Weekly Message for UUSS
September 3, 2021
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Greetings!
I am glad to be back with all of you at the start of a new church year. I spent the last three weeks resting and reflecting and it was restorative. I am so grateful to Rev. Roger for holding down the fort while I was gone. I am preaching this Sunday and hope to see many of you either on Zoom or in person. And please mark your calendars for our ingathering service on September 12. Spending time in community is critical right now as we weather the challenges of being alive on the earth at this time.
One of the things I did while I was away was to attend SpiritRest- a UU silent retreat that I co-lead every year in Southern CA. Its our fifth year. I want to share with you the reflection I wrote on the last full day of the retreat. If you want to know more about SpiritRest feel free to ask me!
See you soon.
Sending love to all,
"I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it. People think pleasing God is all God cares about. But any fool living in the world can see it always trying to please us back." ~ Alice Walker, The Color Purple
Many retreatants come to SpiritRest with a specific idea of something they want to contemplate or process. There is certainly tremendous opportunity for this kind of retreat with workshops and spiritual direction, as well as personal time for solitude.
But this year I came to SpiritRest with the goal of resting. Of course, I have responsibilities as one of the spiritual directors and workshop leaders, but otherwise I have been resting. It has been a hard year and I am quite worn down, struggling to find joy in my work, to find joy in anything.
So I have been sleeping a lot, and when I am not leading or meeting, doing quite a bit of nothing. You might even say I’ve been moping a bit, hoping to find my way back to joy, but not really committed to the process.
But the Great Mother had other ideas for me. She has put on quite a show to lift my spirits. Her first gift was the spider web. I was sitting in a chair rocking (one of our settling practices) and maybe moping at bit, when I saw it. It was so magnificent I gasped. Hanging between two trees, its intricate design was captured in the sunlight.
The next day her gift was a bunny, and not just any bunny, but an adorable one with a white cotton tail. I was eating breakfast outside, minding my own business, when it hopped on over. Generally, my experience with bunnies is that they scurry away when they see people. Not this one – it paused right in front of me and posed, as if for my benefit. Who can resist the charm of a bunny? I didn’t even try.
The next evening, it was a racoon. I had never seen one that close. It was nighttime and most people had gone to bed. He was perched on the edge of a garbage can rummaging through the contents. He looked up – our eyes met. It was startling and amazing.
Then this morning, coming down the stairs after breakfast, there was a peacock standing there in all its strutting glory. I had just been reading a story about a peacock the night before! The blue of his feathers was so incredibly beautiful it startled me – again. I felt a wry amusement and said a quick prayer – OK Mother Spirit, I get it, I feel it. You have startled me into joy with these gifts of beauty. You have helped me to remember, to take in and connect with your gifts.
It is our last full day of retreat and right now, those who choose are attending a workshop titled “Reflect, Release, Integrate and Ground.” That pretty much sums up the task for this day. We have deepened in our time here; hearts are open, and spirits are engaged. But we are also holding the awareness that tomorrow we will be going back to the real world, the one where people talk (a lot!), where there is traffic, and laundry, and people or projects that will take our time and energy.
And so we savor this last day and consider what we want to take with us from this experience. I have learned to be more present with the beauty that is right before my eyes, to pause and take delight. I know I don’t have to go to a retreat center to find this beauty, it is everywhere on our wonderful planet. But I did have to come to SpiritRest to remind myself to stop, to look, and to take joy and delight in the beauty that was waiting for me. Thank you, Great Mother, for your blessings.
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In Loving Memory:
Judy Morrison, Fran Kennedy, Bud Lembke
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We extend our condolences to the family and friends of our member Judith Morrison, who passed away Sunday, Aug. 29, after a long decline from dementia, at age 85. Judy leaves behind her son, Gillen Morrison, and her partner of three decades, Glen Waters. She retired from a career as a speech and hearing therapist, a field of work into which her son followed her. She joined UUSS 39 years ago. She attended services regularly as well as social events at UUSS; Judy and Glen met at a dance here. A charming and encouraging woman, Judy participated in several programs, especially as a cast and crew member for Theater One. In Judy’s honor, memorial contributions may be made to the Heritage Fund at UUSS or a charity to which you and Judy shared a commitment. We will notify the family of donors to UUSS. |
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We extend our condolences also to the family and friends of our member Fran Kennedy, who passed away Tuesday, Aug. 31, at age 81. She leaves behind her husband of 55 years, Jack Kennedy, and their children, Ann Marie and Thomas, as well as their grandchildren Maya and Marcus. Fran and Jack were early volunteers in the Peace Corps, serving in Lesotho, a country encircled by South Africa. Well into their 70s they traveled abroad for respectful tourism and joyful activism, including participation in the olive harvest in the West Bank of Palestine, where outside observers could deter harassment from Israeli settlers or military. They shared a love of people in all our diversity. In addition to helping to welcome refugees, support homeless guests and raise awareness about justice issues at UUSS, Fran served on the Program Council. Memorial contributions in Fran’s honor may be made to the Heritage Fund at UUSS or a charity to which you and Fran have shared a connection. |
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A memorial service has been scheduled for Daryl "Bud" Lembke, who was an active UUSS member from 1984 until 2007, when he and his wife Mary moved to the East Bay. Bud was 98 when he died in June 2020. In the Second World War, he was a radio operator on a bomber plane, highly hazardous duty. He later was a newspaper reporter for the LA Times, and witnessed Robert Kennedy's assassination. In Sacramento he was a legislator's press secretary and then published a political newsletter. Mary is an active Roman Catholic but has always been a friend of Bud’s UU congregations and they have shared many lasting friendships here. His service will take place both online and in person at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19, at Mount Diablo UU Church, 55 Eckley Road, Walnut Creek; Zoom link to be provided next week or contact Rev. Roger. Contributions in Bud’s memory may be made to his UU church in Walnut Creek. See an LA Times obituary here.
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Upcoming Sunday Services
Join us for Worship Services:
Sept. 5 at 11:00 a.m.
Service time will change on Sept. 12 to 10:30 a.m..
Services will always be streamed on Zoom
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Our September Soul Matters Theme is Embracing Possibility
The Bookstore is now open before and after the service for books and bags of UUSS Chalice Blend Coffee; masks required.
Miss a service? You can find links to past services here.
Half of all offering donations made in September
will support our community partner:
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Sunday September 5, 11 AM: Getting to No
Rev. Lucy Bunch, preaching, with Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, Worship Associate Karen Sparrow, Pianist Irina Tchantceva.
As we enter the post-pandemic phase, many of us are making choices about how we want to spend our time and who we want to spend it with. Making good choices about our lives requires the ability to say no. This Sunday we will consider how to set boundaries around our life that give our mind and spirit the space needed to thrive.
This is the last service at 11:00 a.m.; we move 30 minutes earlier next Sunday! (Both in person and streaming on Zoom)
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Sunday September 12, 10:30 AM:
Ingathering: Embracing Possibility
Rev Lucy Bunch, Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, Worship Associate Suzy Mazrole, Pianist Irina Tchantceva, Music Director Anthony Tavianini and the music ensemble Quite Carried Away.
We come together at the start of a new church year to name our challenges and express our gratitude for life and for this community. We are not the same congregation that we were before the pandemic. Let us begin again in love. Greet one another on Zoom or in person and welcome our new Music Director on this special day!
Quite Carried Away, an ensemble including our members Susan Jones, will play tunes from English Country Dancing outside as people arrive at UUSS as well as in the service!
We return to our previous time of 10:30 a.m. today, which is Ingathering Sunday. Please come 15 minutes early to sign in (part of the contact tracing guidelines) and greet old friends and new visitors before the 10:30 service. Please wear a mask indoors and in the presence of children while outside. This is a Circle Service, so we welcome all ages. To learn about fall plans and links for Religious Education, please see the RE Outreach.
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Sunday September 19, 10:30 AM:
What's Wrong, What's Right, and What's Possible
Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, preaching, with Rev. Lucy Bunch, Worship Associate Ginny Johnson, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva.
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Don't Miss Sign Up for Soul Matters Small Groups
Registration closes on September 15, 2021.
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Groups will begin the second week of October.
Soul Matters groups meet twice a month to build connections and provide a place where participants can share and discuss what matters most. Group activities are structured around monthly themes that are also used in worship and religious education.
These facilitated groups of 8-10 people will meet twice a month starting in October and ending in May.
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New UUSS Music Director—Anthony Tavianini |
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Anthony Tavianini will direct our UUSS Choir and select and lead special Sunday music by volunteer and guest instrumentalists and singers. Read the recent article about him at this link on our website and tune in or show up to meet him at 10:30 on Sept. 12!
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Religious Education (RE) for
children and youth and families
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RE Elementary Program Information:
When the new church year begins on Sept. 12, we are starting a new RE model for Kindergarten through grade 5. It's called Soul Kids! Soul Kids will make use of children's materials from the Soul Matters program, a theme-based ministry program for Unitarian Universalist congregations. We have used it for adults, youth and children in the past year.
RE Youth Group Information:
Please stay tuned for program announcements for our middle and high school groups.
To connect with our Religious Education Coordinator, please contact Miranda at re@uuss.org.
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Groups, Gatherings, and Classes |
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Sunday Bookstore at UUSS -
Sunday before church and after church you can visit the UUSS Bookstore in our Library. Good values on great reads--$1.00, hardback or paper. Also: CDs by UUSS musicians, books by UUSS authors UUSS Chalice Blend Coffee. (No longer on Fridays.)
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Virtual Theology On Tap This Friday – tonight September 3, 7:00 p.m.
Quotation for conversation by Charles Eisenstein:
"Covid-19 is like a rehab intervention that breaks the addictive hold of normality. To interrupt a habit is to make it visible; it is to turn it from a compulsion to a choice. When the crisis subsides, we might have occasion to ask whether we want to return to normal, or whether there might be something we’ve seen during this break in the routines that we want to bring into the future…" Join us tonight to reflect and imbibe the wisdom!
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Saturday Stitchers and Crafters – In person – this Saturday
IN PERSON – in the Fahs Room Saturday Sept 4th from 10AM – Noon Bring your own projects and come sit and visit with old and new friends. Contact: stitchers@uuss.org
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Ted's Web
Every Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. join the group for a discussion of the politics of the day. Named in honor of our late Minister Emeritus, Rev. Theodore Webb. Now meeting in person at UUSS!
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Reading and Responding to Poetry with JoAnn Anglin. The 1st and 3rd Monday each month at 10:00am via Zoom link here. Our next meeting is September 6. Our next poem for discussion is Miracles, by the famed American Poet, Walt Whitman. It can be found at many sites online, including at https://poets.org/poem/miracles
Yes it is Labor Day, but as usual, we will meet on Zoom, at 10:00 AM, next Monday, September 6. Join us via the same entry used for the Zoom Sunday services.
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Ukulele Strum-Along,
Friday, September 10, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
in the UUSS Fahs Room (education building)
Beginners are welcome, and please come early, at 6:30, and we will get you tuned up and started. We have copies of the music to share and a few ukes to spare.
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Our September 10 speaker was featured recently in a New York Times article What Cutting-Edge Science Can Tell Us About Extreme Weather. Click the link here to read it.
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InterPlay led by Rev. Lucy and Friends takes place on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month, 10:30 to noon.) InterPlay is a series of forms that combine movement, storytelling, stillness, and sound to access your body wisdom. Take an opportunity to tune in, connect with others, give yourself moments of ease and be playful! If you are looking for a way to have fun and insights all at once, come join us! Link here. Learn more about Interplay here. Next Session - September 11
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Join the “Campus Beautification Team"
Working and landscaping together for a welcoming home at UUSS!
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To keep the UUSS campus beautiful, it takes the Grasshoppers and others to maintain the grounds. We have separated plant and bush areas from grass and are asking volunteers to choose one area to be “yours” to weed, deadhead or trim monthly. You will need gloves and garden clippers. Rakes, shovels, and a few hand shovels are available in the shed; Krystal will help with where to dispose weeds and trimmings.
Some areas, for instance, deadheading and weeding the yellow roses, may need 2-4 people maintaining it. You (and your designated area landscapers) can decide a day to meet for monthly maintenance or decide that one or two persons take a month on a rotating basis.
We welcome any ideas on improving your area, and all ideas must be presented to the APMC (Admin Property Management Committee) for approval/disapproval. APMC is responsible for vetting permanent projects and expenditures for the campus.
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UUSS Engaged with the Community |
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Help for Afghani Refugees |
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As noted in the last Message, we are grateful that our Afghan friends are safely here, but we know you are grieving the losses and fearing for the safety of your families, friends, colleagues and other Afghans in this uncertain time of chaos and violence. Our prayers and love are with you and them. We want to be of help in practical ways as well as in keeping you in our caring thoughts. Sacramento has the largest number of Afghan immigrants of any city in the nation, and we are proud to patronize our local Afghani businesses, to be connected to individual Afghan American families, and to be partners with local refugee resettlement organizations.
On our website are some suggested ways to provide financial support to organizations that resettle refugees and advocate for U.S. action to protect human rights and save lives. There also is information about the situation from local staff at the IRC.
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Women & Religion Virtual Retreat: NEW BEGINNINGS
Saturday, September 25, 10 am to 4 pm on Zoom
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Are you interested in making NEW BEGINNINGS with new friends and old?
The Pacific Central District Women & Religion group is hosting a fall retreat. We’ll have learning sessions, affinity circles, and a keynote speech on the proposed 8th Principle for Unitarian Universalists by Paula Cole Jones. (See www.8thprincipleuu.org)
Regular registration is $25; for women 18-35 and first timers: $10. Scholarships are available for those needing a reduction. To register before September 20 deadline, go to https://www.pcduuwr.org/ and click the link for the Google registration form.
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We come together to deepen our lives and be a force for healing in the world. |
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MINISTERS & CHURCH STAFF
Ministers: Rev. Dr. Roger Jones ~ Rev. Lucy Bunch
Minister Emeritus: Rev. Douglas Kraft
Krystal Gollaher, Administrative & Facilities Coordinator
Michele Ebler, Bookkeeper ~ Elaine Cooper, Receptionist
Irina Tchantceva, Pianist
Miranda Massa, Religious Education Coordinator
Jesus Hoyos, Custodian
Dirk Tuell, Webmaster ~ Ivan Caballero, A/V Technician
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Board Members,
July 2021- June 2022
Tonie Darling, President
Denis Edgren, Vice President
Victoria Owens, Treasurer
Anara Guard, Secretary
Board Members at Large:
Hally Cahssai
Frances Myers
David Harlow
Marilyn Reynolds
Eric Ross
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Program Council,
July 2021- June 2022
Susan Davis Co-chair, and
Tina Lawrence-Chiginsky Co-chair
Debby Powell
Beth TenPas
Jon Peterson
Annemieke Farrow
Marilyn Reynolds, Board Liaison
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