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Weekly Message for UUSS
February 26, 2021
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Light at the end of the Tunnel
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Warm greetings to all:
Almost every gathering that I attend on Zoom these days starts with a discussion about the vaccine. Those who qualify share excitedly, "have you had it yet?" "I got my first shot last week and get the second one at the end of the month!" Others who are not yet qualified, or who have tried and failed to get an appointment struggle to remain supportive and positive. But its hard. We all want this to be over, we all want to get this vaccination process on track as quickly as possible.
After a year of stress and anxiety about our world and the pandemic, some light is showing at the end of the tunnel. It brings up feelings of relief and exhilaration. More than one person has told me that they cried when they got their second vaccine, feeling tremendous relief at the end of their fear of contracting the virus (or giving it to someone else). But we also know that it is not quite over yet, and there is some trepidation about the process of re-opening. And then there is the grief yet to be processed - of the losses of time and opportunity, and of lives. Even with the end is sight, we grieve the loss of more than 500,000 dead from COVID - more than the US lives lost in WWI WWII and Vietnam put together. And more losses are still to come. At some level it is incomprehensible. And yet this grief is with us, as individuals and as a country. So please give yourself a little slack at this time if you are feeling unsettled or emotional. For some folks it comes out in crying and in others in crankiness or a shorter fuse. Be kind to yourself and others and remember that we are all here for each other and will emerge from this challenging time with new joy and new resolve. Sending love to all,
P.S. Don't miss our service this Sunday and our tribute to our Music Director Keith Atwater. He is retiring after almost six years enriching our services and our lives. He will offer a homily and we will have a Zoom reception afterwards so all can share their appreciation. See you then.
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Service Auction 2021!
A preview of this year's offerings.
Bidding begins Sunday!
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It's time to preview this year's auction offerings.
The Silent Auction bidding starts on Sunday February 28. Go to uuss.org/auction or to the UUSS main page and click on the heart icon to register to bid and preview the large variety of activities, dinners, baked goods, and artistic creations.
The last day to visit the showcase of tangible, non-perishable auction items is tomorrow, Saturday, February 27, from 10-1 PM in the Welcome Hall. A masked auction committee member will be here to answer your questions.
A few important reminders:
- Every bidder needs to have their own user name, password and credit card to bid, buy raffle tickets, reserve dinner tickets or donate.
- Bidding is tracked by individual names only. There is no couple bidding. Each bidder must have an email address, smart phone and credit card registered on the auction site.
Are you looking for an activity for your family? How about a morning hike at the Effie Yaw Nature Center, exploring the Maidu-Nisenan village and learning about their history and village life. Or, maybe you are tired of the puzzles you have worked and reworked this past year. Check out the variety of puzzles offered in the raffle. If you have seen colorful painted rocks on your walks, you might want to bid on the Rock Painting & Conversation offering.
Perhaps you want to change the décor of your home-- bid on a beautiful oil painting by Anthony Montanino entitled "River Sunset;" or a "Maze of Flowers" wall hangin;. or an elegant Afghan to drape over your favorite chair.
Do you enjoy sharing a meal? Check out the variety of home-cooked meals--A Scrumptious Summer Brunch, A Persian Dinner, A Vegetarian Dinner at the Fair Oaks Eco-Housing Community and an Apricot Extravaganza Dinner, among other food offerings.
Proceeds from the auction will keep our mission strong... Together or Apart, we are ONE HEART!
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Join Our Services
February Soul Matters Theme--Beloved Community
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Join us for Worship Services:
Sundays at 11:00 a.m. ~ Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m.
For a full list of February services check here. Miss a service? You can find links to past services here.
 Sunday February 28, 11 AM:
Leaving on a Strong Note:
The Rhythms of Building a Musical Community
Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, Rev. Lucy Bunch, Music Director Keith Atwater, Pianist Irina Tchantceva, Worship Associate Celia Buckley, Barbara Stanton, Christopher Jensen, selections from UUSS Choir & Brass Quartet
 Keith Atwater is retiring today, after six years as our Music Director and four decades of service as a high school teacher, band and choir director, college humanities professor, and church musician. In addition to hearing tributes and giving thanks and our blessings to Keith, we'll hear his homily, "The Power of Song."
We'll have a Zoom reception after the service for you to say thanks and farewell!
It concludes Saturday, March 13.
Tuesday March 2, 7 PM: Celebrating Wayne Thiebaud
Rev. Lucy Bunch, Francis Myers Worship Associate, Pianist Irina Tchantceva and special UUSS guest Tom Goff.
The Sacramento artist Wayne Thiebaud celebrated his 100th birthday last year and was celebrated by a poem written by UUSS member Tom Goff which was published in the Sacramento Bee. We will hear Tom's poem and a reflection of appreciation, and enjoy some of Wayne's art. Come and be inspired!
 Sunday March 7, 11 AM: Reflections of a Vagabond.
Rev. Lucy Bunch, Guest Preacher Rev. Joseph Cherry, Karen Sparrow Worship Associate, and Pianist Irina Tchantceva.
Through his travels, Rev. Cherry has discovered that a good life can be found anywhere, as long as you look. Come hear what he has learned in his vagabond life. Rev. Cherry is the minister of the UU Congregation of Cleveland in Shaker Heights Ohio.
How to Be our Sunday Chalice Lighters!
We invite you to be an on-screen chalice lighter--as individuals or as families--on a Sunday. You can light your home chalice or candle for all of us at the beginning of the service and extinguish at the end.
All you have to do is sign-up here!
We'll Zoom you into the morning service. We hope to see more beloved and familiar faces.
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Join us for Wellspring Wednesday
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 Wellspring Wednesday.
Each Wednesday your ministers host a gathering called Wellspring Wednesday. Each week of the month will focus on a specific theme. Join us for discussion, connection and learning together.
First Wednesday: Soul Matters Theme
March. 3: Join Rev. Lucy for an exploration of the March theme, Commitment.
Second Wednesday Life Stories of our Elders.
March 10: Special UU guest to be interviewed by Rev. Roger.
Third Wednesday Minister's Class: Theologies.
March 17: Rev. Lucy leads a session on theology tonight.
Fourth Wednesday: Exploring UUism -- rotating topics about Unitarian Universalism, of interest to newcomers and long-timers.
March 24: What Faith means to a UU.
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Religious Education for
children and youth
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Spirit Play every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. for those in grades K-5. RE Coordinator Miranda will host this Sunday, Feb. 28, at 9:30 a.m. We continue to learn American Sign Language for our most favorite song, Spirit of Life. Look for us in service on Sunday, March 14.
UU Kids Playing Minecraft--Minecraft is a sandbox video game popular with several kids and youth at UUSS. Thanks to parent volunteers, we're trying it out here, on Saturday mornings. In this game, p layers explore a blocky, procedurally-generated 3D world with infinite terrain, and may discover and extract raw materials, craft tools and items, and build structures or earthworks. All ages welcome. Come!
Junior High Youth Group (JHYG) on Sunday, March 7, with Rev. Cynthia Davis and Terrie Ray, 4:00 p.m. for those in grades 6-7-8. Making friendships, finding support and joy, online together, with a team of adult volunteer leaders.
Senior High Youth Group (SHYG) this Sunday, Feb. 28, 1:00 p.m.
Reminder to families: Sign up here to be featured in a Sunday service to do the official rituals of Chalice Lighting and Extinguishing.
RE Minecraft Zoom this Saturday morning, Feb. 27. Please email re@uuss.org for more information and Zoom link.
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Groups, Gatherings, and Classes
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 Ted's Web Every Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. join the group for a discussion of the politics of the day. Named in honor of our late Minister Emeritus, Rev. Theodore Webb. Zoom Link.
The 8th Principle Action Team/Racial Justice Team invites you to conversations on the 1st & 3rd Monday of each month at 7:00pm and/or the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays at 10:30am. Zoom link here. See uuss.org/racialjustice. Soon the team will be offering Saturday sessions in advance of the congregational vote on the 8th Principle. If you have any questions, contact: racialjustice@uuss.org.
Reading & Reflecting on Poetry with JoAnn Anglin
Monday, March. 1, 10:00a.m. at this zoom link. 1st & 3rd Mondays of each month. For our next poetry gathering, Lectio Divina, we will consider the poem One Art, by Elizabeth Bishop. This poem about loss can be found online at this link, among other places.
Theology on Tap by Zoom (March 5) - Zoom link. Bring a beverage of choice (from your own fridge) in the room of your choice (in your own place) and a community conversation. First Friday of the month at 7 PM.
Saturday Stitchers Meeting via Zoom link here. Sat., March 6, 10:00 AM. First Saturday of each month.
Meditation & Mindfulness Practices Monday, March 8, 6:00p.m. with teacher Ann Kronser and host Judy Bell from Adult Enrichment. The 2nd and 4th Monday evenings. Zoom link here.
 Creative End -of-Life: Working through creative methods in addition to intellectual ones helps us explore and reveal what creates meaning, provides comfort and makes life satisfying. You 
do not have to be artistic or have any "talent". I will provide some starter materials and a list of things you can gather that you will readily have at home. We will use images, colors, balance and contrast to explore how we may approach end-of-life. Join us on Zoom. Saturday, March 13, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM $35 suggested donation to UUSS, Register by 3/9 to receive materials. For more information contact Molly Stuart or listen on YouTube.
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YOU should be coming to Interplay
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InterPlay led by Rev. Lucy and Friends Feb. 27 -Takes place the 2nd and 4th Sat. of the month, 10:30 to noon. InterPlay is a series of forms that combine movement, storytelling, stillness, and sound to access your body wisdom. Take an opportunity to tune in, connect with others, give yourself moments of ease, and be playful! If you are looking for a way to have fun and insights all at once, come join us! Link here. Learn more about Interplay here.
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| Invitation to Interplay!
A conversation with Susan Carlsen |
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Time flies when
you're having puns.
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We're sad to say farewell to Keith but grateful for his very productive and musical five and a half years with UUSS. Our music program has grown in diversity and in depth, with many soloists and instrumentalists adding their gifts to Sunday worship-both from the congregation and the wider community. Keith expanded and enriched our choir and established the Chalice Singers. Keith's creativity and leadership are matched by his warm welcome to everyone, his deep caring, and his commitment to our mission and values.
If you're interested in making a contribution to a retirement gift, you can send your check to the office, or pay online with our variety of options. Just make sure you designate the funds for Keith's gift. If you would like to send him a note of appreciation, send it to the office and they will forward it on to Keith, or call the office to get his address.
We will miss Keith's musical leadership and warm presence. We have decided to postpone hiring his replacement until we have a better idea of when the choir can restart and we can return to in-person services. We wish Keith all the best in his retirement, and will sure miss him!
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| Visiting the UUSS Campus: Call Ahead | |
 UUSS remains closed to visitors inside the building. If you need to drop off or pick up something, that can be arranged by calling the office or emailing a staff member: (916) 483-9283. There is Chalice Blend Coffee (regular/decaf, ground/whole beans) now in the Bookstore. (Cost is $12 a bag, checks payable to UUSS). Just contact the office, and it will be ready for you. The church grounds are open for visits.  Note: among other improvements to the campus, there is a new metal fence protecting the inside part of the campus, installed as a result of research by our former Safety Task Force. If you would like weekday access to the Labyrinth, the children's playground, or the new patio cover, the gates will be unlocked on business days (M-F from 9 AM till dark), and Sundays from 8-10 AM and 1-3 PM. If you try the gate and it's not open, call or knock on the Office door. Meanwhile other improvement work is ongoing, inside and out!
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UUSS Engaged with the Community
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We Feed People in Need:
Sandwich Brigade Volunteers Needed
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The "Sandwich Brigade" We will be building lunches for unhoused folks.
HOW IT WORKS: Designated UUSS volunteers will make 15 sandwiches each, put each into an individual lunch bag, add an apple, and leave bags open, then deliver to UUSS on the 3rd MONDAY of each month BETWEEN 11:00 and 11:30 AM.
WHO: New Sandwich Brigade, under 'showupsac.ca/", headed by Sally Wilkins
WHAT: A new volunteer activity to help feed unhoused in the Sacramento area
WHEN: Once a month, sandwiches to be delivered to UUSS, 3rd Monday of month, by 11:30am
WHERE: To UUSS, 2425 Sierra Blvd., 3rd Monday of month.
WHY: To feed people who don't have resources to do so themselves.
Now we're doing it on Wednesdays too!
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Our Community Partner for February
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 Every month we give away 50% of our worship service offering donations to a local organization working to make a difference. In January we raised $2,750 for the Black Child Legacy Campaign of the Mutual Assistance Network. Thank you! *Text the amount to (855) 935-2216 (a first-time setup is required) *Credit card: Call the church office - (916) 483-9283 ext. 205 *Mail a check payable to UUSS, 2425 Sierra Blvd, Sacramento CA 95825
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| Serving Our Congregation | |
UUSS OFFICERS & BOARD of TRUSTEES
Sally White, President
Denis Edgren, Vice-President
Victoria Owens, Treasurer
Anara Guard, Secretary
David Harlow, Trustee at Large
Marilyn Reynolds,Trustee at Large
Hally Cahssai,Trustee at Large
Eric Ross, Trustee at Large
Tonie Darling, Trustee at Large
Board meetings: 7:00 p.m., 4th Thursday of every month
PROGRAM COUNCIL
Susan Davis, Co-chair
Margaret Wilcox, Co-chair
Tina Chiginsky-Lawrence
Lorri Reynard
Debby Powell
Jon Peterson
Youth Members: Jade Lewis-Boles and Alec Redmond
Program Council meetings: 7:00 p.m., 3rd Thursday of every month.
Ministers
Rev. Dr. Roger Jones [will be on leave March 1-7] and 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 ~ Irina Tchantceva, Pianist Jesus Hoyos - Sunday thru Thursday, Evening Custodian Ivan Caballero, Sunday Audio Tech ~ Dirk Tuell, Web Master/Tech Support
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| UUSS Mission | |
We come together to deepen our lives and be a force for healing in the world.
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