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

Religious Education program at 9:30 a.m.  

Nursery Care at both services

March 2

Deserving Our Future:  Daring Greatly-the 2014 Edition

Rev. Roger Jones and Rev. Lucy Bunch, co-leaders

Everyone deserves to imagine a bright future and summon the courage to pursue it.  Our ministers reflect on the future of our congregation's vision and the boldness and vulnerability involved for anybody in making big plans and pursuing them.  This is a sequel to Roger's 2013 sermon,

Daring Greatly:  The Courage to Be Vulnerable.

Join us Soup Sunday after 11:15 service.

 Religious Education at 9:30:  Story Time (ages 3-5), Spirit Play (grades 1-5), Junior High Youth Group (grades 6-8) and Senior High Youth Group.  Kids' Freedom Club meeting,10:45. All-Congregation Camp planning meeting, 10:45.

Judy Bell and Lance Ryen host a new workshop for Deepening our Conversations and Connections after the 11:15 service.

March 9

Making Justice Together (The UU Justice Ministry of California)

Evan Junker, Executive Director, with Rev. Roger Jones

Liturgical Dance by the Sarah Bush Dance Project

Evan Junker is the new director of what used to be the UU Legislative Ministry, now named the UU Justice Ministry of California.  A former political and community organizer in Texas, he attends Mount Diablo UU Church.  He writes:  We belong to a living faith: a faith that calls us to action, a faith that urges us to salvation in this life.  We long to positively impact our communities, nation and world.  Come to consider how UUs can focus our energies, ground our actions in our faith, and make a real difference in this life!

To celebrate the end of the pledge drive, we have hired the Sarah Bush Dance Project to return with music chosen and liturgical dance choreographed for this very service!

Soup Sunday after the 11:15 service.

 ***

We conclude Stewardship Month today.  Members and friends are making monthly pledges for the next operating budget year.  Consider stepping up in stewardship for a bright year for this thriving and strong religious community!

 Religious Education at 9:30:  Story Time (ages 3-5), Spirit Play (grades 1-5), Junior High Youth Group (grades 6-8) and Senior High Youth Group.

March 16

Big Music Sunday-A Service for All Ages

Rev. Roger Jones, Rev. Lucy Bunch, UUSS Choir and UUSS Musicians of Various Ages

Join us for our first mostly-music Sunday.  We'll sing together, learn a bit about the UUA hymnals, listen to soothing and rousing music from a number of musicians of all ages.

We will also take a moment of music to remember and salute the life of Jeane Davidson, a lovely singer and longtime UUSS choir member who died last fall.  Her daughter Linda Hoganson will be here.

 Special visitors will be UU middle school youth from around the Pacific Central District spending the weekend here on a MUUGs retreat.

NO Religious Education-both of the services are for all ages, but child care happens (with much less music) from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Room 11 Nursery.

March 23

Atheism and Spirituality

Rev. Roger Jones, preaching, with Rev. Lucy Bunch

A billboard campaign by the local Freedom from Religion Foundation tells our neighbors the shocking news that atheists live next door and they don't have horns.  Of course, as a diverse religious community, we knew that.  Some of our very dedicated and generous UUSS members are atheists.  Let's look at spirituality and this misunderstood minority with a UU lens.

Religious Education at 9:30:  Story Time (ages 3-5), Spirit Play (grades 1-5), Junior High Youth Group (grades 6-8) and Senior High Youth Group.

March 30

Eating Our Way to Justice

Rev. Lucy Bunch

Food is a source of nourishment for both the body and the spirit.  However, we know that many of our food systems are oppressive for both people and animals.  How can we ensure that the food we eat nourishes the world?  Today's sermon observes the State holiday honoring the late Cesar Chavez of the American Farm Workers who led struggles against oppression in the food system at the level of the people who harvest our food.

Religious Education at 9:30:  Story Time (ages 3-5), Spirit Play (grades 1-5), Junior High Youth Group (grades 6-8) and Senior High Youth Group.

Thanks to those of you who have already submitted your donation forms for "New Discoveries," the Silent Auction and dinner on April 5.  This year's auction will allow you to bid before dinner, dine together on international food, compete for terrific items in the live auction and try your luck at some scrumptious prizes in our raffle.  While we're preparing your statement so that you can pay before you leave, we'll be privileged to hear some great music by our own Jay Johnson.

Donations are being accepted until March 16.  Dinner tickets will go on sale March 9 at $20 per person (children under 12 free).

In order for this fundraiser to be successful, we need your support!  Here's your chance to join with friends, meet new people, eat well, have fun and contribute to UUSS by submitting and bidding on wonderful items that will support our budget while enriching your lives.

We've already received. . .

• meals with UUSS members
• computer assistance
• outdoor activities
• handyman and yard services
• a vacation home in the Florida Keys 

Please help us by donating a service, item or event or soliciting donations for our raffle from your favorite retailers or restaurants.

Abby Rosenblum is taking donations until March16.  Get a form from the church office or click here to print one from the web.  You can also donate on-line here.  You may need to add your name to the UUSS auction before donating, but directions are included on the UUSS website.

Where should I submit the paper donation form, you ask?

• Drop it off in the church office or the hallway mailbox.
• Scan it and e-mail it to Abby at [email protected].
• Still confused?  Call Abby at 956-0450.

This is a family event.  Child care will be provided and children and youth are encouraged to donate services or items.  Join the fun and support UUSS!

This is for you!  I invite you to join me in making a pledge for the coming budget year at UUSS.  Here's a vision that our shared generosity could achieve.

Let's pay our dedicated staff members by UUA denominational standards.

With a boost in giving to the annual budget, we can maintain our status as a UUA Fair Compensation Congregation with regard to pay and benefits for our wonderful staff.   

Let's extend Rev. Lucy's contract for another year of talented service with us.

She has earned the respect of our staff members, Board, Program Council, and our team for Implementing the Master Plan.  We work well together; I rely on her and collaborate with her in many ways.  She brings excellent preaching and musical gifts, financial and administrative skills, large-church experience as an intern, and a deep spiritual grounding to her ministry. 

Remember the Harry Potter service?  Remember her great ritual for blessing our Labyrinth?  Lucy has more ideas up her sleeve.  Together we envision what UUSS could do in the next budget year, add a midweek evening service, Labyrinth workshops, silent retreats, more Adult Enrichment courses, and work on growth in cultural and ethnic diversity.  Let's see if we can add some hours to her position!

Last year we promoted Miranda Massa to this role, but with no budgeted raise.  She has risen to the role's larger duties of planning and leadership in Religious Education.  The kids, youth and volunteers tell how much it means to have her talents, calm support and reliability.   Let's close the wage gap!

Let's continue to pay our fair share of dues to support our denominational family. 

For about $140 per member, we benefit from oversight of Pacific Central District, youth retreats, UU leadership training, UUA construction loans and consulting to congregations.  Let's keep our UU movement strong and brave around the world.

Let's build on our momentum in programs, activities and worship. 

In the coming year of change and growth at UUSS, let's keep our programs vital.  Our volunteers provide meals, music, parties, arts events, classes, and small-group connections.

Our monthly pledges of monetary support can make it possible.  I will do my part.  I've made a pledge of $300 a month to UUSS, or 4.5 percent of my gross income.  For me, this is an increase of $50 a month.  

Your pledge will be your decision.  Pledges of all sizes are valued and appreciated.

If most of us really show our gratitude for UUSS through giving as generously as we can-each in our own way-we can meet these goals for the coming budget year.  We will take off like a rocket! 

Your giving makes a difference, and I appreciate it.  We all do.

The joy continues,

Roger

P.S.-Stewardship Month ends March 9.  If you have not received materials in the mail, please stop by the Stewardship Table or call the office soon.  If you pledged last year and do not change it, the pledge amount will continue for the next budget.  Your monthly pledge and your support of the operating budget at UUSS make a difference. 

Where's Roger in March? 

I am happy to make an appointment with you!  Office hours are weekday afternoons.  My usual day off is Tuesday, when I often attend a class, and writing day is Friday, so I avoid e-mail on those days.  Elaine Cooper in our Office knows many answers and can reach me in an emergency.  March 4 to 6, I meet with a clergy study group; in our yearly retreat near LA, we present and discuss papers on topics in ministry and UU life.  On March 30, I preach at UU Community Church of Sacramento in exchange for financial consulting for our church bookkeeper and treasurer from a generous lay leader there.  

Imagine that we are back here in this building after a year of construction.  It is bigger, brighter, and beautiful.  And it's insulated!  In the ceiling and the walls, we now conserve energy.   Above my head is a projection screen, for gorgeous photographs to illustrate sermons or ease us into meditation.  A lovely raised wood platform goes from here to here [in front of the stage].  Over here [to my left], our grand piano.  Over there [on the right], on one Sunday a trio of percussion, guitar and bass accompanies our singing with a bounty of jazz, Gospel, and world music.  Another day, a different ensemble inspires us with classical and sacred music.  Our choirs include adults and youth.  They shine as they sing to us, because that is their ministry. 

Back there, to my left...the new main entrance and a spacious Welcome Hall.  Not far outside are a new bicycle rack, special needs parking, and a drop-off driveway so you don't get wet in the rain.  And let's imagine it is raining!  We need rain!  But in any case, now our landscape is filled with native, drought-resistant plants.

Entering through that new Welcome Hall are people of all backgrounds and stages of life.  Long-timers can't wait to see what's new this week, and to meet who is new.   Recent visitors have come back for another Sunday of centering, deepening and connecting.  Through gleaming glass and wood, first-time visitors make unsure steps inside, hoping that the real thing of religious community bears some relation to what they've read on our web site. 

We are families with kids, nature lovers deferring their Sunday hike for a few hours, and young people in their first job in a new town, hoping to connect and belong.  And we are the newly retired, now seeking new ways to serve, seeking ways to put our talents to use by our free choice rather than as a job.  We are empty nesters, and we are elders, looking to reflect on our life story along with others, seeking to make meaning of our journey.  Read or hear more of this and other sermons at this link.

Caesar Chavez Day, Monday, March 31, is a UUSS holiday.  Usually both Chair Yoga and Mat Yoga take place on Monday holidays, but check the Blue Sheet for updates.

You need not read my pitch for the great UU offerings at the Red Lion Hotel Conference Center near UUSS.  Instead go right to this link:  www.pcd-uua.org/events/DA-2014/index.htm. Registration rates and program details are there.

Friday night, April 25, to Sunday worship, April 27-that's when the UUA's Pacific Central District holds our annual gathering of delegates from our 35 congregations. 

This year, folks will come to Sacramento, so we are the hometown hosts.  If you can help as a volunteer by staffing a registration table, delivering AV equipment or newsprint pads to workshop rooms, or selling books to raise money for our UUSS Bookstore, let me know.  If you can host a seminarian or far-away church member overnight or give a ride, let me know. 

But whether you can volunteer or not, please try to attend part of District Assembly.  Friday night's worship is led by Rev. Beth Banks of Davis with music by Rev. Wendy Bartel from Auburn, and area ministers like me having a role. 

WHAT TO EXPECT:  Saturday morning's keynote address is by Josh Searle White, Ph.D., our new District Executive.  Saturday night's banquet entertainment is by the WING IT! Performance Ensemble, which weaves together dance, theater, music, comedy, improvisation, ritual and spirit. 

In between all of this you will find engaging, useful workshops, talks and conversations with new friends.  As a larger congregation, UUSS has eight voting delegate credentials and the PCD business meeting is brief and painless. (Former member Taylor Carey is on the PCD Board, too.)  Let Linda Clear know if you're willing to wear the delegate ribbon!

Here's an invitation to new members and friends, and those who were not able to participate in the 2012 Giving Campaign for expanded and renovated facilities.  

Since the February 23 congregational meeting, people have been coming forth with questions, ideas, and offers of additional commitments and new gifts to the building project.  

We just learned of an additional $1,000 from one member, gifts of $6,000 from two others, and $15,000 from another.  Thank you!  

If you'd like to know more about supporting the building project for UUSS, please come to the Capital Campaign Update Event, Sunday, March 16, at 3:00 PM.  

Learn the results of our "Building the Beloved Community" campaign, find out more about the Master Plan, see the drawings, and learn the options for participating in this bold project.  But if you feel moved NOW to make a new gift, please feel free to contact Treasurer Glory Wicklund, Bookkeeper Michele Ebler, or a minister of your UU Society.  Thanks!

Here are thoughts from member Maxine Cornwell:

               I took a walk around the campus, assessing it from the standpoint of a visitor.  The assessment was not good!  I saw deterioration everywhere, and I wondered how we can see ourselves as caring for our community, if we can't care for our own home.  I also considered how long we have ignored our responsibility to this place.  This is the first time in all the years that I've been asked to help fund capital improvements at UUSS.        Although Bob and I started coming here in 1959, we missed the fund drive to build this campus.  Now it is our current congregation's time.  If we care for this place and its potential to provide a spiritual home for ourselves and yet unknown seekers as well as be a beacon for justice in the community, we should step up and offer our money.  As I said at the first meeting about this estimated shortfall, "One million can be raised if 100 of us commit $10,000 more or if 200 of us commit $5,000 more.

               Two weeks ago I committed another $15,000 to the project, above Bob's and my earlier commitment.  I want to see the project completed before I die, and especially I want to see it in remembrance of Bob.  He always despaired as we bounced over the speed bumps and potholes as we entered the campus grounds!

Working toward the goal of uniting UUs statewide for Justice, the UU Justice Ministry is organized into geographic groups of congregations called Clusters.  UUSS is teamed with UUCC, UUCD, SFUU, and UUCM.  In a move to introduce members to the larger local UU family we are taking turns inviting the others to visit on a Sunday morning.

The UU Church of Davis has invited all to visit  Sunday, March 30, for a "get acquainted" service.  Rev. Beth Banks' sermon will be on FOOD!  She will reference "Behind the Kitchen Door" and Michael Pollen's work.  The second service is from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and we can dine out in groups after the service.

This may be a good opportunity to visit with long-time UUSS members Roger and Ruth Barr who are now UUCD members.  For more information and directions to UUCD, go tohttp://www.uudavis.org/and if you plan to attend, please contact me, Bruce Moulton, at UUSS for a count.

"No one has ever become poor by giving." -Anne Frank

Sundays we recite together our Mission, Values and Covenant.  It concludes, "We pledge our time, talents and support."  Stewardship month is ending and most have shown gratitude by making a financial pledge toward our common goals.

We hope everyone who has the ability to increase their support  has found a reason to do so. For those who haven't, please take the time to consider how much value you place on your promise, and then make the best pledge you can.

Question:  Who at UUSS learned the most about gratitude and why we pledge?

Answer:  It's disputable, but I believe I was the one.  I saw the team work week after week to help others realize what they are grateful for.  The message began to resonate.  The beautiful posters made by Lauren and Chuck and the creative ways used to help build our community of love made me reconsider what I value most.

Words are great, but deeds are best, and our success at UUSS is based on the value we place on this, our chosen family.

"Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others."  -Marcus Tullius Cicero (ancient Roman orator and philosopher)

If you attended the congregational meeting on February 23, you are aware that the cost of the first phase of our master plan has increased.  

We are challenged to find another $1.1 million to realize our dream of expanded and revitalized facilities.  Wow.  For the leadership of the congregation, this news brought a big exhale of shock, followed by a rush of anxiety, then a dose of discouragement.  This is a reasonable and normal response to bad news.  Many of you are likely feeling some of this right now. 

At an earlier planning meeting for next steps, I facilitated a process of individuals in leadership sharing their feelings, their worries and anxieties about this challenge.  And then I watched as one by one, each leader realized that giving up was not an option for the congregation.  There are so many new people, programs and ideas that we need to support, so much spirit to contain, so much forward energy, that we need a bigger and newer home to house it all.  One by one around the table, each person indicated her or his commitment to seeing this through. 

What about you?  Please know that however you are feeling about this new information and the project in general is OK.  We are in this together.  Roger and I and the Board and Implementing the Master Plan team want to hear your feelings and ideas.  If you are feeling anxious or discouraged, you are not alone.  If you are feeling enthusiastic and committed, you have great company as well. 

Through times of challenge, it is essential that communities stay connected and supportive of each other.  At the end of each service on Sunday, we hold hands.  It is a special moment when we embody our connection and our strength.  I encourage you to use this as a metaphor for our journey through this challenge ahead.  Hold hands. 

Remember that we are in this together.  We are a strong and healthy congregation, connected by love and guided by spirit.  Let us hold hands and walk through this challenge into a wonderful future together.  May it be so. 

Where's Lucy In March?

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 March 2, 16, 23 and 30.  

How can you help the Family Promise guests feel welcome when they stay here?  

Please visit our Family Promise table in the foyer and consider these options:  Bring part of a dinner, help host a dinner, bring fruit for snacks, play with the children, even stay over for a night as they retire to the privacy of their sleeping rooms in our Religious Education building.  We want them to be as comfortable as possible during this time when they are transitioning from homelessness.

For nine years, we have hosted these parent-child family groups as they work to get back to a stable life.  We especially thank our Coming of Age youth who are joining our volunteers during March 16 to 23.  During our UUSS building project, our role will shift to helping other congregations in their donation of resources. There are many ways you can help--now or later. 

We invite you to see us at the Family Promise table to learn how you can be part of this nurturing interfaith effort.  Advance set up and last-day cleanup help is encouraged, as well as helping during the week.

The project is on hold while various financing options are considered and presented to the congregation.  Our architect has met with many members and focus groups for specific program areas, and he has incorporated their wishes and desires into the plan.  However, since the cost estimates on that plan are now higher than were expected and budgeted for, priorities must be determined and decisions must be made on a new budget and funding strategy.

This pause gives us all an opportunity to reflect on what changes to UUSS are the most important to us.  Is a larger sanctuary and a more flexible space for social gatherings critical?  How many and how large should the bathrooms be?  Where should the office staff be located, and how much storage do we need?  Answers to questions like these, in addition to the types of interior floor and wall furnishings we choose, have cost implications.  And don't forget the chairs!

One fiscal reality we have to face is that construction and remodeling projects in 2014 must meet strict building code and health and safety requirements.  Our campus was built decades before many of these legal mandates were in place; but from the new landscaping to the energy efficient heating and cooling systems, the changes planned by this project are significant investments.  We are making decisions that will pay huge dividends for future generations.

While the planned move in May to Sierra Arden UCC is temporarily postponed, our expectation is that decisions will be made in the next 60 days on how to proceed with this project.  We have been planning since 2008 and the capital campaign in 2012 was very successful.  UUSS is at a critical moment in its history, so please share your thoughts and ideas on this important issue with members of the Board or The Building Committee. 

We started the 2013-14 year with a $5,000 deficit budget.  At six months, we are in the black $16,000, which is the "good news."  This is because the Custodial staff and Facilities Coordinator have kept expenses low and members and friends have paid pledges on time (Thank you!).  As was noted in the October Congregational Meeting, the budget is very tight; the monthly net figures have been up and down for the six months. Vacancies in the duplexes have cut into income and we look forward to settling the sale soon. 

Building use (room rentals) is our biggest problem.  We used to have steady rentals of about $60,000 a year.  This year we anticipated about $40,000 in revenue, but at the half-year point we are at $10,000.  There is increasing competition for rentals and our buildings are "too shabby" to potential renters.  We have no air conditioning in our main building and our main kitchen isn't up to code to rent out.  The Board of Trustees has approved a policy that the staff may negotiate room rental rates, which includes renting to congregational members and friends. Book a room for your birthday party, anniversary or family reunion, and spread the word that we are an accommodating, friendly place to rent with plenty of parking!

Sunday, March 2

9:15-12:45      Child care available - age 5 and under

9:30-10:45      Religious Education

10:45-12:30    Kids Freedom Club Meeting

Friday, March 7

6-8                  All Ages Game Night, Fahs Room

Sunday, March 9

9:15-1:30        Child care available - age 5 and under

9:30-10:45      Religious Education

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

Friday, March 14 - Sunday, March 16

 Middle School MUUGs Retreat at UUSS

Sunday, March 16

9:15-12:45      Child care available - age 5 and under

9:30 & 11:00   All Ages Big Music Services

Sunday, March 23

9:15-12:45      Child care available - age 5 and under

9:30-10:45      Religious Education

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

Sunday, March 30

9:15-12:45      Child care available - age 5 and under

9:30-10:45      Religious Education

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

On January 26, UUSS members voted in our now settled Senior Minister, Roger Jones.  As a staff member of this congregation, seeing Roger smile on that morning made my heart smile in return.  

Over the years, Roger and I have worked closely together serving children and youth in Religious Education.  I have learned a lot from his continuous wisdom, his creative ideas and generous support.  It is Stewardship Month and I am reminded how your pledges of financial support sustain all of the wonderful things we offer here. On January 26, as I walked alongside Rev. Roger into the sanctuary full of loud applause, vibrant cheering and music, I felt proud--proud to work here and honored to know all of you.  I am more than appreciative of the way you keep it all going by funding our operating budget for 2014-15. 

Thank you,

Miranda

Each week an adult member of the congregation will choose a promise to explore with the students.  This exploration can take a variety of forms.  Some members may simply want to talk with the students about life experiences related to a particular promise.  Others may choose to 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 for more details.

Unitarian Universalist Rainbow 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

The UU Our Whole Lives (OWL) volunteers were invited to represent the OWL program at SEX+CITY: Sex-Positive Week at Sacramento City College. This event promoted healthy concepts about topics related to human sexuality through a stigma-free educational environment.  Topics included behavior, sex education, consent, relationships, gender issues, body image, safe sex, pornography, the sex-positive social movement, socio-religious influences and control and stereotypes in mainstream media.  Through displays, visual presentations, panel discussions and guest speakers, this event endeavored to educate and illuminate the City College and Los Rios community, other area college and university students and the general public.

*Picture includes Rev. Dr. Bonnie Dlott, Minister at the UU Fellowship of North Bay in Napa, and Derby Davidson, Director of Religious Education, UU Fellowship of Redwood City, with Don Button, Sex + City event coordinator.

• UUSS is hosting the middle school MUGGs event March 14 to 16.  Welcome to all the middle school youth!  Sunday, March 16 is an All Music Service.
• Religious Education will have our yearly Easter canned food hunt on April 20.  Start gathering your canned food donations and bring them by the RE Table on your way into church.
• New Chalice Camp page can be found within the RE section of our website.  Camp brochures are now available!  This is our third year holding Chalice Camp!
• Religious Education would benefit from your gently used plastic storage totes with lids.  If you have one or two that you are willing to part with, please let me know!
• RE calendar details and other information are at http://uuss.org/Groups/RE/index.php.

The Nominating Committee is pleased to report a positive response to our recruitment efforts.  The following people said, "Yes!"  Please be sure to thank them for their willingness to serve our Society during this period of change at UUSS:

Board of Trustees

               Vice President - Linda Klein

               Treasurer - Denis Edgren

               Member-at-Large - Carol Jacobs

               Member-at-Large - Shirley Hines

Program Council

               Member - Deirdre Downs

               Member - Lisa Derthick

Nominating Committee

               Chairman - David Paul

               Member - Joyce Bray

               Member - Kathleen Olson

               Member - John Abbott

               Member - Jeff Voeller

               Member - Taylor Lewis

               Member - Cassie Wilkins

Endowment Trust Committee

               Trustee - Chuck Todd

Communications Facilitation

Chairperson - Colene Schlaepfer

A reception on April 27 will honor these and other UUSS volunteers.  Watch for more details in next month's Unigram.  Photographs and short biographical sketches of all candidates will be published in the May issue of the Unigram.  The 2014-15 UUSS elections will be held at the spring Congregational Meeting in late May.

Faithful Friends~Amigos Fieles invites YOU to support a person in immigration detention in the Homeland Security ICE Unit at the Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center (RCCC) by sending cards, letters or e-mails.  This simple gesture makes an amazing difference in the lives of the men in this facility, most of whom have very few visitors.  More than 200 detainees are being held in this facility south of Elk Grove.

Please contact members JoAnn Anglin or Mary Helen Doherty to receive a person's name and contact information and help end the isolation of immigrants in detention in the Sacramento area.

We also need additional folks who are able to go with us to visit at RCCC, and we would love to have you join us!

Our current web site has worked well: newcomers are able to find us, and a survey shows that members use it to read the Unigram and sermons, check the calendar and book meeting rooms.  As time passed, the Web Site Committee observed a need to improve the usability of the web site on smart phones and other portable devices and to ensure that it is compatible with the major web browsers and operating systems.  We looked for a new system that will do these things and also make sure that the upgraded web site can be maintained easily by volunteers with minimal training.

The Committee researched vendors and systems with the support of the ministers and computer-savvy congregation members.  Vendor responses confirmed our expectation that the work would be best and most economically done in-house.  The committee unanimously agreed that Dirk Tuell, the current UUSS computer consultant, has the resources and expertise to choose the software and do the work in a timely manner.  His proposal was to use a WordPress platform, and we could see that other UU congregations are using it successfully.

We are happy and grateful to announce that the Endowment Trustees have approved our request for funding for this project, and we expect to "go live" for testing by the end of June.

Spring Equinox celebration is Sunday, March 16, in the Main Hall at 5 p.m. with the portable labyrinth, followed by a 6 p.m. potluck, and 7 p.m. ceremony and talk by Evan Thomas,an artist specializing in iPad art, on "The Nexus between Rejuvenation and Art, Is There Any?"

Mr. Thomas says:  Medicine and religion can and often do claim rejuvenation as their purpose, but can art?  The Romantic says "yes," while the Nihilist says "impossible."  Using the British Invasion and the Ramones as apparent cases of rejuvenation, as well as the paintings of Picasso, Pollock and Basquiate, we will explore what relationship art's creators and its public have to destruction and rejuvenation.

Please bring your opinions, your open mind, and even some art.  No background is required.  Everyone is welcome; this event is free, but donations are always gratefully accepted to help defray UUSS operating expenses.  Organizer:  Laurie Jones (916) 342-3226 ([email protected]).

For the potluck, please label ingredients, maybe bring some recipes.  Please come socialize and partake!

Join the fun on the evening of Friday, March 7, when UUSS holds its monthly All-ages Games Night in the Fahs Room. 

Hosts Ginny Johnson, Megan Snyder and Carrie Cornwell will play most any game, so come play an old favorite or teach us something new.  In February, we had about 25 players gathered for rousing games of chess, checkers, Sorry, Rummikub, as well as several different card games.  Players ranged in age from nine months to nearly 90 years, proving you're never too old...nor too young to join the fun.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; potluck dinner at 6 o'clock.  Just bring a dish of any kind to share.  It can be something you made, your mother made or you bought on the way over to UUSS.  Game playing begins at 6:30.

For information or if you would be interested in helping to host Games Night, e-mail Megan Snyder (or phone 916-333-8203), Ginny Johnson (phone 649-0575), or Carrie Cornwell (phone 442-1637. All are welcome!

You are invited to come to the UUSS Alliance meeting on Thursday, March 13, at 10:45 a.m. in the Fahs Room.  Refreshments will be served and at 11 a.m. we will welcome a speaker (to be announced in the Blue Sheet).  Bring a bag lunch and stay to socialize after the talk.  Guests are welcome.  YOU are wecome! Suggested donation: $3.00. 

Our next art exhibit will be a retrospective art show by Julius "Pete" Holmquist.  The reception will be held at UUSS on Friday, March 21, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Pete began with sketching but moved to painting with oil, acrylic and other materials in the 80s.  He learned different methods from several professors at CSU Sacramento.  However, Pete credits Oliver Jackson for being his biggest influence.  This professor was a mentor, giving both instruction and encouragement.  Pete says, "He taught me to 'Think Big; Paint Big.'  He helped me explore-to try my own approaches.  He gave me confidence in myself."  Don't miss this show by longtime friend of UUSS.

The history of Unitarian Universalism is presented in the DVD series The Long Strange Trip.  The series covers the period from early Christian times to the present and features visits to various countries. The six hour-long DVDs will be shown on Wednesdays from February 26 through April 9 (except March 19) from 6:30 to 8 p.m., with discussion after each film.  Suggested donation (not required) is $15 to $25 for the series.  Sign up at Connection Central; or for more information, contact Kathy Styc at <[email protected]> or (916) 484-0881.

"Setting Boundaries" is the title of the next workshop in the series "Deepening our Conversations and Connections."  We all have to set boundaries in our lives: find a balance between our own needs and our desire to connect with others.  Our retired minister Doug Kraft asked this question in one of his sermons:  "The heart is potentially infinite.  Our love needs no boundaries.  But our time, money resources and emotional energy are limited.  When you are dealing with family, work, the church, the political scene, how do you stay heartful and within reasonable bounds?"*  In an interactive workshop onSunday, March 2, at 12:45 p.m.in Room7/8, wewill explore this topic and see what our inner wisdom tells us.  Led by Lance Ryen and Judy Bell.  Come join us.  *"In the Buddha's Footsteps: Sujata," January 15, 2006.

Theater One seeks a publicity director (ASAP), stagehands, a lighting technician and set construction workers with tools (any Saturday March 1 to April 12) for the spring production of Enchanted April, a story set in the 1920s.  The show runs three weekends, April 18 - May 4.  

Actors are hard at work rehearsing, but they need this help to ensure a successful UUSS fundraiser and big audiences. Contact Lisa Karkoski.

Bring your tools this Saturday morning to help our set and lighting designer Tim Anderson with set construction-his most challenging to date for Theater One!

Join UUs and others from the interfaith community Saturday, March 8, from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. for the first in a multi-faith exploration of our spiritual and moral responses to climate change.

Rich Howard from UUSS and Sacramento Insight Meditation will moderate.  Christine Baily from UUSS is the contact person for Citizens Climate Lobby; click her name to send questions. 

SPEAKERS FROM:  Jewish Community Relations Council, Council of Sacramento Valley Islamic Organizations, (Buddhist) Insight Meditation, environmental science blogger Dana Nuccitelli for The Guardian UK and SkepticalScience.com, Citizens Climate Lobby, and Rev. Jean Shaw, a Presbyterian from Rancho Cordova who ministered to the poorest of the poor in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.

LOCATION:  Hagan Community Center, 2197 Chase Drive, Rancho Cordova.  Chase Dr. is west of Sunrise Blvd. and north off Coloma Road.  Feel free to park at UUSS and carpool.  This afternoon event will not interfere with that morning's American River Parkway Stewards cleanup at Howe and Northrop!

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.