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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Reverend Denis Letourneau Paul, Minister
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This Sunday, March 13, 2022 |
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Worship
In person 10:00 am
On Zoom 11:30 am
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“Intersectionality”
Rev. Denis Letourneau Paul and Mx. Rush Frazier
March 13, 2022
Intersectionality is one of those hot button words of our times. Even if we know what it means, the conflict it stirs up can make us tense. Intersectionality is meant to convey the reality that each of us has more than one facet to our whole selves, and that when we work to end one oppression in its fullness, we also engage with dismantling others, by meeting people where they are. The concept can be liberating and expansive, or it can be threatening, depending on your perspective. This Sunday, we’ll be joined by Rush Frazier, the executive director of Youth Pride Inc., who happens to be black and gender non-binary, living in a world of intersectionality.
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Religious Exploration
In-person
10am-noon
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Accept One Another
The above video will definitely make you smile. And it's amazing how many UU principles are represented in Kid President's sweet message.
This Sunday, we will begin upstairs with a Time for All Ages (TFAA). Then we'll go outside for some cooperative games that illustrate some of our UU Principles!
Here is our March newsletter with the theme "Renewing Faith. Check it out here: RE newsletter
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Here is the video of our Time for All Ages from last Sunday for anyone who missed this amazing metaphor of our 8 Principles coming to life as a suspension bridge! |
Lee Cowan, Director of Religious Exploration |
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Holy Smokes! This is great news!
Share the plate donations from UUCSC to date....
Habitat for Humanity.................$674.26
Dorcus International.................$587.32
Submitted by Barbara Beckwith
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I have a dream. It may be a wild dream, but I could see it happening.
In this dream, members and friends of our congregation gather outdoors to break bread together, catch up with old friends, welcome newcomers, and spark new relationships with familiar faces.
In this dream, everyone gathers in small groups, on porches and patios, around fire pits, and at public parks and beaches. One person or family comes up with an idea, extends an open invitation, and hosts the event under the midday shade of a big tree or in the beautiful light of the setting sun.
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In this dream, there’s always food. Extravagant multicourse meals with wine and exotic fruits and cheeses, simple meals of grilled flatbread pizza and fresh lemonade, or anything in between. Decadent treats like homemade cakes with ganache frosting, homespun snacks like s’mores and popcorn, or things I can’t even imagine.
In this dream, there is something for everyone. All are welcome, regardless of their resources. People who don’t have big porches or yards are getting permits and booking public spaces, or they’re contributing money as guests to make the event happen. People who don’t have a lot of money are thinking creatively, hosting potlucks or coming up with games or other activities everyone can join; or they’re taking advantage of simpler, less expensive gatherings.
Maybe none of this is as nutty as it seems in my dream, because the truth is, everyone I talk to in the congregation wants these kinds of events. Everyone wants the chance to gather informally and to do what we haven’t been able to do in long time: share food and drink!
You know, your finance committee and board of directors had to come up with a budget for this year that is fast coming to a close. And in doing so, they imagined that something like $17,000 would come in through favorite fundraisers, including the old favorite, “Dining for Dollars.” But then Covid-19 threw us the delta variant. Then omicron. And no gatherings happened. The budget now is off. It’s not a crisis, but it’s something we might feel in the coming year, as the new budget is set. What a shame it would be to have to downsize our dreams because of a little cash folks would happily have shared as guests and hosts.
I think we can make this dream of mine come through, because I know how much all of you would like to gather.
So, how about it? Are up for being one of three or four people who can organize this to make it happen? Could we come up with an all-outdoor, low-risk version of dining for dollars that stirs up some funds AND creates opportunities for all families, regardless of their resources to be involved? It sounds like a lot, I know, but it could be simple and profoundly rewarding.
If you would like to share in the glory of making it happen, let me know. Let’s get together and figure this out. Because this I can promise you: if you’re one of the folks who make this happen, you will be loved! You’ll be a hero in everyone’s estimation.
In Peace,
Rev Denis
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The UUCSC Helping Hands Stakeholders meeting, held via Zoom on March 2nd, was a great success! Fourteen people attended, and shared good conversation on the topic of hands-on ministry to our congregation. Helping Hands, like the previous Caring Connection, is a task-oriented ministry. This contrasts with Pastoral Care, which is focused on a ministry of presence and listening. Another, very important difference between the two, is that the work of Helping Hands is public. Its work is known and can be performed by everyone in our UUCSC circle. The work of the Pastoral Care Committee needs to be completely confidential. Because of that, only the five committee members and the Minister know to whom we minister and for what reason.
Helping Hands is open to all, and it is beginning with great support and energy. Thirty-two kind and generous Members and Friends have already volunteered to provide rides, meals, cards, notes, visits, grocery delivery and more.
How will all of this happen? That was the question going into the meeting on March 2nd. The answer came forth through our good conversation. Folks are now engaged in organizing this process. We will all hear much more from our Helping Hands in the near future.
Submitted by Pastoral Care
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Adult Education and Experience |
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What can we do about RI's housing crisis? |
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Rhode Islanders are facing a housing crisis. How did we get here? What needs to be done at the local, state, and national levels? And what can regular people do to help improve the situation? Join RI Working Families Party members, partner organizations, and elected allies for a teach-in on our current housing crisis and what we can do to fix it.
Monday, March 14, 2022 5:30-7:00 PM
Register HERE for Zoom link.
Submitted by Etta Zasloff
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Black Woman-Owned Business Review |
Barbara Swanson and I attended Gem of the Ocean at Trinity Rep Wednesday. An August Wilson play poignantly presented the ensemble.
Later we walked a few blocks from the theater to Kin Southern Table & Bar, 71 Washington Street, offering comfort food and community to downtown Providence. Julia, owner of Kin, was portrayed in a PBS documentary “Black Joy,” featuring black owned businesses. We enjoyed fried green tomatoes, Mac and cheese, greens, sirloin steak and Po’boy shrimp sandwich. And of course a Black girl magic cocktail!
Submitted by Jean Bowen
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Sharing a Gift...
I sent my friend Jim a screenshot of the item in last Friday's e-newsletter, and he sent me another photo in return. Jim works for Schneider Electric, which has offices all over the world, including Ukraine. His e-mail said:
"I just made this ornament for my friend Tetyana. She and her two boys and puppy fled Kyiv eight days ago and she is now a refugee in Warsaw. Her husband stayed to resist the invasion. Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers."
This inspiring photograph can serve as a reminder to all of us to keep the Ukrainian people in our thoughts.
Submitted by Karen Ellsworth
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We at the UUA encourage Unitarian Universalists to contribute to relief efforts through the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC). UUSC will be working with the Hungarian Unitarian Church and other partners in Eastern Europe to provide aid to those displaced by sudden war.
UUSC has a long history of refugee support work, stretching back to their earliest days when they helped Jewish refugees escape Nazi persecution. Through our attention and generosity, we can save lives and relieve suffering. May our generosity assure those in harm’s way that they are not alone in their trials. May the ministry of our congregations and the lived faith of individual Unitarian Universalists contribute to a more just and peaceful world.
From Rev. Lauren Smith Newsletter,
Seasons of Giving
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One way to donate directly and instantly to help Ukrainians...
Book an Airbnb stay in Ukraine — not to visit but as a way to send money to a family in need. Last week, 61,000 nights were booked at Airbnbs in Kyiv and other cities — 34,000 of them by Americans. Try it.
There are many charitable organizations that are also helping Ukrainians. You can verify that helping organizations are reputable by checking them on Charity Navigator.
Submitted by Etta Zasloff
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Show Your Love for UUCSC
Thank you for returning your pledge card!
Still accepting pledges. Please send yours in today!
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List of Black owned businesses from RI Monthly magazine. Patronize these businesses all year long. This small effort can help undo racism. Please send pics and reviews to Etta for sharing here and on website.
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Includes lists of Black-Owned Businesses
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 and Sara Kaplow, Congregational Administrator, at uucscri@yahoo.com by Tuesday Noon
to assure publication by Friday of that week.
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