E-Octagram
September 24, 2021
Sunday Service Information
September 26, 2021 at 10:30 am
"The Spirituality of Autumn"

We UU"s claim as one of the sources of our faith  “Spiritual teachings of Earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature." In this service Rev. Roberta will explore what the particular rhythm of autumn offers us in terms of spiritual grounding. We will also joyfully welcome our newest members during the service.  

Worship Associate: Sue Boone

The Zoom link is the same one for all Sunday services and programs.
Meeting ID: 967 1190 1492
You can also join from your landline or cell phone by calling 301 715 8592  and entering 967 1190 1492 when prompted to enter the meeting ID
A ZOOM-SIDE CHAT WITH REV. ROBERTA

After this Sunday's worship service, Rev. Roberta will host a post-service sermon conversation. Grab a cup of coffee and/or lunch after the virtual social hour and then Zoom right back into the same link (https://zoom.us/j/96711901492) for a conversation about the sermon topic. The conversation will start at Noon.
SHARE A JOY….SHARE A SORROW

Each Sunday during service we drop a stone into water to celebrate those moments when joy has entered our lives or to acknowledge moments of sorrow. Please click on the link below to submit a joy or sorrow.

LIFELONG LEARNING
Supporting Our Search for Truth and Meaning

If you have a question or are interested in Lifelong Learning at UUC,
e-mail Meredith at learning@uuc.org or call (727) 531-7704, ext. 205.
OPEN ISSUES
Sunday, September 26 at 9:30 am

This Sunday, we'll watch and discuss Sharyl Attkisson's TED Talk: How Real Is Fake News? Hopefully, this will prime the pump for the following week, when we have Michael Gordon return to discuss propaganda.

Click here for the upcoming schedule.

Join us at 9:30 (show up a few minute early) on Zoom:

Unmute yourself...
Request a One-to-One with Rev. Roberta

Let Rev. Roberta know if you would like to set up an appointment for a personal Zoom conversation. She is happy to have a pastoral conversation, discuss issues great or small, or just get to know you a bit better. Email her (revroberta@uuc.org) to set up a Zoom appointment.
The Five Smooth Stones of Liberal Religion
Fall Adult Faith Formation Series

Join Rev. Roberta on Zoom for this multi-session adult faith formation series. Based on an essay by UU theologian James Luther Adams, these weekly sessions will focus on different aspects of the core of our shared faith. The sessions will be lively, participatory and will stand alone – you don’t need to attend all the sessions and can come into the series at any time. The sessions will be recorded and posted in the Transitions section of the UUC website. Learn a little UU history, theology, and ethics while applying these five concepts to your personal spiritual journey. Sessions begin at 7 pm. Topics are:

9/9 - Revelation Is Continuous - completed
9/16 - Just and Loving Community - completed
9/23 - An Attitude of Ultimate Optimism - completed
9/30 - Mutual and Free Consent
10/7- The Organization of Power and the Power of Organization

Join here:
TRANSITION TEAM ANNOUNCES WORKSHOPS

The Transition Team and Rev. Roberta are planning monthly workshops that will focus on a particular aspect of the work the congregation needs to do to welcome a new minister a year from now. The September workshop will be held on Monday 9/27 @ 7 pm. The topic is “Options for Ministry”. Transition Team member Mark Brandt will reprise the talk he gave last winter on styles of ministry, and Rev. Roberta will explain the differences between Interim, Developmental, and Contract ministry. There will be plenty of time for questions and comments. Please join us here:

Meeting ID: 727 531 7704
8th PRINCIPLE KICK-OFF EVENT

Sunday, October 3, 2021 at 1:00 - 3:00 PM EDT

Bruce Pollack-Johnson, co-author of the 8th Principle, will speak, via Zoom, with the UUC congregation. He will explain the language of the Principle, the history behind its creation, and its promotion by UUA. The event will include a Q & A session.

Members of the 8th Principle Task Force: Linda Stoller, Trude DIamond, Aryna Ryan, and Bill Foley will also be present and available for follow-up questions.

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 978 1167 8125

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National Call to
MOBILIZE AND DEFEND
Our Reproductive Rights
Last week the UUA released a press statement expressing their opposition to the new Texas abortion bill. The statement said in part "Our faith tradition has a long legacy of advocating for safe, legal, accessible abortions for everyone who needs it." State legislators in Florida have already said they want to pass a Texas type law in our state during the next legislative session, which begins in January. On October 2,2021 citizens in Florida and across the nation will be speaking out against the Texas abortion law.

Locally there are two events that offer the opportunity to let our voices be heard. Both are on Saturday, October 2. Signs, UUC tee shirts and masks are in order for both these events.

1. At 9:30 there will be a carpool leaving the UUC parking lot to attend a protest at Gus Bilirakis’ office on the Tarpon College Campus, 600 Klosterman Road. This is a rally organized by Indivisible Pasco and other local groups.

2. At 4 PM at Vinoy Park in St. Petersburg there will be a march and rally.
 
For those of you who have concerns about being in large groups during this time of Covid please take this time to write to your state representative and state senator to express your opinion on this issue.

Imagine the possibility of building the beloved community
and take action to make it happen! 
Be sure to check out our Social Justice page on UUC's website, where you will find recent articles and reports.

SPIRITUAL POTPOURRI
Friday, September 24, at 1:00 pm

Understanding Moral Injury and How We Can Help Those Who Suffer the Effects

Cecilia (Cece) Yocum, Phd. will help us understand how moral injury differs from other types of trauma and techniques for healing. Dr. Yocum is a psychologist and Quaker who has dedicated over 40 years to working with individuals, families, communities and professional groups and community-based trauma healing programs in Rwanda, Burundi and Columbia as a part of Friends Peace Teams. She is a contributor to "Help for Moral Injury: Strategies and Interventions" published by Quaker House. Click here to learn more.

Save the date: 10/1 - More about the climate crisis with Dennis Krohn

 
 Meeting ID: 984 4209 0304

Contact Kathy Krohn if you have trouble logging in.
All are welcome all the time...please join us!
PASTORAL CARE

UUC has a team of Pastoral Associates who offer confidential, emotional support and spiritual companionship to fellow community members who are facing challenging life issues. The Pastoral Associates are trained and mentored by our minister. To connect with one of our dedicated volunteers, please call the office (727-531-7704, Ext. 5) and leave a voicemail message. The Pastoral Associate who is scheduled for that week will get in touch with you.
A MESSAGE FROM THE CARE CIRCLE

"Life is like an ever-shifting kaleidoscope--a slight change, and all patterns alter." ~~ Sharon Salzberg

The Care Circle provides UUC community members temporary, short-term assistance during an illness or injury. Volunteers help with day-to-day tasks such as transportation to and from appointments, pick up and deliver medication, and running errands to name a few. They can also make referrals to agencies that can provide more intensive help if needed. To request assistance, please contact co-chairs Susan Hegner or Eloise Hardman, or the UUC Office (727) 531-7704.
Community Outreach Donations
The ACLU of Florida is our recipient for September

"DEFENDING JUSTICE IN THE SUNSHINE STATE"

The ACLU of Florida works tirelessly on important issues protecting our constitutional rights. The following is from their website...

“We dealt with fundamental attacks on our democracy in legislatures across the country, including in Florida. Over the course of 60 days, Gov. Ron DeSantis and his allies forced through laws that criminalize peaceful protesters and shield counter-protesters from civil liability for killing or injuring a demonstrator. They also enacted voter suppression schemes that will make it harder for Floridians to vote by mail and will disproportionately impact Black, elderly, mobility-impaired, student and veteran voters; and they callously discriminated against transgender girls by banning them from playing on sports teams that align with their gender identity.”

“What we know at the ACLU of Florida is that, in these challenging times, our work is more critical and necessary than ever, and it may be some of the most important work we have engaged in over the last decade. This work includes engaging directly with communities closest to the issues and reimagining solutions to the problems that plague our state. It also includes strategizing daily with our partners and stakeholders to empower people to make their voices heard, to change the civil liberties landscape in Florida, and make our state truly a place where all Floridians can thrive.”

For more info go to www.aclufl.org and please give generously/
UUC MAKES ONLINE GIVING and PLEDGING EASY

In lieu of our traditional collection baskets that you see during the Offertory on Sundays, we are trying out some different ways to make online donating easier. You might want to try:
Text Giving
(727) 500-2410

If you prefer to donate online, feel free to click the button below.
DID YOU MISS A SERVICE? CHECK THE WEBSITE AT:
(The recorded service is typically posted the week after the service)

When does the Property Committee meet? How do I join a covenant group?
Check the website at  https://www.uuc.org for answers to these questions and many more! Events, meeting times and details are located on the CALENDAR. All organizational documents and reports are posted in the MEMBER section. If you are a member but don't have the password, please contact the Office Administrator at admin@uuc.org.