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Weekly Message from UUSS
December 17, 2021
Dear Ones -

Bummer!  COVID cases are on the rise and we can’t have our brunch after the Labyrinth walk on New Year’s Day. It's just too cold to eat outside, and its not prudent to eat inside unmasked. Our board is being very responsible and making decisions to support our health this season. 

Nonetheless I am bummed. 

Then yesterday I am at the Vet waiting for a prescription and the Chipmunks Christmas is playing. “We can hardly stand to wait, please Christmas don’t be late.” Perhaps you remember that song. It brought me such joy as a kid because that’s exactly how I felt – I can hardly stand to wait!  Of course, some of that exuberance fades as an adult, and another year of pandemic Christmas put a damper on the enthusiasm.  But upon reflection, I realized that the song reminds me of how wonderful it is to have something to look forward to.  Given the state of the world, the holidays are not going to be perfect - but were they ever?  We can’t eat our New Year’s brunch indoors, but we can be together – whether it's Christmas Eve service, Christmas Day dinner, or our labyrinth walk on New Year’s. Even being on Zoom can be festive (please join us for our Zoom open house this Monday evening).  

So here’s what I am looking forward to – our in -person services this Sunday for tree trimming and especially Christmas Eve together (register here if you want to be there in person).   I am looking forward to our community continuing to be a source of light and joy for many. I am looking forward to continuing to be a community that is a force for healing in the world (we exceeded our goal of refugee winter kits!).   

I can hardly wait to see what's next!

Sending love,
Holiday Open House on Zoom
Monday, Dec. 20, 6:30-7:10 p.m.
Join Rev. Roger & Rev. Lucy online Monday night for this time of holiday fellowship.
All ages welcome! Log in Monday at 6:30 pm to greet everyone. At 6:45 we'll create Zoom breakout rooms for smaller groups to visit and converse on the topic of the room. You can choose which room to join, and the ministers will bound in and out of the rooms. We'll regather in one room at 7:05 to see everyone's face and then to exclaim: "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"

Sunday Mornings with UUSS 
Our services are now dual-platform!
 Join us for Worship Services in person or on Zoom Zoom links here 
 Service time 10:30 a.m..
Miss a service? You can find links to past services here. 
Our December Soul Matters Theme is
Opening to Joy
You can find materials for individual reflection on our website.

Half of all offering donations made in December
will support our community partner:
To donate now at the UUSS website, click here.
Sunday Morning Spiritual Practices
Join us before the service at 9:30 AM at UUSS
Third Sunday Qui Gong/Tai Chi--Dec. 19
First Sunday Labyrinth walk--Jan.2
Joys and Sorrows: If you would like to have a joy, sorrow, concern, or milestone spoken aloud by a minister in Sunday’s prayer time, at this link. If we receive the request by 1:00 PM Saturday, we can mention it during the service.
Sunday December 19, 10:30:
Yule—Gather Round for Warmth, Joy, and Light
Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, Rev. Lucy Bunch, Worship Associates Ginny Johnson and Celia Buckley, UUSS Choir, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Dr. Irina Tchantceva. Altar design by Molly Stuart.

For this month’s Circle Service, we return to the familiar and family-friendly ritual of decorating the trees on the chancel. (Bring a favorite ornament or use one of ours.) By tradition we will also sing and enact “The 12 Days of Christmas.” Face masks required; elf caps optional. As the Winter Solstice approaches, we’ll reflect on finding and providing sources of light and joy in our lives. Happy Yule!
7:00 p.m. December 24, 2021
Christmas Eve Candle Light Service
In-person attendance by reservation and online attendance too!

Join us for an ancient story, traditional carols, our musicians, a special message for all of us, and singing "Silent Night" by candle light! Face masks and reservations required for in-person attendance due to a capacity limit of 200. Make a reservation soon at this SignUp Genius link.

Our Christmas Eve Candle Light Service is also open to everyone who prefers to participate by Zoom at uuss.org/online. (Be sure to have a candle near your computer!) Our Christmas Eve Offering will be given in its entirety to Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. Click to give online; click the "other" box for Christmas Eve.
Sunday December 26, 10:30: The Wholehearted Life
Rev. Dr. Bonnie Dlott, preaching,
with Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, Rev. Lucy Bunch,
Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva.

As the New Year approaches, talk of improving ourselves abounds. While these intentions are admirable, why not consider instead simply living the most honest and authentic life possible? What are the benefits and risks of living an honest and authentic life, and how do we know if we have succeeded?
A popular guest preacher at UUSS, Rev. Bonnie Dlott is a native of the Bay Area who served the Napa congregation for11years, retiring in 2017 for health reasons. Before being called to the ministry she earned a Ph.D.in Biological Chemistry. She identifies as a nature mystic, finding the sacred in the natural world and in acts of kindness. She is a wife and the mother of two adult children, one of whom lives in Sacramento.
  • No Soul Kids Sunday Zoom on Dec. 26--see you on Jan. 2!
Holiday Shopping at UUSS ~

Stop by our Bookstore before or after service for a bag of fairly-traded UUSS Chalice Blend Coffee, regular or decaf, decorated holiday style! Check out new books like Lifting Our Voices (readings for services or meditation) and This Day in Recovery (UU readings for the 12 Steps). There are also books and musical CDs by UUSS members, in addition to the many low prices on used books donated (and loved) by members. 
Christmas Day Dinner at UUSS
Saturday, Dec. 25, 1:00-5:00 p.m (dinner 2:00 p.m)
Join us for this tradition of sharing food with new friends and longtime members! The food is served inside; we'll eat at dining tables outside on the covered back patio; dress warmly! Please bring the food you plan to share by 1:00 pm. Please be vaccinated and wear masks inside. Please bring your own plates/utensils or let us know if you don't have any.

Volunteers are needed to sign up for furniture moving & setup, greeting at the sign-in table, clean up, prep dish washing. Sign up after Sunday service on the back patio Dec. 12 or 19, or call the office: 916-483-9283. $5 donation is requested to UUSS. Organized by Laurie Jones, christmasdinner@uuss.org
New Year's Day Labyrinth Meditation
Jan. 1, 2022, 9:00 a.m.
Join Rev. Lucy Bunch for a quiet meditation for the New Year around the outdoor Labyrinth. Lucy will provide a reading and question to prompt your reflections then we will share a labyrinth walk. Afterwards, we'll return to the warmth of the Welcome Hall for a hot beverage and sharing. Wear warm clothing for we will be outside for at least 30 minutes.

Sorry - No brunch potluck this year.
It's too cold to eat outside.
Join us for this yearly tradition!
Holiday Generosity
In this multi-holiday month, the Board of Trustees and ministers invite you to join us in contributing toward a cash gift for our non-clergy staff members. The past 21 months have been uncertain and challenging for all of us. Our staff have been working hard to serve everyone in UUSS with dedication and grace. The total amount contributed will be distributed in late December and allocated based on the number of hours per week of a given staff position. To make a gift, you may write a check to Roger Jones and send to church or his home. Or you may send a donation to Rev. Roger’s PayPal account or his Zelle account, which doesn't charge a fee on the gift.  (Please don’t write your check to UUSS, since those donations are handled by our staff—let’s try to keep this a surprise!) If you have any questions, please contact either Rev. Roger or Rev. Lucy. Thanks!
Religious Education (RE) for 
children and youth and families
Kindergarten to grade 5 - come to Soul Kids on Zoom! Sundays at 9:00 a.m. 
Families, please email re@uuss.org for the Zoom link.

Please note!
There will be no Soul Kids Zoom on December 26.
The Soul Kids Zoom link will change beginning January 2, 2022!
  • For youth in grades 6-7-8, our Junior High Youth Group (JHYG) takes place on the 1st & 3rd Sunday in person, wearing masks. Next meeting is THIS Sunday, Dec. 19. before the service from 9:15-10:15 a.m. Class held in the Fahs Room.
 
  • For youth in grades 9-10-11-12, our Senior High Youth Group (SHYG) is a place of connection, mutual support, and exploration of our UU ethical and spiritual values. SHYG meets in the Fahs Room twice a month from 11:30-12:30 p.m. Next meeting is THIS Sunday Dec. 19.

*Please register your family for Religious Education
at UUSS using this link. We thank you!
Groups, Gatherings, and Classes
Potluck Dinner & Celebration of Winter Solstice with CUUPS Saturday, Dec. 18, 4:00-7:00 p.m. The Covenant of UU Pagans at UUSS will hold a Yule Celebration for Winter Solstice on the covered patio with a potluck dinner; dress warmly! We will celebrate the serenity of the darkness, the energizing return of the light, and the sureness of the cycle of life. Ceremony is 4:30-5:00 p.m., dinner following. Please be vaccinated and wear masks except when eating. Contact Laurie Jones CUUPS@gmail.com.

Our next poet is one that most are pretty familiar with: Robert Frost. His poem that we will consider next Monday, December 20, is Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening . It can be seen online, link here

We will again “meet” for our Lectio Divina gathering via ZOOM, at 10:00 AM. Go to the UUSS website, and enter in the same way we “attend” Sunday ZOOM services. All are welcome. See you there!  
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. Meets in person at UUSS!
"Exploring Deism and Theism: Belief in God in an Age of Science"-- A seven-week series on Sundays, January 23 – March 6, 2022 12:00 to 1:50 p.m. A free-wheeling discussion of beliefs in some form of Higher Power, centered around Belief in God in an Age of Science by John Polkinghorne. Facilitator: Mary Ann Bernard. Interested? Sign up at the Adult Enrichment table or e-mail adultenrichment@uuss.org. Please state a preference for Zoom or in-person attendance. We ask that everyone attending in person have full COVID vaccination by the day of the first meeting.
Soup Sunday is returning! 
On Sunday, January 23, the popular Soup Sunday tradition returns after an 18 month hiatus. The intrepid American River Parkway Stewards of UUSS will sponsor the first of these fun events this winter.

As in the past, we will be serving homemade soups, including vegan and vegetarian options. Donations welcomed. You can then take your soup, bread and cookie out to the patio to eat and enjoy the reconnecting with friends. The Brew Crew will have hot coffee or tea available on the patio. There will be tables and chairs and strategically placed heaters to take the chill off the patio. However, it would still be wise to add an extra layer to what you wear that day so you will be comfortable while eating.

We will be looking for other groups to sponsor subsequent Soup Sundays, twice a month in February and March. Dates to be announced soon. If you are part of a group and would like to sponsor one Soup Sunday, please contact Bobbie Keill at soupsunday@uuss.org
Click to read the complete Bluesheet
UUSS Engaged with the Community
Winter Refugee Kits
a Big Success

Way to go UUSS! We exceed our goal of 50 winter kits by providing 80 kits for newly arrived refugees. The total value of donations (money and items) exceeded $10,000! The International Rescue Committee (IRC) was thrilled with our donations which will be received by new refugee families in our area.

Big thanks to Meg Burnett and her team of helpers. And thanks to everyone who donated.
SANDWICH BRIGADE DECEMBER 20
December Sandwich Brigade is just around the corner. Our date is Monday Dec. 20.
Please bring your lunches to UUSS by 10:00 am on your date. 
REMINDER: PB&J sandwiches in plastic zip locks, a fruit, protein bar, napkin in a brown lunch bag labeled “PBJ”. Thanks again for your willingness to help!!! --Sally Wilkins
Fall/Winter Homeless Needs
In this cold, windy, and rainy time of year your Mercy Pedalers would like to provide tents and tarps for the homeless. If you have any of these items you no longer use please bring them to the office so your Pedalers can distribute them to the neighbors living in the open on the streets. Thanks for considering this request.
Volunteer Opportunities and Requests
Volunteer Requests
Does your UUSS program or group need volunteers for an event or project? The best way to reach out to the congregation for assistance is to use the new Volunteer Request Form located on the UUSS website under get connected/Volunteer Requests or this link. The form is simple to use and once is it submitted, the information will appear and be accessible to the public on the Volunteer Opportunities list, located on the UUSS website and at this link.
 
Volunteer Opportunities
Are you looking for a way to get more connected and contribute to the many UUSS activities available? Do you want to meet more people or learn something new at church? If so, the new UUSS Volunteer Opportunities list is your source! Please check out the list located on the UUSS website under Get Connected/Volunteer Opportunities or this link. You will find the who, what when and where for all sorts of activities. Send an email to group requesting volunteer(s) and let them know you are interested and available.  
Staff and Minister Availability
Rev. Roger (Roger's day off is Monday; study day is Friday; off duty Dec. 27-30) and Rev. Lucy (Lucy's day off is Monday; study day is Friday) are available for pastoral support by appointment by phone, Zoom or in person, and the Pastoral Volunteers are available for support by phone. Schedule an appointment with Lucy at calendly.com/revlucyb.
 
Our office staff (office@uuss.org or 916-483-9283) are available to respond to your phone calls and emails weekdays 8:30-4:30. Our RE Coordinator and Pianist and Music Director are available by email. 
Office Closed December 24th & 31
UUSS Mission 
We come together to deepen our lives and be a force for healing in the world.