Caring & Connected

CARING & CONNECTED

To sustain our community during uncertain times, let's share ways to

stay connected &

show compassion to others

22 June 2020 - issue 14

HOW CAN I HELP?

Racial Injustice and

How You Can Be Involved

in Solutions

The police brutality and violence we have witnessed across the country is intolerable. Many of us feel called to act. Members of the UUSP have a ready way to be involved with our brothers and sisters of color through FAST (Faith in Action for Strength Together) in creating systemic change. Please watch this short video made by FAST about this and our work on solutions. And please get involved with us to be part of the solution. FAST statement on racial justice

~ Pat Fling

Send Good Wishes

Dani Skrzypek had hip replacement surgery last Monday, June 15 and is recovering well. We look forward to seeing her up and around and feeling strong.

Want to Help Get Out

the Vote?

Andy Bragg is happy to talk to anyone about registering to vote, voting by mail or volunteering with these efforts. Click here to contact Andy.

HOW CAN I STAY CONNECTED?

Though the church remains closed and many have scattered to cooler climates, there are a number of ways to stay connected with our community.

From our YouTube channel:

Join us for Sunday Worship Service, premiering at 10:30am each Sunday, with Virtual Coffee Hour to follow at 11am. All recent virtual services are all available.
Duck into one of Jeanay & Trish's inspiring Religious Education classes.
Join one of Pastor Jack's contemplative meditation sessions.

Contact Pastor Jack for invitations to weekly check-in sessions, 12 noon Citizens' Cafe, and Wednesday book discussion groups. Many of our covenant groups are also active with weekly or monthly Zoom sessions.

ONGOING ACTIVITIES:

For the latest, check out

our webpage

"Virtual Gatherings

and Worship Services"

Wrap-Up: Caring & Connected E-newsletter

While this is the last issue, the new Board task force "Building Community" will be developing programs and activities so we can stay connected while we remain physically separated. The Social Justice & Caring teams will continue to identify ways we can help each other .

Stay tuned by reading InfoNet on Friday nights or contacting Sabine with ideas for the new "Building Community" team.

Thanks for reading. I've certainly enjoyed getting to know many of you better. ~ Sharon

Thank You for Caring

During these unsettling times I want to reflect on how thankful I am to belong to such a caring congregation. Yes — there is much to be done but by your actions you all give me hope that together, and with partners in our community, we can to take on the hard and lengthy work of supporting systemic change.

Over the years I have witnessed many examples — but your recent support for the farmworkers in Immokalee stands out. Thank you for signing petitions, writing emails and calling Governor DeSantis. Several of you also made 240 face masks for the workers and others donated funds. You are a very caring and generous congregation.

~ Karen Coale, co-chair UUSP Social Justice Committee

HOW IS...

Sharon Winters?

Sharon writes:

As a student of history, I'm profoundly moved by this period we're living through. The pandemic compels me to slow the pace and make more purposeful choices. The George Floyd murder and the resulting movement urge me to learn more about injustice and explore how we can make substantive progress.

There are moments when I think we won't see resolution in my lifetime and consider returning to the Europe of my ancestors. There are moments, like after listening to Bishop William Barber, when I feel hope and the persistence to see it through. And sometimes I just want to go for another long walk with Kendall and Maury or contemplate the possibilities of restoring an old cabin in the NC mountains.

While realism cannot determine the goals of our faith, it must shape our strategy in movements of moral dissent.

- William J. Barber II

Best wishes for an enriching summer,

~ Sharon Winters on behalf of the Communications Team