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All Welcome! 10:30 a.m. at 2425 Sierra Boulevard
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 Service Auction item to give a sermon topic to Roger.
April 10
Wrestling with Privilege
Rev. Sharon Wylie, guest preacher, with Rev. Lucy Bunch and Rev. Roger Jones
Charlotte Selton, Worship Associate
Understanding race and class privilege is an important part of resisting oppressive systems in our culture, but it's also important spiritual work. In "Wrestling with Privilege," come to consider how understanding privilege and marginalization enhances your own healing and wholeness.
Forum after service: Understanding Gender Diversity. Fahs Room at noon.
April 17
All Ages - Earth Day
Rev. Lucy Bunch and Rev. Roger Jones, with Rich Howard, Kathy Styc and members of the Earth Justice Ministry Team
Music Director Keith Atwater and the UUSS choir
Molly Stuart, Linda Roth, and Christopher Jensen, Worship Associates
We will celebrate our beautiful earth and consider our commitments to the challenge of climate chaos. Come and experience a celebration honoring our beautiful redwood trees that were cut down last year, and an action of planting new trees for future generations to enjoy.
April 24
Evil People
Rev. Roger Jones, preaching, with Rev. Lucy Bunch
Our larger Unitarian Universalist Association is committed to affirming the "inherent worth and dignity of every person," the first of the seven UU Principles. Human dignity motivates most UUs in our spiritual and ethical lives. Yet examples of human evil can make us question this faith in human worth. Let's wrestle with this question.
Orientation to UUSS and Tour of Campus, noon to 1:10 p.m.
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Senior Minister's Message: Keep the Momentum Going!
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By Rev. Roger Jones
The Stewardship Campaign is in the final stretch. This is when we make our pledges for the operating budget and it's how we fund our programs and pay our staff every year. This is how we show our commitment and keep the momentum going.
We appreciate all the families, individuals and other households who have already made your pledges.
Most of the pledges so far are from folks who have raised their level of monetary support for the coming budget year, some with an increase well over 10 percent. Others are unable to stretch that far at this time, but are making sure to have their pledge counted right now. Many of pledges to UUSS are brand new, from folks who were not here a year ago. Welcome!
By your pledges, all of you show your commitment to the values of our community and your trust in one another. Our budget sustains our people and our mission, so every pledge of support is valued and appreciated.
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.
Click to print a 2016-17 Pledge Form
.
Your generosity makes a difference. Let's keep the momentum going!
Yours in service,
PS-Don't miss the annual service auction, raffle, cakewalk and chef-prepared dinner on Saturday, April 16. It's our biggest UUSS community event of the year, and the outings, meals and personal services in the auction will serve to build the bonds of fellowship among members, families and friends the whole year through.
Where's Rev. Roger in April?
I plan to be in town the whole month and hope to see you on Sundays and other times. My office hours are Wednesday and Thursday, 2:00 to 6:30 p.m. Also, on Mondays and Fridays by appointment. My day off is Tuesday. See you at the Spring Fling!
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The UUSS Pledge Drive Momentum Just Keeps Going
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By the Stewardship Team
Nearly half of the 102 pledges received by March 10 have been increased, with a majority of those increases by 10 percent or more. Combined, just those pledges account for an increase of nearly $16,000 over last year!
Your continued contribution is critical to the life and success of UUSS. We're off to a great start but plenty of pledges are yet to come. To keep moving forward, please mail your 2016-2017 pledge to UUSS if you haven't already done so. Those who submitted their pledges by March 25 are eligible to win a raffle drawing that includes prizes from See's Candies, Trader Joe's, Starbucks, Peets Coffee, and Jamba Juice.
Because pledges account for 75 percent of our total funding, the pledge drive is critical to continue the many great programs we can offer at UUSS, and help providefair salaries to our dedicated staff and to keep our newly renovated facility going. The UUSS Board of Trustees has established a goal for the congregation to increase its pledges by 10 percent over the current year.
We want to keep building on our success and we hope you do, too. We appreciate your generosity and continued support of UUSS.
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Assistant Minister's Message:
Beauty is quietly woven through our days
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I don't know about you, but I am feeling tired of all the negativity in the world. It seems that everything I read in the newspaper or my Facebook feed, or that I hear on the radio is about war, murder, anger and repression. I've also been preaching on some heavy topics, including the March 13 sermon on addiction. It's a challenge to be a caring, engaged person in this world; sometimes, frankly, it wears me out.
My friend Mary Sue Foster from Dallas, Texas, posts several time a day on Facebook, and often she will post what she calls a beauty break--something wonderful, simple, meaningful and real. Her posts remind me of John O'Donahue and his piece, "beauty is quietly woven through our days."
He says, "Subtle touches of beauty are what enable most people to survive. Yet beauty is so quietly woven through our ordinary days that we hardly notice it. Everywhere there is tenderness, care and kindness, there is beauty."
For the past month Spring has been coming alive around us. Have you noticed the mustard weed blooming among the green grasses? Have you seen the new buds on the oak trees? Appreciated the smile or greeting of a friend? Opened your eyes to the beauty around you?
Where's Lucy in April?
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.
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2016 Auction Event Coming April 16
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By Victoria Owens
"Spring Fling-The Auction Thing," this year's fund-raising dinner and auction, is coming Saturday, April 16.
If you haven't already bought your tickets, get them now and don't be left out. Cost is $15 and tickets are available Sundays or by calling the UUSS office.
Pre-bidding for the silent auction will be available on Sunday, April 3, and Sunday, April 10. Register your credit card for easy payment and get a bid number on those dates. We will have a "Buy It Now" option if you don't want to risk being outbid!
Can't come the night of the auction? Buy It Now, and you can still be a winner!
In addition to the auction, we will have a raffle for all kinds of baskets, gift cards, theater tickets and more. Tickets are $1.
And back this year, we're having fun with an old fashioned cakewalk--like musical chairs, but the winner takes home a scrumptious cake or pie.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for silent auction bidding, cakewalks and food. Don't miss out!
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The Happiness Hypothesis Book discussion group continues
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By Rev. Lucy
Come join Rev. Lucy for the monthly discussion of the book, The Happiness Hypothesis, by Jonathon Haidt, during the third week of each month through May. Two groups meet--Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. and Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.--in order to accommodate both our day timers and our evening folk. More information is available at the Adult Enrichment table on Sunday mornings, or by contacting
Rev. Lucy
directly
We are a drop-in group and you can join at any time. For April we will read chapters 7-9. This is a great group for anyone who wants to discuss what is most important in life.
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Invitations to Participate in our Larger UU Movement in the USA
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By Rev. Roger Jones
DA:
Members of UU churches in the Pacific Central District-which includes us-are invited to District Assembly (DA) on April 22 to 24, in Fremont. I served on the workshop-selection team and know there is a great lineup of programs this year.
Click here to learn about DA
. Let Linda Clear (
[email protected]
) know if you're going to DA so that she can list you as a voting delegate for the brief business meeting.
GA:
Every June, delegates from all 1,000 UU congregations gather in a different city for the General Assembly (GA) of the Unitarian Universalist Association. Columbus, Ohio, may not be where you wish to spend your time and lodging funds this June, but it's possible to be an on-line delegate or just to watch many of the best events on line for free. Visit
www.uua.org/ga
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Our dollars at work
: UUSS sends financial support to our denomination and our local district every year based on the size of our congregation. For about $100 per person, we help our elected and appointed UUA leaders to support congregations in many ways. Our support also extends the voice of our liberal faith and inclusive principles on issues of social justice, religious freedom and progressive spirituality. Thank you!
Structural shift coming:
The national UUA has made a major transition from funding and staffing services to congregations. After nearly 40 years it has moved from district-based staffing to regional staffing. We are now in the large Pacific Western Region of UUA staffing. Yet the PCD still exists as a not-for-profit organization with a Board (Charlotte Selton of UUSS is a PCD Board member). As that Board seeks to discern whether and how the PCD can remain relevant to its congregations, it has asked congregation members in the PCD
to complete this brief online survey
. The results will be collated and offered for consideration at District Assembly, April 22 - 24.
Register for DA at this link
.
Generational shift coming
: At the GA in 2017 in New Orleans, delegates will vote to elect our first female UUA President and one of our youngest denominational presidents ever.
Read about both of them
in the on-line UU World magazine.
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Adult Enrichment in April
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Monday Yoga at 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Page Labrie teaches Yoga with chairs in Fahs Classroom at 10:00 a.m. and Yoga with mats in Classroom 7/8 at 7:00 p.m. $10 drop in fee or $8/week for a two-month session.
Wednesday Meditation at 5:30 p.m.
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.
UUSS Book Readers Discussion Group--"Fates and Furies"
By James Glidden
On Tuesday, April 26, the UUSS Book Readers meet at 7:00 p.m. in the library to discuss this month's choice, Fates and Furies, by Lauren Groff. For more information, email
Jim Glidden or at (916) 649-9697.
Religious Humanism as Faith in Life and One Another
Rev. Roger plans to offer a course about the values and spirit of religious humanism in late May or June. Watch the Blue Sheet and weekly e-mail message for news.
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Our Ministerial Intern Chosen for 2016-17
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We are excited to introduce the UUSS ministerial intern for September 2016 to May 2017, D. Scott Cooper. The Board voted unanimously to invite him after interviews by our ministers and lay leaders, including some Board and Committee on Ministry members.
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Left to Right Jordan ,Harrison, Conrad, Scott |
Scott will receive his Master of Divinity this May from Brite Divinity School on the campus of Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. He comes highly recommended by the ministers of the First Unitarian Church of Dallas where he's been active 16 years.
Experience and Education
: At First Unitarian, Scott facilitated Adult RE classes, taught the ninth-grade Coming of Age class and YRUU (youth group), and co-chaired the launching of their small-group ministry program. He has served as a Worship Associate and a Greeter and taught UU History. Scott is often invited to preach throughout north Texas at smaller UU congregations, and his ministers think of him first when they need a lay preacher for that 1,100-member church, or an officiant for a memorial service. As part of Toastmasters, an organization to hone public speaking and leadership skills, Scott has achieved the level of Distinguished Toastmaster. His references were enthusiastic about his gifts and calling for ministry and his reliability.
His MFA is in Theatrical Set Design from the University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. His BA is in Art and Theatre from Morehead State University. Scott was Intern for Pastoral Care for a year at First Street Mission in Fort Worth working with homeless people and those supporting them. Last summer he was a chaplaincy intern at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
Personal Background
: A transplanted Texan, Scott grew up in northern Kentucky near Cincinnati where most of his family still lives. Scott currently lives in Dallas with his husband Conrad and stepson Harrison. Conrad is a psychologist, Harrison a high school junior. Harrison's older sister Jordan attends college and lives around the corner. At their church, Conrad teaches Coming of Age and leads the church's Interweave group. Scott and Conrad also enjoy live theatre and going to new restaurants with friends.
Scott's Message to UUSS
: "I am very excited to be coming to Sacramento to be with your congregation this fall! I have met, via Skype, with some of you already, and of course have talked with both of the ministers. I'm impressed with all the great things going on at UUSS. (I fear having to fight 'senioritis' my last semester since I so look forward to being there with you.) I lived in San Jose for a brief time 20 years ago, and fell in love with northern California. Conrad and I hope to visit during the summer so that we can meet you in person. I hope this upcoming year will be as rich and rewarding for you as I'm sure it will be for me."
For more information:
Click here
to find the article describing the reasons UUSS will have a ministerial intern in 2016-17, especially the senior minister's sabbatical.
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Art Reception on April 8: Anthony Montanino
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By Patricia Pratt
Mark your calendar for the next art
reception on Friday, April 8, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. We will feature 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, while often void of human form, 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.
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UUSS ACTIVITY FAIR May 1: Connecting for Fun, Friendship, and Service
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Are you looking for a new social experience? Searching for an opportunity to help with the running of our church? Ready to put your passion for environmental stewardship and human rights into action with others who share your vision? Or maybe, whenever you hear our choir's beautiful harmonies, you think, 'I want to do that!'
Find those opportunities for connection at our annual Community Activity Fair, sponsored by the UUSS Program Council on Sunday, May 1. All are invited to join us out on the patio after our Sunday service. Stroll around. Visit the tables to meet representatives from many of our activity groups, who will be happy to chat about their group, answer your questions and add you to their mailing list.
Our committees and groups serve many essential needs of our vital religious community and bring us together to form lasting friendships. Please come and join us!
Questions or comments? E-mail at
[email protected]
, or talk to any Program Council member.
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Senior Fellowship Activities in April
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By Jean Kohlhoff
This new activity group is open to those around 65 or more who want to get together for activities, friendship, community and adventure.
In April we have the following events:
- Saturday April 9, Supporting the the American River Parkway Stewards. Lunch afterwards at Panera. Hosted by Jean Kohlhoff
- Sunday, April 16, Rose Garden Walk. Lunch at Fats. Hosted by Sally White
- Friday, April 22, Potluck and a Movie at UUSS. Hosted by Elyse Furman
- Tuesday, April 26, Movie Tuesday. Hosted by Peter Foss
To learn more about any of these events or just to get added to our list, e-mail Jean Kohlhoff at
[email protected]
.
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More Family Promise Families Hosted and Helped at UUSS
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By Barbara Hopkins
The UUSS Family Promise team is grateful for the generosity of 50 new volunteers who helped host guest families during the week of February 28. The Fahs Room became a dining area and classrooms were sleeping quarters for each guest family--two this time. We invite more volunteers to help us during the weeks of May 15, July 17 and/or October 23. Volunteers assist with setup and clean up, or provide a dinner or serve as a night host. Certain food and supplies or financial support are always needed, as well as towing the Family Promise trailer to the next congregation
Family Promise helps homeless families become self-sufficient. We host homeless families for a week at a time. As a nonprofit social service agency, Family Promise has basic expenses for rent, staff salaries and client transit, so it relies on year-round fund raising from congregations and the community. Join us for its 11th Annual Dinner, Thursday, April 21, at Carmichael Presbyterian Church, 6:00 p.m.; tickets are $50. The program includes Family Promise graduate. Former Sen. Darryl Steinberg will address Solutions to Homelessness. To join our UUSS table, contact Nancy Oprsal at (916) 482-5736 or email Barbara Hopkins.
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Getting Articles into the Unigram
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If you wish to notify the congregation about upcoming activities of your group or committee, send your item to us by the fifteenth of the month before the month of publication. For example, for the June Unigram, submit the article by May 15. The editors and readers appreciate those articles that are short and to the point and include those journalistic essentials: Who, What, Where, When and Why. And sometimes, How--as well as contact info.
Simple is best. Submit your item in Word with the paragraphs in single space and flush left, not indented. You can include the information in the body of your e-mail or as an attachment.
It is also fine to attach photos (in jpg format or equivalent) of your activity and you have a good chance that one or two of them will be used. Just be sure to identify the location and the people in the pictures. Make sure if there are minor children in the pictures that permission was given by their parents or guardians. Send your information to:
[email protected]
.
If you do not have access to a computer, contact the church office by the deadline.
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Beyond Pronouns: Understanding Gender Identities Forum April 10
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Gender Queer, Cis-Gender, making your own choice of pronoun, Transgender, Gender Fluid, and other terms may be confusing to some of us. As a Welcoming Congregation, UUSS strives to continue learning and widening our understanding of human diversity. The discussion about gender and gender identity will be Sunday, April 10 (in the Fahs classroom) from noon - 1:30 p.m. This discussion is intended for all members, including RE families and volunteers, as gender identity is a more prevalent issue among youth now than in past years. Please let Miranda or Rev. Lucy know if you plan to attend or if you have any questions.
A diverse panel of members and friends will offer their personal stories and perspectives. If you have questions, please provide them in advance to
Rev. Lucy Bunch
, as there will not be questions from the floor.
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UU Justice Ministry Regional Training April 9
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UUs from this area are invited to gather at the First Unitarian Church of Stockton from 10:00 to 4:00 on Saturday, April 9 for spring training for justice.
What is the difference between politics and faith-based social justice work? How are we called to
act as UUs, and how can we put our values into action? Learn the skills you need to build relationships strong enough to make a difference. Held by the UU Justice Ministry of California, this conference will include small-group breakouts on specific issues, like racial justice, economic justice, environmental justice and immigrant justice. Statewide action teams of UU individuals are forming soon.
To register:
[email protected]
or call 916-441-0018. Lunch will be included, so please reply (RSVP). Let her know you're from Sacramento so she can keep track of who's attending. To learn more about the Justice Ministry, visit www.uujmca.org.
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UUSS Member/Friend Directories On-line
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Members and friends can go on line to find out how to contact fellow committee members, new friends, etc. These files are only for members' use and are password protected. To access member files, please contact the office. Call
(916) 483-9283
or e-mail them at
[email protected]
for the current password. If you would prefer a paper copy, just give the office a call and they will hold one for you, or leave it at the welcome table for you to pick up on Sunday.
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By Miranda Massa
What happens during summer Sundays for our RE children and youth, you
 ask? Well, we gather a team of artistic volunteers from our congregation to help out. We schedule the artistic volunteers for two or more consecutive Sundays to share a talent with the group. The group contains a range of mixed ages of children and youth to build community and share in friendship. Come share your special niche with Religious Education! I am building a summer of spiritual and artistic classes for Summer ArtWorks 2016 and would love to hear from you!
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True Reflections Field Trip
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By Miranda Massa
It is exciting times in True Reflections as our 3rd-5th graders explore the theme of nature and earth-based religions, especially as we head into spring with its many "teachable moments." On April 3, Mary Howard, long-time UUSS member, volunteer, teacher, and current Effie Yeaw Nature Center docent, will lead our kids in a much-desired field trip there. UUSS is very grateful for being able to provide experiences such as this for our young UUs. Immense thanks to all the dedicated volunteers that help make this all possible.
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Our ten Coming of Age youth are getting ready for their
final retreat weekend (April 15 to 17 at Long Ravine Resort near Colfax) of the
PCD Coming of Age Program
.
The central event of this weekend will be a six-hour fasting solo on Saturday. The solo is an opportunity for the youth to draw on what is strong and beautiful within them--a time to confront some fears, to ask important questions about their own lives, and to be open to whatever answers they may receive from sources within, from nature and from Spirit.
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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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-Kids' Freedom Club meets April 3 after service in Room 6.
-Rev. Roger is looking forward to seeing those who signed up for his Sports Party at the YMCA gym on Saturday, April 9! Sign up this Sunday at the RE Welcome Table.
-Hope to see you April 16, starting at 5:30 p.m., for our all-ages Spring Fling-The Auction Thing event.
-No scheduled RE on April 17 for our worship 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, Rev. Lucy or other dedicated leaders. For parents not attending these special events, the regular Nursery opening time is at 10:15 a.m.
-Sunday, April 24, our Nursery stays open later for families to attend the Newcomers' Orientation and Tour. Just let our Nursery staff know when you drop off your child(ren) that they will be staying longer. We appreciate you!
- 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.
-Spirit Play and True Reflections will spend the morning in our UUSS UUrth Song CommUUnity Garden on Sunday, May 1. Please dress in garden-like clothing and be ready for outside fun.
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Religious Education (RE) Calendar, April 2016
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Sunday, April 3
9:30-12:00 Child care available
10:30-11:45 RE
11:45-1:00 Kids' Freedom Club meeting
Sunday, April 10
9:30-12:00 Child care available
10:15-11:30 RE
Friday, April 15
Games Night for All Ages, 6 p.m., Fahs Classroom
Friday, April 15 - Sunday, April 17
Coming of Age Nature Vigil Retreat
Sunday, April 17
9:30-12:00 Child care available
10:15-11:30 Service for all ages, no RE
Sunday, April 24
9:30-1:30 Child care available
10:15-11:30 RE
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In Memoriam
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We extend our condolences to UUSS member Peter Killian on passing of his father, Jimmie Wray Killian, Ph.D., on March 17 at age 94, near his home in Connecticut. He was a research physicist who met with Albert Einstein. His thesis was a refutation of Einstein's Theory of Relativity. He leaves behind his eight children, 20 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, and his wife of 67 years.
Read his obituary at this link
.
We extend our condolences to UUSS member Claudia Desmangles on the passing of her father, Ed Radsliff, at Atria El Camino, on February 6 at age 98. A former UUSS member and treasurer, Ed was married 19 years to Mary Deuel, with whom he had four children. Mary served as a volunteer leader and staff member in Religious Education at UUSS in the 1970s. He leaves behind his second wife, Margaret, and her three sons. He and Margaret met at a bridge game at UUSS. A memorial service for Ed will take place at UUSS on Saturday, April 23, at 11:00 a.m., with a lunch reception following. A link to his obituary will be posted soon in a Ministerial Message.
We extend our condolences to UUSS members Celia Buckley and Marion Randall on the loss of Celia's mother, Margaret Elinor McAuliffe Buckley, on March 23, after a long decline from dementia. She was 97. A teacher and attorney, Margaret leaves behind three children and two grandchildren.
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By Christine Webb-Curtis
Join us on May 1 to get to know the candidates recommended by the Nominating Committee for election on May 15. Candidates will be available for a conversation, to answer any burning questions or simply to put a name with a face.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Margaret Wilcox, Vice-President 
Margaret Wilcox
joined UUSS in 2004 after moving from the Bay Area. Following a career as an educational psychologist, university faculty member and UC Extension administrator at the Berkeley and Davis campuses, she now is having fun as a volunteer with several organizations, including UUSS. She was previously UUSS Board Vice President, followed by two years as Board President. In addition to chairing the Membership Committee and the recent Building Project Steering Committee, she has been active with a variety of congregational committees and activities. Margaret and her husband, Wayne, have a daughter who lives with her wife in Seattle and a son who resides in Connecticut with his wife and daughter (and one on the way!).
Gordon Gerwig, Treasurer 
Gordon Gerwig grew up in San Diego where he was first exposed to Unitarian Universalism. He first joined UUSS in 1980 when he was married in a ceremony officiated by Ted Webb and re-joined in 2006 after a brief spiritual walkabout. He has been a Board of Trustees member from 2012 to 2016 serving as Secretary from 2015 to 2016. He sings in the choir and appeared in exactly one Theatre One production. He is a volunteer tutor at Thomas Edison School. He has been married to Chris Gerwig for 36 years, is a proud father of three children and a proud grandfather of three grandchildren. Gordon works as a commercial lender for First U.S. Community Credit Union and is a graduate of UC Berkeley, UC Davis, and the University of San Francisco.
Janet Lopes, Secretary 
Janet Lopes came to Unitarian Universalism in her late teens. She just wasn't aware of it at the time. A Unitarian Universalist minister performed her wedding ceremony (late 20's), but it wasn't until she had young children (mid 30s) that she felt it necessary to look for a spiritual home. She started attending the Coronado UU fellowship in 1994, implementing their first Religious Education program. After moving to Sacramento in 1997, she joined UUSS where she has served on music, nominating and search committees. She has been deeply involved with the Religious Education program at UUSS. She has studied Theater and Early Childhood Education and currently works as a Special Education Aide with Deaf and Hard of Hearing children. She is married to member John McMillan and has two adult children.
Kathy Bernard, Member At Large 
My involvement in and commitment to Unitarian Universalism began 51 years ago (1965) when I joined the Pacific Unitarian Church in Palos Verdes. Since then, I have visited more than 60 UU Churches and Fellowships throughout the USA. In the late 70s, I became a member of the San Jose UU Church. Most recently, I was a member of the UU Fellowship of Grants Pass, OR, and was serving on its Board of Directors when I moved to Sacramento in 2013. Soon after moving here, I began attending UUSS and joined in 2014. I immediately felt at home. I have participated in many activities since joining and am currently serving as chair of the 2016 Fundraising Auction.
My professional career began rather late in life. At age 46, I earned an MSW from CSU San Jose and became involved in the development of affordable housing in the area. Eventually, my husband and I moved to Watsonville where I established and was executive director of Pajaro Valley Housing Corp., a nonprofit housing development agency whose mission was to create affordable housing for low-income families, especially Hispanic farmworker families. During the course of my career, I was able to create about 175 units of affordable housing and I am thankful every day for the opportunities I have had.
UUSS has a special place in my heart. I love the vision, the willingness to take risks and the enthusiasm of its members. I look forward to serving our congregation in the coming years in any way I can.
Carl Gardner, Member At Large 
Carl Gardner has been a resident of
Sacramento since 1999 and a UUSS member since 2006. He is currently a Member at Large on the Board of Trustees, and a Worship Associate on the Religious Services Committee. Previously, Carl taught Religious Education at UUSS and was an adult advisor to the Senior High Youth Group. He is involved in the Gen X Boomers social group, and for several years has helped to organize the annual UUSS All-Ages Church Camp at Camp Norge. Carl is an attorney practicing health insurance law, and a parent practicing on a 16-year-old son.
Elizabeth Pataki, Member At Large
Born in late November in 1938, my spiritual life somewhat reflected the various colors of the season; finding the Unitarian Universalist Church brought stability and a home for my mind and soul. I started attending UUSS with the family in 1971 (Ford Lewis was the minister.) and Ted Webb welcomed our first two sons in 1973.
I graduated from Keuka College with a degree in nursing in 1960 and got an MA in Counseling Psychology in Hawaii where I met my husband, Dennis Hubbard. Since I was working as a Registered Nurse alternately in education, ICU, Public Health, pediatrics or psychiatry, our attendance in other locations and Sacramento was sporadic until my husband and I retired in 2009. Then I was able to join the UUSS Book Club, the Alliance and take part in various spiritual groups or classes.
I was on the Board of Directors of CA Nurses Association (CNA) for several years and still am active in that organization, as well as the Sacramento Labor council and the CA Alliance for Retired Americans. I believe these experiences and the support of the UUSS community will help me as a Board Member.
Sally White, Member At Large
Sally White hails from Caribou, Maine, a town on the border with New Brunswick, Canada, sharing all the winter weather!! She moved to California in 1977 and calls California home. She has a BS in Marketing from Notre Dame du Namur, Belmont, CA, and an MBA in International Management from Golden Gate University. A 22-year career in management at Hewlett Packard Company took Sally across this incredible country and around the globe, introducing her to the many cultures of the world. She has two grown sons and five incredible grandchildren, three of whom live near her in Roseville. Currently semi-retired, Sally substitute teaches Pre-K through 8th grades in the Roseville school system-another incredible experience. Her board experience includes several nonprofit organizations: United Way, Soroptimist International, AAUW, Chamber of Commerce, Arts Council of Placer County and Trinity Episcopal Church. Sally joined UUSS in 2015 and initially volunteered for the Religious Education committee. Currently, she is part of the Marketing Committee, the Adult Enrichment Committee, the Senior Fellowship team and is a co-facilitator for a Spiritual Deepening Circle. "I was looking for a spiritual and intellectual community and knew this was it the moment I walked into my first Sunday Service/Fellowship. The time to dive in and contribute to this new community is now. It is an honor to be asked to serve as a Member-at-large for the Board."
PROGRAM COUNCIL
Deirdre D
ownes
Deirdre Downes has been a member of UUSS since early 2010. She sings in the choir and is a Grasshopper. She was elected to Program Council in 2014 and has served as Program Council Chair for the past year. She was a UUSS Worship Leader/Associate for four years and served as Co-Chair of the Religious Services Committee from Fall 2011 to Fall 2014. Deirdre is retired but her checkered work history includes years as a paperback writer, elementary school teacher, stay-at-home mom and part-time technical editor of CEQA documents. She is an avid hiker and reader, yoga enthusiast, newish golfer and perennial cat lover.
Peggy Makie 
Peggy moved up to Northern California from San Diego where she had been a UU member for several years. One of the first places she visited in Sacramento was the church here, and in 2012 she became a member. She helps coordinate Soup Sundays (October to March) with Cassandra Sove, and belongs to the Howards' Ministry Circle. In the work world she is employed by Kaiser Permanente as a Medical Librarian at both the Roseville and Morse Avenue locations. She loves living in Fair Oaks where the chickens freely roam around the village, and the area has more of a rural feel to it. Spare time hobbies include drawing and photography.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Lauren Davis-Todd 
Lauren is a recently retired elementary school teacher with an MS in education counseling in addition to a BS in education. She has been a member of UUSS since 2008, but became a UU in her early 20s. In support of UUSS, Lauren and her husband Chuck served on the Stewardship Team for a year, followed by three years as co-chairs.
Lauren enjoys bringing a main dish to Family Promise at every opportunity, taking adult enrichment classes, serving soup, buying and selling at the Service Auction and growing vegetables in UUrth garden for several years. She enjoys caring for her three grandchildren, all under the age of two, and loves to travel with Chuck. She's delighted to have the opportunity to serve on the Nominating Committee.
Denis Edgren
Denis Edgren
has lived in the Sacramento area for 28 years and is a 17-year member of UUSS. He attended Unitarian Universalist churches in Hawaii and Monterey in addition to UUSS. Until 1998, Denis served in the US Navy as a Naval Flight Officer, and he recently retired after working for a Global Investment Management company. He is currently chair of the Finance Committee and finishes his term as UUSS Treasurer in June. Denis has served as an adult volunteer teacher in almost every age group of RE, including Junior High and Senior High Youth Groups. He is married to Karen, and together they have two sons and a daughter and three young grandchildren.
David Libby 
David Libby
has been a member of UUSS since 1990. He and his spouse, Sally, were married here in 1991, the Rev. John Young officiating. He served as the chair of the Nominating Committee in 2009-10. David, an IT professional, is retired from State service but still works part-time as a retired annuitant. Over the years, he focused his energy mostly in the religious education program, but also served on the Religious Services Committee and in the Lay Minister program. He will serve with gratitude and a sincere desire to do what's best for our beloved congregation if elected this year!
Nancy Lust 
Nancy and Dave joined UUSS in the late 70s when they lived in Georgetown. They became active in the late 80s when their family moved to Carmichael. Their son and daughter attended Religious Education.
UUSS became their spiritual home and loving community, their place to learn, socialize and build lifelong friendships. Nancy has served as a Worship Leader, served on many committees and continues to actively support church programs. She appreciates being a candidate for the Nominating Committee for the coming church year.
Eric Ross 
Eric has been a UUSS member since 1986. He was raised a Universalist in West Hartford, CT. Over the years, he has been a teacher with youth RE, been a Worship Associate and served twice on the Board, most recently from 2011 to 2014. He currently serves on the Fund Raising Strategy Team (FRST) and Stewardship Committees. Recently retired from state service as an Administrative Law Judge, he and his wife Karen (also recently retired) are enjoying more time for travel, hobbies and friendships, including lots of reading. He has two adult children and one grandchild.
Larry Thomas 
Larry
has been a member of UUSS for six years.
He and his wife Suong came to the Sacramento area from Virginia where they had been members of the Arlington Unitarian Church for many years. Larry retired from the US State Department after a foreign service career and later from community colleges in Virginia and Maryland. At UUSS he is a Grasshopper and a participant in Ted's Web and the book and men's groups. Larry and Suong have a son, daughter and one grandchild who live and work in the Washington, D.C., area.
Christine Webb-Curtis, Chair 
Chris was raised a Universalist in New England and upstate New York and active throughout her youth in Unitarian-Universalist activities. After a stint in the Peace Corps, she moved to San Francisco, then to Sacramento. She attended the San Francisco UU church intermittently until moving to Sacramento and joining UUSS. Her two younger boys attended Sunday school at UUSS where she served on the Religious Education Committee and taught Sunday school. She was a member of the Search Committee that brought our former minister, Doug Kraft, to UUSS. Following that, she continued on the Committee on the Ministry for many years. When the preparation of the Unigram once again became the responsibility of members, she and others worked as editors. She continues to work on the Unigram. She has worked on the fundraising auction for several years and served on the Nominating Committee in 2012. She retired from the state where she worked in the areas of affordable housing and social services. While she continues to work occasionally, she fills her time with the challenge of writing and continues to travel with her husband-especially to France.
ENDOWMENT TRUST
Fred Deneke 
Fred joined the Unitarian Universalist Community Church (UUCC) in 2007 after moving to California from Michigan, and was facilitator of the UUCC Men's Group and a member of the discussion group, Daytimers. After UUCC suspended services, he and his husband Jim joined UUSS in 2014. Fred has been treasurer or president of three nonprofit community organizations. He has been a full-time college biology professor for 27 years, including the past 10 years at Cosumnes River College. In his spare time, he reads on an array of subjects, is continually bemused by feline antics, strives to have garden play (contrasted with yard work), enjoys local live theater, hones culinary skills and explores natural wonders of the world. Fred would be pleased to use his diverse interests and ability to ask thoughtful questions while serving on the Endowment Trust.
COMMUNICATIONS FACILITATOR
Colene Sawyer Schlaepfer
Colene, along with her husband Fred,
has attended UUSS since 2001. She
attended other churches but this has become a real church home since moving from San Jose. She was very active in the whole process of planning and completing the new building and is thrilled with the result. She is a Marriage and Family Therapist and enjoys practicing with her husband, specializing with couples. She has four children, eight grandchildren and one and a half great grands. Colene has been Communications Chair before and encourages anyone with a
suggestion
about the church to contact her so
she can talk
about it with you and communicate it appropriately for action as needed.
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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.
There are no planned office closures for April 2016. |
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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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