Keep the faith and keep in touch,

Rev. Roger

Rev. Dr. Roger Jones

PS—I will be participating as a UU minister tonight in the Interfaith Hour of Thanks at 7:00 at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, along with leaders from Buddhist, Catholic, Jewish, Lutheran, Muslim, Presbyterian and other traditions in our Arden Arcade and Carmichael area. I'll be reading the Vegetable Prayer.  If it seems appealing to you, join me!

Have you noticed the link that says "(Message clipped) View entire message" near the bottom of these e-mails? We have so many invitations and 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 November Soul Matters Theme is

The Path of Change

Join our Drop-in Group on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at 6:30 pm. Join on Nov. 23 at uuss.org/online

You can find the materials for the session at uuss.org/soiulmatters

For your family or personal reflection,

Here's the link to the November materials.

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

November 27 10:30 AM: Lessons from Marine Mammals

Rev Lucy Bunch preaching, Worship Associate Celia Buckley, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva.

Have you ever seen a whale breach or dolphins frolic? These creatures fill us with awe and delight and help connect us more deeply with the power of nature. Using ideas from the Black feminist author Alexis Pauline Gumbs, we will explore the lessons we can learn from these amazing creatures.

Exploring UU: “Faith” before the service at 9:30 in the Fahs Classroom. 

December 4 10:30 AM:

Transcending Mystery and Wonder:

Many Ways of Renewing the Spirit

Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, preaching, with Rev. Lucy Bunch, Worship Associate Courtney O’Neill, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva, and a vocal quartet.

What is "transcendence?" On this day of the California International Marathon, let’s explore the experience of bliss, of connection, of being part of something larger than ourselves. This service is part of our series on the heritage of Unitarian Universalism and on finding our way to the future. Our quartet will sing Bobby McFerrin’s heavenly version of the 23rd Psalm.

Traffic Alert! California International Marathon Day! Can’t cross Fair Oaks Blvd., so don’t use US Hwy 50. Come to UUSS via Business 80 and exit at Cal Expo or at Arden.

Allow extra time for extra traffic near UUSS. 

So many gently used books, every genre, for modest donations. Stop by after the service. The friendly bookstore volunteers are there to greet and help. (You know, you always have room for one more book.) Bags of Chalice Blend Coffee are $13 a bag.

BEACON BOOKSTORE is looking for volunteers to staff the bookstore in our Library before and after services. Your commitment would be just one Sunday each month. We have an immediate need for someone on the 1st Sunday. Training provided. Please email bookstore@uuss.org with questions or to volunteer.

The nursery will be open 9:15-12:15 most Sundays, for infants & toddlers during a service and RE and for any age of child before or after church in case parents are participating in additional activities. Parents, please enter the Main Building and sign in at the RE Family Welcome Table and then escort your kids through to the nursery.  Please register your nursery age children at this link.

Help our newly arrived refugee neighbors! The Refugee Support Team Is helping Ukrainians and an Afghan family resettle here. In total, there are 10 children ranging from ages 3 to 17. They are in need of shoes, clothing, household goods, blankets and towels. A complete list of specific items and clothing sizes will be available at the Refugee Support table in the Welcome Hall on Sunday, Dec. 4. Stop by after the service and pick up the list. You can also request the supply list by emailing refugeesupport@uuss.org.

Bring your donations to UUSS on Dec. 11 and Dec. 18 or to the office during normal business hours. If you bring them to the office, please clearly label the donation as Refugee Support Program.

Helping out our new neighbors is a gratifying way to mark the beginning of the holiday season…a season of giving and sharing our own bounty.

The Racial Justice team is proposing a land acknowledgement for use at UUSS and we'd like your feedback. Here is a link to the draft and a place to make comments: http://www.uuss.org/racialjustice/draft-land-acknowledgement/

Acknowledging the indigenous people of the land where UUSS is located is a powerful way of giving respect and honor, and a way to resist the erasure of indigenous histories. 

Autumn Auction All Stars

You truly have to be part of it to believe it. That is, the inner workings of the

Autumn Auction committee members coming together to create the wondrous

event many of us attended Nov. 12. We’ve all heard the saying, “It takes a

village.” Well, in this case, “It takes a beloved community.”

Starting with Auctria, the name that can make many people recoil, is the

program behind the silent auction. Getting the bidding, the donations and the

winners to work harmoniously in the program is daunting. But, try telling that to

the team, Beth TenPas, Deirdre Downes, and Victoria Owens, who

worked tirelessly and were unflappable. Hats in the Air!

Next, the harmony in the church kitchen was palpable with the tiny master chef,

Tiki, floating around in complete charge without ever losing her happy demeanor.

Marion Randall and she worked together in seamless tandem. Dozens of others

worked through the week preceding the dinner to make this happen. Your

delicious dinner was a labor of love.

Although I may not be able to list everything Annette Emery did, because it was

so much in many areas, I will just tell you that what I heard most from her when a

job that needed doing came up was, “I’ll do it.” And, she certainly did.

Similarly, “When do I start,” “Where do I go,” and “What do I do ?” pretty much

sums up Meg Burnette’s response when I asked her to consider being the MC for

the dinner. She was so gracious.

So many people helped me set up my decorations and the raffle. Karen Gunderson

very thoughtfully planned and executed the design of the raffle table with the

baskets, their little ticket bags and leaf decorations to not just make it

attractive, but functional. Dirk Tuell made sure our AV and Zoom systems worked well!

I am additionally, so grateful for the work done by those mentioned here and the

many, many others who participated in the 2022 Autumn Auction, and went out of

their way to help me do my challenging job as chair. And, most of all, the help and

encouragement I received from my “ghost” co-chair, the esteemed Rev. Roger, was

immeasurable. -- Lauren Davis-Todd

Saturday Stitchers and Crafters - Saturday, December 3, 10:00-Noon, in the Fahs Room. Bring sewing, coloring, beading, knitting, or any other portable craft and join us! Contact: stitchers@uuss.org

Holiday Tree-trimming & Dinner at UUSS

Join us at 5:00 pm Saturday, Dec. 10, for a light dinner and craft-making for trimming the Christmas Tree in the Welcome Hall, a Family Ministry event open to all ages.

We'll provide chili (vegan and meat options); please bring your favorite chili topping or a side dish or treats (such as cookies) to share.  

UUSS has many craft supplies. What we would welcome: 3 or 4 crafts-table captains, dinner set-up or clean-up helpers, a live Christmas tree, someone to put lights on a tree, and a Santa Claus to visit.

Contact Crystal Fountain to offer your help or contact Rev. Roger at familyministry@uuss.org. Let us know if you are coming so we have enough chili!  

Ukulele Strum-Along on Monday, December 12,

2:00 - 3:30 p.m. in the Fahs Classroom. 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

"A Matter of Balance" Over 60? Worried about falling? Save the dates for a free course on Wednesdays 10 to noon, January 11 - March 1. Information and signups at the Sunday Connections Table in the Welcome Hall before and after church.

Calling all UU Women

Women’s Wisdom Retreat

At the Mercy Retreat Center in Auburn, CA

Save the Date and Register Now!

Feb 3-5, 2023

Friday dinner through Sunday lunch 

Join other UU women for a wonderful weekend full of ceremony, laughter, spiritual reflection, movement, silence, and the company of wise and wonderful women.  

All woman-identified persons are invited.

YOU WILL NOT WANT TO MISS IT! Click here to Register

Registration Deadline January 10, 2023 or until rooms are all taken. 

For more information contact Rev Lucy Bunch Lucy@UUSS.org