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

Religious Education program at 9:30 a.m.  

Nursery Care at both services

February 2  Secrets

Rev. Lucy Bunch, preaching.

Years ago a man placed ads and distributed flyers encouraging people to write their secrets on a postcard and send them to him.  Thousands responded and the PostSecret project was born.

This Sunday we will view some of the postcards from the PostSecret project and explore the meaning of secrets--why we keep them and why we share them.

This is a Soup Sunday (after the 11:15 service).  Religious Education at 9:30:  Story Time (age 3-5), Spirit Play (grades 1-5), Junior High Youth Group (grades 6-8) and Senior High Youth Group.

February 9   Kindness-It's Not "Nice"

(Everyday Spirituality, Part 5)

Rev. Roger Jones, preaching; special music by Erik and Sonia Baily.

The practice of kindness might have more obvious and practical applications than some other spiritual practices.  Yet it's not always easy for all of us, and our culture confuses it with being "nice."  It's deeper, harder and more powerful.

We launch Stewardship Month today.  Members and friends will make monthly pledges for the next operating budget year.  Consider stepping up in stewardship for a promising new UUSS year!

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

February 16   Money and Meaning:  Living Between Affluence and Agony

Rev. Roger Jones, preaching; with Rev. Lucy Bunch; music today by Tom Hiltunen guitar/vocal (Toby's grandpa); and Linda Dawson, pianist (David's beloved).

Having lived in Silicon Valley, Roger can find funny and colorful stories related to the financial roller-coaster of the past decade.  And most of us know some tragic stories as a result of the concentration of wealth and income toward the top economic class and away from working people.  How are we to make sense of the pressures of living in a culture of scarcity and materialism?  How to inoculate against class anxiety?

Today our Board of Trustees hosts a salad luncheon fundraiser after the 11:15 service.

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

-

 Hon. Ami Bera, M.D., Member of Congress, preaching

with Rev. Roger Jones & Rev. Lucy Bunch

Dr. Bera represents California's 7^th District in the United States House of Representatives.  He served as Sacramento County's chief medical officer and was a clinical professor of medicine and associate dean at UC Davis.  He and his wife, Dr. Janine Bera, have a teenage daughter and reside in Elk Grove.  When not back visiting various faith communities in his home district on weekends, he attends All Souls Church (UU) in Washington, DC.

On January 26, the Unitarian Universalist Society of Sacramento gathered in a record turnout to call the Rev. Roger Jones as our settled Senior Minister.  Out of 402 members, 261 voted in person or by proxy. There were 257 yes votes and four no votes. The UUSS constitution requires a 35 percent quorum and a 90 percent affirmative vote to call a minister, and we easily exceeded those numbers with a 65 percent turnout and a 98.47 percent affirmative vote.  UUSS Board of Trustees President Linda Clear relayed the results to Roger by cell phone, and he returned to accept the call in person.

Congratulations, Roger! 

Dear UUSS Members and Pledging Friends,

I am very happy to have received such a strong vote of confidence in my continued ministry with the wonderful adults, youth and children of this congregation.  (Did I hear that percentage right?  Woo-hoo!) 

I appreciate the voting members' call to be Senior Minister at UUSS, and I accept it with gratitude. 

This has been a long discernment process, and I am confident the result will boost us forward into living our mission with more mindfulness, courage, joy and generosity:  We come together to deepen our lives and be a force for healing in the world. Namaste!

My deep thanks goes to our dedicated Board of Trustees members this year and last year for their confidence and leadership, and to last year's Ministerial Transition Task Force, which worked long and hard with such open hearts and care for UUSS. Thanks to the Candidate Committee, which has led the discussion, discernment and publicity for the process these past seven months:  Kathryn Canan, Dana Exum, Linda Klein, Judy Lane, David Libby, and Nancy Lust.   Thanks to Susan Rothman and her team for the January 12 reception and to the Committee for the January 24 potluck.  Thanks also to our hardworking UUSS staff members, who support me by the ways they support all of you in your ministries of service and generosity to UUSS.   

Deep thanks also to Rev. Lucy, whose presence, positive energy, music, wisdom and many ministerial gifts have sustained me in this long process.  During a time of many transitions, her gifts have brought new energy to the congregation and kept our momentum and spirits strong.  Blessed be!

We've completed this special process!  "Now we return to our regularly scheduled programming." 

Our ongoing work together includes Implementing the Master Plan (IMP), with more conversations, new decisions, and hard but good work related to our building renewal project.  (Congregational Meeting at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, February 23.)

Our work includes the February Stewardship Month, when we renew and make pledges to fund the operating budget for the coming church year (2014-15).  

Our work includes singing and connecting on Sunday, learning together, sharing meals, caring, and laughter.  It gives me joy to be doing this together with you.  Namaste!

Yours in service,

Roger

A Congregational Meeting will be held on February 23, between the first service and the second service (starting at 10:30) in the auditorium to discuss the latest news on the building renovation plans. Construction costs have come in higher than expected and we may need to delay groundbreaking and our move to the Sierra Arden United Church of Christ for at least a few months while we explore options and determine how we can close the gap between our funding and the construction costs.

Well, I'm glad that's behind us! 

The recent vote on calling a minister underscores that a UU congregation belongs to the members and friends-the people who choose to make possible all of our programs, outreach and staff talent. 

Our Stewardship Month begins Sunday, February 9, when all of us are invited to step up to support our mission and sustain our vision through the yearly operating budget. 

This pledge drive is crucial for planning.  Our lay leaders and staff work hard in March to prepare a budget using the pledge numbers you and I provide.  The congregation will consider this budget and vote on it in May. But for all of us, February is a decision point.

How do you think about your monthly pledge of support to UUSS? 

Many people think of their pledge in terms of a percentage of their income.  Most of us make a monthly pledge.  If we make it automatically from our checking account, it saves staff time, and it provides reliable, steady income for UUSS.

Our denomination's materials suggest thinking of a pledge of 2 percent to 10 percent of annual gross income.  I encourage all Unitarian Universalists to aim toward giving, in the aggregate, 10 percent of their annual income to all the not-for-profit organizations of their choosing.  One of these organizations, presumably, would be their own religious community and spiritual home.

I will pledge 4.5 percent of my gross income to UUSS and will give another 4 percent to various UU institutions and other causes and charities, and our Shared Offering.

Your pledge is your own choice.  Contributions of all sizes are valued and appreciated.

The current pledges to UUSS range from $15 a month to nearly $20,000 a year. This is an economically diverse congregation.  This diversity is what it means to be part of a community. Some can afford to give more than others, and some less. Indeed, some pledge more because we know others cannot. 

Please know that if your financial situation should change, for better or for worse, it is quite appropriate to revise your pledge (either down or up!) by notifying the Office. 

Your pledge is your decision, so please choose an amount that feels right. Your pledge and your support make a difference.  I appreciate all your generosity!

The joy continues,

Roger

Where's Roger in February?

I am happy to make an appointment with you!  Office hours are weekday afternoons.  My usual day off is Tuesday, and writing day is Friday so I avoid e-mail on those days.  You may feel free to call my home. Elaine Cooper in our Office knows many answers and can reach me in an emergency.  I take most of my vacation weeks in summer, but after the intensity of recent months, I'll enjoy a post-election trip to Denver to see my nephews--gone January 29 to February 2.  I'll be out on February 10, my birthday.

President's Column

Recently I have been learning about what parts of our brains are engaged when we make decisions. Jonathan Haidt, in The Righteous Mind, explains that our judgments depend heavily on quick intuitive flashes--the gut reaction with which many of us are familiar. Our reasoning side can participate, but may often have little influence if we have a strong emotional reaction to something. Once our gut takes a position, it is hard to dislodge it, even if it doesn't make rational sense. 

John McMillan shared with me a TED talk called "The Importance of Why" by Simon Sinek. You can see it at http://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action.html.
Sinek tells us that decisions are made by the limbic part of the brain, and this part doesn't have language. He explains that this lack of language in the decision-making center is why we sometimes have a hard time finding the words to express things that come through our intuition. How many times have you heard someone say, "I can't really tell you why I think this is right (or why I disagree), I just do."

So what's a human to do? How do we find the balance that allows us to make decisions with both intuition and reason? According to Haidt, we can bring in reasoning through interaction with others. It is through friendly conversation and engagement with others that our emotional and rational side can find the right balance.

What is difficult to do for ourselves is made possible by engagement with others.

Recently I had a chance to observe this engagement firsthand. Leadership from the Board met with the Implementing the Master Plan Team to talk about next steps in our building project. Some tough decisions are ahead. I heard people express their fears and desires balanced with thoughtful reasoning about our options. Give and take, back and forth, emotion and reason shared, both parts of the brain engaged. I was very impressed with their thoughtful, honest, and creative engagement in tough issues.

As we go forth into the next phase of our building project, may we all find that balance between emotion and reason, that balance found by our engagement with each other.

Where's Lucy In February?
My office hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. Please call or e-mail if you'd like to visit so I can make sure to be available for you. I will be with you on the Sundays of February 2, 16 and 23. During the week of February 24 to 27, I am attending a new ministers' training at the Unitarian Universalist Association headquarters in Boston.    

The most recent retreat was January 10 to 12, at the San Francisco UU Church. This venue is incredible--built like an old Catholic church with huge stained glass windows and stonework, like something straight out of Europe.  Here we participated in two programs to expand our thoughts to that of the greater community and not simply the privileged communities we normally interact with. Theatre of the Oppressed was a program which encouraged us to consider various situations ranging from the familiar (high school) to more foreign topics such as homelessness.

The next day we walked the streets of the Tenderloin, observing poverty, interacting with the residents and eating in a soup kitchen. This served to not only dispel some society-instilled stigmas about homeless people, but led us to think of the future and how systemic poverty may be overcome. Over the weekend, we participated in various dialogues on poverty and left with ample to consider.

As we continue in COA, we will strive to keep this experience in our minds so that we think not only of our peers and mentors when we define our beliefs, but of those people we met in the Tenderloin of San Francisco and ate beside in the soup kitchens.  Most of  hope that we will leave COA with clearer vision and no longer allow our eyes to slide over those who live harder lives than we do simply because we do not want to see such raw and ugly parts of society. I hope that we see them as human beings and allies in the fight for social justice. 

For the third consecutive year, Chalice Camp is on the calendar!  The 2014 camp will take place the first week of August and will be held on UUSS grounds even though we'll be settled into our Home Away From Home. The campers will have a fantastic time getting to know each other, playing games, preparing a play, talking about Unitarian Universalist heritage, creating art and deepening children's identities as Unitarian Universalists.  More information soon! 

By Miranda Massa, Religious Education (RE) Coordinator 

Each year we raise money thanks to wonderful contributors like You and You!  UUSS raises money to maintain all that our church has to offer.  I thank you all for your continued financial gifts that allow us to sustain our Religious Education programs and dedicated Room 11 Nursery staff.

• Before we move to our temporary Home Away From Home, Religious Education will have our yearly Easter canned food hunt here at UUSS.  Start gathering your canned food donations and bring them by the RE Welcome Table on your way into church.
• Senior High Youth Group welcomes donations of clean used blankets for Room 12.
• Religious Education would benefit from your gently used plastic storage totes. If you have one or two that you are willing to part with, please let me know!
• March 16 will be our first ever All Ages Big Music Service!
• For RE calendar details and other information, go to http://uuss.org/Groups/RE/index.php.

The committee continues to work with our architect (Jeff Gold) on finalizing the plans for both the social hall/sanctuary and the landscaping.  Jeff needed to have some important decisions made so his drawings could be submitted to the county as part of our permit application. Critical changes on interior door placements and storage space were approved at the January meeting; however, it was decided that many other details will be deferred until construction starts and purchases have to be made.

Extended discussions continue on what kinds of chairs would meet our financial, storage and comfort needs. There are many choices and due to the importance of this matter, a chair subcommittee has been formed to give this decision the attention it deserves. 

We are asking members-the "users" -for input and suggestions.  

We also learned that a solar energy system will be installed as part of the project and UUSS will be able to clearly demonstrate our support for a more sustainable and green campus.

The committee learned in January that after considerable deliberation and soul searching, the Music Committee had recommended to the Board of Trustees (BOT) that the organ be sold. Before recommending the sale of the organ, the Music Committee contacted approximately 40 members for their views. Since the organ was purchased in 1996 from a bequest and Women's Alliance fundraising, the committee had to balance its sentimental and historical value with the practical considerations that it was not being used and its electronic features were significantly outdated.  Although storing it during construction was one option, it was eventually determined that the design of the new sanctuary and music room required a timely resolution. The decision to sell was then made and approved. 

The committee will continue to work on the project budget in February with the BOT, Jeff and Jackson Construction. There are still many options and factors to consider and due to the size and scale of this project, total costs will depend on many decisions yet to be made.

Please come to the IMP Congregational Conversation, Sunday, February 16, after the 11:15 service.  We will present the construction project's budget issues and ask for feedback. 

"New Discoveries," the 2014 auction and dinner is happening on Saturday, April 5.  This annual event is our largest fundraiser and an opportunity to bid on services, events or items that enhance your spiritual and physical lives.

Can you provide babysitting for busy parents, an art walk in town, a scrumptious dinner for six or a vacation home for a week or weekend?  Think of what you can offer to the auction that others will enjoy.

Now is the time to submit your donations. The traditional donation form can be found on the UUSS website at http://uuss.org/Groups/Auction/index.php and extra copies are in the office. Those can be turned into the auction mailbox in the hallway, between the kitchen and the office.

For those who shun paperwork and love the challenge of something new, you can donate on line. Go to the Auction 2014 website at www.togetherauction.com/uuss, and find the log-in button in the top right-hand corner of the page. Type in your 7-digit phone number and pin number (the last four digits of your phone number). If your number is not recognizable, you can add yourself to the auction directory. Look for the red link.  

After logging in, find the Donate-a-New-Item box, or go to last year's catalog and find the item you wish to offer again. One click and you've submitted your entry. (If you use last year's item, don't forget to update the description and any other information.)

Because there are so many steps and options in donating on line, an instructional slide show is available on the UUSS web site to walk you through the process.  It's not difficult and you will enhance your technical skills. I hope you'll try donating on the web site; it makes our jobs easier.

Wouldn't it be great if we had 50 percent of the members donate at least one item?  Think of all those opportunities to benefit from the generosity of our friends and spiritual community!  Let's finish our final months in the permanent pre-construction UUSS building with a bang!

Have questions about donating?  E-mail Abby Rosenblum at [email protected] or call her at 916-956-0450.

For other questions about the auction, contact co-chairs Mary Howard at [email protected] or Chris Webb-Curtis at [email protected].

The next workshop in the series "Deepening our Conversations and Connections" is titled "Navigating Change."  

There is a quote that says, "The only sure thing in life is that there will be changes."  Since change is an inevitable part of our lives, it is useful to know how to navigate it successfully rather than be subject to the turbulent effect of it. Join us for an interactive workshop in which we will examine what we already know about navigating change and learning some new skills. The workshop is on Sunday, February 2, at 12:45 p.m. in classroom 7/8, and is led by Lance Ryen and Judy Bell.

The seven elected members of UUSS's 2014 Nominating Committee have begun recruiting candidates for May's elections. We are seeking strong, dedicated leaders to fill 15 open positions on the Board of Trustees, Program Council, Nominating Committee, Endowment Fund and Communication Facilitation Committee. If you would like more information about those positions or may wish to be considered for one of them, contact Doris Simonis ([email protected]) or Judy Lane ([email protected]).

The UUSS Constitution also provides an alternate path to leadership.  Any church member may be nominated through the petition process. Petitions must be signed by five percent of the Society's membership and presented to the Board President or Secretary no later than April 15. Once the Secretary has verified that each signature is, indeed, that of a member, the nominee's name will be added to the ballot.

Join the All-Ages Games Night on Friday evening, February 7, in the Fahs Room. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for those who want to gather for a potluck dinner. We will eat at 6 p.m. and game playing begins at 6:30. 

Please join hosts Ginny Johnson, Megan Snyder and Carrie Cornwell for our monthly evening of gaming fun. Games we play include cards, chess, checkers, board games, toddler games, kid games and adult games. You can bring your own favorite game and we will play it with you. In January a couple of our game players taught the hosts how to play the card game 500.  It was great fun!  Come teach us a new game or join the table playing 500.

For more information or if you are interested in helping to host Games Night, call or e-mail Megan Snyder (333-8203 or [email protected]) , Ginny Johnson (649-0575 or [email protected]), or Carrie Cornwell (442-1637 or [email protected]).

Everyone of all ages is welcome, as long as you come to play.

Over a decade ago, I started borrowing and then renting a portable canvas labyrinth from Christ Unity Church on Folsom Boulevard for equinoxes/solstices and separate labyrinth walks.  It fits in the lobby/lounge or the Fahs Room. The late Arnie Godmintz was very supportive, then a former member of our Women's Ritual Group, the late Dawn Rose, sold us another portable canvas labyrinth; Diane Kelly-Abrams bought it, then donated it to UUSS.

It was once suggested that we measure out a temporary string labyrinth every time we wanted to use one, but that process wasn't efficient. 

Tiffany Urness grew interested, partly due to her travels to France, in building a permanent labyrinth. Diane Kelly-Abrams negotiated to include it on the Master Plan, and John McMillan offered to design and supervise the project because of his civil engineering expertise. Ground breaking took place last spring, and after many UUSS volunteer work days and help from the County work crew, the Labyrinth was completed and dedicated by Rev. Lucy Bunch on December 22. For more information about the Labyrinth and its history, contact me at (916) 342-3226 or [email protected].

Thanks to all of you generous people who provided food, money and help for Bob Cornwell's memorial reception. This is a service we provide to any member or friend of UUSS.  It is all of us helping each other in good times and not so good. So, please remember that if you are called upon to help in this area, it is just what we all do to support one another.  We in the Receptions Committee thank you.  

Due to the upcoming moving transition, the bookstore will take only popular trade books and magazines.  We will continue to offer appropriate UUA literature.  Watch for some outstanding sales as we get closer to the big move!

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