Reverend Denis Paul, Minister

revdenispaul@gmail.com Minister's Calendar

Worship Online and

In Person 10:00 am

"The Challenges and Joy of Incongruity"

Rev. Denis Paul and

Rev. Betty Kornitzer

This is one of those times when everything seems to be happening at once: Father’s Day, Pride, Juneteenth, graduations, memorials, weddings. It’s a mix of celebrations and sorrow; sad history and big new beginnings. The incongruity can be stifling, or it can be a source of delight.

Order of Service

Religious Exploration

10am-Noon

The Soul Matters curriculum gathered some great Juneteenth resources that I want to share with you.

Above is an awesome song that all ages will appreciate. And here is a picture book read aloud about a festive and fabulous Juneteenth celebration. It begins with an introduction by the author about the history of some of her ancestors.

And here's a story about a present-day girl, getting ready for Juneteenth and learning about her great-great-great-grandpa.

This Sunday is our last day of RE for the year. Bring a snack to share as we celebrate the dads and our time together!

Masks Are Now Optional in the Sanctuary

READ UPDATE

How do you spell love?



Pooh and Piglet are walking through the forest in 100 Acre Wood when Piglet asks innocently “Pooh, how do you spell love?” Pooh ponders the question briefly, and tells Piglet that “You don’t spell it, Piglet, you feel it.” Well, for “a bear of very little brain” this is a very good answer. What Pooh says in his simple, but eloquent and profound way, is that there is the word love and there is the meaning of love. Pooh Bear knows that spelling love is not what matters, you must feel it deep in your heart.

This is a congregation where we feel love deeply – for each other, for our earth, for the world. We feel love and express it in the many ways that we show up for each other. We affirm our commitment to love every week with the words of our Covenant, “Love is the spirit of this congregation…” Indeed, I felt it the minute I walked into UUCSC, 14 months ago, and was welcomed with open arms and loving hearts. I knew immediately that this was my place, my community, my spiritual home.

This past Sunday at the Annual Meeting, two members of our Board of Directors stepped down from their roles as officers. Elizabeth Donovan ended her two-year term as president and Mary Alice Kimball stepped down from her 5-year stint as treasurer. Both evidenced their love for this community through their dedication and hours of hard work too numerous to count. For each, their hard work was truly a labor of love. We owe them a debt of gratitude.

Last week our congregation lost two very beloved members of our community, Nancy Rose and Helene Gersuny, and Essjay Foulkrod not long before that. We remember each of these amazing women as beacons of love and light in this world and in our congregation. 

As I step into my term as Board president, I, too, offer you my love of this congregation. It is my privilege to serve in this role. I will do my best to continue the legacy of love offered by the service of Elizabeth and Mary Alice, and the lives of Essjay, Nancy, and Helene. May we each be beacons of love and light in this tumultuous world. 

Nancy



Dear Friends,

Thank you for the card presented to me on Sunday! I can't tell you how much it means to me--the beautiful art work and the amazing messages. For the two years that I served the congregation as president I did work hard but I never doubted that it was worth it. You all always let me know you appreciated what I was doing as we tried to get back on our feet after Covid. I learned so much from each of you and a LOT from Rev Denis. I meant it when I said on Sunday that I am proud to be part of such a loving, hard working congregation. Good luck to Nancy as we continue our work. I'll see you at the 300th Anniversary Parade on Saturday!

Peace and love,

Elizabeth



Tomorrow (Saturday, June 17) South Kingstown will be celebrating its 300th birthday with a parade, and UUCSC will be there to join the festivities. Everyone is invited to sport their new rainbow tie-dye shirts and carry signs as a contingent gathered behind Gail Burchard’s convertible. The signs say a bit about who we are: our values, our commitments, and our hopes for the world. I hope you’ll be a part of the celebration. 

We will gather on Oak Street (in the neighborhood right behind Ocean State Job Lot) at 8:30. This is a great chance to make a splash as we honor the past and move joyously toward the future. 

Which is exactly what we did last Sunday, after the service. We laughed, cried and voted together. We remembered two beloveds after the Annual Meeting.

Nancy Richman became the new President of the Board of Directors as Bethany Sorrentino joined as Member-at-Large. Elizabeth Donovan and Mary Alice Kimball stepped down as President and Treasurer, respectively, after phenomenal work through some challenging and inspiring times.

Trish Hindley, Mary Fulton, Charlie Donnelly and Russell Stokes will continue their work on the board. Meanwhile, Harry Buffum will join Linda Whyte Burrell and Val Follett on the Nominating Committee.

I want to thank everyone personally and publicly for their dedication to the work and commitment to the congregation. Each helps set the tone of this congregation to make it one of generosity, joy and vision. 

Together, in the coming year, we’ll share the highs and the lows, accompanying one another in the way that reminds each of us that when we are here, we always have someone by our side.

In Peace,

Rev Denis



Our Essjay

Still supporting, giving, helping

Just before Essjay passed, we met in her home to look over her jewelry. It was her wish that I offer them for sale to benefit UUCSC. She thought it a great idea to offer these to our members. She also pulled out a substantial box of stones and semi-precious stones. There are probably hundreds of these! I would like to bring them for you to look over and take home with you, for a donation of course. Some of them are quite unusual. 

Memories of Essjay are free but your donations will be up to you. I will be present in the Oneto Room, June 18th after service.

Jean Bowen 

Another piece of Essjay's legacy in Peace Dale - mural at the rotary. "Her fingers represent “two-spirits,” the Native way of thinking about transgender persons."  -- Johnnie Rodriguez

Louise McLeod is now in Roberts Health Centre, 25 Roberts Way, North Kingstown, RI 02852, room 35A. She would love cards, but still no calls or visitors. She is in great pain and needs to rest.

Submitted by Val Follett

Memorial Services

A Memorial Service for Nancy Rose will be held in the sanctuary on Tuesday, June 27th at 10:30 am, followed by a reception in the Oneto Room.

A Memorial Service for Helene Gersuny has been scheduled for Saturday, August 5 in the afternoon. More information to come in the next few weeks.

Upcoming Services

June 25 Broadcast of UUA service from Pittsburgh on Zoom

July 2 No Service

July 9 World Cafe Adria Evans and Nancy Richman

July 16 Drumming Circle Don Culp

CLICK HERE

for the latest GA announcements...

Free to all

Plan to join the largest annual gathering of UUs in worship on Sunday, June 25, 2023, 11 AM. Ever Willing: Becoming the People Our World Needs 

No registration is required to join the live stream. Watch for the link here next week and on our website.

SK Anniversary Celebration

Show up and join us in the parade TOMORROW, June 17!

Come whether or not you have signed up OR

join us in your Tee shirt for a few steps or blocks, as we march by.

Line up will start at 8:30am on the corner of Holly St. and Oak

Parade: starts at 10 AM at the corner of Holly and School Street and ends in front of Town Hall.

Gather with Cathy or Etta on Oak Street. 

The car is full of riders. Walkers in tie dyed tee shirts needed. We have signs for you. Tee shirts will be available on Oak Street from 8:30-whenever we enter the parade.

When lining up on the street do not block driveways. (The roads will not be closed

completely.)

Do not throw items (candy, etc) from your unit, but it can be handed to people/kids..

There is a post parade picnic from 12-4 to hear the Northeast Navy Band at

Saugatuck Park. Food vendors will be available.

Continuous shuttles will run from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM from Town Hall to the High School and to Mountain Park. Park wherever you can: They suggested SKHS. But keep in mind the shuttle route and park within access to that.

Please ensure you have water, snacks and sunscreen. Porta-johns will be available in the starting area and around town. From setup to finish will be four hours and longer if you stay for the picnic.

Mixed Magic Theatre's

Juneteenth Celebration

June 17 & 18 6PM

Mixed Magic Theatre kicks off their summer concert season with the award-winning Exult Choir presenting REVIVAL DAY! covering gospel and eclectic music that's bold and uplifting! Tickets available on Eventbrite.

Celebrate Juneteenth at Westerly ARC

REMINDERS...

Dining for Dollars PLUS

Reminder: Please make your payment for purchased events by check with D4$+ in the memo line or by PayPal through our website. You may go to the auction site to find your total due - click on MY ACCOUNT tab. Thank you again for all of your support!

Submitted by Betsy Dalton, Trish Hindley, and Nancy Richman, 2023 D4$+ Coordinators

Help Needed to Manage Our Building!

Join the Re-Imagined Facilities Committee to do small tasks, such as painting, reorganizing materials, cleaning or gardening. If you are interested in the next Work Party and other volunteer opportunities, email Randi Marten.

If you are 70 ½ years of age or older, you may donate up to $100,000.00 each year to UUCSC or other charities from your IRA account. Such a donation does not count as taxable income to you if made directly from your IRA account to the charity. Read more here.

Submitted by the Finance Committtee

 Kundalini Yoga Series: 5 Thursdays in June

5-6:30 PM in the Oneto Room at UUCSC

Taught by Jessica Gloor  

Classes will contain breathwork, movement, mantra and meditation. Reconnect with the flow of your inner being, or just come & decompress from the daily routines of life and enjoy a yoga class. No experience necessary.

$60 for all five classes. Drop-ins for $15.

Bring your own mats, blankets, cushions and water bottles. 

Email for more info or to sign up. Cash, check or Venmo accepted for payment.  

You may cut culinary herbs mint, sage, parsley, thyme, basil and oregano from the front garden at UUCSC. If you'd like to help occasionally with watering or weeding please email Barb Nowicki.

Don't become victim to a SCAM!

Review Understanding Phishing!

If you receive a suspicious email, drag it into your Spam folder, which will automatically block the scammer from using your email again as bait. Stay vigilant!

How to Amend Your Pledge

Michael Bilecki will recycle your batteries.

Deposit them in the container in the Oneto Room!

Read more here.

CAROLYN STEERE HURDIS FUND

FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE

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Bethany Sorrentino, Helping Hands Coordinator

uuhelpinghands@gmail.com or 401-451-4104. 

Don't be afraid to ask for help - helping hands are here! 

Helping hand volunteers are also needed.

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