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!

Our March Soul Matters Theme is



The Path of Vulnerability

Here's the link to the Soul Matter materials

http://www.uuss.org/soulmatters/

March 5, 10:30 AM: Uncovering Authenticity

Rev. Kristen Kuriga, guest preacher, with Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, Rev. Lucy Bunch, Worship Associate Ginny Johnson, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva

What helps us get in touch with our authenticity? Join us today to explore the meaning of authenticity, what gets in the ways of living from that place, and what we may need to let go of or to resist so our authentic selves can shine.

About our guest preacher: Rev. Kristen Kuriga (she/her) is a UU minister, gardener, artist, community organizer, and spiritual practitioner. She lives in Federal Way, WA, with her husband and four-year-old. Rev. Kristen currently serves as a parish minister, and her passion in ministry is at the intersection of spiritual practice, social justice, and art.

• There will be a Story for All ages before the children and middle school youth depart for RE. Today is also the day to light a candle before church and write on a card your joy, sorrow, or prayer.

March 12, 10:30 AM:

Bittersweet, Melancholy and other Complex Emotions 

Rev. Lucy Bunch, preaching, with Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, Worship Associate Dan Myers, Pianist Irina Tchantceva; Special Musical guests Sacramento Master Singers

Feelings can be challenging to process, and it can be particularly challenging to navigate the experience of having two opposite feelings at the same time. We often want to avoid these “double feelings,” such as simultaneous joy and sorrow as they can be very intense and destabilizing. And yet some of our greatest spiritual growth, creativity and perspective can come from these experiences. We will explore how navigating these complex emotions can build resilience and enrich our lives.

Spring Forward! Set clocks ahead one hour or you’ll be late!

At 9:30 a.m.: Racial Equity Conversation in the Fahs Classroom. 

At 11:50 a.m.: Newcomers’ Orientation & Tour (meet at the Welcome Table).

March 19, 10:30 AM: Your One Wild and Precious Life

A Circle Service led by Rev. Dr. Roger Jones with Rev. Lucy Bunch, Worship Associates Colette Kavanaugh and Celia Buckley, the UUSS Choir, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, and UUSS folks from age 8 to 92! Altar design by Molly Stuart.

Join us for this favorite annual service. Congregants from every decade of age will present their two-minute answers in response to this question from a poem by the late Mary Oliver: “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” Contact Rev. Roger soon if you want to participate.

March 19, 10:30 AM: Abundant Love, Abundant Care, Abundant Community

Rev. Lucy Bunch, preaching, with Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, Worship Associate Dawn Huebner, the UUSS Choir, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva



The stories we most often hear these days are about fear, conflict and scarcity. There never seems to be enough. But what about abundance? Can we image a world where there is abundance of all that is needed to thrive? Can we imagine living in a way that brings abundance about to ourselves and those we love? What does it take to imagine this abundance into being?  We will reflect on abundance today in the kick off of our annual stewardship drive in support of our congregations financial health.  

Childcare--available from 9:15 to 12:15 most Sundays in Room 11. Extended childcare available for special events. (contact Crystal for details: RE@uuss.org)

Soul Kids -- Meets this Sunday, Mar. 5! Kindergarten to

grade 5 are invited to join Annette for activities celebrating friendship and resilience!

Junior High Youth Group (JHYG) -- Grades 6-7-8 on the 1st & 3rd Sundays of each month (10:30 start in sanctuary); meets again this Sunday, Mar. 5.

Senior High Youth Group (SHYG) -- Grades 9-12 on

the 3rd Sunday (Mar. 19) Takes place AFTER the service.

Also, note that SHYG meets with Kids Freedom Club on the 1st Sunday of each month. (this Sunday! Mar. 5)  Contact shyg@uuss.org to find out more!

Kids Freedom Club  -- MEETS 11:30 am the 1st Sunday of every month! (Mar. 5).

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!

Is your child interested in Chalice Camp during the week of July 17-21? The pandemic has interrupted our participation in Chalice Camp these past few years, but we are looking for volunteers and attendees to help us bring it back. This would be a day camp for rising 1st to rising 6th graders with the theme of climate justice. Email RE@uuss.org to express interest.

Art Exhibit Ending! This is the last Sunday to enjoy the current art by Sean Bonito. 

The dramatic pencil drawings of a variety animals on the sanctuary walls are still for sale; 30% of all sales benefits UUSS. Contact Patricia Pratt at 916-730-9380 for information. 

Saturday Stitchers and Crafters - tomorrow, Saturday, March 4, 10 am - Noon, in the Fahs Classroom. Bring sewing, coloring, beading, knitting, or any other portable craft and join us! Contact: stitchers@uuss.org

Depression Peer Support Group Sunday, March 5, 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.

Reading & Responding to Poetry with JoAnn Anglin

Monday, March 6, 10:00 am, Zoom



This coming Monday, will feature the poem: How to Apologize, by Ellen Bass. As the title implies, it’s often not an easy obligation to fulfill, the “repairing the world” you have somehow disrupted. Of course, being a poet, she explains the struggle metaphorically. What metaphors would you use? You can see the poem at https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/03/15/how-to-apologize

As always, join our friendly discussions by going to our UUSS website on Monday and entering the same way you would attend a live streaming Zoom Sunday service. 

An Introduction to Meditation, with Doug Kraft.

Sunday, March 12, Noon to 1:15 pm in the Fahs Room.

Sign up at the Sunday Connections Table or adultenrichment@uuss.org. Doug was the lead minister at UUSS from 2000 to 2013. He has been training in Buddhist meditation for 50 years and written a number of books on it (you can find them in the Sunday Bookstore). No prior experience is required (or disqualifies you!) for this short workshop. Please bring your questions and insights and join us.

"Death Planning" a 3-session class facilitated by Molly Stuart

Tuesdays, March 14, 21, and 28 from 10:00 a.m. to noon in the Fahs Classroom.

Molly Stuart will help you consider your desired end of life care and create a plan to be assured your values will be respected, and to protect family from uncertainty. $40 per person, to be paid at the first class as a donation to UUSS Adult Enrichment. Please plan to attend all sessions.  Sign up at Connections table or e-mail molly@mollystuart.com

Northern CA Gathering of BIPOC Unitarian Universalists

We are so excited to be gathering the tribe of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) UUs. Please share among your networks deep and wide! Reach out if you have any questions.

DRUUMM Northern California Gathering

Tuesday, April 4 @ 6:00pm-8:00pm

First Unitarian Church of Oakland

685 14th St., Oakland, CA

10 min walk from BART 12th St/ Oakland City Center

DRUUMM Invite & Registration: https://www.druumm.org/event/sf-bay-april-4-gathering/ Facebook Invite: https://fb.me/e/7kDWCpqAR?mibextid=RQdjqZ

As part of our faith journey as Unitarian Universalists, we are regularly challenged by the ways race and racism affect our lives and our spirituality. Within our congregations, we are creating space to build a community of care among People of Color and opportunities to explore more profound questions around race, culture, and our religious values.

DRUUMM invites members and BIPOC friends to come together to share food, worship, and community building. We’ll also take time to engage in DRUUMM’s future direction. We will gather in person at First Unitarian Church of Oakland with a virtual Zoom option to encourage BIPOC UUs in the region to get to know one another. Come nourish your soul and grow your spirit with fellow People of Color in liberal religion. This is a Black, Indigenous, and People of Color-focused program geared for youth and adults, conducted in English. Our space is ADA accessible, and please reach out if there are any accommodations requests. Interested White allies are encouraged to connect with our partner UU Allies for Racial Equity.

--Kevin Alan Mann, MDiv. (pronouns he/him/his), UU ministerial candidate

(and son of our congregants Edna and Alan Mann)

The Journey of Grief: New Series 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

Family Ministry is looking for volunteers to lead PR, recruitment and organizing for All-Ages Camp at Camp Norge in Alta, California. Our reserved dates are June 9-11, but we will not have a camp weekend without a leadership team. Maybe you are the leadership we are looking for! Please indicate your interest to Rev. Roger or Crystal Fountain.

Have you been trained on CPR and/or the use of an AED device? If so, would you be willing to be on a list of trained people, to be used in case of emergency?

Would you like to be trained? The Board is committed to the safety of all congregants. As part of our effort, we are working to revive the Safety Committee and train more people. If you would be willing to participate, please contact the Board: board@uuss.org.

Thank you!

Support our Community Partner, Planned Parenthood!  

Wednesday, March 22, at 5:30 p.m.

Planned Parenthood Mar Monte (PPMM) will hold their first in person event in almost 3 years in Sacramento as part of a series of events entitled:

Together We Rise. We Resist. We Care.

The program will consist of a video presentation, followed by a discussion with community leaders and Planned Parenthood staff. Individual tickets range from $25 to $125. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. and includes a light boxed meal to munch on during the program. The event’s location has not yet been disclosed, but it will be in the Arden-Arcade area. You will be sent the location when you purchase your ticket. Sadly, this is necessary for safety reasons. Join us for this opportunity to support their important work.

All proceeds from this event will help PPMM deliver vital health care, sex education and information to adults and children throughout mid-California and Northern Nevada, regardless of their income, identities, immigration status, beliefs, or zip code.

 For tickets and information click on the link below, and then click on the Sacramento Road Show, March 22, to register and buy a ticket. https://www.weareplannedparenthood.org/a/together2023

Let’s come together to support the work of this vital and courageous organization, our community partner for April. Questions? Send them to Partners@UUSS.org