Weekly Message for UUSS
August 13, 2021
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Dear UUSS Congregation,
Greetings to you on this Friday the 13th. I don’t believe in dates or numbers fraught with bad luck, but I am amazed that it’s nearly the middle of August already!
As we plan for a new program year, Rev. Lucy and I invite you to join a Soul Matters group. Last year more than 100 members and newcomers joined a bi-weekly group. Registration starts today, and the groups will start in October on various days and times. Some groups will be on Zoom while others will be in person. Each group will have a trained facilitator who receives ministerial support. Reviews have been enthusiastic by participants and facilitators alike. Check it out!
We are planning on a Homecoming Service for September 12 when we can celebrate being together on site (with seamless participation on Zoom by those at home). But you don’t have to wait till then. You are welcome to attend services this month—just wear your mask and come at 10:45 so you can sign in. (No need for advance registration.) It’s been good to see so many of you in person!
Tomorrow is the second Saturday of the month, the day for our UUSS Stewards to gather at the Parkway to retrieve trash and build community. Dave Dawson returns as guest host!
There are still seats for next Saturday’s 2:00 p.m. ordination of Sangye Hawke to the ministry, so consider signing up. But lots of members from Sacramento and Santa Cruz County will be attending in our UUSS Zoom Stream. Amid a cast of notables, the ordination preacher is the Rev. Leslie Takahashi, lead minister of the Mount Diablo UU Church, the largest in our district. Leslie chaired the UUA’s Commission on Institutional Change and is the president-elect of our ministers’ association. Donations to UUSS to assist with ordination expenses (honoraria, invitations and food) are welcome.
Amid all the persistent uncertainties, painful news, and personal challenges we encounter, I’m so grateful for you. I have been holding you in my thoughts every day. Please be in touch if you need support. Rev. Lucy is gone through August 30, but I am here, as is our team of Pastoral Volunteers. For program and administrative needs, our staff is available, and soon it will grow... as we welcome a new music director!
Keep in touch and keep the faith,
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Soul Matters Small Groups are Starting up!
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 what matters most. Group activities are structured around monthly themes that are also used in worship and religious education.
These facilitated groups of 8-10 people will meet twice a month starting in October and ending in May.
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New UUSS Music Director—Anthony Tavianini |
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We are happy to introduce Anthony Taviani (he, him) as our next Music Director. Starting in September, he will direct our UUSS Choir and select and lead special Sunday music by volunteer and guest instrumentalists and singers.
He currently teaches voice and piano through the Sacramento Preparatory Music Academy. Previously, he spent seven years as the music director at St. Patrick Academy, teaching general music, instruments, voice, piano, and musical theater. A versatile singer and pianist himself, Anthony has been a regular performer with Sacramento Master Singers, Light Opera Theater of Sacramento, the All Voices Choral Project, Runaway Stage Productions, Green Valley Theater Company, Sacramento Opera, and opera companies in the bay area. His experience also includes vocal jazz, acapella, and barbershop.
He has worked as a musician at a diversity of congregations in this area and is excited to serve at UUSS, which resonates with his calling to music ministry and with his commitments to justice. He earned his Bachelor of Music in Voice and Music Education at Sacramento State, and his Master of Teaching through the University of San Francisco.
Interview committee members (Ann Hass, Mary Howard, Christopher Jensen, Beth TenPas, Rev. Lucy, Rev. Roger) were impressed by Anthony’s energy, musical versatility, leadership, flexibility, collaborative spirit, and his support of UU values and commitments. He shares our vision for enhancing worship and building community through music. He will be in touch with the choir as activities are planned. Join us in extending a welcome to Anthony when he is introduced at the service on Sept. 12.
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We extend our condolences to our member Jane Pivetti and family on the loss of her husband, Charles Pivetti on August 5. Rev. Roger will will lead a memorial service at Carmichael Park on Friday morning, August 20, at 11:00. The family welcomes memorial contributions to the Sacramento SPCA in Chuck's honor.
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You are welcome at UUSS for Sunday Services!
Guidance for Service Attendance
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The ministers, musicians, volunteers, and tech staff are now streaming on Zoom and Facebook from UUSS. You can be there too!
Starting this weekend we have a simpler way to attend and sign in:
Show up at 10:45 a.m. on Sunday and sign the contact list at the table in the Welcome Hall (staffed by two volunteers). If you have already registered for Sunday on the website or by calling the office, you need only tell the volunteers your name so they can check your name off the printed list.
After you check in and then make or retrieve your name tag, please meet the newcomers and greet old friends in the Welcome Hall or on the new patio. After we get our technical ducks in a row, the worship team will open the sanctuary doors at 10:55.
You will see a basket in the sanctuary to place your Shared Offering donations, or you may give by text, US Mail, or online. Thank you!
Please wear a mask inside or if any children are present outside.
We would love to have you join us!
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Upcoming Sunday Services
Join us for Worship Services:
All Sundays at 11:00 a.m.
Miss a service? You can find links to past services here.
Want to join us in person? Show up at 10:45!
Half of all offering donations made in August
will support our community partner:
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Sunday August 15, 11 AM: Caring for the Human Spirit
Rev. Cynthia Davis preaching, Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, Worship Associate Karen Sparrow, and Pianist Irina Tchantceva
What matters most as we face the inevitable losses of our lives is a worthy exploration for which few are well prepared to navigate. How do we begin? Who will guide us during our darkest hours? Cynthia, a UUSS member, is an Interfaith Hospice and Palliative Care Chaplain. She will share insights and stories from her ministry with those facing loss, exploring the nature and strength of the human spirit she is honored to witness and support in her daily journeys with those she serves.
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Sunday August 22, 11 AM: What Are We? Where Do We Come From? Youth Answers
Rev. Dr. Roger Jones with Junior High Youth Group members and volunteer leaders Cynthia Davis and Terrie Ray, Worship Associate Ginny Johnson, Pianist Irina Tchantceva.
"A riddle and a mystery" is the nature of life, wrote painter Paul Gaugin. For a year, our youth in grades 6-8 met online with adult leaders to explore questions about human nature and purpose, life and death, God and hope. In today's professional video made on UUSS grounds, the youth answer these questions and reflect on the gift of their friendship during the year of lockdown. Don't miss it!
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Recruiting Sunday Service Greeters for Fall!
Sign up Now!
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Are you a friendly person who likes to welcome people? The Welcome team is recruiting greeters for Sunday Services this fall. Two training sessions are planned on August 22 and 29. Contact welcome@uuss.org to sign up or get your questions answered.
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Join us for Wellspring Wednesday Conversations
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Wellspring Wednesday
Every Wednesday your ministers host a gathering for conversation and community-building. Each week of the month will focus on a specific theme. Join us for discussion, connection and learning together. All welcome!
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Farewell Wellspring Open House and Theological Summation!
August 18: Rev. Roger hosts the concluding session of Wellspring Wednesday online. Come to reflect on the many conversations we've had and connections we've made over the past year. With the increasing number of summer evening alternatives in this area, there is less of a need of an online presence on a weeknight than there was a year ago. Also, we have the hope of the resumption of Wednesday night choir practice in September. However, many of the features of Wellspring Wednesday (such as Life Stories of Our Elders) could be offered in the coming year on campus at UUUSS.
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Sangye Hawke’s Ordination Saturday, Aug. 21:
Reserve your seat now!
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On August 21, 2021 at 2:00PM UUSS and the UU Fellowship of Santa Cruz County are hosting Sangye Hawke’s ordination celebration in the UUSS Main Hall on Saturday. A reception on our beautiful covered patio will follow immediately.
We invite you to be part of this sacred rite of passage in person or on Zoom at www.uuss.org/online. In-person attendance will be limited to 50, not including those participating in the service; there is still room for you.
To reserve a seat email Celia Buckley or text your request to her at 916-261-1199.
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Donations Invited for Ordination Expenses |
Since the ordination expenses are not covered by the Operating Budget, donations will help defray the costs of this once-in-a-lifetime event (honoraria, invitations, food). We will split the costs with the Santa Cruz congregation. If you can help, please send your donation check to our bookkeeper at UUSS and indicate "ordination" on the memo line. You may also call Michele at 916-483-9283 with a credit card number, or if you have one on file, simply email Michele@uuss.org with the amount you would like to donate.
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Religious Education (RE) for
children and youth and families
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A Pocketful of Principles:
Summer Religious Education at Home
for all families and all ages!
We will meet again on Zoom next Sunday morning -August 22 at 9:00 AM.
Contact Miranda to get your supplemental materials in the U.S. Mail for our Summer RE theme. These lessons, songs, stories, and activities will give you new ways of understanding our 8 UU Principles, so you can "put them in your pocket" and pull them out when you're in need of guidance, inspiration or encouragement.
Our Unitarian Universalist Principles
Respect the worth and dignity of each person.
Offer fairness and kindness to one another.
You and I grow wiser and brighter together.
Goodness and curiosity guide our search for truth.
By listening deeply and deciding together, we make better choices.
I join you as we work for peace, freedom and justice,
Value and care for the web of life that connects us to all,
and Build the Beloved Community, free of racism and oppression.
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Groups, Gatherings, and Classes |
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Friday Morning Bookstore Hours at UUSS -
A masked volunteer staffs our Bookstore every Friday from 9:00-12:00. Sign up for a private shopping shift by contacting the Office by email or (916) 483-9283; wear a mask and bring a bag for good values on great reads--$1.00, hardback or paper. Also: CDs by UUSS musicians, books by UUSS authors UUSS Chalice Blend Coffee. Donations of new books are not yet being accepted.
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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. Now meeting in person at UUSS!
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River Parkway Stewards Cleanup his Saturday morning!
Come out Saturday, August 14, for our regular monthly cleanup on the “UUSS mile” of the American River Parkway! We meet between 8:45-9:00AM in the parking lot, next to the levee, at the end of Northrop Ave, off Howe Av, behind Panera Bread. We sign in; trash bags are issued and new folks are oriented to the area and the service we provide.
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Remember to wear good shoes, bring gloves, a hat, a mask if you wish, a water container, perhaps a “grabber”, and your volunteer spirit…. it will be sunny and extremely warm so dress accordingly.
Since I will be gone for a memorial service for a friend out of town this Saturday, you will be greeted by an old friend who will be signing you in, handing out bags, and probably accompanying you to Panera afterwards… none other than Dave Dawson pictured here.
We hope to see you out there,
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Reading and Responding to Poetry with JoAnn Anglin. 1st and 3rd Monday each month at 10:00am via Zoom link here. The poem for discussion next Monday, August 16, at 10:00 AM, is I would Like, by Jane Hirshfield. It can be seen online here.
Those interested in this Lectio Divina discussion can gather via Zoom, just as you would for an online Sunday Service at UUSS.
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Message from Racial Justice Committee
1. If you are on the racial justice email list and you did not receive an email on August 6th announcing the Aug 9th discussion topic and resources, please check your junk or spam folder(s). We think the message went awry and that many of you (and us) did not receive it.
2. If you missed the August meeting, don't worry, we postponed the discussion to September 13th.
3. Wednesday morning discussions have had dwindling attendance so we are canceling that offering for now.
4. Stay tuned for more, and different, offerings for learning about racial justice and how to practice anti-racism.
5. Action needed: one person to keep the racial justice webpage up to date. No need for highly specialized knowledge but comfort and/or skill with updating webpage content is required. A few hours of time would be needed to get started but then only one to three hours per month on an ongoing basis. A member of the Racial Justice team will give the updates or new content.
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UUSS Engaged with the Community |
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Sandwich Brigade next week, 8/16 and 8/18 |
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To those of you who help to feed hungry people, please update your calendars.
Sandwich Brigade is Monday, 8/16 and Wednesday, 8/18. Please deliver your PB&J sandwiches, with a fruit, protein/granola bar, napkin and a wipe, if you have one, to UUSS on either Monday or Wednesday, 8/16 or 8/18 by 10:00 am. Water does not go into the lunch bag.....it is handled separately. Thanks to all of you. -- Sally Wilkins
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Family Promise is Still Going Strong |
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Family Promise had planned to reopen this September, but is holding off until the first of 2022 due to the Covid-19 Delta variant.
However, UUSS, and the other congregations involved in the program still send grocery cards and other donations to Family Promise in order to feed our families, who are now housed in a hotel in Natomas. Since March 2020, when Family Promise had to discontinue providing "in-church" room and board, we have helped 17 families. Some have graduated to finding permanent housing; others have moved out of the area. Most have found full time jobs.
Since we will not be able to host the guests here in-house this month, the Family Promise Board has asked each participating church or synagogue to help with housing costs and grocery cards during its assigned week.
The cost per week is approximately $1,900. I'm hoping we can help out by donating to Family Promise during this week. www.familypromisesacramentoca.org will take you to the "DONATE" page. If you haven't yet been involved in Family Promise and would like to explore doing so, please contact Sally Wilkins, Chair, Family Promise-UUSS. My email and number are in the UUSS Directory. Thank you.
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We come together to deepen our lives and be a force for healing in the world. |
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