An Appreciation of Rev. Doug Kraft

on his 50th Ordination Anniversary

It's a cause for celebration when a minister reaches 50 years since ordination. Here is an appreciation of our minister emeritus.

Born in Boston in 1948, Doug grew up in Houston, where his family attended First Unitarian. During high school, his family moved to New Jersey and attended the Morristown UU Fellowship. His ministers asked him to consider the ministry, planting a seed that would sprout soon. Doug attended the U of Wisconsin. He served with the American Friends Service Committee in Madison, and with one Quaker he became more than friends: Erika Boardman, who became his wife. They now have two grown sons and two growing grandchildren. Right after they married, he began M.Div. studies at Starr King School for the Ministry, a UU seminary in the East Bay. 

While Erika finished a music degree at the University of the Pacific, Doug had a part-time student ministry at First Unitarian in Stockton. In 1973 they left California, and he began serving a small congregation in a big white church building in Ashby, Mass. They ordained him 50 years ago at age 26. That church’s speaker series brought in significant thinkers, including Ram Dass, an American Buddhist leader. He recommended a meditation retreat to Doug. This changed and enriched him, setting him on a path to a deep involvement in Buddhism. In retirement, he continues as a meditation teacher and retreat leader (near and far); you can find Doug’s books in the UUSS Bookstore.

In addition to church ministry, he gained counseling skills and was hired to develop a program for potentially delinquent and substance-abusive youth in Massachusetts. As an interim and settled minister, he has served congregations in Fitchburg, Groton, Sharon and Middleboro, Massachusetts. He capped his parish ministry as our Lead Minister (2000-13). He led UUSS in adopting a Mission plus a Values and Covenant statement and launching small-group Ministry Circles. He promoted better commitments by all members to our ministries to families with children; he established a second ministry position here and recruited ministers to lead the RE portfolio, including me 16 years ago.   

Thanks to Doug’s compassion, playfulness, courage, and patience, he helped us grow into a more kind and open community. Thanks to him, we gained a new sense of generosity and confidence in our ability to undertake strategic planning and think big. Our 2012 capital campaign led to our 2014-15 building expansion. To recognize Doug’s pivotal ministry, our congregation voted to name him as Minister Emeritus.

We are blessed to have both him and Erika as regular participants in our life today, and happy to recognize this milestone! Stop by our reception for him at noon on Sunday. See fun photos, peruse his books, and read his reflections and summary of his life. Thanks to Pam Martin, Janet Lopes, and all who have signed up to bring snacks and help to clean up. 

If you wish to honor Doug’s legacy at UUSS and beyond, feel free to make a gift to the UUSS Heritage Fund. Unless you ask to remain anonymous, we will notify him of the names of all donors who have honored him in this way. Blessed be!

Yours in service,

Rev. Roger

Have you noticed the link that says "(Message clipped) View entire message" near the bottom of these e-mails? We have so much news in here sometimes that it does not all show up when you open the email. Scroll down and click on the link to see more!

Our Soul Matters Theme for May is



Pluralism

Here's the link to the Soul Matters materials

Sunday Morning Programs

Join us before the service at 9:30 AM at UUSS

1st Sunday - Labyrinth meditation in the meadow (June 2)

2nd Sunday - Justice & Equity conversation currently on hiatus.

The Labyrinth is open for self-guided meditation before church.

3rd Sunday - Qui Gong/Tai Chi (June 16)

4th Sunday - Exploring Unitarian Universalism: Our Faith: Learn about UU Principles & Values with Rev. Roger in the Fahs Classroom on May 26.

Sunday, June 2, 10:30am: Circle Service for All Ages:

Unitarian Flower Communion: Meditation on a Single Blossom

Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, Ministerial Intern Rosemary Dodd, Religious Education Coordinator Crystal Fountain, Worship Associates Dawn Huebner and Andy Cramer, the UUSS Choir, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva, Altar Designer Terrie Taylor.

It is our annual flower communion, founded in 1923 by Czech Unitarians. In our communion, everyone is invited to take a fresh flower provided by someone else in this community. If you can bring one or more fresh flower stems to share, please do! 

In his homily, Rev. Roger invites us to consider a single flower.

• Labyrinth meditation in the meadow at 9:30. Come early to the service to light Candles of Joy & Sorrow and fill out a prayer card for the ministers (or submit it by Friday).

Sunday, June 9, 10:30am

Thresholds: Takeaways from My Internship Year

Ministerial Intern Rosemary Dodd preaching with Rev. Lucy Bunch, Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, Worship Associate Courtney O’Neil, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva.

At any time in our lives, a threshold can surprise us, throwing us into a time of transition. This week Rosemary will share about the thresholds of her Ministerial journey, and the invitation and promise of change.

• Newcomers’ Orientation to UUSS with tour of campus starts 15 minutes after service, ending at 1:00. Look for other newcomers and your guide at the Welcome Table.
• This is Rosemary’s last Sunday at UUSS! Join the Internship Committee and others for a farewell reception to thank Rosemary for her year of ministry with us and send her off with our best wishes and blessings.

Members and friends who attend a service by Zoom may enjoy the chance to get acquainted after the service concludes, and may reflect on a question related to the service theme. Please speak briefly and listen so that all may be included.

      2024-2025 Pledge Drive Update: Week Seven

Still Waiting to Hear!

Members and friends have responded with enthusiasm to the call to support our staff, ministers and programs and to support our mission.

As of Thursday, UUSS has received pledges from 295 households totaling $598,542. However, we still have not heard from 28 pledgers. Please let us know your intentions for the new budget!

At UUSS, we are Committed, Loving, and Generous! Please make your pledge today, to avoid having our volunteers make phone calls!

Please submit a new pledge each year, even if you have an automatic withdrawal for your current pledge. You may find frequently asked questions and colorful charts— and make your pledge quickly and confidentially at uuss.org/pledge.

If you would like to have a joy, sorrow, concern, or milestone spoken by a minister at Sunday’s prayer time, let us know at this link. Make sure to tell us you do not want us to mention it aloud, or if you would like a phone call from one of the ministers.

We continue to send love and healing prayers to members who have been ill, undergoing treatments, and rehabilitating from injuries. Below is the most recent news from members' families.

We send wishes for strength and healing to Alice Mercer, who has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. We hold her and her husband and son, Terry and Leroy Preston, in our love and care as they prepare for Alice's treatments.

We extend our prayers for healing to Mary Howard, who had major surgery for gallbladder disease on Thursday. We hold Mary and her husband, Rich Howard, in our love and care.

We extend our condolences to our member Peter Kilian and his wife Glenda Smaage on the passing of Glenda’s only sister, Beth Smaage. Beth was 66. She and Glenda were children at UUSS, and their mother, Anna Andrews, was a devoted member who died two years ago. 

During this time of commencements, we extend congratulations to the loved ones in many of our circles of care and affection who are graduating from high school, college, grad school or kindergarten. Congrats and gratitude also to the teachers and school staff members who soon will be completing a year, or a career. May you all be filled with a sense of joy and possibility at achieving these milestones!

Blessings to Shakila (mom) and Zakirullah (dad) Salarzai on the birth of their child Aryan (ar-YAHN) in Sacramento on Mother's Day. His parents and five of his siblings are from the Kunar province of eastern Afghanistan, and his closest sibling was born in N.C. 18 months ago. Dad was an electrician at the US Embassy in Kabul. Mom has taught the Quran to numerous children, who call her by the honorific of "dadjie" for her knowledge of the holy text. Susan Jones is their UUSS grandma, and they have a number of tutors and supporters through our Refugee Support Team.  

Childcare--The Nursery (Rm. 11) welcomes infants (6 months+) through age 5, year round. Staff supervise child-led play in a fun and friendly nursery filled with toys and games. Snacks are offered. Access through the main entrance. Don't forget to sign in when you get to Room 11. Please contact Crystal with questions.

All ages of children and youth are invited to join RE this Sunday, May 26, for an end-of-the-year celebration in RE during service.

Please start in service!

Other engaging activities for children, youth and families are available and information can be found in the email linked above!

There's always a lot happening in RE!

RE Coordinator Crystal Fountain has weekly office hours and is available by email too.

Whether after service or in your own home, you

can enjoy coffee created just for UUSS: Chalice Blend! 

Beans are grown by women-owned cooperatives in Latin America and roasted and blended by a café in Oakland. Fresh beans sold for $15 a bag in the Sunday Bookstore or in the Office weekdays.

UUSS Readers - Fahs Room, Thursday May 30, 7pm Meet on the LAST Thursday of each month in Fahs 7 PM to 8 PM+. Sign up at www.uuss.org/uureaders to receive a meeting reminder each month or if changes in book dates change. The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store, by James McBride. Contact: uureaders@uuss.org

Saturday Stitchers and Crafters - Fahs Classroom. Saturday June 1, 10am Bring sewing, coloring, beading, knitting, or any other portable craft and join us! Contact: stitchers@uuss.org

The Journey of Grief

Are you grieving the loss of a loved one and seeking a healing path forward? Consider this small group for sharing and support; 6 sessions on Sundays, June 2 - July 14, 1:30 - 3:00 pm. (Not a drop-in series.)

Facilitators: UUSS members Pat Hofmaster & Gail Evans, with support from Rev. Roger. Register at the Sunday Connections Table and a facilitator will reach out to discuss the program. For info, write to Pat: griefsupport@uuss.org

Find Rev. Roger's 2022 sermon on Grief and Vulnerability at this link.

A Heart in Two Traditions: UUs with Another Practice

Are you a UUSS friend or member who finds depth and meaning in one of the other spiritual or ethical traditions as well as Unitarian Universalism? Many Unitarian Universalists find inspiration by practicing in other traditions. Please tell Rev. Roger about your participation in in or your curiosity about another tradition by phone or roger@uuss.org. 

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