It’s called the Civil Rights Movement not the Civil Rights Project. The struggle for what is good, and right, and just is always a thing in motion, and sometimes it seems interminable. The old Spiritual song tells us, “You gotta move when the spirit says move.” But what if the Spirit stops speaking? What do we do then?

Service Leaders: Rev. Bev Spears

Worship Associates: Judy Withee and Bill Stayton

Music: Roger Corman

In church we often talk about love for our neighbors, love for the stranger, and love for the other. We don't talk about romantic love all that much, but I wonder if they are oh so different? In any kind of loving relationship one needs to open their heart and expand who they are. Let's celebrate valentines day, at church!

Service Leader: Rev. Julie Brock

Worship Associate: Eric Fischer

Music: Robin Rogers and Roger Corman

Today we will join the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Marin via Zoom. Joe Gabaeff, a former Worship Associate here at UUCSR for many years will deliver the sermon. He has been studying at Starr King School for the Ministry, and is currently serving as the intern minister in Marin. This is a wonderful opportunity to strengthen our ties to another North Bay congregation. To join the service, follow the link below:

Jubilee is an old religious practice of forgiving debts and setting prisoner's free, so that our own souls may be replenished. What debts do we need forgiven in order to set our own spirits free, or, maybe more importantly, what do we need to forgive?

Service Leader: Rev. Julie Brock

Worship Associate: Clare Whitfield

Music: Alan Bell and Roger Corman

So… I got covid.

Folks as you may have heard by now your minister was tracked down and waylaid by the dreadful pandemic bug that has been literally plaguing our lives for the past, coming up on, TWO years.

A few things:

As covid becomes more, hopefully, endemic, we will begin to think about how we live with it. What risks are acceptable? We might think no amount of illness and risk is acceptable, and everyone has to make the choices they need to make to feel safe. But we accept risk when it comes to travel, recreation, and other diseases. I’m not saying covid was just like the flu, but it is becoming more like the flu for the vaccinated, and hopefully that trend will continue. People are going to disagree on this. I've gotten comments that folks who think it is irresponsible to open our sanctuary at all. Other folks are pleading with us to let them take their own risks and see their community.

Our answer so far, we will check on the best advice from medical experts and public health officials, and then give people lots of options. If you don’t feel comfortable coming in, please take care of yourself, zoom isn’t going anywhere. If you feel like you want to be there in person no matter what and your heart is breaking for being away, please be patient, we are doing the best we can to be reasonable and responsible for all.

We are a community of spirit, and diversity. May our spirits be bolstered by the many opportunities for connection, remote and in person. May our many opinions find a balance, and a place to belong.

Now that we’re starting 2022, I have to tell you – I’ve been feeling much lighter and brighter about this year. I can feel things coming together in good, positive ways, and I have a palpable sense of expectation for what will happen this year.

Does this mean we’re out of the woods? NO WAY! We have a LOT of work to do. For some of us, there is healing still to be done. For all of us, Rev. Julie, COSM and your leadership want us to re-covenant this Spring. And as you found out on Sunday, we have a lot of very important financial decisions to make, both individually and as a community. Frankly, things are financially unsustainable. But already, some of you have stepped up and raised your pledge significantly. (I did as soon as the Congregational Meeting was over.) That will help enormously.

But raising pledges isn’t everything we can do. And some of us can’t raise our pledge, or can’t do it significantly. But so much more is possible! One of the Board’s goals this year is to revitalize our programs, and in particular, the ways we gather to have fun. I bet that we all can come up with some really great ideas for raising money, and being together and having fun while doing it. We’ve never had a dearth of people coming up with great, creative ideas. I will say that, in the past, we have had a dearth of people working to make those ideas happen!

So, we WANT those great ideas you have. But we also want (and need) people (YOU!) to do the work to make it happen. Many hands really do make light work. Please step in and do what you can. Online service auction, anyone? Dinner at your amazing house for a certain level of donation? White elephant/”things” auction? Nancy Hayashibara 1-woman show? What else can you think of? The sky’s the limit!

The one thing I KNOW, without any doubt, is that we will make it through these tough times, and come out stronger than ever. We always have! And what I saw from you on Sunday bore that out. We all love this congregation, this community, and our mission. We ARE here to celebrate life. Empower people. Care for one another. And to help to build a BETTER world.

Let’s get to it!

The Board was delighted that an unprecedented number UUCSR members attended the January Board meeting — more than 20. We were gratified by their willingness to spend an evening learning about the issues that UUCSR is grappling with and the solutions being developed. It will take the understanding and commitment of the whole Congregation to create a healthy and robust future for UUCSR.

We are using the book “Governance and Ministry”, by very well-known church consultant Dan Hotchkiss, as the basis for an ongoing discussion about how to create a more effective and accountable governance structure at UUCSR. This month, Board members identified several crucial ideas to incorporate in any new approach, including ways to build trust, and foster diversity and inclusion.

The Board continues to grapple with a range of communications and transparency issues. One example is how to make UUCSR’s policies, procedures, and committee charters readily accessible. We discussed exploring several different ways of doing that, but there is much more to be worked out.

As I’m sure you know by now, among the thorniest of the issues before us is an anticipated significant shortfall in next year’s budget. This is a result of a combination of factors, including many pledges being in arrears and the absence of income from Glaser Center rentals. With your partnership and support, we will get through this, coming out the other side stronger than ever.

And last but certainly not least, we welcomed Lee Lipinski to the Board, to fill out Mike McGirr’s term. She has already proven to be a valuable voice.

In love and partnership,

Natalie

A Board of Trustees taskforce is looking at the various tools the congregation uses for communicating different types of information. We would really like to get your ideas and opinions by filling out a short survey about which tools you use (calendar, focus list, newsletter, etc.). This survey is anonymous, but you will have the option to include your email address if you wish. Responses will be collected until February 13th.

Thank you for your participation.

UUCSR congregants often ask the Diversity Team what they can do to directly make a difference in fostering racial and economic justice. One important way is to support Black-owned businesses.

Financial stability is the true key to economic empowerment. Small businesses in the US are second only to homeownership as the best source of wealth building. We can trace the origins of today’s racial wealth gap to Jim Crow-era practices that segregated African Americans from economic and homeowner ownership opportunities that ultimately prevented wealth building.

In recognition and celebration of Black History Month, the Diversity Team enthusiastically invites you to support this local Black-Indigenous owned business in Sonoma County; The Earthseed Permaculture Center and Farm.

The Earthseed Farm is the first Afro-Indigenous, all Black-owned Retreat/ Education Center and Permaculture Farm in Sonoma County. Its mission is to: “employ restorative practices rooted in Afro-Indigenous legacies to live in right relationship with our Earth and more than human kin, while healing generations of historic harms.” EOCF is a member of the Black Permaculture Network of Afro-indigenous people who have come together through the practices of permaculture, agroecology, natural living, and care of the earth.

Earthseed is a working farm that also:

Please visit their websites to learn more about this Sonoma County, Black-Indigenous owned business and how you can support Earthseed Permaculture Education Center and Farm.

When a black-owned business thrives that leads to more jobs and a stronger workforce, not only for economically distressed areas but, in affluent communities as well. An equitable business sector is a strong business sector.

Bringing attention to Black- and Minority-Owned Businesses can go a long way in demonstrating that the green movement is everybody’s movement. When Minority-Owned Businesses have a financial platform to stand on, they can support the green economy and inspire more people to become part of the green movement.

The prosperity of a green economy depends on embracing true diversity. The green movement has historically and presently wrestled with a lack of diversity in its activism and representation, but Green Americans can change this.

Bringing attention to Black- and minority-owned businesses demonstrates that the green movement is everybody’s movement. When minority-owned businesses have a financial platform to stand on, they inspire more people to join the green economy.

The big news from RE this month is that we will officially be hosting a week-long day camp this summer! Chalice Camp will be held August 1st-5th, and will be open to kids entering 1st-9th grade.

Chalice Camp will highlight kernels of our religious heritage and theological turning points in our history that make us who we are today. Campers will explore and experience UU identity, history, and values through energetic worship, games, drama, art, and community building.

To make Chalice Camp truly amazing, we need your help! Donations for Chalice Camp will go towards providing scholarships for families, camp t-shirts, additional activities and more. We are also looking for volunteer counselors, who would get to help create an unforgettable experience for our campers.

More information on Chalice Camp, including registration, will be coming out in the RE Weekly Newsletter in the coming weeks. If you have any questions about Chalice Camp, or would like to donate or get involved, please contact me at dre@uusantarosa.org or at (707)-494-8799.

This Sunday, the PreK-1st grade kids are learning all about trees, as they examine how these everyday plants play a critical role in our web of life. Meanwhile, the 2nd-5th graders are reflecting on what it means to forgive others.

Sunday, February 13th - Habitats/The Blessing of Imperfection

The PreK-1st graders are learning all about habitats this week, as they explore different environments and look at the flora and fauna that work together to make them unique. The 2nd-5th graders will be looking at imperfection, and the many wonderful things it can bring.

The PreK-1st graders will be getting down and dirty this Sunday as they learn all about the important process of decomposition, and get introduced to some of the important animals that make it possible. The 2nd-5th graders will be all talk this Sunday, as they explore the importance of speech and language in their faith community

Sunday, February 27th - Life-Giving Plants/Me in My Community, My Community in Me

For the final Sunday in February, the PreK-1st graders will be planting seeds and learning all about how to care for the plants we use in everyday life. The 2nd-5th graders will be learning all about their faith community, as they hear from various members of the congregation how UUCSR is important to them.

-Ann Druyan of her husband Carl Sagan, who was an atheist.

My goodness, I'm trying to type and I can't see the screen because my eyes are filled with tears. Sid Gordon, whom we honored last month, walked on recently. I'm re-reading Ellen Skagerberg's tribute to him which she sent to the Focus List. I'm sure Betty can say it was wonderful that she and Sid found each other in the cosmos.

You'll have to give me a moment...

Okay, done with the kleenex now.

I want to tell you that, by the time you read this, we anticipate that eight representatives of the choir will have "interviewed" two candidates for our Music Director position. We plan to gather, masked and social-distanced, to let each candidate lead us in learning an a cappella piece of music of their choice. If it weren't for the covid lockdown, it would have been the entire choir. But the eight of us will talk together about it and then give our feedback to the Hiring Committee. Hopefully next time your read this Musical Notes column, you will discover the name of our new Music Director. And the email address given below will be redirected to them.

So if you'd like to be a part of the music ministry at UUCSR, as a soloist, in a small group, a member of the choir, or an instrumentalist, send an email to musicdirector@uusantarosa.org.

And as always, stay young and keep singing.

UUs tend to be a stoic lot. One could have just gone through a major health scare, had a beloved pet die, lost a home to flood, and been downsized at work, but still will answer the “How are you?” question with, “I’m good. How about you?” The Lay Chaplains are good listeners, and we here for you when you’re tired of being stoic and just need a compassionate ear. If you would like to talk to one of us, just ask.

Our joys can become sweeter and our sorrowful burdens eased a bit when we share them with our beloved community. Add yours to the Milestones Book (on the stand just outside the sanctuary door) to share during the service (when we have in-person services). When we meet online, send your milestones to laychaplains@uusantarosa.org by Saturday morning so they can be included in the Sunday service.

Your Lay Chaplains are here for you. Contact us at laychaplains@uusantarosa.org, or call us: Lucia Milburn, Barbara Kezur, Bruce Hope, Mary Lee Lill, Gayle Shirley, Judy Ervice, Paula Hammett (chair)

The Gaelic traditional festival Imbolc honors the Goddess Brigid. She is a Goddess of Fire, the Sun and Hearth. She brings fertility to the land and its people and is closely connected to midwives and new-born babies. She is the Triple Goddess, but at Imbolc she is in her Maiden aspect, young and yearning for growth. Imbolc marks the beginning of spring traditionally held on February 1st, landing halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox and is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals along with Beltane, Lughnasadh and Samhain.

CUUPs invites you to celebrate with us on Tuesday February 1st at 6:00PM. You must RSVP for this invitation only Zoom celebration. RSVP to cuups@uusantarosa.org.

We, members of the Diversity Project, invite all members of our congregation to consider adopting the 8th Principle. To that end we propose a thorough, thoughtful, conversation to ready us all for a vote. There is much information to be taken in, questions of social justice to be answered. We have no timeline, rather a plan to move forward toward the appropriate time for the question to be called.

“We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association,

covenant to affirm and promote:

journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build

a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that

accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions

in ourselves and our institutions.”

Tamara, Bev and I, members of the Diversity Project will be members of the 8th Principle Task Force. We look forward to working with those of you who feel called to do this work. Please call or email any of us to learn more and/or to volunteer.

Tamara Murrell (707) 953-9854 tlm458@sonic.net

Bev Spears (425) 647-7648 bev@socomail.com

Jeanie Bates (707) 861-9491 jeaniebmft@gmail.com

Happy 2022 from your Adult Education Committee. Like the rest of the congregation, we have been adapting to the long shutdown of our usual activities. We are grateful to congregation members who have made opportunities available on Zoom and are evaluating when we can resume something like normal operations. Our mission is to provide the congregation with educational and informative classes on a wide variety of subjects. The Adult Education Committee recruits presenters and helps to organize, develop and publicize classes. Subject matter can include spiritual growth and practices, social justice issues, scientific discussion, book discussions, literature/movies, and the arts. Members of the Committee are Nadene Carroll, Carol Daeley, Helga Lemke (Co-Chair), Kathy Stayton, Steve Sweaney (Co-Chair), and Clare Whitfield. We would like to recognize Sarita Hazen and Rev.Chris Bell for their longtime service on this committee, and Dianne Vidmar for service that was short but valuable during this difficult time. We would also like to recognize two other stalwart members, Phil Harriman and John Speck, losses to us and the congregation.

The committee is actively planning new classes in addition to the two listed below. We encourage members of the congregation to submit proposals based on their experience, expertise, and knowledge. Classes have typically ranged from one to eight sessions. If you are interested, please contact one of the committee members. We also welcome suggestions for classes congregation members would like to see offered.

Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom

By Jonathan Haidt

A Book Discussion on Zoom; Sign Up HERE 

What: The Adult Education Committee presents a 5 part discussion of this book which explores the question "What makes a person happy?" The book examines 10 Great Ideas that originated in ancient Eastern and Western civilizations and still influence our thinking today. Ideas such as: the Golden Rule, reason can control our emotions, adversity makes us stronger, and the meaning of life. Using the filter of modern psychology as applied by the author, we will examine how these timeless ideas might help us find happiness today.

When: Five Zoom sessions on Tuesdays 3:00-4:30 from Feb 1-Mar 1st.

Who: Registration is required and is limited to 15 people who commit to reading 40-60 pages each week.

Cost: Available in all formats, a new paperback costs about $10.

Info: Contact discussion leader Steve Sweaney at adulted@sonic.net or 707-799-2429.

The Origin of Our Discontents

By Isabel Wilkerson

What: A discussion of Wilkerson’s groundbreaking analysis of American racism as a system of social stratification based on concepts of hierarchy, purity, and what she calls the human pathogens of hatred and tribalism. She draws comparisons with India’s caste system and Nazi Germany and looks in detail at the conquering of indigenous peoples.

When: Three Zoom sessions on Tuesdays April 19 and 26 and May 3, 6:30-8:00 PM

Discussion Leaders: Carol Daeley, Kathy Stayton, Clare Whitfield

As you may have noticed, the administrator has been sending out a weekly blast to update you about upcoming events in the congregation. This blast every includes information about events, upcoming services, and things that are timely in nature. There will still be a newsletter each month that will contain all messages from the board, the minister, and all the other unusual suspects we’ve come to know and love, and a calendar of all known events for the month coming up. Articles submitted to the administrator (administrator@uusantarosa.org) before the 25th of the month will be sent out in the monthly newsletter. Information submitted to the administrator by noon on Wednesday will be included in the weekly blast. No official congregational communication will be sent out on the focus list, so if you are not signed up for the constant contact newsletter, please contact the administrator. We will try this for a while, get feedback, and see how it is working.

In the meantime, neither our monthly newsletter or our weekly blast has a name, and we need something other than “constant contact,” which is the mailing software we use, to refer to them. So, your UUCSR office staff would like to announce a competition to name both the monthly newsletter and the weekly blast. Names can be submitted to the administrator, and the winner will be chosen and announced in next month's newsletter. Let’s get those creative juices flowing!

UUCSR is a member organization of NBOP. You can be part of putting our UU values to work in our communities through NBOP activities. For current meetings, check out the NBOP Public Calendar. You can also visit the NBOP Website for the latest updates on events, and sign up for the NBOP Newsletter.

UUCSR Women’s Retreat - April 29 to May 1, St. Dorothy’s Rest in Camp Meeker

Please add this wonderful springtime event to your calendar so you don’t miss it! We will have our popular small group discussions on the theme and a variety of great workshops plus our silent auction and the great food. This is a wonderful opportunity to get to know other women in the congregation on a deeper level and have fun together.

CUUPS - Pagan and pagan-supportive members of the Congregation are invited to attend our monthly meetings, currently held via Zoom on the fourth Tuesday of the month from 6 to 7 pm. For a link to the Zoom meeting, send an email request to cuups@uusantarosa.org.

Older and Bolder Women's Group - This group for women of the Congregation who have already reached their 80th birthday continues in the Green Room the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month from 10 am to noon. We meet for coffee at 10 am and begin our discussion group at 10:30 sharp. The group facilitators are Shirley White and Clare Whitfield.

Saturday Breakfast - Plans to return to serving a hot breakfast have been put off for the time being due to the uptick in COVID-19 cases. However, we will continue to offer bagged breakfasts every Saturday from 6 to 8 am.

Art Committee - The purpose of the Art Committee is to be inclusive of all the arts from people of all ages, and to reach out to our congregants and beyond. We aim to have four art shows a year with receptions on opening day, as appropriate. We meet on the 4th Friday of the month at 2 pm in the Green Room at the Glaser Center. Our committee currently consists of Clare Whitfield, Stephanie Reed, Chlele Gummer, Helga Lemke, and Sarita Hazen; we welcome another member or two. You need not be an artist, just a lover of art to be on the committee. Contact Chlele Gummer for more information: chlelegummer@gmail.com.

Membership Committee - If you are able and willing to help greet people as they come in the door for Sunday services once a month or so, please contact Margaret Bregger Coston or Jan Hess. Additionally, if you are interested in being part of the Membership Team, contact Dee Ray. We will be gearing up in the fall for Getting to Know UU classes and New Member gatherings.

Ushers & Greeters - Jami Kerr is still hoping for dependable volunteers to count offerings after the service once a month…and also ushers and greeters for a once a month welcoming to our congregants. These are very easy volunteer positions. If you can count (or smile under those annoying masks to greet) please see or email Jami Kerr at jamikerr@comcast.net.

Caring Connections Committee - Caring Connections provides short-term help to UUCSR members in difficult situations, such as the death of a loved one or recovery from illness or surgery. Services we provide include essential shopping, delivering a few meals, providing a ride to pharmacies, medical appointments and Sunday services, a home or hospital visit, or a friendly phone call. Caregivers: let one of our volunteers stay with your loved one while you take a couple of hours to run some errands or simply take some time for yourself. Gretchen Vap, our Outreach Coordinator, is a retired nurse practitioner, and is available for consult.

Want to connect more with other people and enjoy an opportunity for spiritual growth? Watch for emails listing the available times and locations (Zoom and in person) for the groups. 

Not familiar with Soul Matters? It's about exploration, connection, support, and transformation,  Each month all of us receive an email with a *Soul Matters packet* filled with rich resources to help us explore a particular theme. For February, we will be exploring the theme "Widening the Circle." Inside the packet are poems, inspirational quotes, questions for reflection, and links to videos and films. It also contains spiritual exercises to deepen our experience and help us embody our UU principles in a deep and meaningful way.

For more information or to sign up for a group, please email Katie Trieller or Jan Ogren.