Dear friends,

I have been getting to know the work of Ada Limón recently, who is our 24th US Poet Laureate. She was born and raised in Sonoma County, and now lives in Lexington, Kentucky. I feel lucky that my work with you all requires me to pay attention to words, and I find myself tucking away pieces of writing as I stumble on them in service planning or sermon writing. This is the poem I keep returning to this week, which I want to offer for a moment of reflection:

Instructions on Not Giving Up

Ada Limón (1976 – )

More than the fuchsia funnels breaking out

of the crabapple tree, more than the neighbor’s

almost obscene display of cherry limbs shoving

their cotton candy-colored blossoms to the slate

sky of Spring rains, it’s the greening of the trees

that really gets to me. When all the shock of white

and taffy, the world’s baubles and trinkets, leave

the pavement strewn with the confetti of aftermath,

the leaves come. Patient, plodding, a green skin

growing over whatever winter did to us, a return

to the strange idea of continuous living despite

the mess of us, the hurt, the empty. Fine then,

I’ll take it, the tree seems to say, a new slick leaf

unfurling like a fist to an open palm, I’ll take it all.

With the new hour of evening sunlight this week, and so much coming up in our congregational life, I encourage you to read on for what might spark connection and nourish spring leaves in your own life.

With joy,

Rosemary

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!

Our March Soul Matters Theme is



Transformation

Here's the link to the Soul Matters materials

Sunday Morning Programs

Join us before the service at 9:30 AM at UUSS

1st Sunday - Labyrinth meditation in the meadow (April 7)

2nd Sunday - Note new time: Justice & Equity conversation is after church (11:45)!

3rd Sunday - Qui Gong/Tai Chi (March 17)

4th Sunday - Exploring Unitarian Universalism (March 24) with Rosemary Dodd in the Fahs Room.

Sunday, March 17, 10:30AM:

Your One Wild and Precious Life

A Circle Service led by Rev. Dr. Roger Jones with Ministerial Intern Rosemary Dodd, Worship Associate Celia Buckley, the UUSS Choir, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva, and UUSS folks from age 8 to 92! Altar design by Molly Stuart.

Join us for this favorite annual service. Congregants from every decade of age will present their two-minute answers in response to this question from "The Summer Day," a poem by the late Mary Oliver: “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

Sunday, March 24, 10:30AM: 

A Faith Worth Living For:

Inspirations from Our Polish Forbears

Rev. Dr. Roger Jones preaching, with Patty Budding and Jan Fleming. Ministerial Intern Rosemary Dodd, Worship Associate Courtney O’Neill, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva.

On sabbatical, Roger co-led a pilgrimage to the land of the Polish Brethren, a radical Unitarian movement. They were pacifists who preached human kinship, practiced social equality, shared possessions, and used dialogue rather than dogma to seek the truth about the Divine. Their movement flourished from 1565 to 1658. It was crushed, yet their ideas kept spreading.

• Exploring UUism at 9:30 am in the Fahs Classroom with Rosemary—all welcome

Sunday, March 31, 10:30AM: Easter

Ministerial Intern Rosemary Dodd preaching, with Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, Worship Associate Andy Cramer, UUSS Choir, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva.

Rolling Away The Stone

Experiences of transforming mystery and wonder are primary sources of Unitarian Universalist inspiration and grounding. This Easter Sunday, join Rosemary Dodd as she explores the curiosity and imagination which we can cultivate in ourselves and our communities.

Special Offering: All of our Easter offering will support an effort by the Nevada City Nisenan tribe to purchase and reclaim 232 acres of a historic Nisenan Village in Nevada City.  

Members and friends who attend a service by Zoom may enjoy the chance to get acquainted after the service concludes, and may reflect on a question related to the service theme-- for 22 minutes. Please speak briefly and listen so that all may be included.

Music at UUSS: A Midyear Update from Anthony Tavianini

What a wonderfully musical church year it has been so far!

I am so pleased to see that in my third year as director, the choir is reaching new heights. With a roster of regularly 30+, we have been able to explore and present some fantastic musical offerings. From well-known melodies like "Octopus's Garden" and Larry Farrow's "Turn the World Around," to Renaissance tunes such as the madrigal "Welcome Yule," there is something for all singers and listeners!

I've been especially happy to feature works by LGBTQIA+ composers, including an arrangement of a UU hymn earlier this year by member Lisa Bunker! We also presented "United in Song," a work by by Mari Isabel Valverde, and we will present two works by Kelvin Koning, in April and June respectively.  

Join us on March 31 for a presentation of Jason Shelton's "Primavera," an Afro-Caribbean influenced tune about spring and renewal, just in time for Easter! We'll be up to bat again the following week (April 7), then again on 4/21, 5/12, and 6/2.

Our resident choir is just one of the great ways music is alive on our UU campus! We have featured local musicians like Laura Harrington (oboe/English horn) and musical collaborators TSAVO and Boynarr, African hand drummers and advocates for music in the community, especially among youth experiencing homelessness. We are also treated to the wonderful instrumental gifts of members like Ann Haas (French horn), Tom Goff (trumpet), Erin Byerly (flute), and so many others! Week in and week out, we are treated to some of the best music in town from our stalwart pianist, Irina Tchantceva. It is ALWAYS a treat!

Be sure to check out our ukulele group every 2nd Monday at 2:00pm in the Fahs Room, as well as our Folk Jam, 1st Sundays after service. Our choir rehearses Wednesday nights 7:00-8:30 in Fahs classroom mid-August through May. All are welcome.

Whether you sing, play, compose, advocate, or provide an audience, we are glad you are part of the musical community within our larger UUSS community!

-Anthony

In celebration: Alex Wroten (who grew up in this congregation) and his wife, Brooke, are the happy parents of a new baby, Elliott Jon Wroten, born on March 8, in Louisville, KY. Congrats to them and to grandparents (and step grandparents) Katie Edgren (Denis) and Jon Wroten (Barbara). Congratulations and blessings to them all!  

For healing:  We continue to send our love to Maxine Cornwell, healing from a broken hip, and to Robin Howlett, healing from foot surgery. We hold everyone in our hearts who is living with dire medical conditions and chronic health problems.

For healing and peace: Annette Orella asks for prayers for Kevin Koch, the husband of her sister Ada. An ER doctor, he has suspended chemotherapy for cancer after a number of years of treatment. Family are arriving to visit him and his family in Kansas City. We send prayers of strength and love to them, and prayers with gratitude to Kevin for his faithful practice of medicine to so many people in need.  

In Loving Memory: Our former member Mary "Gene" Anderson passed away on March 6, a day before her 90th birthday. Gene and her late husband, Bill, were members of the UU Community Church of Sacramento and then UUSS before moving to the Monterey area. We extend our condolences to her family and friends. The office has addresses for her children.

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. Come early this Sunday and light a candle up front and fill out a prayer card for the ministers.

Childcare--The Nursery (Rm. 11) welcomes infants 6m+ through age 5. Staff supervise child-led play in a fun and friendly nursery filled with toys and games. Snacks are offered. Access through the main entrance. Please contact Crystal with questions.

All ages of youth and children are invited to join the Circle Service this Sunday, March 17.

Soul Kids (K-5) and Junior High Youth Group (grades 6-8) resume Sunday, March 24 during service.

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!

RE Coordinator Crystal Fountain has weekly office hours and is available by email too.

Whether by the cup after service or by the bag in your own home, you can enjoy coffee created just for UUSS:

Chalice Blend! Its beans are grown by women-owned cooperatives in Latin America and roasted and blended by a family-run cafe in Oakland. Fresh beans are sold for $13 a bag in the Sunday Bookstore -- or stop in at the Office any weekday. Enjoy!

Card Making: Create greeting cards of all types.

Tomorrow, Saturday, March 16, 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. You are invited to register for a class on making greeting cards in the Fahs Room with Instructor Jan Larsson. Sign up at adultenrichment@uuss.org. Asking $5 to cover materials, and extra donations are welcome to support UUSS programs. Coffee and snacks will be provided. 

Young Adult Group @ UUSS Join us this Sunday, March 17, and next month, April 21st. Are you 18-35 and looking to connect to other younger UUSS community members? Join us for conversation, connection, and food 15 minutes after the service in the welcome hall.

Contact rosemary@uuss.org with questions and ideas.

Artist Reception - Main Hall 5:30pm on March 21

The Art Exhibit committee presents new artist Linda Clark Johnson who creates hand printed textile collages. Join others to enjoy this beautiful show and hear from the artist herself! (Snacks too.)

A portion of the sales of the art will benefit UUSS.

To learn more, contact: art@uuss.org

Ostara Celebration with CUUPs

Sunday, March 24, 5:00-7:00 p.m. in the Fahs Room

Everyone is welcome at the Covenant of UU Pagans (CUUPs) Ostara Celebration. Come celebrate the returning light, and the Goddess bringing new life and awakenings!

Bring a potluck dish to share. Contact Laurie Jones or Leanna Pierson at cuups@uuss.org

People of Color Caucus at UUSS

2nd & 4th THURSDAYS THIS SPRING:

March 14, April 11, May 9 - 6 to 7:30 pm on Zoom

March 28, April 25, May 23 - 11 am to 12:30 pm in person @UUSS (Fahs Room)

Do you self-identify as a person of color, or of mixed racial heritage?

Join us on the patio for conversation, connection, and food 15 minutes after the service on

March 24. Questions? Contact multi@uuss.org

Registration for Regional Assembly is open! April 19-20 online and in Denver.

Elevate your Unitarian Universalist experience by immersing yourself in the Pacific Western Regional Assembly. This is a community of individuals like you, from dozens of UU congregations--online or in person!

The Closer: Celebrating More Access at UUSS!

We have new automatic openers and closers at our main entrance doors and the doors between the Welcome Hall and Covered Patio! They were installed by an electrical contractor this week for approximately $6,000. (Several years ago we added electronic openers/closers on our larger restrooms.) Easier access at the press of a button! 

Thanks to all who contributed toward this project through Fund a Need in the fall service auction and additional donors afterwards. Thanks to these improvements, it will be easier to get through our doors for services, coffee hour, and Religious Education, making us a more welcoming congregation. Now let's endeavor to greet one another and introduce ourselves to someone we don't know whenever we are here. Thank you all!