This Week at a Glance:
Tuesday
: Weekly Meditation reading 8am
UUSP YouTube Channel
(Merging Monday & Thursday and moving to Tuesday)
Tuesday:
Zoom Lunchtime Check-in/Chat 12:00pm
(on recess for the summer)
.
Wednesday, June 24 - June 28:
UUA General Assembly online (at UUA.org/GA)
Wednesday:
Religious Studies: F.M Lappe, Chapt 9,
Postponed to July 1
due to UUA General Assembly
Thursday:
Zoom Citizen's Cafe' 12:00pm
(on recess for the summer)
.
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.
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Pastor Jack's Weekly Wonder
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Dear Friends,
Let me encourage you
to attend the online annual General Assembly of UU Congregations, with programming from Wednesday, June 24, through Sunday Worship Service, June 28. For free, you may attend all the online general meetings and Sunday Worship Service at uua.org/ga. To participate in all GA programs (special speakers, panels, forums, etc.) you register
at uua.org/ga
for $150.
We know that 2020 is a transformative year. Ironically, despite the year’s name, this does not seem like a time of clear vision – or perhaps the challenge is a bifocal vision, with some seeing only what is immediate to them, with others trying to look over the horizon.
I don’t believe, as some do, that things all works out for the best. Unnecessary and unjustified injury and suffering seems to me to be all for the worst at that moment, even if we learn from it. But it does seem true, that experiencing what you don’t want can clarify what you do. I expect GA will help.
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Attend The
UUA Virtual General Assembly
June 24 - 28, 2020
Registration is $150 - quite the bargain, with no travel expenses! You can
register here
.
Free viewings of General Sessions and
Sunday Morning Worship for East Coast (10am)
will be live-streamed at www.uua.org.
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Wednesday Zoom Adult Religious Studies Book Discussions
Will begin again July 1
, 10:00am & 7:00pm
Chapt. 9; 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.
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Children's Religious Education:
June 21, 2020
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Check out some great information in the weekly newsletter
What? - you aren't receiving it?
and click on the picture to the Left
.
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For this weeks' lesson from Ms. Trish and Ms. Jeanay, click on the recording box below.
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This month’s theme for Religious Education is
Family
.
Creating Connections to Others and Family Worship in Our Chalice Home
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Online Weekly Meditation Schedule
(feedback appreciated)
Contemplative Meditation Readings
(Mondays & Thursdays)
Monday, June 15: Naturalist Christian Buddhist Prayer
Thursday, June 18:
For Juneteenth
, from Lanston Hughes
**For Monastic Days - How to do Mindful Meditation
- Set your alarm for 5 to 40 minutes;
- Sit erect, breathe deeply once or twice to relax;
- Watch your breathing ease to normal, observing breath come and go;
- Count in cycles of ten breaths if it helps you keep observing – or repeat a “sacred” word for focus (eg, peace, grace, life, thanks, care, see, being);
- 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;
- Sometimes, for deeper peace, try shifting attention to consciousness itself or to your sense of being.
- When your timer goes off, remain awake.
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Solutions to Racial Profiling
Many of us are outraged by the police violence across our country. Locally we have a way to partner with our brothers and sisters of color on solutions. Check out this video and join us to get involved. Be part of the solution.
FAST statement on racial justice
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The racial atrocities continue. WHAT CAN WE DO?
Support FAST:
Please take some time to view the new FAST video that is included in this newsletter. It is narrated by Rabbi Torop, Temple Beth El, and Rev. Ward, Moriah Mission Baptist Church, who is also Co-Chair of the FAST Criminal Justice Committee.
FAST is currently addressing several systemic racial issues locally that are being raised as part of the nation-wide protests. Contact
Pat Fling
to get involved.
Get Ready for the Election of Our Lifetime:
The Florida primary is August 18, 2020 and the last day to register to vote is July 20, 2020. Below are some helpful links produced by the
League of Women Voters
:
Get Yourself, Family and Friends Ready to Vote
Vote in the Pinellas County elections from your home, at the polls, or during early voting.
•
Question about voting rights restoration for former felons?
Click here
!
Get Informed
See what’s on the ballot and take a closer look at the races that matter most to you.
• Attend a
Candidate Forum
,
July 13: Judicial Candidates and July 23: School Board Candidates
There are several well organized groups in the St Pete area working on voter registration, mail-in-ballots and voter protection. Join one, make a difference and meet new friends.
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Friends;
Please join us in thanking UUSP Board President Steve Benton and Vice-President Susan Burnore for their past year of service as your board officers. Both will remain on the board as at-large members. Steve and Susan served graciously, joyously and generously, devoting an enormous amount of time and energy to advance the work of our growing congregation
(see highlights here)
. We also thank "retiring" board members Morgan Gresham (past president), Sabine von Aulock and Tom Archibald for their many years of service on the board, leaving their mark with significant impacts on buildings and grounds, religious education, and communication. Although "retiring," they will continue to be active in our community. We also thank Tammy Boudreax for her third term of continued service!
At the June 11 board meeting, the board elected incoming board president Michael Killoren and vice-president Cynthia Patterson - and welcomed new board members Karen Ann White (former clerk), Cynthia Patterson (returning to the board after a respite), and Dave Mapp, appointed to fill a one-year term vacated by Tom Archibald. We also thank and welcome Treasurer Paul Craig and Assistant Treasurer Harry Saurs for another term.
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Building a Community in a Pandemic
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- June 20: Solstice Sunrise Celebration 7am (Ayliah Cannon, Sabine von Aulock, Jamey Grey)
- Make a small altar with a flower or greenery and a candle as we celebrate the return of the light; life and the potential of a spiritual good harvest.
- 20 minute ritual followed by tea and conversation through Zoom
- Zoom Link
- June 22: Audre Zieres Birthday Car Parade (Jerri Huempfner-Gatz)
- June 23: Cooking from Diverse Cultures 8pm
- Cuban dessert Arroz con Leche (rice pudding)
- Participants will make the dish in advance and meet on Zoom to discuss Cuban Zoom Culture (Linda Paul)
- Recipe Link
- Zoom Meeting Link
- June 28: General Assembly Worship Service: 10am (followed by discussion)
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.
I am looking for Neighborhood Waving Walkers for a walking event, in your neighborhood, July 4 in the morning followed by Zoom event at 1pm. We will walk independently, passing by UUSP members and friends home giving a friendly wave. Please let
Sabine
.
know if you'd like to learn who is in your neighborhood and how to assemble your own tour.
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A bequest to UU St. Pete is a vote of confidence in its future.
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Caring & Connected Newsletter
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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
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Staying Connected With Pastor Jack & Staff
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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.
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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.
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
.
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Thank you for your interest in UU St. Petersburg!
From me to you and to those around you Be Safe and Be Well!
Kelli DeGraw, part of your Communications Team.
Feedback and suggestions are welcome (pubs@uustpete.org).
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Our mission is to be an
inclusive
,
evolving
religious community that inspires
spiritual
and
intellectual
growth to make our world a
better place
.
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Unitarian Universalist Church of St. Petersburg
727.898.3294
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