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Weekly Message for UUSS
for November 6, 2020
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As I write this on Thursday night, the outcome of the elections is still uncertain. I can feel the tension and fatigue in my body as I try to manage the uncertainty.
So I keep breathing, deeply and slowly. How are you taking care of yourself?
I also keep thinking about the election workers who are counting all those ballots! How unpleasant, repetitive and stressful! Lets send some prayers of compassion their way.
This community really helps me stay grounded. I am still feeling all the love and connection from our service last Sunday. We celebrated our beloved dead, looked at their pictures and shared their names with each other. The word cloud below is a visual representation of all that you shared.
 Let us draw strength from all those who have come before us and keep our vision on all those who will come after us.
We will come together again this Sunday to try and make sense of it all- with word, and song and prayer.
If you brought a picture or an object for our shared altar, please stop by the church to pick it up. Roger and I are also at church a few days a week, so say hello if you come by. You are welcome to contact us for an in-person, masked and socially distanced visit. We would love to see you in person.
Keep the faith,
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November Soul Matters Theme : Healing
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This month we will explore healing in our Soul Matters Small Groups, at Vespers and WellSpring Wednesday and in services throughout the month. You can find a packet for individual reflection on our Soul Matters web page.
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Join us for Worship Services:
Sundays at 11:00 a.m. ~ Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m.
Sunday Nov. 8:
Hungering for it to be Over:
Making Space for the Way Forward
Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, Rev. Lucy Bunch, Worship Associate Fred Best
Music Director Keith Atwater, Cellist Kenji Ota
Pianist Irina Tchantceva plays Gerswin piano preludes at 10:55 a.m.
To say the election campaigns have been stressful is an understatement. Whether or not we have a clear result of the nation's elections by this day, we know that much worry will remain and many people will be hurting and at risk across the country. Let us make space to be together to share support, reclaim our deepest values, and remind ourselves that, in any outcome, the work of democracy and human flourishing remains unfinished.
Tuesday November 10: The Healing Power of Music
Rev. Lucy Bunch, Worship, Music Director Keith Atwater, Pianist Irina Tchantceva
The Soul Matters Theme for November is healing, and we can sure use some! Let's come together and experience the healing power of music, through word and song.
 Sunday Nov 15: Knocking Down Statues
Rev. Lucy Bunch, Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, Worship Associate Karen Sparrow, Music Director Keith Atwater, Pianist Irina Tchantceva
You've seen the images: crowds of people surrounding a statue of a confederate hero and pulling it down in a rush of anger and group action. No matter how your feel about the knocking down of statues it is a part of the transformation going on in our world. Sometimes we can't be nice and sometimes we can't make decisions in meetings or the voting booth. We will reflect on the meaning of this Kairos moments and the reclaiming power they represent.
 Nov. 17: Hard Feelings, Ugly Impulses
Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, Worship Associate Celia Buckley
Music Director Keith Atwater, Pianist Irina Tchantceva
As UUs, we strive to practice kindness and compassion. Yet for some of us, these troubling times have brought unwelcome feelings and impulses out of our shadow side and into our awareness--things like despair, anger, disgust, hatred, perhaps even vengeance. Yet honest recognition of our emotions is essential for healing. Join us in tonight's no-shame zone for looking at very human feelings.
Be our Chalice lighter! We invite you to be an
on-screen chalice lighter--as individuals or as families--on a Sunday. You can light your home chalice or candle for all of us at the beginning of the service and extinguish at the end.
We'll Zoom you into the morning service. We hope to see more beloved and familiar faces.
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Are you interested in serving as a worship associate?
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Do you watch the Worship Associates at services and say, "I could do that"? Here's your chance.
The Religious Service Committee is recruiting! Please click here for information and qualifications, and what you need to do to apply. The Worship Associate's role is both an honor and a responsibility. Plus its fun and rewarding. We would love to have you join our ranks.
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Connections:
Classes and Gatherings
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Friday Morning Bookstore Hours at UUSS
Every Friday from 9:00-11:00. 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 some great reads--$1.00, hardback or paper. Also CDs by UUSS musicians, books by UUSS authors.
Chalice Blend Coffee is available in the Bookstore on Fridays
and at the Office: $12/bag (regular, decaf, ground or beans).
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. Zoom Link.
Wellspring Wednesday with our Ministers
Join us every Wednesday at 7 PM on Zoom for 60-90 minutes.
On Wednesday Nov 11, Rev Roger will host and lead conversation with our member Jon Peterson for this month's offering of Life Stories of Our Elders.
Religion Class with Keith Atwater!
Keith is offering a monthly class on the 3rd Wellspring Wednesday
of every month, at 7:00 p.m.
Nov. 18 - "A Bible Study for UUs - Part One"
An academic and spiritual approach. Unlike many traditional Christian "Bible Study" classes, our interactive critical analysis will investigate this ancient text's sources, development over time, translations, interpretations, key ideas, and core narratives. (Part One - Hebrew Bible/ Old Testament: he'll post advance notes and questions or uuss.org, but you can email him directly: keith@uuss.org.
Theology on Tap - Friday, Nov. 6, at 7:00 p.m. The first Friday of each month. Bubbly conversation on yeasty topics of a UU flavor. Bring a beverage of your choice to your computer screen. Greet others in the large room, and then we go into small breakout rooms to reflect and share on one of many deep topics. Link here. Cheers! Visit with your old an and new friends and your favorite craft project. All welcome! Join via Zoom link
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 InterPlay led by Rev. Lucy and friends Takes place the second and fourth Saturday morning of the month, 10:30 to noon. InterPlay is a series of forms that combine movement, storytelling, stillness, and sound to access your body wisdom. Take an opportunity to tune in, connect with others, give yourself moments of ease, and be playful! If you are looking for a way to have fun and insights all at once, come join us! Next session is November 14. Link here. Learn more about here.
Reading and Responding to Poetry with JoAnn Anglin, Monday, Nov. 16, at 10:00 AM via Zoom link. This class meets the first and third Mondays of every month.
 Parent Voices Dec. 6, 8:00 p.m. The first Sunday of the month, supportive conversations with parents and grandparents, hosted by Miranda. The group is discussing "Growing UUs: A Recipe Book." Get link here.
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Campus is Open to Small Groups Meeting Outside
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At their October meeting, the Board approved a plan to open the campus to physical gathering of groups of fewer than 10 people OUTSIDE ONLY.
If your group is interested in hosting an outdoor gathering at UUSS, please read the guidelines posted on our website. We ask for your cooperation in abiding by the Guidelines presented to ensure the safety and continued health of our congregants.
The Board recommitted to the policy to suspend inside gatherings until May 2021 or until a viable vaccine is identified. Thank you all for your continued patience during this most trying time.
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Community Partners Voting Complete!
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Thank you to all the folks who nominated worthy and meaningful organizations to be considered as UUSS Community Partners. 81 members cast their votes for twelve of the fifteen nominees and the new Partners for 2021 are: Family Promise, Mustard Seed School, Arden Arcade Black Child Legacy Campaign, International Rescue Committee of Northern California, WEAVE (When Everyone Acts Violence Ends), Sacramento Native American Health Center, Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services, River City Food Bank, Loaves and Fishes, Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Sacramento Area Congregations Together, and Del Oro Caregiver Resource Center. We hope you found the voting process easy. As always, any questions can be directed to boardsecretary@uuss.org.
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Religious Education for
children and youth
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Spirit Play
every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. for those in
grades K-5. With RE Coordinator Miranda Massa and adult volunteers. Maintaining our connections, remembering our Rainbow Promises, and sustaining our sense of wonder, online together. Get links here.
Junior High Youth Group
Sunday, Nov. 15, 4:00 p.m. with Rev. Cynthia Davis & Miranda Massa
1st and 3rd Sundays at 4:00 p.m for those in grades 6-7-8.
Making friendships, finding support and joy, online together,
with a team of adult volunteer leaders.
Senior High Youth Group (SHYG) Next class: Nov. 8
SHYG meets with adult volunteer leaders every other Sunday at 1:00 p.m. by Zoom with lead advisor Dirk Tuell and other volunteer adult advisors.
Parent Voices Dec. 6, 8:00 p.m.
The first Sunday of the month, supportive conversations with parents and grandparents, hosted by Miranda. The group is discussing "Growing UUs: A Recipe Book." Get link here.
Reminder to families: See the Online Services listing for an invitation to be featured in a Sunday service to do the official rituals of Chalice Lighting and Extinguishing.
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Gather for reflection and discussion on Racial Justice: 1st & 3rd Mondays at 7:00 p.m.
2nd & 4th Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.
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At UUSS we are on a journey together to work to dismantle racism, individually, organizationally and systemically. As a mostly White congregation, we are doing a lot of learning and finding ways to take action.
Join our Racial Justice team for thoughtful discussion on the 1st at 3rd Mondays of the month at 7:00 PM and the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at 10:30 AM. See topics, reflection questions, and materials, including articles and videos, at this link at our website.
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Our Community Partner for November:
Opening Doors
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 Our Community Partner for November is Opening Doors. Their mission is to empower refugees, immigrants, human trafficking survivors, and underserved Sacramento-area residents to achieve self-sufficiency by providing safe places, skills development, business loans, and connections to community resources. Half of our offering for November will be shared with this organization, so please give generously.
Donate by credit card here to the Shared Offering or mail a check to UUSS, 2425 Sierra Blvd., Sacramento 95825. Whether on PayPal or by check, note "Shared Offering." Thank you for your generosity to UUSS and our community partners.
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Share Questions and Resources with other UU Congregations Sunday, Nov. 15, 3:00 - 4:30 PM
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Rev. Roger will host an open conversation on Zoom among members and leaders of UU congregations throughout our Pacific Central District. Roger is on the PCD Board and will be joined by Rev. Dr. Catherine Ishida, PCD President. Bring your ideas, challenges and success stories and learn from others.
Topic(s): We'll address at least one of the top five concerns that emerged from the September conversation and whatever issue is alive among us now. When you register, you'll receive a Zoom link for Nov. 15 and a form so you can tell the District Board which of the congregational topics you want to talk about with other UU communities.
The PCD Board invites the participation of clergy and lay volunteers of all UU-identity communities in the PCD. Let's learn together and share with one another.
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At the UUSS Congregational Meeting on Oct. 18, the Program Council announced its selection of our 2020 Unsung UU Heroes! Here is the text of the presentation
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 UUSS Unsung Heros
Mary and Rich Howard
Both Rich and Mary have been members of UUSS since January 1, 1989. Their daughter Rachel grew up in Religious Education here. Over the years they both have served in similar roles at UUSS, sometimes together. Both have served on search committees for new ministers and music staff. Both have served as president of the Board of Trustees.
Both have taught in Religious Education and been mentors in Coming of Age. They have taught Our Whole Lives, the UUA's curriculum on sexuality and values for youth. They hosted a Ministry Circle for many years, and Rich coordinated and supported facilitators of other Ministry Circles.
Mary has been a Worship Associate and served as an Endowment Trustee. Rich has preached and coordinated services for Memorial Day and Dia de los Muertos. Rich is on the Environmental Justice Committee. They both have been involved in social action by canvassing neighborhoods, attending demonstrations, and hosting meals for Family Promise. Currently Mary is chair of the Committee on Ministry, and Rich served on one years ago. Mary is the co-chair of our spring service auction. She sings in the choir. Years ago she was on staff as our choir director.
They've served on Stewardship Committees many times, as hosts, pledge canvassers, and co-chairs--and sometimes together as co-chairs. They served on the Capital Campaign in 2012 to raise donations for our expansion and renovation project. Then Rich co-chaired the Project Delivery Team and Mary led the Project Funding Team during our 13 months of being offsite-so we could move back home.
In spite of being so busy as volunteers, they remember to take time for meditation, spiritual retreats, camping, birding trips and other travels.
Their personal generosity to UUSS and organizations in the larger community is gratifying and inspiring. By all the ways they serve our church and the faith and talent with which they do it, they have been mentors to new leaders and younger members. So many of our children, youth and adult members have been enriched by their friendship over the years.
We extend this honor to Rich and Mary Howard with our gratitude and our love.
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| UUSS Office Closed | |
Closed on November 11 for Veterans Day
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UUSS OFFICERS & BOARD of TRUSTEES
Sally White, President
Denis Edgren, Vice-President
Victoria Owens, Treasurer
Anara Guard, Secretary
David Harlow, Trustee at Large
Marilyn Reynolds,Trustee at Large
Hally Cahssai,Trustee at Large
Eric Ross, Trustee at Large
Tonie Darling, Trustee at Large
Board meetings: 7:00 p.m., 4th Thursday of every month; 3rd Thursday in November, December.
PROGRAM COUNCIL
Susan Davis, Co-chair
Margaret Wilcox, Co-chair
Tina Chiginsky-Lawrence
Lorri Reynard
Debby Powell
Jon Peterson
Youth Members: Jade Lewis-Boles and Alec Redmond
Program Council meetings: 7:00 p.m., 3rd Thursday of every month.
Ministers
Rev. Dr. Roger Jones and Rev. Lucy Bunch
Rev. Douglas Kraft, Minister Emeritus
Church Staff Members Krystal Gollaher, Administrative and Facilities Coordinator Michele Ebler, Bookkeeper ~ Elaine Cooper, Receptionist Miranda Massa, Religious Education Coordinator Keith Atwater, Music Director ~ Irina Tchantceva, Pianist Jesus Hoyos - Sunday thru Thursday, Evening Custodian Ivan Caballero, Sunday Audio Tech ~ Dirk Tuell, Web Master/Tech Support
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| UUSS Mission | |
We come together to deepen our lives and be a force for healing in the world.
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