Afghan Dinner at UUSS—Some Background

Dear Members and Friends,

I hope you will buy tickets for the May 5 banquet of Afghan cuisine! Dinner (with baklava for dessert) will be prepared for us by parents from the five refugee families that UUSS has been supporting the past few years. The food will be fabulous, and the company will be warm. 

Our Refugee Support Team has provided friendship and support, including transportation, job referrals, and navigating the bureaucracies of school districts, medical appointments, county social services and food banks. Our Team has raised money to cover attorney fees for legal asylum applications and provide rent to parents who wait on work visas or apply for better-paying jobs. 

Many of us have tutored adults, children, and youth in English as a Second Language. A number of us have become instant grandparents. To avert homelessness, two UUSS households have put them up for extended periods. 

One larger family was referred to us by a UU church in New Jersey when they were moving to Sacramento to be close to relatives. Others found their way to UUSS because they heard from others that we were a caring community. Sadly, there is one man here whose wife remains in hiding in Afghanistan. Both he and two families with children escaped after the Taliban takeover and got to safety in Brazil. Then they came on foot through South and Central America, crossing Panama’s treacherous Darien Gap, and made it here. 

Because the men had worked for the U.S. government or an NGO (charity), the pullout of U.S. forces put their families at risk of killing by the Taliban regime. Those who fled on their own, without U.S. help, must wait on asylum hearings to have the right to work for money. 

They are not eligible for the services of resettlement agencies like IRC. This makes our support so crucial, and our friendship so meaningful.  We are grateful for the support and networking of NorCal Resist, River City Food Bank, and a UUSS friend providing pro bono legal representation for asylum hearings. We are grateful for donations of kids’ clothing, money, and especially time. We are grateful for all our UUSS volunteers and donors!

To buy dinner tickets or to make a donation, visit this page on our website or send a check to UUSS with Refugee Support in the memo line. Thanks!

Love,

Rev. Roger

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 Soul Matters Theme for April is



Interdependence

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 (May 5)

2nd Sunday - Justice & Equity conversation currently on hiatus.

The Labyrinth is open for self-guided meditation before church.

3rd Sunday - Qui Gong/Tai Chi (May 19)

4th Sunday - Exploring Unitarian Universalism:

UUs and Social Justice in the Fahs Classroom on April 28.

Sunday, April 28, 10:30am

A Faithful Commitment to Values:

An Ideology Is Not Faith

Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, preaching, with Worship Associate Dawn Huebner, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva.



The word “faith” generates a lot of conversation and even discomfort at a UU congregation. But if we don’t claim it, then it will continue to be used only by movements that exclude people from the human embrace of dignity, compassion, honesty, and freedom. Come today to show and share what it means to side with love.

*Exploring UUism: Social Justice is this month's topic at 9:30: Learn more about our tradition in the Fahs Classroom. Nursery care is available.

Sunday, May 19 10:30am

The Stories behind Tattoos: More than Skin-deep

Rev. Dr. Roger Jones with Ministerial Intern Rosemary Dodd, Worship Associate Celia Buckley, Religious Education Coordinator Crystal Fountain, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva, Singer Sarah Patton. 

Come to hear a few UUSS members describe (but not show) a special tattoo and explain why it’s meaningful for them. Tattoo artistry has an ancient history, overlapping with spiritual traditions and religious rituals. Tattoos touch on creativity and inspiration, personal identity, commitments, and communities. (Contact Roger by May 10 if you have one!) We also honor this year’s Religious Education volunteers in a brief ritual today. 

• Congregational Meeting right after the service. All welcome, but Members are needed so we can conduct business. Grab your coffee and a snack and sit down with exciting UUSS handouts.

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.

      Pledge Drive Update: Week Three

2024-2025 Pledge Drive--over, but not complete

Members and friends have responded with enthusiasm to the call to support our staff, ministers and programs and to support our mission.

However, UUSS has not yet heard from 109 households.

As of Thursday, we have received pledges from 205 households totaling $490,000. Three-fourths of these pledgers have increased their commitments. Some are first-time pledgers. Thank you! Every pledge makes a difference as we prepare to approve the next budget.

At UUSS, we are Committed, Loving, Generous! If everyone responds with a pledge today, we can avoid having our volunteers send letters and make phone calls!

We ask each household to make a written pledge of the financial support for the coming year. Please submit a new pledge each year, even if you have an automatic withdrawal for your current pledge. You may find frequently asked questions and colorful charts--and make your pledge quickly and confidentially at uuss.org/pledge.

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.

We extend our care and condolences also to our member David Libby on the recent passing of his brother, Michael Libby, who lived in Petaluma.

We extend our care and condolences also to our member Fred Pannek on the recent passing of his younger brother, Ed Pannek, who lived in San Marcos, Texas. Fred's sister, Martha Kapla, passed away last April.

We extend healing wishes to our member Jim Glidden after a heart procedure this week and healing wishes to our member Tiki Harlow as she recovers from a knee and leg injury.

Childcare--The Nursery (Rm. 11) welcomes infants 6 months 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.

Soul Kids -- K-5th grade. Meets every Sunday during service throughout the RE year except for Circle Service Sundays.

Join us this week, Sunday April 28, to light the chalice, check in with our friends--older and new--and then get outside to explore expressions of interdependence in the natural world. Please start in the service!

Junior High Youth Group (JHYG) -- Grades 6-7-8.

Meets on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month during service. Our next meeting is this Sunday, April 28. Alicia and Bess will invite connection and conversation and crafts centered in The Gift of Interdependence! Please start in 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 after service or in your own home, you

can enjoy coffee created just for UUSS: Chalice Blend! 

Beans are grown by women-owned cooperatives in Latin America and roasted and blended by a café in Oakland. Fresh beans sold for $15 a bag in the Sunday Bookstore or in the Office weekdays.

People of Color Caucus at UUSS 2nd & 4th Thursdays this spring: May 9 - 6:00 to 7:30 pm on Zoom. May 23 - 11:00 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 for conversation and connection. Questions? Contact multi@uuss.org

Beltane Celebration with CUUPs

Sunday, April 28, 5:00-7:00 p.m. - Back Patio and Fahs Room

Everyone is welcome at the Covenant of UU Pagans (CUUPs) Beltane Celebration.

Spring is in full swing, come celebrate the Goddess and all that is blooming!

Bring a couple of flowers and a potluck dish to share.

Contact Laurie Jones or Leanna Pierson at cuups@uuss.org

Starting Soon: "Your UU Journey" Class

This class is for recent new members or active newcomers in UUSS. We will explore our own personal spiritual journeys and the history of UUism and this congregation, and will consider how we can weave these together for the path forward. Ministerial Intern Rosemary Dodd and Rev. Dr. Roger Jones will lead three Wednesday sessions at UUSS: May 8, 15 and 22, 6:30 to 8:30 pm. (You're welcome to bring food if you don't have a chance to eat before coming.) There will be some prep work for each session, about 30 minutes of reading or viewing. It is important that participants attend all three sessions. It's a great opportunity to learn more about yourself and our tradition and to get to know others in the congregation. We have a maximum of 12 spots, but this will be offered again in the future. Please contact roger@uuss.org to inquire or to register by May 5.

End of Life Planning discussion with Molly Stuart, Tuesday, May 14, 10 a.m. to noon on Zoom. Topic is Forms: Advance Directive , POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment), and DNR (Do Not Resuscitate). For more info and to get the Zoom link, contact Molly, sign up at Connections or email adultenrichment@uuss.org.

Are you a UUSS friend or member who finds depth and meaning in one of the other spiritual or ethical traditions as well as Unitarian Universalism? Do you have a heart in two traditions?

Many Unitarian Universalists find inspiration by practicing in other traditions. Please tell Rev. Roger about your participation in in or your curiosity about another tradition by telephone phone or at roger@uuss.org. 

Support our Community Partner

Walk for Healing and Hope with NAMI!

When: May 4, 2024

Where: William Land Park, 1950 Sutterville Rd, Sacramento

Time: 8:00 AM, registration and speakers; 10:00 AM walk starts

Distance: 3.1 miles (5 Kilometers)

How to register as a walker: https://www.namiwalks.org/team/65023

Click on this link and it will take you to the Team UUSS page where you can register to walk or to sponsor a walker and donate. Or…pick up a sponsor sign-up sheet and flyer with more details at the Community Partners table in the Welcome Hall on April 28.



Why walk:

1. Promoting public awareness of mental health to reduce stigma

2. Raising funds for NAMI’s free, top-rated mental health programs

3. Building community and letting people know we’re in this together

Further questions: Contact Bobbie Keill at Partners@UUSS.org

Did you know? In 2022, one in five American adults experienced a mental health issue. One in 6 young people experienced a major depressive episode. One in 20 Americans lived with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression.

If you are a member or pledging friend we would like to send you a birthday card. Not receiving yours? Let us know your correct birthdate (and the birthdates of your children, if applicable).

Have you moved recently? Changed phone numbers? 

Let us know!

Also please let us know if you (or your family member) would prefer to stop receiving birthday cards or other communications from UUSS.

Contact our UUSS Receptionist, Elaine Cooper with your correct information.

Thank you for helping us to keep our database up to date!