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 May Soul Matters Theme:

The Path of Creativity

Here's the link to the Soul Matters materials

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

Half of the Sunday morning offering donations made in May support our local community partner:

National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI)

To donate now at the UUSS website, click here.

"May generosity bless our world, and may gratitude nourish our spirits."

May 14, 10:30AM

We Are One, We Are Many: 

The Unitarian Flower Communion

A Circle Service for all ages led by Rev. Dr. Roger Jones and Rev. Lucy Bunch, Worship Associates Dawn Huebner and Dan Myers,

the UUSS Choir, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva, Flutist Erin Byerly. 

This is the 100th anniversary of the Flower Communion, created by Czech minister Rev. Norbert Capek when he was a grad student in New York. On Mother’s Day we celebrate his wife, Maja, an activist for refugees in wartime. After Maja got him to leave the Baptist ministry, they raised the kids as Unitarians. The ritual marks the unique beauty of all members of the human family. It evokes Love’s enduring power in all conditions and situations. Bring a fresh flower to exchange in the ritual if you have some, but we will have some flowers to give out in any case, so just come!

*We will have a welcome ritual for those who have become UUSS members in recent months.

*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).

May 21, 10:30AM 

When Bad Things Happen—

Answers for Unanswerable Questions

Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, preaching, with Rev. Lucy Bunch, Worship Associate Karen Sparrow, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva.



Through his unconventional views of God and his message of compassion and hope, Rabbi Harold Kushner touched millions of lives, especially in his books When Bad Things Happen to Good People and Living a Life that Matters. He died in Massachusetts last month at age 88. In honor of his life, we revisit some of his insight and guidance today.

All are welcome to stay for the Congregational Meeting.

*At 9:30 a.m.: Exploring UUism in the Fahs Classroom

*At 11:50 a.m.: Congregational Business Meeting in the Sanctuary and on Zoom

May 28, 10:30AM: Honor and Purpose

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



On this Memorial Day weekend, we reflect on the values that have inspired men throughout history, and consider how those same values may be challenging in the 21st century.  

While many people come to UUism as adults, some of our adults did spend time in UU congregations as children and teens. (And of course, dozens of infants, children and youth are having that experience now at UUSS.) For an upcoming service, Rev. Roger would like to hear some of your stories, memories, recollected images or other sensations from growing up UU. Regardless of your age now, what gifts (or burdens) from that experience have you carried in your life?  Email Roger to set up a time to talk or just email him your thoughts and recollections: roger@uuss.org

The Celebration of Life and memorial reception for our member Frankie Crawford will take place at UUSS at 10:30 am, Saturday, May 20.

We extend our love and condolences to the family of Maija Beattie and her spouse and our Board member, Hally Cahssai, on the passing of Maija's father, Dwight Beattie. He died May 4 at home, surrounded by the love of his family.

We extend our condolences to Erin Byerly and family on the loss of her aunt recently, which means her cousin has now lost both of her parents.

Renewal of Vows Invitation

UUSS members Terrie Taylor and Jed Shapiro invite the congregation to attend their ceremony and reception on the occasion of their 20th anniversary. Saturday, June 3 at 2:00 pm at UUSS. If you would like to attend, please let Terrie know by May 15 and she'll send you an invitation. (Contact info is in the UUSS Directory.) Thank you!

Our Congregational Meeting will be held immediately after the Sunday service on May 21, on Zoom AND in-person. Please plan to stay with the rest of the congregation to hear important updates. Click here http://www.uuss.org/board/informational-packet-for-congregational-meeting-may-21-2023/ for the meeting packet which includes:

• Agenda
• October Congregational Meeting Draft Minutes
• 2023 - 2024 Operating Budget - members will vote to approve
• Slate of nominees for leadership positions - members will vote to approve

The Board has asked a small committee to create a process to evaluate our co-ministers, focusing on their current strengths and challenges. We are seeking input from the congregation at large, committees, elected leaders, and staff. Please click on the link https://forms.gle/sJK7Fpox2LLA5rui8 to provide your thoughtful comments on Reverend Roger’s evaluation. Input will be gathered until May 18. A similar process will be conducted in June to evaluate Reverend Lucy. Questions may be sent to board@uuss.org

Childcare--available from 9:15 to 12:15 most Sundays in Room 11 (Nursery). Room and resources for feeding/nursing infants are accessible in the nursery. Please enter campus via the main doors.



Extended childcare available for special events. Contact Crystal with questions: CrystalFountain@uuss.org

Soul Kids -- Meets Sunday, May 21. Kindergarten through grade 5 are invited to join the all-ages Circle Service.

Junior High Youth Group (JHYG) -- Grades 6-7-8 on the 1st & 3rd Sundays of each month (10:30 start in sanctuary). May 21 will be the last meeting before summer break.

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

the 3rd Sunday, May 21 (This is the last meeting before summer break)! Takes place AFTER the all-ages service. Contact shyg@uuss.org to find out more!

Kids Freedom Club  -- All age levels of kids, youth and parents gather to build community and raise awareness of modern slavery and raise money to help to free enslaved people around the world. Contact freedom@uuss.org to find out more!

Is your child or grandchild interested in Chalice Camp during the week of July 17-21?

The pandemic interrupted our participation in Chalice Camp these past few years, but we are looking for attendees to help us bring it back. A day camp for rising 1st to rising 6th graders with the theme of climate justice.

Email CrystalFountain@uuss.org to express interest.

Please email Crystal if you would like to receive the Weekly

Religious Education and Family Ministry Update Email. CrystalFountain@uuss.org

Child & Baby Dedication Ritual at UUSS: Conversation with a Minister

We will hold a ritual of blessing for babies and children of UUSS families on Sunday, June 4. The ritual is also an act of dedication by the congregation to the support and inclusion of these young lives among us. 

On Tuesday, May 16, at 7:00 pm, Rev. Roger will hold a Zoom conversation with parents or guardians to get acquainted and answer questions about the ritual. Contact him or Crystal Fountain for a link. Whether or not you are able to attend this meeting, please let him know if your family wishes to participate in the ritual. roger@uuss.org

UPDATE:

As of May 11, UUSS has received pledges from 296 households for a current total of $539,532 for the 2023-24 budget. Thank you! This works out to an average pledge of at least $150 per month.

Thanks to the 92 households that have raised their pledge, and to the 20 new pledging households.

However, we have not heard from everyone yet. The vote on the proposed budget at the Congregational Meeting is 9 days away!

Please save our volunteers and yourself from the reminder phone calls and emails that we must make soon to ensure that we hear from everyone about your pledge for UUSS.

Together our gifts keep his abundant community strong and vital as we live out our mission, support our ministers and staff members, pay our bills, maintain our buildings and grounds, and contribute to the larger UU movement. 

At uuss.org/stewardship , read a letter from our ministers, see the Monthly Giving Guide, and submit your pledge. 

At this link, you can watch wonderful pledge testimonials, enjoy a video message from a former UUSS intern and the UUA's Director of Stewardship, watch Rev. Lucy's "Abundant Community" sermon, and see a short video of coffee-hour responses to the question:

What Do You Love about UUSS?

The UUSS Beacon Bookstore has FREE STUFF in the Library! We are in the process of cleaning up our space now that so many are back in circulation. Look at the credenza under the big screen for your opportunities to pick up UUSS keepsakes that celebrate our 150th Anniversary and our Sanctuary Banners. You can also sort through some used CDs and DVDs; any of those that are left after the service on May 28 will be donated. 

Join UUSS at All Ages Camp--Fri-Sun, June 9-11 at Camp Norge in Alta. Camp in your tent or reserve a room with beds--dorm style or single-family. Structured activities, smores & songs around a fire, potluck dinner, Sunday service, plus time to goof off in the meadow & build community. uuss.org/camp. Questions? camp@uuss.org

KEEP MOVING - GET FIT continues Thursdays, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. through June 22 on the Patio. Sitting, standing exercises for seniors: strength—balance—flexibility. $48 for the series, pay at first class. $10/drop-in. With instructor Shelley Burns.

Questions? email adultenrichment@uuss.org.

Reading & Responding to Poetry with JoAnn Anglin

Monday, May 15, 10:00 am, Zoom



Enter via the UUSS website, as you would attend a service. We meet the first and third Monday mornings. All are welcome to reflect together on a poem. This practice is called Lectio Divina.

The poem chosen for Monday’s Lectio Divina is Things We Didn’t Talk About, by Cristin O’Keefe Aptowicz. I think we can all relate to these silences -- at home, in the neighborhood, at school or work. What were those topics or events? Was it because we lacked the words? Or, as the saying goes, because we were in denial. Perhaps we still face that dilemma, being in circumstances of not knowing what, or if, to say. 

Such things are included in the poem, which can be seen at: https://poets.org/poem/things-we-didnt-talk-about

You are welcome to join our friendly discussion by going to our UUSS website on Monday. Just enter the group the way you would attend a streaming Zoom Sunday service.

UUs for Justice in the Middle East (UUJME) - ONLINE Monday, May 15 at 6:30pm

The Zoom link to the meeting will be sent out via the UUJME mailing list. If you would like to be added to the list, contact Patricia Johnson at uujme@uuss.org We will discuss current events and we'll plan for a potluck/film. 

UUA ARTICLE II -- Revising the Principles --

Workshop May 16, at 6:30pm on Zoom—join Karen Gunderson & Sally Wilkins for an informative discussion about the new proposed Article II, which will be voted on at GA. Join us in the Zoom room we use for Sunday Services; find the link at uuss.org/online 

There will also be a forum at 11:45 after church on Sunday, May 14 in the Fahs Classroom

InterPlay with Rev. Lucy and Friends- In-Person! May 16, 7:00pm in the Welcome Hall. We're back! Join us for movement, storytelling, laughter, and fun. More info here.

Theology On Tap ~ Thursday, May 18, 7:00 - 9:00 pm

Location: Fair Oaks Brew Pub, 7988 California Ave, Fair Oaks, CA 95628

We will be seated in the "back room" inside the Pub.

Tell them you are with Theology On Tap 

Host: John McMillan

Crone Connection: A group for wise older women

We meet once a month to explore our strengths and wisdom as elders, share our stories, support and inspire each other, and laugh. Structured workshop format with monthly topics of interest. This group is open to any woman who identifies herself as an elder.

Group is open and new members are welcome.

Meets second Friday of every month, beginning May 12.

10 a.m. to Noon in the library at UUSS

Salad potluck following the meeting.

Contact Marla Jensen at croneconnection@uuss.org for more information.

"End of Life Planning" class with Molly Stuart, Three Wednesdays: June 7, 14 & 21 -- 1:00-3:00 p.m. in the Fahs Classroom. You can 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 donation to UUSS to be paid at the first class. Please plan to attend all three sessions. Sign up at Connections on Sundays or e-mail molly@mollystuart.com

Save the Date: Thursday, June 8, 9:15am – 2:00pm

UUSS Field Trip to Maidu Museum & Historic Site in Roseville for a private tour of the museum and the historic site. We’ll meet at UUSS and carpool. Maximum of 35 people. Contact: racialjustice@uuss.org if you want to participate and for any questions. 

Cost: $10 per person. More info to come! 

SpiritRest Silent Retreat-- Feed Your Soul This Summer 

SpiritRest is a facilitated five-day silent retreat for Unitarian Universalists and other spiritual seekers. Our 2023 gathering will be August 6-11 in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. 

Rev Lucy is one of the leaders of the retreat along with other UU ministers. 

If you need rest, healing, inspiration, ease, and delight, this retreat is for you. 

Learn more at our website www.spiritrestretreat.com.

The auction team is looking for YOUR ideas for this year's theme.

Get your creative juices flowing and e-mail a theme, title and/or logo idea to auction@uuss.org before May 28 with "Theme Proposal" in the subject line. The team will select finalists that will be anonymously displayed and set up for voting during the June 4 coffee hour. The winner will receive a free dinner ticket to the auction. Visit the Auction table on the patio during coffee hour this month for more information. You might even be inspired to join the team! photo credit: Lauren Todd-Davis' "Tea Time" 2022 auctioned event

Sunday, June 4, Noon in the Fahs Room--Ending the Silence…an informative presentation by a representative from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Sacramento. Attend an hour long engaging presentation to learn about the warning signs of mental health conditions and what steps to take if you or a loved one are showing symptoms of a mental health condition.

Did you know…According to the CDC, the most common mental illnesses in adolescents are anxiety, mood, attention, and behavior disorders? Suicide is the second leading cause of death in young people aged 15–24 years.

This presentation will provide valuable information for adults caring for loved ones who are middle or high school aged youth. It will include warning signs, facts and statistics, how to talk with your child and how to work with school staff. There will be an opportunity to ask specific questions after the formal presentation.

Contact Bobbie Keill with questions at partners@uuss.org