friend, a dish to share and

some of your favorite games to play.

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

Whether we want them or not, the New Year will bring new challenges; whether we seize them or not,

the New Year will bring new opportunities. Michael Josephson

Kwanzaa is about the spirit of people—all people regardless of color or race. Kwanzaa is

a holiday of the human spirit—not the divine. The two were meant to co-exist peacefully.

Unknown

the Catalyst 6 December 2016 Vol. 2

UUFTC GALLERY

Social Justice Committee members filling Christmas gift bags for Lambert Center

Jim Willey, Teri Olsson, Linda DuTemple and Peg Sheldon

Lane Willey and Teri Olsson at

Teri’s home