|
Our Weekly Message
News, Invitations, and Ministerial Reflections
July 21, 2023
| |
|
Dear Members & Friends,
Contrary to the picture, I have not disappeared. Not gone missing. But this coming Sunday I won't be in the pulpit, as our wonderful Worship Associates are presenting the service. The topic is how and when they realized that they were, or should become, UUs. A month from now, I will preach and we will hear from a few folks about the rare experience of those who were UUs from birth!
Lucy won't be in the pulpit this Sunday, but she will be in the congregation. You can have have some quality time with her at 9:30 am. She leads the monthly class we call Exploring UUism. Make your way to the Fahs Classroom at 9:30; nursery care will be provided.
I will be preaching at the Congregational Church of Martinez as the guest of my friend Pastor Lori Ortiz. They use the Revised Common Lectionary, which sets the Bible readings for every Sunday and holiday of the year. This leaves me with a Hebrew Psalm and a Gospel passage with a perplexing parable. (Lori told me she's grateful to me that she doesn't have to wrestle with this week's reading from Matthew.) Seldom have I written a sermon based on the lectionary schedule, except for Christmas Eve. Lori said that when she writes a sermon, if she is not able to interpret any Bible reading from the lens of Love, then it will be a mistaken interpretation. That's because, according to the Bible, the Great Commandment is to love God and to love our neighbor as ourself. Love over all!
Speaking of the Bible, I am offering to lead a four-week discussion class at UUSS on some of the perplexing and famous parables of Jesus of Nazareth. Read an article below for details. This will be a chance for us to spend quality time in a smaller group soon before I really do disappear, as my sabbatical will start on Labor Day and end on January 31.
Changes to the format of Our Weekly Message are in progress. We will use it to focus on things coming up in just the next week, with one or two major events or opportunities to highlight. We'll provide links to more details and more articles for further reading, as well as links to the Blue Sheet weekly calendar. Note that Crystal Fountain's RE & Family Ministry Outreach now goes out by email on Thursdays; you can find a link to it below.
Finally, see the July 30 sermon listing below to find my invitation to submit your question for my first Question Box Sermon at UUSS. As sermons go, I'd rather respond to what's on your heart and mind than wrestle with a Bible reading. But I'm sure I'll enjoy the moment.
Wishing you safety, serenity, and a cool shaded place!
Love,
Rev. Roger
| |
|
Roger's Facebook Frustrations and Preferences
I don't mean to be un-Friendly, but I use Facebook only to participate in four closed membership groups that I'm in (including UUSS Between Sundays). I no longer post or send messages as "Roger Jones." Nor do I look at it often, so it's best to email or call me. Please don't take it personally if I have not accepted a request.
Moreover, I have not even had access to my "Roger Jones Minister" Facebook account for a few years, so I've not seen any message or requests you might have sent to that one. (I can't even get into the account to delete it, even with help from a friend who used to work there.) Hence, if you get a message or Friend request from that one, it's a phishing scam!
| |
Have you noticed the link that says "(Message clipped) View entire message" near the bottom of these e-mails? We have so much news in here sometimes that it does not all show up when you open the email. Scroll down and click on the link to see more! | |
|
Sunday Mornings with UUSS
Face masks Recommended but not Required- read more
Join us for Worship Services in person or on Zoom Zoom links here
Service time 10:30 a.m.
Did you miss a service? You can find links to past services here
| |
|
Sunday Morning Programs
Join us before the service at 9:30 AM at UUSS
1st Sunday - Labyrinth meditation in the meadow (August 6)
2nd Sunday - Racial Equity Conversation (August 13)
3rd Sunday - Qui Gong/Tai Chi (August 20)
4th Sunday - Exploring Unitarian Universalism (July 23)
| |
Join us for a Newcomer Orientation and Tour the second Sunday of every month, right after church, in the Welcome Hall; the next one is Sunday, Aug. 13. | |
|
Half of the Sunday morning offering donations made in July support our local community partner:
Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services
To donate now at the UUSS website, click here.
"May generosity bless our world, and may gratitude nourish our spirits."
| |
|
July 23, 10:30AM: How Did I Get Here? My UU Epiphany
Led by Worship Associates Dawn Huebner, Courtney O’Neill, Andy Cramer, Dan Myers, Kaley Calderon, and Karen Sparrow, and Musicians Irina Tchantceva and Courtney O’Neill.
Join us for this special service led by our Worship Associates. Each one will reflect on how and when they came to embrace their identities as Unitarian Universalists.
Stay for conversation afterwards (on the patio, in the cool of the Welcome Hall, or on Zoom) and exchange your own story with others.
*Exploring UUism with Rev. Lucy before church at 9:30 a.m. in the Fahs Classroom
| |
|
July 30, 10:30AM: Questions, Answers, and Hunches
Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, preaching, with Rev Lucy Bunch, Worship Associate Dawn Huebner, Pianist Irina Tchantceva, Song Leaders Beth TenPas and John Martin.
On the 15th anniversary of his arrival at UUSS, this is Rev. Roger’s first Question Box Sermon here! Ask a question about UU theologies and values, spiritual practice, religious traditions and history, this congregation, or Roger’s life and times. You can ask about food, federal tax policy, or the meaning of life.
Please ask just one question per person and avoid questions which Rev. Lucy already answered on July 2. Submit yours by Friday noon, July 28, to roger@uuss.org, stuff it in the Question Box on Sunday, or post it in the Zoom chat!
| |
Joys, Sorrows, and Prayers | |
|
If you would like to have a joy, sorrow, concern, or milestone spoken by a minister at Sunday’s prayer time, at this link. You may use it to inform us of a joy or sorrow and let us know if you do not want us to mention it aloud, or if you would like a phone call.
| |
Program Council Monthly Message to You | |
|
Rachel Nickel and Sean Fountain attended their first meeting as members of the Program Council at the July meeting. They join Joyce Ownbey, Beth tenPas, Jon Peterson and Tina Chiginsky Lawrence as members of the ’23 - ’24 UUSS Program Council. The Council begins the new year preparing to host the Activities Fair on Sept, 10. The Annual PC Retreat will be held next month with programs and priorities for the coming year on the agenda.
Program Council members stay in touch with nearly 50 activity groups and program committees. Each PC member serves as liaison to a number of groups. If your group has not heard from us please get in touch with our Chairperson as we may not have up-to-date contact information. Additional information about the Program Council can be found
at www.uuss.org/programcouncil
The Program Council meets on Zoom the third Thursday of each month.
Persons interested in attending a meeting can request contact information at programcouncil@uuss.org
| |
Some Parables of Jesus:
4-week Bible Study for UUs
| |
|
Join Rev. Roger for a series to engage with a few of the perplexing, inspiring stories told by Jesus of Nazareth in the New Testament. Using an outline by UU minister Kathleen Rolenz, let’s see if we see ourselves in any of the characters. Bring a Bible or a laptop or tablet to look up the readings, or we can lend you one. $20 suggested donation to UUSS Adult Enrichment.
Four Tuesdays: 6:30 pm, Aug. 1, 8, 15, 23. Please sign up by July 30 at the Sunday Connections Table or roger@uuss.org.
| |
Religious Education Programs Coming Up! | | |
Childcare--available from 9:15 to 12:15 most Sundays in the Nursery. Room and resources for feeding/nursing infants are accessible in the nursery also. Please enter campus via the main doors. Crystal is happy to answer your questions!
This Sunday, July 23 in Religious Education
During service, all ages of children and youth are invited to join us in Summer Skills. Katie Edgren and Guide Dogs for the Blind will join us, as well as some other service pups. Together we will learn about what they do and about how nurturing an animal can translate to service in the community. Please join us!
| |
UUSS Activity Fair on Sept. 10 | |
|
ACTIVITY FAIR after the Sunday service Sept. 10--
Hosted by the Program Council, the Activity Fair provides information about the many different ways to get involved at UUSS and it encourages our community to join in.
If you are the leader of a UUSS Group or Committee and would like to have a table there, please send an email to activityfair@uuss.org. The Program Council would also appreciate hearing from any volunteers who want to help with the event itself!
| |
Clothing Exchange July 30 (noon-2:00) | |
|
Gather your gently used adult women’s and men’s clothing for a clothing exchange July 30 after service on the patio. Leave something of yours and take something new to you!
Items from all seasons are welcome--clothing, jewelry, and accessories. Items for exchange must be in good condition (no stains, tears, etc.). Racks for hanging clothing items, as well as tables, will be available. Please bring clothing items on hangers, if possible, and organized by size. Participants may bring items to set up between 9:00 and noon on July 30. Items not exchanged may be reclaimed or will be donated to Mercy Pedalers and WEAVE. $5 donation to UUSS at the door requested (or text to (916) 619-0903). Contact Susan Davis-James at clothingexchange@uuss.org for information.
| |
Groups, Gatherings, and Classes | |
|
KEEP MOVING - GET FIT Every Thursday, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. on the Patio. Sitting, standing exercises for seniors: strength—balance—flexibility. $10/drop-in. With instructor Shelley Burns.
Questions? email adultenrichment@uuss.org.
| |
|
UUSS Mah Jongg Club Monday, July 24, 7pm in room 9.
Contact: Patty Innes at mahjongg@uuss.org
| |
|
THE UUSS READER’S CLUB - Fahs Room. On July 27, 7:00pm Please join us for a lively discussion. Questions? Contact: uureaders@uuss.org
July book: HORSE by Geraldine Brooks
| |
|
Lammas Celebration with CUUPs
Saturday, July 29, 5:00-7:00 p.m. in the Fahs Room
Everyone is welcome at the Covenant of UU Pagans (CUUPs) Lammas Celebration. Summer is in full swing, come celebrate the Goddess and first Harvest! Bring a potluck dish to share.
Contact Laurie Jones or Leanna Pierson at cuups@uuss.org
| |
|
Saturday Stitchers - Aug. 5, 10am in the Fahs Room
All are welcome! Contact: Karen Sparrow stitchers@uuss.org
| |
Reading & Responding to Poetry with JoAnn Anglin Monday, August 7, 10:00 am, Zoom Enter via www.uuss.org/online, as for a service. We meet the first and third Monday mornings. All are welcome to reflect together on a poem. This practice is called Lectio Divina. | |
|
Crone Connection: A group for wise older women
We meet once a month to explore our strengths and wisdom as elders, share our stories, support and inspire each other, and laugh. Structured workshop format with monthly topics of interest. This group is open to any woman who identifies herself as an elder.
Group is open and new members are welcome. Meets the second Friday of every month in the library at UUSS.
Contact Marla Jensen at croneconnection@uuss.org for more information.
| |
Staff and Minister Availability | |
|
Rev. Roger (Roger's day off is Monday; study day is Friday) Rev. Lucy (Lucy's day off is Monday; study day is Friday). Both 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 ministerial intern for the 2023-24 church year is Rosemary Dodd, M.Div. She will arrive here mid-August!
Our office staff members (office@uuss.org or 916-483-9283) are available to respond to your calls and emails weekdays 8:30-4:30, except public holidays. Our Pianist and Music Director are available by email and invite you to choir practice when it resumes in August. Our RE Coordinator has weekly office hours and is available by email too.
| |
|
MAIN PARKING LOT CLOSED
Service Lot in the back will be open.
July 31 & August 1
| |
We come together to deepen our lives and be a force for healing in the world. | | | | |
