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Weekly Message
for August 27, 2020
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Empty Bowls Event Tonight at 7:00
Supporting River City Food Bank
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CORRECTION! I goofed in last week's Message. TONIGHT at 7:00 is the Empty Bowls fundraiser  for River City Food Bank. It's free, but donations will be invited to support the mission of making healthy food accessible to our neighbors. Register at rivercityfoodbank.org; bid on lovely handmade bowls at eb2020.ggo.bid.
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Pastoral Message of the Week
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 Dear Congregation,
I'm grateful for the cooler weather and for the unpredictable hours of cleaner air blowing through my neighborhood, and for a local sky that looks more blue than it did a week ago. Yet my soul is not easy. I'm outraged at the news of another young man of color, a father with three children in the car, shot seven times in the back by a police officer in Kenosha, paralyzing him. Let's hold in our hearts Mr. Jacob Blake, his wife and children, and his parents.
If this were not heartbreaking enough, a white teenager, a self-declared militia vigilante from nearby Illinois, murdered two protesters and injured others by firing his rifle into a group of nonviolent, unarmed protesters in Kenosha. And if this weren't enough, the Vice President of the U.S. and the Governor of South Dakota--in their televised political convention speeches--conflated the act of non-violent protest with the acts of looting and vandalism. And they did not call out the maiming of Jacob Blake or the killing of protesters. In case anyone still asks you why your church has a banner proclaiming "Black Lives Matter Here," you need only keep saying the names of those who have been killed without provocation. Moreover, the Covid-19 pandemic is hitting brown and black people in much greater proportion than it is hitting white people. As the protests remind us, all lives will not matter in this nation until we show that black lives matter.
I'm grateful that Sacramento ACT has organized faith communities for a public event this Sunday--a socially-distant, car-based processional, From Lament to Hope. Please read about it mid-way through this Message. Also I'm grateful to our Racial Justice Team for providing twice-monthly conversations on race, racism, and white supremacy culture in the United States. Their next meeting is Monday, Sept. 7, at 7:00 p.m. This may seem like a small step, yet it is part of living our our strategic plan and our mission and values. It moves us toward our vision of a world of peace and safety for everyone.
Of course there are many activities varied coming up which extend our mission in other ways. I hope you will take this chance to learn about them, and feel invited. Take good care.
Yours in faith, P.S.-- I will be on vacation after Zoom church this Sunday (Aug. 30) and not responding to messages or calls till Labor Day (Sept. 7). Rev. Lucy and our amazing staff are available, however.
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Sundays at 11:00 a.m.
Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, August 30, 11:00 a.m.
"Embodied Practice/Life as Dance"
Allison Claire, preaching
Rev. Lucy Bunch and Celia Buckley, Worship Associate
Let It Be A Dance. UUSS member Allison Claire has taken up Rev. Lucy's challenge to dance one minute for every hour of work. Come hear about her experience, and let's continue our exploration of embodied spirituality.
Tuesday, Sept. 1, 7:00 p.m.
"I Second That Emotion"
Why are some emotions seen as better than others? Frances Myers and Karen Sparrow will talk about why even the "bad" emotions are good for you.
Be our Chalice lighter! We invite you to be an
on-screen chalice lighter--as individuals or as families--on a Sunday. You can light your home chalice or candle for all of us at the beginning of the service and extinguish at the end.
We'll Zoom you into the morning service. We hope to see more beloved and familiar faces.
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Invitation to Ordination Ceremony Aug. 29
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Rev. Roger & Rev. Lucy will be participating in the ceremony when the congregation of Sierra Foothills Unitarian Universalists ordains A. J. van Tine to the UU ministry.
And you are invited! No need to drive up the hill and find parking in Auburn, as this will be an online ceremony. A.J. and his wife Ada were here over a year ago when he gave a sermon in our pulpit. We were a neutral pulpit so the Auburn search committee could see him preach. They recommended him and their congregation called him. Now they will ordain him!
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Calling all Questions for the
Question Box Service on September 6
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For Unitarian Universalists, questioning is part of our faith journey. On Sunday September 6 you will have a chance to bring your questions forth for Rev. Lucy to answer during the service. And she will have some questions for you as well!
What's your question? Is it about UU faith and belief, the meaning of life, or the best donuts in Sacramento? Nothing is off the table, but she reserves the right to choose which questions to answer, and no anonymous questions will be considered. You are welcome to submit your questions in advance to Rev. Lucy. Feel free to submit multiple questions but only one will be answered during the service.
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Connections:
Classes and Gatherings
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Dr. Jerry Houseman! |
Do UUs Know as Much as Grade School Kids?
Our new Friday game show--all ages welcome!
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon Fridays in our Zoom space.
Compare your knowledge of elementary school subjects with the knowledge of prizewinning elementary students to see if your team knows as much as the kids. For this family-friendly game show, our questions come from the elementary school subjects of Numbers, Natural Science, English, the Arts, History and Geography. Come join the fun!
 InterPlay led by Rev. Lucy and friends Takes place the second and fourth Saturday morning of the month, 10:30 to noon. InterPlay is a series of forms that combine movement, storytelling, stillness, and sound to access your body wisdom. Take an opportunity to tune in, connect with others, give yourself moments of ease, and be playful! If you are looking for a way to have fun and insights all at once, come join us! Next session is September 12 . Link here. Learn more about here.
Ted's Web Every Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. join the group for a discussion of the politics of the day. Named in honor of our late Minister Emeritus, Rev. Theodore Webb. Zoom Link.
Wellspring Wednesday with our Ministers
Join us every Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom. Come to our Wednesday night variety offering for community, celebration, learning and fun. We gather at 7:00 for 60-90 minutes.
 Meditation & Mindfulness Practices
Monday, 14, 6:00-6:40p.m.
with teacher Ann Kronser and host Judy Bell from Adult Enrichment In the Zoom streamon the second and fourth Monday evenings.
 Death Positive Movie Series September 4 at 6:30 PM Featuring the Dying Green a film that explores a variety of ways to experience green burial and preserve land and the environment. Join via Zoom link here.
Theology on Tap Friday, Sept. 4 , at 7:00 p.m. The first Friday of each month. Bubbly conversation on yeasty topics of a UU flavor. Bring a beverage of your choice to your computer screen. Greet others in the large room, and then we go into small breakout rooms to reflect and share on one of many deep topics. Link here. Cheers!
Saturday Stitchers and Crafters
Join Zoom Meeting ID: 879 9370 7268 Password: 730774us Saturday, September 5, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 for a visit with your old an and new friends and your favorite craft project. All welcome! Join via Zoom link.
 Parent Voices September 6, 8:00 p.m.
The first Sunday of the month, supportive conversa tions with parents and grandparents, hosted by Miranda. The group is discussing "Growing UUs: A Recipe Book." Get link here.
Reading and Responding to Poetry
with JoAnn Anglin. Monday, Sept 7, Labor Day, at 10:00 AM. "Shirt" written by Robert Pinsky is our poem. It poetically considers all the the hands and history that go into a simple, everyday garment. The poem can be seen here. https://poets.org/poem/shirt
The first and third Mondays of every month in our open Zoom space--Zoom link here.
Six-Week Dream Group - Aug. 28, Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26.
Participants interested in joining the UUSS Dream Group, lay-led by Tiffany Urness on Zoom, should contact her via email prior to the first session, Monday, August 24, 10 AM to get the link and the guidelines. The group is limited to eight members; preference given to those who are able to commit to attending most dates.
Support this program:There is no charge for the group sessions, but freewill contributions are welcome. You may donate by PayPal at uuss.org/donate, text your amount to (855) 935-2216, an initial setup is required or mail a check to UUSS Adult Enrichment, 2425 Sierra Blvd., Sacramento, 95825.
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Soul Matters--a New Group Program at UUSS
Registration is now open!
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Groups will begin the second week of October.
Registration closes on September 15th.
Soul Matters groups meet twice a month to build connections, and provide a place where participants can share and discuss. Group activities are structured around monthly themes that are also used in worship and religious education.
These facilitated groups of around 8 people will meet twice a month starting in October and ending in May. An open group is available year-round for newcomers or those who miss the initial registration.
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Religious Education for
children and youth
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Spirit Play
every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. for those in
grades K-5. With RE Coordinator Miranda Massa and adult volunteers. Maintaining our connections, remembering our Rainbow Promises, and sustaining our sense of wonder, online together. Get links here.
Junior High Youth Group
Sunday, Sept. 6, 4:00 p.m.
1st and 3rd Sundays at 4:00 p.m for those in grades 6-7-8.
Making friendships, finding support and joy, online together,
with a team of adult volunteer leaders.
Senior High Youth Group (SHYG)
SHYG is taking a pause till the fall. For an occasional youth or family game and movie night, stay connected through the RE Outreach by writing to re@uuss.org.
Parent Voices
Adult conversation: How to Grow a UU (A Recipe Book)--The first Sunday of the month, with parents and grandparents, hosted by Miranda Massa. Get link here.
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Interfaith Event: From Lament to Hope
Car Procession on Sunday Aug. 30 at 3:00 p.m.
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Gather for reflection and discussion on Racial Justice: 1st & 3rd Mondays of each month
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You are all welcome to the next racial justice conversation: Monday, September 7, at 7:00 p.m., using the main Zoom link on the UUSS website.
If you missed the last meeting, links to the material are below.
Slave Trade:
Additional Resources:
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No time to be on the sidelines
Encourage voting nationwide! Reverse voter suppression!
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Even from our isolation, we can all encourage people to vote with phone calls and postcards. You can join the non-partisan efforts of UU the Vote or Reclaim Our Vote (another organization with which UUSS folks are working right now) by emailing Judy at adultenrichment@UUSS.org.
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While there are no church programs or UUSS-hosted or sponsored group activities for the time being, there are plenty of people taking advantage of our campus when the weather is cool and clear enough to be outside.
The UUSS campus is open to those who want to stroll the meadows and  Labyrinth, sit in the shade in the abundant UURTHSONG GARDEN, see the new Patio Cover structure as well as the many other improvements on our campus, renew your sense of the place, do some chores, or buy some coffee or books, or drop off a financial donation at the office.
Friday Morning Bookstore Shopping--
Sign up for a 30-minute exclusive shopping visit, between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. on Fridays. Sign up by email with our Office, or call in advance. A volunteer will keep a safe distance. Wear a mask and wash your hands  before and after your visit. New books won't be shelved until a week after donation.
We have affordably-priced used fiction and non-fiction, children's books, and new books related to Unitarian Universalism. There are new books written by UUSS poets, ministers and o
 ther authors, plus CDs by UUSS musicians. UUSS Chalice Blend Coffee available in the Bookstore ($12 each).
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"Generosity is a spiritual practice."
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The Effie Yeaw Nature Center in Ancil Hoffman Park is a nature preserve in this urban area, a place of retreat and learning along the banks of our American River.
Through school and public programs, the Nature Center promotes environmental literacy as it brings people to nature and nature to people. With social distancing we are able to visit its 100-acre nature preserve, with pop-up nature center stations to engage us all as we go along its nature trails.
 The Center's naturalists are providing online classes every week to people of allages, including kids at schools that serve high-poverty areas. Nature Center staff are keeping its injured birds, reptiles and other Animal Ambassadors housed and cared 7 days a week. Getting people of all ages closer to nature is good for our own sake and the health of the world.
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UUSS OFFICERS & BOARD of TRUSTEES
Sally White, President
Denis Edgren, Vice-President
Victoria Owens, Treasurer
Anara Guard, Secretary
David Harlow, Trustee at Large
Marilyn Reynolds,Trustee at Large
Hally Cahssai,Trustee at Large
Eric Ross, Trustee at Large
Tonie Darling, Trustee at Large
Board meetings: 7:00 p.m., 4th Thursday of every month.
PROGRAM COUNCIL
Susan Davis, Co-chair
Margaret Wilcox, Co-chair
Tina Chiginsky
Lorri Reynard
Debby Powell
Jon Peterson
Program Council meetings: 7:00 p.m.,
3rd Thursday of every month.
Ministers
Rev. Dr. Roger Jones--on vacation Aug. 31 to Sept. 7-- and Rev. Lucy Bunch
Rev. Douglas Kraft, Minister Emeritus
Church Staff Members Krystal Gollaher, Administrative and Facilities Coordinator Michele Ebler, Bookkeeper ~ Elaine Cooper, Receptionist Miranda Massa, Religious Education Coordinator Keith Atwater, Music Director ~ Irina Tchantceva, Pianist Shannon Ebler and Leticia Valdez, Childcare Providers Miguel Neri - Friday to Sunday, Custodian ~ Jesus Hoyos - Sunday thru Thursday, Evening Custodian Ivan Caballero, Sunday Audio Tech ~ Dirk Tuell, Web Master/Tech Support
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| UUSS Mission | |
We come together to deepen our lives and be a force for healing in the world.
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