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All Welcome! 10:30 a.m. at 2425 Sierra Boulevard
March 6
Loss, Remembrance, and Joy
Rev. Carol Thomas Cissel, guest preacher,
with Rev. Roger Jones and Rev. Lucy Bunch
- March birthday recognitions at the Chalice Lighting
- Kids' Freedom Club pancake breakfast (voluntary donations)
From the moment we enter the world, our brains begin preparing us to leave it. Part of that preparation includes the gathering and storing of both beautiful and painful memories. Why do we remember? What we remember? How do our emotions affect our memories? Is it possible to grieve, learn from and lovingly catalog our losses?
Why do we remember...the things we remember?
Our guest is the interim minister at the Unitarian Society in East Brunswick, NJ. She has an M.Div. from Pacific School of Religion and an M.S. in nonprofit management from University of Maryland. Carol notes also that she has "three amazing adult children and one adorable grandson."
March 13 (Spring Forward One Hour!)
Addiction Nation
Rev. Lucy preaching with Carl Gardner, Worship Associate
- Soup Sunday after the service
- Set clock ahead an hour or you will be late!
The addiction problem seems to be growing in our nation. This Sunday we will explore how our cultural attitudes affect how we response to the addiction crises and consider how our first principle--"the inherent worth and dignity of every person"--can inspire us to call for change.
March 20
Planting Seeds of Change - an All Ages Service
Rev. Lucy Bunch with Rev. Roger Jones
- New Member Welcome Ritual during the service
- Choir sings also, Paula Joy Welter, guitar and vocals, Keith Atwater, bass and vocals "The Garden Song"
Spring is here! We are now halfway between the longest night and the shortest night. What change do you want to see come about in your life as we enter this new season? We will celebrate in story and song and ritual, and we will plant seeds to symbolize the things we want to see grow in our lives. These seeds will produce beautiful flowers that we will share at our harvest ritual. We will also celebrate new members who have joined our congregation in the past few months.
March 27
The Brassiness of Easter
Rev. Roger Jones, preaching, with Rev. Lucy Bunch
Music Director Keith Atwater, UUSS Choir and Ina Jun
Nancy Flagg, trombone and Keith Atwater, Trombones; Ann Haas, French Horn; Gordon Gerwig, Trumpet
- Orientation to UUSS and Tour of Campus, noon to 1:30 p.m.
- Kids' outdoor hunt with special appearance by the Easter Bunny
The story of the first Easter Sunday begins in quiet, but it gets loud fast. Though it wouldn't have existed had it not been the tragic end of a radical ministry of love and inclusion, Easter has become a bold, brassy holiday in the religious calendar.
April 3
Big Bullies
Rev. Roger Jones, preaching, with Rev. Lucy Bunch
Jim Eastman, Worship Associate; Ina June, piano
- April birthday recognitions at the Chalice Lighting
Many folks have stories of seeing childhood bullies on the schoolyard or in the classroom, yet the emotional violence is not limited to kids and youth. Bullying is a pattern of behavior that causes harm among adults, too, especially in the workplace. This crucial topic was selected by the winning bidder of last April's auction item to give a sermon topic to Rev. Roger.
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March Community Partner: Family Promise of Sacramento
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Each month we share our collection plate with a partner in the community.
Our March Community Partner is Family Promise
, a
n interfaith hospitality network of 16 congregations that helps homeless families achieve self
-
sufficiency and regain a home for themselves and their children. For several years, many UUSS members have helped to host and aid these families.
In January, we gave $
3,000 to our Community Partner, St. John's Program for Real Change
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The Pledge Drive is Under Way: Let's Keep the Momentum Going!
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By The Stewardship Team
With the 2016-17 pledge drive in full swing, this may be a good time to reflect on not only your contribution but on what UUSS means to you. Your pledge keeps our home operating and provides UUSS with the ability to continue the many great programs we've been accustomed to. Whether it's our staff, Sunday services, Religious Education, Adult Enrichment, Theater One (just to name a few), or simply keeping our facility running, your contribution is critical to the continued life and success of UUSS.
Pledges account for 75 percent of our total funding at UUSS. So that we can provide the funds needed to continue our programs and reward our staff, the UUSS Board of Trustees has established a goal to increase pledges by 10 percent for 2016-2017 over the current year. This increase may sound daunting to some, but please keep in mind how important your pledge is to UUSS. We want to keep building on our success and we hope you do too.
UUSS members will contact other members by phone or through personal contact. Beginning with the pledge drive kick-off on Sunday, February 28, and continuing through March, the Stewardship Team will be available before and after Sunday services to answer questions about pledging. At that time, we'll be happy to receive your pledge too. For more information, please refer to the letter and pledge form you may have received in the mail, or pick them up after service.
We appreciate your generosity and continued support of UUSS.
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Spring Fling-The Auction Thing!
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By Victoria Owens
Our annual fundraising auction will be Saturday, April 16, starting at 5:30 p.m. We will have:
- A tasty dinner (The menu sounds yummy.)
- A silent auction (Though you are not required to be silent-you may discuss your bids.)
- A suspenseful raffle (Should you put all your tickets in one basket? Spread them out? What to do?)
- A cakewalk (The walking part balances out the calories in the cake, right?)
- A really good time with friends (not necessarily in that order).
Tickets for the event go on sale March 6. Donation forms are available now on our web site at uuss.org/auction, or a helpful donation consultant is available after the service on Sundays.
We are asking the congregation for donations to help make these activities successful.
Remember, we are hoping to encourage connections within UUSS as well as raise funds, so we are looking for donations of services, dinners, hikes, bike rides or other adventures. We also need donations of themed baskets for the raffle and baked goods for the cakewalk. If you have any questions or wish to volunteer, please e-mail
[email protected]
or contact Kathy Bernard at (
916) 812-2761
. More information at
uuss.org/auction
and in upcoming Bluesheet Announcements.
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Senior Minister's Message: Keep the Momentum Going!
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By Rev. Roger Jones
In spite of my expression, this is an exciting and gratifying time to be part of UUSS!
We enjoy the momentum and vitality in services, activity groups, classes, music, art, theater and service projects. Religious Education programs and all-ages activities are varied, lively and fun.
Our visitors find a warm welcome as they pursue their search for insight, purpose, courage and hope. New UUSS groups are engaging with issues of justice and sustainability, helping us to make a difference. In giving pastoral care, Lucy and I know how this community touches lives within and beyond our sanctuary walls.
Your participation makes it even better. Your financial generosity sustains our staff, programs, mission and outreach. We all do this together with a pledge to support the operating budget.
March is when we pledge to build the budget for 2016-17. I'll be making a pledge to UUSS of 5.5 percent of my annual gross income and will pay it through a monthly withdrawal from my checking account.
UUSS is not the only cause where I put my money behind my values, but it is the place that informs my values, stirs my sense of gratitude and sustains my hope.
We invite you to make a pledge that reflects your values, and your ability to give. Consider stretching toward a larger gift! Together, we will create an even better year to come at UUSS. Thank you for your support of UUSS.
Your generosity will make a difference. Let's keep the momentum going!
Yours in service,
P.S.: Don't miss the spiritual retreat with my colleague Saturday, March 5. See the article under Adult Enrichment. David will stay here on Sunday when he will be our guest leader for the Senior High Youth Group.
Where's Rev. Roger in March?
Office Hours are Wednesday and Thursday from 2:00 to 6:30 p.m.; also Mondays and Fridays by appointment. Absences: Roger will be gone March 11 to 14 to preach the pledge drive stewardship sermon at the UU church in Durango, CO. On March 15 to 17, Rev. Roger and Rev. Lucy will be at the spring meeting of the Pacific Central UU Ministers.
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Most Sundays when I invite the offering, I start with the words "generosity is a spiritual practice." Practicing generosity has power to change us because it requires us to cultivate letting go. The simple act of giving something away means that we will not have it anymore. There is tremendous freedom in learning to let go. It sound obvious when I say this, but for our culture letting go is not easy-we tend to amass and even hoard our possessions: shoes, clothes, cars, books, money, you name it. In contrast to holding on, generosity is a win-win. Generosity is an expression of love that benefits both the giver and the receiver.
By being generous you will also grow in spirit. The practice of generosity creates value beyond what we can imagine and cultivates love, compassion and sympathetic joy in ourselves and others. With sympathetic joy, I am not only happy to give something to you-but I feel joy in your happiness from my gift.
Security, happiness, peace of mind all start with the practice of generosity. Without love in your hearts, no wealth will sustain you.
Where's Rev. Lucy in March?
My office hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons or by appointment. It is always best to call or e-mail first to make sure that I am available. I will be away at a minister's retreat March 15 to 17.
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Adult Enrichment in March
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The Meaning of Membership Class: Ready to Join?
A special session on Sunday, March 6, 12:00 to 1:30 p.m.
With Rev. Roger Jones, Rev. Lucy Bunch and UUSS Lay Leaders
Have you been attending services regularly and now seek to know how to join the congregation as an official member? Have you attended Exploring Unitarian Universalism on a third Sunday morning or the Orientation and Tour on a fourth Sunday afternoon, and now you want to know what's next?
If so, this class is for you!
Wonderful lay leaders will tell how belonging to UUSS has enhanced their lives and the ways they have been involved in the life of the congregation. Our ministers will explain what it means-what you can expect of UUSS and what is expected of members, and then how to join officially. You are invited to consider making a membership commitment to UUSS, but the choice is yours. You will meet folks like yourself-people who are eager to learn about making UUSS their spiritual home.
Please register with Elaine in the UUSS office so we can plan for your presence. There will be snacks! Let us know if your kids will be staying in Child Care until 1:30 p.m. so we can ask our Room 11 staff to stay that long.
We hold this Meaning of Membership Class only twice a year, so we hope you can make it. But if you are not very familiar with UUSS or Unitarian Universalism yet, you may first want to attend Exploring Unitarian Universalism and a fourth Sunday's Orientation and Tour.
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Annual Election of Officers and other Lay Leaders
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By Jeff Voeller
The annual election of UUSS officers will be May 15, and your Nominating Committee is working hard to provide a strong slate of candidates. We will be announcing our candidates in the April Unigram and will hold a before- and after-church opportunity for you to meet with them. If you would like to take advantage of the alternative process for selection of candidates, you may become a write-in candidate by providing a petition signed by 5 percent of the church membership and submitting the petition to the Board President by April 15. For any further information about the process or about the responsibilities of officers, contact any of the members of the Nominating Committee or e-mail at
[email protected].
Nominating Committee Members
John Abbott
James Glidden
Nancy Lust
Larry Thomas
Christine Webb-Curtis
Cassie Wilkins
Jeff Voeller
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Page Labrie teaches Yoga with chairs in Fahs Classroom at 10 AM and Yoga with mats in Classroom 7/8 at 7:00 PM. $10 drop in fee or $8/week for a two month session.
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Wednesday Silent Meditation
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Show up at Classroom 6 at 5:30 PM Wednesdays for a few words of introduction and then 20 minutes of sitting together in silence. No instruction involved, just a simple practice of mindful attention with support from others.
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UU Readers Book Discussion March 29 at 7 p.m.
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The UUSS Book Readers will meet in the library to discuss No God but God: the Origins, Future and Evolution of Islam, by Reza Aslan at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 29. For more information, contact Jim Glidden by email
or (916) 649-9697.
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The Happiness Hypothesis Book Discussions Continue with Rev. Lucy
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Come join Rev. Lucy for a monthly discussion of the book
The Happiness Hypothesis
by Jonathon Haidt, the third week of the month through May. There are two groups: Tuesday at 1 p.m. and Wednesday at 7 p.m. in order to accommodate both our day timers and our evening folk. The book is for sale at the bookstore. More information is available at the Adult Enrichment table on Sunday morning, or by contacting Rev. Lucy directly.
This is a drop-in group, and you can join at any time. For March we will read chapters 4 to 6. This is a great group for anyone who wants to discuss what is most important in life.
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Alliance Program Thursday, March 10
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By Vivian Counts
Our speaker will be Carolyn Martin on "How Women Finally Got the Vote." October 2011 marked the centennial of California women's getting the vote by a slim margin. Learn about the history of women's suffrage with our speaker in costume. With visuals, she will recount vignettes of some unusual leaders. Learn about the social values that justified the movement and the fears of those who opposed it. Carolyn has an M.A. in U.S. History, has taken classes in Women's History, and she has taught U.S. History.
We meet at 10:45 a.m. in the Fahs Classroom. Refreshments are served. A donation of $3 is appreciated.
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Spiritual Practice in a World on Fire
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A Saturday Retreat
Tending to Spirit, Building Community and Serving the World
In One Simple Gesture
With Rev. David Scheuneman, UU Spiritual Director
Hosted by Rev. Roger Jones
March 5, 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
2425 Sierra Blvd.
Arrival, coffee AND tea at 8:30, program starts at 9:00 sharp.
light lunch included; Graceful exits provided if you need to leave early.
- Our World Is on Fire-The Planet's in Trouble-People Are Suffering!
- Can we justify taking time out for tranquility and spiritual growth
- How do we overcome despair, burn-out and "compassion fatigue" in the face of overwhelming suffering and injustice?
- Come join us for a meditation on how life calls to us, both toward inward reflection and outward service.
Coffee/Tea, Lunch and Program $20 per adult, $5 per teen
Donation to Support David's Ministry Your choice
About Dave's ministry:
As a spiritual director Rev. Dave Scheuneman brings wisdom, compassion, joy and a spirit of devotion to everyone he teaches and coaches. A third-generation UU, David is a graduate of Meadville Lombard Theological School where he led weekly meditation for classmates, including Roger Jones.
He has been teaching meditation for over 20 years, drawing on training from several sources. Since 2005, he has also had a thriving ministry with youth and young adults on Star Island, the UU conference center off the New Hampshire coast.
As a traveling teacher, he relies on the generosity of supporters to keep his ministry sustainable. Rev. Roger invited Dave to come share his gifts and get to know folks at UUSS.
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Family Promise
UUSS hosts a few homeless families from Feb. 28 through March 5; they will stay in RE classrooms and receive dinner and a warm welcome every evening in the Fahs Classroom. We welcome your help in providing dinner and hospitality each evening or staying overnight in teams of two, or in making a donation to UUSS to cover the costs of this ministry.
Refugee Assistance
The second meeting with Rev. Roger and several UUSS folk interested in organization to support and welcome refugees from violent areas will take place Wednesday, March 2, 7:30 PM in the Welcome Hall.
Community Forum: Human Trafficking in this Region March 10
"I'm Not for Sale." Human trafficking is a prominent and growing issue in this region. Join us to learn more about it and see what is being done to identify victims and address these crimes. Speakers: Jenny Williamson of Courage Worldwide, Jan Scully, Family Justice Center founder, Holly Gibbs, survivor and health educator. Sponsored by AAUW. Thursday, March 10, 7:00 PM, St. Mark's United Methodist, near Watt & El Camino.
Click here to learn more.
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1960s & 70s Dance Party FUN-raiser--Fee
lin' Groovy
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Join us Saturday, March 12,
at UUSS from
6:30
to
10:00 p.m. for our
60's to 70's dance: Feelin' Groovy: from Flower Power to Funk to Punk, From Swingin' to Soul. This is a family-friendly community event to help reduce the debt
for our recent construction. There will be p
otluck finger food and desserts. The Band, "No Divas," features our own
Karen G
underson
and Nancy Flagg
who will perform.
We will also show some vintage music videos. So much music, so little time! Join us
. We will, we will rock you!
Enjoy costume and trivia contests, makeup/face painting, and photo booths. Volunteers are needed. Voluntary donations to help cover costs. NO tickets, but please register on a Sunday in advance. Contact
Laurie Jones
or more information or to volunteer. Look for a table after the service most Sundays. We are the Champions!
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By Nancy Flagg
UUSS has a new group for hikers and walkers, called Walkin' Boots. The first hike is an easy 3 miles at Johnson-Springview Park in Rocklin on March 6th at 2PM. Go to
www.uuss.org for full hike details.
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By Patricia Pratt
 Mark your calendars for the next art reception on Friday, April 8, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. We will be featuring Anthony Montanino. He discovers subjects from his daily activities-walking, bike riding and playing in a band. His paintings are noted for their bold colors, light and shadow. His bright urban and rural landscapes are often void of human form but contain human evidence-a lone boat on the river, a glimmer of sun or
a street light reflecting on
the edge of an alley dumpster.
 Conversely when he does depict the human form-musicians rehearsing, recording and performing-his work evokes dim and sometimes smoky interiors. For information contact Patricia Pratt at (916) 482-3018. |
UUSS History 101-The Gift of Organized Archives
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By Linda Roth, Program Council member
If you've had occasion to search for information regarding UUSS history, then you know what a treasure Shirley Hines has been as our Archivist. Putting her professional librarian hat on, she saw a need over ten years ago and stepped in to fill it. Shirley has gathered, organized and labeled thousands of documents having to do with the history of our congregation, going back to minutes of the Board of Trustees and Congregational meetings in the early 1960s, as well as sermons, newsletters and photographs.
Recently, the daughter of a former minister received loads of help from Shirley in researching her father's UUSS history for her biography of him. Reverend Roger has found the Archives to be a great help in writing some of his Doctor of Ministry papers! With the archiving now complete, Shirley is shaking all the dust from her clothes and retiring from this effort. She has compiled a catalog of documents and where they may be found. Look for it to be posted to the UUSS web site soon, but it is also available by calling Elaine in the Office. (I suspect Shirley might be lured into helping if you cannot find something.)
Job well done, Shirley! We all thank you for this and all your many gifts.
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I enjoy Religious Education (RE) for many reasons. Each Sunday morning I see our program come to life. So many come together: children, youth and adults to build our RE events and sessions. Your financial gifts sustain RE and the dedication of time and talents from a variety of people do just the same. Thank you all for your continued support and monetary donations that keep our RE classes lively.
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Easter Fun Organizing for March 27
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By Miranda Massa
RE is looking for volunteers to assist in planning a fun Easter Sunday for our RE children and youth. The volunteer team and I can help decide activities and implement an enjoyable morning. Contact Miranda if this sounds interesting to you. We have a new Easter Bunny in town!
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Chalice Camp this Summer?
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A weeklong
event in which campers in grades first through sixth get to know each other--playing games, talking about Unitarian Universalist heritage, creating art and deepening children's identities as Unitarian Universalists. Since we are back home in a brand new space, let's make Chalice Camp 2016 one of the best! We need at least 10 participants to make it happen. If you have a child in first through sixth grade and are interested, please e-mail RE Coordinator
Miranda
today!
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Summer Sunday ArtWorks in RE: Planning Now!
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Talent call! Come share your special niche with the children and youth of Religious Education! Painting, yoga, dancing, printmaking and special crafting are all great avenues of spiritual expression. I am building a summer of spiritual and artistic classes for Summer ArtWorks 2016. I imagine adult volunteers coming together to enrich the lives of our children and youth. Programming can be arranged for grade school children as well as youth and teenagers. What can you kindly contribute as we embark on new adventures? I would love to hear from you. Please contact me
today!
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- March 6 Child care offered until 1:30 p.m. for parents to attend Meaning of Membership Class
- March 13-SPRING FORWARD 1 HOUR
- No scheduled RE on March 20 for our service for all ages.
- The Nursery in Room 11 is open every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. for parents attending Sunday Morning Spiritual Practices with Rev. Roger or Rev. Lucy and other dedicated leaders. For parents not attending these special events, the regular Nursery opening time is at 10:15 a.m.
- RE calendar details and other information at http://www.uuss.org/re.
- I hope you are able to stay up to date with reading the RE Outreach, as it is always a great source for information, events and other neat things about our wonderful program.
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Religious Education (RE) Calendar, March 2016
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Sunday, March 6, Freedom Club Pancake Breakfast!
9:30-1:30 Child care available
10:30-11:45 RE
11:45-1:00 Kids' Freedom Club Pancakes!
Friday, March 11-13
Middle School Retreat at the UU Congregation of Santa Rosa
Sunday, March 13, Daylight Savings Time Begins
9:30-12:00 Child care available
10:15-11:30 RE
Friday, March 18
6 p.m. Games Night in the Fahs Classroom
Sunday, March 20, First Day of Spring
9:30-12:00 Child care available
10:15-11:30 Service for all ages, no RE
11:45-1:45 Coming of Age meeting
Sunday, March 27, Easter Sunday
9:30-12:00 Child care available
10:15-11:30 RE
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Office Hours and Holiday Closings
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The office is open Monday thru Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm.
The office will be closed on Thursday, March 31, for César Chávez Day. |
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Serving Our Congregation
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UUSS OFFICERS & BOARD TRUSTEES
Linda Clear, President Linda Klein, Vice-President
Denis Edgren, Treasurer Gordon Gerwig, Secretary
Carl Gardner Shirley Hines
Carol Jacobs
Janet Lopes Dennis Pottenger
Skylar Primavera, Youth Trustee
PROGRAM COUNCIL
JoAnn Anglin
Lisa Derthick Deirdre Downes (Chairperson) Patricia Johnson
Linda Roth
Carol Jacobs, Board Liaison
CHURCH STAFF
Rev. Roger Jones, Senior Minister
Rev. Lucy Bunch, Assistant Minister
Stanton Vedell, Communications and Facilities Coordinator
Michele Ebler, Bookkeeper
Elaine Cooper, Receptionist
Miranda Massa, Religious Education Coordinator
Keith Atwater, Music Director
Krystal Gollaher and Yer Chang, Childcare Providers
Aaron Molina - Sunday thru Thursday, Custodian
Miguel Neri Friday - Saturday and Sunday, Custodian
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