The Unigram
Newsletter for June 2019
Unitarian Universalist Society of Sacramento
2425 Sierra Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95825
Office (916) 483-9283
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June 2: Heeding the Call
Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, preaching, with members of the Junior High Youth Group, and adult leaders Clark Graham, Darcy McGaffic, and Alicia Perla; Rev. Lucy Bunch, and Worship Associate Frances Myers; UUSS Choir; Music Director Keith Atwater; Ina Jun, piano
All year on Sunday mornings, Religious Education for those in grades 6, 7 and 8 has explored empathy, awareness, compassion, courage, abundance, joy, and other spiritual tools for making justice. Today we hear some of the high points of the year from youth and participants. The homily reflects on the call to courage and equity on issues of our own faith tradition today. Today also will appreciate Ina Jun, our departing piano accompanist.
- Sunday Morning Spiritual Practice: Walking the Labyrinth in the Meadow at 9:45 a.m
- Nursery Care: Room 11 of the Education Wing, 9:20 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
- Activity Fair on the Meadow: 60 groups and programs, 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
- Youth Coming of Age, 2019-20 Program: information session for all, 12 p.m.
- Pianist Ina Jun in a farewell benefit concert: 2 p.m. in the Main Hall
June 9: A Good Death
Rev. Lucy Bunch and Molly Stuart
Worship Associate Ginny Johnson and accompanist Ina Jun
Many of us consider what makes up a good life, but what about a good death? Are there ways in which we need to prepare our lives and our spirits for this inevitable transition? What would you consider a good death? Rev. Lucy and Molly Stuart explore this challenging topic.
- Sunday Morning Spiritual Practice:
Introduction to Tai Chi and Qi Gong at 9:45 a.m. in the Fahs Room.
- Rev. Roger and Keith Atwater leading worship outside at Camp Norge after breakfast
June 16: The Practice and Pursuit of Happiness
Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, preaching, with Rev. Lucy Bunch and Worship Associate Larry Boles Guest Pianist Nicholas Dold
June is commencement, when graduation speakers offer words of inspiration and wisdom to people making the transition to a new phase of life. For most of them, a sense of purpose and the pursuit of happiness are primary goals. Certainly their parents wish for them to be happy, among other forms of good fortune. Let’s talk about the way of happiness.
- Exploring Unitarian Universalism: History at 9:30 a.m. in the Fahs room
- Sunday Spiritual Practice: Meditation in Room 6 at 9:45 a.m.
- Father’s Day recognition
- Blessing of our Delegates traveling to the UUA General Assembly
- Info session about General Assembly 12:10-1:00 p.m.-- all welcome
June 23: Under the Bright Summer Sun — A Service for All Ages
Rev. Lucy Bunch, preaching, with Worship Associates Ginny Johnson and Jed Shapiro;
UUSS Chalice Singers; Music Director Keith Atwater.
The sun is at its peak of potency in Sacramento as we celebrate the longest day. Throughout the centuries, celebrants have drawn on the power of the sun to energize change and transformation. We will too! Wear your shades.
- Sunday Morning Spiritual Practice: Reading and Responding to Poetry, Room 6 at 9:45 a.m.
- Newcomers’ Orientation and Tour of our Campus: 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. starting in the Library/Bookstore
- Rev. Roger and nine members at the UUA General Assembly in Spokane, WA
June 30: Of Life and Labyrinths
Rev. Lucy Bunch, preaching, with Rev. Dr. Roger Jones
;
Larry Boles Worship Associate; Music Director Keith Atwater; Guest Pianist Nicholas Dold
If you have ever walked the labyrinth, you can appreciate how this spiritual tool can deepen your spirit and help you process the twists and turns in life. In fact, everything that comes up for you in the labyrinth is a metaphor for something in your life. How does that happen? This Sunday we will explore the meaning and power of this marvelous tool of self-discovery.
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Shared Offering Recipient this Month
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Every month we give half of the Sunday 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 April, we contributed $2,783 to St. John’s Program for Real Change, which serves as a shelter/rehabilitation program for homeless and battered women and their children. Our June Sunday offerings will be shared with
Mercy Pedalers
, who reach out by bicycle to homeless people on our streets, offering resources and nutrition.
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In 2017, the board of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) board set the goal of raising $5 million for Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism (BLUU). One UU couple in Pennsylvania made a challenge grant of $1 million for BLUU to be matched dollar-for-dollar by gifts from individuals, families and congregations. Our own congregation is helping to meet that challenge. The UUSS Board of Trustees approved my proposal that we commit to raising at least $5,000 for this purpose by June 30, 2019.
What is BLUU? Established in 2016, BLUU is an organizing collective of Black Unitarian Universalists of all generations aiming to expand the role and visibility of Black UUs in our movement. Its leaders provide information, resources and support for Black UUs. Our liberal faith tradition was formed two centuries ago with the
ideals
of inclusion, fairness, and equality. Yet our movement has persistently reflected the cultural dominance of whiteness, with structures of oppression and practices of exclusion that have been painfully evident to UUs of color for decades but naively or conveniently overlooked by those of us in privileged identities.
The UUA’s journey toward this goal of justice has been rocky, but there is new progress. The love and courage of BLUU’s leaders and the support of new leadership in our denomination have brought more insight, change, and creative possibilities. BLUU uses funds to:
- provide ministry and pastoral care with and among Black UUs and their families,
- lift up the voices of Black UUs within our faith and to the larger community,
- connect our UU institutions to the vital movements working for racial justice.
From its vision statement: “BLUU harnesses love’s power to combat oppression and foster healing as a spiritual and political imperative. We know the power of love to be life-changing, inclusive, relational, uncomfortable, unconditional and without end.”
Large advance gifts from some folks at UUSS have brought us toward our goal of $5,000. This is the month when we will achieve — or surpass — that goal! You can help us make it happen with a gift of $1,000, $100, $10, or anywhere in between. Feel free to ask me if you have any questions about this appeal, or
read more here
.
This funding campaign will sustain the progress brought by BLUU’s leadership for the health, vitality and relevance of the UU movement. Our gifts are a generous, trusting, and committed response to the promise of our faith. Our gifts are an investment in Black leadership in our movement at a pivotal time in history. Please join me!
Yours in faith,
Rev. Dr. Roger D. Jones
PS—To make a donation, you may write a check to UUSS with “BLUU” in the memo line, hand it to a minister or Board member, or leave it in the UUSS Office for Michele, our Bookkeeper. You also may send it via PayPal on our website’s
Donate Now
button.
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Finding Rev. Roger in June
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To have a good conversation, let’s make an appointment! Office hours in June are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons, but we can find a time to talk or meet that works for your schedule and mine. I’d love to connect with you, so give me a call. June 7-9 I’ll be at Camp Norge for the annual all-ages UUSS camp. June 17-24 I’ll be in Spokane for UU Ministers Association meetings and the UUA General Assembly with nine members of UUSS.
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Rev Lucy's Message:
Investment Strategies for the new Millennium
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Ever since the 2016 election, I have been saying that it’s going to get worse before it gets better. I am sad to say that I am right. And it keeps getting worse. Many of you have told me that you are suffering from despair fatigue — that the relentless stream of discouraging news is taking its toll on you. I want to offer some investment strategies to help us all through these dark times. Here are some suggestions.
- Invest in the beauty and goodness that is all around you. Don’t let the angry hate-filled ranters dominate. Stay away from the pundits and their endless analysis. Plant flowers, dwell on stories of human kindness, create some kindness for yourself and for others.
- Invest in your congregation. We come together to deepen our lives and be a force for healing in the world. If you want to feel like you are part of something positive in the world, get involved at UUSS. Come be with caring like-minded people on Sunday morning. And bring a friend.
- Invest in your community. Our congregation is becoming actively engaged with the Arden Arcade area, from our Mercy Pedalers' outreach to homeless, to the American River cleanup crew, from the Refugee Support program, to our Environmental Justice Committee. There are so many ways that you can make a difference. Your caring and actions matter.
Come tell me of your despair and I will tell you mine. And we will lift each other up and go forth to make a difference in our hurting world.
Sending love to all,
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Finding Rev. Lucy in June
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My regular office hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons. I love your visits. Please call or e-mail if you want to visit so I can be sure to be available for you.
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Sangye Hawke, Candidate for UU Ministry
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Hello all!
My Field Education at UUSS has come to an end, but my time with you all has not! I am thrilled to remain on board as your student minister volunteer, helping with the Artworks Religious Education program until August 18. After that I return to seminary for its annual summer intensive. The Fall Semester will commence soon after, which I will spend at nearby Sutter Hospital, training in hospital chaplaincy, a requirement for my ministerial candidacy. Thank you for allowing me to work with your amazing, accomplished, adventurous, audacious, affirming, and ageless selves. What a blessing all of you are to the world and to me!
— Sangye
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Music Director's Message:
The Joy of Campfires
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Many of us remember campfires fondly — dreamily watching the flickering, dancing flames, toasting marshmallows and making "s'mores," singing silly (and sometimes serious) songs, telling jokes, and shivering a bit, perhaps caused by the cold night — or more likely the scary stories of bears and ghosts! It's no surprise that people everywhere have gathered around an open fire for millennia. As a young lad, I camped with my family, and later with Boy Scouts, but hardly ever with a church community.
But our wonderful Camp Norge provides us with the best of outdoor experiences, including campfires. This is the place for fellowship among friends, lots of singing and guitar strumming, a talent show for all ages, and especially a time for connecting as UU family and enjoying the glories of nature away from the city. I look forward to seeing many of you around the fire. Be sure to bring some firewood as well as your appetite for dessert treats and fun, and let me know your favorite campfire songs!
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Farewell to Ina Jun! ~ Benefit Recital Sunday, June 2, 2:00 p.m.
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Ina Jun, our beloved pianist and choir accompanist since 2014, announced May 12 that she’s been accepted to a doctoral program for piano performance at the Hartt School, University of Hartford, in Connecticut.
She’ll be leaving Sacramento June 9. We are happy for her advancement but very sad to see her depart. She received a bachelor’s degree from that school and a master’s degree in piano performance at Sacramento State University.
We will savor these last few Sundays listening to her musical offerings and singing hymns to her accompaniment. Also, don’t miss this Sunday afternoon’s benefit performance. Note there is no admission charge, but your generosity is invited for Ina's moving expenses.
Farewell Benefit Recital: Ina Jun, piano, with Sandro Ladu, violin
2:00 p.m., Sunday, June 2, 2019
Works of Brahms, J.S. Bach, Chopin, and Jon Schmidt (a UUSS Sunday favorite)
Reception afterward hosted by UUSS volunteers
`A Benefit Recital – Freewill Offering
Unitarian Universalist Society, 2425 Sierra Blvd.
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We extend our condolences to our member Carl Crain and family on the sudden loss of his nephew, Allan Crain, in May, at age 52. Memorial contributions are invited to Yolo County Animal Services Shelter. We also extend our condolences to our choir member Leanna Pierson on the passing of her mother, Nancy Pierson, in May. A mother of five, Nancy taught kindergarten in Greenville, CA. Memorial contributions are invited to the
Plumas County Museum
.
We extend our condolences to the family of Wayne Muller, former UUSS member and former husband of Rosemary Muller. He died in May. Rosemary is on hospice care.
The UUSS Pastoral Visitors visit members who are not able to get to services. Contact a minister if you or someone you know would like to receive a visit or a call from one of our volunteers. We are searching for new volunteer Pastoral Visitors, especially for Natomas or Roseville. Thanks!
pastoralvisitors@uuss.org
is our contact e-mail, or you can call the Office.
If you valued the
Sending Love
column in the Blue Sheet and this newsletter, please know that we are looking for lay volunteers who will work with the ministers to coordinate that listing of people needing our loving wishes and prayer for healing. Let Rev. Roger know.
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June is here already — the final month of our church year! It has been a year filled with congregational energy, enthusiasm and commitment to imagining our goals for the future. This is, once again, a good time to reflect on the Board's work, to thank those members who have completed their terms and are ready for new opportunities, and to welcome new Board members.
It has been a great pleasure to serve on a Board composed of dedicated, engaged, hard-working, and thoughtful members. Our work continues to be guided by our charge as the policy-making body on behalf of the congregation. Recognizing the need to develop key safety policies, the Board completed a Sexually Safer Congregation Policy in August. This is grounded in our UU principles and provides a framework for (a) keeping children, youth, and vulnerable adults safe from sexual abuse; and (b) responding to a request for participation from a person accused or found guilty of a sexual offense against a child, youth, or adult.
Other key congregational safety policies to guide us in the event of emergencies are being developed, including campus security issues, medical emergencies, building evacuation, and disruptive behavior. The Board appointed a team that is hard at work developing these policies and accompanying procedures. This is challenging work that involves difficult issues. We are lucky to have UUA resources available along with wonderfully knowledgeable folks in our congregation who have willingly stepped forward to guide us in this effort.
Our new Strategic Plan, created from congregational input and led by a Board-appointed team, has been approved enthusiastically by the Board. As the Plan’s introductory paragraph reminds us: “This is a ‘living document’ that is intended to guide UUSS priorities from July 2019 through June 2024. The action plans are not comprehensive but rather examples from the congregation of specific work needed to address our objectives. The creativity of the congregation in implementing current Action Plans and in identifying new actions to achieve our Goals and Objectives will expand and enrich our work together over the next five years.”
It’s a testimonial to the collegial and welcoming culture of the current Board that many members are continuing for the coming year or two: Sally White moves from Secretary to President; Denis Edgren continues as Vice President; Victoria Owens remains our Treasurer; and our continuing Members-at-Large are David Harlow, Joseph Turner, Kathy Bernard, and Roger Olson. New Board members this year will be Sandra Navarro as Secretary and Marilyn Reynolds as a Member-at-Large.
Please join me in thanking all these dedicated folks!
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UUSS Activity Groups & Programs Annual Fair this Sunday
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Here is your chance to find out about the rich tapestry of programs, groups, and people that make up our UUSS community. So many ways to learn, play, serve, deepen, and heal together! The Program Council is hosting the annual Activity Groups Fair to be held after the service on June 2. Tables staffed by members of many of our 60+ groups will be on the back patio, volleyball field, and labyrinth area. This is a super opportunity to find out more about the groups you’ve been thinking might be of interest to you. It’s always a fun and interesting event…with lots of socializing as well! Groups have received an invitation to participate and tables will be awaiting them that morning. Questions? Contact
programcouncil@uuss.org
.
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Justice and Compassion Work
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Sacramento ACT Environmental Justice Committee
Time for Action
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For 18 months, we’ve conducted research meetings, canvassed, held listening sessions, and surveyed people living in the diverse Environmental Justice community of West Arden Arcade.
We’ve prepared ourselves well, and it is time to take action at the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors Environmental Justice Workshop, which will take place sometime in July.
We will refine our justice advocacy positions at our monthly UUSS-hosted Sacramento ACT Environmental Justice Committee meetings on June 5 and July 3. We meet in our UUSS Library from 7 to 8:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month.
All are welcome to join us in this justice work to address conditions that are making people sick in our own community. Feel free to contact us with questions or ideas at
interfaithearth@uuss.org
.
In September, our Sacramento ACT Environmental Justice Committee will bring to Sacramento Rev. Dr. Ambrose Carroll, co-founder of Green the Church, “an initiative to tap into the power and purpose of the African American church community, and to explore and expand the role of churches as centers for environmental and economic resilience.” Information at
http://greenthechurch.org/
. Rev. Dr. Carroll also is Senior Minister of the Church by the Side of the Road in Berkeley.
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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (RE)
Miranda Massa, RE Coordinator
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Gearing up for summer in Religious Education at UUSS means arts and crafts and talents, oh my! Each year, the line up of fun continues to impress and expose kids and youth of all ages to meaningful artistic experiences. Adult friends not typically involved in RE are encouraged to get involved for our extra special pop up art classes in the months of June, July, & August. Let's go!
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RE Calendar June 2019
Sunday, 6/2
- 9:30-12:00 Child care
- 10:30-11:45 ArtWorks
Sunday, 6/9
- 9:30-12:00 Child care
- 10:30-11:45 ArtWorks
Sunday, 6/16
- 9:30-12:00 Child care
- 10:00-11:45 ArtWorks
Sunday, 6/23
- 9:30-12:00 Child care
- 10:30-11:45 All Ages
Sunday, 6/30
- 9:30-12:00 Child care
- 10:30-11:45 ArtWorks
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Coming of Age
The Coming of Age program offers eighth, ninth, & tenth graders an engaging and structured atmosphere in which to explore significant issues at this transitional stage of life. Coming of Age provides a modern Rite of Passage experience that welcomes and affirms youth as they embark on their journey towards young adulthood. The youth are supported on this journey not only by the class’s volunteer facilitators, but also with volunteer mentors from the congregation. This mentoring program helps foster multigenerational relationships in the community as well as give the youth another venue to discuss and explore their personal beliefs. This curriculum will be offered in fall 2019.
*Stay after the Activity Fair on June 2 for a Coming of Age informational session to learn more!
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We need volunteers to light the chalice on Sunday mornings and we are asking you to sign up.
Why have a child/teen light the chalice?
It is important that the youth of our congregation to be a part of ritual of worship. Your name will be listed in the Order of Service just like the Worship Associate.
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On Tuesday, June 25, the UUSS Book Readers will meet at 7 p.m. in the Library to discuss
Soul of America
by Jon Meacham.
For more information, contact
Jim Glidden
or (916) 475-7269.
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Second Tuesday
TED
Talk
How Emotions are Made
June 11 at 7:00 p.m. in the Welcome Hall
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TED
Talks
are influential videos of expert speakers on education, business, science, technology, and creativity. We view and discuss several talks each month on a specific theme.
Can you look at someone's face and know what they're feeling? Does everyone experience happiness, sadness, and anxiety the same way? What are emotions anyway? For the past 25 years, psychology professor Lisa Feldman Barrett has mapped facial expressions, scanned brains, and analyzed hundreds of physiology studies to understand what emotions really are. She shares the results of her exhaustive research — and explains how we may have more control over our emotions than we think.
Video and discussion facilitated by UUSS member Bob Garmston, Ed.D.
Do you have a TED talk that you would like to share?
Contact
Rev. Lucy
to find out how you can host one of these sessions.
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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. They start at 9:45 a.m. and go until 10:15 a.m. so you won't be late for the service.
Childcare is available, no reservation needed. Drop off your child in Room 11 as early as 9:30 a.m.
1st Sunday
–
Labyrinth Walk
. This session starts with an introduction to help you get the most out of your experience. Come experience this ancient form of walking meditation. Meet Jerry Houseman at the Labyrinth.
2nd Sunday
–
QiGong and Tai Chi Chuan
in the Fahs Room. Join John McMillan and experience a taste of this transforming practice.
3rd Sunday
–
Meditation
in Room 6. Need some peace 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
in Room 6. JoAnn Anglin
–
a wonderful poet herself
–
leads this spiritual deepening practice of finding your meaning in a piece of poetry and sharing your thought with others.
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Sunday, June 16 at 9:45 a.m. in the Fahs room.
This month’s topic:
Survey of UU History.
Join us the third Sunday of every month before the service for Exploring Unitarian Universalism. There are four 45-minute sessions offered consecutively
- Principles and Sources of Our Tradition (July 21)
- Faith: What Does It Mean to a UU? (August 18)
- Social Justice: How Do We Live Our Values? (September 15)
- Survey of UU History (October 20)
Both newcomers and longtime 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-for-All
Meet the UUSS Mercy Pedalers!
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Alliance for All Program - Thursday, June 13
10:45 am - Noon, in the Welcome Hall
$3.00 to $5.00 donation appreciated
Join UUMercy Pedaler Jerry Houseman, along with Jane and Dick from St. Marks Mercy Pedalers, for an informative talk on our Mercy Pedaler program! Our Pedalers touch the lives of the homeless community in both Sacramento and Arden Arcade by bringing coffee, water, protein bars, toiletries, and a good listening heart. Jerry will be bringing his awesome recumbent bicycle, and Jan and Dick from St. Marks will share their experiences serving the homeless in their car. If you are able, please bring a package of personal wipes as a donation for our work.
Mercy Pedalers was founded in September of 2017 by Sister Libby Fernandez, who was then newly retired as Director at Loaves and Fishes. Her vision was to bring compassion and a smile, along with a cup of coffee and a protein bar, to our homeless family on Sacramento’s streets. We also share all kinds of resource numbers, everything from laundry care to emergency medical care to animal companion care. So much of what Mercy Pedalers does is simply listening to the homeless individual and reassuring them that someone truly cares and sees them as family rather than a person in the street.
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Laurie Jones is interested in helping organize Salad Sundays this summer. She is looking for a couple of other organizers, as well as people who would like to just make a salad. Laurie will be tabling for CUUPS (Covenant of UU Pagans) at the June 2 Activity Fair. She will also have a salad sign up list. Proceeds will go to the UUSS general fund, or, if interest develops in raising additional funds for a community partner, we can contact the UUSS Fundraising Strategy Committee. E-mail:
saladsunday@uuss.org
.
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General Assembly
June 19-24 in Spokane and Online--June 16 Info Session at UUSS
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Our denomination’s annual gathering takes place in a different region of the country every June. This year it’s in Spokane, Washington. (Next year, Providence, Rhode Island.) Nearly 4,000 delegates from a majority of the 1,048 UU congregations will gather to sing, learn, listen, speak out, dance, vote, buy books, and dine together. Among them will be nine UUSS members and Rev. Roger. We’ll send them off in a brief blessing ritual at the June 16 service. But you can be there in spirit, as many of the highlight events of GA will be streaming online, so check it out at
www.uua.org/ga
. Delegates and others who'd like to learn more are invited to join for a pre-GA orientation conversation after service on
June 16
, 12:10-1:00 p.m.
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WHO WE ARE AND WHERE TO FIND US
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The
UUSS Office
is open Monday thru Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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Are you having an event at UUSS, and need to find a custodian ASAP?
You're in luck! The Custodians have a new direct number
916-215-0658
. Gerald will be in possession of the phone Monday-Thursday 4:00 pm to 9:30pm and Miguel will be in possession on Friday nights and Saturday from 6:00-2:30pm.
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UUSS OFFICERS & BOARD of TRUSTEES
Margaret Wilcox, President Denis Edgren, Vice-President
Victoria Owens, Treasurer Sally White, Secretary
Kathy Bernard Carl Crain
David Harlow Joseph Turner
Roger Olson
Board meetings: 7:00 p.m., 4th Thursday of the month.
PROGRAM COUNCIL
Marian Ashe (Chairperson) Linda Roth
Patty Budding Terrie Taylor
Michael Miller Kathleen Olson
Program Council meetings: 7:00 p.m., 3rd Thursday of the month.
Ministers
Rev. Dr. Roger Jones & Rev. Lucy Bunch
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
Gerald Worley - Sunday thru Thursday, Evening Custodian
Miguel Neri - Friday to Sunday, Custodian
Ivan Caballero, Sunday Audio Tech
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Unitarian Universalist Society of Sacramento, 2425 Sierra Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95825
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