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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:
With considerable sadness,
We announce the departure of Cathy Norris from her role of UUSP office administrator. Cathy has juggled so many demanding roles in her several years with UUSP, keeping people informed, overseeing the comings and goings of building users, and keeping records straight – all with a warm and welcoming spirit. Today, Friday, March 5th, is her last day. The Board and the Personnel Committee have begun the search for a new office administrator, but we know we will greatly miss Cathy’s kindness, competence and dependability.
Thank you, Cathy.
Pastor Jack
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Outdoor Worship Service Viewing this Sunday @4pm. Details Below. |
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Pastor Jack's Sunday Morning
Zoom Discussion Group
9:15 am
Discussing Source #5 from which the UU tradition draws in our search for truth and meaning: Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit. Discussion starter: Have science and humanism influenced your beliefs, behavior or being?
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Sunday Morning Women's Discussion/Covenant Group
9:15-10:15am
March 7: Your Five Self-Commitments
March 13 (NOTE: Saturday, 10 a.m.-12 noon) F-2-f Get Together
March 21: Your Questions: Commitment
March 28: Your 30-Day Challenge
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March 8: Contemplative
“As Long as Earth Can Flower” from Alice Walker
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Noon Zoom Cafe Check-In,
March 9
UUSP’s mid-week opportunity to check in with one another and with our wider communities in the news.
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Learn how to meditate here. |
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Adult Religious Studies Zoom Discussion
March 11,
A People’s History, chapter 5, “The Progressive Era, 1905-1935”.
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The Board of Trustees meet this upcoming
Thursday, March 11,
5:30-7:30 pm.
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Come volunteer or provide a dish every Friday at
Email Sabine for more details on how you can be of help!
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Pastor Jack's Weekly Message |
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UU Friend
City of St. Pete News Too Important Not to Put in Our Newsletter: Last week at Police Chief Holloway’s monthly report to local clergy, his team announced a new public safety program - the Community Assistance and Life Liaison program (CALL). In response to mental health emergencies, a CALL team of two mental health professionals will be sent to stabilize and resource those in need. During the initial six-month pilot project, a police officer will be posted near the site, but not involved unless requested by the CALL team.
CALL will be managed by Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services, known for its excellence in the key areas of mental health, substance abuse, neighborhood issues, youth, and poverty. Initial contacts can be made via 911 or through Pinellas Wellness Connection at 727-791-3131.
The program is based on several models from cities successful in providing services and avoiding police contact, arrest and reliance on the Baker Act. Our mayor and city council have approved the pilot project, with plans for budget continuation. This is similar to what UUSP as part of FAST is asking from Pinellas County.
I think it will be very helpful for the spirit of St. Pete.
Appreciate hearing your thoughts. And, fittingly, a wonderful Women’s History Month to all,
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Wednesday Zoom Adult Religious Studies
Religious Studies Discussions
March 10 @ 10:00 am
Discussing selections from John Buehrens’ Universalists and Unitarians in America: A People’s History, chapter 5, “The Progressive Era, 1905-1935”.
The Zoom link will be sent out Tuesday. Contact Pastor Jack if you have questions or don't get the link on Tuesday
On the 3rd Wednesdays, we’ll forego a meeting so folks may attend the African American Heritage Association monthly presentations.
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Sunday Children's Religious Education:
March's Theme is
"Commitment"
When we think about commitment, we think first about our Unitarian Universalist commitment to asking questions and being curious. We encourage people to ask questions of wonder. We support people as they ask questions of doubt. Far from outlawing doubters and questioners, our faith places them at the center. So, what’s one of the ways our non-conformist faith guides us into becoming a people of Commitment? It tells us to “Never lose your commitment to being curious!”
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What? - You aren't receiving it the
RE Weekly Newsletter?
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Don’t forget our covenant groups continue to meet monthly, these days mainly on Zoom. We currently have eleven covenant groups in the congregation with over 100 people participating. A Covenant Group is a group of 10 or so people who gather regularly (at least monthly) to share and converse about how life is going for the individuals in the group and often for our wider circles of life. Contact Pastor Jack for help to join a group.
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Building a Community in a
Pandemic E-vents
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UU Supporter the Communications Team would love your input! We are looking to change the name of our Infonet. Take a sec and see the choices we have below. |
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Select the title that catches your eye!
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Outdoor Worship Service Viewing |
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We will be hosting our outdoor Worship Service viewing once again in the back patio of the church.
We will be following all church social distancing protocols. The viewing will begin at 4:00 Sunday the 7th. We will stick around to watch Nic Filzen's ordination ceremony!
Hope to see you there!
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For Those coming to the Outdoor Worship Service - Stay and Participate in Nic Filzen's Ordination |
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Join Us for the Ordination of Nicholas Filzen
March 7 at 5pm EST - 2pm PT!
Come celebrate as the Unitarian Universalist Church of Saint Petersburg and the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara co-ordain Nic as a Unitarian Universalist Minister. Nic was the previous Music Director at UUSP when he felt his mission change to the UU Ministry.
For many reasons, the event will be virtual, which allows more folks around the country and world to participate and attend. Rev. Dr. William Schulz (former Executive Director of Amnesty International USA, former President of the Unitarian Universalist Association, and former President and CEO of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee) will be offering the sermon from his home near Boston. There will also be live music from the US southeast by the bluegrass band, "My Girl, My Whiskey, and Me!"
You may join us on zoom using this link:
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Part Time Office Administrator Needed
The Unitarian Universalist Church of St. Petersburg is looking for a part-time Office Administrator to perform communications, office and facilities-related functions for a vibrant congregation of 150+ members in downtown St. Petersburg. The position is primarily self-directed under the general supervision of the Minister. It requires initiative and a welcoming, flexible manner in accordance with the church’s mission to be "an inclusive, evolving religious community that inspires spiritual and intellectual growth to make our world a better place."
The hourly wage is $20 an hour. During the pandemic church closure the position works 10-15 hours a week; upon re-opening the position works 25 hours a week.
For details, a full position description and to submit an application, contact Rev. Jack Donovan at jfdonovan@bellsouth.net.
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UUSP Southside Food Bridge
Carla Bristol (Southside coordinator) very happy and thankful for our monthly donations. Carla has made no suggestions for changing focus on ready to eat nonperishable high protein food. The pop top cans are great but not necessary. Remember, she distributes to a mix of locations serving homeless, families, and individuals who are “food insecure.” Also can use some wipes and hand sanitizer.
SPECIAL WISH: She is also looking for shelving to use in new pantry on SP Youth Farm property. Contact Karen Coale for delivery and information about her urban farm.
Drop off your donations by Wednesday, March 10 at 11:00am at one of these locations:
Karen/Dave Coale: 111 26th Ave NE, St Pete
Gay/ Billy: 6220 14th Ave S, Gulfport
Dani/Deb:: 6051 3rd Ave. S, St Pete
Virginia/Cal: 4562 14th Ave. N, St Pete
LOVE, PEACE, HEALTH, HUMOR, SERVICE
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Update from Coalition for Immokalee Workers (CIW):
Over 100 farmworkers, religious leaders, students and Southwest Florida allies come together at a vigil to call for justice for farmworker, Nicolas Morales, killed last September by Collier County Sheriff’s deputies.
The vigil, which occurred on February 28th, marked the beginning of an urgent campaign for justice and long-overdue police reforms necessary to change the way Collier County Sheriff Office (CCSO) deputies serve and protect the farmworker community of Immokalee. Specifically the Immokalee community demands include:
- Launch a federal investigation into Nicolas’s shooting.
- Form and implement effective, accessible Crisis Response Teams, pairing police and mental health professionals, to respond to calls in Immokalee where mental health is a potential issue.
- Establish an Immokalee-specific Citizens’ Review Panel with meaningful powers and address the need for community participation in the investigation and correction of the use of force by CCSO personnel.
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STAY ALERT:
We are entering the FAST lane!
Our big Action is March 22 (via Zoom) to ask County officials to explain and change their intentions and practices.
Click below if you would like to be put on our UUSP/FAST contact list and/or get the Zoom invitation for the March Events.
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Thank you for your interest in
Unitarian Universalist Church of St. Petersburg!
Stay Safe and Stay Well!
Kelli DeGraw,
part of your Communications Team.
Feedback and suggestions are welcome
(reply to this email). For technical support, click the button below.
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Our UUSP staff members will continue their duties safely, cautiously to the fullest degree possible.
Thank you, Cathy, Jeanay, Jon, and James, And many volunteers!
During this challenging time, may we remember that we need to pay close attention to how everybody is doing and how we can help.
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Our mission is to be an inclusive, evolving religious community
that inspires spiritual and intellectual growth to make our world a better place.
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Unitarian Universalist Church of St. Petersburg
727.898.3294
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