Celebrating Life,
Empowering People,
Caring for One Another,
Helping to Build a Better World
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UUCSR Newsletter
July 2022
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In This Issue
Click “View Entire Message” if Sections Are Missing
  • Service in July
  • Message from Your Board President
  • Message from the Treasurer
  • Religious Education
  • Adrienne Swenson Scholarship Award
  • Musical Notes
  • From Your Lay Chaplains
  • From CUUPs: A History
  • From the Adult Education Committee
  • From Right Relations Team
  • Community Conversations
  • Social Groups & Events
  • Committees & Working Groups
  • North Bay Organizing Project
  • Soul Matters
  • UUCSR Covid Policy: June 2022
Please Consider Visiting the
Thank You for Your Support!
Service in July:
Our Principles
Sundays, 10:30-11:45 am PST
Ministry and Transformation:
July 3rd
Ministry is many things. We can minister to ourselves, to each other, to our world, and to our source. In the words of Rev. Gordon McKeeman, "whenever there is a meeting that summons us to our better selves, wherever our lostness is found, our fragments are united, or our wounds begin healing, our spines stiffen and our muscles grow strong for the task, there is ministry." Rev. Jamie McReynolds, will explore how shared ministry can transform us as individuals, as spiritual communities and as a country.

Service Leaders: Jamie McReynolds
Worship Associates: Cathie Wiese
Music: Alan Bell & Roger Corman
Our Principles
July 10th
This Sunday we begin an exploration of our seven Unitarian Universalist Principles in preparation for a broader congregational discussion about the possibility of adopting an eigth principle. The Principles offer some challenges. There are negatives and positives to each one. The First Principle is a belief in the inherent worth and dignity of every person. On the negative side, some of us have become disenchanted with what it means to be human given our many shortcomings. However, the First Principle also tells us we need to look for the good in all people. What does it mean to treat others as beings of inherent worth and dignity, shortcomings and all?

Service Leader: Reverend William Stayton
Worship Associate: Clare Whitfield
Music: Gage Purdy with The Choir & Roger Corman
The CUUPs Connection
July17th
This service is presented and prepared by CUUPs, our Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans. We will celebrate the summer season, participate in some special meditations and consider the intersection of CUUPs and UU Principles.

Service Leader: Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans of UUCSR
Worship Associate: Linda Lampson
Music: Gage Purdy with The Choir & Roger Corman
NBOP and The Second Principle
July 24th
Our guest speaker will be Karym Sanchez, ED of the North Bay Organizing Project or NBOP. Karym is an immigrant from Mexico who came to this country as a child with his family. Growing up undocumented shaped Karym’s understanding of the injustices in the world and fueled his drive to be involved in community organizing. He will share his story and how it illustrates our second UU principle: Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations.

Guest Service Leader: Karym Sanches, ED of NBOP
Worship Associate: Judy Withee and Mark Sowers
Music: Gage Purdy & Roger Corman
A Message from Past Minister, Rev Dan O'Neal
July 31st
Dan O’Neal was our first called minister. He served from 1986 to 1996. Today’s service features a message he presented as he looked forward to his 9th year as our minister. In it he examines the multitudinous roles a minister is asked to take on. CUUPS Lammas Bread Offering in the social hall after the service.

Guest Service Leader: Lucia Milburn
Worship Associate: Linda Lampson
Music: Sally Jones & Paul Gilger
President's Message
Leslie Norinsky
From UUCSR Board of Trustees President:
As I start to write this report to you all, I am struck by the stark reality of life in 2022. I sit here in my house, although I had planned to be at the General Assembly Annual meeting of UUA in Portland (GA), basking in spirit of and seeking inspiration in the greater community of Unitarian Universalists. But, I cannot be there, because I have become infected by Covid-19 after having avoided it for over two years. And now, Covid is everywhere. We all know people who have been infected, and although most of us who have experienced this disease have had mild cases, we do not know how everyone will be affected. So, we will need to be careful as we care for one another.

I am supposed to report out on board activities in this report, and I find that I am distracted, distressfully, by the larger context of the state of the world. And perhaps that is reasonable. Board members cannot be expected to compartmentalize church business from the rest of life. We are all a part of this rapidly changing world, a world in which there is a struggle between the forces of authoritarianism and true democracy. As board members, we are temporary volunteers, just regular folks, guided by our principles and values as we work towards responsibly making decisions on behalf of our congregation.

As I write these words this morning I have been informed that the Supreme Court has just overturned Roe v Wade, and it was only yesterday that they also expanded gun rights, making life more unsafe for all of us, and especially for working class and marginalized people.

It has been inspiring to have had the ability to attend GA virtually, at least. There is discussion about governance and bylaws being driven by theology, by our values. GA has provided a lot of food for thought for me. We have been inwardly focused, here at UUCSR. And that is also understandable. I think we have underestimated the trauma we have all suffered along so many fronts. I, personally, have been feeling powerless in the face of acute inhumanity in the world, a tragically changing environment, and isolation from family and friends and fun.

At virtual GA, I am reminded that we can face a future with possibility and not solely with fear. That we are a living religion, and that means that we must meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world, and that we can do so. I am reminded that we are (or can be) a theologically diverse congregation, a multiculturally and multiracially diverse congregation, and a welcoming congregation for gender diversity and for differently abled people. I am reminded that we can have freedom of belief while still living in covenant with one another. I also ask myself frequently, that if we can not figure this out here at UUCSR, then what hope is there for the world? Because we, along other like-minded folks in our communities, ARE the hope for this world. So, we have to figure it all out. We have no choice.

It has become clearer to me, that governance is not merely about running this organization from a business perspective. The business perspective is vitally important; we have to have a well-run, well-funded organization so that we can do the spiritual work, the work of caring for one another, and for the work of helping to create a better world. And also, governance work needs to be guided by our shared values. I am looking forward to having an Interim Minister, Rev. Dave, here to help us in our time of healing and discernment.

The current board is very new. There is one current member who has been on the board for more than 1 year. The rest of us are just getting our feet wet. I have learned a lot in the last year, but I recognize that I still have a lot to learn.

There is not a lot that is new this month. We discussed preparing for our new minister, heard a report for the Congregational Conversations committee, voted on who can sign the checks to pay the bills, and said goodbye to Cathie Wiese, who is terming out on the board. As a congregation, we celebrated Pride month, recognized Juneteenth Day, heard from our Older and Bolder group, passed a new budget, celebrated a rite of passage, and watched our congregation’s children get promoted and go off on summer vacations. I was particularly inspired by the sermon and story presented by our DRE, Era. Remember that you can watch all of the past sermons through our website links and the link, above.

If you are around on August 8th, you are healthy and strong, Rev. Dave will need help moving into his new rented house quite near to our church. Please let the office know that you are available.

If you want to help with our fall auction, which is a fun and wonderful fundraiser for our congregation, please let me know as soon as possible. This is a short term commitment that will benefit our community, not just monetarily, but by providing an opportunity for folks to gather together to enjoy the company of one another, laugh, listen to music, eat, and remember who we are as a loving community. Volunteering for this committee is also an opportunity to get to know a few other members and friends a little better. Better yet, if you might be willing to make phone calls to congregants to get an auction steering committee together, that would be awesome!

In one last note, we will probably need to have a very very short Special Congregational meeting in early August to vote on the contract with the roofing company, as this is a large expenditure. As most of you know, the roof is in dire need of replacement and it would be great to have this work done before the winter rains (which I hope we get). This special meeting would tag onto the end of a Sunday service, and would only last 10 to 20 minutes, most likely. More details will follow.

We board members are taking a break in July to rest and renew. We know that we will have a lot of work to do. Other than that, have a great, restful, and peaceful July.
Message from the Treasurer
Linda Balabanian
Practicing generosity takes conscious effort and an examination of how we live our lives.

It is always a little exciting to be finishing up a fiscal year and starting a new one. This has been a rough year for me as Treasurer and I am pretty happy to be wrapping it up. And so grateful that our financial situation is less dire than it appeared in January. I am optimistic that we’ll have a great year ahead.

I have agreed to continue on as Treasurer, specifically focused on more long-term planning and analysis around our financial realities and special projects, such as ensuring all our financial policies and procedures are up to date. Jan Hess will be co-Treasurer, making sure the checks are signed and t’s are crossed and attending to day-to-day necessities. 

Financial Status
Our May financial statements reflect all the conflicting realities we’ve lived with this fiscal year. Our pledge revenue has fallen off as of May and Realm totals so far for June (more than halfway through June) indicate that we may very well fall short of the budgeted total of $440,000 for the fiscal year. There are still quite a few pledges recorded in Realm that may not be paid even though folks have indicated they intended to pay. On the other hand, the generosity of those who have made large donations above and beyond their pledges has allowed us to cover some of the revenue areas in which we have fallen short this year, such as fundraising. Thank you so much!!!

In May, we made the final payout to Rev Julie which included over $15,000 that is included in next year’s budget expense. So while that will lead to a lower net income for this fiscal year, we will start next fiscal year with a budget that is balanced for the most part and may not need to use any of the ERC credits that should be reserved for the roof replacement. 

Through May we show net income of about $21,000 against a budgeted loss. If we hadn’t received some payments on next year’s pledges it would have been break-even (that’s still pretty good!). We expect in June that there will be some expenses that had been deferred from earlier in the year, for example, for some new computers in the office to replace those that are not performing. So the best we can hope for, without an influx of pledge payments is to break even for the year. Considering where we were in January, that is a big win. We are not out of the woods yet but we can see a lot better where we are going.

What is a Pledge and Why Does it Matter?
When we make a pledge to UUCSR, it is a promise to pay during the fiscal year. We use the combined pledge total when we compile the budget. Our expected pledge revenue is what allows us to plan for our expenses, our staff and add new programs. And our budget is really a representation of our mission. 

So please remember to make a pledge that you can afford to pay. The Sustaining Pledge Team has been contacting several members with outstanding pledges. If you are one of them, please take the time to revise your recorded pledge if you are unable to pay the full amount. For those who haven’t paid their full pledge for our 2021-2022 year just past, you can still make those payments and really make a difference for us moving forward into our new year. 
Religious Education
Era Capone
RE is back for July! This month marks the beginning of our summer curriculum, which will go until our regular curriculum kicks off on September 18th. You can look forward to the following starting up again in September:

  • Infant/nursery care
  • PreK-1st Grade RE
  • 2nd-5th Grade RE
  • Coming of Age
  • Middle & High School Youth Group
  • K-1 OWL
  • Mystery Pals
  • UU Parenting

Keep on eye on the weekly RE newsletter for more info about RE in the coming months.

Additionally, registration for this congregational year's session of RE has begun! Please make sure to sign up your children and youth for the program, and let us know how you can volunteer in the coming year. As always, we are in need of volunteers for the programs listed above. If you are able to help out, please contact me at dre@uusantarosa.org or at (707)-494-8799.

In love and gratitude,
Era Capone
Director of Religious Education
Sunday, July 3rd - Art
This Sunday, the kids of RE will be making all kinds of art! Kids of all ages will have access to a wide swath of art supplies to paint, draw, sculpt, and more.

Sunday, July 10th - Mystery
This Sunday, the kids of RE will be putting their skills of deduction to the test. They'll take part in a scavenger hunt, face an escape room, and make secret message puzzles for others to solve.

Sunday, July 17th - Engineering
RE this Sunday has some assembly required. After hearing the story The Good Egg by Jory John, the kids will break into groups to take part in an egg drop! Using unusual materials and limited time, the teams will build devices that will protect their eggs from a perilous drop off the roof.

Sunday, July 24th - Drama
The kids of RE will be taking center stage this Sunday. After warming up with some improvised, collaborative storytelling, the kids will break into groups to write, rehearse, and perform their very own skits.

Sunday, July 31st - Games
It's all fun and games this Sunday, as the kids of RE get the chance to play a variety of games with one another! From cornhole to Jenga to Twister to tag, this Sunday is all about having fun with friends.
Adrienne Swanson Scholarship
The winner of this year’s UUCSR $1000 Adriane Swenson Scholarship is Tanna Curtis from Maria Carrillo High School. This scholarship is given annually to the college-bound high-school senior who’s Social and Environmental justice work, as described in a 750 word easy, best exemplifies Adrienne’s contributions and passion.
We had six applicants from three schools this year—all with excellent essays. It is truly heartening to learn of the work being done by these young people.
Musical Notes
Music Director, Gage Purdy
Music is the great uniter. An incredible force. Something that people who differ on everything and anything else can have in common. -Sarah Dessen

In times of struggle, I find that I always turn back to music–a place of warmth and conviction–and that through music I always find a light to guide me out of my struggles. Through music I believe that we can change the world for better; I believe that the world deserves better. 

I’d like to share with you an incredibly moving and relevant piece of music for these trying times, Warrior by Kim Baryluk. Let the actions of others not lead us to withdraw into inaction but rather draw us out with motivated hearts and minds that demand change for the most vulnerable among us. 

Two last (but ever important) items:
  • This year choir is continuing into the summer with a reduced schedule! Please come sing with us and see what it is like being part of a jubilant group of musicians! Every voice has a place in the choir and we want you to join us. Come sing with us on Thursday evenings from 7:00-8:30PM in raising our voices in song - we welcome musicians of all levels. There’s no pressure or strict commitment. 
  • If you would like to collaborate, find out how you can support us, or have an idea for music at UUCSR, please feel free to reach out to me! If you're interested in being a part of the music ministry here at UUCSR, whether it is as a soloist, small group, choir member, or an instrumentalist, please send an e-mail to musicdirector@uusantarosa.org to get started.
From Your Lay Chaplains
The past few years have been filled with challenges in our congregation, in our country and on the planet. There may be times when you feel the need for the support of a caring listener and your Lay Chaplains are available to anyone with a need. We don’t have to carry our burdens or celebrate our joys alone, and one benefit of having a beloved community is having support when it is needed.

In addition to reaching out to a Lay Chaplain, you may add your personal joys and sorrows to the Milestones Book (on the stand just outside the sanctuary door) to be shared during the Sunday service. You may also email 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 (chair)
From CUUPs: A History of UUCSR and CUUPs
By Debby Belansky and Jan Ogren
Our congregation has had a CUUPS group since 2012. Our mission is to 1) educate ourselves and others about Earth-based spirituality, 2) Encourage Earth-based celebrations and themes in services and 3) to connect with other pagan groups in the community. Our CUUPS group is a member of the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans (CUUPS National) which is affiliated with the UUA.
 
But our history with pagan rituals goes much farther back to Stony Point where we had sunrise and evening ceremonies celebrating the solstices. Jan Ogren fondly remembers some other UUCSR and pagan connections.  She remembers winter solstice evening ceremonies with drumming, story telling and lighting candles. As part of Sunday service, we walked a spiral labyrinth with the children leading. We laid out pine branches to create the walkway, and wove back & forth and in & out together. For Easter we had a sunrise ceremony outside honoring Mother Nature.
 
We were honored to have Shirley Ranck, a UU minister and author of Cakes for the Queen of Heaven lead a discussion on her book. The groups were well-attended and those who were part of it were fortunate to have the author facilitate it. She had an incredible slide-show presentation on how the Goddess has been part of Judaism and Christianity for many millennia. The course reminded us that the Mother Goddess sustains & guides us, protects us, and nourishes us all.
 
UUCSR is lucky that for more than ten years we have had a forum through the CUUPS group, which allows the expression of Earth-based spirituality in our congregation. For Jan this means finding the Goddess in her garden, which is bountiful with fruits, vegetables and flowers. The delicious freshly picked raspberries tasting so sweet and juicy delighted Debby. Jan says it is because of the love she has for everything that grows in her garden.
From the Adult Education Committee
Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.
-Mahatma Gandhi
 
The Good News about Dying
Join us for a discussion about dying, led by Gretchen Vap, a former Nurse Practitioner and longtime UU member. How do you want to die? What are your values and your wishes? How much can you plan? What is your perspective? Can you change anything about dying? Gretchen will help us look at these issues and share some resources that may be helpful. 
When: Tuesday June 28, 1:30-3 PM
Where: Board Room

WE’RE TALKIN’ TRASH!
If you’ve ever puzzled over whether to discard something in the gray, blue, or green bin, this is your chance to get some answers. Adult Ed is sponsoring a Zoom presentation by a Waste Zero Specialist from Recology, Katie Glalketsis, who will demystify what to do with your trash and what happens to it after it’s hauled away. Her presentation will cover garbage, recycling, and compost. She will entertain questions throughout plus at the end. So save those puzzling items to show her for advice.
When: Wednesday July 20th at 7:00 pm
 
On the Dao De Jing
Dwight Sims, who with Steve Sweaney led the recent Adult Education course on The Happiness Hypothesis, plans to offer a fall course of four sessions on the foundation work of Daoism. One of the most translated works of world literature, the Dao De Jing has inspired many interpretations and many ways of incorporating its principles into our lives. More information about the course will be forthcoming.
Dates and time to be determined.
From Our Right Relations Team:
UUCSR has a Right Relations Team!

We are Jeanie Bates, Jonathan Choe, Kitty Wells, Susan Bartholome, Lucia Milburn, and Alan Bell, all of us former members of COSM (Committee on Shared ministry). COSM has disbanded, but we still want to be available to our beloved congregation.                 
Various global challenges in the last few years, i.e., a dangerous viral pandemic, global warming, the rise in hatred and violence (to name a few) seem to have set the stage for less tolerance of change and different points of view. We here at UUCSR have not been immune to these effects. The Right Relations Team has been created to help us get back on the loving, respectful path that has served us in the past. We strive to promote healthy communication and relationships among UUCSR members, committees and staff. Conflict avoidance and resolution is a priority. We hope our efforts will help ensure that issues and concerns are addressed and resolved amicably and in a timely manner. The Right Relations Team can also be a conduit for members to convey ideas or concerns regarding the congregation.

The Right Relations Team is an official UUCSR team (our charter was approved by the Board of Trustees) We, of course, must abide by Our Mission and Vision, the bylaws and BOT decisions, but our authority comes from you, the congregation. Our congregational covenant guides us as we keep a finger on the pulse of UUCSR.


We respect confidentiality of all matters before the team. Call or Email us:
Community Conversations
A NEW PROJECT TO SUPPORT CONGREGATIONAL COMMUNICATION
 
This idea came from the board and several of us picked it up and ran with it. Here’s how it will work:
 
1. You think of a question you have about anything related to our congregation, UUCSR.

2. You write it down, place it in the box marked Community Conversations found in the social hall on Sundays, email it to us, or phone us.  You can use our individual emails or the congregational email address that gets to all of us. You may use the cards that will be available in the Social Hall. communityconversations@uusantarosa.org
 
3. The Community Conversations team, that’s us, will find someone who can answer your question.
 
4. We will host a gathering, likely on a Sunday after service, for all attending to hear your questions and the answers you receive.
 
We will announce the first Community Conversation through our usual channels, the blast, newsletter, Sunday announcement sheet.
 
 We are:
Maria Praetzellis: mariapraetzellis@protonmail.com
David Reitzell: dreitzell@sbcglobal.net
Judy Ervice: judy.ervice@gmail.com
Jeanie Bates: jeaniebmft@gmail.com
Social Groups & Events
In this month's newsletter:
  • Book Group
  • Men's Groups
  • Men's Group Picnic in the Park
  • CUUPS
  • Older and Bolder Women's Group
  • Saturday Breakfast
Committees & 
Working Groups
In this month's newsletter:
  • Volunteer Stewardship Opportunities
  • Membership Committee
  • Ushers & Greeters
  • Caring Connections Committee
  • Flower Committee
UUCSR Event Calendar
Check Out the Calendar for Important Event Dates
North Bay Organizing Project
NBOP is Helping Us Raise Our Voices
Sorrow-Solidarity-Action

In the wake of the tragic events in Buffalo, Laguna Woods and Uvalde, we grieve for those whose lives were lost and rise in solidarity with those under threat in our broken nation, and we commit to take action for lasting change in the days ahead.

Please read these words from our friends at North Bay Organizing Project by clicking the link below.
Soul Matters
There are no Soul Matters themes to use as guides for worship in July. We have many interesting services planned at UUCSR and will begin an exploration of our seven Unitarian Universalist Principles.

Want to join a Soul Matters group this fall? Sign ups for Soul Matters groups will take place in the courtyard on two Sundays, August 21 and August 28, after the service.
Contact Katie Trieller for information: ktrieller@yahoo.com 707-291-2666

From H.A.T.
The Health Advisory Team UUCSR Pandemic Policy 
Updated June 2022

  • VACCINATION REQUIRED FOR ENTRY TO SERVICES or Negative test within 24 hours

  • Adequate vaccination = 2 mRNA vaccines plus booster or 2 Johnson and Johnson vaccines

  • MASKS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to protect vulnerable members of our congregation. 

  • Please honor other congregants concerns about the protection they feel they need!

547 Mendocino Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
Phone: (707) 568-5381