UUCSC News and Updates
Weekly on Fridays
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Volume IV * Issue 18 * October 13, 2023 | |
This Sunday, October 15, 2023 | |
Worship In Person and Online at 10:00 am | |
"J’ai Faim"
Rev. Denis Paul
In the US, where we value ownership and English is our official language, we talking a lot about being. Being hungry, being sad, being wealthy.
In other languages and other cultures, they have a different approach.
Order of Service
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Our theme this month is
Heritage
We're excited to be part of South Kingstown's Scarecrows in the Park event on Oct. 22nd from 1 to 4 pm at Saugatucket Park. It will be a great way to get the word out about our sweet community and have a UU inspired creation hanging out downtown for a few weeks! If anyone wants to bring a decoration to add to our scarecrow, bring it on Sunday!
And for our theme of Heritage during LGBTQ+ History Month, check out Three Transgender Kids Share Their Stories and Drag Queen Storytime reading the sweet story "Spoon"
Lee Cowan, DRE
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Sidekicks is our attempt to connect congregants with spiritual growth partners who will help you be more …. You. | |
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So far, it has kicked off to a great start. As of Tuesday morning 38 people have signed up, in addition to the dozen or so who signed up for the beta trial in the spring. Lee and I just spent a surprisingly fun and challenging hour beginning to make matches.
As we’ve said, the plan is to connect people who might not otherwise connect, for the purpose of facilitating more personal relationships in the congregation. You sign up and we offer up a match. There’s no expectation that you’ll become the best of friends, or even do more than meet for coffee once, AND there’s also a hope that you COULD become the best of friends.
Neither one of us ever thought that this would be such a hit right off the bat, so this level of early interest is a great indicator of a few things:
- Your trust in your professional staff to make unexpected connections that are hopefully a pleasant surprise
- Your willingness as a congregation to experiment with new ways of being in relationships that deepen your spirituality, however you define that
- Your understanding that there are no guarantees, which is a sign of your emotional maturity
- Your openness to grace, circumstances that could be unexpected blessings, even if they don’t work out the way you’d hoped
Lee and I have had a lot of conversations about what will make this program a success. Is success measured by the number of matches that last forever? The number of people involved overall? Or the energy and enthusiasm displayed in the process? We’re putting our money on energy and enthusiasm!
I’m not kidding when I say it’s a challenging task making matches. So many of you who signed up early have been around so long, we imagine you know everybody already! Especially those of you who have had multiple roles in leadership.
So far, we have matched up about half of the folks who have signed up, and as more names come in, we’ll continue to match you up. If we matched you up today, you’ll already know your match before you read this, and we hope we’ll be seeing you at our Friday night dinner tonight. It’s not required that you be there, but it’s a great way to make initial contact.
Thank you again to everyone for already signed up, and to all who will sign up.
In Peace,
Rev Denis
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Sidekicks
Were you expecting Hobbes to be with a different Calvin?
Sometimes, unexpected pairs are great. Sometimes, it’s worth trying something new, even if it feels a little weird at first. That’s why we want to pair you up with someone you might not otherwise connect with.
“Sidekicks” is a way of encouraging all of us at UUCSC to develop new, unexpected friendships.
Email Lee or let Rev Denis know you’re interested, fill out this simple form or the paper version in the Oneto Room, and see who we pair you with. You don’t have to go on a long road trip together. You don't have to help organizing each other's basements. Maybe just go for a walk or have coffee together…. And see what comes of it.
Sidekicks may just be a new way to help you be you. #UBeU
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New to UUCSC? This Sunday!
On October 15, after the service, we’re offering the second of two “New to UUCSC” gatherings, which include lunch. The event will last about 90 minutes. If you are new to our congregation this is a chance to learn more about us and our UU tradition. If you’ve been around a while, and want to learn more, you’re welcome too!
It's especially important to attend if you are planning to become a member. Please contact Rev Denis, Val Follett or any Sunday Greeter.
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Stay in the Loop at UUCSC | |
TONIGHT!
Quarterly UUCSC Community
Celebration Dinner
October 13th 2023
Let's celebrate a new year together of welcoming, loving, growing spiritually and seeking justice! Join us for a delicious Mexican style buffet and dessert.
Suggested donation is $8/person or $20/family. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.
Doors open at 5:30, Dinner served at 6:00
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Volunteer Opportunities
The annual Holiday Fair is coming up December 2nd and it takes lots of people to make it a success! Contact Trish Hindley or read more here.
Build a scarecrow! Join the Clean Team! Read more here.
Help restart the book club, or come to the sewing circle. Read more here.
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Faith Building Together
Monthly gatherings to strengthen and engage our UU Faith
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Oct. 19th at 10:30: Bringing UU Faith Home
A workshop for anyone looking to bring our faith into daily home life
Nov. 9th at 10:30: Neurodiversity
A presentation and discussion to deepen our understanding of the diverse spectrum of neurological experience
For more info and to register email Lee Cowan
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Upcoming Beverages and Banter
Meeting at Audrey's Coffee Shop in South County Commons
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Thursday,
October 26, at 3 pm
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Wednesday,
November 1, at 2 pm
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Tuesday, November 7,
at 4 pm
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Upcoming Services
October 22 Touched by Grace: from Political to Spiritual Activism
Judith Sutphen
October 29 The Great Decluttering Rev. Denis
November 5 Hope, and Keep Busy Rev. Denis
November 12 ??? Rev. Denis
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Courageous Conversations: Preventing Violent Extremism
FREE
Tuesdays, October 24, November 7, November 14
7:00-8:15 pm in the UUCSC Sanctuary
Facilitated by Nancy Richman and Barbara (Bina) Holtzman
October 24: Why Media Literacy Matters
What is media literacy and how can it help people
to respond to disinformation & hoaxes?
November 7: Preventing Violent Extremism
How is violent extremism affecting our society
and what can we do about it?
November 14: Falling Down the Rabbit Hole
What can you do to support people in your life
who may be moving towards radicalization?
For additional information, click HERE.
Registration is required. For questions or to register please email nrichman618@gmail.com.
Include your 1) name, 2) phone number, 3) dates you plan to attend.
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Sunday, October 22nd, 1 to 4 pm
The UU Legislative Forum, hosted by the UU Legislative Ministry of RI which represents all UU congregations in the state, is an opportunity to learn more about the Social Justice issues that are being debated at the state level. Please register at uulmri.ticketleap.com/legislative-forum/ for this event and learn more.
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Excellent article by Steve Ahlquist about growing facism in RI. Spine chilling. Each of us, in our own way, has to speak up for the targeted.
Submitted by Cathy Solomon
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Speak Up for Trans Youth, a Community Action Meeting
Wednesday, October 18th,
6:30-7:30pm
William Hall Library in Cranston, RI, Auditorium
More information here
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Spiritual Refuge
St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Wickford and the North Kingstown Public Library are presenting a Spiritual Refuge Series including poetry, fiction, non-fiction, music, meditations and more. Events continue through mid November. Read more here.
Submitted by Adria Evans
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Dining for Dollars Plus 2023 Coming Events
Hosts should reach out to those who had winning bids for their event and provide necessary specifics (i.e. street address, parking info, phone, rain plans if needed, etc.).
Winning bidders, Mark your calendars – you don’t want to miss your event!
Everyone – if you have any questions or need D4$+ information, please contact Betsy Dalton at elizabethmdalton@gmail.com or by phone (her number is in the UUCSC Directory).
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| Host | Event | Date | | Susan Jordan | Bingo Bash | 10/14/2023 | | Barbara Beckwith
and Mary Fulton | Groovy Delight! | 10/21/2023 | | Patricia Hindley | Tarot reading and Tea | 10/27/2023 | | Etta Zasloff | Sweet and Savory Sunday Brunch | 11/5/2023 | | Sue Strakosch | Middle Eastern Dinner | 11/10/2023 | | Betsy Dalton | New Year's Eve Eve Celebration...in the afternoon! | 12/30/2023 | | |
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The Lost Voices of Smith's Castle
Tours of Smith's Castle (in North Kingstown) with a special focus on those enslaved at Smith's Castle and the history of slavery in Rhode Island will be offered on October 21st. Times and more information here.
Submitted by Cathy Solomon
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Kundalini Yoga: Autumn Series with Jessie Gloor
Thursdays, Oct. 26; Nov. 9, 30; Dec. 14, 28.
5:00 - 6:30 pm, in the Oneto Room.
Contact Adria or Nancy Dean with questions.
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Judi Marcy and Suzanne Marcy are going through a hard time and would appreciate cards and good wishes. Their address in last week's newsletter was incorrect. Please use 45 Beech Hill Road, Wakefield, RI 02879.
Submitted by Val Follett
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Don't become victim to a SCAM!
Review Understanding Phishing!
If you receive a suspicious email, drag it into your Spam folder, which will automatically block the scammer from using your email again as bait. Stay vigilant!
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In addition to your pledge, if you are 70 ½ years of age or older, you may donate up to $100,000.00 each year to UUCSC or other charities from your IRA account. Such a donation does not count as taxable income to you if made directly from your IRA account to the charity. Read more here.
Submitted by the Finance Committee
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Michael Bilecki will recycle your batteries.
Deposit them in the container in the Oneto Room!
Read more here.
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This war rages on...
The UUCSC Share the Plate committee recommends one of these four organizations that are providing support to Ukrainians in crisis.
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Bethany Sorrentino, Helping Hands Coordinator
uuhelpinghands@gmail.com or 401-451-4104.
Don't be afraid to ask for help - helping hands are here!
Helping hand volunteers are also needed.
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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 Sara Kaplow, Congregational Administrator, at uucscri@gmail.com and Etta Zasloff, Editor, at zasloff.etta@gmail.com by Tuesday Noon
to assure publication by Friday of that week.
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