Weekly Message for UUSS
April 9, 2021
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Dear Members, Families, Friends and Guests--
I hope this finds you well. If things aren't going well, Rev. Lucy and I hope you'll let us know. Even if they are going well, we love to hear from you, and we miss you. A year ago things were changing very fast, with a lot of uncertainty as well as disruption in your lives. Things continue to change, adjustments continue to be demanded of nearly everybody, and uncertainty remains. We have new stress and challenges. Yet there are signs of hope, clear progress, great relief, and reasons for gratitude.
Of course, anxiety is often the companion of uncertainty. Most spiritual practices emerged in human history to help us navigate uncertainty, look at our anxiety, and summon courage.
So these days remain a very opportune occasion to consider, try out, or return to whatever ways might help you to reflect and center yourself in mindfulness, gratitude, self-compassion, empathy for others, and gratitude for the simple gifts of life. And as you do, let us know your experience of it.
Below you will find news about our UUSS family, listings of upcoming Sunday and Tuesday services, listings of the various groups, classes and Religious Education offerings, plus news about ways we reach out as we strive to be a force for healing in the world. Note that some email programs will "clip" this message and not show you all of it. But if you look closely you can see where to click in order to see the rest of the Message. Hope you do!
Keep in touch and keep the faith,
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We extend our condolences to…
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Our members Jimmy and Susan Davis on the passing of Jimmy’s mother, Ellen Katherine Taylor, in Florence, Alabama, from complications of Covid-19. She died March 6 at age 78. She was preceded in death by four sisters, and she leaves behind four sisters, four children, seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Click here to read Ellen’s obituary.
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Our members Tom Goff and Nora Staklis on the sudden passing of Tom’s fraternal twin brother, Hugh Lloyd Goff, at his home in Sacramento. He was 65. He also is survived by their brother Robert. Hugh attended Rio Americano High School, graduated from CSU-Sacramento, and received a master’s degree in library science at UC Berkeley. While working at Dominican College he assisted the daughter of Admiral Chester Nimitz in organizing the archives of the man who had commanded the Allied forces of air, land and sea in World War II. Hugh was an avid reader and kept thorough notes of books he read.
If you have lost a loved one recently please let both Rev. Roger and Rev. Lucy know of your loss. Please also let us know if we may list their name in a future Weekly Message. If there is an online obituary, please provide a link to it as well as any suggested charity for memorial contributions.
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Join Our Services
April Soul Matters Theme--Becoming
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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 April services check here.
Miss a service? You can find links to past services here.
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Sunday April 11, 11 AM: A Theology of Liberation
Rev. Lucy Bunch, preaching, with Rev Dr. Roger Jones, Frances Myers Worship Associate, Pianist Irina Tchantceva
The report of the Commission on Institutional Change was released last June, and it has many important recommendations to help Unitarian Universalism increase our inclusion and diversity and be more relevant in these times. One of their recommendations encourages us to re-engage with our theological legacy of liberation. We will explore this theological legacy and consider how we use it to ground our efforts to welcome all who are drawn to our faith and to provide resources for resilience in these difficult times.
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Tuesday April 13, 7 PM: Becoming Humble Daily: The Ramadan Observance
Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, Worship Associate Suzy Mazrolle, Tamim Abdul, Chaplain Mir Ali, Tiffany Urness,
Pianist Irina Tchantceva.
On Monday the month of Ramadan began in the Islamic tradition; it changes based on the lunar calendar. Around the world, devout Muslims and those in solidarity with them practice fasting during daylight hours. Tonight we will hear about this experience from UUs and Muslim friends.
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Sunday April 18, 11 AM: Becoming American: UUSS Voices of Refugee Experiences.
Rev. Dr. Roger Jones with Worship Associate Jed Shapiro and Abdul Tamim, Hally Cahssai, and Bobbie Keill; Kenji Ota, cello.
Today, we will hear from three UUSS members (representing three generations) who immigrated from three different countries devastated by war. They will reflect on leaving the lands of their birth and on the experiences of becoming American. (Note: Many of our UUSS neighbors in the Arden Arcade area have deep roots in other countries and came here as refugees. In April we share half of our offering donations with International Rescue Committee of Northern California, which helps refugee families to resettle and begin a new life here.
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Tuesday April 20, 7 PM: Accepting Change
How we deal with that constant in our lives makes all the difference. Worship Associates Karen Sparrow and Suzy Mazrolle will share thoughts on Accepting Change.
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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.
We'll Zoom you into the morning service. We hope to see more beloved and familiar faces.
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Our Soul Matters theme for April is Becoming |
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Holy are the places of becoming,
the places of clear vision,
where life and world are intertwined
and we can see forever in this moment
and give thanks. . .
Holy are the places of becoming.
-Maureen Killoran
What are your places and experiences of becoming? Join us in exploration of this theme in our worship service, small group ministries and religious education classes. One of the questions we will explore is: What if becoming first requires us to unbecome who we are not? Is it possible that you need to unravel before you can unfold?
You can find a packet for individual reflection on theme on our web site.
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Pledge Drive Update
News from Our Stewardship Committee
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We’ve been speaking a lot about how different our pledge-gathering procedures are this year. These new ways have been a big success, though there will naturally be some adjustments as we continue to learn from this big jump.
One thing we’re learning is that just one week to highlight Stewardship isn’t quite enough. Pledging to UUSS is a commitment that often deserves more time for consideration. That’s why we’re extending our messages for another week. Though pledges can be submitted at any time, we’re asking for as many well-considered pledges to be submitted by April 12 as possible so that our Board can make an informed recommendation for next year’s budget. Remember that you can also modify your pledge by resubmitting it, which will replace your previous pledge specifications.
Our new online pledge form is private and secure. Only the Stewardship Committee Chair and our church bookkeeper know the pledge amounts received. And your new capability to set up automatic payments online to your annual pledge is provided by a service we use that specializes in providing this capability reliably and securely.
Thank you again for your generosity, your patience, and your faith in us as we Move Forward to Better Days… Together!
– Jim Eastman, Stewardship Committee Chair
Please submit your 2021-2022 pledge by one of these methods:
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Fill out the pledge form by clicking here
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Email or call our Bookkeeper, Michele Ebler, at (916) 483-9283 ext. 205.
Every pledge of support is valued and appreciated.
Thank you for making a difference!
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Board News—Small Gatherings Approved |
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Congregational Meeting -- The next Congregational Meeting: in the UUSS Zoom stream after the service on Sunday, May 16, 2021. Visitors and pledging Friends are welcome to this open meeting, but we need a quorum of Members to conduct business. Watch the Weekly Message for announcements of nominees for elected positions and information about the budget proposal for 2021-22. Also please attend a forum to learn about the proposed 8th Principle for UUism after a service or during the April 28 Wellspring Wednesday conversation.
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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.
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Second Wednesday: Life Stories of our Elders
April 14: Rev. Roger hosts longtime UU Elizabeth Pataki, mother of the Hubbards.
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Third Wednesday Minister's Class: Theologies
April 21: Rev. Roger on God as Becoming (in Process/Relational Theology).
Fourth Wednesday: Exploring UUism -- rotating topics about Unitarian Universalism, of interest to newcomers and long-timers.
April 28: Forum about the 8th Principle for Unitarian Universalism
First Wednesday: Soul Matters Theme
May 5: "Story" with Rev. Roger
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Religious Education for
children and youth
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Spirit Play every Sunday morning by Zoom 9:30 a.m. for grades K-5. Get links here.
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, players 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.
Junior High Youth Group (JHYG) on Sunday, April 18, 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. Get your Zoom link here or email with questions.
Senior High Youth Group (SHYG) this Sunday, April 11, 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.
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Groups, Gatherings, and Classes |
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Friday Morning Bookstore Hours at UUSS A masked volunteer staffs our Bookstore every Friday from 9:00-12:00. Sign up for a 30-minute private shopping shift by contacting the Office by email or (916) 483-9283; wear a mask and bring a bag for good values on great reads--$1.00, hardback or paper. Also CDs by UUSS musicians, books by UUSS authors. Donations of new books are not yet being accepted. Many thanks to our staff and volunteers!
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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.
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Racial Justice Conversations - Our next Saturday conversation theme is Immigration: The Impact of Racism on US Immigration Past and Present. Join the conversation on Saturday, April 10 at 10:30 AM. Conversations take place at other days and times. Check uuss.org/racialjustice for advance readings and videos as well as the schedule and Zoom links.
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Meditation & Mindfulness Practices Monday, April 12, 6:00p.m. with teacher Ann Kronser and host Judy Bell from Adult Enrichment. The 2nd and 4th Monday evenings. Zoom link here.
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The 8th Principle Action Team/Racial Justice Team invites you to a gathering and conversation on the (April 19). Access the conversation via Zoom link here. For more information see uuss.org/racial justice. If you have any questions, contact: racialjustice@uuss.org
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Reading & Reflecting on Poetry with JoAnn Anglin
Monday, April 19, 10:00a.m. at this zoom link. 1st & 3rd Mondays of each month.
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InterPlay led by Rev. Lucy and Friends April 10 -Takes place the 2nd and 4th Saturdays 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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UUSS Engaged with the Community |
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Our Community Partner for April
International Rescue Committee
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Each month we share our offering with an organization which is working to heal the world. Our Community Partner for April is the International Rescue Committee. IRC responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. UUSS has been in relationship with the local chapter for many years and we are proud to support this work.
How to donate:
*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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Visiting the UUSS Campus: Call Ahead |
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The Bookstore is open again! Starting Friday, April 16, UUSS volunteers will staff the used and new bookstore in the Library for 30-minutes shopping appointments from 9:00 till 12:00 noon. (There's Chalice Blend Coffee too.)
This is for individuals or people with others in their family or other "pod." Wear a mask, please. Call Elaine at the Office to book your half-hour slot before any Friday.
Otherwise, UUSS remains closed to visitors inside the building. If you need to drop off or pick up something, please call or email a staff member: (916) 483-9283. For example, Chalice Blend Coffee (fairly traded regular/decaf, ground/whole beans, $12 a bag, checks payable to UUSS. Just contact the office, and it will be ready for you.
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See today's Board News article about permission for small gatherings outdoors on campus. In addition, the church grounds are open for visits. Among other improvements to the campus, there is a new metal fence protecting the inside part of the campus.
If you would like 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, knock on the Office door.
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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 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, Tech support ~ Dirk Tuell, Web Master/Tech Guru
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We come together to deepen our lives and be a force for healing in the world. |
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