| The Unigram Newsletter for July 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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July 2
The End of Democracy?
Rev. Dr. Roger Jones and Worship Associate Laura Sheperd
Commissioning of UUSS Elected Lay Leaders
Recognition of July Birthdays (including the USA's)
The avowedly white-supremacist leaders of the "alt-right" assert that a restoration of "Christian civilization" in the USA would not include values and practices known as democracy. Roger reflects on current threats and on what he learned about the democracy movement in South Korea on his visit.
- Sunday Morning Spiritual Practice at 9:45: Labyrinth Walk
July 9
The End of Me: What Happens after We Die?
Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, Worship Associate Ginny Johnson, and Music Director Keith Atwater
Most religious traditions have their own particular teachings about the meaning of human death and our status after passing away. What do Unitarian Universalists believe? Heaven, hell, reincarnation, liberation, or topsoil? While we ponder this, let us remember to live our lives with love and courage.
- Sunday Morning Spiritual Practice at 9:45: Tai Chi/Qi Gong in the Fahs Classroom
July 16
Spiritual Values on a Tee Shirt: A Service for all Ages
Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, Worship Associates Jess Reynolds & Marilyn Reynolds,
Music Director Keith Atwater
Wear a tee-shirt with an image or message proclaiming your faith, philosophy, theology or ethical outlook. Threads of spiritual wisdom, social justice, or humor are welcome.
No partisan politics or vulgarity, please. If you don't have a shirt to show off,
wear whatever you like, but come!
- Exploring Unitarian Universalism at 9:30 in the Fahs Room: UU Sources and Principles
- Sunday Morning Spiritual Practice at 9:45: Silent Meditation in Classroom 6
July 23
Our Shared Sources and Our Individual Inspirations
Worship Associates
Jim Eastman, Mary Howard, Ginny Johnson, Jess Reynolds, Marilyn Reynolds, Laura Sheperd
Ours is a living tradition, and we as Unitarian Universalists draw much of our wisdom and spirituality from the six sources we have collectively named and affirmed. In this lay-led service, our Worship Associates share their own reflections and perspectives on each of the six sources of Unitarian Universalism.
- Sunday Morning Spiritual Practice at 9:45: Reading/Reflection on Poetry in Classroom 6
- Newcomers' Orientation and Tour of Campus at Noon: Meet in the Library.
July 30
The Protestant Earthquake: 500 Years of Reinventing Faith, God, and the World
Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, preaching; Worship Associate Jim Eastman
This October marks 500 years since anti-Semitic monk Martin Luther started a Reformation which has been a revolution in human history. Without that historic rupture in world history, we would not have some great music, inspiring ideas, bad ideas, creativity, cruelty, nation states, town meetings, or even Unitarian Universalism.
August 6
Harvest Celebration--A Service for All Ages
Rev. Lucy Bunch and Rev. Dr. Roger Jones
Worship Associates Larry Boles, Jess Reynolds, and Laura Sheperd
Recognition of August Birthdays
Come celebrate the bounty of the summer harvest at this service for all ages. We will hear stories, songs and poems about gardening, and celebrate the bounty of the earth with a "tomato communion." What could be better than that! Bring something from your garden to share and take away a treat from someone else.
- Sunday Morning Spiritual Practice at 9:45: Labyrinth Walk
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Shared Offering Recipient in July
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Every month we give half of the Sunday service offering to a local not-for-profit group. 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. In May, we raised $2,419 for Senior Safe House. Our community partner for July is the International Rescue Committee of Northern California at
https://www.rescue.org/. They serve people whose lives have been upended by war, conflict and natural disasters; and they resettle refugees welcomed by the United States, helping them to succeed and thrive.
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Senior Minister's Message
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What's the Dissertation About?
By Rev. Roger Jones, D. Min.
Some of you have asked this question regarding my doctoral project. It's about UUSS!
From a Culture of Conflict to a Renewal of Covenant is the title. Here is the abstract. If you'd like to read the other 299 pages, let me know.
ABSTRACT: In the 1980s and 1990s, an established, mid-sized church, the Unitarian Universalist Society of Sacramento (UUSS), weathered endemic mistrust and conflict among members and leaders, with turf wars and assertions of individual freedom at the expense of congregational well-being. There was sparse evidence of the values of a religious community. The concept of covenant is key to the Unitarian Universalist heritage. However, there is little evidence that UUSS leaders and other members had a written covenant or invoked, spoke about, or adhered to a covenantal understanding of themselves as a community.
Over this period, however, key lay leaders and clergy did begin to speak frankly and act with courage for the health of the congregation. During painful controversies, they promoted listening across differences, clarified and upheld behavioral standards, and eventually led members to adopt a covenant, promising one another mutual support.
This thesis uses congregational archives and interviews to trace this journey from a culture of conflict toward a renewal of the practice of covenant. One chapter summarizes the emergence of new Unitarian Universalist congregations in the Sacramento region since the 1950s. Some of these were seen as a "church split," whereas others were intentional efforts to extend the faith. Another chapter gives the history of this congregation's Women's Alliance, founded in 1911. Reflecting the prominent role of women in American religion, the Alliance has evolved alongside larger social trends and recently has adapted itself toward a sustainable structure.
This thesis also explores the shifting patterns of religious participation in the United States, mainly growth in the proportion of "religiously unaffiliated" persons or "spiritual independents." Opportunities beckon for ministry to this demographic. However, younger adults or other seekers will not be drawn to join congregational cultures of mistrust, conflict, or time-consuming bureaucratic procedures.
The congregation's eventual return to its heritage of covenant and the affirmation of mutual dependence took place in the same era that its denomination was adopting the religious principle of "a web of interdependence of all existence." In recent years, the congregation's fidelity to shared values and mutual dependence and a clear sense of mission have brought about new signs of progress and vitality.
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Let's Get Together: Where's Roger in July?
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I'm so glad to be back from sabbatical! Thank you for the warm June welcome. This summer I hope to get to know the new members and families who have become part of our growing UU family. I also hope to re-connect with so many other folks and to catch up on your lives. Please be in touch. Call, write, or stop in! Office hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. I'm happy to make an appointment.
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UUA General Assembly News:
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First Woman Elected President
of Our Denomination
By Rev. Roger Jones
Last week in New Orleans, delegates gathered for the yearly General Assembly (GA) of our national denomination, the Unitarian Universalist Association. Several UUSS members were there with me as voting delegates or active observers. Rev. Lucy was among the online delegates watching from Sacramento, and some cast votes online in the UUA elections.
You will hear in coming weeks about the key issues and votes taken up by GA delegates, including a
UUA Statement of Conscience on Escalating Economic Inequality, an issue we at UUSS have studied and acted on this past church year.
Most historic and moving to me was the election of the UUA's president. The Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray, 42, is our first woman elected and the first from Generation X. For the past year I served on her campaign team. Last August she preached here and met many Central Valley UUs at a reception here. Many of you made endorsements and contributed funds to her campaign. With no polling data, we were uncertain who would win until the results were tallied and candidates notified at 5 PM Saturday. What a relief. What a joy!
Click here to read UU World coverage of the election issues and results. To watch 18 minutes of Saturday's announcement in the GA hall, Susan's acceptance speech, and her two opponents' gracious remarks,
click here. In the video you also will see the three interim co-presidents who were appointed by the UUA Board to serve after the Rev. Peter Morales's abrupt resignation in April. Susan has had an active social media presence and is on Twitter:
@revsusanfrederickgray and Facebook: Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray. Congratulations to all the candidates for an inspiring campaign year.
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From your Assistant Minister
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Transition Time
In last month's blessing ritual for our graduating high school seniors, it was wonderful to celebrate how much they have grown, but we also had to acknowledge that some of them are moving on and will not be present in our congregation as often. One parent expressed the bittersweet joy and sorrow of endings and beginnings.
Endings and beginnings: the beginning of summer also marks a time of endings, students graduating, school ending, and transition to a more relaxed season and the increase in temperature.
It is a time of transition at UUSS as well. Rev. Roger returned from his sabbatical and our intern, Scott, returned to Dallas to finish his preparation for UU ministry. Scott is also pleased to report that he will serve as a part-time sabbatical minister at his home congregation in Dallas.
As we start a new church year our leadership is transitioning. Linda Clear stepped down after four years of service as board president. Speaking of transitions, during Linda's tenure the former senior minister retired, a new senior minister was called, an assistant minister was hired, and yes, we completed a $3.3 million renovation on our building!
In this past year some members moved away, new members joined, and former members returned. Our spiritual deepening circles completed another year. New circles will form again in the fall, but this year's members said goodbye to the beloved communities they created together. New programs were started and old ones were renewed. We reached out to deepen our connections to the interfaith community.
It has been a busy year. I hope you had a chance to read my report to the congregation. If not, you can find it here uuss.org I truly enjoyed serving as acting senior minister during Rev. Roger's sabbatical. Little did I know that the week he left, our country would be thrown into turmoil by the results of the presidential election. But we persevered and welcomed many newcomers, drawn to our message of love and justice. I am proud of how we live our mission to "deepen our lives and be a force for healing in the world."
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I am away all month for vacation and study leave. During July 16-21 I will lead a UU silent retreat in Santa Barbara. Ask me about it when I return and plan to join me in 2018.
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[Former] Ministerial Intern's Message
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Thank You
By D. Scott Cooper
As I sit down to write this, I have just returned from New Orleans, and UU General Assembly. I was delighted to run into Rev. Roger and take photos of Rev. Lucy on the 'big screen' as she achieved final fellowship.
I also took advantage of the shopping opportunities at GA, and thanks to your generous gift as I was finishing my internship, was able to choose not one, but two stoles, as well as some (more) books. A UU never has too many books, only too few shelves.
I miss UUSS, Sacramento, and you wonderful people there. But I'm staying busy by gearing up for my Fellowshipping Interview, and will be helping out at First Unitarian Church in Dallas for the rest of the year while some ministers and staff are away.
Peace, Salaam, Shalom,
Scott
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Music Director's Message
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Welcoming Our Summer Pianist
By Keith Atwater
Although we've said goodbye to, and wished Ina Jun safe travels as she roams around Europe and Israel this summer, we are not left without musical support. Ina's friend and Sac State classmate, Sakurako Kanemitsu, has agreed to play piano for five Sundays.
A Walnut Creek native, Sakurako has performed at music festivals in Germany and Italy. She has accompanied the Sacramento State Opera Theatre and played chamber music and solos throughout the area. A recipient of prestigious scholarships, Sakurako earned a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance at Sacramento State and, like our own Ina Jun, has just completed her Master's Degree in Piano Performance. We wish she could stay with us in August, too, but she will be playing at a music festival in Montreal. We are delighted to have this talented musician share her musical gifts with us!
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Thinking about Becoming a Member?
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You may be thinking about expanding your spiritual journey through membership in the Unitarian Universalist Society of Sacramento. Joining UUSS establishes a mutual relationship of depth and commitment. If you decide that UUSS feels like home, joining may be the right choice for you. There are several steps on the path to membership:
Every fourth Sunday after service, a Newcomer Orientation includes a tour of our campus and information about our programs and activities. This gathering helps you learn your way around the congregation and what it means to be part of it.
- Exploring Unitarian Universalism.
Knowledge of Unitarian Universalism is important for our members. Every third Sunday before services we offer Exploring Unitarian Universalism. Four different 45-minute sessions are offered consecutively: Principles and Sources; Faith; Social Justice; and UU History. Both newcomers and long-time members attend, so they are a great way to make connections. We encourage you to take at least 2 of these classes to help you appreciate UU history and values.
Sunday services are the heart of the congregation, but to get to know others, you need to be involved in a small group or activity. You may build connections through service with a committee, participating in social groups, social justice activities, choir, or an adult enrichment class. Get involved. Find information on our website, at our connections table after church, or in the Pathways brochure.
About three times a year we offer The Meaning of Membership class; we discuss the benefits and responsibilities of membership, and provide the opportunity to join. Our next session is in early August. If you are interested in participating, please contact
Rev. Roger
or
Rev. Lucy
by e-mail or by phoning the office at (916) 483-9283.
If you have questions or feel that you are ready to consider membership, please contact one of the ministers.
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By Margaret Wilcox
Having officially been a UU and a UUSS'r for 13 years now (and unofficially for decades, though I didn't know there was a name for what I was), I eagerly look forward to serving as President of the Board.
During a several-weeks trip in June, I was missing Sunday services. On a whim, I did a search and discovered a Unitarian Church in the city we would visit the following Sunday. At our hotel, we found that the staff had never heard of the church and - I suspect from their expressions -- never heard of Unitarians or Universalists. We persevered and, on Sunday, traced a map on my iPhone, wandering the alleys, courtyards and back streets of Budapest. We got lost several times and were late, but we all know that UUs don't mind that, right?
As we settled into a pew way in the back, I listened to the minister's voice (not understanding a word), looked at familiar symbols around me, glanced at the congregation and closed my eyes feeling very moved and very at home. It was a wonderful moment. I'm grateful to be a UU and to have UUSS as my spiritual home.
Planning for the Future of UUSS
Are you excited about what the future might hold for UUSS? The Strategic Planning Team is moving ahead quickly to define a process that will engage us all in imaging where we would like to be, as a congregation, in five years. We plan to have a congregational survey early in the fall, a congregational retreat likely in early November, and small-group listening sessions through January.
The Team members -- Carl Gardner, Carrie Cornwell, Karen Gunderson, Marion Randall and Margaret Wilcox - have been joined now by Shannon Williams, whose expertise nicely complements that of our other members. We hope you'll be thinking about what you would like to see in our UUSS future.
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The UUSS Board of Trustees has voted to make us an HP-Free congregation. This followed several months of activities by our Sacramento chapter of UU Justice for the Middle East, including tabling in the Welcome Hall, with conversations and gathering 81 signatures of members and friends of UUSS. This was augmented by an April 30 forum, led by Cathy Hackett, about the commitment to move away from use of Hewlett-Packard products.
Success came when our Board met on May 25, heard a presentation by Cathy, Kim Stoddard, and Patricia Daugherty and voted unanimously to support this request. Cathy said, "As far as we know, we are the only UU congregation in the United States with HP-Free church status."
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UUSS Interfaith Earth Justice: Off to a Great Start!
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On Sunday, June 4, close to 100 people gathered in our sanctuary to hear three excellent speakers who shared their concerns and hopes related to the environment and the well-being of all people and our planet. Pennie Opal Plant, Native American activist from
Idle No More San Francisco Bay spoke eloquently about the deterioration of the earth through fracking, global warming, Canadian tar sand open pit mining, and industrial waste - especially the impact on the lands of indigenous people. She urged us to take actions such as divestment, helping with habitat restoration, supporting clean water initiatives, and planting community gardens, saying that "Depression is an indulgence we don't have time for."
Martha Turner and Sandy Emerson from Fossil Free CA spoke on what is being done to reduce investment in fossil fuel. California Senate Bill 185 requires CALPERS and CALSTRS to seek ways to divest from "thermal coal power," within their fiduciary responsibility, and move toward transitioning to "pollution free" energy investments. Sandy also gave specific ways for individuals to divest themselves. Currently $5.4 trillion dollars of assets have been committed to divestment through
www.divestinvest.org
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Representatives from six faith-based organizations also told of supporting earth justice work, in
cluding the upcoming
Interfaith eARTh
Festival,
on
Sunday October 8,
from 2-5 p.m. at UUSS. Artists from faith-based organizations and churches will share art, music and sacred texts at this free event. Be sure to put it on the calendar today--this event that brings together people from many spiritual paths for one purpose... to heal Mother Earth and improve the well-being of its people.
We are also talking with Sacramento Area Congregations Together to see how we might join with their faith groups to address environmental justice issues.
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By Meg Burnett
We concluded our first Mommy & Me class at UUSS on May 23, celebrating with a garden picnic. The volunteers who joined us this term are: Meg Burnett, UUSS coordinator, and Joan Rubenson, Nancy Lust, Susan Lange, Kathy Styc, Barbara Meierhenry, Doris Janes and, especially, Dina Bostandzic and guest teachers and interpreters from IRC, the International Rescue Committee . Grateful kids and moms learned a lot about our Sacramento community; healthy food and gardening; health and medical care knowledge; and how to read preschool books to their children in English.
The refugee women, who had some background in English, or none, helped each other through cooperation and friendship. Many of their children at first were little strangers who often cried or threw toys, but grew to happily speaking and sharing with others, learning preschool reading skills, table manners, and tidying up the room after playing.
We can use more volunteer staff in our preschool room starting August 15, as we begin our fall term. If you can join our team, contact
Meg Burnett
or leave a message on our
Refugee Support Webpage.
To be even more inspired, listen to Beth Ruyak's Cap Radio "Insight" interview from May 12, featuring one of our students who also appeared in our Performing for Peace art show in March. And be sure to see a story about UUSS refugee work on page 57 in the UU World, Summer 2017 issue!
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UUSS Book Readers
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On Tuesday, July 25, the UUSS Book Readers meet at 7:00 p.m. in the Welcome Hall to discuss
Dangerous Games: the Uses and Abuses of History,
by Margaret MacMillan. For more information, contact
James Glidden
or call (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. Summer is a perfect time to try one.
They start at 9:45 and end by 10:15, so you won't be late for the service.
Childcare is available, no reservation needed. You can drop off your child in room 11 as early as 9:30.
Here's the line-up:
- 1st Sunday - Labyrinth Walk. Each session's introduction helps you get the most from this experience in this ancient form of walking meditation. Meet at the Labyrinth in the meadow behind the sanctuary building.
- 2nd Sunday - QiGong & Tai Chi Chuan in the Fahs Classroom. Join John MacMillan and experience a taste of this calming and transforming practice.
- 3rd Sunday - Silent Meditation in Classroom 6. Need some silence in your week? Our team of meditation leaders will help you settle into a quiet time and space.
- 4th Sunday - Reading and reflection on poetry and prose in Classroom 6. Poet JoAnn Anglin leads this spiritual deepening practice of finding your meaning in a piece of poetry and sharing your thoughts with others.
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More Things to Know and Do
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All-Church Talent Show, August 26
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We're having a talent show for all ages on Saturday, August 26 at 7:00 p.m. Our whole community is invited to share this fun-filled evening of entertainment (and amazement!) Children, youth and adults will have an opportunity to dazzle and amuse us with their talents - anything and everything from juggling to acrobatics to miming, from bird calls to magic tricks to songs, jokes, music melodies, and much mor
e.
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Consider Sharing a Ride to Church
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-
 Save on gas money.
- Help someone get to church who otherwise could not.
- Reduce our carbon footprint.
- Get to know someone in your neighborhood.
- Free up spaces in our parking lot
Over the next several weeks, you will be invited to become part of a new experiment at UUSS. If there is sufficient interest - and if enough people are willing to drive as well as be passengers - we hope to initiate a program of carpooling to church.
What do you need to do? There are several ways to indicate your interest: Print out and fill out the form below and bring it to church with you or send it to the UUSS office; cut and paste the form into an e-mail and send to the office; call the office and ask Elaine to help you sign up; look for a copy of the form in a future Sunday Order of Service and at a table in the Welcome Hall on Sundays; look for the form on line on the UUSS web site. Names will be compiled in a central database and sorted by neighborhood. If the response looks promising, you will then be contacted with the name or names of possible ride-sharing partners who live in your area.
If you know someone who might be interested but may not find out about this opportunity in any of these ways, please tell them about it!
I AM INTERESTED IN SHARING A RIDE TO CHURCH
Name
________________________________________________________________________
Address
________________________________________________________________________
P
hone Email
____________________ _____________________________________________
Drive, ride, or both?
___ I can provide a ride.
How many passengers can you accommodate? ____
___ I need a ride and have no special needs.
___ I need a ride and have special needs, e.g., I use a walker or other equipment, have a service animal or caregiver who will accompany me, etc. (Please explain.)
___ Either ride or drive or both, as needed.
How often?
____ Occasionally ____ Every week, as possible
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Summer ArtWorks is always a great time for our RE group. Seeing the excitement build with each new project brings so much joy. Thank you to all the volunteers who share their creativity and inventiveness with our RE group of many ages and stages.
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We invite adults to an important training on Saturday, August 26. Spirit Play sees the purpose of religious education as helping children in living into their own answers to the existential questions: Where did we come from? What are we doing here? How do we choose to live our lives? What happens when we die? This training is to help build up our volunteer pool to support this fun and enriching ministry. Please reserve your spot with
Miranda
today! She returns July 9, so if you can't wait to ask about it, contact Rev. Roger!
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The registration form is available for this comprehensive sexuality education program which is LGBTQ positive.
With accurate information and progressive religious values, OWL (Our Whole Lives) builds sexual health and responsibility for people of all ages. It will take place on Sunday mornings starting this fall. Our trained OWL teachers are amazing people. Please contact
re@uuss.org
with any questions, or see Miranda for a registration form. Mandatory parent orientation will take place on Sunday, August 27 after service.
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Sunday RE Table Hosts--Volunteer to Help!
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Looking for an easy way to volunteer in RE? Help us to staff the welcome table one Sunday a month. Meet new families, learn about our program, assist with name tag creation and signing in the kids and youth. Simple yet very helpful!
E-mail
re@uuss.org
to sign up.
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UUSS artist Patty Taylor Gutermute guided youth and families from RE with repainting of a large metal sculpture she created. The vibrant piece now adorns the back fence of our community garden. Many thanks to all the painters who helped and thanks to Patty for continuing to aesthetically improve our church grounds.
Happy summer days,
Miranda
UUSS RE Coordinator
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Religious Education (RE) Calendar, July 2017
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Sunday, July 2
9:30-12:00 Child care
10:30-11:45 RE Summer ArtWorks
Sunday, July 9
9:30-12:00 Child care
10:30-11:45 RE Summer ArtWorks
Sunday, July 16
9:30-12:00 Child care
10:30-11:45 All Ages Tee-Shirt Spirituality worship service, no RE
Sunday, July 23
9:30-12:00 Child care
10:30-11:30 RE Summer ArtWorks
Sunday, July 30
9:30-12:00 Child care
10:30-11:30 RE Summer ArtWorks
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WHO WE ARE AND WHERE TO FIND US
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July 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 office will be closed Tuesday, July 4, for Independence Day.
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Serving Our Congregation
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UUSS OFFICERS & BOARD TRUSTEES
Margaret Wilcox, President Denis Edgren,
Vice-President
Gordon Gerwig, Treasurer Victoria Owens, Secretary
Kathy Bernard Carl Crain
Carl Gardner
Sally White
Roger Olson
Marian Ashe Linda Roth
Patty Budding
Deirdre Downes (Chairperson)
CHURCH STAFF
Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, Senior Minister
Rev. Lucy Bunch, Assistant Minister
Krystal Gollaher, Communications and Facilities Coordinator
Michele Ebler, Bookkeeper
Elaine Cooper, Receptionist
Miranda Massa, Religious Education Coordinator
Keith Atwater, Music Director
Yer Chang and Maddy Kenshol, Childcare Providers
Aaron Molina - Sunday thru Thursday, Custodian
Miguel Neri - Friday - Sunday, Custodian
Mike Galindo, Sunday Audio Tech & Custodian
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