Announcements

TAMIR PRADO, EX ISRAELI MOSSAD (INTELLIGENCE AGENCY) SPEAKS OUT ON OCCUPIED TERRITORIES Tamir Pardo, who served as the director of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency from 2011 to 2016, has recently made severe criticisms of Israeli actions in the occupied West Bank. In late April 2026, he described rising settler violence against Palestinians as an "existential threat" to Israel. Key statements and actions by Pardo regarding the West Bank occupation include: Comparison to th

Ocean temperatures from roughly San Francisco to the Mexican border have heated to highs not seen since the 2014-2016 incident named “the Blob.” The temperatures recorded at Scripps Pier have broken more than 25 daily temperature records so far this year. As it did then and with a high degree of certainty will do now, this new “blob” will affect weather and ecosystems for months into the future. Human activities associated with climate change are undoubtedly helping to push

Every week the SJA publishes a list of various justice actions that members and friends can take from the comfort of their homes. We ask you to add your name to at least one, that resonates with you. National Campaign for Justice Trump has signed an executive order that would give the federal government unprecedented control over the 2026 elections. It directs agencies like DHS and Social Security to build a federal list of “verified” voters, then forces the Postal Service

The Board Meeting will be held in the Palmer Library on May 17 beginning at 11:30 AM. You are welcome to join us. If you would like to view the meeting, but are unable to be physically present, you can listen via Zoom (Meeting ID: 819 7246 7703 + Passcode: 1036). Everyone is welcome.

Did you ever wonder about the origin and history of the word, “treehugger?” It all began in India as early as 1730, when members of the Bishnoi community physically embraced trees to keep them from being cut down by British forces. Over 350 people were killed. Yet, this act became a powerful symbol of nonviolent resistance. Then, in the 1970s, this strategy was repeated in another Indian community to prevent the harvesting of hornbeam trees to manufacture tennis rackets of al

Every week the SJA publishes a list of various justice actions that members and friends can take from the comfort of their homes. We ask you to add your name to at least one, that resonates with you. National Campaign for Justice Trump has signed an executive order that would give the federal government unprecedented control over the 2026 elections. It directs agencies like DHS and Social Security to build a federal list of “verified” voters, then forces the Postal Service

May 3rd, 10th, and 17th at 8:30 to 10:00 and 11:00 to 1:00PM - Core Area We’re excited to offer a wonderful opportunity for our church community! Terry Goan, an award-winning photographer, will be providing FREE photo sessions on May 3rd, 10th, and 17th, both before and after services. Terry will be shooting tethered to his laptop, allowing you to instantly view your photo (prior to editing). Families, couples, and individuals are all welcome—children especially encouraged! T

Let's celebrate our members and friends who have birthdays this month. May 2 - Chris Faller May 3 - Danny Wright May 5 - Deb Stanley-Bloom May 7 - Tim White May 12 - Mary Dhooge May 13 - Rich Macdonald May 13 - Vinnie Perez May 14 - Tamim Elshafie May 16 - Sue Grant May 16 - Liz Treiber May 19 - Louise Lin Garrett May 22 - Mary Tuller May 27 - Mia Tazari May 29 - Mark Tuller May 30 - Donna Gerhauser May 30 - Eleanor Batho If you would like to see more birthdays listed here, p

May 9th; 9:00-11:15am at Founders Hall + Core Area On May 9, 2026, from 9:00 to 11:15 am, you are invited to our mini retreat at UUFSD. We'll start in Founders Hall and use part of the campus for walking meditation. No prior experience in meditation is necessary. Bob Isaacson has been teaching Insight Meditation for 20 years and practicing for 30 years. Bob will share this tradition, called Vipassana, with an interactive "Dharma talk" and short sitting meditations which he wi

BETTER NEWS FROM THE “HELPING OUR NEIGHBOR” SOCIAL JUSTICE ACTION GROUP We have BETTER news for all our members and friends who travel. We are CONTINUING our collection of travel toiletries that many of us accumulate from hotels, motels and ships. And, also for everyone who visits their dentist a few times a year and come away with baggies of toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss. Bring them to the fellowship on Sundays and look for our toiletries collection basket, on one of th

April 28, 2026; 2:30-4pm; Conference Room (Admin Building) The Sacred Texts Discussion Group is starting up again with a new emphasis and vision. Thanks to the support of Rev. Heather, we are going to meet twice a month on the second and forth Tuesdays in person in the Conference Room and on Zoom. One meeting will be to share spiritual texts, including religious scripture, poems, and prose that support and encourage our UU theology and morality. The second meeting will be to

United Nations human rights officials and international monitors have expressed grave concerns that Israeli military operations and settlement expansion constitute ethnic cleansing in Gaza and the West Bank. Gaza Strip The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) reported in February 2026 that intensified attacks and the methodical destruction of neighborhoods appear aimed at a "permanent demographic shift" in the enclave. Conditions of Life: The blockade and denial of humanitarian a

One could argue that water is the most precious commodity in a warming climate. San Diego county is betting on that as it steps up to share its water surplus with neighboring, water starved neighbors. The desalination plant in Carlsbad is running at one-third capacity, so the utility is looking to make deals with Arizona, Nevada and Utah. Those states face water shortages due to little snow melt and drought. According to the NEW YORK TIMES, the San Diego County Water Authorit

April 26, 2026 at 11:30am-2:30pm - FH East Let’s share our food and our thoughts at the Ministerial “Start-Up”! This is a unique opportunity, hosted by UUA staff, and our goal is to deepen relationships and create clear expectations to help strengthen and build our shared ministry. Please bring a potluck dish to help sustain our energy and engagement. I am looking forward to seeing you there!

ISRAEL’S DEATH PENALTY HANGING LAW How will the Israeli “Hanging Law” affect Palestinians defending their land against unauthorized settlements and settlers. Opinion from PIJG: This can be considered as legalized lynching Based on recent legislative developments in early 2026, the Israeli parliament passed a law permitting the death penalty by hanging for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank convicted of deadly attacks deemed to be acts of "nationalistic" murder or "terrori

The crew of Artemis II gave us a gift when they shared that picture of Earth. As stewards of this beautiful, blue space marble, we have much to be thankful for and much to do. Yes, we are in a climate emergency, but we can’t give up. Here are a few ideas: Attend tomorrow’s Earth Day service and Potluck Join the UUFSD Climate Action group the first Wednesday of the month via Zoom Download the Climate Action Now app Join and support the SurfRider Foundation of San Diego Count

Every week the SJA publishes a list of various justice actions that members and friends can take from the comfort of their homes. We ask you to add your name to at least one, that resonates with you. National Campaign for Justice Trump has signed an executive order that would give the federal government unprecedented control over the 2026 elections. It directs agencies like DHS and Social Security to build a federal list of “verified” voters, then forces the Postal Service

May 11th, 2026 at 6:30-8:15pm - Palmer Library On May 11th at 6:30pm, the 2nd Monday Book Club will be meeting at UUFSD in the Palmer Library and discussing the non-fiction book An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us (2022) by Ed Yong. From Random House: The Earth teems with sights and textures, sounds and vibrations, smells and tastes, electric and magnetic fields. But every kind of animal, including humans, is enclosed within its own unique

May 7, 2026 at 7:30-9am - Off-Campus Join Lisa Shaffer, who will be presenting on our behalf, and other interfaith leaders at the 33rd Annual Interfaith Mayor's Prayer Breakfast. Breakfast will take place at the Encinitas Senior and Community Center. $25 per person. RSVP by this Monday. Click here to purchase a ticket.

May 2, 2026 at 2pm - Off-Campus Did you know Rev. Heather is a composer? She has set music to 10 poems by Mary Baker Eddy (founder of Christian Science) as part of her interfaith spiritual practice. The songs will be performed in a free concert on Saturday, May 2nd at 2pm and will feature musical talents including our own music director Steve Milloy. Come to the First Church of Christ, Scientist in Oceanside (300 S Ditmar) to receive this artistic expression of what Mary Bake