Celebrating Life,
Empowering People,
Caring for One Another,
Helping to Build a Better World
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UUCSR Newsletter
April 2022

In This Issue
Click “View Entire Message” if Sections Are Missing
  • Service in April
  • Health Advisory Team update for April
  • Saturday Breakfast, this Sunday 4/2
  • Parting Words from the Minister
  • President's Message
  • News about the Founder's Room
  • Message from the Treasurer
  • Religious Education
  • Musical Notes
  • From Your Lay Chaplains
  • From CUUPS: Beltane
  • From the Adult Education Committee
  • From Sustaining Pledge Team
  • 8th Principle Team
  • General Assembly
  • Social Groups & Events
  • Committees & Working Groups
  • Women's Retreat Registration
  • North Bay Organizing Project
  • Soul Matters: Awakening
Please Consider Visiting the
Thank You for Your Support!

Service in April
Sunday, 10:30-11:45 am PST
Before and After
April 3rd
Two years ago this month, the pandemic sent us all into isolation. Ten months ago, your beloved minister of many years left the congregation very suddenly, under circumstances that were painful. Since then, you have experienced other losses; deaths, staff transitions, and financial challenges. These kinds of experience can be traumatic both to you as individuals and to you as a community. Today Rev. Bonnie Dlott will reflect on the ways that collective trauma can manifest itself in communities, as well as the gifts that trauma offers if we know where where to look for them.
Service Leaders: Rev. Bonnie Dlott
Worship Associates: Cathie Wiese
Music: John Ray & Paul Gilger
PALM SUNDAY
April 10th
On Palm Sunday Jesus entered Jerusalem and was welcomed by his followers and scorned by others. Are there messages and meaning in that story for Unitarian Universalists today?

Service Leader: Bill Stayton
Worship Associate: Linda Lampson
Music: Gage Purdy & Roger Corman
EASTER SUNDAY
April 17th
The Meaning of Easter: Don't get Hung Up on the "R" Word
The very idea of Easter is problematic for most Unitarian Universalists and progressive Christians. If we get all hung up on rejecting the bodily resurrection of Jesus, we rob ourselves of the far more expansive meaning of this Holy Day

Service Leader: Rev. Bev Spears
Worship Associate: Judy Whithee
Music: Roger Corman & Gage Purdy with the Choir!

AWAKENING
April 24th
What does it mean to experience an awakening as a Unitarian Universalist? What does it feel like? Does it happen suddenly, or gradually? Are there practices that contribute to “awakenings”? Or ways we can deliberately hinder them? Join Rev. Bonnie Dlott today in an exploration of our potential to experience transformative awakenings, as well as the ways we actively avoid them in an effort to escape from painful truths.

Service Leader: Rev. Bonnie Dlott
Worship Associate: Veronica Jordan
Music: Roger Corman & Gage Purdy
THE TOPIC FOR THE MONTH OF MAY:
IS NURTURING BEAUTY
The Health Advisory Team  
UUCSR Pandemic Policy,
Updated April 2022
 

Given the continued decline of Covid cases (no cases in Sutter ER for last 4 days), and excellent vaccine rate in Sonoma County & at UUCSR, HAT is recommending a "masks optional" policy. Those who feel less safe with this are urged to continue masking as that will offer each individual good protection (which is why medical providers mask around any infected individuals). Masks protect the wearer.
 
Please continue to mask if you have health concerns or decreased immune strength. And, we would like to know if you plan to discontinue your presence at UUCSR due to this policy. Please contact Gretchen Vap. (707-849-6644), about this or any other Covid concerns.

For Services on 4/3 & 4/24: Please mask if you are speaking to Rev. Bonnie in the post-service reception line. She is immuno-compromised. Outside is safe for her as is the distance from pulpit to pews.
 
Thank you
The Health Advisory Team has approved reopening Saturday breakfast hot meals in April!
 
On Sunday, April 3rd, we will serve Saturday Breakfast on Sunday to the congregation. The line will open at 8:30am. Enjoy scrambled eggs, cheese quesadillas, French toast, home fries, oatmeal, and much more. Come see what the Saturday Breakfast is all about. And come say goodbye and thanks to Pam Rich and Carla Flaherty who, along with their husbands, are hanging up their crew chief aprons after 15 years of service.

Saturday Breakfast with Our Neighbors will begin Sat April 9th.
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Words from the Minister
Rev. Julie Brock
(This letter is edited due to updated changes in worship)

From Reverend Julie:

Dear UUCSR,
It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that I have submitted my resignation to the board. I know it comes on the heels of another devastating loss of ministry, but really, the two events aren't separate. It is common for ministries that follow misconduct to be short lived, due to deep mistrust of ministry in the congregational system. That is what has happened here. In truth, I think we've done remarkably well together given all the congregation, and the world, have been through in the past few years. We've experienced meaningful worship, beautiful acts of care, ministries of justice, and the emergence of tender hope. Please don't lose that hope. The healing process is long. Your board is being incredibly supportive. All of your leadership is learning a lot. I am too. I honor the time we had together. Please continue to take good care of one another and yourselves.
President's Message
Natalie Brundred
From UUCSR Board of Trustees:
We on the Board are very saddened by Rev. Julie’s decision to resign. This was entirely her own choice; we had wanted to find a way to have her stay, but we fully support her decision. We’re so sad to see her go, but we respect her choice, and have reluctantly accepted her resignation.
I know this is shocking and deeply disheartening. Right now, please just give yourself time to take this in. What’s clear from what Rev. Julie says is that we have work to do as a community and a congregation. 
I know you all want to know more details, but the Board is bound to respect the confidentiality of certain things, discussions and people. If we are not telling you, it’s not because we won’t; it’s because we can’t.
This has been a shock to us, too, and we are working our way through laying out our next steps. 
We’re telling you everything that we can at this point, and will continue to be as transparent with you as we can be moving forward.
Leasing of the
Founder's Room
Beloved Congregation,
We have been presented with the opportunity to enter into an annual lease of our Founder’s Room with our friends at the Islamic Society. Many of you may remember that we had leased that same space to them for many years (when we referred to it as “545”, short for 545 Mendocino, its separate address). Since then, we installed the door into our Social Hall, renovated the space and used it on many occasions.
It’s a lovely space and we were excited to get it back once the Islamic Society bought their own building next door. We have used the space for various activities and for storage, and it was a hard decision to close it up again and forgo the use of it. But in the end, given our current financial condition, we could not justify forgoing the stream of income this lease would represent. We have agreed on a monthly rent that is within market rates, plus utilities. Being able to help our friends at the Islamic Society was also a big part of our decision.
Our Operations Team is preparing the space for the Islamic Society, as you may have noticed or read about on the Focus List. Our belongings are being relocated, and a few minor repairs are taking place. The exact start of the lease has not yet been established but will likely be soon. When the lease commences, the doors to our Social Hall will be locked from both sides and soundproofing material will be installed. We will no longer be able to enter the space. This is a year-to-year lease, not long-term. If both parties agree, it can be extended, but we will have the option each year to get the space back.
If you have further questions, please contact a Board member. If you have a meeting scheduled in that room, please send an email to Aphrodite at administrator@uusantarosa.org, and she will find you a suitable alternative.
 
Your Board
Message from the Treasurer
Linda Balabanian
February Financial Results
A full month since our Congregational Meeting, and many of you have responded by increasing your pledge and/or making a one-time donation. I am cautiously optimistic that we may actually attain our revised budgeted revenue. That is very good news! And it highlights the strength of our Congregation, the determination of many individuals and our desire to survive.
And of course we are more than surviving – we are poking our heads back out into the daylight and resuming many of the activities that we enjoyed together in the “before-time”. As we gather together let’s seek to widen our circles and add more members and friends.
The Nitty-Gritty
Pledge revenue appears to be on track to hit our revised budget goal. One-time donations may come in on budget (thanks to one very generous member and lots of other giving what they could). That should help offset the fundraising revenue we will not likely see this year. And we’re very excited that Glaser Center rental revenue will also hit and perhaps exceed the budgeted amount (thanks to our wonderful Rental Coordinator, Karen Aguiar). 
Employee expenses in February continued to be under budget, mainly because the Sexton and Music Director had not yet begun. In the coming months, employee expenses should be closer to the budgeted amount. However, year-to-date, we should still hold on to a large under budget amount which helps considerably to reduce our deficit for the year. Year-to-date other expenses are under budget by about $15K although it is unlikely that will last as we move to upgrade some of the computer equipment for staff and utility bills continue to rise. 
Year-to-date our net income is almost $43K while our budget forecasted a small loss. So, if we continue on this trajectory, we may meet the revised budget or better.
Budget compilation is ongoing for next fiscal year. We continue to look for ways in which to address the projected deficits. 
Religious Education
Era Capone
Spring is here, and while many families have been away for Spring Break, RE continues to offer lots of activities and events for the kids and families of UUCSR! Here are some of the things happening in RE this month:

North Bay UU Youth Japantown Trip - April 2nd
The youth of UUCSR, along with their friends from the UU congregations of Napa, Marin, and Petaluma, are taking a day-trip to Japantown! Make sure your teens and tweens are registered for this exciting trip by emailing dre@uusantarosa.org.

Family Game Night - April 8th
Bring your favorite board, card, and tabletop games down to UUCSR to play with fellow UU families! Sign up on Realm by clicking this link!

Dungeons & Dragons - Every Other Sunday
Join the kids and youth of RE every other Sunday as they use critical thinking, creativity, collaboration to enter a world of adventure! You can sign up your 6-17 year old by emailing dre@uusantarosa.org.

Chalice Camp - August 1st-5th
This summer, UUCSR is hosting a week-long day camp for kids entering 1st-9th grade! To learn more about Chalice Camp and register, go to ChaliceCamp.org.

For any questions regarding RE, or if you'd like to volunteer, please contact me at dre@uusantarosa.org or at (707)-494-8799.

In love and gratitude,
Era Capone
Director of Religious Education
Sunday, April 3rd - Multigenerational Service (No RE this day)

Sunday, April 10th - Green Energy/Privilege Is A Blessing We Give Away To Be In Community
This Sunday, the PreK-1st grade will learn all about green energy, how we can use and support it, and its importance in the interdependent web. The 2nd-5th graders will be looking the ways in which we are all privileged. They'll learn that privileges, like other gifts, are best used and most valuable when we share them with others.

Sunday, April 17th - Easter Service
While there won't be RE this Sunday, the kids will be invited to join us in an Egg Hunt that will take place right after service!

Sunday, April 24th - Enough Stuff/Making the Invisible Visible
The PreK-1st graders will identify the difference between "need" and "want" as they explore how knowing the difference between the two can make a BIG difference in caring for the web of life. The 2nd-5th graders will be introduced to a working definition of class as one's relative status according to wealth, power and position. The children will examine themselves in these terms and discuss what it means to compare people in these ways.

Musical Notes
Music Director, Gage Purdy
"Music is the language of the spirit; it opens the secret of life-bringing peace,
abolishing strife." - Kahlil Gibran

To each and every one of you wonderful members here at UUCSR, I would like to offer a festive and welcoming "Hello!" - I have received the most open and kind welcome into this congregation and as such cannot express enough thanks. I would like to take a moment to introduce myself as your new Music Director.
My name is Gage Purdy, and many of you have already met my darling wife Crystal and two sons, Bodhi and Finn, at Sunday services. We are thrilled to be a part of your community and I am so excited to be joining you in supporting the vibrant UUCSR community and its stellar music program as we return to in-person worship and fellowship!
I know that music is incredibly important to many of us and I would like to share a tidbit of my own music philosophy with you: I believe that music is a way by which to unite people in the human experience of being close and harmonious with one another - that music fundamentally shapes the mind and changes the heart to be more joyful, more passionate, and perhaps a little better equipped to find light in our world.
Music is a force for good; not just a force for social and equitable good, but also for soul-nourishing and heart-opening good. As we move forward together, I invite you to take extra time out of your daily and weekly life to enrich your being with extended music listening & making over the course of 2022. An extra bit of self-care and reflection could only do us some good - let us know how it affects your life spiritually, emotionally, and even physically!

Two last (but ever important) items:
  • Every voice has a place in the choir! We are making jubilant music together in the choir and would love for you to be a part of it! Please join us on Thursday evenings from 7:00-8:30PM in raising our voices in song - we welcome musicians of all levels.
  • If you're interested in being a part of the music ministry here at UUCSR, whether it is as a soloist, small group, choir member, or an instrumentalist, please send an e-mail to musicdirector@uusantarosa.org to get started.
From Your Lay Chaplains
UUs tend to be a stoic lot. One could have just gone through a major health scare, had a beloved pet die, lost a home to flood, and been downsized at work, but still will answer the “How are you?” question with, “I’m good. How about you?” The Lay Chaplains are good listeners, and we here for you when you’re tired of being stoic and just need a compassionate ear. If you would like to talk to one of us, just ask.

Our joys can become sweeter and our sorrowful burdens eased a bit when we share them with our beloved community. Add yours to the Milestones Book (on the stand just outside the sanctuary door) to share during the service (when we have in-person services). When we meet online, send your milestones to laychaplains@uusantarosa.org by Saturday morning so they can be included in the Sunday service.

Your Lay Chaplains are here for you. Contact us at laychaplains@uusantarosa.org, or call us: Lucia Milburn, Barbara Kezur, Bruce Hope, Mary Lee Lill, Gayle Shirley, Judy Ervice, Paula Hammett (chair)

From CUUPs: Beltane
Lucia Kasulis
It has been over 18 months that Shirley Ranck left California and moved in with her daughter in Niles, Michigan. The CUUPs group has not been the same (and this has nothing to do with Covid) since she left. We still meet and support each other and celebrate the sabots, but it is as if we had lost an arm. We get along okay but we are missing an important part of our group. Shirley represented many things to us. An older generation, she is 20 years older than most of us, adding incredible wisdom. A well known UU author, she co-wrote Cakes for the Queen of Heaven and several books, so she added fame to our group. Shirley was our feminist reference librarian. She would share stories of being a professional woman when it was an emerging status for the times. She once met Michael Moore when she was leading a congregation in Flint, Michigan. She was a driving force to add the 6th source to the UU living traditions. In short she brought history and fullness to our pagan group. It was an honor and privilege to have her so close for those 6 years she was in Santa Rosa. We would like to show appreciation for her time with us by offering an encore! presentation of her last newsletter article for the monthly CUUPs submission. I draw your attention to the last paragraph as it symbolizes the light and optimism that Shirley brought to the UUCSR CUUPs group. Blessed Be! Lucia Kasulis

A reflection on Beltane by Shirley Ranck
Beltane - the Fire Festival! ... Click on the link below to read her insightful words...
 
Join us on Tuesday, April 26, 2022 as we celebrate Beltane at our regular monthly meeting starting at 6:00pm. As of now it is being planned as a zoom celebration.
From the Adult Education Committee
The Adult Education Committee is looking for course proposals. In addition to the course on Caste, several possible future offerings are presently being considered. These include courses on the Daode Jing, Detective Fiction and Religion, and personal environmental action. We welcome proposals from volunteers who are willing to share their knowledge and interests with others. Please contact one of the Committee Co-Chairs, Helge Lemke and Steve Sweaney.

CASTE
The Origins of Our Discontents
By Isabel Wilkerson
WHAT: A discussion of Wilkerson’s groundbreaking analysis of American racism as a system of social stratification based on concepts of hierarchy, purity, and what she calls the human pathogens of hatred and tribalism. She draws comparisons with India’s caste system and Nazi Germany and makes connections with the conquering of indigenous peoples.
WHEN: Three Zoom sessions on Tuesdays April 19 and 26 and May 3, 6:30-8 PM
SCHEDULE: Caste is long book packed with more information than we can even begin to address in three discussion sessions. Suggestions for participants to consider as you read will be sent by e-mail by early April. The first session will focus on The Prologue and Chapters 1, 2, and 3. The second session will focus on Parts 4 and 5. The third session will focus on Parts 6, 7, and the Epilogue.
DISCUSSION LEADERS: Carol Daeley, Kathy Stayton, Clare Whitfield
HOW TO SIGN UP: A Zoom link will be sent to those who sign up for the course. You may sign up at the Adult Education table before or after Sunday services or by e-mailing cdaeley@austincollege.edu.
From your Sustaining
Pledge Team
 
Your financial commitment – why and how 
 
How does our congregation celebrate life, empower people, care for one another, and help to build a better world? It takes all of us showing up and working together. And let’s face it, it takes money. We must pay the staff and keep the lights on. Money from pledges makes up more than 87% of the congregation’s budget. 

To Read Great Q & A and Other important information and links, click below...
 
8th Principle Team
The Diversity Project
We are delighted to announce the formation of the 8th Principle Task Force and to introduce you to the members. They are:
Kathy Albury, Margaret Bregger Coston, Carol Daeley, Mary Louise Jaffray Mary Keefe, Linda Lampson, Lee Lipinski, Robin Marrs, Elaine Wellin, Bev Spears, Tamara Murrell, Jeanie Bates

Tam, Bev and I are happy to have such a talented team to work with. We will begin by mapping out our first thoughts about how to bring all of our community into a conversation about the 8th Principle and what it might look like here at UUCSR. 

Again, the 8th Principle calls us to action in a very particular way. We are called to “...work(ing) to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions .... Click below to read more...
General Assembly
Beloved community- Please click on the link below to find out about General Assembly. It is an annual gathering of Unitarian Universalists and it will be both in person and virtually on-line. The General Assembly is in Portland this year, from June 22nd through June 26th. And you are invited to attend either way. If you plan to attend in person, I urge you to check it out as soon as possible, as hotel reservations are already filling up. If you do attend, either in person or virtually, please let me or Natalie or Aphrodite know. We are entitled to a certain number of delegates, in addition to regular attendees. Delegates have voting rights. There is also a choir that you can sign up for. It will be fun to meet UU’s from all over and to celebrate our faith together.

Thanks, Leslie Norinsky (VP, Board UUCSR) 
Here’s the link: https://www.uua.org/ga
Social Groups & Events
In this month's newsletter:
  • Book Group
  • Men's and Women's Groups
  • Men's Group Picnic in the Park
  • UUCSR Women’s Retreat 
  • CUUPS
  • Older and Bolder Women's Group
  • Saturday Breakfast
Committees &
Working Groups
In this month's newsletter:
  • Volunteer Stewardship Opportunities
  • Membership Committee
  • Ushers & Greeters
  • Caring Connections Committee
  • Flower Committee
Check the UUCSR Calendar on the Website for Important Event Dates

Women's Retreat
April 29- May 1, 2022
WOMEN TOGETHER SPRING RETREAT APRIL 29 – MAY 1, 2022 at St Dorothy’s Rest
Sign-ups after the Service — APRIL 3rd And 10th ONLY!
It's time to register for this year's Women Together Spring Weekend Retreat at the beautiful Saint Dorothy's Rest in Camp Meeker, about 30 miles west of Santa Rosa. This is a wonderful opportunity to get to know other women in the congregation on a deeper level. We will have our popular small group discussions and a variety of great workshops plus our Silent Auction and the great food! 
Registration will begin on Sunday, April 3rd for UUCSR members and pledging friends, then open to friends and guests on Sunday, April 10th as space allows. Look for registration forms outside the UUCSR office door and on the days of registration. Sorry, only check and cash accepted.
The cost per person is $250 for a double room and $230 if you stay in the dorms. Scholarships of 50% are available at sign-up. Sign-ups will be accepted after the service on April 3rd and 10th and rooms will be assigned then. Remember, we cannot hold your place without payment at the time of registration so if you're not able to be there in person, arrange for a friend to sign up for you.
If you have mobility issues and need special arrangements, please contact LeeAnn Fagan. We're looking forward to a wonderful weekend together. FINALLY!!!

Save the Date for the Men's Group Picnic in the Park May 15th, 2022

North Bay Organizing Project
The North Bay Organizing Project (NBOP) is a grassroots, multi-racial, and multi-issue organization comprised of over twenty-two faith, environmental, labor, student and community-based organizations in Sonoma County. NBOP seeks to build a regional power organization rooted in working class and minority communities in the North Bay: Uniting people to build leadership and grassroots power for social, economic, racial and environmental justice.

UUCSR is a member organization of NBOP. You can be part of putting our UU values to work in our communities through NBOP activities. For current meetings, check out the NBOP Public Calendar. You can also visit the NBOP Website for the latest updates on events, and sign up for the NBOP Newsletter.

Check out the following NBOP sponsored events:
Sheriff Candidate Virtual Event Wednesday April 6th at 6:30pm
Must register to attend: bit.ly/SOCOSheriff22
Questions to the candidates can be submitted by community members and organizations prior to the event at this link: bit.ly/AskYourSheriff
Join the NBOP Deep Democracy Task Force and work toward integrated voter engagement. Be part of policy change from the ground up! For more info:
Awakening
Want to connect more with other people and enjoy an opportunity for spiritual growth? Watch for emails listing the available times and locations (Zoom and in person) for the groups. 
 
Not familiar with Soul Matters? It's about exploration, connection, support, and transformation,  Each month all of us receive an email with a *Soul Matters packet* filled with rich resources to help us explore a particular theme. For April, we will be exploring the theme "Awakening." Inside the packet are poems, inspirational quotes, questions for reflection, and links to videos and films. It also contains spiritual exercises to deepen our experience and help us embody our UU principles in a deep and meaningful way.

In addition to exploring the riches in the packet on your own, you can do it with the support of a small group. Once or twice a month, we get together in our small groups and share what we’re discovering: what we’re learning about ourselves, what new perspectives or insights we’ve gained, or where we feel challenged to grow. We listen to each other and we listen to our own lives, because when we are listened to by trusted companions it helps us hear our own voices.

Soul Matters invites us to dance with life in a new way. Through spiritual practices and questions focused on our daily living, we engage the world not as an obstacle course to get through, but as a host of holy voices calling us to greater loving and living.

For more information or to sign up for a group, please email Katie Trieller or Jan Ogren.


547 Mendocino Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
Phone: (707) 568-5381