Our Summer Message
Sent Every Other Friday through August
July 15, 2022
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Beloveds
I am preaching at the Chalice UU congregation in Escondido this Sunday and will be revisiting a sermon I gave for UUSS in January 2022 featuring the ideas of the science fiction author Octavia Butler. Her heroine in the Parable of the Sower preaches a theology of change:
All that you touch/You Change
All that you Change/Changes you
The only lasting truth/Is Change
God/Is Change
If you are curious you can read the sermon, or watch a video of the service on our website.
Living with change, coping with change, even thriving amongst change is our challenge in these times. At UUSS we have been blessed with significant stability in our staff for the past several years. Their consistency has helped us navigate the pandemic and transition through all the recent changes. But change has now come as some of our staff are moving on to new opportunities or meeting obligations. Michele Ebler, our amazing bookkeeper, is leaving us to take a position at San Juan Unified School District. This is a promotion for her and a great opportunity. Jesus Hoyos, our trusted custodian, is leaving us because of childcare needs in his family. We wish them both all the best in their new situations. Please reach out to them with appreciation for their service.
As the minister responsible for administration, it is my job to ensure that we fill these positions with capable staff that will serve the congregation well. So I am taking deep breaths, and opening my mind to a vision of the new individuals who will become part of our staff. We are recruiting for both positions at this time, with hopes for a great outcome. There will be some transitional bumps along the way, but with patience and a good attitude, we will get back to full operation and make the most of any new opportunities that come our way.
The only lasting truth is change. Let’s navigate the waters of change together.
Sending love to all,
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Helen Vanderford died peacefully on July 3. She was a long time UUSS member and avid participant in the Renaissance Society at Sacramento State. We send our condolences to her four children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who were all an important part of her life. A memorial is planned for the Fall at Effie Yeaw Nature center. You can read her obituary here.
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Edie Hedgecock died after a long illness at the end of June. Edie was a member of both the Society and the UU Community Church, our former sister congregation in South Sacramento. Most recently she attended the Mt Diablo UU Church (MDUUC) in Walnut Creek. A celebration of her life is being planned for September at MDUUC. We will provide more information when it is available. |
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Sonya Dufoo, another former member of the UU Community Church, died last month after a long illness. We send our condolences to her daughter Chris. |
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Our longtime bookkeeper Michele Ebler will be leaving us at the end of the month to take a position with the San Juan School District. We are grateful for her 16 years of dedicated and creative service. She will be very hard to replace. Please send her your appreciations to michele@uuss.org. Her last day is July 29. A search for her replacement has begun. If you know of someone who might be a good fit for the position, contact Rev. Lucy.
Due to family and childcare needs, Jesus Hoyos, our custodian will be leaving us as well. We have appreciated his hard work and positive attitude. If you see him on Sunday morning or on the campus in the next two weeks, please express you appreciation for all that he has done for us. We are in the process of finding a replacement.
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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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Half of all offering donations made in July
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
1st Sunday - Labyrinth walk in the meadow (next one: August 7)
2nd Sunday - Racial Equity conversation - Fahs (next one: August 14)
3rd Sunday Qui Gong/Tai Chi - patio (next one: July 17)
4th Sunday - Exploring Unitarian Universalism - Fahs Room (July 24)
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Join us for a Newcomer Orientation the second of every month Sunday right after church in the Welcome Hall, led by Rev. Lucy; the next one is Sunday, August 14. |
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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, July 17, 10:30: My Unsung Hero
Worship Associates Karen Sparrow, Celia Buckley, Ginny Johnson, Courtney O’Neil, Dan Myers, Irina Tchantceva, piano, with Rev. Roger Jones
Most of us have had an experience where someone making a difference in our lives but we didn’t have a chance to tell them. Our Worship Associates are offering the service today and each will share a story of an Unsung Hero who made a difference in life. Bring tissues.
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Sunday, July 24, 10:30: Tee-shirt Spirituality:
A Circle Service for all Ages
Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, Rev. Lucy Bunch,
Worship Associates Celia Buckley and Colette Kavanaugh,
Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva
Wear a tee-shirt with an image or message proclaiming your faith, philosophy, theology, ethical outlook or other commitments. Threads of spiritual wisdom, social justice, or humor are welcome. (No partisan politics or vulgarity, please.)
If you don’t have a shirt to show, wear whatever you like, but come! (If you will participate by Zoom, send a picture of yourselves in your shirts to office@uuss.org by July 21.)
No Religious Education today; all ages are together in the sanctuary.
The service today includes farewell words from and a UUSS blessing
for Maya, a recent high school graduate from our community.
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Sunday, July 31, 10:30: Church 2.0
Guest preacher Clovice Lewis, with Rev Lucy Bunch,
Worship Associate Karen Sparrow, Music Director Anthony Tavianini,
pianist Irina Tchantceva. Special guest musician Carol Cole Lewis.
Many people have not recognized that the post-pandemic world is fundamentally and permanently changed. This service will describe how the “Church 2.0” project is intended to inform, prepare, and equip religious organizations to meet spiritual needs in a time of chronic and ongoing crisis. We will explore how organizations of all kinds can navigate the spiritual waters of disruption.
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Bio
Clovice Lewis is a professional cellist and composer who composed his first symphony at the age of 17, and was a professor of computer music at UC Santa Barbara from 1978-1986. He has also been a serial entrepreneur and software designer for the past 30 years. In addition to music and technology, he has had had a life-long passion for aviation and has been a private pilot since 1987. Clovice received a Master of Divinity degree from the Starr King School for the Ministry in May of 2021 and was ordained as a Unitarian Universalist Minister in March of 2022. His ministry emphasizes breaking down racial, class, and ethnic barriers, and preaching the gospel of the madness of human self-extinction.
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What do they have in common: Hilary Clinton, Hilary Mantel, Jerry Seinfeld, Jon Meacham, David Sedaris, and Ann Patchett? Each of these authors has had their recent best-selling and/or prize-winning books available in our UUSS Bookstore. At $1.00 each, what a bargain!
They are also typical of what you’ll find every Sunday - used, but in excellent condition - available to our members and guests. Also, recent magazines at 50 cents each. Enjoy the bookish atmosphere. Stop by and browse.
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Summer Religious Education (RE) for ALL AGES! |
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RE Summer ArtWorks is on the calendar
for Sundays
July 17 & 31
and August 14, 21, & 28.
ArtWorks begins at 10:15 am before service!
July 17: Stephanie Hardaway, Catherine Desberg, and Duncan Barrow guide the creations of “All about me” collage making. We will be using magazine clippings, drawings, & stickers. This activity will teach that there are a diversity of identities, all of which are blessings to be celebrated!
July 24: No ArtWorks program. Please enjoy the all ages circle service.
July 31: Music with UUSS Choir Director Anthony Tavianini along with choir members.
August 7: No ArtWorks program. Please enjoy the all ages circle service.
For a smooth and quick check in: please 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 RE Summer ArtWorks. 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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UUSS Caregivers Support is a new group led by Marilyn Reynolds and Jon Peterson that offers information, conversation, and support for those caring for loved ones with cognitive impairments or other disabling conditions. Go to uuss.org/caregivers/ for details and links to trusted local organizations. Questions? Contact Jon and Marilyn at caregivers@uuss.org
Jon Peterson provided care for his late wife, Sally, and has for several years sponsored the Revere Caregivers support group. Marilyn Reynolds provided care for her late husband, Mike, and is the author of "Til Death or Dementia Do Us Part". Neither is an expert in the field of caregiving, but they are happy to share their personal insights.
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Be a Force of Healing in the World |
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Tahmina Needs a Home
Tahmina, an Afghan immigrant and single mother of three great kids, is looking for a 2 bedroom rental in Carmichael. This former math teacher from Kabul hopes to find a job teaching or tutoring math. Mentored by UUSS members for three years, this family wants to move back here from the bay area. She has a deposit and first month’s rent. Call me at 916 300-8469 or find my email address in the UUSS Directory.-- Colene Schlaepfer
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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!
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Groups, Gatherings, and Classes |
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Face masks are required at UUSS events open to the public and held indoors. Masks 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) and your ID; if you have done this earlier, you can just check your name off the list.
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For our Lectio Divina zoom meeting on next Monday, July 18, we’ll read "The Price of Meat," by Mather Schneider. I chose this piece because of the way it reflects on classical philosophy, but also the reality of our daily lives. Do they interact?
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Depression Peer Support Group Are you living with depression? You are not alone. Our confidential, in-person is for adults with depression.
Next session: Tuesday, July 26, 6:00pm in Fahs Room.
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Mah Jongg - Tuesday, July 26, 7:00pm. This drop-in activity meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month at 7:00pm in Classroom 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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UUSS READER’S CLUB We meet the LAST Thursday of each month at 7 PM. Meetings last an hour to hour and a half. This month we will meet in the Fahs Classroom. Questions? Send a query to Cathy uureaders@uuss.org
Our next book to read and discuss: July 28 - Once There We’re Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy
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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)
Both are available for pastoral support by appointment by phone, Zoom or in person, and the Pastoral Volunteers are available for support by phone.
Our office staff members (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. (Note: Anthony is on vacation till July 24.)
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We come together to deepen our lives and be a force for healing in the world. |
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