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Our Weekly Message
News, Invitations, and Ministerial Reflections
October 6, 2023
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Beloveds -
This past Sunday I preached on UU Heritage as part of our Soul Matters theme. Each month we use the Soul Matters theme in worship, religious education and small groups. This Sunday the Soul Kids class will explore our pagan and earth based heritage. Next week our small groups will reflect on the following questions:
- If you could talk to one of your ancestors, who would you choose? And what would you ask them?
- What story told by (or about) your ancestors has shaped you the most?
- If you could change one thing about your family heritage, what would it be?
What about you? How would you answer these questions? Or consider asking these questions of one of your elders to learn more about your family history. What stories do they want you to know?
Or consider food. Heritage isn’t just held in our minds and memory. Just as often, it’s held in the food we eat, and the recipes passed down to us. Why don’t you dig out an old family recipe and have your family cook it with you. As you do, share the stories connected with it. Or invite over a small circle of friends and have each of them bring a dish from a family recipe or their particular culture. During dinner take turns sharing your stories connected to the dish everyone brought.
There are so many ways to engage with our heritage. As I prepare to travel to Texas to preach at our former intern Scott Cooper’s installation, I am reflecting on my Texas ancestors and their legacy as slave owners. I am descended from early Texas pioneers who arrived in the mid-19th century bringing their slaves with them. Slavery is part of history, but it is also a part of my heritage.
Scott Taylor, the director of the Soul matters Program writes, “History is what happened; Heritage is a story still unfolding. History tends to trap us in tales about what they did; Heritage inevitably gets us talking about what we are called to do.”
May you have deep engagement with your heritage this month.
Sending love to all.
Rev. Lucy
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Magic is in the air! We are less than a month away from our 2023 Auction & Dinner, which will be Saturday, Nov. 4, 5-8pm.
Here are key dates:
- Dinner & Live Auction Event Ticket Sales Sat, Oct. 7 - Oct. 25 or until we sell out
- Auction Item Donations Accepted NOW - Oct. 12
- Raffle Baskets Donations Accepted NOW - Oct. 29
- Online Silent Auction Bidding Oct. 21 - Nov. 5
Beer and wine donations to stock our bar can be dropped off on Sundays or in the UUSS office.
Visit the auction table during coffee hour to donate an auction item or raffle basket. You can also visit our auction site to donate an auction item (select the "Offer an Item" tab) and register for silent auction bidding.
We need MANY volunteers to pull this event off. Please sign up at our coffee hour table or contact auction@uuss.org.
PLEASE DON'T DELAY! We are a small but mighty committee eager to get all the donations in and event tickets sold so we can turn our attention to getting ready for the big event. Thank you!
Questions? E-mail auction@uuss.org.
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Sunday Mornings with UUSS
Face masks are available but not required.
Join us for Worship Services in person or on Zoom Zoom links here
(Closed Captioning available on Zoom)
Service time 10:30 a.m.
Did you miss a service? You can find links to past services here
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Sunday Morning Programs
Join us before the service at 9:30 AM at UUSS
1st Sunday - Labyrinth meditation in the meadow (Nov. 5)
2nd Sunday - Justice & Equity Conversation (Oct. 8)
Come early this Sunday, for Justice and Equity Orientation and Discussion, led by members of the Justice and Equity team, in the Fahs Room. The format includes a brief orientation to justice and equity terms and then an open discussion focused on a current topic. This month's topic will be Latinx history.
3rd Sunday - Qui Gong/Tai Chi (Oct. 15)
4th Sunday - Exploring Unitarian Universalism (Oct. 22)
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Join us for a Newcomer Orientation and Tour the second Sunday of every month,
right after church, in the Welcome Hall. Next one is October 8.
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Sunday, October 8, 10:30: The Work of Forgiveness
Ministerial Intern Rosemary Dodd preaching with Rev. Lucy Bunch, Worship Associate Courtney O'Neil Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva
What ethical lessons can the study of history bring us? Join us for an exploration of what it means to hold our faith’s ancestors as people worthy of our love, compassion, and grace, and to imagine new futures together. Taking the Salem Witch Trials as a case study, Rosemary will share how she has been moved out of her own disbelief through stories of faith and radical forgiveness in community.
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Sunday, October 15, 10:30:
One, Two, Infinite Fractal Beauty
Lisa Bunker preaching with Dawn Heubner Worship Associate, the UUSS Choir, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva
Our human brains like binary thinking – black and white, masculine and feminine, finite and infinite – but it has its limitations. Lay leader Lisa Bunker will share thoughts about getting past binaries, finding middle paths, and discovering how despite being finite beings we are all also part of an eternal cosmic dance.
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Joys, Sorrows, and Caring | |
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If you would like to have a joy, sorrow, concern, or milestone spoken by a minister at Sunday’s prayer time, let us know at this link. Make sure to tell us you do not want us to mention it aloud, or if you would like a phone call from one of the ministers.
If you know of someone in the congregation facing surgery, dealing with loss, coping with a new and serious diagnosis, etc., please encourage them to inform one of our ministers and/or to reach out to the Caring Committee at caring@uuss.org.
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We learned recently of the passing to Diane Murphy sometime in the past few months. Diane was an active member for more than 15 years, supporting family promise and other programs for the homeless. She was a beloved wife, mother and grandmother. We send our condolences to her family and friends.
Former member Suzanne Hamilton passed away on September 24th in Los Angeles. Suzanne was a church member as a child and teenager along with her parents (Polly and Robert Hamilton) in the 60s. She loved the UU community very much. Contact Rev. Lucy if you would like to connect with her daughter Julia on her SF Bay Area service.
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Save The Date!
October 22 after the service: UUSS congregational meeting
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Join us in Religious Education! | |
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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.
Soul Kids -grades K-5- meet this Sunday (Oct. 8) during service. Come join Catherine for fun activities celebrating our Soul Matters theme: The Gift of Heritage. Please start in service!
Junior High Youth Group (JHYG) -grades 6-7-8- meets this Sunday, Oct. 8, during service. Join Bess to talk about what interests you and what you would like to do in JHYG this year!
Other engaging activities for children, youth and families are available and information can be found in the email linked above! There's always a lot happening in RE!
Our RE Coordinator Crystal Fountain has weekly office hours and is available by email too.
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Are you wondering
What to Do When Your Child Worries Too Much?
Did you know there's a UUSS member who's an expert in childhood anxiety? Our very own (Dr.) Dawn Huebner is offering this event for anyone who knows and cares about a child struggling with worry.
Come hear the latest thinking about childhood anxiety, what causes it and, importantly, what to do about it. The focus will be on children ages 12 and under
Please join us, Sunday, October 8th from 2:00 - 3:30 PM for this special conversation and Q&A. Refreshments will be provided. Childcare will be available.
Send questions about this event CrystalFountain@uuss.org
Sign up at the RE Welcome Table on Sunday or fill out this form.
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What's Happening?
For a listing of all events this week and coming up
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Blossoms & Bushes - Mon., Oct. 9 at 10:00am UUSS Campus. Deadhead, weed & trim plants in front of our building and the succulent-cactus garden. blossoms@uuss.org | |
Mah Jongg Mon., Oct. 9 7:00pm Room 6 All are welcome! Questions? Contact: Patty Innes at mahjongg@uuss.org | |
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Help lead our Newcomer Orientation
Do you like meeting new people? Comfortable speaking to a small group? We are looking for folks to help lead the once a month newcomer orientation on the Second Sunday after church. Script provided. Contact Rev. Lucy if interested.
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Community Partner
Half of the Sunday morning offering donations made in October
support our local community partner:
Sacramento Native American
Health Center
To donate now at the UUSS website, click here.
"May generosity bless our world, and may gratitude nourish our spirits."
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Community Partners Voting: Nominations for Community Partners 2024 is now closed. Voting will begin after the Congregational meeting on October 22 and will close October 30. The link will be posted on the UUSS website at www.uuss.org.
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Celebrate 40 years of Loaves and Fishes
October 15: Celebrate 40 years of service with Loaves and Fishes at a special event being held at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church!
Loaves and Fishes is a long time UUSS community partner and we have an opportunity to support them by joining their staff, volunteers and clients for music, snacks, stories and learning more about their important mission to serve the homeless in our community.
Where: 2391 St. Mark’s Way, Sacramento, CA
Time: 4:00 PM -5:30ish
How we can help make it a success: In addition to showing our support through attendance at the event, we have been invited to contribute snacks to the festivities. If you would like to do that, even if you can’t attend, please contact Bobbie Keill at partners@uuss.org. Snacks can be brought to the church on Sunday morning and will be delivered to the event.
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Staff and Minister Availability | |
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Schedule an appointment with Rev. Lucy at calendly.com/revlucyb or ministerial intern Rosemary Dodd: rosemary@uuss.org
Rev. Roger is on sabbatical Sept. 4 through Jan. 31.
Our office staff members (office@uuss.org or 916-483-9283) are available to respond to your calls and emails weekdays 8:30-4:30, except public holidays. Our Pianist and Music Director are available by email and invite you to choir practice Wednesday nights at 7:00.
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We come together to deepen our lives and be a force for healing in the world. | | | | |
