Weekly Message from UUSS
June 10, 2022
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Dear Members, Friends, Families, and Guests--
The more things change, the more they seem to try our souls (and bodies). While Covid-19 is, in general, less lethal than it was before the vaccines and boosters, it is again very prevalent and affecting many people we know and love. Please let us know if this includes you, and if you need some support--even a phone call or an email.
The leaders and paid staff in this congregation have worked hard since 2020 to protect us from infection as much as possible and to provide as many options as possible for us to stay connected.
I feel the presence of Zoom participants on Sundays; I appreciate the weekly discussion groups and committee meetings that happen online. I also enjoy the hugs, elbow bumps, or handshakes that people may opt for in person, and I can see the smile in your eyes when your face mask is hiding your mouth. Thanks to the planners, donors, and staffers who made possible our enormous Patio Cover, which comes in so handy in these times!
Thanks to our RE Coordinator and volunteers for having brought youth and kids back to campus this year--including some brand new participants. Thanks to our picnic organizer/hosts and our Service Auction organizers too. (I've hosted 4 of my own auction events so far.) Thanks to Rev. Lucy and our Advocates for alerting us to contact the Board of Supervisors. Thanks to the choir and other musicians for keeping music in our hearts.
I hope you will read this message for good news and important work in this congregation, where we come together to deepen our lives and be a force for healing in the world.
Keep the faith and keep in touch!
Love,
PS--One more thing. If you can be a UUSS delegate for the District Annual Meeting tomorrow (June 11) from 1-3 pm, please let me know, and register at this link. |
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Joys to Share:
Congrats to Our Graduates
Recently some UUSS-connected students have graduated. Other commencements are coming up. We are proud of all of the students in our lives and we extend our love and best wishes to you all as the school year nears its end.
Several UUS-related graduations were listed in the Weekly Message on May 27.
Here are some more recent ones:
Simon Kagle, grandson of Joan and David Rubenson, graduated from Mountain View High School, and will attend UC Santa Cruz. Congrats, Simon!
Jonah Wolfe, grandson of Sandi Lane, received a bachelor's degree in business administration from the California State University Maritime Academy in Vallejo and will start his career at the Port of Long Beach. Congrats, Jonah!
Bryce Turnipseed, grandson of Karen Smith, graduated from George Fox University (a Quaker-founded school) in mechanical engineering and film studies. Congrats, Bryce!
Keton Turnipseed, grandson of Karen Smith, received a J.D. degree from McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento. Congrats, Keton!
If you have someone to list here in the next Weekly Message, please call or email Rev. Roger with their name, school, diploma or degree, and UUSS connection.
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Kathy Bernard's Celebration of Life will take place at UUSS (and be streamed on Zoom) on Sunday, June 12, 1:30 p.m., with a reception to follow. Memorial contributions in Kathy's honor may be made to Sacramento ACT or the UUSS Heritage Fund. |
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We extend our condolences to Annette Orella and her sister, Ada, on the passing of their mother, Clella Bay Murray, at age 91. An Iowa native, she studied atomic effects on chromosomes at Smith College and the University of Michigan. She met her husband, a fellow researcher, at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. When the family moved to Delaware, she wrote novels for adults and youth. Read about her life at this link. |
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Sunday Mornings with UUSS
Proof of Vaccination & Masks Required to Attend In-Person Services
Join us for Worship Services in person or on Zoom Zoom links here
Service time 10:30 a.m..
Miss a service? You can find links to past services here.
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Our June Soul Matters Theme is
Celebrating Blessings
For your family or personal reflection,
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Half of all offering donations made in June
will support our local community partner:
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Sunday Morning Programs at UUSS
Join us before the service at 9:30 AM at UUSS
First Sunday - Labyrinth walk
Second Sunday - Racial Equity conversation
Third Sunday Qui Gong/Tai Chi
Fourth Sunday - Exploring Unitarian Universalism
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Join us for a Newcomer Orientation the second of every month Sunday right after church in the Welcome Hall; the next one is this Sunday, June 12. |
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Joys and Sorrows: If you would like to have a joy, sorrow, concern, or milestone spoken aloud by a minister in Sunday’s prayer time, at this link. You may also use that link to inform us of a joy, concern or sorrow and let us know if you do not want us to mention it in church, or if you would like a phone call by a minister.
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Sunday, June 12, 10:30: Be a Blessing to Yourself
Rev. Lucy Bunch, preaching, with Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, Worship Associate Celia Buckley, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva.
In these troubled times resilience is crucial to our health and survival. Cultivating resilience requires that we have a strong and loving relationship with ourselves. How’s that going for you? In the spirit of our Soul Matters Theme Celebrating Blessings, we will consider how we can be a blessing to ourselves.
- Newcomer orientation and tour after the service. Committee on Ministry forum at noon (see below).
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Sunday, June 19, 10:30:
Under the Bright Summer Sun - A Circle Service
Rev. Lucy Bunch, Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, with Worship Associates Karen Sparrow and Ginny Johnson. UUSS Choir, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva.
The sun is at its peak of potency in Sacramento as we celebrate the longest day. On this father’s day we will consider how can we harness the masculine energies of the sun to energize change and transformation. Come explore with us. Wear your shades.
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Sunday, June 26, 10:30: Compassion Is a Muscle
Rosemary Dodd, guest preacher, with Worship Associates Theo Claire and Karen Sparrow, Pianist Irina Tchantceva, Song Leaders from the UUSS Choir. Rev. Roger will be serving in Soul Kids at 10:15.
How do we make meaning when there is no hidden blessing in a situation? We fight to challenge structural inequality.
Through neuroscience, this sermon explores the human capacity
to re-wire the world.
Rosemary Dodd (she/her) is a third-year M. Div. student at Harvard Divinity School, pursuing ordained UU ministry. She grew up at the Unitarian Universalists of Petaluma. Rosemary is passionate about the arts, youth empowerment, and social change. This summer she is a Chaplain Intern at Sutter Medical Center.
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Informational Meeting Regarding
Our New Model for Ministry at UUSS
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The Board of Trustees, Program Council and Committee on Ministry are pleased to announce that Rev. Roger and Rev. Lucy are now Minsters of Equal Standing. On a co-equal basis, they make ministry decisions collaboratively and support each other‘s ministry. This model of ministry reflects one of the many innovative approaches to ministry at other UU congregations our size.
We will be celebrating this new relationship in the fall, but wanted to give members opportunities to ask questions and find out more about Ministers of Equal Standing.
You can come to a Q and A session in person this Sunday, June 12, at noon in the Fahs room, hosted by the Committee on Ministry and Board members. There will also be a Zoom meeting uuss.org/online on Monday, June 27 at 7pm hosted by Mary Howard.
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Religious Education (RE) for Children & Youth |
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RE Summer ArtWorks is on the calendar for Sundays - July 3, 10, & 17 and August 14, 21, & 28. Please mark your calendars and for questions and your artsy and activity ideas, please email re@uuss.org. Let's have some fun!
Soul Kids will meet this Sunday, June 12 at 10:15 a.m. for the last class with Ms. Miranda and DJ this church year. Kindergarten-grade 5 are welcome to join us!
There is no Soul Kids on June 19 for the Under the Bright Summer Sun Circle Service for all ages, and Rev. Roger will hang out with the elementary group on June 26.
Make sure your family is registered for RE beforehand. Families, please enter through the main building per our safety guidelines. Vaccination list sign-in is in the main lobby. Then please come through to Room 7/8 to sign your child in for Soul Kids. Remember to bring proof of vaccination and a face mask covering mouth/nose.
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Meals to the Door—When a member family has a health crisis or has welcomed a new child, it's helpful to have a few dinners. Can we add you to this volunteer network? If you don’t have time, are you able to order and buy a delivered meal? (You could also donate to the UUSS Ministers’ Discretionary Fund.) A Ride to Church—We occasionally get requests for rides from members without access to Paratransit. Can you give rides occasionally? (No heavy lifting.) Contact Rev. Roger by phone or email.
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Caregivers for Adult Loved Ones: An Invitation to Conversation
Are you a current or former caregiver to a loved one with dementia or another disabling condition? Would you like to connect with others who share this experience?
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Be a Force of Healing in the World |
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Sandwich Brigade Summer is definitely here and we'll continue to provide lunches for our unhoused neighbors in the community. JUNE DATES ARE: Wednesday, 6/15 and Wednesday, 6/22. Please have your 15 lunches at UUSS (table outside by the Office) by 10am. Please include in your labeled (PBJ) lunch bags: 1 PBJ (uncut) sandwich in ZIPPED bag, 1 washed piece of fruit, 1 granola bar and/or cookie, napkin. Include bottles of water for each lunch...water may be packed separately. No need to let me know if you're going to be gone on your week. We just keep those sandwiches rolling, and it all works out.
IF YOU'RE NEW TO THIS PROGRAM: If you're new and would like to contribute to the brigade, please follow directions above. We welcome all and we appreciate newcomers.
TO DATE: We've delivered over 5,000 sandwiches since January, 2021. Thank you, thank you, thank you. - Sally Wilkins - Questions? Contact Sally via the directory or Office.
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Mustard Seed School
Donation Drive Project Concludes June 12
One of our Soul Matters groups is concluding the year with a project for Mustard Seed, an emergency school for children located on the Loaves and Fishes campus.
Please help with much needed supplies and donations for the summer season, including bathing suits of all sizes, swim trunks, pool towels, and additional high-need items like gas cards for parents, laundry soap, and shoes. Please visit the table in the Welcome Hall this Sunday for more information. This is the concluding Sunday for the drive. Thanks!
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Join the Voter Outreach team
The next postcard writing campaign is starting! To Florida!
UU the Vote works with Reclaim Our Vote (ROV), a black-led organization working with local groups in Southern states and high-minority states like Arizona. They are using several methods to counter the "you can't vote" message that minority voters have received for generations and still receive. ROV has hired local people to register voters, and we writers and callers and texters will encourage those voters to go to the polls.
Reclaim Our Vote plans to analyze data from three Florida counties to determine the effectiveness of our writing.
It's Easy to Participate and Make a Difference
Our member Sue Jones is leading this effort. Let her know how many cards you want to write, in multiples of 20. she's requesting $1 per 20 names to cover the cost of cards, labels, script and names. You can pick them up from her porch in East Sacramento at any time; the porch is available 24/7. She also has porch pickup locations (dedicated volunteers) in Carmichael, Folsom, and Lincoln if any of those cities are closer to you.
Channel your frustration and join us!
Please note that postcards stamps go up from 40 cents to 44 cents on July 10. Stock up now on those postcard Forever stamps!
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Advocates for the Homeless
Join Us for a Day Of Action
On Tuesday, June 14, at 9:00 a.m. we will be part of a Day of Action to urge the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors to make homelessness and housing solutions their top priorities for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Go to the UUSS website for more information or to see a recording of the training session from Sunday, May 15. Together we can raise our voices in support of our unhoused kindred.
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Groups, Gatherings, and Classes |
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Face masks are required at UUSS events that are open to the public and held indoors. They are also required outdoors in the presence of children not old enough to be vaccinated.
To attend indoor events, please provide proof of being fully vaccinated (includes a booster) along with your ID; if you have done this earlier, you can just check your name off the list.
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Racial Equity Orientation Come early on the second Sunday of every month at 9:30 am. Next session is this Sunday, June 12, led by members of the Racial Justice
Team, in the Fahs Classroom. Please sign in at the Main Hall welcome table and go through the patio to the Fahs Room. The orientation is open to all who would like to learn more about racial equity and what we're doing here at UUSS.
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Ukulele Strum-Along - June 13, 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. outdoors on the covered patio. 1:30 for tutoring or to borrow a uke. Proof of vax required and masks optional outdoors.
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Mah Jongg - June 14, 7:00pm. This drop-in activity meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month at 7:00pm in Room 6.
We play "American-style" Mah Jongg using the current years card of the National Mah Jongg League. For more info contact: mahjongg@uuss.org
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BLOSSOMS and BUSHES Have fun weeding, trimming, and beautifying our campus for one hour, followed by a soup lunch, this month it will be on June 17 at 10AM. Just show up with clippers, sun hat, sunscreen, stool if needed, and good cheer. Contact: blossomsandbushes@uuss.org
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"Conversations About Death" with Molly Stuart, end-of-life advocate and fellow UU. Two sessions: June 23, "Background" and June 30, "Designing your Plan." Two Thursdays 10:00-11:30 a.m. on the UUSS covered patio. Please plan to attend both sessions, where we work our way from a practical understanding of the issues surrounding end-of-life care, explore our life values, and articulate specifically the kind of care we wish for. For more info and to sign up, email Molly at ConversationsAboutDeath@gmail.com.
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Staff and Minister Availability |
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Rev. Roger (Roger's day off is Monday; study day is Friday) Rev. Lucy (Lucy's day off is Monday; study day is Friday) 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.
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Rev. Roger will be at the UUA General Assembly in Portland June 20-26. Online registration is still possible and our Board of Trustees offers a registration subsidy. Also, there is no charge to attend two special GA worship services: uua.org/ga.
- Rev Lucy will be on vacation June 20 to July 5.
Our office staff (office@uuss.org or 916-483-9283) are available to respond to your phone calls and emails weekdays 8:30-4:30. Our RE Coordinator and Pianist and Music Director are available by email. You can find our pianist and music director also on Wednesday nights at choir practice at 7:00 p.m., ending June 15 (till August)!
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We come together to deepen our lives and be a force for healing in the world. |
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