UUCSC News and Updates
Weekly on Fridays
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Unitarian Universalist Congregation of South County, RI
All are welcome!
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Reverend Denis Letourneau Paul, Minister
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This Sunday, July 29, 2022 10 AM
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University of Rhode Island/Nora Lewis
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Growing up in postwar Germany (her father was in the military), Rae Ferguson learned very early on what horrific crimes could develop out of racism and white supremacy. Living back in the States—in several different regions—she noted the effects on her parents and on herself.
As a recently retired history teacher, as a working mom and as a yogi, Rae has spent her adult life in teaching, whether raising her children, meditating with friends, or giving URI students an understanding of what
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"active history" means. Using her strong meditation practice, her personal memories, and carefully chosen texts, she helped her students "see people [historical figures] as human beings like themselves." She will extend that teaching to UUCSC members this Sunday.
This zoom-only service starts at 10 am,
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This and That
Meetups—The BYOE picnics have been a bit of a bust. The weather has been threatening for the last two weeks and I have had to cancel at the last minute. Let’s try again this Monday at 5pm!
Kayak meetups have gone a bit better. This past Tuesday we had four people for an exploration of the north end of Point Judith Pond. We had a delightful time. We saw an oyster farm and lots of waterfowl. We stopped at the Hurdis home and were able to say hi to their son, Drew. He wanted me to pass on his family’s sincere thanks for all the support they have received from UUCSC members and staff—the condolences, the memorial service and the gathering following the service. Next paddle Tuesday, August 2.
I visited with Susan and Reinhard Straub this week. Life continues to be full of challenges for them. Reinhard suffered a stroke well over a year ago and he has completely lost the use of his left side. He is unable to be left alone for more than a very brief period of time. Because insurance does not cover respite care, a Go Fund Me site has been created to help pay for caregivers when Sue or other family members cannot be there. If you would like to visit Reinhard please call Susan at (401) 935-4920. After a long hiatus, Sue is hoping to rejoin the choir in the fall.
Planning continues for the Congregational Meeting in September. Be assured that even if you cannot be here on September 17, we are going to provide a way for you to give your input. Start thinking about your best experiences at UUCSC. What do you enjoy most?
Any questions? Please feel free to call or email me.
Keep cool! Come chat on Monday at 5!
Elizabeth
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BYOEverything Picnic
Monday, August 1, 5pm
UUCSC Backyard at Lily Pads
Bring your dinner, a beverage, a chair, bug spray and whatever else you might need for a few minutes or a couple of hours of conversation. If it threatens to rain yet again those of us comfortable doing so will meet in the Oneto Room instead. Contact Elizabeth Donovan at 580-9180 or 783-1362 with questions.
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Kayak Meetup
Tuesday, August 2, 8:30am
Long Point Boat Ramp in Wilson Park, North Kingstown
Directions Meet to the left of the ramp for kayak access. Call Elizabeth at 580-9180 or 783-1362 for more information and so we know you are coming.
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Save the Date--Congregational Meeting
Saturday, September 17, Time TBD
Join in this very important meeting to envision the future of UUCSC. Time and more details to come soon.
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UUCSC Summer Worship and Activity Schedule
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July 31, August 7, 14 Our Worship Committee will present services on Zoom at 10 am. See the newsletter and website each week for the topic and the link to join the service.
August 21 and 28 Rev Denis will lead worship at our usual time and place, 10 am in the sanctuary.
Submitted by Johnnie Rodriguez
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Summer Office Hours
For the rest of July and August, the office will be staffed Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 AM to 2 PM and Thursdays from 10 AM to noon.
Rev. Denis resumes office hours August 2nd.
If you need to reach someone from the congregation when the office is closed, please contact Congregational President Elizabeth Donovan at 783-1362.
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Swim Picnic This Sunday!
3PM at URI's Bay Campus.
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We continue to offer help with practical needs through our Helping Hands group. Rides, grocery pick-up, meal prep, coffee buddy, what do you need? We'd like to lend a helping hand in whatever way we can! Randi Marten has joined Bethany Sorrentino to coordinate and connect helpers with those who need support.
We have a new email address: uuhelpinghands@gmail.com. Use this to make a request or to let us know about someone in the congregation who may need some assistance. You may also contact Bethany directly at 401-451-4104.
Currently, we are looking for folks who are willing to provide some meals for the Marcy family. Ron has Parkinson's and is at home with Judi as his full-time caregiver. Their greatest need is for small-portion-sized lunch and dinner meals for Ron.
You can find more information HERE and also sign up to help at https://mealtrain.com/9mmwyk. Or if computers aren't your thing, please give Bethany a call directly (number above).
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Social Justice Team Update
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Archbishop Desmond Tutu once said, “There comes a time when we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they are falling in.”
This is the story of social justice and justice lies at the core of our faith.
A Social Justice Advisory Team has been created at the UUCSC under the guidance of chair Cathy Solomon. The team includes Penny Hall, Nancy Richman and Etta Zasloff and will focus on the issues most important to this congregation based on the results of the recent survey, which are climate, racism and women’s rights. The team is also researching the needs in the community, groups that both work to pull local people out of the river and those that work upstream to address the root causes of inequalities such as poverty, homelessness, and racism. We are guided by a vision for positive systemic change from the local to national level.
We are designing a process to involve any and all of you at UUCSC who are interested in various levels of social justice activity, ranging from exploring and learning more about injustices to direct actions. In the meantime, the Anti-Racism group will resume meeting Sept. 12 on Zoom and is always open to new members.
Thank you to all who completed the survey in May. If you signed up then for the Social Justice email list, expect more details by early fall of how you can become involved. And if you want to sign up now, contact Etta at zasloff.etta@gmail.com.
Submitted by the Social Justice Steering Committee
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The UUCSC Garden is thirsty! If you're coming over to the church and can bring a milk jug or two of water (recycled grey water from washing veggies is fine), any of our flowers or shrubs will appreciate it. Give your favorite flower a drink! And please help yourself to a bouquet of the herbs in our new shrub border. You'll find basil (pesto!), parsley, sage, mint and thyme.
Submitted by Barbara Nowicki
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Submitted by Nancy Richman
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Future MEETUPS FOR ALL AGES
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Hiking!
Sat. August 13th location TBD
Contact Russell Kellogg for
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Swim Picnics!
Last Sundays of July and August, 3PM at URI's Bay Campus.
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Tuesday, August 2, 2022
6:00-8:00 PM
Potluck at the home of Regina DeAngelo
62 Baxter Street, Charlestown, RI
Together Women Rise is a powerful community of women and allies dedicated to achieving global gender equality. We have hundreds of local chapters across the U.S. where members learn about and advocate for gender equality issues, give grants to organizations that empower women and girls in low-income countries, and build communities to forge meaningful connections that increase our strength and collective impact. All are welcome. More from Gail.
Submitted by Gail Burchard
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Upcoming Gubernatorial Forums
Environment Council of Rhode Island and Climate Jobs RI, RI
Gubernatorial Forum on Climate
Tue, August 2, 2022, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM EDT
2022 RI Gubernatorial Candidate Forum on Senior Issues
August 3, 2022 - 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Women’s Fund RI - Gubernatorial Forum: Creating Equity
August 30 , 2022 - 5:30pm
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Tomaquag Museum's Annual Honoring and Cultural Celebration!
August 16, 2022
5:30 - 8:00 PM
URI Memorial Union Ballroom
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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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Membership Committee is vacant. Facility opening and closing is vacant. Please contact President Elizabeth Donovan at elizdn342@gmail.com.
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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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Includes lists of Black-Owned Businesses
Your search for truth and meaning begins here.
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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 Etta Zasloff*, Editor, at zasloff.etta@gmail.com and Sara Kaplow, Congregational Administrator, at uucscri@gmail.com by Tuesday Noon
to assure publication by Friday of that week.
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