The Real Costs of Imported Flowers

For a few days near Valentine’s Day during my sabbatical in 2017, I had a temporary job delivering flowers for a local florist. I was acquainted with the owner. I learned a lot, enough to decline his offer to work again on Mother’s Day. 

Since then, I’ve learned about the extra costs of imported flowers which are not included in the price we pay. Now I try to buy California-grown flowers at certified farmers’ markets or those certified by Fair Trade Flowers or Veriflora. I’ve also discovered I can order gorgeous, eco-friendly arrangements from a woman named Amanda, who runs local farm and flower-subscription business knowns as Bloom.

Like most choices in our consumer society and global economy, it’s a challenge to look for alternatives that reflect one’s values. I can get cheap flowers from Trader Joe’s, etc., but they are cheap because they are grown on plantations in Ecuador and Colombia. High pesticide levels, low wages, no overtime pay, and repetitive stress injuries afflict the (mostly) woman who harvest them. On the other hand, U.S. trade policy has supported this industry to provide economic alternatives to the farming of illicit drugs in South America.

The climate-harming effects of all this are considerable. Writer Amanda Shendrik says this process is “punishing on the environment.” Hundreds of refrigerated jet flights per day deliver roses, carnations, etc. to Miami, Florida. Then, more planes plus many refrigerated trucks take those flowers all over the country. As the Washington Post reports, your fresh flowers are likely to have traveled more miles this year than you have. 

Since Valentine’s Day is a week away, you may not have the time to look for alternatives to imported flowers (if you observe this holiday with flowers or in any other way). But perhaps you could ask your vendor about the availability of NorCal-grown flowers so they know you care. If you buy flowers for any future occasions, I hope you will consider the abundance of locally grown options. In any case, I love you, and am grateful to be with you at UUSS.

Keep the faith and keep in touch!

Love,

Rev. Roger



P.S.—Blessings to Rev. Lucy and 40 others at the UUSS Women’s Retreat this weekend. Here at home we have many opportunities to come together to deepen our lives and be a force for healing in the world and build a mountain of diapers.  Read about them below!

Sunday Morning Programs

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

1st Sunday - Facilitated labyrinth walk in the meadow. March 2.

2nd Sunday - Sermon Reflections with Peter, 9:30-10:15, Fahs Room. Feb 9: The theme will be James Baldwin: America’s Great Prophet from Sunday, Jan. 19. We will reflect on quotes from Baldwin’s work. Come join us to deepen our lives.  

3rd Sunday - Qui Gong/Tai Chi - Covered Patio.

4th Sunday - Exploring Unitarian Universalism. We repeat Exploring UUism on Zoom the first Tuesday of each month. uuss.org/online

Sunday, February 9 10:30am: Surrendering into the Expanse

Rev. Douglas Kraft preaching with Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, Worship Associate Jenni Gouine, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva, and Erika Kraft. Flowers by Elinor Anklin.

The Buddha never said we don’t have a self. We obviously do: you are you and I am me. However, paradoxically the depth of our being is not found by shrinking into a separate essence but by surrendering outward until we feel how everything is directly or indirectly connected with everything else. When we hurt someone, we hurt ourselves. When we’re kind to others, we are kind to ourselves. We connect with the infinite oneness of life. You are me and I am you.

This morning we’ll explore the implications this has in meditation and in our daily lives.

Doug Kraft served UUSS from 2000-13 and is our Minister Emeritus. He attends regularly with his wife, Erika. They have two sons and two grandchildren.

• Sermon reflection (on James Baldwin) with Peter at 9:30 a.m. (Fahs Room)
• Newcomers Orientation and tour of campus at 11:50 a.m. (Welcome Table)

Sunday, February 16 10:30am:

Your One Wild and Precious Life

A Circle Service for all Ages, led by Rev. Dr. Roger Jones with Rev. Lucy Bunch, Worship Associate Karen Sparrow, the UUSS Choir, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva, and UUSS folks from age 5 to 95, give or take. Altar design by Molly Stuart.



Join us for this favorite annual service. Congregants from every decade of age will present their two-minute answers to this question from a poem by the late Mary Oliver: “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” Contact Rev. Roger by Feb. 8 if you want to participate.

• Tai Chi/Qi Gong at 9:30. After the service: our final Soup Sunday!

Sunday, February 23 10:30am:

Salmon, Rivers, and the Sludge of Transformation 

Rev. Lucy Bunch, preaching, with Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, Worship Associate Celia Buckley, UUSS Choir with Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva  

After years of discussion, lawsuits, trials and tribulations, the world’s largest damn removal was completed on the Klamath River last year.  What can we learn from native people who inhabit this area and from this great river’s return to its natural state? 

• Exploring Unitarian Universalism before the service at 9:30 

Our Soul Matters Theme for February is

Inclusion

Here's the link to the Soul Matters materials

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. 

Nancy Oprsal fell at home and fractured her pelvis and some vertebrae. She is in rehab at Eskaton Village Care Center. Nancy is 93, was born in Texas, and is a lifelong Unitarian. A retired teacher, she co-founded Sacramento Family Promise at UUSS and is an active, beloved volunteer with school children at Effie Yeaw Nature Center. She also was a Greeter and RE teacher for many years at UUSS.  We wish her steady healing and strength so that she can keep spreading love and her enthusiasm for life. Oceans of love to Nancy!

The service for our member Elizabeth Pataki will take place Saturday, Feb. 15, 1:00 pm, at George Klumpp Chapel of Flowers, 2691 Riverside Blvd. Rev. Roger will officiate. 

The Nominating Committee NEEDS YOUR HELP! This Sunday, in the Welcome Hall, at our Nominating Committee table, members of the committee will be handing out information regarding the 11 open positions in the upcoming Leadership 

Election at the May 18 Congregational Meeting. (Terms of service begin July 1.) Please stop by and talk to us about the current opportunities to be a part of UUSS leadership.

All elected leadership positions can only be held by those individuals who are “members.” Members are those who have met with a minister, signed the membership book, and made a financial pledge to the congregation. Thank you for considering joining UUSS leadership. You can also send your inquiries to:  NOMINATING@UUSS.ORG

Childcare--The Nursery welcomes infants (6 months +) through age 5. Staff supervise child-led play in a fun, 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.

Soul Kids (K-5) meets this Sunday, Feb. 9, to talk and play and build on the theme of Interdependence. We will read Carl and the Meaning of Life, by Deborah Freedman and ask the question, "What do you do that feels important?" Please start in service!



The Junior High Youth Group and Senior High Youth Group will meet again on Sunday, March 2. Next Sunday is the Wild & Precious Life all-ages service!

Click the newsletter email link above to find out more about what we're looking forward to in RE, including an upcoming orientation exclusively designed for families. Don't miss it!

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

Soul Collage Second Saturday, Feb. 8,

tomorrow, 10:30 a.m. to noon in Room 7/8

Come embrace your intuition and creativity by making collage cards with images that you choose. The purpose is to offer a flexible, creative, accessible, and inclusive tool that can be used as a practice for our own exploring, healing, and empowering. No experience (or talent) required; all materials provided. Suggested donation for materials: $5-10 If you choose you can bring a favorite picture to include in your collage. Questions? Contact: soulcollage@uuss.org

Young Adult Meet-n-Greet & Discussion this Sunday, Feb. 9, 11:45am - Room 7/8 Join us for connection and conversation with like-minded younger people (aged 18-40) of the UUSS community! Monthly discussion topics range from reflection on the day’s service, world events and personal passions. Contact: youngadults@uuss.org  

Our Neighbors, the Sikhs - Second Tuesday Forum

This week,Feb. 11, 7:00 pm, online & in the Library

Sikhism is the world's 7th largest religion, and 250,000 Sikhs live in California, especially the Central Valley. UUSS is close to a gurudwara near Kiefer and Watt and one in West Sacramento, where we are all welcome! Come learn more about these neighbors with Keith Atwater, a retired professor of religion and our former music director!

Rev. Roger hosts in the Library/Bookstore and at uuss.org/online.

Mindfulness Meditation Feb. 12 - 6:00 pm in the Library & on Zoom

 On the 2nd, 4th and 5th Wednesdays, we support one another by sitting for 20-25 minutes to practice awareness of the present moment. Show up to the Library/Bookstore or log in at uuss.org/online Contact Rev. Roger with questions. To read about this kind of meditation or watch videos, check out the Insight Meditation Center's website.

A Reflection on Race and Justice through James Baldwin's Notes of a Native Son

Sponsored by the People of Color Caucus Sunday, Feb. 16, in the Fahs Classroom

11:45am-1:00pm (after service) Bring your soup and join fellow members and visitors in a dialogue on race and justice using excerpts from Baldwin's Notes of a Native Son led by POC Caucus member and professor of social justice education at Sac State, Dr. Mathew Espinosa-Castro. In honor of Black History Month and inspired by Rev. Lucy Bunch's sermon, "James Baldwin: America's Great Prophet" (1/19/25), we will learn more about Baldwin's legacy of advocacy and writing (brief video linked here) and read sections (excerpt linked here) to spark reflection and conversation for racial justice. No preparation is required and all are welcome.

In our disbelief and sorrow at the devastation, we give thanks for all acts of generosity, help, courage and compassion. To make a monetary contribution, you may contribute to the UUA's Disaster Relief Fund at this link. Also see a list of several organizations which have been vetted for legitimacy as well as hints on avoiding donation scams provided by KQED, at How to Help People Affected by the LA Fires. 

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