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Weekly Message for UUSS
for September 11, 2020
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Hello, my spiritual companions!
I'm glad to be back after a week away. I rested and got a change of pace and view.
However, it's impossible for me--or most of us--to fully unload the spiritual burdens of grief and separation in this time of pandemic, the anxiety and rage of this political moment, the confrontation with racial inequities and racist systems, the danger marked by orange and overcast skies, and the fear, loss and sadness caused by the devastating, dangerous wildfires. It is tough to keep the heart open these days. Given all that, it cheered me to be with dozens of you on screen at Tuesday Vespers and to visit with several of you at Wellspring Wednesday this week, and to have some brief, distant conversations with several members passing through the campus this week. Not to mention some lovely phone conversations. Thank you!
I am gratified to see the new folks who have been showing up for our Zoom services, eager to find a community of inspiration and courage for times of emergency as well as the more ordinary moments that can show up in life. Thanks to everyone who keeps this congregation so active in sustaining our mission.
This Sunday is the first time we've ritually marked a new church year without being together in the sanctuary--our annual ingathering service. Yet we've worked hard to celebrate our UU community in this service. We hope you can join us.
This coming Tuesday is the deadline to register for a Soul Matters Small Group. The groups will meet twice monthly for discussion, reflection and connection. We had considered using a theme-based ministry program in the past, and this year seems like the right time to join with hundreds of other UU congregations in building connections to deepen our lives.
However you may participate in this congregation, I hope it gives you a sense of connection and care. It does for me! However you support our UUSS mission, I hope you know it can change lives. It has changed mine!
With love and gratitude,
Rev. Dr. Roger Jones
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| | Fran & Bob Oyafuso |
Fran Oyafuso--At age 91, our beloved member Fran Oyafuso died peacefully with her husband Bob by her side at home on August 31. She had lived with Alzheimer's disease for a decade, nearly all of it at home with Bob.
Frances Vermiglio was born in Southern California on June 11, 1929, to parents of Italian backgrounds; her mother was from Maine and her father from Sicily. She studied for a time at Compton College before marriage at a young age. She had five children, 13 grandchildren, and 19 great grandchildren.
After divorce, she moved to the San Jose area, where she worked in the medical office of her sister, who was a physician. On Valentine's Day of 1981, she met Bob Oyafuso at a singles' organization's event. The program speaker had just encouraged women to be more outgoing with men and instructed them to practice. Fran did so by introducing herself to Bob. They were married in December. They moved to Sacramento and joined UUSS in 1997.
Fran had an interest and talent for the visual arts from an early age and is remembered for her drawings and other works. In March of 2008 an exhibit at UUSS featured 12 of Fran's pastel drawings of family, friends, and pets. With deep knowledge and curiosity about art, philosophy, and psychology, she took numerous workshops on Jungian theories, especially the appreciation of our dreams.
For several years at UUSS she led a weekly dream group for several members. Nearly 20 years ago, Fran worked with Rev. Doug Kraft as one of the original facilitators of Ministry Circles, a small-groups program. She had a commitment to advancing women's rights and in supporting women's well being individually and in small groups.
We extend our condolences to Bob and family, and to the many friends here who love and remember Fran for her beauty, creativity, curiosity, generous heart, passion and kindness. A brief service for Fran has been held by Bob and their neighbors at Fair Oaks EcoHousing, where Bob and Fran moved last month after a decade of planning, financing and construction.
Memorial contributions in honor of Fran's life may be made to the organization of your choice, in particular any organization that supports women's empowerment and advocacy.
 Ulli Siebenlist--We extend our condolences to Carol Jacobs and her family on the loss of her daughter Kathy's husband, Dr. Ulrich Siebenlist, after a long struggle with cancer, at age 68. A native of West Germany, Ulli was a renowned molecular immunologist for the National Institutes for Allergy and Infectious Diseases in Maryland. He loved his family, the arts, and the great outdoors. Click here to read a detailed obituary for Ulli. A service will be held this Saturday, Sept. 12, at 11:00 a.m. Pacific time. (Zoom meeting ID: 860 1015 5433; passcode: 455559). Memorial contributions in his honor may be made to WAMU (or NPR), in honor of Ulli's commitment to facts and reasoned discourse.
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Soul Matters--a New Program at UUSS
Registration is now open!
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Groups will begin the second week of October.
Registration closes Tuesday, September 15.
Soul Matters groups meet twice a month to build connections, and provide a place where participants can share and discuss. Group activities are structured around monthly themes that are also used in worship and religious education. You may contact Rev. Lucy Bunch lucy@uuss.org if you have questions.
These facilitated groups of around 8 people will meet twice a month starting in October and ending in May. An open group is available year-round for newcomers or those who miss the initial registration.
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Join Our Services Online
September Theme: Renewal
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Sundays at 11:00 a.m.
Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m.
September 13: Annual Ingathering Service:
Waters of Renewal and the Soul of Covenant
Rev. Lucy Bunch, Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, Worship Associate Karen Sparrow
Irina Tchantceva, piano; Thomas Goff and Gordon Gerwig, trumpet
Reflections by UUSS members Michael O'Neill, Hally Cahssai, Tina Chiginsky
Our annual ingathering service is a time of welcome and renewal in the life of the congregation. This year we face the challenge of renewing our spirits while still slogging through the pandemic wilderness. Yet if we seek to renew and revive our sense of belonging, we can do it. These trying times make ever more precious our common commitment to the mission and values of this congregation.
September 15: Our Own Tough Love: Universalism's Gentle Strength
Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, Worship Associate Fred Best, Pianist Irina Tchantceva
In the late 1700's American Universalism emerged in an era of change, conflict, uncertainty, spiritual division, and foreboding. It came just in time! Let's appreciate our heritage of love.
September 20: Sell Your Certainty
Rev. Lucy Bunch, Worship Associate Larry Boles, Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, RE Coordinator Miranda Including a ritual for Religious Education volunteer appreciation and launch of a New Year in RE.
At Starr King UU seminary, there is a sign hanging in the classroom with a quote from the Sufi mystic Rumi, "Sell your certainty and buy bewilderment." Many of us are experiencing bewilderment without having to put out any expense to acquire it. But what about selling your certainty? What value would that bring as we navigate our troubled and troubling world?
September 22: Atonement: Renewal by Clearing the Air
Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, Worship Associate Frances Myers, Pianist Irina Tchantceva "Confession" is a word with ancient resonance which might make some of us uncomfortable. Yet the practice of clearing the air by voicing regrets and shortcomings truly can renew the spirit. It's the reason for Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, coming up next Monday.
September 27: Promoting Voting and Sharing Our Values: UU the Vote!
Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, Rev. Lucy Bunch, Worship Associate Fred Best, Pianist Irina Tchantceva Special Message by Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray, President, Unitarian Universalist Association Let's put our values forward for the sake of justice, democracy, and a livable future. Our denomination's nonpartisan campaign is organized by young adult leaders. Through it, volunteers of all ages are calling people and sending post cards, text messages and letters to key states. They encourage disenfranchised voters to register again and urge everyone to vote. The goal is to contact 1 million people by election day!
September 29: Come Drink Deep of Living Waters
Rev. Lucy Bunch, Worship Associate Karen Sparrow For our final service on the monthly theme of renewal, we will explore the wells that we draw from to renew our Spirits.
October 4: Blessing of the Animals--and their Blessing on Us Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, Rev. Lucy Bunch, Worship Associate Larry Boles, Pianist Irina Tchantceva, and several more of "all God's critters."
Be our Chalice lighter! 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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September Community Partner
Mustard Seed School
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Community Partner Nominations
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Each month, we give half of the Sunday offerings to a local non-profit. The congregation nominates and votes on which groups will become Community Partners for the upcoming year. Please download and fill out a nomination form from www.uuss.org/forms and mail it to the church office or email it directly to the Board secretary no later than October 5. Organizations must be nominated each year and must be aligned with at least one of the goals of the UUSS Strategic Plan.
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Notice of Congregational Meeting
Sunday, October 18
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Our fall Congregational Meeting will be held Sunday, Oct. 18 at 12:30 following the service via Zoom. UUSS members vote on the annual budget and hear updates from clergy & lay leaders. Your presence is important!
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Connections:
Classes and Gatherings
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Friday Morning Bookstore Hours at UUSS
A masked volunteer staffs our Bookstore every Friday from 9:00-11:00. 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. Chalice Blend coffee also available Fridays and through the Office: $12 per bag (regular, decaf, ground or beans).
 Takes place the second and fourth Saturday morning of the month, 10:30 tonoon. 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! Next session is September 12. Link here. Learn more about here. InterPlay led by Rev. Lucy and friends
 Meditation & Mindfulness Practices Monday, September 14, 6:00-6:40p.m.
with teacher Ann Kronser and host Judy Bell from Adult Enrichment. The second and fourth Monday evenings.
Zoom link here.
Reading and Responding to Poetry
with JoAnn Anglin, Monday, Sept 21, at 10:00 AM.
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.
 Wellspring Wednesday with our Ministers
Join us every Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom. Come to our Wednesday night variety offering for community, celebration, learning and fun. We gather at 7:00 for 60-90 minutes. Rev. Lucy hosts on Sept. 16.
Theology on Tap - Friday, Oct. 2, at 7:00 p.m. The first Friday of each month. Bubbly conversation on yeasty topics of a UU flavor. Bring a beverage of your choice to your computer screen. Greet others in the large room, and then we go into small breakout rooms to reflect and share on one of many deep topics. Link here. Cheers!
isit with your old an and new friends and your favorite craft project. All welcome! Join via Zoom link.
 Parent Voices October 4, 8:00 p.m.The first Sunday of the month, supportive conversa tions with parents and grandparents, hosted by Miranda. The group is discussing "Growing UUs: A Recipe Book." Get link here.
Death Positive Movie Series - 2nd Friday of each month 6:30 pm.
OCTOBER 9: The Art of Dying or (Palliative Art Making in the Age of Anxiety)
|Live from the Whitney: Inspired by Rainer Marie Rilke's book "Letters to a Young Poet," 79 year-old lesbian artist Barbara Hammer ruminates on the experiences of living with advanced cancer while making art. In this performative lecture delivered at the Whitney on October 10, 2018, Hammer shares guidelines and film clips from her long-term art-making practice. (FILM CLIPS INSIDE OF THIS PRESENTATION CONTAIN NUDITY.)
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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. With RE Coordinator Miranda Massa and adult volunteers. Maintaining our connections, remembering our Rainbow Promises, and sustaining our sense of wonder, online together. Get links here.
Junior High Youth Group
Sunday, Sept. 6, 4:00 p.m.
1st and 3rd Sundays at 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)
SHYG is taking a pause till the fall. For an occasional youth or family game and movie night, stay connected through the RE Outreach by writing to re@uuss.org.
Parent Voices
Adult conversation: How to Grow a UU (A Recipe Book)--The first Sunday of the month, with parents and grandparents, hosted by Miranda Massa. Get link here.
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Sacramento ACT
10 Commandments for Dismantling Systemic Racism
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 On August 30, Sacramento ACT faith leaders from diverse communities led a car process to Lament and Mourn the lives lost at the hands of law enforcement and COVID-19 and to proclaim a message of Hope for our community. At the steps of our State Capitol they presented these 10 Commandments For Dismantling Systemic Racism and Affirming the Rights and Dignity of Black, Brown & Native People from Sacramento ACT (Area Congregations Together). In dismantling systemic Environmental Racism our Sacramento ACT Environmental Justice Committee can look to these.
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Gather for reflection and discussion on Racial Justice: 1st & 3rd Mondays & 2nd & 4th Wednesdays
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You are all welcome to the next Racial Justice conversation: Monday, September 21, at 7:00 p.m., using the main Zoom link on the UUSS website.
The 8PAT/Racial Justice Team is offering the same discussions as the Monday evening discussions, just a different time slot. The daytime topics will start with the first topic on Social Contract offered in July on Monday evenings, and repeat the same sequence of topics offered in the evening, only in the daytime on Wednesday, on the 2nd and 4th of each month at 10:30 AM. You are welcome to attend any of the discussions in the evening or daytime, and may choose to attend all of them, repeat any of them, or attend one of the discussions that catches your interest. The 8PAT/Racial Justice Team discussions offer a safe place to learn together.
Our planned discussion questions are:
1. How has policing in the US changed over time? (overtly and covertly)
2. How did you feel after viewing The 13th (or one of the other videos)?
3. What case or series of facts challenged your pre-existing views?
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UU the Vote
Now Is No Time to Stay on the Sidelines
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Across the country UUs are expanding the coalition of people prepared to overcome voter suppression and #votelove in 2020. UU the Vote is planning national days of action every other week from now to election day. If you've been wondering what you or your congregation can do, forming a team to participate and putting the national phone banks on your calendar is an easy next step.
Be Part of the National Call-in Days to Voters in Wisconsin and Florida
Every other week until election day, UUs from across the country are making non-partisan calls together to register, mobilize, and persuade voters in 2020.
We hold the phone banks on Zoom so that we are able to make our phone calls together. We gather in, get oriented, trained in the first 30 minutes or so of the phone bank, make our calls together, and debrief and celebrate our results at the end of the session. Working this way is fulfilling, faithful, and fun as we build solidarity and power for change. Join us.
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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
Lorri Reynard
Debby Powell
Jon Peterson
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 Shannon Ebler and Leticia Valdez, Childcare Providers Miguel Neri - Friday to Sunday, Custodian ~ Jesus Hoyos - Sunday thru Thursday, Evening Custodian Ivan Caballero, Sunday Audio Tech ~ Dirk Tuell, Web Master/Tech Support
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We come together to deepen our lives and be a force for healing in the world.
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