| The Unigram Newsletter for January 2017 Unitarian Universalist Society of Sacramento |
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2425 Sierra Boulevard
Sacramento, CA 95825
Office (916) 483-9283
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Upcoming Services
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New Year's Labyrinth Walk and Pot Luck Breakfast, Sunday January 1 8:30 AM
Let's continue the tradition started last year by celebrating the New Year with Labyrinth walk and potluck breakfast. Rev. Lucy will guide us in starting off our new year with a spiritual tune-up that only the labyrinth can provide.
Since January 1 is a Sunday, we will begin our walk at 8:30 a.m. to have time for a shared meal before the 10:30 service. Meet in the Welcome Hall, and bring your favorite breakfast food to share.
January 1, 2017
Hereby Resolved: Take Inventory and Use My Gifts
Ministerial Intern D. Scott Cooper, preaching, with Rev. Roger Jones, Rev. Lucy Bunch, and Worship Associate Ginny Johnson
What invariably happens during the first few days of a new year? Stores take inventory of what did and didn't sell during the holiday season (and begin putting out Valentine's Day candy), lucky recipients begin using the gifts they acquired (at least the ones that fit or came with batteries), and the thoughtful and earnest folk create (and sometimes just as quickly break) New Year's resolutions. Join us on the first day of 2017 to consider how we might resolve to take a personal inventory to deepen our lives and begin using our inherent gifts to be a force for healing in the world.
Soup Sunday after church
January 8, 2017
The Limits of Liberal Religion: How Can You Have a Church Like THAT?
Rev. Roger Jones, preaching, with Rev. Lucy Bunch, Ministerial Intern D. Scott Cooper, and Worship Associate Marilyn Reynolds
In his first sermon after a two-month sabbatical break, Roger reflects on the meaning and practice of Unitarian Universalism. Some observers look at us curiously. Some ask, "Is that even a religion?" Some folks wonder what holds us together. Come find out! And in showing up, you are living out the answer.
Banner Banter 9:30 in room 9
Sunday Morning Spiritual Practice at 9:45: Tai Chi and Qi Gong in the Fahs Classroom
Soup Sunday after church
January 15
Doubt, Fear, Courage, and Faith
Rev. Lucy Bunch, preaching, with Rev. Roger Jones, Ministerial Intern D. Scott Cooper, and Worship Associate Jim Eastman; UUSS Choir with Keith Atwater, Music Director
On this Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday Sunday, we reflect on the early years of the life of Martin Luther King. What inspired him to challenge the status quo? How did he rise above the doubt and fear that plagued him? What meaning does his experience have for us in 2017? Come and let the story of his journey reassure and challenge us.
Exploring Unitarian Universalism: Social Justice: How do we Live our Values?
Sunday Morning Spiritual Practice at 9:45: Silent Meditation in room 6
January 22, 2017
Strength like a Mountain - A Service for All Ages
Rev. Lucy Bunch, Rev. Roger Jones, and Ministerial Intern D. Scott Cooper; Worship Associates Ginny Johnson, Marilyn Reynolds, and Laura Sheperd; UUSS Choir with Keith Atwater, Music Director
This Sunday we will celebrate mountains - their beauty and their strength. We will honor the beings and things in our lives that provide a foundation of strength and reassurance. Come hear the latest news from the Freedom Club - our kids group that is working to free slaves around the world. We hope to see you there.
Sunday Morning Spiritual Practice at 9:45: Reading and Reflection in room 6
Newcomer Orientation after the service
January 29, 2017
Soul Surrender
Anthony Johnson, preaching, with Rev. Roger Jones, Rev. Lucy Bunch, and Ministerial Intern D. Scott Cooper; Worship Associate Mary Howard
The "Wise Silence" is what Emerson called it. Lao Tsu called it the "Tao." Plato called it
"The Good and The Beautiful," Aristotle called it "Being." In Judaism, they call it "Ein Sof," that which is everything and nothing. The "Ka," the "Ba," and the "Akh" are what the Egyptians called it. We call it "Soul." The sermon this Sunday will speak to the concept of Soul in our modern lives and what it may mean to surrender to "The Soul."
Anthony Johnson is a Starr King student doing fieldwork at UUSS during 2016-17. He is the lead teacher for the Neighboring Faiths Curriculum for the Junior High Youth Group.
Banner Banter at 9:30 in room 9
February 5, 2017
The Time Tunnel
Ministerial Intern D. Scott Cooper, preaching, with Rev. Lucy Bunch; Worship Associate Laura Sheperd
Have you ever had that feeling of déjà vu all over again? Those in the times of the Hebrew Bible conceived of time as more cyclical, whereas today we think of time as more linear. Have you ever wished you had lived in the past - during a decisive time in history - and really made a difference? Perhaps you are, perhaps you can, and perhaps the Hebrew Prophets can lend advice (again).
Sunday Morning Spiritual Practice at 9:45: Labyrinth Walk
Soup Sunday after the service
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Shared Offering Recipient in January
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In January, the shared offering recipient is Family Promise, a nonprofit organization committed to
helping
low-income families achieve lasting independence.
In November, UUSS shared half its offering with Loaves & Fishes, a total of $3,202.
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Senior Minister's Message
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Season's Greetings from an Undisclosed Location
Rev. Roger Jones
Have these two months of my sabbatical absence gone fast? Sitting at the desk in my corner window at home, poring over church archives, and trying to write a dissertation-that doesn't feel fast to me. Furthermore, I've missed you. Counting on our weekly encounters was a source of grounding and structure in my life, and a cause for joy. It has been an eventful two months for UUSS and for this country, and it's been weird to be away from you, and to be out of my rhythm.
I did maintain some rhythms. I exercised, meditated, and prayed-including prayers for you and UUSS. I cooked fresh food and saw some friends. I paid my monthly pledge to UUSS.
And I attended services every Sunday! I have been visiting Sacramento churches where friends are clergy or active members. Nobody else knew me as a minister, so I was free to let my soul absorb the service. I went to one church three times. The first time, there were unfamiliar and awkward moments learning the chant or finding my page, always a bit behind. By the third visit, it was familiar. I felt I was in the groove. That's what regular practice or attendance can do for us. We get more out of whatever we make into a regular practice.
What rituals, practices, or habits give joy and structure to your life? As the New Year turns, it's good to think about what might help us achieve a rhythm of presence, awareness, grounding, and gratitude.
Also, it's good to think about habits that are not helpful. What activity is a distraction?
Which one is a cause of pain or tension? Can we begin to leave them behind?
Here's wishing you clear discernment as we travel together into 2017.
Blessings on you, and on all of us everywhere, in this new year-
Roger
PS:
Though I will return on January 1, I plan to send a special donation to UUSS dated December 31. I invite you to consider adding this vital and hopeful congregation to your
2016 year-end giving list!
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Where's Rev. Roger in January-and Beyond?
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My office hours at UUSS are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons and evenings, but it's good to make an appointment by email or phone call. January is our break from the sabbatical-I am here all month! I depart again January 31. So let's touch base now! I hope to see you at worship services, coffee hour, Soup Sundays, Wednesday choir practice, Monday Yoga, the January Alliance meeting, Games Night, or Theology on Tap. Or come for tea in my office or outside it. Parents! Last fall invited UUSS families to invite me over, as it is much easier to get to know you and your kids over a meal than in the moments we have between activities on Sunday. Give me a buzz!
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Assistant Minister's Message
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As we start a new year I am aware of the challenges that face us in the coming days. UUA President Rev. Peter Morales sent a message to ministers this week and I wanted share some of it with you:
"These are tough times. We are living in the midst of historic cultural turmoil. Long festering resentments are being unleashed, posing immediate threats to the most marginalized in our society and presenting long term danger to our natural environment. People are understandably anxious. I hear reports of a spike in attendance at worship services across the country."
His words ring true for me. I have visited with many of you in the past few weeks who are feeling anxious and afraid of the turn of events in our country. But as I said in my sermon after the election, crisis means both danger and opportunity. We have seen a spike in our attendance, with many newcomers bringing new ideas and energy and finding what they need in our community. More and more of our members are feeling the call to engage in defending our values and finding a way forward. In the spirit of community, I am committed to increasing our interfaith involvement - both through joint activities with interfaith organizations, and by communicating with all of you about events in which you, as individuals, may want to take part.
Our community is strong and vital. We are here for mutual support and encouragement through trying times. I share the closing from Rev. Morales:
"For now, I want each of you to know that you are not alone. Together we are strong. Together we inspire one another. Together we can do this. We need one another. Love will guide us. Hope will sustain us. Ultimately we shall prevail."
Rev. Lucy
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I always appreciate your thoughts, ideas, concerns, or challenges. I have office hours on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons and welcome your visits. Other times available by arrangement. Please call or e-mail first to make sure that I am available. I will be on study leave from the 16th to the 21st.
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Ministerial Intern's Message
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Another Chance for Us to Get It Right
D. Scott Cooper
Daylight hours are short, it's chilly, and if you're like me, you might just want to burrow under the quilt until the warmth of spring makes itself felt. But we've been given an unusual gift - one we don't think about except when making New Year's Resolutions we usually aren't really mentally prepared to stick to.
It's 2017, and in the words of Oprah, "Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right."
It's very clear that in the spring a new world is emerging from its sleep, and we have reason to be optimistic. But here in the dead of winter we need other signals that we have a chance for a fresh start, another chance to "get it right." The beginning of a new calendar year is just the signal we need. It gives us permission to take inventory of our lives thus far, think about the talents and strengths we have and the gifts we've been given, and burrow under the quilt and figure out just how we're going to make an even more positive impact in the world. The world needs you now more than ever.
Peace, Salaam, Shalom,
Scott
D. Scott Cooper
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Where's Scott in January?
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My regular office hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons. I'm sharing the RE Office with Miranda and welcome your visits. Please call or e-mail first so I can be sure to be available.
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President's Prose
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I was just rereading my column for this time last year, and one of my comments was how we were all so looking forward to 2016. Well, I am very happy to say goodbye to 2016 for many reasons, and while I look forward to a new year, I have to admit it is with some trepidation.
I think most of us will agree that our hopes for the election were not realized. In that regard, it has been a difficult couple of months. Even with the holidays and the joy that this time of year usually brings, it just doesn't seem quite as bright, at least to me. But I know for myself I need to move on.
What does make me hopeful, encouraged, excited, and happy are all of the things happening here at UUSS. There are many wonderful activities going on with lots of new people showing up on Sundays, our Social Justice projects, inspiring and interesting sermons, a thriving RE program, social groups springing up with fun activities, and, of course, the way in which we now inhabit our new space. It feels as if we are bursting with enthusiasm.
Reverend Lucy and our Intern Minister Scott are doing a fabulous job keeping us moving forward and helping to hold us all up. We certainly miss Roger, but I think he would be so proud of the way we are staying the course-even with his absence. I know he will be pleased when he makes his short return in January.
Again, as I have said in the past, the Board of Trustees is doing a very good job minding the business of our church and supporting and participating in the many programs at UUSS. It will soon be that time of year when we start our Stewardship Campaign and we look forward to the generosity of all of our members to UUSS. We have established a committee to bring you information on the next UU General Assembly that will be held in New Orleans in June. This will be the year that we elect a new UUA president and, unlike this country, we will elect the first woman president of our denomination.
Stay tuned, and read your Unigram, the Blue Sheets on Sundays, and the weekly messages to hear about all that is happening and will be happening at UUSS. I wish all of you the happiest and healthiest of New Years.
Namasté
Linda Clear
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Music Minister's Message
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Serving our Community One Step at a Time
Keith Atwater, Music Director
December was a busy month at UUSS, and that's not surprising. This midwinter holiday season always brings with it opportunities for service, and I want to thank our choir and many others who found the time, money, and energy to fill many stockings with essential items for the homeless guests at Loaves & Fishes. Our choir even planned a Christmas caroling visit there! I have been a long-time  supporter of Sacramento's volunteer programs that help those most in need: Loaves & Fishes' daily meal and shower program, Maryhouse women's services, Mustard Seed School, and the Safe Ground campsite. I receive their monthly newsletter, and posted this encouragement from them on my refrigerator after sharing it with our choir. I'd like to share it with you. Dorothy Day, a remarkable Catholic activist and tireless worker for social justice, wrote that "People say, 'What is the sense of our small effort?' They cannot yet see that we must lay one brick at a time, take one step at a time."
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JUSTICE WORK
Our Social Justice Theme-Confronting Economic Inequality
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First Thursday Social Justice Movie Night, January 5
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Join us for film and discussion at 6:30 p.m. in the Welcome Hall.
We will take a visit to the lighter side in January with a mid-20th century French movie, Mon Oncle (my uncle), by Jacques Tati. Mon Oncle tells the story of M. Hulot-a dreamy, impractical, and adored uncle of nine-year-old Gérard, who lives with his materialistic parents in an ultra-modern geometric house and garden in a new suburb of Paris just beyond the crumbling stone buildings of the old neighborhoods. Gérard's parents are entrenched in a machine-like existence of work, fixed gender roles, the acquisition of status through possessions, and conspicuous displays to impress guests. By contrast, Monsieur Hulot lives in an old and run-down city district. He is unemployed and gets around town either on foot or on a motorized bicycle. Gérard, utterly bored by the sterility and monotony of his life with his parents, fastens himself to his uncle at every opportunity.
This film won the Academy award for Best Foreign Language film. Come join us for laughter and discussion.
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Sunday January 8, at 12:30 p.m. Library
Hillbilly Elegy
by J.D. Vance
Get your soup and join us for a thought-provoking discussion of this important book.
The author, a former Marine and Yale Law School graduate, shares a powerful account of growing up in a poor Rust Belt town and offers a broader, probing look at the struggles of America's white working class.
Sunday February 4, time TBD
Criminal of Poverty: Growing up Homeless in America
by Lisa Gray-Garcia
We continue our exploration of homelessness and poverty with this true story of a daughter's struggle to keep her family alive, through poverty, homelessness, and incarceration.
Copies of this book are available in the UUSS book store or on
Amazon
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Family Promise Returns in February
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Family Promise is an interfaith network of congregations that provide temporary housing to homeless families. This social service ministry is devoted to helping homeless families qualify for housing and "get back on their feet."
Family Promise guests will come again to UUSS for the week of February 19. Family Promise Week begins on a Sunday when volunteers set up the Fahs Room as the dining/activity area and turn the RE classrooms into family sleeping rooms.
After many years of dedicated service, Barbara Hopkins and Nancy Oprsal are turning in their leader hats. We will have a special thank-you for them at our service on January 22.
We are grateful to the new leadership that has emerged. Sally Wilkins and Frances Myers will serve as the overall coordinators for the program at UUSS with several others stepping in to serve as task leads. They are planning training and task sheets that will help the volunteers to know what is expected. Stay tuned for more in the coming weeks, or
And get ready to participate. Beginning in mid-January there will be a Family Promise table in the Welcome Hall where you can sign up for a variety of tasks and talk with volunteers about the program. We invite all UUs to be a part of the UU Family Promise team, welcoming our guests and making their week at UUSS comfortable.
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We'll meet Monday, January 16, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., Room 6, to discuss environmental justice and economic justice and what we can do. We'll talk about the upcoming Saturday, January 21, 2017 Mobilization for Climate March here in Sacramento. You'll hear/see progress on the butterfly/pollinator garden. Contact:
Patricia459@yahoo.com
or 642-6067.
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The Kids' Freedom Club is planning another trip to India and would like to invite a few others from UUSS to join them. The trip in April will include both visiting the work of "Free the Slaves" and discovering the country of India. All travelers must cover their own costs. If you are interested, please contact Petra for more details at
petrastanton@comcast.net
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MULTIKULTI: An Introduction to Multicultural Awareness
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Treat your heart to a day of exploring, feeling, and
sharing our differences as  we move toward creating
change in ourselves and in the world
around us. This workshop will make you laugh, look deeper, and let go of the stereotypes we are indoctrinated with and which keep us from becoming the family of humanity that we truly are! All in a safe, non-judgmental space and in a loving way. Don't miss it!
"It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences."
- Audre Lorde,
American Poet, Teacher and Activist
This great workshop will be held on Saturday, January 21, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The registration is a sliding scale from $40 to $60 and lunch is included. It is being led by Mtuaswa Anthony Johnson, who is a Starr King ministry student who has been visiting and volunteering in our congregation this year. Anthony has presented this workshop in other UU congregations to rave reviews. Advance registration is required at the Adult Enrichment table on Sunday mornings.
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On Tuesday, January 31, the UUSS Book Readers will meet at 7 p.m. in the Library. For more information about the book selection, contact Jim Glidden
at
JamesGlidden@sbcglobal.net
or (916) 649-9697.
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Theater One Acting Classes
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A unique opportunity is coming this January. Our Theater One is sponsoring a six-week improvisational acting class. Utilizing improvisational theater games, the class will explore spontaneity, confidence, and awareness in a fun and supportive environment. The course is led by a professional actor, director and teacher, Betsaida LeBron. The six sessions, Sunday evenings, 6-8 p.m. at UUSS in the Fahs Room, January 8 through February 12, 2017. The cost is $105 for the entire series. Class is limited to 10-24 people. Sign up at the Adult Enrichment table or contact David Paul at theaterone@uuss.org.
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More Things to Know and Do
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Spaghetti Dinner to Mobilize Terry
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Join us for a Spaghetti Dinner on Friday, January 6, starting at 5:30 p.m. Along with the yummy dinner, we will enjoy a Rock and Roll band. All proceeds to Terry Preston, former member of our Board of Trustees and Religious Education teacher, to purchase a large van with an electric ramp so he can get out into the community! Please come and join the fun! For more information, contact Patricia Johnson at patricia459@yahoo.com or call (916) 642-6067.
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Mmmmm - Doesn't a bowl of chili on a cold afternoon sound wonderful? Your Board of Trustees will serve a variety of chili after Sunday Service on January 29 and February 26. Cornbread and a dessert treat included! All yours for a small $5 donation (larger amounts gratefully accepted). All donations support our Congregation's operating budget. Warm your heart and your tummy-join us!
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Artist Reception, January 27, 5:30 to 7 p.m.
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New Mexico-Ghost Ranch |
Ou
r next featured artist at UUSS is Vinay Sharma. The reception is scheduled for Friday, January 27, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Mr. Sharma, an artist and an engineer, is showing his unique work, which combines his two aspects into prints that depict bold industrial structures on beautiful organic backgrounds, capturing the beauty of the urban environment.
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Theater One is proud to announce that Ron Galbreath has
received The Bobby Award for 2016. The Bobby Award, named for Roberta (Bobby) Stewart, is given each year for outstanding contribution to Theater One.
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Alliance Program, January 12
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Karen Tarp and Eric Ross traveled to the islands of Haida Gwai, six hours by boat off the coast of British Columbia. They met tribal people and learned about their culture. They will show pictures of wildlife, ancient villages, and totem polls. Alliance meets on Thursday, January 12, at 10:45 a.m. in the Fahs room. Email Vivian Counts viviancounts@yahoo.com for further information.
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Covenant of UU Pagans Organizing a Trip
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CUUPs is interested in organizing a field trip to the annual
Pantheacon
in San Jose over President's weekend in mid-February, possibly jointly with other local churches, especially UU, so this is a save-the-date announcement.
It's three days, $40 registration for one day, $80 for all weekend. More than a day trip, however, would need accommodations. Sign up and flyers will be forthcoming. Contact: Laurie Jones
ljones.asbarc@gmail.com
, currently (916) 529-6706.
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2017. Let's stick together. We have a big world out there, and having this community for our children and youth means a lot to me, as I know it does for you, too. I am happy to see so many returning families weekend after weekend and enjoy meeting all the new visitors. If you ever have an idea to share or a question to ask, contact me at
re@uuss.org
. I always enjoy checking in with you.
With light in this new year,
Miranda
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Many RE families have been joining us for our multigenerational services once a month. We enjoy seeing you and being together. We are in a brand-new year and want to keep spirits high. RE now helps collect the shared offering on all ages Sundays. They are paired up with an adult to make it happen. Youth are also invited to read the welcome at the beginning of service. Next all ages service is on January 22.
Kids' Freedom Club
will also be there on January 22 hosting a fair-trade chocolate tasting in the Fahs room. See you there!
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Krystal and Yer in the
Nursery
report having fun and busy times in the child care room each Sunday. Many little ones keep them busy doing art and playing. Thanks to all families who spend their Sunday mornings with us. If you have any gently used outside toys or equipment that you are ready to donate, let staff know on Sunday morning. I can also share that the Nursery is home to Mommy & Me ESL classes two times a week in partnership with the
International Rescue Committee
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-All ages UUSS
Games Night
is scheduled for Friday, January 20, 6 p.m. in the Fahs classroom.
-Sunday, January 22, the Nursery stays open longer for families to attend the Newcomers' Orientation. Just let the child care staff know you would like to attend.
- I hope you can stay up to date with reading the
RE Outreach, as it is always a great source for information, events, and other neat things about our wonderful program.
-Looking for a simple way to volunteer in RE? Ask RE Coordinator Miranda about staffing the RE Welcome Table in the lobby once a month on a Sunday morning. This is always a big help!
-Feeling creative? Help make story sets for our Spirit Play group. Hot gluing felt creations, painting blocks, gathering nature or nick-nacks are just some of the scenarios. Contact
re@uuss.org
today! Miranda will help with instructions, ideas and be there to cheer
you on!
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Religious Education (RE) Calendar, January 2017
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Sunday, January 1
9:30-12:00 Child care
10:30-11:45 RE
Sunday, January 8
9:30-12 Child care
10:30-11:45 RE
Sunday, January 15
9:30-12 Child care
10:30-11:45 RE
Sunday, January 22
9:30-12 Child care
10:30-11:30 All Ages Mountain Service, no RE
Sunday, January 29
9:30-12 Child care
10:30-11:45 RE
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WHO WE ARE AND WHERE TO FIND US
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January Office Hours and Holiday Closings
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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 on Monday, January 2 for New Year's Day and Monday January 16 for Martin Luther King Jr Birthday Holidays.
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Serving Our Congregation
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UUSS OFFICERS & BOARD TRUSTEES
Linda Clear, President Margaret Wilcox,
Vice-President
Gordon Gerwig, Treasurer Janet Lopes, Secretary
Kathy Bernard Denis Edgren
Carl Gardner
Dennis Pottenger
Sally White
Erik Jensen
, Youth Trustee
PROGRAM COUNCIL
JoAnn Anglin
Deirdre Downes (Chairperson)
Patricia Johnson
Peggy Makie
Linda Roth
CHURCH STAFF
Rev. Roger Jones, Senior Minister
Rev. Lucy Bunch, Assistant Minister
Ministerial Intern D. Scott Cooper (2016-2017)
Stanton Vedell, Communications and Facilities Coordinator
Michele Ebler, Bookkeeper
Elaine Cooper, Receptionist
Miranda Massa, Religious Education Coordinator
Keith Atwater, Music Director
Krystal Gollaher and Yer Chang, Childcare Providers
Aaron Molina - Sunday thru Thursday, Custodian
Miguel Neri - Friday - Sunday, Custodian
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