In-Person and on Zoom 10:00 am

"Showing

Your True Self"

Rev. Denis Letourneau Paul

Masks used to be all about taking on a secret identity or covering up something we were ashamed of. But Covid masks have changed our relationship to face coverings, and may have changed forever the meaning of masks. On the weekend of this holiday when we traditionally wear costumes that include masks, please wear a festive, scary or mysterious mask. Or decorate a mask we provide. We'll have a mask parade as a recessional, after folks are invited to share a bit about their masks.

Masks are required in the sanctuary.

Order of Service

Courage to Be Yourself

Come in Costume for a Parade!

Bring a pumpkin baked good for our bake-off!

We will be decorating masks this Sunday! As we decorate, we will think about these questions: What do we show the world and what do we hide? What is obvious from looking at us, and what can you not know about someone just by looking? And we'll let our masks express our personality!

Then we will parade through the sanctuary and outside for a pumpkin bake-off with the whole congregation. Yum!

Rev's Reflections

When I walked into the kitchen Saturday afternoon, after being gone for five days, the room looked completely different. It was a bright yellow-orange with a slight greenish undertone. The light made Joe look kind of sick. Had he repainted the room some horrible color? Did he replace the light bulbs with ghoulish novelty Halloween things? 

I’ve put a lot of effort into that house in the 14 months we’ve lived there, including painting the walls and ceilings in every room, along with almost all of the trim, doors and window sashes. Joe and I discussed every color choice, and we both love the outcome. He wouldn’t make a change without talking about it first. Maybe flying had changed my perception somehow? 

Seeing the look on my face — confusion and shock with a bit of disgust mixed in — Joe asked what the matter was.

“It looks terrible in this room,” I said, trying not to sound accusatory. “What happened?”

He laughed. “My mom and I have been watching the light all week, as the leaves have been changing color. The sun is bouncing off of the trees. I think it’s kind of pretty.”

Once I knew that a) I hadn’t lost my mind, and b) nobody had repainted in my absence, I could take a moment and really see the effect of the sunlight reflecting off the trees. It was sort of beautiful. And I was glad Fall is only temporary.

Change is like that, isn’t it? At home, work, and even in the congregation, changes happen in our absence, and when it affects something we’ve worked on with care and diligence, it can be unnerving, even off putting. Sometimes it can feel like people are ignoring our preferences, disrespecting our work, or even — gasp — doing it just to make us angry.

But of course, Fall is a reminder that change is perfectly natural, unavoidable. It affects everyone equally, even if we don’t notice. Most of all it’s a reminder that even with all the death and decomposition that surrounds us, there is still so much beauty. The weaker light and shorter days make the changes more precious. If we’re willing to step back and pay attention.

In Peace,

Rev Denis

Reminder: Worship Assistant Training Next Saturday

Do you have a story you would like to share with the congregation?  A story about an important epiphany?  Or a moment that shaped you or your beliefs in a surprising way? Or would you like to take part in leading worship by reading sacred texts from the pulpit?  If so, you don’t have to take on all the responsibilities of being on the worship committee.  You can simply sign up to be a Worship Assistant.

On Saturday, November 5 at 10 AM Rev. Denis will lead the first in a series of 2-hour training sessions designed to help us all be more effective speakers and worship leaders.  The first session will explore the characteristics of a Spiritual Reflection, those short but insightful stories shared during services by members and friends of the congregation.

Please let Rev Denis know if you plan to attend.

October Board Minutes

Our next meeting is November 14, 2022, 7:00-8:15 PM. 

UUCSC Anti-racism Group Report

This is an open group; drop-ins are always welcome to join us in the work of undoing racism with the mission to LEARN, EDUCATE, ADVOCATE. At the October 24, 2022 Zoom meeting, we held a deep discussion about the rise of antisemitism and fears about the country edging toward authoritarianism. READ FULL REPORT for details. Join us as we continue this journey, energized to make a difference!  

The Zoom link to the meeting is always on the church calendar. We meet the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month.    

Submitted by Nancy Richman

Multi-congregation Discussion: Revising the 7 Principles?

Tuesdays * November 1, 8, & 15 

6:30 – 8:00 on Zoom

Facilitated by Revs Darcey Laine, Douglas Taylor, and Jo VonRue.

Our Unitarian Universalist Seven Principles are under consideration for significant revision. This discussion has been underway in the UU world, and now it’s our turn to engage with the draft statements and focused discussion questions... DIG DEEPER 

Register in advance for this meeting here to receive Zoom link. 

Submitted by Mary Fulton

What Problem?

Friday, Nov. 4, 7:30 p.m. at the VETS…

For almost four decades, the groundbreaking Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company has revolutionized modern dance while exploring issues of identity. The company’s work “What Problem?” evokes the tension between belonging to a community and feelings of isolation that many feel in these divisive political times. Two-time Tony Award winner Bill T. Jones pursues the elusive “we” in this highly personal work, performing alongside his 10-member company, four vocalists and a cast of over 20 local community members.

Buy tickets here.

Co-presented by FirstWorks and Brown Arts Institute at Brown University

Submittted by Johnnie Rodriguez

Beneath The Polar Sun

Film Screening and Discussion

First Baptist Church, North Kingstown

Sunday, Nov. 13, 7 PM

Five hundred nautical miles from the North Pole, a scientific team is trapped by the sea ice it has come to study. With the Arctic Ocean collapsing all around them, they must escape the chaos by traversing the North’s most remote and formidable passage.

This film is the work of Stephen Smith and Diana Kushner. Several years ago Steve’s movie “Vanishing Point” was shown at UUCSC.

Submitted by Linda Whyte Burrell

Saru Jayaraman, author of “Behind the Kitchen Door,” was the URI Colloquium speaker on October 25th. She was fabulous, and fully explained why there is a “shortage” of food service workers! View the lecture here.

This lecture was part of the 2022 URI Honors Colloquium, Tuesdays at 7:00 PM at Edwards Auditorium or online, through December 13th

Submittted by Linda Whyte Burrell

Plan Your Vote

View your Sample Ballot

Find Your Polling Place

REMINDER:  You can vote early in person now through November 7, 2022.

Election Day is November 8, 2022

Together Women Rise

No Potluck Nov. 1 or Dec. 6, 2022. 

We will be joining the Charlestown Together Women Rise group, on Wed., Dec. 14th at 5:30 pm., held at St. James Chapel, 2079 Matunuck School House Rd., in Charlestown, RI 02813. All are welcome! 

Submitted by Gail Burchard

REMINDERS...

UUCSC Committees always need help and new ideas.

Please contact President Elizabeth Donovan at elizdn342@gmail.com.

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