| The Unigram Newsletter for December 2017 Unitarian Universalist Society of Sacramento |
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2425 Sierra Boulevard
Sacramento, CA 95825
Office (916) 483-9283
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December 3 - This is Marathon Day- allow extra time to avoid Fair Oaks Blvd.
The Mystic's Resistance: Our Anti-Racist Apostle of Truth and Simplicity
Rev. Dr. Roger D. Jones preaching, with Rev. Lucy Bunch, Worship Associate Larry Boles
Music Director Keith Atwater; special music by Ross Hammond, guitar
Happy Birthday, Henry David Thoreau! Our original American UU Pagan recently turned 200. Today, we come together to consider the relevance in our own day of the life, words and wisdom of this American apostle of simplicity and frugality, who at the same time was also an advocate of resistance to the abuses of civil government.
First Sunday Labyrinth Walk in the meadow at 9:45 a.m.
Soup Sunday Lunch after Service
December 10
From Hubris to Humility -- Musings on Ego
Rev. Lucy Bunch preaching, with Rev. Dr. Roger D. Jones, Worship Associate Ginny Johnson
In answer to the question, "What one nugget of advice would you give to EVERYONE to be more happy and to find their own inner solutions to problems," columnist Carolyn Hax advises,
"to be honest with yourself about who you are, the good and bad in balance." This Sunday we reflect on varieties of ego, from hubris to humility.
Sunday Spiritual Practice at 9:45 a.m.: QiGong and Tai Chi Chuan in the Fahs Room
Soup Sunday after the service
December 17
Compassion and Judgment
Rev. Dr. Roger D. Jones preaching, with Rev. Lucy Bunch, Worship Associate Jim Eastman
Judging yourself hurts, yet it's much easier than cultivating compassion, and judging others is so much more fun! This is part of a sermon series based on Karen Armstrong's book
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Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life. It's the middle of Hanukkah, the third Sunday of Advent
, and the Sunday before Winter Solstice. Our church is the place to be in such a gracious time of year!
Exploring UUism -- Fahs Room at 9:30 a.m.; Silent Meditation -- Classroom 6 at 9:45 a.m.
December 24, 10:30 a.m.
Deck the Halls--A Yule Celebration
A Service for All Ages with Tree Trimming and Ornament Making
Rev. Dr. Roger D. Jones and Rev. Lucy Bunch
Worship Associates: Celia Buckley, Ginny Johnson and Laura Sheperd
Music Director Keith Atwater, the UUSS Choir and multitudes of musicians
Celebration of December Birthdays
We come together in community to celebrate Yule. Carols, stories, and annual favorites. Don't miss the music and fun of this special big service. Bring a favorite ornament or use one of ours to trim the trees during the service.
December 24, 7:00 p.m.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, Rev. Lucy Bunch, Music Director Keith Atwater, UUSS Choir with piano, trumpet and organ, Worship Associates Laura Sheperd and Celia Buckley
Join us on the night of Christmas Eve and welcome our many guests to this special service with traditional carols, prayer and a needed moment of stillness, hearing the Bible stories of magi, shepherds, Jesus, Mary and Joseph. We end by singing "Silent Night" by candle light. Our special offering will go in its entirety to support River City Food Bank, the oldest continuously-serving food bank in this region.
December 31
From Darkness to Light
Rev. Lucy Bunch, preaching with Rev. Dr. Roger D. Jones, Worship Associate Jess Reynolds, Music Director Keith Atwater
In late December we will be just past the longest night of the year, with the earth turning toward light again. This Sunday we reflect on the power of darkness and light, through story, song, poetry, and reflection. Join us as we settle into a time of preparation for the new year.
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New Year's Brunch and Labyrinth Walk -- Monday, January 1 9:00 AM
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This will be our third year of celebrating the New Year with a
Labyrinth walk and pot luck breakfast.
Rev. Lucy will guide us in starting off the new year with a spiritual tune-up that only the Labyrinth can provide. We will celebrate the New Year by sharing breakfast together in the Welcome Hall.
Meet in the Welcome Hall. Bring your favorite breakfast food to share. All are welcome. Bring a friend.
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Shared Offering Recipients in October
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UUSS members vote every year to choose 12 community partners that embody our values and reflect our mission to be a force for healing in the world.
Also, we dedicated a special offering to disaster relief on October 29.
In October, the contributions totaled:
- $2,216.21 for Wind Youth Services,
- $1,784.68 for the Hurricane Maria Community Recovery Fund, and
- $1,784.67 for the UUA Disaster Relief Fund.
Thank you for your generosity. It makes a difference!
At the end of this newsletter, we list all the Community Partner organizations who will receive our Sunday donations in 2018.
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Senior Minister's Message
Building on our Values for Future Generations
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We invite supporters of this congregation to consider adding UUSS to your will, trust, or other estate plan. This could include listing UUSS as a beneficiary on your life insurance policy, IRA, 401(k), pension or other assets in retirement savings. Over 20 of us have completed a Legacy Intention form to let the UUSS Office know that we have done so. Thank you!
Remembering UU organizations is a way to pass on your UU values to future generations. Our values, commitments, and communities can live on even after we are gone. I am proud to have joined this legacy circle, and I'll tell you why.
Right-wing churches have millions of donors leaving them billions of dollars. National charities gifted in fundraising and marketing have a very broad base of donors. These are the groups that flood your mail and e-mail with urgent appeals. Often, they claim great urgency. Yet many of the big ones have endowments that could fund operations for five or ten years
, even if they never got another donation. UUSS is worth sustaining for the long term. Our gifts now and in the future will make that happen.
As a congregation, we would not be in the strong place we are today if not for thoughtful planned giving by supporters of UUSS who died many years ago. Now it is our turn to pay it forward.
What about family? Well, my nephews are grown and established. I'm sure they will have enough, but I'll include them in my plans to show my pride in them. However, my brother's house is paid for. He and his wife have an IRA, pension, savings and Social Security. Also, he's a monthly donor to the NRA, which promotes every shooter's right to keep and bear assault weapons. I do have a few friends--my chosen family--for whom a gift on my death could be a source of help, but not so much to keep them from missing me.
To make a big impact, I want to support institutions that carry my values forward long after I am gone. I want to sustain this vital UUSS congregation, support our brave denomination (the UUA), and my two seminaries. Relatively speaking, all of them are tiny, yet also mighty. They have a relatively small base of supporters. Every beneficiary designation or bequest will be a big boost for them.
To support both UUSS and other UU organizations, visit the UUA's
Wake Now Our Vision collaborative campaign.
Thank you for your consideration and thank you for being here.
Yours in faith,
Rev. Dr. Roger D. Jones
PS-Speaking of the Future! Don't miss out on a Listening Circle in January to talk about some emergent themes from our Long-Range Planning process. More at
www.uuss.org/future/
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Where's Rev. Roger in December?
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Office hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons. December is a good time to reach out, so let's make an appointment! It's hard to have good connections with so many folks on Sundays, so please drop me a line or give me a call. Don't miss the December 20 Open House with Lucy and me.
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Assistant Minister's Message
Our Interfaith Connections
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In late October, I traveled to Indianapolis to attend a clergy summit of the national interfaith organization PICO (People Improving Communities through Organizing). I was invited to attend by Sacramento Area Congregations Together (
SAC-ACT), the local PICO group that our congregation affiliated with last year. I was one of seven clergy from the Sacramento area who journeyed together to be part of this event. It was a powerful experience, and I want to share a few highlights with you.
My take-aways:
- It was incredibly empowering to be with 300 clergy of all faiths, including 15 UU ministers from all over the country. The gathering restored my faith in what is possible in our world, if people of faith come together.
- Rabbi Sharon Brogus is a voice for our times. I was electrified by her keynote address on the first evening. I urge you to view her Ted talk "It's Time to Reclaim Religion." She inspired me to keep my faith on the forefront of my commitment to justice.
- When people of many faiths come together we can instigate real change in our communities. I took part in an event where the chief of police of Indianapolis made a specific and actionable commitment to a coalition to minimize violence in the community. At this event, people of all ages, faiths and races committed to work on this innovative program.
At UUSS we are a part of an active, committed interfaith community in Sacramento. We have representatives on two of the SAC-ACT local organizing committees (LOC) for Homelessness and Immigration. And I am proud to say that UUSS midwifed the establishment of a LOC on environmental justice. UUs are making ourselves known in the interfaith community, and contributing to the important work that calls us to make a difference.
Want to know more? Excited by interfaith possibilities? Don't hesitate to
contact me and find out how you can get involved.
In faith,
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Where's Lucy in December?
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I always welcome your calls, visits, questions and concerns (and compliments!)
My regular office hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons. Please call or e-mail if you would like to visit, so I can be sure to be available.
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| In Loving Memory |
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We extend our condolences to our congregants Doug, Sybil
, and Annika Lawson on the passing of Clara Lawson last month. She was Doug's mother and the birth mother of our congregant Robin Riddell, who is grateful for her reconnection with Clara and family just three years ago. We also extend our condolences to Rosemary Madden Benns on the passing of her father, William Madden, last month.
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Parents of Youth ~ Coffee and Conversation with Rev. Roger
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Sunday, December 10, in the Fahs Classroom
- Rev. Roger arrives with coffee 9:30 a.m.
- Parents' Discussion 9:50-10:25 a.m. with snacks by Petra.
- Youth invited to Tai Chi/Qi Gong practice 9:45 a.m. till church or the OWL class starts.
UUSS parents or guardians of youth (or veterans of that experience) are invited to meet one another. We'll talk about the spiritual experience of raising children in their junior and senior high years. Bring your questions, concerns, challenges and triumphs! Maybe bring a website or book to recommend or a poem or prayer that keeps you grounded.
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Ministers' Holiday Open House ~ Wednesday, December 20, 3:30-6:30 PM
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Join us in the Welcome Hall for coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and simple treats. Members, visitors, families and friends are invited to drop in to this open house. You are welcome to bring something to share, but please don't go to any trouble--just come if you can. This is a chance to visit with Rev. Roger and Rev. Lucy and the staff, get to know folks you may not have met on a Sunday morning, have a snack and a sip--and of course admire a roaring log fire displayed on the flat screen TV
. (I think Bill McCartney would be pleased his memorial donation was being used to keep our spirits warm.) Let Roger know if you have questions!
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The Music Director's Message
Meet Our Choir!
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Up in front, twice a month, UUSS members, friends, staff, and visitors see (and hear!) our dedicated, talented, hard-working choir, sharing the ministry of music in songs in several styles.
I want to thank them and honor their service-and help you get to know them better. Here are their names and a picture. I'll also post this in the Main Hall.
When you see them, call them by name and say "Hi!" and "Thank you!" You can also join them anytime! We rehearse Wednesdays from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Fahs Classroom from late August through late May.
Keith Atwater, Music Director
Front row
, left to right: Pat Davis, Alex Killian, Connie Buckley, Peter Killian, Eli Howard, Sara Gandara, Julia Merris-Miche, Leslie Billings, Linda Killick, Sally Wilkins, Linda Carr
Second row
, left to right: Christopher Jensen, Byron Tucker, Sue Sander, Cathy Whitney, Barbara Dace, Cynthia Shallit, Barbara Stanton, Deirdre Downs, Mary Howard
Third row
, left to right: David Rice, Paul Moore, Tom Wheeler, Mark Sabin, Gordon Gerwig, David Paul, Lisa Dunnebacke, Meg Burnett
Not pictured
: Ann Haas, Carol Goodin, Barbara Hopkins, Michelle Dunnaway, Jess Reynolds, Allison Claire, Pat Skeels, Susan Carlsen, Tom Hiltunen, Geena Fonbuena, Kathleen Mead
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Jazz Art: Recital by John Ch'maj -- December 29
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John Ch'maj, Unitarian Universalist jazz musician and son of the late Dr. Betty Ch'maj, long-time UUSS member, is coming home to Sacramento from Seattle to perform a jazz improvisation concert linked to great works of American art. This concert & talk commemorates the 20th anniversary of Betty's passing and celebrates her work as an American Studies scholar & teacher. She was Keith Atwater's mentor at Sac State.
J
ohn will perform at UUSS on Friday, December 29, at 2:00 p.m. Suggested donation $10. All are invited to meet the artist and enjoy refreshments immediately following the show.
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Board members were delighted with our Congregational Retreat on October 28! Over 110 of us gathered to share good food, fellowship, and inspirational ideas about the future of UUSS. See the "Force for the Future" article below for a detailed summary. The next step will be small-group Listening Sessions in January. Facilitators will engage us in reviewing the preliminary goals set out in the retreat and in imagining objectives that might link to each of those goals.
At our October Board meeting, we were also delighted to name our Stewardship Committee co-chairs for this year -- Janet Lopes and Susan Lange. We are so lucky that we continue to have wonderful leaders for this crucial committee.
Because some congregation members asked for clarification about the Board's decision in May regarding use of Hewlett-Packard equipment and supplies, the Board discussed and approved a
Summary of 2017 Board Actions re HP Boycott. That summary is below.
The Membership Committee forwarded a Dog Policy, which we discussed and approved. You will find that policy in the October Board minutes on the UUSS website. Look under "Members" and scroll down to "Board of Trustees."
Margaret Wilcox, Board President
Summary of 2017 Board Actions re HP boycott
Some congregants have requested an explanation of the UUSS Board's decisions regarding use of Hewlett-Packard products and supplies. At the January 2017 Board of Trustees meeting, guests Cathy Hackett and Patricia Daugherty of UUJME (UUs for Justice for the Middle East) requested a boycott of Hewlett-Packard (HP) products to protest HP's involvement and complicity in human rights offenses, particularly in regard to the sale of biometric technology to aid Israel's military occupation of Palestinian territories and discriminatory separation of Palestinians from their jobs, farmland, health care, and families within Palestine. HP also contracts with Israeli settlements in Palestine, which are illegal under international law.
UUJME did not ask us to discard HP products in use, but asked that we not purchase new HP products or supplies. UUJME had a written pledge that they asked the Board to approve for the Congregation. The Board wanted to ensure that the Congregation had a chance to be educated and to express opinions before taking permanent action. Board members passed a motion that UUSS declare a 3-month moratorium on purchase of HP products, during which time UUJME would provide tabling and opportunities for dialogue with members of the Congregation.
During the following three months, UUJME tabled six times after church to inform congregants, and 85 members signed a commitment not to use HP products personally. An open Forum on an "HP-Free Church" was held to continue the conversation with members. Since the original meeting with the Board, UUJME pointed out HP's complicity in the US government's accelerated and massive deportation of undocumented immigrants. HP also provides for the biometric tracking of persons held in US prisons; mass incarceration in the United States has been documented as the result of an unjust and discriminatory justice system (see Michelle Alexander's book
The New Jim Crow
).
At the May 2017 Board meeting there was follow-up discussion, with Cathy Hackett, Kim Stoddard
, and Patricia Daugherty present. The Board approved a motion "to make permanent the boycott of HP products at UUSS." This was an administrative decision, limited in scope, that UUSS funds would not be used to purchase HP products for use by church staff. The Board did not see this as making a congregational pledge, and hence did not see a need to bring this before the Congregation for a vote. In the same vein, the Board took this action only with regard to HP because of the case made by UUJME and the efforts the group made to inform congregants about HP's actions. It was not the Board's intent to align the congregation with the Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, and this continues to be the case.
As the Board's charge is the making of policy and oversight of UUSS facilities, personnel, finances
, and long-range planning, it is not the Board's aim to attempt to engage with the many complexities of Israel/Palestine. At the same time, the Trustees share the hope for peace, dignity, and safety for both Israel and Palestine. We thank all UUSS committees and groups working for justice and healing in the world.
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Planning for the Future of UUSS
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Force for the Future
Retreat Summary and Strategic Planning Listening Sessions
Wasn't our October Congregational Retreat amazing? Thanks to our UUA consultants, Tandi Rogers and Sarah Schurr, and 110+ participants from our congregation, we identified a set of potential UUSS priorities for the next five years. The challenge now is to discern which of these to focus on.
Our consultants shared a five-pronged test for us to use as we ponder these goals: (1) Is it mission-centric; (2) Do the congregational leaders who would be accountable and responsible for it have the capacity? (3) Do the people who would be served by it have the capacity to participate and reach the desired outcome? (4) Does it make an impact relative to or beyond the input? (5) Is there a willingness to go there?
Our next step in strategic planning is to engage members and friends in discussion of these priorities in small-group Listening Sessions. These are scheduled during January at various times of the day and evening as well as at varied locations. The trained facilitators are congregation members who have kindly agreed to lead the sessions.
There will be sessions specifically for youth and specifically for young adults, in addition to sessions at UUSS and in Folsom. We also plan to have a session specifically for young families. Register for one of these as soon as possible to ensure that you get into your preferred session. Sign up online at
http://uuss.org/future or at the Force for the Future table after the services. Let your voice be heard!
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Seeking Volunteers to Plan and Moderate a New UUSS Facebook Page
UUSS has an active Facebook page, designed for outreach to the greater community.
Many of you "like" and "share" our postings, which helps spread the word about our congregation.
But the current page is not open for general posting. We are exploring the idea of a closed Facebook group only for members and friends of the congregation. This page would allow members and friends to post events and activities. It would also serve as a virtual bulletin board for announcements about items for sale, housing opportunities, etc.
To get us started
, two things are needed: a policy that governs the types of things that can be posted, and at least two moderators to ensure that the postings are appropriate given the guidelines. We have one volunteer to moderate; are you the other one? Willing to take a turn as a moderator? Contact
Rev. Lucy.
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Nominating Committee Seeks Candidates
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By Eric Ross
Each year the UU Society elects a nominating committee whose duty it is to find qualified
candidates for all vacancies among the elected offices of the church. This year, we are
charged with nominating officers for 16 positions for terms that will begin July 1, 2018.
The offices are:
- Vice President
- Treasurer
- Three Members-at-Large for the Board of Trustees
- Three Members for the Program Council
- Six Members and One Chair for the 2017 Nominating Committee
- One Endowment Trust Trustee
- Communications Facilitator
If you might like to be considered to serve in one of these leadership roles, please contact
one or more members of the current Nominating Committee, or e-mail
nominating@uuss.org.
You may also suggest other members you would recommend for a leadership role. The committee,
as well as the ministers, are happy to talk to you about your curiosity and interest in serving in
the near future or down the road. Volunteer leadership is at the heart of our vitality at UUSS.
Nominating Committee Members
Eric Ross
David Libby
Lauren Davis-Todd
John Abbott
Kathy Styc
Sarah Turner
Glory Wicklund
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Social Justice Movie Night--1st Thursday every month
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Thursday, December 7, 6:30 p.m.
Defying the Nazis: The Sharps' War
Host: UUSS Refugee Support Program
Directed by Ken Burns and Artemis Joukowsky, "Defying the Nazis: The Sharps War" is an account of a daring rescue mission that occurred on the precipice of World War II. It tells the story of Waitstill and Martha Sharp, a Unitarian minister and his wife from Wellesley, Massachusetts, who left their children behind in the care of their parish and boldly committed to multiple life-threatening missions in Europe. Over two dangerous years they helped to save hundreds of imperiled political dissidents and Jewish refugees fleeing the Nazi occupation across Europe.
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Adopt a Refugee Family This Holiday Season!
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Three refugee families, newcomers to Sacramento, look forward to receiving your holiday wishes this season! In conjunction with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) Sacramento, your UUSS Refugee Support Program is sponsoring an Adopt-a-Family project.
Three families will be cheered and aided by your good wishes and donations.
Family One will be grateful for cash donations toward the purchase of a refurbished computer system for the whole family's use, as well as a car seat for their three-year-old.
Unwrapped gift donations of clothing (girl's size medium for an eleven-year-old, girl's size small for a five-year old and 4T for the three-year old son) would be appreciated, as would your donation of toys for these children. (Please provide purchase receipts, per IRC requirements.)
Family Two will be grateful for cash donations toward the purchase of a refurbished computer system for the whole family's use, as well as a car seat for their six-month-old. Their children (a daughter, age 7, size medium; a daughter, age 6 months, size 8 months' size; and a son, age 11, size small) would appreciate
unwrapped gifts of clothing and toys. (Please provide purchase receipts, per IRC requirements.)
Family Three looks forward to cash donations to buy a hearing aid for the husband and a car seat for their baby boy due in January. Their five-year-old daughter would love to have clothing (size small) and toys. She is especially interested in art supplies!
Of course, gift cards for Target or WalMart would be thankfully received.
Look for a table on the veranda at the front entrance of UUSS on December 3 and December 10. The UUSS Refugee Support Leadership Team "elves" will be happy to collect your gifts to pass along to these wonderful refugee newcomer families.
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UUSS Interfaith Earth Justice (IEJ) Committee
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The Sacramento ACT Environmental Justice Committee is not meeting in December, and its next regular meeting is
Tuesday,
January 16, 7-8:30
p.m., at UUSS
. We invite you to add your
power and voice to this work. As in the words of the poem "
The Power of
One":
One grain of sand can turn the tide
One single spark can light the night
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The smallest step can bring on a change
Oh, that's the Power of one.
Added "Soup Sunday" on January 28
: Our IEJ Committee is sponsoring a Soup Sunday fundraiser to benefit the American River Parkway Foundation's (ARPF) program, Recreate for Health, which "provides outdoor experiences and other skills-building opportunities to at-risk youth." Support for this program grew after attendees at a UUSS-IEJ meeting heard featured guest speaker Chris Aguirre from ARPF. Help support this program by enjoying fellowship and hearty soup on a (hopefully) rainy winter's day!
This photo includes Gabby Trejo (Executive Director of Sacramento ACT), Brandon Rose (President of ECOS and SMUD Board Directors), with members of UUSS and a representative from Congregation B'Nai Israel at one of the research meetings mentioned in the article.
The Power of One becomes the Power of Many
We formed the UUSS Interfaith Earth Justice committee at the request of Rev. Lucy. Her vision: for UUSS to work with Sacramento Area Congregations Together (ACT) to add an environmental justice program to Sacramento ACT. Today, the
Sacramento ACT
Environmental Justice Committee is a growing network of individuals, churches, and environmental organizations committed to environmental justice who gather monthly to develop priorities and plans for climate change action and healing our local communities. The committee meets with other environmental organizations, including 350 Sacramento, ECOS, and the Sacramento Climate Coalition
.
To learn more about the work of the UUSS IEJ committee, sign up for regular updates by contacting us at
interfaithearth@uuss.org.
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The Earth Justice Ministry will meet Monday, December 4, at 4:30 - 5:45 p.m. As the date nears, see the Blue Sheet Announcements for room location
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We will plan future events and select the movie for our Social Justice Movie Night. We'll also plan for a special speaker and the movie
Human Flow if we can get it.
We'll finalize our carbon footprint game, and plan a good book to read together.
Hope you can make it!
Questions: (916) 642-6067 (text or telephone) or e-mail earthjustice@uuss.org
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Second Tuesday TED Talk
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December 12, 7-8:30 p.m., UUSS Welcome Hall
Making Religion More Compassionate: Top 10 Questions from the TED Community
Two talks by scholar Karen Armstrong; discussion led by Rev. Roger Jones
Karen Armstrong has written biographies of Mohammad, the Buddha, and Jesus. She's written about the history of religious violence and so many other topics. Her book
,
12 Steps for a Compassionate Life
, is the basis for Rev. Roger's current sermon series.
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Solstice Celebration
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On Saturday, December 23, 1 p.m.-4 p.m., UUSS CUUPS is having our annual Winter Solstice Celebration, which we have moved to the afternoon to accommodate those who do not drive in the dark. We will have our usual indoor labyrinth walk 1-2 p.m., ceremony with Jill Welch presenting on Druid nature spirituality 2-3 p.m., and potluck supper 3-4 p.m. This event is free, donations gratefully accepted for UUSS utility and overhead costs. All Welcome. Please join us to celebrate the return of the light.
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UUSS Book Readers: "Lab Girl"
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On Tuesday, December 26, the UUSS Book Readers will meet at 7:00 p.m. in the Welcome Hall to discuss
Lab Girl
by Hope Jahren
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For more information, contact
Jim Glidden
by email
o
r (916) 649-9697
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Sunday Morning Spiritual Practices
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Every Sunday before church (except the fifth Sunday)
, we offer a different form of spiritual practice. Fall is the perfect time to try one. They last from 9:45 to 10:15 a.m. so you won't be late for the service.
Childcare is available, no reservation needed. You can take your child to room 11 as early as 9:30 a.m.
Here's the line-up:
1st Sunday - Labyrinth walk- This session starts with an introduction to help you get the most from your participation. Come experience this ancient form of walking meditation. Meet us at the Labyrinth.
2nd Sunday - QiGong and
Tai Chi Chuan in the Fahs Room. Join John MacMillan and experience a taste of this transforming practice.
3rd Sunday - Silent Meditation
, Room 6
Need some silence in your week? Our wonderful team of meditation leaders will help you settle into a quiet time and space.
4th Sunday - Reading and reflection on poetry and prose
, Room 6
JoAnn Anglin - a poet herself - leads this spiritual deepening practice of finding your meaning in a piece of poetry and sharing your thoughts with others.
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Exploring Unitarian Universalism 3rd Sunday of the Month
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December 17 at 9:30 a.m. Faith: What does it mean to a UU?
Join us before the service, every third Sunday of the month, for "Exploring Unitarian Universalism."
Four different 45-minute sessions are offered consecutively: Principles and Sources; Faith; Social Justice; UU History
.
Both newcomers and long-time members are welcome. Each class includes some presentation, sharing by current members, and opportunity for small group discussion.
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More Things to Know and Do
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Alliance Programs Coming Up
Alliance Meetings, Speakers
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The meetings are held in the UUSS library at 10:45 a.m., arranged by Vivian Counts. Attendees generally donate $3.00 each for refreshments.
Scheduled speakers:
- December 14: Celebrating What's Right in the World, an inspiring DVD. Enjoy the Holiday Luncheon, $5:00 donation. Please make a reservation by calling Vivian Counts at (916) 483-8827.
- January 11: Kevin Sitter - the latest discoveries and treatments for AIDS
- February 8: Roger Jones - on his recent trip to Korea
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Share your pictures with us!
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Did you happen to catch a photo of UUSS in action? The Stewardship Committee would like to share photos of the events, people, and social justice work at UUSS in our upcoming campaign. Please email photos as an attachment to
stewardship@uuss.org
or drop them off at the office. To make sure we get the photos, please add a note "Stewardship Campaign". Thank you to all you shutterbugs.
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"Treasure Island" Auditions for Theater One
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Have you always wanted to be a pirate? Now's your chance!
Lonon Smith has adapted the script and will direct the show, which features Taylor Lewis as Long John Silver. Auditions are December 9 from 1 to 3 pm in Room 7/8.
The show runs March 3 through 25 at Theater One at UUSS. Hope to see you there!
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World Religions Video Lecture Series: Buddhism
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Shortly we will begin the last of the Great Courses on Buddhism. Video lectures are given by Professor Malcolm Eckel of Boston University. He has authored two books, including
Metaphors Buddhists Live By
. There will be 24 lectures followed by discussion.
The word "Buddha" means "the awakened one." We will learn about the mystery of reincarnation and that the purpose of Buddhist practice is to understand a realistic assessment of life's challenges and to achieve a sense of liberation and peace.
We will listen about the various types of Buddhism particularly as it relates to the philosophy of emptiness. We will also learn about the significance of the mandala in both art and architecture.
Finally, we will learn about the precepts of Tibetan Buddhism, Chinese Buddhism, Japanese Buddhism, Zen meditation and the practice of Buddhism in America. Two showings: at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
The lecture series will commence on Wednesday, November 1 and continues on Wednesdays. Drop-in basis, come when you can. See the daily Room Location sheets or Blue Sheet Announcements for more detail.
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Carpooling to Sunday Services
Share a Ride to Church
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More than 35 people are currently signed up to participate in our ride-sharing program. We are now forming ride-sharing clusters of members and friends of UUSS who live in relative proximity. Once names and contact information have been gathered, it will be up to interested parties to make arrangements to drive and/or ride--occasionally or every week, based on the information provided. It's not too late for you to join in! This is an ongoing opportunity. To enjoy sharing transportation to church, use the sign-up forms found at the Adult Enrichment table every Sunday. You can also sign up by dropping by the church office, or calling (916) 483-9283, or by using the form on the UUSS website at
http://uuss.org/ridesharing
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Czech Unitarian Leaders Visit UUSS
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In November
Rev. Dr. Roger Jones and lay leader Nancy Oprsal gave a tour to the
Rev. Dr. Petr Samojský, minister of the Prague Unitarian Congregation (founded 1930), and Týna Kolajová Ledererová, President of the Czech Unitarian Association
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They took photos of our buildings, banners, and signage to show the folks in Europe, bought a UUA book of readings from our Library, and gave us a CD of new music for the Czech Unitarian Flower Communion ritual. We gave them CDs of music by UUSS musicians.
Roger and Petr
had met as students at Meadville Lombard Theological School in the 1990s. Nancy's late husband, George Oprsal, had attended the Prague Congregation amid the Nazi occupation and escaped after the war. He met Nancy at First Unitarian Church of Dallas. See Petr in a video from the Prague Congregation here.
The Prague church was founded in 1930 by Nobert Capek; he died in the Dachau Concentration Camp in 1942. Read about Rev. Capek here.
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Thanksgiving Day Potluck a Success
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We again fed 75-80 UUSS members, family, and friends on Thanksgiving. We definitely wouldn't have made it if almost all the turkey roasters - Kathy Stricklin, Nora O'Neal, Patricia Johnson, and Nancy Gilbert - hadn't donated their turkeys. Ray Reynolds also purchased a turkey for Ken Benns to cook. And Steve Hoverman donated the $80 ham, all of which was eaten, but he did manage to at least end up with the soup bone. We had vegan tofurkey, roast, and "ham." Wednesday evening prep cooks were Patricia Johnson, Ken Benns, LaRue Carnes, and Laurie Jones. Arriving at 9 a.m. on Thanksgiving were LaRue Carnes, Patricia Johnson, and Laurie Jones. In set up, we were assisted by Chuck Pullen, Steven Hoverman, and Dave Rice. Clean up from 4-7 p.m. was Steve Hoverman, Tiffany and Clair Urness, Cathy Campbell, Oliver, Patricia Johnson, and Laurie's daughter Sabrina Winter. So, if you see these people, please give them a big THANK YOU!
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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (RE)
Miranda Massa, RE Coordinator
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Farewell to 2017
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Even though we are saying goodbye to 2017, Religious Education classes continue through the end of May 2018. UUSS appreciates every participating family and the volunteers that bring so much to each program we offer. Thank you for seeing RE at UUSS as an opportunity to build spiritual connections with your children and youth. We enjoy serving each of you. Love and light to you all as we enter the last month of 2017.
With gratitude,
Miranda
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Chalice Camp, 2018
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'The goal of Chalice Camp is to deepen children's and youth's understanding of themselves as Unitarian Universalists, to expand their knowledge of Unitarian Universalism and their capacity to be articulate about our faith.' Camp is designed for kids entering first through sixth grades and takes place five week days in July of 2018 on the UUSS campus. A Camp Director with UU experience along with 2 high school youth counselors and 2 junior high counsel
ors in training, offer
energetic daily worship, games, drama, art, community building and community service. Read more
here. Camp registration is not exclusive to church members. We hope you will email your interest in participating to
re@uuss.org.
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Re: RE
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- December 3 is Marathon day, so allow extra time to avoid Fair Oaks Blvd.
- Sunday, December 24 is our all-ages Deck the Halls - Yule celebration service. Come back to church in the evening for our Christmas Eve Candlelight service beginning at 7:00 pm.
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Religious Education (RE) Calendar, December 2017
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Sunday, December 3
9:30-12:00 Child care
10:30-11:45 Spirit Play
10:00-12:00 Our Whole Lives grades 7-8-9
Sunday, December 10
9:30-12:00 Child care
9:30-10:30 Parents of Youth ~ Coffee & Conversation with Rev. Roger
10:30-11:45 Spirit Play
10:00-12:00 Our Whole Lives grades 7-8-9
Sunday, December 17
9:30-12:00 Child care
10:30-11:45 Spirit Play, JHYG, SHYG
11:30-12:30 Kids' Freedom Club
Sunday, December 24
9:30-12:00 Child care
10:30-11:30 All Ages Service, no RE
Sunday, December 31
9:30-12:00 Child care
10:30-11:30 Spirit Play, JHYG, SHYG
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Community Partners Results
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By Victoria Owens, Board Secretary
At our Congregational Meeting on October 22, we voted on which groups we choose to be our Community Partners for 2018. Below is the list of chosen groups and the month in which they will receive one-half of our Sunday offering:
- January - Family Promise Sacramento
- February - Black Lives Matter Sacramento
- March - Children's Receiving Home
- April - St. John's Program for Real Change
- May - Sacramento Senior Safe House
- June - Welcome Home Housing
- July - International Rescue Committee of Northern CA
- August - Opening Doors
- September - Mustard Seed School
- October - Wind Youth Services
- November - Loaves & Fishes
- December - Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services
Thank you all for your continuing generosity to these worthy organizations and for supporting our mission:
to deepen our lives and be a force for healing in the world.
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WHO WE ARE AND WHERE TO FIND US
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Office Hours &
December Holidays
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The UUSS office is open Monday thru Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The UUSS office will be closed:
Monday, December 25 (Christmas Day)
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Serving Our Congregation
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UUSS OFFICERS & BOARD of TRUSTEES
Margaret Wilcox, President Denis Edgren,
Vice-President
Gordon Gerwig, Treasurer Victoria Owens, Secretary
Kathy Bernard Carl Crain
Carl Gardner
Sally White
Roger Olson
Annika Lawson, Youth Trustee
Board meetings: 7:00 p.m., 4th Thursday of the month (exception on November 30)
Marian Ashe Linda Roth
Patty Budding
Deirdre Downes (Chair)
Tamara Olson
Program
Council meetings: 7:00 p.m., 3rd Thursday of the month.
Ministers
Rev. Dr. Roger Jones &
Rev. Lucy Bunch, Ministers
Rev. Douglas Kraft, Minister Emeritus
Church Staff Members
Krystal Gollaher, Administrative and Facilities Coordinator
Michele Ebler, Bookkeeper
Elaine Cooper, Receptionist
Miranda Massa, Religious Education Coordinator
Keith Atwater, Music Director ~
Ina Jun, Pianist
Shannon Ebler and Leticia Valdez, Childcare Providers
Aaron Molina - Sunday thru Thursday, Custodian
Miguel Neri - Friday to Sunday, Custodian
Brett Hendrickson, Sunday Audio Tech
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Notable & Quotable: To Achieve Understanding
For me, the beauty and power of Unitarian Universalism is in its commitment to diversity and pluralism. It teaches us to move beyond tolerance, to be respectful, accepting, and understanding of difference and diversity. It emphasizes that a beloved community is not built through achieving agreement but through achieving understanding.
--Rev. Abhi P. Janamanchi, Cedar Lane UU Church, Maryland
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