Leslie’s Logos

In reality. I often say that the congregation is like a wave, the shape familiar and repetitive--AND the individual drops of water forming it often different. Though each shape is a wave, new drops of water make up each shape. When we have changes in our community, we feel that sense of loss of particular precious drops and yet also hold onto the shape of the wave.

In 2023, perhaps nobody needs or wants reminders about the benefits of resilience in the face of change and yet resilience is built into the DNA of our community of memory and hope. As we prepare for changes in our staffing, and also in our leadership, let’s acknowledge the both/and: we are both sad to lose the gift of those who are such a fiber of our community and eager to gain the gifts of others.

For those who are departing among us and that includes our members and friends who will move away this summer, because that has become a new trend with the cost of living in our area, we want to say goodbye, and thank you for all the gifts that you have given us. Please take the time to send in a message to joysandsorrows@mduuc.org--we want to note your leave taking!

For those who will who have been to have served as religious professionals, we are grateful for your service, especially the 20 year service of Mark Tuning. At the end of the summer, we will be sorry to lose the gifts of intern Michael Macias as well. And for the outgoing leaders of our board, we want to make special note. Many of them have served throughout the second half of the pandemic, Linda Russell, who served as our president following the amazing Steve Hirsch, along with vide-president Ron Ahnen. Chris Carter has been a treasurer who has put in so many quiet hours that no one has seen. We owe these folks a debt of gratitude—and we celebrate our in-coming Board members.

And we are indebted to all the people who volunteer with us which is why we’re having a special volunteer celebration this year after the Annual Meeting. Nobody wants any platitudes about change. With all that has changed in our world in the last 10 years and all that continues to change. We understand the persistence of change and yet we do also understand that coping with it has become an important part of allowing us to perservere . So let’s make space for the hellos and good-byes we need to make. And let us be grateful for the chances to work with such amazing people.

In faith and perseverance, Leslie

Rev. Leslie Takahashi serves as the Lead Minister of the congregation. You can reach her by email at leslie@mduuc.org.

DRE, Marena McGregor

It is with great joy and gratitude that I reflect on my first year as the Director of Religious Education here at MDUUC. This past year has been filled with exciting accomplishments and meaningful experiences, and I am thrilled to share them with you. One of our major achievements this year was the development of our nursery space, providing a safe and nurturing environment for our youngest members. Additionally, we successfully implemented the Spirit Play Montessori curriculum for our preschool through first graders, fostering their spiritual growth through hands-on exploration and storytelling.

For our older children, we introduced the engaging Soul Matters curriculum for 2nd-5th graders, sparking thoughtprovoking discussions and deepening their understanding of Unitarian Universalist principles. We also offered the OWL (Our Whole Lives) program for K-1st graders and 4-6th graders, empowering our children with comprehensive and ageappropriate sexuality education.

Our middle school and high school youth groups experienced a revitalization this year, with engaging activities, meaningful discussions, and even fundraising during coffee hours. We guided 12 high schoolers through the transformative Coming of Age program, where they explored their beliefs, values, and identities.

In addition to our regular programming, we hosted various young adult and family events, creating opportunities for connection, celebration, and shared experiences. It has been a pleasure to witness our community grow and thrive.

Looking ahead, we have exciting plans for the summer. Our preschool-5th grade classes will embark on epic wizardry adventures, sparking imagination and curiosity. Our middle school and high school youth groups will focus on the spirituality of team building through a range of engaging activities both on and off-site.

I want to express my deep appreciation to all who have contributed to the success of our Religious Education program this year. Your support, dedication, and generosity have made a significant impact on our community. As we move forward, I invite you to consider volunteering in our RE program.

Whether you have teaching skills, can provide a meal, help with grocery shopping, or assist in activity planning, there is a place for you.Please feel free to reach out to me at Marena@mduuc. org for more information about our RE program and volunteer opportunities.

Thank you all for a wonderful year, and I am excited about the future of our Religious Education program.

Sincerely,

Marena McGregor, DRE

Celebration of Mark Tuning: 20 Years As MDUUC Music Director

In May, Mark Tuning announced that as he concludes his 20th year as MDUUC’s Music Director, he is retiring. As we hold our sadness at this pending parting, we also want to celebrate the many gifts Mark has shared, as our music director, choir leader, band leader and, in more recent years, worship tech director. Here are some ways to participate:

• Mark your calendars for a special service and reception to follow the service June 21. (Bring something sweet or savory!)

• Make a contribution towards a cash gift to be shared with Mark by sending a check or donating through the pulldownmenu on our website.

• Send a card to c/o MDUUC which we will share at the celebration.

Music Director Search

A search for MDUUC’s next Music Director is underway. If you have ideas or want to obtain a copy of the job description to share with a musician you know, please email musicsearch@ mduuc.org or speak to Rev. Leslie Takahashi, Mora Mattingly, Dan Barnard or Juan Contreras.

Connections 101 - You, UU, and MDUUC

Saturday, June 3, 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Please join lead minister Rev. Leslie as she hosts a time to share with you some Unitarian Universalist history, and some interesting history of MDUUC itself! This is a great way to get to know Unitarian Universalism, MDUUC and other interested visitor and friends! Register via the calendar.

Last Vespers Service Until September!

Wednesday, June 7 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm in the Sanctuary and on Zoom

Vespers is a simple circle service of music, meditation and connection led by intern Reverend Michael Macias and Rev. Leslie Takahashi, and featuring the music of Jo Gelinas, Andrea Quigley, Mark Tuning and other musical guests. Please join us for June’s theme of “Joy”

In Memoriam

• Celebration of Life for Maureen Elizabeth Hearns to be held on July 3 from 11 am to 2 pm in Bortin Hall and via Livestream.

The Fertile Soil: A Reflection

Starr King School for the Ministry is an institution designed to provide seminarians with an opportunity to explore their call to religious leadership with curiosity. Although Starr King is unique in its approach to religious education, preparation for religious leadership, is more than a “checked box” next to the graduation requirements. Seminary is the fertile soil in which seminarians can root themselves and grow their spiritual formation into a blossoming bouquet of spiritual gifts and knowledge necessary to engage with issues critical to contemporary religious communities working to create just and sustainable communities. Across the spectrum of my time as a seminarian, I have actively served as an intern minister, here at Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church for the past two church years and developed a comprehensible understanding of what it means to serve a community of faith. Each of these opportunities have afforded me the space to shape my call to ministerial leadership, while expanding my understanding of who I am as a ministerial leader, what I bring into shared spaces, and I have re-defined what “community” means to me. With the commencement ceremony in the rear-view mirror, I am reflecting on the journey that has brought me to this moment. I opened myself up to share from my heart and made space to receive the wisdom of both those who shared academic space with me, and from each of you here at Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church.

Choosing Starr King School for the Ministry and Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church was like choosing to come home. In both spaces, I found the rich, fertile soil of a spiritual home in which my progressive values could grow and flourish.

In the name of love and justice,

Michael Macias

Last Ministers’ Class: Together We Rise

Wednesday, June 7, from 7:30 - 8:30 pm in the Children’s Chapel and on Zoom

Please join Revs. Leslie Takahashi and Rodney Lemery as we discuss the environment in which our congregation exists today. In this changing world, how can we best continue to provide a forum for Unitarian Universalist values, ethical exploration for people of all ages, a voice for those most affected by the bewildering and overwhelming changes in our world today? Join us in the sanctuary or on-line from 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. June 7.