InfoNet: News & Updates
June 26, 2020
Worship Service
UUA General Assembly Sunday Service
10:00am Eastern time

"Beyond the Water's Edge
Rev. Javier-Duval is minister of the Unitarian Church of Montpelier, VT. 
Click here for Order of Service:   Order of Service     
Streaming several ways including: UUA YouTube Link and FaceBook

   Join the Virtual Coffee Hour for further discussion via Zoom after the
Sunday Service (11am or so), Zoom Meeting Link

Sunday 5:15 p.m. Takeaways from the GA Worship Service with Pastor Jack and others.  Members will be sent a Zoom invitation. Click here for more information...

 Check out our Virtual Gatherings & Worship Services page for more information about the programs we are using to bring UUSP to you
including our Meditation Sessions and our RE Lessons!
This Week at a Glance:
  Tuesday : Weekly Meditation reading, "After Pride" 8am UUSP Meditations YouTube Channel
Tuesday: Zoom Lunchtime Check-in/Chat 12:pm ( Summer Schedule will meet July 7 & August 4).
Wednesday: Adult Religious Studies: Will meet July 1, then Summer Break until September
Thursday: Zoom Citizen's Cafe' 12:00pm ( Summer Schedule - will meet July 30 & August 27) .
Many covenant groups and committees are meeting virtually; contact your group leader for details.

Zoom invitations are sent to all members and also to friends who request invitations.
Email Pastor Jack directly to be added or removed from the distribution list.
Pastor Jack's Weekly Wonder
Dear Friends,

The Annual General Assembly of UU Congregations has begun. Perhaps the most important element will be the report from the UUA Commission on Institutional Change, looking at how America’s systemic biases have effected the ways of UU congregations and what to do about those effects.

We have a number of UUSP members attending this GA online. You can still attend a number of programs by going to www.UUA.org/GA , including this Sunday’s 10am GA Worship Service. Later, at 5:15pm, via Zoom, we at UUSP will have an initial sharing of our takeaways from GA. 


I hope you’ll make an effort to at least attend the Sunday service and some of the summary takeaway presentations on Sunday afternoon. Decades ago Bob Dylan sang, “The times they are a’changin’.” More recently, Garfield the Cat said, “Fine - what else would they do?” With perspective, he knew they don’t do anything else unless the systems change, too. Eyes on the prize, my friends.  

Stay caring, stay well, stay in touch. Blessings,


ATTEND THE UUA GENERAL ASSEMBLY ONLINE  - Wednesday June 24 to Sunday June 28. Register at:   uua.org/ga  to participate in any programs – cost $150. Free viewings of General Sessions and Sunday Worship will be live-streamed at  www.uua.org/ga .
Religious Education
Wednesday Zoom Adult Religious Studies Book Discussions
July 1, 2020, 10:00am & 7:00pm
Meet the Democracy Movement

We are in the midst of a five-session discussion of Frances Moore Lappe’s Daring Democracy: Igniting Power, Meaning, and Connection for the America We Want . Quotes will be provided as the focus of each discussion. Contact Pastor Jack to receive the Zoom Link and Discussion points.
We will go on a Summer Break after our July 1 sessions and start back in September!
Children's Religious Education:
June 28, 2020
Check out some great information in the weekly newsletter
What? - you aren't receiving it?
Please contact RE@UUStPete.org
 and click on the picture to the Left .
For this weeks' lesson from Ms. Trish and Ms. Jeanay, click on the recording box below.
This month’s theme for Religious Education is  Family .

Sabbath Space Week 3

To build a place that helps us remember what is important, nourishing and sacred in our lives .
Online Weekly Meditation Schedule (feedback appreciated)
Contemplative Meditation Readings
(Moving to Tuesday)

**For Monastic Days - How to do Mindful Meditation
  1. Set your alarm for 5 to 40 minutes;
  2. Sit erect, breathe deeply once or twice to relax;
  3. Watch your breathing ease to normal, observing breath come and go;
  4. Count in cycles of ten breaths if it helps you keep observing – or repeat a “sacred” word for focus (e.g., peace, grace, life, thanks, care, see, being);
  5. If deep focus is lost to extraneous thought, feeling, or sensation, note it simply as “thought” or “feeling” or “sensation” and return to your breath or word;
  6. Sometimes, for deeper peace, try shifting attention to consciousness itself or to your sense of being.
  7. When your timer goes off, remain awake.
Social Justice
If you missed this article - check it out.

Contact Pat Fling for more information.

UUSP Community
Pledge Statements for Fiscal Year 2019-2020

Wondering where you are on paying your pledge for the current year? Statements were emailed on Thursday, May 7. Please complete your pledge by June 30 , the end of this fiscal year. Questions? Ask Rebecca Wilson, Financial Secretary ,  or call her at (202) 549-6040. Thank you for supporting UU St. Pete!
Building a Community in a Pandemic
  • July 4: 1pm Neighborhood Walk & Wave Zoom Review Connect with your UUSP neighbors on a morning walk & wave tour. Then at 1pm, connect with other walkers, share your experiences and pictures. Contact Sabine 
  • Zoom Meeting Link

  • July 6, 4pm - What Are You Watching? Join new board member, Dave Mapp, in sharing your favorite movies and shows, what you like/dislike, and why you do/don’t recommend for broad consumption. All favorite “picks” will be listed and shared. Contact: Sabine
  • Zoom Meeting Link

We are adding virtual E-vents to our UUSP calendar. Please reach out to Sabine (973-768-3256) if you need help accessing events OR if you have ideas for an event.
Caring & Connected Newsletter
We continue to send out the e-newsletter  “Caring & Connected” to help sustain our UUSP community during uncertain times. Click  HERE to read it and learn “how can I help?” and "how can I stay connected?” during the church closure. 

for the Communications Team
Staying Connected With Pastor Jack & Staff
Pastor’s Open-Air Office Hours:   :   For those experiencing a serious sense of isolation, you are welcome to contact Pastor Jack (352-327-6166)  to arrange a visit online or in the open air at the church.

For members with mobility limitations , upon request, he will be glad to visit with you at any open-air location (eg, backyards, porches, local parks).

Our UUSP staff members will continue their duties in a safe, cautious manner to the fullest degree possible. Our Church Office Administrator is now working from home and can be reached at officeuustpete.org@gmail.com .

During this challenging time, may we remember that we need to pay close attention to how everybody is doing and how we can help.   
Resources within UUSP
Joys/Concerns & Helping One Another: Share those joys you are having during this time of separation, as they will help us all feel the light. You may also have concerns. Just reach out to Pastor Jack or Patti Hanks, Care Committee so we can help lift you up or lift those that may need it through a message at Sunday Service or just to talk to them.
 
Our UUSP Sermons (printed or audio) are available on UUSP's website : 
For some of our services prior to the COVID-19 changes, Click the Spirituality tab, click Worship Services and Sermons. Scroll down the services and you will see "Sermons and Readings" and Audio Icon (small speaker). All Services from mid-March - current will now be on our UUSP YouTube Channel .
Thank you for your interest in UU St. Petersburg!
From me to you and to those around you Stay Safe and Stay Well!

Kelli DeGraw, part of your Communications Team.
Feedback and suggestions are welcome (pubs@uustpete.org).
Our mission is to be an inclusive , evolving religious community that inspires spiritual and intellectual growth to make our world a better place .
Unitarian Universalist Church of St. Petersburg
727.898.3294