UUCSC News and Updates
Weekly on Fridays
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Volume III * Issue 23 * November 18, 2022 | |
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of South County, RI
All are welcome!
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This Sunday, November 20, 2022 | |
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Worship
In Person and on Zoom 10:00 am
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Religious Exploration
In Person
10am-noon
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"Bread Communion"
Lee Cowan and
Rev. Denis Letourneau Paul
Communions come in all different forms. They're all ways of sharing something, usually food, with the purpose of building community and connections. In honor of Thanksgiving and the tradition of sharing family favorites, everyone is invited to bring in their favorite bread (or simple cake) to share after this service for all ages.
Order of Service
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Gratitude
I hope you enjoy the video above. It always brings tears to my eyes. Choose the "closed caption" option so you can read along.
And I can't help but share a Kid President video about gratitude. He brings me so much joy. Also, check out my RE newsletter from last year for a lot of Thanksgiving resources.
I am so grateful for all of you and for everything we share together.
Below is a sampling of the beautiful paper we made last week. Thank you Barbara Pagh! We will have some for sale at our Holiday Fair, along with colorful mini lanterns.
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This week for my “Minister is on Furlough” column I am going to use the format that retired ProJo sports writer, Bill Reynolds, used for his Saturday mornings “Musings”. I loved his column, and I don’t even appreciate sports like most “normal” people do.
- Our Beloved Community is humming along nicely. Of course, this doesn’t mean that things are easy—lots of work is going on to put together the Holiday Fair (TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW ABOUT IT!) December 3rd, 9am-3pm
- Last year in late November Rev Denis, Jean Burke and I were writing his agreement to work with UUCSC as our minister. What a difference a year makes!
- UUSoCo v UUCSC: The Communications Committee has an idea for an informal nickname, NOT a name change "UU at Lily Pads." Please read more about it and give us your opinion by responding to this short two-question survey.
- The Trans Day of Joy held on Saturday at the Contemporary Theater was amazing. On Tuesday the Westerly Sun printed my observations of the event. See "Stay In The Loop at UUCSC" below for photos and details. Wonderful weather, solid presence by UUCSC (though the tent was in danger of becoming airborne) and just an all-around feelgood event. Thank you to the members of the Social Action Planning Committee that made it happen: Cathy Solomon, Etta Zasloff and Penny Hall.
- Are you following our Instagram account @uucscri.org (same account, new handle)?
- Speaking of Instagram have you followed @movingbroadmoor? This is one of the MOST interesting things I encountered on my bike rides this fall!!!!
- I have been enjoying doing my Christmas shopping at the Wakefield Mall, mostly in the bookstore. And I am not asking anyone what they want but rather buying or making something small that I think they’d like—very satisfying way to do the Christmas thing.
- I did a lot of Christmas shopping in year’s past at the UUCSC Holiday Fair, especially the White Elephant table---can’t beat the prices!
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- And finally, a puzzle for you: How much does this bag of baking soda weigh? Hint--the flour weighs 5 lbs., the cereal is 1.5 lbs.
Peace, love and pancakes,
Elizabeth
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Chalica is a new UU holiday, one that we can claim for ourselves as a celebration of our principles. It’s a week-long Festival of Lights that this year runs from December 5 to December 11. Chalica is a great opportunity for families to create new traditions that come from our own values, rather than the creeds of other religions. It's a way to live into our shared faith in a way that is fun, engaging and memorable for our children.
The name of the holiday derives from the word chalice and has as its core practices of lighting a chalice each day and reflecting on our principles. Families and congregations are creating their own rituals and traditions for celebrating together, and some are making their way into the UU lexicon.
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* Send your sweet or savory bean recipes to Lee who will compile them to share
* Make simple, homemade gifts to share with family and friends.
* Nurture narcissus blooms in your home.
* Get a chalice or polish up the one you have. You could even make one!
* Make a seven-pointed star from sticks and stud it with twinkle lights.
* Invite a (non-UU, perhaps?) friend or family member to join you for dinner
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Sunday, December 4
at 10AM: Worship will include a “procession of colors” with the children, unveiling our Chalica decor, and singing songs written for the holiday.
Wednesday, December 7 at 6PM: Chalica dinner (not a potluck!) with a traditional meal of beans, rice and sauces from different continents, followed by dessert.
Suggested donation is $7 per person or $18 per family. Nobody turned away.
Sunday, December 11
at 10AM: Worship will include stories of Chalica, a gift exchange, and a “recession of colors.” Bring homemade gifts to share if you wish!
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Stay in the Loop at UUCSC | |
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Coordinating Council Report
An engaging Coordinating Council meeting was held on November 9, 2022. Our committees are busy. Interesting reading! Really!
Submitted by Elizabeth Donovan
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UUCSC at the "Trans Day of Joy" | |
The UUCSC Social Justice Team created a “compassion tent” where people wrote messages of love and support to put on the “wall” of the tent while enjoying cookies and pastries. The outdoor event, held at The Contemporary Theater in Wakefield, featured speakers, information about local organizations, available resources, and actions to take in support of transgender equality in the state. The mood was truly joyous and the crowd was supportive. | |
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Organized by LGBTQ Action RI, the event marked the start of the annual Transgender Awareness Week which culminates on November 20 with the Transgender Day of Remembrance, an observance to honor the memory of transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence.
Submitted by Cathy Solomon, Social Justice Chair
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'A Christmas Carol' returns
to UUCSC, December 9th
Nick Smith brings Updike's Rose back for their unique presentation of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," Friday, December 9, 7 pm. Doors open at 6:30. Donations accepted at the door. A family oriented show.
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UUCSC front walk project update
The chairman of the Men's Breakfast, Ed Burrell, and Russell Stokes have been making progress on the front walk parking lot extension over the past several weeks, and now the walk is basically completed. Assisted by Charlie Donnelly and Jeff Berry with emotional support from Will Bender, Ed was out there rain or shine. Keep in mind most of the work is being done with a lot of discussion about many things including the meaning of life.Thanks to all involved!
Submitted by Will Bender
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Saturday, December 3 from 9 am to 3pm
View the flyer for more information
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BAKE SALE
Let’s make a lot of money for our congregation!
At our Holiday Fair on Dec. 3, the Membership Committee will be
hosting a bake sale table. Please be generous with your baking and help our congregation. Bring goodies -wrapped to sell, starting at 8am. Pies are a big seller. Please label if items have allergens – nuts, dairy, gluten.
Any questions, please email or call:
Gerre Alderwick (401) 207-4999 OR Val Follett at (401) 789-7282
Thanks from the whole Membership Committee!
Submitted by Val Follett
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White Elephant Sale
Donate clean and desirable items for this favorite fundraiser. Everything should be in good condition and working order.
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Deliveries can be made to UUCSC until Nov. 30, but no later. If you can deliver things in boxes rather than bags it will be easier for volunteers to handle. Contact Mary Fulton with any questions
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Help gather greens, make wreaths and design bows for the Holiday Fair! On November 30 a group of us will gather greens. On December 1 we will gather in the Oneto Room ( bring your own clippers and wire cutters) from 10-1pm to create festive holiday decorations to sell at the December 3rd fair. Many hands make light work and beautiful creations! Contact Mary Finnegan if you are interested in participating in any part of the process!
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Jewelry Table
at the Holiday Fair
Jean Bowen and Cindy Berry would like your previously cherished jewelry to sell at the Winter Boutique Holiday Fair on Dec 3rd.
This popular table features your costume, silver jewelry and even those tiny gold chains in the corner of your jewelry boxes. We welcome your donations before November 28th.
Submitted by Jean Bowen
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Current Community Connections | |
Honoring Native American Heritage Month
Public Talking Circle
Free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged, click here. Aiming to generate ideas and gather suggestions on how to achieve the goals of the recently published 2022 Rhode Island Civic Health Index. -- Submitted by Johnnie Rodriguez
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Thanks to the hard work of more than 40,000 Big Senders, nearly 5 million voters received letters encouraging them to participate in our democracy, and this week, we saw strong voter turnout for the midterm elections!
Now, the Georgia Senate race is headed to a runoff, and voters will decide who to send to the U.S. Senate on December 6. We'll be writing to young voters of color who are registered but we think may be unlikely to vote. Will you join us to write letters to Georgia voters encouraging them to vote in this critical runoff election?
Submitted by Mary Fulton
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Media Literacy in a
Post-Truth World
"Mind Over Media"
Wed, November 30, 2022
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM EST
Salve Regina University 36 Ochre Point Avenue
O'Hare Academic Center Bazarsky Lecture Hall Newport, RI 02840
Propaganda and disinformation are changing the nature of how citizens view authority and reshaping how we understand the world around us. In an era where fake news is the domain of politicians, corporations, and even hostile nation-states, Renee Hobbs, Director of the Media Education Lab at the University of Rhode Island, offers insights on how to decide what to believe and who to trust as well as effective ways to think critically and reflect upon the news and information we process every day. Dr. Renee Hobbs, URI professor and founder of the Media Education Lab at URI will speak . REGISTER
This event is in partnership with the League of Women Voters of Newport County. Free.
Submitted by Etta Zasloff
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URI 59th Annual Honors Colloquium
Focus... Just Good Food:
Creating Equitable, Sustainable, and
Resilient Food Systems
Tuesdays in the Fall 7:00 PM
Edwards Auditorium or online.
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This war rages on...
The UUCSC Share the Plate committee recommends one of these four organizations that are providing support to Ukrainians in crisis.
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Bethany Sorrentino, Helping Hands Coordinator
Don't be afraid to ask for help - helping hands are here!
Helping hand volunteers are also needed.
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List of Black owned businesses from RI Monthly magazine. Patronize these businesses all year long. This small effort can help undo racism. Please send pics and reviews to Etta for sharing here and on website.
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How to Submit Info to This Newsletter | |
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Send announcements and news with Newsletter Item in the subject line to Sara Kaplow, Congregational Administrator, at uucscri@gmail.com and Etta Zasloff, Editor, at zasloff.etta@gmail.com by Tuesday Noon
to assure publication by Friday of that week.
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