UUCSC News and Updates
Weekly on Fridays
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Unitarian Universalist Congregation of South County, RI
All are welcome!
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UUCSC does not presently have a minister. If you are in need of pastoral services please contact any member of the Pastoral Care Committee. Rev. Betty Kornitzer, UUCSC Minister Emerita, is working with the committee and if professional ministerial support is needed, she will be called in. Please do not contact the Minister directly.
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This Sunday, November 14, 2021 |
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10:00 AM In-person
"Discovering the Spirituality of Travel along Life’s Journey"
Though we are "singing from the heart" during services, we are still encouraged to read from our hymnals if we wish. Please pick yours up when you come in, and return it to its shelf when you leave.
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"Discovering the Spirituality of Travel along Life’s Journey"
Betsy Dalton, UUCSC Member
A recent trip to Wyoming, Colorado, and South Dakota exposed me to indescribable beauty, as well as devastating destruction and eerie barren landscapes. That experience caused me to reflect upon my own past travel, international and otherwise, and about the broader world - the humanity of it, the vastness of it, and the lessons that moving out of my comfort zone can reveal.
I will explore the connections that I see between travel and four of our beloved UU Principles: The inherent worth and dignity of every person; a free and responsible search for truth and meaning; the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all; and respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
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Covenant and Quilting: Again!
Last week turned into a long and glorious exploration of playing with a giant parachute! How can we all work together to keep a stuffed animal from falling off? What happens if several people let go of their handle? It was a great exercise in thinking about working together and how we are co-creating our space in RE.
But we didn't get to our quilt! So this week we will continue with some cooperative games and in creating our quilt of identity and community.
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Closing Words from Last Sunday (11-07-21)
The closing words were written by Larry Yang. Larry teaches at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in northern California, and has a special interest in creating access to Buddhist teachings for diverse, multicultural communities.
Aspiration Prayer
May I be as loving in this moment as I can.
If I cannot be loving in this moment, may I be kind.
If I cannot be kind, may I be non-judgemental.
If I cannot be non-judgemental, may I not cause harm.
And if I cannot not cause harm, may I cause the least possible harm.
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I know the grapevine has been humming so I want to share some information about our ministerial search. It has been discouraging to hear that there are a record number of UU congregations looking for a minister and at the same time many ministers have decided to pursue other paths. The demand is exceeding the supply. All organizations are experiencing upheaval and change precipitated by the pandemic but perhaps starting even before it. The UUA is not immune to the challenges of this time in social history nor are any of the individual UU congregations--or probably any organization, any church group, community, family, or individual—it has been a tough couple of years! It is somewhat comforting to know we are not alone in our situation but knowing that doesn’t lead to a solution. So we started exploring different possibilities, sharing a minister with another congregation being one of them.
So I was quite excited when two and a half weeks ago I received an email from Keith Kron, the Director of the Transitions Office at the UUA, saying that he wanted to introduce us to someone he felt might be a good match for us. The very next day I reached out to this minister and we have been in conversation since. I have had a long Zoom conversation with him, the entire Board has talked with him via Zoom and we are meeting with him in person this weekend. The Board is excited to carry this conversation further. We like him a lot and he is interested in our congregation but there is still much to discuss. Be patient and rest assured I will let you know as soon as possible if there is news to report. And keep your fingers crossed.
In other news I want to welcome Trish Hindley to the Board. She is replacing Nancy Dean who stepped down to help with childcare for her new granddaughter.
And finally, if you are someone who isn’t comfortable attending church services yet due to Covid related safety concerns (or really for any reason) please be in touch and let me elizdn342@gmail.com know who you are. We would like to be able to reach out to you in other ways.
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Small Group Ministry - New Column Title! |
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Become involved at your level of interest and availability.
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Adult Education and Experience |
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Thank you Essjay and Betsy for these submissions!
Submitted by Barbara Holtzman
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The 'removal' of Native American children
from their homes...
This is a large travelling exhibit, here in New England for the first time, & sponsored locally by the Tomaquag Museum. It contains stories of resilience & revitalization, - human indignities & hardships, - violence & suffering in the lives of Native Peoples.
While we reflect, with dismay, the inhumane treatment of the Black people across our nation, --- here is the sad truth about the 'removal, re-education & Christianizing' of Indian (Native American.) children in special schools... remember the infamous Carlisle Boarding School in Pennsylvania.
This is a chance to see & better understand the mistreatment of yet another (undesirable & underprivileged) group whom the 'powers-that-be' consider the ''other'' -- who must be kept 'under control'...
This exhibit will be at URI, (see below) now until January 7, 2022. For parking information and instructions go to "Away From Home" .
Hope some of us will visit, -- & start up further discussion... Yr's EssJay
Submitted by Essjay Foulkrod
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Interfaith Power and Light brings a deeply moving and laugh-out-loud funny documentary to the screen. Mission: JOY features unprecedented access to the unlikely friendship of two international icons who transcend religion: His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Tutu. In their final joint mission, these self-described mischievous brothers give a master class in how to create joy in a world that was never easy for them. They offer neuroscience-backed wisdom to help each of us live with more joy, despite circumstances.
Inspired by New York Times bestseller The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World, the film showcases the exchange between these two Nobel Peace Prize winners that led to that book.
The film will be available for free online viewing at home with family and friends, November 19 – Dec 2.
Submitted by Betsy Dalton
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Book Discussion Group for Finding the Mother Tree by Suzanne Simard to start in January - facilitated by Larry Kelland. Details about the book and how to join are HERE.
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Participants Sought To Reduce Food Waste,
Improve Food Access
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Visiting Nurse Home and Hospice Community Event
Showing of a film based on the groundbreaking book by Atul Gawande, Being Mortal. This video helps us to answer the question: "If I know I am dying, how can I die well?" November 15, 2021, 1:30-3:30 PM, Jamestown Philomenian Library.
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Submitted by Barbara Holtzman
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Your search for truth and meaning begins here.
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How to Submit Info to This Newsletter |
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Send announcements and news with Newsletter Item in the subject line to Etta Zasloff, Editor, at zasloff.etta@gmail.com by Tuesday Noon
to assure publication by Friday of that week.
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