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!

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

Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services

To donate now at the UUSS website, click here.

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

July 2, 10:30AM: Question Box

Rev. Lucy Bunch, with Worship Associate Courtney O’Neill, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva

For Unitarian Universalists, questioning is part of our faith journey. This Sunday you will have a chance to ask questions of Rev Lucy.   And she will have some questions for you as well!

What’s your question? Is it about UU faith and belief, the meaning of life, or the best donuts in Sacramento? Nothing is off the table, but she reserves the right to choose which questions to answer. And you must sign your name – no anonymous questions will be considered.



Come early to light a candles of Joy or Sorrow

Labyrinth meditation before service at 9:30 a.m. in the Meadow (past the patio)

July 9, 10:30AM:

Courage and Commitment: Thomas Starr King

Rev. Lucy Bunch preaching, with Rev. Dr. Roger Jones,

Worship Associates Andy Cramer, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva

Rev. Thomas Starr King was one of the most famous Unitarians and Universalists in the 19th century. He spoke zealously in favor of the Union and was credited by Abraham Lincoln with preventing California from becoming a separate republic. He is sometimes referred to as “the orator who saved the nation.” Come and be inspired by his courage and commitment. This is a repeat of a sermon from 2018 – his story is worth another telling.



*Justice & Equity Orientation before service at 9:30 a.m. in the Fahs Classroom.

*Newcomers’ Orientation & Tour after service at 11:50 a.m. starting in the Welcome Hall

July 16, 10:30AM:

Tee-shirt Spirituality: A Circle Service for all Ages

Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, Worship Associate Dan Myers, Pianist Irina Tchantceva, Religious Education Coordinator Crystal Fountain—and you!

Wear a tee-shirt with an image or message proclaiming your faith, philosophy, theology, ethical outlook or other commitments. Threads of spiritual wisdom, social justice, or humor are welcome. (No partisan politics or vulgarity, please.) If you don’t have a shirt to show, wear whatever you like, but come! (If you will participate by Zoom, send a picture of yourselves in your shirts to office@uuss.org by July 11.)

No Religious Education session today; all ages are together in the sanctuary.



*Intro to Tai Chi & Qui Gong before the service at 9:30 a.m. (covered patio or Fahs Classroom, tbd)

July 23, 10:30AM: How Did I Get Here? My UU Epiphany

Led by Worship Associates Dawn Huebner, Courtney O’Neill, Andy Cramer, Dan Myers, and Karen Sparrow, with Rev. Lucy Bunch, and Musicians Irina Tchantceva and Courtney O’Neill. 

Join us for this special service led by our Worship Associates as each one reflects on how and when they came to embrace their identities as Unitarian Universalists. Stay for conversation afterwards (on the patio or on Zoom) and exchange your own story with others.



*Exploring UUism with Rev. Lucy before church at 9:30 a.m. in the Fahs Classroom

We are sad to announce the passing of our member Margaret (Peggy) Middleton. On June 19 she died peacefully at home surrounded by her two sons (Jeff and Dave), three grandsons, and all of their partners. She was 94. Peggy became ill from an infection following dental surgery, and had complications during antibiotic treatments. A devoted member, Peggy joined UUSS in 2001 and helped in the office. She often came to church with her grandson Jordan and his girlfriend, Taylor. Memorial contributions to honor Peggy may be made to the Heritage Fund at UUSS.

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.

Please contact Crystal with questions: CrystalFountain@uuss.org

Soul Kids -- K-5th grade. On summer break. All ages are invited to get outside with the Grasshoppers landscaping team (before it gets too hot!). Please start in service!

Junior High Youth Group (JHYG) -- Grades 6-7-8. On summer break. All ages are invited to get outside with the Grasshoppers landscaping team (before it gets too hot!). Please start in service!

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

Please Contact shyg@uuss.org to find out more!

SHYG and Freedom Club participants are also invited to join Summer Skills during the service each week. Please see below for details!

Kids Freedom Club  -- on summer break.

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!

Please email Crystal if you would like to receive the Weekly

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

Thanks for all of your 2023 Fall Auction theme proposals! The top vote-getter was “Magic of Community” submitted by Jennifer Webb. The event will be Saturday, November 4, but it’s not too soon to start thinking of gatherings, outings and experiences you can contribute. Solicitations and ticket sales will begin in September. Please e-mail auction@uuss.org if you are interested in joining the planning team.

Planning has begun for the 2023 ACTIVITY FAIR after the service on Sunday September 10th. Hosted by the Program Council, the Activity Fair serves to provide information about different ways to get involved at UUSS and encourages our community to join in. If you are the leader of a UUSS Group or Committee and would like to have representation there, please send an email to activityfair@uuss.org. We would also appreciate hearing from anybody that wants to help with the event itself!

KEEP MOVING - GET FIT Every Thursday, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.  on the Patio. Sitting, standing exercises for seniors: strength—balance—flexibility. $10/drop-in. With instructor Shelley Burns. Questions? email adultenrichment@uuss.org.

Saturday Stitchers and Crafters - Saturday, July 1, 10 am-Noon, in the Fahs Classroom. Bring sewing, coloring, beading, knitting, or any other portable craft and join us! Contact: stitchers@uuss.org

Reading & Responding to Poetry with JoAnn Anglin

Monday, July 3, 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.

Our gathering will feature two (2) poems on immigration: Colossus, by Emma Lazarus, and Let Me Try Again by Javier Zamora. The poems can be seen online at: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46550/the-new-colossus, and at: https://poets.org/poem/let-me-try-again

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

Ukulele Strum-Along on Monday, July 10, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. in Fahs Room. Come at 1:30 for tutoring and loan of a uke. All welcome! 

Contact: ukes@uuss.org

The UUSS Mah Jongg Club has moved to MONDAYS and has a new leader. Patty Innes will be coordinating our sessions on the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month at 7pm in Room 6. Questions? Email mahjongg@uuss.org. Next session is July 10.

Crone Connection: A group for wise older women July 14, 10 a.m. 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 in the library at UUSS.

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

InterPlay with Rev. Lucy and Friends! ~ In person at UUSS!

Tuesday, July 18, 6:00pm in the Welcome Hall. Join us for movement, storytelling, laughter, and fun. All welcome! More info here.

General Assembly Watch Party was a Success!

The UUA General Assembly Conference and onsite "Watch Party" is over, having been held 6/21 through 6/25. 8 delegates from UUSS participated via live stream in the FAHS room for 4+ days. Delegates elected a new UUA president and also voted to advance recommended changes to Article II, which has been under the guidance of the "Article II Study Commission" for two years. A final vote on the revised Article II will take place at General Assembly in 2024.  Details of the business meetings can be found here.

We thanks Sally Wilkins and Karen Gunderson for organizing the watch party and engaging the congregation in the Article 2 process. We hope to see all of you next year's virtual GA conference watch party.

Questions: Sally Wilkins at familypromise@uuss.org

NEW UUA President Elected



Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt was elected to serve as President of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) with the support of more than 2300 Unitarian Universalist (UU) delegates at the denomination’s annual General Assembly (GA) from June 21st to June 25th. She will be both the first out queer individual and the first woman of color elected to the role. She succeeds the Rev. Dr. Susan Frederick-Gray and will begin her tenure on July 10th.



The Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt has served Unitarian Universalism for more than twenty years as a religious educator, minister, scholar, member of the UUA national staff and of many volunteer committees at regional and denominational levels, and as interim co-president of the UUA in the spring of 2017. She holds a Ph.D. in Religious Ethics and African American Studies from Yale University as well as an M.Div. from Starr King School for the Ministry. She is the author of Ecowomanism at the Panamá Canal: Black Women, Labor, and Environmental Ethics  (2022).