"Still or Sparkling"

Rev. Denis Letourneau Paul,

Rev. Betty Kornitzer,

and Lee Cowan

In a quiet pond or a bowl on the altar, water can be still, even when it’s full of plants and fish below the surface. In a sea, natural spring or bottle, water can also be sparkling, full of bubbles and aeration. Either way, it is life-giving. In this annual ritual we call “Water Communion,” water serves as an inspiration for how we want to be in the new congregational year. Please bring a small container of water from any source: the ocean or a river; your backyard or kitchen tap; the old family homestead or a far away land. It’s all holy. Because all water is holy.  

Members and friends of this congregation bring infinite joy to my work in this congregation. Your joys and your vision inspire me. Your invitations to accompany you in your losses humble me in the best possible way.

I’m also motivated and energized by my colleagues, as they share with me their insights, experiences and helpful suggestions, all of which help me feel more competent. Colleagues lighten the load in challenging times, and remind me to take a moment to celebrate successes when my tendency would otherwise be to keep moving forward. 

Having colleagues present in the congregation as co-ministers, interns and ministers emeriti are some of the greatest blessings for ministers. They experience with us first hand everything makes congregational life so rich and meaningful. Rev. Betty Kornitzer, your minister emerita, is that kind of presence for me. 

If you don’t know her, she was the first settled minister here at UUCSC, called back in the days when worship happened in the space lovingly referred to as “The Bingo Hall.” She was settled here long enough that she accompanied all those families and individuals who worked hard to make the current facility happen. Rev. Betty bore witness to all the challenges and triumphs as people gave everything they could find a permanent home at Lily Pads. She wept when a few families even mortgaged their homes to make it happen. She also wept when congregants faced unthinkable losses.

She loved the whole community through the highs and the lows. That’s why you conferred upon her the honored titled of Minister Emerita.  It’s a role that requires nothing of her, but invites her to share her presence and her love. 

I am thrilled that Rev. Betty will be joining Lee and me, as the three of us lead worship on Sunday. It’s the big annual fall homecoming complete with water communion. We’ll remember the attacks of 9/11, share water from various sources, return it to the land in the front garden, and enjoy watermelon on the front patio. It will be the first time we are on the chancel together in worship, but it won’t be the last time. We’re all looking forward to being together more. 

If you were here when Rev. Betty was serving as minister, please take some time soon to express your gratitude and happy memories. And if you don’t know Rev. Betty, please take a moment to introduce yourself. You’ll be glad you did. She’s a treasure. 

In Peace,

Rev. Denis

A Final Chance to Join a

Dining 4 Dollars Event 

My Dining for Dollars event, picnic with kite flying and sandcastles on Scarborough Beach is happening tomorrow, Saturday, September 10th at 12:30 pm. If you didn’t get a chance to bid and would like to join us, please email me with number of guests and any special dietary needs.

A picnic of sandwiches, snacks, juices, water, and cookies will be provided. Please bring sand chairs, blankets, sand toys, kites, frisbees or anything else fun for the beach.

Forecasters predict a glorious, sunny day. Families, kids and fun loving adults all welcome!

Share the Plate for September

Movement Education Outdoors (MEO) is an organization operating on Narragansett, Pokanoket, Nipmuc and Wampanoag land. Founded in 2018, MEO's mission is to provide meaningful outdoor experiences for BIPOC and low-income youth from Providence, Central Falls, Pawtucket and Woonsocket. 

People cannot fully appreciate nature without spending time in nature. MEO hopes students from urban neighborhoods will find joy in outdoor spaces, eventually becoming stewards of the land. They have opportunities to practice self-care and healing through movement and mindfulness. Participation in MEO's planned experiences aids in building relationships, confidence, and a sense of community.

We in the UUCSC community are blessed to live in close proximity to beaches, waterways, open spaces and walking/bike paths. We do not need to go far to escape the sounds of civilization. As part of UUCSC's commitment to racial justice, we encourage you to contribute to MEO via Share the Plate. Rhode Island's urban youth will benefit by experiencing the natural gifts of our area.

Everyone at UUCSC has been invited to join MEO on two walks. One is a Family Walk on Saturday, November 5, 2022, and the Intergenerational walk is scheduled for Saturday, November 19, 2022. Both walks are from 10:00 – 1:00 at King Benson Preserve in Saunderstown, RI beginning at the entrance on Snuff Mill Road. More details will follow closer to the hikes.

Submitted by Barbara Beckwith

We all get emails that seem to be from people we know, but something seems a little off. Maybe they're asking for your help, or for money or gift cards. If you get an email and suspect a scam, DO NOT OPEN IT. To learn more about how to spot a scam and what to do if you open one by mistake, click here. 

Submitted by the UUCSC office