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Christmas Message for UUSS
December 23, 2020
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| Ministerial Reflections and Wishes | |
Dear Members, Friends, Families and Guests--
Merry Carbohydrates to you! The baking and making elves have been quite busy this year. This means I need to do a bit more walking. A lot more walking, actually. I am grateful to be in good health, living in a climate where I can be outside with ease, and to be serving this amazing congregation we call UUSS.
You are on our hearts this week, when so many stresses and losses can burden the spirit. Please reach out to Rev. Lucy or me if we can be of support, or just to check in. If you are reading this on paper and don't use email, our numbers are in the directory, or you may leave a message at our extensions at UUSS. Especially now, it is gratifying that we have this community and so many creative people working to keep us connected. In particular, we had a beautiful and moving Winter Solstice Service at Vespers last night, with music and ritual that were healing and hopeful. We had nearly 70 computers connected, which we estimate is 98 people! That's double our usual turnout for Tuesday nights. Last Sunday morning we also had a good crowd for our annual Holiday Celebration Service. In addition to recorded and live music, we had a Twelve Days of Christmas Sing-along with 12 households popping in and out on Zoom as they took us through the song. It worked really well, and we had a variety of individual, couples and families with children made our spirits bright. Thanks to Celia Buckley for organizing it and Rev. Lucy for working on logistics, and Dirk and Ivan for making it possible technically. You can see the photograps of members' holiday decorations at our website. Thanks to Krystal and Dirk for making it possible. We also had the Nativity Pageant adapted for Zoom, and it was a hoot! Many folks have let us know how much they smiled at our service. Deep thanks to Miranda Massa for coordinating it, recruiting the players, shepherding the shepherds and tending the flocks of costumed faces. Deep thanks also to Dirk Tuell for managing a cast of thousands on Zoom, keeping track of the performers and spotlighting them at the right time. His dexterity and reliability were truly a holiday miracle. Thanks also to our loving and lovely narrator, Kurt, and the many participants. Please read below for opportunities to come together, to deepen our lives, and to be a force for healing in the world. I hope to see you soon, but if I don't please feel free to connect. I am holding you in my thoughts as we all extend our wishes and prayers for peace, health and healing. I am grateful for your presence and support as we do all that we can to share courage, peace, kindness and hope. With love,
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Holiday Services and Events - Join Us
 Thursday, December 24, 7:00 PM Christmas EveThis service features lovely music, a time of stillness, an ancient story, and a message for these times. Bring a candle (or pick one up outside Rev. Roger's office, or contact him if you need a volunteer to drop one off at your doorstep.). Christmas Eve Outreach Offering: Our Christmas Eve donations will be given in their entirety to Sacramento Loaves and Fishes, which provides food, clothing, other survival services to homeless neighbors. It also provides respect, dignity and kindness to everyone. Thank you for your generosity!
Friday, December 25, 5:00-7:00 PM Zoom Christmas Day open house
Join us for a virtual gathering for breaking bread together in the main UUSS zoom space. This is for anyone and everyone who wishes to eat or talk (or both) with friends and new acquaintances in the UUSS community. No planned program. Music, poetry welcome or just come. Organizer: Laurie Jones
Thursday, Dec. 31 9:00 PM-12:30 AM New Year's Eve Open House
Join us for camaraderie & activities to possibly include hourly toasts on the hour, word games; sharing of our hopes and resolutions, memorable moments of 2020, things you are glad to say good-bye to, jokes, readings of poems, music (live or recorded), banging pots, blowing whistles, trivia, optional costumes (clothing is not optional), Co-hosts: Tiffany Urness & Laurie Jones. Main zoom room.
 Friday January 1, 10:00 AM New Year's Labyrinth Walk with Rev. Lucy. Let's continue our tradition of a labyrinth walk to start off the new year. This time we will use a finger labyrinth for our journey. You will be surprised at how powerful the experience can be. You can access a printable labyrinth here. Lets kick off the new year in each other's company.
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How to Connect by Telephone on Zoom
to hear and participate in UUSS Programs
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 From a land line, cell phone or any other phone, dial (669) 900-6833. (This is a San Jose area code.) When it asks you for your "meeting ID," enter 916 483 9283 and then press #. You may need to press # again. You can ignore it when it asks for your personal ID. However, if it asks for a passcode, try 1234. If it doesn't work, please hang up and try again. We hope to connect with you!
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Join Our Services
December Soul Matters Theme--Stillness
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Join us for Worship Services:
Sundays at 11:00 a.m. ~ Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m.
For a full list of December services check here. Miss a service? You can find links to past services here.
 Thursday, December 24: Christmas Eve
at 7:00 p.m.
- Get your candle out and join us on this magical night of singing carols, hearing ancient scripture, and praying for peace on earth and goodwill in every human heart.
- Tonight's offering donations will be given in their entirety to Loaves and Fishes an organization serving our homeless community.
Sunday, December 27, 11:00 a.m.
Holding on by Letting Go--and other Spiritual Lessons from 2020
Dr. Tovis Page, preaching, with Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, 
Rev Lucy Bunch and Worship Associate Frances Myers
Rev. Cynthia Davis, cello
Drawing on her experiences of parenting in a pandemic and serving a local interfaith justice organization at a time of upheaval, our guest reflects on living with purpose in the midst of uncertainty, conflict and change.
Like Jacob wrestling with the angel, what blessings can we wrestle out of 2020, hard as it was, before turning to the New Year?
 Guest Speaker: Tovis Page is a mother of two and a UU seminarian at Starr King School for the Ministry. Prior to her call to ministry, Tovis earned a PhD in the Study of Religion at Harvard. She has served as a lay leader at her home congregation in Redwood City and as a ministerial intern for the UU communities in San Mateo and Half Moon Bay. She serves as the Program Coordinator for a group of 45 interfaith leaders working for justice and compassion in San Mateo County. Tovis lives with her husband, two kids, and various furry, feathered, and scaly critters.
 Tuesday, December 29, 7:00 p.m.
Appreciating Kwanzaa
Message by Keith Atwater with Rev. Dr. Roger Jones
Worship Associate Karen Sparrow
Starting every Dec. 26, Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration of seven principles from African heritage. It was created in 1966 by an American professor, Maulana Karenga, when he was 25. Tonight, instead of trying to appropriate any of the rituals of the holiday, we will appreciate its history and honor its significance. We'll also enjoy "Happy Kwanzaa" by the astounding Teddy Pendergrass, an African American singer who died in 2010. Speaker: Keith Atwater, in addition to being our music director, is professor of humanities and religions at American River College.
 Be our Sunday Chalice lighters! 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.
All you have to do is sign-up!
We'll Zoom you into the morning service. We hope to see more beloved and familiar faces.
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Groups, Gatherings, and Classes
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 Heart Practices for the Season--Mindfulness with Ann Kronser, Monday, Dec. 28, 6:00 to 6:30 PM. All welcome for this second session of mindfulness practices to cultivate practices of the heart for these times. In our main Zoom space.
New Class--"Cultivating Qualities of the Heart through Meditation"--Join our mindfulness teacher Ann Kronser and others to learn and practice the heart qualities of kindness, compassion, joy and steadiness-for our sake and for the world. On 5 Thursdays, 6:30-8:00 pm: Jan. 14, 21, 28, & Feb. 4, 18. It will have a private, reserved Zoom space, so please sign up to get the link. Sponsored by UUSS Adult Enrichment. No fee, but freewill donations to UUSS are invited.
Click to read more at our website.
Wellspring Wednesday, 7:00 PM--tonight, Rev. Roger leads a conversation  and invites you to share a holiday memory that you hold in the wellsprings of your heart--funny, touching, ordinary, whatever! In our main Zoom space.
 Wellspring Wednesday, 7:00 PM-- On Dec. 30, Rev. Lucy Bunch leads a conversation about the new year. Join us every Wednesday for learning, sharing, and connecting in community.
In our main Zoom space.
Note also the New Year's Day Labyrinth Walk in the Holiday section.
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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. Rev. Roger hosts this Sunday, Dec. 27, from 9:25 till 10:00 am. Miranda will be back on Jan. 3. We will celebrate our connections, remember our Rainbow Promises, and sustain our sense of wonder, online together. Get links here.
Junior High Youth Group (JHYG) Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021 with Rev. Cynthia Davis and Terrie Ray , 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. Terrie reminds families to sign up to be the official Chalice Lighters for a Sunday morning worship service. Cynthia will be playing the cello for the Dec. 27 Sunday morning service!
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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An Invitation to Make
a Financial Difference at Year-end
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This has been a rough, uncertain, and heartbreaking year for so many people, both nearby and around the world. It has been disruptive to all of us and our congregation.
However, UUSS has risen to the challenges of this year by staying connected and keeping focused on our mission. We pivoted to online services, meetings, small groups and Religious Education. We reached out to isolated members and offered practical support to those in need. We volunteered for election outreach. (Nationwide, and now in Georgia, hundreds of UU the Vote volunteers have contacted over three million voters!) As many of our neighbors in the Sacramento area have been hit hard by economic harm and racial injustice, we have supported our community partner organizations with gifts of time, talent and money. We have learned from their expertise and followed their leadership. Even with such vitality at UUSS, we still miss one another's presence--the warm fellowship and hugs, our voices lifted in song or laughter, the shared meals and other sources of reassurance. We long for the day when we can be together safely again in our beautiful home. Thanks to your goodwill and your faith, we look forward to that day with confidence. In thanksgiving for the resilience, care and faith of this beloved congregation, please consider making a special Holiday Gift to strengthen UUSS now and to sustain it for the future. In particular, we recommend a gift for building loan reduction or to the Heritage Fund. We are fortunate that a few members have offered to provide matching contributions for gifts that are made this month, up to $8,000. Every gift made now will count toward that match! We value and appreciate every act of generosity and support. Every gift makes a real difference, including yours. However, if hardship makes it impossible to give at this time, please be assured that we understand and are grateful for your presence and good wishes. Our UUSS Mission says: We come together to deepen our lives and be a force for healing in the world. Thank you for your care and support for one another and for UUSS. In addition to your participation here in so many ways, your generosity will sustain and extend our mission into the new year and the years to come. Thank you! With best wishes for the new year, Roger, Lucy, Victoria Rev. Dr. Roger Jones ~ Rev. Lucy Bunch ~ Victoria Owens, Treasurer P.S. --Please make sure your gift is postmarked or completed electronically before Dec. 31 to qualify for matching donations as well as any tax advantages for you. (Note that the CARES Act will allow for a 2020 tax deduction of charitable donations up to $300 for those who don't normally itemize their deductions).
Checks may be mailed to UUSS Holiday Gifts, 2425 Sierra Blvd., Sacramento 95825 or made by credit card at www.uuss.org/donate. If you wish to make a gift of appreciated stock or mutual funds, please contact our Bookkeeper, Michele Ebler: michele@uuss.org or (916) 483-9283, ext. 205.
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UUSS Office Closed Dec. 24 through Jan. 3
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If you have any questions or pastoral needs during these times, please reach out to Rev. Roger or to Rev. Lucy by email or phone. Though neither indoor nor outdoor church activities in groups are possible during the County-level restrictions, our beautiful grounds are open for family or individual visits to our community garden, outdoor labyrinth, oak and olive trees, or the newly-completed patio. (People have been dropping off and picking up jigsaw puzzles for exchange outside Rev. Roger's office in the RE Building!) Feel free to walk or roll in the parking lot or sit on a bench in the sunshine and fresh air. We are thinking of all of you as we look forward to better days.
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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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