January 7, 2022
Worship Service
Sunday, January 9, 2022
10:30 am
(Live Stream only)

Listening
UU St. Pete is beginning our transition work in preparation for calling a new settled minister. This process begins by listening: to our history, to our congregation, and to our mission. Rev. Ben recounts times he was not such a good listener, along with lessons that might make him a better one.
We invite you join us from the comfort of your home as we are temporarily closing the sanctuary to guests. More Information below!

Join our Service via the Live Stream on our YouTube Channel.
This is an All Ages Worship!
A Message from our Board
A Change in Plans . . . . .
Unfortunately, Covid cases continue to rise. In just two weeks the Pinellas County ActNow Covid Risk Level rose from Medium to Severe. So we will continue to stream worship service live from the sanctuary but ask that you participate from home or afar using your mobile devices. 

Your Safety Team is closely monitoring the local Covid Statistics. Our recent services together have been so very special, so we want to assure you that we will return to them as soon as it is safe to do so. 

Here are some other related impacts:
  • 1/9/22 Town Hall will be held after service via Zoom. 
  • 1/11/22 Meditation meeting will take place outside in the picnic area. Please wear masks and socially distance six feet apart.
  • Wednesday/Hays Covenant Group will take place outside in the picnic area. Please wear masks and social distance.
Weekly Message from Rev. Ben
Please write to Rev. Ben for any reason - joys, concerns, etc. He would love to hear from you. Feel free to email him here.
Religious Education
Religious Education is being reshaped to better accommodate our children and youth. We are planning on ways to execute classes so that our space is accessible to all. Our current COVID ActNow statistics are putting the re-start up of our program on hold.  
There are changes underway. Please stay tuned for updates from our Safety Team and Board of what we plan to do next for our Religious Education Program. Thank you for your support.
UU St. Pete Connects
Click the icon above to be redirected to our church calendar!
Facilities Master Plan Revisited
For Congregation Members & Staff: An email and survey went out to all members & staff @ 4pm January 2, asking for your input as we narrow the list of potential major facilities projects for 2022. Our Annual Facilities Master Plan Review Team is eager to hear your thoughts -- please respond no later 4pm Wed., January 12. If you can't locate the January 2nd email, please contact Sharon Winters for a duplicate.

What is this all about? UUSP's Facilities Master Plan was created in 2020 and outlines needs and priorities identified during a lengthy evaluation of our facilities and a series of congregational conversations. The Plan calls out how our buildings & grounds can better serve our mission and programs. We've just started an annual review process to assess current conditions, gather input on new needs and re-prioritize projects for funding.
A video describing and illustrating 7 potential 2022 projects has been posted to our Facilities webpage where you can learn more about this work. Read the Renew-Restore-Rejuvenate newsletters for updates.
Social Justice
"Proud to support voting rights alongside folks from UU St. Pete and our sister church, UU Clearwater!"
- Rev Ben sourced Facebook.
"No matter our color, background, or party, most of us believe that people who betray our nation and endanger our lives have no business governing in our name. That’s why we must stand together in this moment.

In 2020, we turned out in record numbers, made sure our votes were counted, and that the will of the people prevailed. Throughout 2021, we’ve organized to protect the freedom to vote, stop partisan gerrymandering, and prevent election sabotage. It’s been a long, hard fight, and we’re closer to the finish line now than we’ve ever been.
But we can’t stop now –– we need to keep up the momentum for our freedom to vote." sourced
Thank you for your generosity and your giving spirit. May your holidays be filled with light and joy!!
Southside Food Bridge
Dear friends: Our next Southside Food Bridge is January 11th. We’re collecting non-perishable sweet treats, along with easy to open non-perishable high protein food.  

Drop-off points will be at Karen Coale, Gay Breuler, and Dani Skrzypek as always.

(Note: Jan 11 and Feb 8 Southside Food Bridge donations will be picked up by Jane Bunker & Mason. For more information, Dani Skrzypek will be the temporary program contact.
Cal and Virginia are out of town.)
UUSP Ways To Give
"We give in gratitude for each other, for our time together, for our sacred space, for those in our wider community, and for those who lead us to be our better selves."
Legacy Builders have remembered UU St. Pete in their estate plan for a future gift to our permanent Endowment Fund, to support our congregation.

Go here to download the quick form that qualifies you as a Legacy Builder Founding Member and gives $500 to UU St. Pete in your name—to be made by an anonymous philanthropist!
Go here for the Legacy Builders general information brochure.

Two easy ways to become a Legacy Builder are noted below:
Simply designate the UU St. Pete permanent Endowment Fund to receive a percentage of your Individual Retirement Account (IRA), 401K or another retirement account. (No attorney required—just file a change of beneficiary form with your financial firm.)
Add a bequest to your legal will or living trust for a future gift to the UU St. Pete permanent Endowment Fund. (Usually requires an attorney’s assistance.)
UUA Corner

Click here for the January Newsletter.

Thank you for your interest in
Unitarian Universalist Church of
St. Petersburg!

Be Safe and Be Well!
Kelli DeGraw, part of your Communications Team.
Thank you to our
UU St Pete contributors & many volunteers!
Our mission is to be an inclusive, evolving religious community
that inspires spiritual and intellectual growth to make our world a better place.
Unitarian Universalist Church of St. Petersburg
727.898.3294