I n f o N e t : N e w s & U p d a t e s
July 3, 2020
Worship Service
"Independence Day: What's it about?"
What is Independence Day about? On one thing we’d probably agree: It’s about the spirit of both individual persons and their communal people. But is the Spirit of ’76 a call to focus on Independence? Or has that view caused us to lose sight of the true north star of the Declaration? Is there a higher call and promise from the Declaration to your spirit?

   Join the Virtual Coffee Hour for further discussion via Zoom after the
Sunday Service (11am), Zoom Meeting Link

 Check out our Virtual Gatherings & Worship Services page for more information about the programs we are using to bring UUSP to you
including our Meditation Sessions and our RE Lessons!
Letter from the Board

Eleven of your UU St Pete colleagues, along with 5,000 fellow UUs, attended the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) 51 st  General Assembly last week. 100% virtually, of course. Just four short months ago, such an undertaking seemed impossible. Imagine.
Four years ago, the UUA Commission on Institutional Change (COIC) launched a comprehensive investigation into the perennial problem of race in our faith community.  The Commission and the Report looked at the issues almost solely from the perspective of Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color. To continue the letter...
This Week at a Glance:
  Tuesday : 8am Weekly **Meditation reading, "Declarations: Wollstonecraft & Jefferson" After Pride" UUSP Meditations YouTube Channel
Tuesday: Zoom Lunchtime Check-in/Chat 12:pm ( Summer Schedule will meet July 7 & August 4).
Wednesday: July 29 * Zoom Discussion Adult Religious Studies: Albert Camus', the Plague, translated by Stuart Gilbert Summer Schedule
Thursday: Zoom* Citizen's Cafe' 12:00pm ( Summer Schedule - will meet July 30 & August 27) .
Many covenant groups and committees are meeting virtually; contact your group leader for details.
*Zoom links will be sent to all regularly and on the website.
Email Pastor Jack directly to be added or removed from the distribution list.
Building a Community in a Pandemic
  • July 4: 1pm Neighborhood Walk & Wave Zoom Review Connect with your UUSP neighbors on a morning walk & wave tour. Then at 1pm, connect with other walkers, share your experiences and pictures. Contact Sabine 
  • Zoom Meeting Link

  • July 6, 4pm - What Are You Watching? Join new board member, Dave Mapp, in sharing your favorite movies and shows, what you like/dislike, and why you do/don’t recommend for broad consumption. All favorite “picks” will be listed and shared. Contact: Sabine
  • Zoom Meeting Link

We are adding virtual E-vents to our UUSP calendar. Please reach out to Sabine (973-768-3256) if you need help accessing events OR if you have ideas for an event.
Pastor Jack's Weekly Message
Dear Friends,

Three messages from four pandemic months:

I.   The new church year has begun . Let me repeat the thanks expressed here a few weeks ago for all of you who are members of the congregation – for your caring support of one another and your persistence in doing what’s good for our world all this past church year. And again, particular thanks to those who have taken up the multiple leadership roles in the church, especially in pandemic conditions – too many to name - but deep thanks to each.

II. Overheard Virus Diagnosis: “Many folks are thinking they hate their spouse.”  Added Diagnosis : “And those who live alone?”
Prescription : Mindfulness Meditation** (a): the practice of becoming aware of how your mind works and sabotages you; and (b): the practice of turning your mindset into patience and appreciation.

III.  One reason Zoom is not always a great substitute for gathering: It can seem to confront you with a roomful of silent staring people - which evolution has caused mammals to read as hostility. Yikes!

IV.  Our current study , Daring Democracy , concludes by asking that we pledge to take one act for the democracy we want. First, maybe, five hours/week getting out the vote?

Keep in touch, keep well, keep caring.    
Pastor Jack      
Religious Education
Wednesday Zoom Adult Religious Studies Book Discussions
July 29, 2020, 10:00am & 7:00pm

Wednesday Adult Religious Studies Discussions For the Summer: Please note we are holding only one Wednesday Book Discussion Zoom meeting per month in July and August.  For July 29, it’s Nobel laureate Albert Camus’  The Plague , an inspiring reverent novel about humans in pandemic .  Click here for August reading and More...
Children's Religious Education:
July 5, 2020
Check out some great information in the weekly newsletter
What? - you aren't receiving it?
Please contact RE@UUStPete.org
 and click on the picture to the Left .
For this weeks' lesson from Ms. Trish and Ms. Jeanay, click on the recording box below.
This month’s theme for Religious Education is  Family .

Sabbath Space Week 4

To build a place that helps us remember what is important, nourishing and sacred in our lives .
Contemplative Meditation Readings
(Moving to Tuesday)

**How to do Mindful Meditation
  1. Set your alarm for 5 to 40 minutes;
  2. Sit erect, breathe deeply once or twice to relax;
  3. Watch your breathing ease to normal, observing breath come and go;
  4. Count in cycles of ten breaths if it helps you keep observing – or repeat a “sacred” word for focus (e.g., peace, grace, life, thanks, care, see, being);
  5. If deep focus is lost to extraneous thought, feeling, or sensation, note it simply as “thought” or “feeling” or “sensation” and return to your breath or word;
  6. Sometimes, for deeper peace, try shifting attention to consciousness itself or to your sense of being.
  7. When your timer goes off, remain awake.
UUSP Community
Did you miss the UUA Sunday Service last week???

The UUA General Assembly Sunday Worship Service Remains Online at UUA.ORG/GA/2020 . Excellent talks by UU ministers Mykal Slack and Joan Javier-Duval, as well as a superb rendition of “We Are” by Isaye Barnwell and choir.  Highly recommended to hear the call of our movement.

Staying Connected With Pastor Jack & Staff
Pastor’s Open-Air Office Hours:   :   For those experiencing a serious sense of isolation, you are welcome to contact Pastor Jack (352-327-6166)  to arrange a visit online or in the open air at the church.

For members with mobility limitations , upon request, he will be glad to visit with you at any open-air location (eg, backyards, porches, local parks).

Our UUSP staff members will continue their duties in a safe, cautious manner to the fullest degree possible. Our Church Office Administrator is now working from home and can be reached at officeuustpete.org@gmail.com .

During this challenging time, may we remember that we need to pay close attention to how everybody is doing and how we can help.   
Resources within UUSP
Joys/Concerns & Helping One Another: Share those joys you are having during this time of separation, as they will help us all feel the light. You may also have concerns. Just reach out to Pastor Jack or Patti Hanks, Care Committee so we can help lift you up or lift those that may need it through a message at Sunday Service or just to talk to them.
 
Our UUSP Sermons (printed or audio) are available on UUSP's website : 
For some of our services prior to the COVID-19 changes, Click the Spirituality tab, click Worship Services and Sermons. Scroll down the services and you will see "Sermons and Readings" and Audio Icon (small speaker). All Services from mid-March - current will now be on our UUSP YouTube Channel .
Thank you for your interest in UU St. Petersburg!
From me to you and to those around you Stay Safe and Stay Well!

Kelli DeGraw, part of your Communications Team.
Feedback and suggestions are welcome (pubs@uustpete.org).
Our mission is to be an inclusive , evolving religious community that inspires spiritual and intellectual growth to make our world a better place .
Unitarian Universalist Church of St. Petersburg
727.898.3294