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Weekly Message for UUSS
for November 20, 2020
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Thanksgiving will be Different this Year
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The store where I buy my groceries has that holiday look - end caps piled with stuffing and cranberries, gravy mix, freezers full of turkey waiting to be roasted. Despite the appearance of a regular Thanksgiving we know it will be different this year. Families gatherings will be smaller or canceled, people will have their meals outdoors or shared on Zoom (UUSS has a ZOOM thanksgiving planned, see below). Whatever your plans I hope you are making safety your priority. I want you to survive so that we can all be together when this pandemic is over.
As always, with hardship comes opportunity and with everything changed and limited, this might be a good year for deeper gratitude and reflection. There is so much for which we should be grateful. On the Unitarian Universalist Association webpage there are lots of resources for reflection on the meaning of this holiday.
Our service Sunday will be all about gratitude, with an opportunity to share with each other. Bring a blank piece of 8x11 paper and a dark pen or felt tip. We will each write out 2-word gratitude on the paper and then hold it up to the screen so that we can see each other's faces.
Being sheltered in place also gives use some time this year to reflect on the origins of the holiday. The year 2020 marks the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the ship "Mayflower" to the New England shores. The pilgrims aboard that ship are our religious ancestors; American Unitarianism is an off shoot of the congregationalist churches of the pilgrims. What is considered the first Thanksgiving is mythologized as a time when the indigenous people including the Wampanoag Tribal Nation celebrated a meal and shared food with the Pilgrims. We all know the end of that story. Some Native Americans commemorate this day by mourning the loss of their land and culture.
So this Thanksgiving I encourage your to learn something about our local indigenous tribes and honor their sacrifice with a moment of silence. And while your head is bowed, say a prayer for mother earth, with gratitude for all the gifts she provides.
Sending love to all,
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Join Our Services
November Soul Matters Theme- Healing
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Join us for Worship Services:
Sundays at 11:00 a.m. ~ Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m.
Miss a service? You can find links to past services here.
Nov. 22: Grounded in Gratitude--No Matter What
Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, Rev. Lucy Bunch, Worship Associate Jed Shapiro, Music Director Keith Atwater, Pianist Irina Tchantceva; Stuffed Animal Special Guests
In the wake of a bruising election season, in the midst of an ongoing epidemic, and in growing awareness of the inequities and other dangers to black and brown bodies, we can remember that gratitude is a source of healing, sustenance, comfort and courage. Bring a blank piece of 8x11 paper and a dark pen or felt tip to write down and share you gratitude.
Music today from our choir joined by many stuffed animals, who will be spending the weekend at the UUSS campus at a Stuffed Animal Sleepover.
Nov 24: Living in a Time of Trauma Rev. Lucy Bunch, Worship Associate Karen Sparrow Music Director Keith Atwater, Pianist Irina Tchantceva Our Soul Matters theme for November is healing. We are living in a time of trauma. How can we take care of ourselves? This vespers we will explore healing and self care.
Nov. 29: It Takes Practice
Guest preacher & musician Matt Meyer with Rev. Dr. Roger Jones
Our favorite songs, whoever the artist or whatever the style, were created in a strange alchemy of study and inspiration, of strict practice and of letting go.
Spiritual Practice is a similar combination of dedication, muscle memory, and perhaps a little divine inspiration. Join us for a musical exploration of learning to risk, building the muscle memory of courage, and the spiritual practice of relationship when things around us are changing fast.
Matt Meyer has offered his vibrant worship music and messages to congregations around the country and to thousands of UUs at General Assembly. He's Director of Community Life at The Sanctuary Boston, and a founder of the Lucy Stone Cooperative, a UU house for shared living and activism. He's also a dedicated knitter.
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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Follow Along with Our Sleepover this Weekend!
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 Eighteen stuffed animals or dolls have been registered! They will be arriving Friday night for a two-day sleepover at the church this weekend! You can follow their activities on Saturday and Sunday by checking for photographs on the UUSS Facebook page and the Updates on www.uuss.org. Also, there will be a brief summary of their activities and a song by them on Sunday.
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This Sunday ~ A Gratitude Ritual in Two Words
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 For our Zoom service this Sunday, Nov. 22, we invite people of all ages to write down two words with a marker or dark crayon on a large (8 1/2 x 11") piece of paper. Choose two words that reflect where gratitude comes from for you, or what you are grateful for at this time. In the service we'll all hold up our signs to show everyone else in the service what gives us gratitude.
We will also hear music from our UUSS Choir, Keith Atwater, the "Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Theme" from Irina Tchantceva, and "Spirit of Life" from a Stuffed Animal Choir. We will sing "We Gather Together" and "Blue Boat Home." We'll hear the Vegetable Prayer too--an annual favorite!
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Are you interested in serving as a worship associate?
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Do you watch the Worship Associates at services and say, "I could do that"? Here's your chance.
The Religious Service Committee is recruiting! Please click here for information and qualifications, and what you need to do to apply. The Worship Associate's role is both an honor and a responsibility. Plus its fun and rewarding. We would love to have you join our ranks.
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Connections:
Classes and Gatherings
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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.
Wellspring Wednesday
Join us every Wednesday at 7 PM on Zoom for 60-90 minutes.
Next Wednesday, Nov 25, Rev Lucy will lead a discussion on faith.
 InterPlay led by Rev. Lucy and friends Takes place the second and fourth Saturday morning 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! This Saturday, Nov. 28.
Theology on Tap - Friday, Dec. 4, 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! Visit with your old an and new friends and your favorite craft project. All welcome! Join via Zoom link
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 Parent Voices Dec. 6, 8:00 p.m. The first Sunday of the month, supportive conversations with parents and grandparents, hosted by Miranda. The group is discussing "Growing UUs: A Recipe Book." Get link here.
Reading and Responding to Poetry with JoAnn Anglin,
Monday, Dec. 7, at 10:00 AM via Zoom link. This class meets the first and third Mondays of every month.
Religion Class with Keith Atwater!
Keith is offering a monthly class on the 3rd Wellspring Wednesday
of every month, at 7:00 p.m.
Dec. 16: "A Bible Study for UU's - Part Two"
An academic and spiritual approach. Unlike many traditional Christian "Bible Study" classes, our interactive critical analysis will investigate this ancient text's sources, development over time, translations, interpretations, key ideas, and core narratives. (Part Two - New Testament)
Friday Morning Bookstore Hours at UUSS
Every Friday from 9:00-11:00. Sign up for a private shopping shift by contacting the Office by email or (916) 483-9283; wear a mask and bring a bag for some great reads--$1.00, hardback or paper.
Also CDs by UUSS musicians, books by UUSS authors.
Chalice Blend Coffee is available in the Bookstore on Fridays
and at the Office: $12/bag (regular, decaf, ground or beans).
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Thanksgiving Day Gathering by Zoom
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 Thursday, Nov. 26 5:00pm-7:00pm, To break Covid-19 isolation, especially during the holidays, UUSS is hosting a Thanksgiving Day Zoom meeting in the main UUSS Zoom stream for those either eating singly or with others. Join together with others virtually in breaking bread in gratitude. (Join us even if you're not eating.) No program planned; if you would like to bring a reading or music, feel free. Organizer: Laurie Jones.
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UU the Vote Continues - No Stopping Us Now!
Georgia Phonebanks & More
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November is traditionally a season of gratitude, and there is so much to be grateful for now. Thank you to our UU justice-loving community. We came together to Vote Love and Defeat Hate -- to UU the Vote this electoral season. Collectively we reached out to over 3 million voters across the nation.
This historic election put democracy on the line and justice on the ballot.
Of course we know that we still have much more to do in our work for transformation and liberation.
Most immediately, we have a runoff election on January 5 in Georgia for two US Senate seats. We need to help get out the vote for this election with our Georgia UUs and their partners! So take a pause, and then join us on Sunday afternoon at our phone bank to Georgia.
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We've been following the lead of the New Georgia Project and are working with Reclaim Our Vote to do voter outreach throughout the coming weeks.
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Will you join our phone bank launch on this Sunday, November 15, from Noon-2:00 pm Pacific Standard Time?
Take action with our volunteer squad to learn how you can get out the vote in Georgia. We'll be using a manual dialer so that we can leave voicemails with important voting information. All training will be included in the event. Our message will be non-partisan, providing voting information about deadlines, voter registration, absentee ballot requests, early voting and more. Ask others from your congregation to join you on Sunday and spread the word.
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Gather for reflection and discussion on Racial Justice: 1st & 3rd Mondays at 7:00 p.m.
2nd & 4th Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.
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At UUSS we are on a journey together to work to dismantle racism, individually, organizationally and systemically. As a mostly White congregation, we are doing a lot of learning and finding ways to take action.
Join our Racial Justice team for thoughtful discussion on the 1st at 3rd Mondays of the month at 7:00 PM and the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at 10:30 AM. See topics, reflection questions, and materials, including articles and videos, at this link at our website.
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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 (JHYG) Sunday, Dec. 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) Next class: Nov. 22
SHYG meets with adult volunteer leaders every other Sunday at 1:00 p.m. by Zoom with lead advisor Dirk Tuell and other volunteer adult advisors.
Parent Voices Dec. 6, 8:00 p.m.
The first Sunday of the month, supportive conversations with parents and grandparents, hosted by Miranda. The group is discussing "Growing UUs: A Recipe Book." Get link here.
Reminder to families: See the Online Services listing for an invitation to be featured in a Sunday service to do the official rituals of Chalice Lighting and Extinguishing.
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Goodybye from Maryly Reinertson
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 This news is sudden, I know, and I would like to be with you all again to give this news in person, but circumstances won't allow that.
Big changes have developed in my life here in Sacramento. After much thought and visits from my children, we decided it best to relocate to Western New York. I am making this move quickly and so by December I will have a new address and phone. Please contact the UUSS office or check the directory online to reach me.
What a wonderful beloved community this has been. This place and all the people have meant the world to me. Thank you all for being a part of my life. I will think of you often. Here's to a bright future.
CHEERS! - Maryly Reinertson
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Our Community Partner for November:
Opening Doors
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 Our Community Partner for November is Opening Doors. Their mission is to empower refugees, immigrants, human trafficking survivors, and underserved Sacramento-area residents to achieve self-sufficiency by providing safe places, skills development, business loans, and connections to community resources. Half of our offering for November will be shared with this organization, so please give generously.
Donate by credit card here to the Shared Offering or mail a check to UUSS, 2425 Sierra Blvd., Sacramento 95825. Whether on PayPal or by check, note "Shared Offering." Thank you for your generosity to UUSS and our community partners.
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| UUSS Office Closed | |
Closed Nov. 26 & 27 for Thanksgiving
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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; 3rd Thursday in November, December.
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, 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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