Sunday Services:  9:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.

April 6

A Comfortable Place -- and the Weirdness of the In-Between

Rev. Roger Jones, Preaching, with Rev. Lucy Bunch and UUSS Choir

Anticipating the Jewish Passover, we consider the ancient Hebrews, wandering between the familiar home they had in Egypt and the never-seen Promised Land.  Even with the God of Moses to guide them, they tired of the bone-dry bread and the many dislocations and upheavals on their long journey to a new place.

Religious Education at 9:30:  Story Time (age 3-5), Spirit Play (grades 1-5) will participate in the Promises General Lesson story. The Promises or Principles demonstrate how we should treat each other so that we get along and do what is right. Junior High Youth Group (grades 6-8) & Senior High Youth Group finish up a series of making art books with artist Patty Taylor. Kids Freedom Club Meeting from 10:45-12:30. Child Care available at both services.

Members, please sign in for the Congregational Meeting before the 11:15 service, so we can start the discussion right at 12:30 p.m. Supervised child care and fun is provided during the meeting until 1:30 in Room 11 and the playground.

April 13

A World Without Boundaries

Rev. K�roly Vass, Hungarian Unitarian Church of Transylvania, with Rev. Roger Jones

Using the imagination of a child and the perspective of an adult, and borrowing inspiration from a science-fiction tale, Rev. Vass invites us to reimagine the world we long for and to recommit to creating it.  Come hear how this Unitarian from Transylvania wrestles with the "ground of being" and comes to name the "absolute" in modern terms.

Discussion with this visiting young minister after the 11:15 a.m. service.

Child care available - age 0-5 at both services. Religious Education at 9:30:  Story Time (age 3-5), Spirit Play (grades 1-5) will participate in the Sources General Lesson story which shows how the roots of our UU beliefs are called our Sources, Junior High Youth Group (grades 6-8) & Senior High Youth Group. The last Our Whole Lives (OWL) Class at 11:15.

April 20

Happy Easter!  What's Happy about Easter?

Rev. Roger Jones, Preaching, with Rev. Lucy Bunch and UUSS Choir & Guest Musician

Most UUs don't believe that Jesus was resurrected, but Easter still has large attendance at UU congregations.  When we think about the imperial Roman government's torture and execution of this Jewish prophet on the day known as Good Friday, we may ask, "Why Happy Easter?"  I think it's about hope.

Religious Education with Easter hunt following--9:30-10:45Story Time (age 3-5), Spirit Play (grades 1-5) listens to the Wonder of Easter story, Junior High Youth Group (grades 6-8) & Senior High Youth Group will organize the Easter hunt for the little ones, to take place after the 9:30 a.m. service.

Easter hats welcome for all genders and ages today. 

April 27

What Does It Mean to Be Religious-and Are We?

Rev. Roger Jones, Preaching

Musical guests:  Chanteuses choral ensemble and Barbara Lazar, guest pianist

Our theologically inclusive UU movement is full of heart and vision, but is it religious?

If not, then when did we cease being religious?  Given our historic roots in liberal religion in Transylvania, Poland, Britain and New England, this is worth pondering.

Excused Absence:  You may wish to worship this morning with hundreds of UUs from Honolulu to Fresno to Reno to Humboldt, during the Pacific Central District spring assembly, taking place at the Red Lion Hotel nearby.  Read more here.

Religious Education at 9:30:  Story Time (age 3-5), Spirit Play (grades 1-5) listens to the story of Noah's Ark, Junior High Youth Group (grades 6-8) & Senior High Youth Group. Child care age 0-5 at both services;  Youth Coming of Age (COA) meeting - 11:00

May 4

Youth Coming of Age:  Take Note!

A Service for All Ages

Rev. Roger Jones, Lay Leader Taylor Lewis, Coming of Age Coordinators

Sally Lewis and David Libby, and six youth and their mentors from UUSS

Six youth and their select group of adult UU mentors have met monthly and attended district-wide UU retreats as part of this year's Coming of Age program.  Today we celebrate their accomplishment and hear the youths' Credo Statements (testimony about their beliefs and identities as Unitarian Universalists). Always a special Sunday in our congregation!

Child Care at both services in Room 11 Nursery.

New Discoveries, the annual auction and dinner, is almost here!  If you haven't bought your dinner ticket, you have until Wednesday, April 2.  Tickets $20 for everyone age 12 and over, and are available Sunday or by calling the office.  If you plan to attend but prefer to eat at home, you can buy a no-dinner ticket for $10 and just come to bid.

Auction night is always very entertaining.  We will raffle off all kinds of filled baskets plus jewelry, theater tickets and more.  We will enjoy live entertainment and a rousing live auction for some very special items.  It's a great time to enjoy the company of other UUs.  We thank everyone who donated to New Discoveries. 

Our doors open on April 5, at 5:30 p.m. for silent auction bidding and music.  Dinner is at 6:30 p.m., silent bidding stops at 7:30 p.m.  Then the live auction and raffle fun begins, followed by our talented UU jazz pianist Jay Johnson. 

Child care is available at 7 p.m. for children age 11 and under.  Kids eat free, too!   Check http://uuss.org/Groups/Auction/index.php for more information.

Don't miss this fun, high-energy event.  See you on April 5!

By Doris Simonis

The Nominating Committee invites everyone to a reception at UUSS to honor our many dedicated church members and friends who have performed volunteer services for this Society, in the past or currently. Without all your hard work and generosity, the day-to-day activities of our church would not be possible. On Sunday, April 27, please join us on the patio for refreshments after either of the two services. (Or in case of rain, look for us inside.) Be sure to look at the display of photos and biographical information about the wonderful, generous UUSSers who have accepted the nomination to be candidates for office at UUSS in our May 18 election.   

On April 6, our members vote on whether to authorize UUSS' borrowing of up to $1 million to close the funding gap for our Building Project.  A big step.

I don't like debt!  I pay my credit cards off each month (except when I forget).  I don't like construction and remodeling either.  After two months of living in piles of papers after moving to the senior minister's office, my friends came from the Walnut Creek church last fall to do an "intervention" for me.  Call it a forced makeover. 

However, the results have been worth it in my office (If you know the before and the after, you know what I mean.).  I am confident the results of our Building Project will be worth it:

• A bigger, brighter, welcoming space for all the spiritually progressive and spiritually hungry folks who will come looking for a place to belong and connect.
• An energy-efficient facility, plus bike racks, and better drainage-putting our green principles into practice.  The facility will be more accessible and safer.
• More space so we can all meet together in a service and for fellowship activities.  A beautiful sanctuary to give spiritual comfort in times of stress or grief.
• A larger profile in the region as a beacon of liberal religion and service to the local community.  More facilities to support our social justice ministries.

Because I think the result will be worth it--and because I like avoiding debt--I am thinking about how much more deeply I can dig into my appreciated assets and increase my level of participation in the Building Fund.  I know from conversations that many of you are thinking about that as well.  

And I know that not everybody can give a chunk of change to this project.  That is okay! 

Your moral support, encouragement, good questions and creative ideas also matter very much.  Your presence here is what matters most.  This is how we build the beloved community.  

Thank you for your giving.  Thank you for being part of UUSS.

Yours in service,

Roger

Where's Roger in April?

If you send an e-mail but don't hear back in a few days, I may have missed it.  Please e-mail again, or call me!   I'm here weekday afternoons.  I write at home on Friday, and am happy to make an appointment with you.   Tuesday is my Sabbath--and e-mail holiday.  I'll be with Rev. Lucy at the UU Ministers' spring meeting April 8-10.  I'll be at the UU Pacific Central District Assembly April 25 to 6.  I will speak at Michelle Obama's Faith and Values Breakfast at the White House on Tuesday, April 1, then I will come back in time for our service auction/dinner fundraiser on Saturday, April 5.

Last month we sang the hymn Woyaya. "We are going," the lyrics read, "the road may be muddy and rough but we'll get there, heaven knows how we will get there, but we know we will."  When I reflect on these words I am holding my home congregation, UU Community Church, in my thoughts and prayers.  UUCC is facing some financial challenges and is going through a discernment process about the form the church will take in the future. 

Many of you know that this church was an offshoot of our congregation in 1989.  They are a wonderful community of committed UUs and my home congregation for 20 years. Over the years  I invested a tremendous amount of time, energy and money in that congregation and it is sad that the community may not be sustainable in its current form. However, I hold no doubt that my commitments were worth it, no matter the outcome. What I gained was far more valuable than what I gave, and the wonderful loving community we created enriched many lives in the past 25 years, mine included.  I would not be the person I am today without that congregation. 

These thoughts lead me to UUSS. We are at a pivotal point in the life of the congregation, and each of us is being asked to make a commitment to the future-a commitment that requires us to stretch-financially and spiritually.   This is a time for faith in who we are as a congregation, what we offer the region, and our vision for the future.   Faith that we will get there. "The road may be muddy and rough but we'll get there, heaven knows how we will get there, but we know we will."   So may it be. 

Where's Lucy in April? 

My office hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons.  Please call or e-mail if you would like to visit so I can make sure to be available for you.  I will be with you on the Sundays of April 6 and 20.    I will away from church in April for vacation and meetings:  April 13-18 vacation; April 24-27 attending a meeting of the Commission on Appraisal: April 28-May 3 vacation.

I feel as though the last month has just flown by and here we are again-time for another President's Column.  Today is March 17and I have been sitting here at my desk in front of the computer for the past few days trying to figure out what sort of spiritual, witty, intelligent column I could write.  Nothing....

All of a sudden it dawned on me:  "The congregation has heard from me twice already this month-my pledge comments and the notice of the congregational meeting. They don't need to hear from me again.  Especially since I can't think of anything that would enlighten them any more than I already have."  This is where you chuckle.

However, at the risk of becoming a broken record, let me say this: we have a very important decision coming up on April 6 and I hope you all will do what you can to attend the congregational meeting.  (Also the discussions on March 30 after both services.) We need to hear your voices.  We need to hear you express your enthusiasm and your concerns.  We need to know that whatever is decided, it is because the majority of you had your say, we heard you and then you voted.

This decision is basically one of stewardship and making sure that whatever dollars you give, the decision comes from your heart as well as your head.  I know where my head and my heart are. I hope you do, too.

"This is the day we are given. Let us rejoice and be glad in it."

-All Souls Unitarian Church, New York City, Rev. Galen Guengerich

We notice each day that with more daylight, the new flowers and plants appear and tree leaves are starting to bud.  It is spring - a good time for us to refresh ourselves by noticing the many aspects of our lives for which we are grateful.  

Q:  Can we feel grateful just by recognizing nature's changes?   A:  Noticing nature can absolutely have a positive effect on us, helping us to relate to what we are grateful for in our lives.  We can be simply grateful for spring by noticing the natural beauty around us.  It goes back to the old saying, "Take time to smell the roses."  

Chances are we are all grateful for many of the same things, such as good health, home, family and friends.  A gratitude list would probably not vary much regardless of our culture, income or religious and political beliefs.

While some of us may have more to be grateful for than others, let's all be grateful for today.

May the light we now kindle inspire us to use our powers to heal and not to harm,
to help and not to hinder, to bless and not to curse--to serve you, Spirit of freedom.                  - Passover Haggadah and UUA Hymnal #453

On Saturday night, March 29, at our historic San Francisco church, I participated in the ordination of a young woman to the UU ministry.  Why was this ordination different from all others? Because I had been her Religious Education teacher when she was six and I was 26!  Now she has a baby!

You might recall her co-leading the invocation September 29, 2012, when UUSS installed me as Associate Minister. 

Every Sunday morning at the Abraham Lincoln Fellowship in Springfield, Illinois, the kids led the church in reciting that Passover invocation in unison as they lighted the Chalice.  Given our early connection in that congregation, Amy Moses-Lagos asked me if I would light the Chalice at her ordination ceremony. 

I said I would-- if I could get the words out through my tears.

Not every child or youth who goes through our Religious Education program at UUSS will grow up to be a minister.  That's okay!  But every one of our kids and youth will be affected by what happens here.

I said YES to teaching UU Sunday School in 1987 not because I thought a kid would grow up to be a minister.  I did it because there was a need and I was asked.

I said YES because I knew there was good support from the congregation, just like the good support we have here from our RE Committee, RE Coordinator Miranda, and both ministers.

I didn't know how volunteering would shape me, and challenge me and enrich my life.  But it did! 

Right now, Amy is the only child from those days whose adult path I know about.  But I can trust that the time we gave to those kids made a difference in their lives as well as in ours. 

We cannot predict the impact of the legacy we leave.  It's an act of trust.  Every act is a gift from us to the future.  Our legacies include our gifts of time, talent and money.

Whatever your age, think about your legacies, including those you make at UUSS.  Consider helping out in Religious Education, the Greeters and Ushers, Stewardship team, Grasshopper grounds keeping, social action or some other ministry here.  Consider making a legacy donation to the Building Fund or making a bequest to the Unitarian Universalist Society in your will.

Consider coming to services with a smile on your face.  Bring a spirit of curiosity for getting to know the many people who come seeking a place to connect and belong.          

However you choose to use your gifts of time, talent and money, you can trust it will touch other lives and promote healing, joy connection and love.

No, not already!  Not ours, anyway.  But the UU Fellowship of North Bay has bought their first building, fixed it up and moved in.  They invite us to help dedicate their building and to the reception afterwards.  The Rev. Dr. Bonnie Dlott, has preached here at UUSS and has trained the Our Whole Lives sexuality teachers for us.  It's on April 13, 4 p.m., at 1625 Salvador, Napa. Let me know if you are going.  But also please reply to them at [email protected] by April 2.

Every year, a minister from the Hungarian Unitarian Church in Transylvania is a guest student at Starr King School for the Ministry in Berkeley.  Last spring we met Adel Nagy.  This year it's Karoly Vass (Karl or Kari for short), a cheerful man from Sepsiszentgy�rgy.  He's here with his wife and two little ones.  If we have hosts for the family, he can visit Sacramento for the whole weekend.  Otherwise, he'll come here early on Sunday.  Learn more about this year's scholar. 

Unitarianism's first institutional form took place in the 1560s in a principality between the Ottoman and the Hungarian empires.  About 60,000 ethnic Hungarian Unitarians still worship in villages and cities; but they are a minority in Romania, which took over Transylvania in 1918. 

Read about Francis David, founder of Unitarianism in Transylvania.  He was the court preacher for King John Sigismund, the only Unitarian king in history.  In 1568 they convinced the legislative Diet to make an Edict of Religious Toleration (the Edict of Torda). See videos with interviews and gorgeous landscape in "History and Modernization of Unitarians in Transylvania." Be sure to meet our guest April 13!

Life's challenges create opportunities for us to learn and grow - and with each opportunity for meaning-making, we become more spiritually mature and have a better sense of our role and our responsibilities - who we are and how we are in the world.  The fabric of our faith becomes denser and wider. We are open to the presence of grace.

Everything happens for a reason - I agree.  We are the reason. We make the reason and we make sense of the reason.  All of us.  Within the intertwined web of our lives-intertwined with other beings, with natural forces of the earth and indeed with the universe -  we are co-creating this world that we know, co-creating our lives.  Developing and living our faith. Where we each close doors and open windows for each other, leading to richer lives and deeper meaning for us all.  May it be so. 

Read the whole sermon, and others, at http://uuss.org/Sermons.

Matthew Barber's 2003 Tony-nominated play Enchanted April opens April 18, for a three-week run-Friday and Saturday evenings, and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.  Buy tickets at the door, at www.theaterone.org  or call (916) 489-4248. Prices are $15 general, $12 seniors, students and SARTA members.

Feeling lost in their marriages, two post WW I London housewives answer an ad promising wisteria and sunshine and rent a small medieval Italian castle.  After recruiting two upper class women to share the cost, the four clash, bond and finally bloom.  The husbands who eventually join them on their sojourn are unsuspectingly brought into the "enchantment" as well.
 
Directed by Lisa Karkoski and Michael Erwin, the play features Sacramento theater veterans Monique McKisson, Elly award-winner Susan Madden, Catherine Rasmussen and Giorgio Selvaggio.  Sacramento newcomer Elizabeth Anne Springett as one of the two adventurous wives and Mallory Monachino as an upper class Brit both make their local debuts.  Theater One regulars Ron Galbreath and David Paul appear as the two less-than-enchanted husbands.  Our own UUSS pal and Elly award-winning set designer Tim Anderson provides both the set and lights. 

There will be no discussion and workshop this month as part of our ongoing series because of the important congregational meeting taking place during our regular workshop time April 6. Lance Ryen and I encourage you to attend the meeting, and we will see you next month. 

Join the final and fun All Ages Games Night of the church year on Friday, April 11, in the Fahs Classroom.     

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for those who want to gather for a potluck dinner, which we will eat at 6 p.m. Game playing begins at 6:30 p.m.  
 
Hosts Megan Snyder, Carrie Cornwell and Ginny Johnson provide cards, chess, checkers, board games, toddler games, kid games and adult games; but if you want to bring your own favorite game, we would love to play it with you.  We play different games each month, although there are always two or three tables of Rummikub.  A few months back, a couple of our regulars taught us to play the card game 500.  Other popular games we've played and enjoyed include Fictionary, Dominoes, Game of Thrones and Scrabble.
 
In the past, we found that May is not a good month for a Games Night, so April will be it for this year.  We've had fun!
 
For more information or to talk about next year, call or e-mail Megan Snyder (333-8203 or [email protected]), Ginny Johnson (649-0575 or [email protected]) or Carrie Cornwell (442-1637 or [email protected]).  All are welcome!

Buddhist Meditation Booster - 3  Wednesday nights:  April 16, 23, 30

With Rev. Roger Jones

I have books to lend on meditation by Pema Chodron, Thich Nhat Hanh, Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, Rev. Doug Kraft, Sharon Salzberg, my Spirit Rock teacher, Arinna Weisman, and others.  But the most important thing is just to start sitting!  No experience required.  Group support makes a difference.  We will encourage one another to take time for sitting in the days between meetings at a schedule that suits you.  Join us for introductory words at 6:10 p.m., silent meditation from 6:15 to 6:45 and a gentle discussion on mindfulness meditation practice until 7 p.m. (so singers can attend choir practice). If this is of interest but the schedule does not work, let me know. A freewill donation to UUSS Adult Enrichment is encouraged for overhead expenses.

Greatest Hits of Scripture ~ A One-Time Discussion

With Rev. Roger Jones

Did you grow up in a Bible-reading tradition and does it still have meaning for you?  Many UUSS members prefer our eclectic, liberal approach to spiritual exploration but still have a soft spot for scripture (or a few favorite passages).  Some see nourishing poetry or gems of wisdom there. Come prepared to read your favorite Bible story, lesson, chapter, Psalm, etc., to the group and explain its importance in the story of your life.  Consider giving us a question that comes out of the reading for you.  If you register, we'll expect you to have a reading! Monday, April 14, 7 to 8:30 p.m.  Freewill donation to UUSS Adult Enrichment for overhead expenses.  Must register in advance at [email protected]   .

Full-Moon Labyrinth Walk - Once a Month

Would you like to come to UUSS one night a month to walk the Labyrinth in the presence of other walkers?  Of course our outdoor Labyrinth is available at all times if you are in the neighborhood, but at night you might prefer some company.  Tuesday, April 15, 7:00 p.m. at the Labyrinth.  (It's the full moon, but you can't see the moon this early or from our Labyrinth!)  Let Roger Jones know and he will connect you with others.  

I write to introduce myself as this year's Chalice Camp Director.  I am a devoted mother of two young UU children and have had a background in UU beginning from a very young age.  I serve on the Religious Education Committee as the Champion to our Nursery.  I work as a volunteer at both of my children's schools.  I have received training in the guidance of young children and am currently continuing my education in child development at CSUS.  I enjoy what I do and find pleasure in watching the minds of children unfold.  I look forward to spending camp week with you.  Please let our RE Coordinator, Miranda Massa, know if you have any questions.  Camp brochure and registration form available at the RE Welcome Table.

Last year I was involved with the UU Youth Conferences as an Adult Advisor.  I've been able to attend a few CONs as well as their one week-long camp in the Mendocino Woods.  From 50 to 100+ youth from the Pacific District attend these events.  It is COMPLETELY youth led, under adult supervision.  Apart from giving my time, I get to sit back, watch and be amazed by all of these young UUs.  They have built an intentional community that attracts such large numbers because it is such a safe and loving environment.

I enjoy their worship and participating in the touch groups - daily small groups to make sure everybody is connecting.  They get into deep conversations, play silly games and share their lives.  Despite a wide range of backgrounds and experiences among the youth, they not only treat each other with compassion, they are also truly friends.  Watching them all hug (the held-long-with-big- smiles type) as they trickle in Friday to spend the weekend with each other is a beautiful sight.  

Let Miranda know if you might be interested as a volunteer. To learn more, see http://pcdyruu.org/  

Summer of Promise is a new program designed to meet the needs of our junior and senior high members during summer.  In Spirit Play, children are introduced to the UU Principles in the form of seven "Rainbow Promises" that shape how we live together in community.  During the course of the summer, we invite our JHYG and SHYG members to revisit these promises now that they are older.  Each week, an adult member of the congregation will explore a Promise with the youth.  This can take many forms.  Some members may want to talk with them about life experiences related to a particular promise.  Others may use art or music as a medium of exploration.  Still others may want to read poetry or short stories.  The potential is unlimited and creativity is welcome.

We are now looking for adult volunteers to make this program happen.  Dates include the Sundays of June 8 through August 17.  We are open to hearing your ideas and would like to encourage your ingenuity and presence with the youth of UUSS. Please see Miranda or me for more details.

Unitarian Universalist Promises

Red = Respect People

Orange = Offer Fair and Kind Treatment to All People

Yellow = Yearn to Accept and Learn About Ourselves, Others and the Mystery

Green = Grow by Exploring What is True and Right in Life

Blue = Believe in our Ideas and Act on Them

Indigo = Insist on a Peaceful, Fair and Free World

Violet = Value our Home, Earth, That We Share with All Living Beings

Saturday, April 5  New Discoveries Church Auction & Dinner with Child Care

Sunday, April 6

9:15-12:45      Child care available - age 0-5

9:30-10:45      Religious Education

10:45-12:30    Kids Freedom Club Meeting

Friday, April 11

6:00-8:00        Game Night in Fahs Classroom - last one

Sunday, April 13

9:15-1:30        Child care- age 0-5

9:30-10:45      Religious Education

11:15-1:45      Our Whole Lives (OWL) Class

Sunday, April 20, Easter

9:15-12:45      Child care - age 0-5

9:30-10:45      Religious Education

10:45-11:00    Easter hunt

Sunday, April 27

9:15-12:45      Child care  - age 0-5

9:30-10:45      Religious Education

10:45-12:45    Coming of Age (COA) meeting 

Some of you have been asking about the goats you have seen on our church campus recently.  They are truly adorable but are here for a more practical purpose. 

They are not here every day but are brought here three days a week and watched (herded) closely.  We have been blessed, finally, by rains and by new green growth of grass on campus.  Unfortunately, our UUSS Grasshoppers  -the teams of grounds keeping volunteers- need some new people to help out in the wake of retirements of longtime volunteers.  (Call Elaine in the Office if you are curious about what the commitment and the tasks involve.)  While waiting to get a larger group of human Grasshoppers, we have bought a small herd of goats to keep the grass and weeds cut back. 

This purchase will NOT affect the funds available for the Building Project! The funds for the purchase of the goats have come out of the fundraising line in the operating budget.  After this Saturday night's Auction Dinner, the goats will be... gone.  You have one more day to buy tickets from the UUSS Office, since April 2 is the deadline and today is April 1.  Thank you.

Remember, the deadline for you to submit Unigram items is the 15^th of the month preceding the month of publication and your event.  The most effective articles will pick out one or two items to highlight.  Any announcements should contain a date, a time, and a contact person, including an e-mail or phone number.