|
Our Weekly Message
News, Invitations, and Ministerial Reflections
February 10, 2023
| |
|
Greetings on this bright February day!
I hope you are doing well and hope to see you soon, in person or online. I know you join me in sending wishes for healing to Rev. Lucy while she recovers from surgery. We’ll have an update for you on how she’s doing on Sunday morning.
Our theme this month is the path of love. “Love” is often perceived as an expression of romantic attraction, friendly affection, reciprocal care, family connections, or devotion to a community. It’s all that, and more. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., wrote about agape, which is unconditional love for all human beings—what a UU Principle calls the inherent worth and dignity of every person.
This basic human dignity is what our idealistic Unitarian ancestors proclaimed. As the Civil Rights Movement, the Movement for Black Lives, and women protesting in Iran and Afghanistan have shown with much courage, agape is the love which underlies nonviolent resistance. Love which insists on justice, freedom, and safety is the love of self and others—and it even includes respect for the humanity of those who carry out oppression.
This agape love is a lot harder to feel than reciprocal care or friendship, isn't it?
Maybe we don’t really need to feel it, however, just to act on it as an ethical value.
But acting on this value, at least for me, takes a lot of practice.
Some of the ways we practice agape love are by gestures of kindness and acts of service. We bring love into being by using empathy and showing a generous patience to others. We can reflect on times when others have shown agape to us or to others and then we can appreciate and celebrate those moments as love in action.
On Sunday morning we will reflect on those times when we have received or witnessed love in action. Our musicians and worship associates will show their love to all of us, and we’ll share in a ritual. After the service, lay leaders will host a reception in the Fahs Room to tell you about the many opportunities for service to the congregation and explain how things work here. You’re invited to attend!
Of course, there’s a lot more going on this Sunday and in the week ahead, as you can read below. For all that you do and all that you are, I am blessed to be among you.
Love,
Rev. Roger
P.S.—Please note that the crafts table for children (and others) will be on the right side of the sanctuary for our Circle Service for All Ages. Adult family members are invited to sit in rows nearby. If you find it hard to hear the service from that area, don’t hesitate to move to another area. Please don’t feel self-conscious to move at any time—whether you have the wiggles or just want a different seat in church.
| |
Have you noticed the link that says "(Message clipped) View entire message" near the bottom of these e-mails? We have so much news in here sometimes that it does not all show up when you open the email. Scroll down and click on the link to see more! | |
|
Sunday Mornings with UUSS
Masks Recommended but not Required- read more
Join us for Worship Services in person or on Zoom Zoom links here
Service time 10:30 a.m.
Did you miss a service? You can find links to past services here
| |
|
Sunday Morning Programs
Join us before the service at 9:30 AM at UUSS
1st Sunday - Labyrinth meditation in the meadow (March. 5)
2nd Sunday - Racial Equity conversation - Fahs Room (Feb.12)
3rd Sunday Qui Gong/Tai Chi - patio (Feb. 19)
4th Sunday - Exploring Unitarian Universalism:
Proposed Revision of UUA Principles & Sources (Article II) (Feb. 26)
| |
Join us for a Newcomer Orientation and Tour the second of every month Sunday right after church in the Welcome Hall; next one is after church on Sunday, Feb. 12. If you would rather attend the Program Council's Feb. 12 reception and learn about opportunities for service and leadership, remember there is an Orientation and Tour every month. | |
|
Half of all Sunday morning offering donations made in February
will support our local community partner:
Effie Yeaw Nature Center
To donate now at the UUSS website, click here.
"May generosity bless our world. May gratitude nourish our spirits."
| |
|
February 12, 10:30 AM:
Love in Action: A Circle Service for All Ages
Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, with Worship Associates Colette Kavanaugh and Karen Sparrow, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva, Religious Education Coordinator Crystal Fountain and the UUSS Choir. Altar design by Molly Stuart.
In our schools and workplaces and neighborhoods, across this country and all over the world, our acts of caring and service make the spirit of love tangible and real. Let’s appreciate the many acts of service, kindness and help which we notice and receive—and those we can give and share. In our simple ritual for all ages today, a big valentine tree will grow. Note that there will a crafts table and kids’ activity on the side of the sanctuary. If you can't hear well or feel distracted, please feel free to move away from the table area at any time. Please don't let self-consciousness keep you from doing so!
After the service: Kids Freedom Club will host fair-trade chocolate tasting to promote chocolate producers that don’t rely on enslaved labor. The Orientation for Newcomers and Tour of UUSS takes place right after the service starts at the Welcome Table.
The Getting to Know UUSS Reception takes place at noon in the Fahs Room—come learn about opportunities to get involved and meet current lay leaders!
Before the service: The Racial Equity Orientation takes place at 9:30 am in the Fahs Classroom. Childcare is available before and after the service (not just during the service).
| |
|
February 19, 10:30 AM: What's Our Story?
Unitarian Universalists' Journey Toward Beloved Community
Guest preacher Rev. Nancy Palmer Jones, with Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, Worship Associate Colette Kavanaugh, Pianist Irina Tchantceva, plus special musicians from UUSS
Every congregation has a story--or 10 or 20--that's both written into its DNA and still emerging when it comes to building a truly inclusive, equitable, joyful, multicultural, antiracist Beloved Community. What story is UUSS creating? What gifts and challenges, mistakes and miracles can we unearth from our history to give us strength, curiosity, and cautionary tales as we strive to live the radically inclusive nature of our faith? Drawing on the stories told in her book Mistakes and Miracles as well as her own experience, Rev. Nancy urges us to move UUSS's story deeper into the messy, glorious territory of Love.
| |
|
Guest Preacher: Rev. Nancy Palmer Jones is a Minister Emerita of First Unitarian of San Jose, where she served 18 years. Nancy now is Director of Faith Leader Organizing, PACT-Santa Clara County (People Organizing in Community Together). Before attending Harvard Divinity School, she was an actor, singer, and book editor. She will be leading a workshop at UUSS on Saturday, Feb. 18 Read down below about the topic and how to register!
The sermon and workshop series on Finding Our Way to the Future is funded by the Dr. Betty Ch’maj Fund, which honors the work of a UUSS leader and professor of American Studies at Sacramento State, who died in 1997. Today is a Soup Sunday too!
| |
February 26, 10:30 AM: Compassion Fatigue
Rev. Dr. Roger Jones preaching, Worship Associate Celia Buckley,
Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva
The Lenten season recalls day after day of doubt and loneliness in the life of Jesus the healer and prophet. He wandered in the desert, discouraged about his calling to practice love and justice. He had compassion fatigue. Sometimes, today’s world seems even more full of suffering, misunderstanding, and injustice than it was in those days. As people of deep values, let’s consider how we might keep our hearts open and our spirits alive.
| |
|
Getting to Know UUSS
Get to Know the Church Leaders (and How Things Work!)
Join us for a Reception after the service
This Sunday, February 12
Join church leaders in the Fahs Room for refreshments and to learn what the committees and positions elected by the congregation actually do. Learn about other opportunities that help the congregation to achieve our mission to deepen our lives and be a force for healing in the world. We will also share information on educational opportunities that can help you grow spiritually and to better serve our beloved community.
Extended child care will be provided during the reception.
| |
Joys, Sorrows and Prayers
in the Congregation
| |
- We extend our condolences to the friends and family of Travis Silcox, who died January 6 at the age of 66. Travis had recently begun attending UUSS with her mother, Betty. Rev. Roger will officiate at her memorial service at UUSS, Saturday, Feb. 11, at 10:00 am. See her obituary at this link .
- We extend our love and condolences to our member Michael O'Neill and family on the loss of his uncle Greg Ruha, from Rescue and previously from San Jose. He died at age 75 after a heart attack and injuries from a fall.
Joys and Sorrows: If you would like to have a joy, sorrow, concern, or milestone spoken by a minister at Sunday’s prayer time, at this link. You may use that link to inform us of a joy or sorrow and let us know if you do not want us to mention it aloud, or if you would like a phone call by a minister.
| |
Religious Education Programs | |
|
Childcare--available from 9:15 to 12:15 most Sundays in Room 11. Extended childcare available for special events including the Getting to Know UUSS reception this Sunday and the Newcomer’s Orientation and Tour this Sunday Feb. 12. (contact Crystal for details: RE@uuss.org)
Soul Kids -- Meets Sunday, Feb. 19. Kindergarten to grade 5 are invited to the join the all-ages Circle Service this Sunday, Feb. 12!
Junior High Youth Group (JHYG) -- Grades 6-7-8 on the 1st & 3rd Sundays of each month (10:30 start in sanctuary); meets again Sunday, Feb. 19.
Senior High Youth Group (SHYG) -- Grades 9-12 on the 3rd Sunday (Feb. 19)
Takes place AFTER the service. Also, note that SHYG meets with Kids Freedom Club on the 1st Sunday of each month. (Mar. 5) Contact shyg@uuss.org to find out more!
Kids Freedom Club -- MEETS 11:30 am the 1st Sunday of every month! This Sunday, will be the the chocolate tasting event (see more below).
All age levels gather to build community and raise awareness of modern slavery and raise money to help to free enslaved people around the world. Meets AFTER the service so you can hear the sermon. Contact freedom@uuss.org to find out more!
Kids Freedom Club will host a chocolate tasting of fair trade and organic chocolate after service in the Welcome Hall this Sunday, February 12!
| |
Groups, Gatherings, and Classes | |
Racial Equity Orientation Come early on the second Sunday of every month for at 9:30 am. Next session is February 12, led by members of the Racial Justice team, in the Fahs Room. This orientation will focus on White Supremacy Culture characteristics and their antidotes. The orientation is open to all who would like to learn more about racial equity and what we're doing here at UUSS. racialjustice@uuss.org | |
|
Fair-trade Chocolate Tasting Feb. 12, 11:30am - Welcome Hall After the service our Kids Freedom Club will be hosting a fairly traded chocolate tasting-event. Stop by and learn about slavery-free options for your Valentine's Day and Easter candy. freedom@uuss.org
| |
|
Ukulele Strum-Along on Monday, February 13, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. in the Fahs Room. Everyone is welcome. The UU Beginning Ukers meet on the 2nd Monday of each month. Beginners are encouraged to come at 1:30 for help getting started. We welcome brand-new players, and we supply the music and have ukes to lend. Contact: ukes@uuss.org
| |
|
This month’s second Tuesday Lectio Divina session is next week, on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14 at 7:00 PM. Appropriately, perhaps, we will look at a poem called The Kiss by poet Stephen Dunn. The poem can be found online at: https://poets.org/poem/kiss
Due to sparse attendance at the evening version of the Lectio Divina, we will conclude this part of the series on Tuesday - saying goodbye with a Kiss!
The morning version will continue as usual, 10 AM, on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month.
As always, join our friendly discussions by going to our UUSS website and entering the same way you would attend a live streaming Zoom Sunday service.
| |
|
Mah Jongg - Tuesday, February 14, 7:00pm.
This drop-in activity meets on the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of each month at 7:00pm in Classroom 6. We play "American-style" Mah Jongg using the current years card of the National Mah Jongg League. For more info contact: mahjongg@uuss.org
| |
Theology On Tap February Meeting Thursday February 16th *Note Time Change: 6:30pm to 8pm. River City Brewing Company in the Milagro Center 6241 Fair Oaks Blvd. Carmichael. Robin Visel is leading this event. | |
|
Multicultural, Antiracist Beloved Community:
How Will We Know When We "Get There"?
A Saturday Workshop at UUSS on Feb. 18, 9:00-11:30 a.m.
We Unitarian Universalists know that our congregations need to change if we are to live into the promise of the 8th Principle of Unitarian Universalism. But what do those changes look like? How will UUSS be different as we change? How will each of us be different?
Rev. Nancy Palmer Jones is co-author of Mistakes and Miracles: Congregations on the Road to Multiculturalism (for sale in our UUSS Bookstore for $22). She invites us into a lively conversation about culture change in congregations. Drawing on examples from UU congregations committed to this journey of transformation, we'll look at the Common Threads--themes that run through all congregations serious about the work of antiracism.
What small and large practices create the kinds of change we need to make? What have we already begun? What "antidotes" to white supremacy culture shall we try on next?
Arrive at 9:00 to sign in, get acquainted, and have light refreshments. Workshop starts at 9:30! Please sign up in advance at the Sunday Connections table or contact racialjustice@uuss.org or Rev. Roger.
| |
|
Depression Peer Support Group Sunday, Feb. 19, 12:15 pm Room 7/8 Are you living with depression? You are not alone. Our confidential, in-person is for adults with depression.
Email peersupport@uuss.org for information.
| |
|
The Journey of Grief
New series to begin April 16 at UUSS
Are you grieving the loss of a loved one and are seeking a healing path forward? Come join a small group for sharing and support. Six sessions will be held at UUSS on Sunday afternoons April 16 - May 21, 2:00 - 3:30, facilitated by UUSS member Pat Hofmaster, MSW, and Rev. Dr. Roger Jones.
Visit the Sunday Connections table to register by March 26. If you cannot attend on these dates, please sign the waiting list for a future series. For more information contact: griefsupport@uuss.org
| |
|
Abundant Community
From Your Stewardship Co-Chair
| |
|
Our theme for this year’s Stewardship Campaign (or Spring Pledge Drive) is ABUNDANT COMMUNITY. The very words are reassuring -- we are not alone, and there is enough. Phew! At UUSS, I have found both abundance and community. It didn’t happen overnight, but the best things in life often take time. Having been a member for many years now, I am still awed when I walk in or Zoom in on a Sunday morning and feel enveloped in friendship, love, and care. The UUSS community, for me, is the most solid and deep-rooted community I have known.
I love that our community is comprised of all ages and many backgrounds; I love that our community works for social, racial, and environmental justice; I love that our community cherishes art, beauty, and music; I love that our community spreads out beyond our walls.
Our Stewardship Campaign will begin March 26. It embraces and celebrates our abundance, both in giving to UUSS and in receiving what UUSS gives to you. Stewardship provides funding for all of our programs, our religious education for youth, our operations and maintenance, and our amazing staff and ministers. One of the important goals our generosity will fund this year is bringing our staff’s salaries up to the midpoint of UUA guidelines and meeting our Board’s commitment to improving Rev. Lucy’s compensation. We are an abundant congregation. We are a generous congregation. We understand that in giving we create more. -- Tiki Harlow, Co-Chair Stewardship Committee
| |
|
Christmas Eve Generosity
Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services has written to thank the members and friends of UUSS for the Christmas Eve special offering. Our gifts online, in cash, and by check totaled $1,089.50. Thank you for this generosity!
| |
Staff and Minister Availability | |
|
Rev. Roger (Roger's day off is Monday; study day is Friday) is available for pastoral support by appointment by phone, Zoom or in person, and the Pastoral Volunteers are available for support by phone. Rev. Lucy is on medical leave and not on email this week. We will welcome her back later in February.
Our office staff (office@uuss.org or 916-483-9283) are available to respond to your calls and emails weekdays 8:30-4:30. Pianist and Music Director are available by email.
Our RE Coordinator has weekly office hours and is available by email too.
| |
OFFICE CLOSED
Monday February 20 for President's Day
| |
We come together to deepen our lives and be a force for healing in the world. | | | | |
