Weekly Message from UUSS
June 3, 2022
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Beloveds -
This Sunday many Christians will celebrate Pentecost, the day when the holy spirit entered the community of Jesus’ followers, each, and all. The spirit inspired them to preach his message of peace and justice. This is seen as the seminal moment in the founding of the Christian church. According to the book of Acts chapter 2: “when the day of Pentecost had come, [the first followers of Jesus] were all together in one place. All of a sudden, a sound came from heaven, like a strong wind, filling the house where the people had gathered. Something like tongues of fire rested on their heads. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Pentecost seems relevant to me this year, as we all could use a dose of the holy spirit now. I often refer to the holy spirit in my prayers on Sunday. The holy spirit to me signifies the active energy of love – love in action, love filling our hearts and calling us to act for justice. It’s a motivating and inspiring force that lifts us out of complacency and into transformative action.
This is also Pride Month and the anniversary of the Stonewall riots in NYC on June 28, 1969, when a group of gay people revolted against the police oppression that had pounded on them (literally and figuratively) for years. They were filled with the holy spirit on that day – when they said: Enough, we are humans who deserve to be treated with respect. That event served as a catalyst for the gay rights movement in the U.S. and the world.
We need the power of the holy spirit right now, to help us to rise up and speak up against the forces of hate and fear. May you be open to the possibility.
Sending love to all,
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Kathy Bernard's Celebration of Life will take place at UUSS (and be streamed on Zoom) on Sunday, June 12, 1:30 p.m., with a reception to follow. Memorial contributions in Kathy's honor may be made to Sacramento ACT or the UUSS Heritage Fund. |
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Sunday Mornings with UUSS
Proof of Vaccination & Masks Required to Attend In-Person Services
Join us for Worship Services in person or on Zoom Zoom links here
Service time 10:30 a.m..
Miss a service? You can find links to past services here.
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Our June Soul Matters Theme is
Celebrating Blessings
For your family or personal reflection,
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Half of all offering donations made in June
will support our local community partner:
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Sunday Morning Programs at UUSS
Join us before the service at 9:30 AM at UUSS
First Sunday - Labyrinth walk
Second Sunday - Racial Equity conversation
Third Sunday Qui Gong/Tai Chi
Fourth Sunday - Exploring Unitarian Universalism
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Join us for a Newcomer Orientation the second of every month Sunday after church in the Welcome Hall; the next one is Sunday, June 12. |
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Joys and Sorrows: If you would like to have a joy, sorrow, concern, or milestone spoken aloud by a minister in Sunday’s prayer time, at this link. You may also use that link to inform us of a joy, concern or sorrow and let us know if you do not want us to mention it in church, or if you would like a phone call by a minister. This Sunday you may light a candle before service, and you may submit a card to be read aloud
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Sunday, June 5, 10:30:
Unknown Blessings Already on their Way
Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, preacher, with Rev. Lucy Bunch, Worship Associate Colette Cavanaugh, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva. Special music: Lucy and Anthony sing: Richard Rogers’ “The Sweetest Sounds.”
Joys & Sorrows Candles & Cards available up front before today’s service.
A song has the chorus, drawing on a Native American ritual words, “Give thanks for unknown blessings/ Already on their way.” How can we celebrate blessings we can’t identify or be sure of? In this time of danger and foreboding, is it foolish to cultivate this kind of gratitude? Perhaps, instead, it’s absolutely crucial that we do so!
- Stay after the service for a talk by a guest scholar, Rev. Dr. Jay Atkinson, on the current review and revision process for the UUA Principles and Sources (at 11:50 in the Fahs Room and on Zoom).
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Sunday, June 12, 10:30: Be a Blessing to Yourself
Rev. Lucy Bunch, preaching, with Rev. Roger Jones, Worship Associate Celia Buckley, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva.
In these troubled times resilience is crucial to our health and survival. Cultivating resilience requires that we have a strong and loving relationship with ourselves. How’s that going for you? In the spirit of our Soul Matters Theme Celebrating Blessings, we will consider how we can be a blessing to ourselves.
- Newcomer orientation and tour after the service. Committee on Ministry forum too,
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Sunday, June 19, 10:30:
Under the Bright Summer Sun - A Circle Service
Rev. Lucy Bunch, Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, with Worship Associates Karen Sparrow and Ginny Johnson. UUSS Choir, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva.
The sun is at its peak of potency in Sacramento as we celebrate the longest day. On this father’s day we will consider how can we harness the masculine energies of the sun to energize change and transformation. Come explore with us. Wear your shades.
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Informational Meeting Regarding
Our New Model for Ministry at UUSS
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The Board of Trustees, Program Council and Committee on Ministry are pleased to announce that Rev. Roger and Rev. Lucy are now Minsters of Equal Standing. On a co-equal basis, they make ministry decisions collaboratively and support each other‘s ministry. This model of ministry reflects one of the many innovative approaches to ministry at other UU congregations our size.
We will be celebrating this new relationship in the fall, but wanted to give members opportunities to ask questions and find out more about Ministers of Equal Standing.
You can come to a Q and A session in person on Sunday, June 12, at noon in the Fahs room, hosted by the Committee on Ministry and Board members. There will also be a Zoom meeting uuss.org/online on Monday, June 27 at 7pm hosted by Mary Howard.
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Religious Education (RE) for Children & Youth |
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Soul Kids will meet this Sunday, June 5 and next Sunday, June 12 at 10:15 a.m. for the last two classes for this year. Kindergarten-grade 5 are welcome to join us! Please be in touch at re@uuss.org for questions. Make sure your family is registered for RE beforehand. Families, please enter through the main building front doors per our safety guidelines. Vaccination list sign-in is in the main lobby. Then please come through to Room 7/8 to sign your child in for Soul Kids. Remember to bring proof of vaccination and a face mask covering mouth/nose. Soul Kids ends at 11:45, on the playground!
For youth in grades 6-7-8, our Junior High Youth Group (JHYG) meets for the last time THIS Sunday, June 5. All our adult volunteers will be there for this farewell session!
SHYG for high school youth has concluded for this year. HS youth are always welcome to come hang out and help in ArtWorks over the summer. We'd love to see you!
RE Summer ArtWorks is on the calendar for Sundays - July 3, 10, & 17 and August 14, 21, & 28. Please mark your calendars and for questions/artsy and activity ideas, please email re@uuss.org. Let's have some fun!
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Meals to the Door—When a member family has a health crisis or has welcomed a new child, it's helpful to have a few dinners. Can we add you to this volunteer network? If you don’t have time, are you able to order and buy a delivered meal? (You could also donate to the UUSS Ministers’ Discretionary Fund.) Contact Rev. Roger by phone or email.
A Ride to Church—We occasionally get requests for rides from members without access to Paratransit. Can you give rides occasionally? (No heavy lifting.)
Contact Rev. Roger by phone or email.
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Caregivers for Adult Loved Ones: An Invitation to Conversation
Are you a current or former caregiver to a loved one with dementia or another disabling condition? Would you like to connect with others who share this experience?
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Be a Force of Healing in the World |
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Mustard Seed School
Donation Drive Project
Sundays May 29, June 5 & June 12
One of our Soul Matters groups is concluding the year with a project for Mustard Seed, an emergency school for children located on the Loaves and Fishes campus here in Sacramento.
Please help with much needed supplies and donations for the summer season, including bathing suits of all sizes, swim trunks, pool towels, and additional high-need items like gas cards for parents, laundry soap, and shoes. Please visit the table in the Welcome Hall on Sunday for more information.
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Join the Voter Outreach team
The next postcard writing campaign is starting this week!
To Florida!
UU the Vote works with Reclaim Our Vote because they are a black-led organization working with local groups in Southern and high-minority states (Arizona). They are using several methods to counter the "you can't vote" message that minority voters have received for generations and still receive. ROV has hired local people to register voters, and we writers and callers and texters will encourage those voters to go to the polls.
Reclaim Our Vote plans to analyze data from three Florida counties to determine the effectiveness of our writing.
It's Easy to Participate and Make a Difference
Our member Sue Jones is leading this effort. Let her know how many cards you want to write, in multiples of 20. she's requesting $1 per 20 names to cover the cost of cards, labels, script and names. You can pick them up from her porch in East Sacramento at any time; the porch is available 24/7. She also has porch pickup locations (dedicated volunteers) in Carmichael, Folsom, and Lincoln if any of those cities are closer to you.
Channel your frustration and join us!
Please note that postcards stamps go up from 40 cents to 44 cents on July 10. Stock up now on those postcard Forever stamps!
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Advocates for the Homeless
Join Us for a Day Of Action
On Tuesday, June 14, at 9:00 a.m. we will be part of a Day of Action to urge the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors to make homelessness and housing solutions their top priorities for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
Go to the UUSS website for more information or to see a recording of the training session from Sunday, May 15. Together we can raise our voices in support of our unhoused kindred.
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Your Presence Requested Online at District UU meeting
UUSS is one of 35 congregations in the Pacific Central District (PCD). On behalf of UUSS, please consider attending the PCD Annual Meeting, 1:00 pm, Saturday, June 11. It’s free, on Zoom, and only two hours. The PCD Board will ask you to approve shorter, simpler PCD Bylaws, re-elect Board members (including Roger), and (BIG STEP) authorize the PCD to merge with other UUA districts or with the Unitarian Universalist Association as a whole—or to otherwise dissolve. ( Read more here.) We have reached a turning point in the life of the District! We need enough delegates to make a decision—even if it’s to keep the status quo. Register here. Any questions, please contact Rev. Roger.
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Groups, Gatherings, and Classes |
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Face masks are required at UUSS events that are open to the public and held indoors. They are also required outdoors in the presence of children not yet old enough to be vaccinated. To attend indoor events, please provide proof of being fully vaccinated (includes a booster) along with your ID; if you have done this earlier, you can just check your name off the list.
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Saturday Stitchers and Crafters - next Saturday, June 4, 10-Noon, in the Library. Bring sewing, coloring, beading, knitting, or any other portable craft and join us! Contact: stitchers@uuss.org
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Unitarian Universalism: Defining Who We Are (Again)
A forum with Rev. Dr. Jay Atkinson & Rev. Roger
All are welcome to this lecture and discussion on the commission working now to revise the UUA Bylaws (Article II: Principles & Purposes & Sources). Hosted by UUSS Adult Enrichment.
This Sunday, June 5 at 11:50 AM. The Fahs Classroom & Zoom. (Light snacks in person.) No charge; free will donations welcome.
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For our Lectio Divina zoom meeting on next Monday, June 6, we’ll read the poem Coyotes by Mark Jarman. Enter at 10 AM the same way you would ‘attend’ Sunday service. Think about how it ties in with our current times. You can see the poem
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Pastries in the Parsonage -- Spots Open
Rev. Roger hosts breakfast in Sacramento as an auction item. A few spots are open Wednesday, June 8, 8:30-10:30. Enjoy chatting over fresh fruit salad, delicious local pastries, coffee, chai, and cheese in this breakfast open house at Roger's home, inside and on the deck. UUSS vaccination requirements apply.
Sign up in advance with Rev. Roger and bring a check to UUSS for $20 or more.
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Free family caregiver workshop on dementia:
Wednesday, June 8: 1:00–2:30 p.m. online
"Behavioral & Psychological Symptoms of Dementia," with geriatric psychiatrist Dr. Beverly Chang.
Presented by CARES (Caregiver Action & Resource Education Series), a collaboration among Del Oro Caregiver Resource Center, the Alzheimer’s Association, and Senior Care Solutions. To get the link, sign up at http://tinyurl.com/CARES68
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BLOSSOMS and BUSHES needs volunteer gardeners!
Have fun weeding, trimming and beautifying our campus for one hour, followed by a soup lunch, the SECOND FRIDAY of each month, 10 AM. Just show up with clippers, sun hat, stool if needed, and good cheer.
For info contact Glory: blossomsandbushes@uuss.org
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Ukulele Strum-Along - June 13, 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. outdoors on the covered patio. 1:30 for tutoring or to borrow a uke. Proof of vax required and masks optional outdoors.
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"Conversations About Death" with Molly Stuart, end-of-life advocate and fellow UU. Two sessions: June 23, "Background" and June 30, "Designing your Plan." Two Thursdays 10:00-11:30 a.m. on the UUSS covered patio. Please plan to attend both sessions, where we work our way from a practical understanding of the issues surrounding end-of-life care, explore our life values, and articulate specifically the kind of care we wish for. For more info and to sign up, email Molly at ConversationsAboutDeath@gmail.com.
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Staff and Minister Availability |
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Rev. Roger (Roger's day off is Monday; study day is Friday) Rev. Lucy (Lucy's day off is Monday; study day is Friday) are available for pastoral support by appointment by phone, Zoom or in person, and the Pastoral Volunteers are available for support by phone. Schedule an appointment with Lucy at calendly.com/revlucyb.
Our office staff (office@uuss.org or 916-483-9283) are available to respond to your phone calls and emails weekdays 8:30-4:30. Our RE Coordinator and Pianist and Music Director are available by email. You can find our pianist and music director also on Wednesday nights at choir practice at 7:00 p.m., and you are invited to attend!
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We come together to deepen our lives and be a force for healing in the world. |
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