UUCSC News and Updates
Weekly on Fridays
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Volume III * Issue 43* April 7, 2023 | |
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of South County, RI
All are welcome!
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This Sunday, April 9, 2023 | |
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Worship
In Person and on Zoom 10:00 am
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"New Beginnings"
Rev Denis Letourneau Paul
and Bethany Sorrentino
It's the quintessence of springtime: warmth, sun, flowers. It’s a time of new beginnings, new things to celebrate, and of course new responsibilities. Because everything worth celebrating is worth protecting.
Order of Service
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Religious Exploration
In Person 10am-noon
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I love learning about the ancient roots of our traditions. Here is the story of Ostara that I told last Easter, pulled from several different versions.
Also, here are some beautiful naturally dyed easter eggs, with instructions. Cabbage, onion skins, beets, turmeric magically make beautiful colors! Happy Easter!
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Tis the season of reverent holidays!
Happy Easter, Happy Passover,
Happy Ramadan!
Learn more by clicking on each holiday.
Submitted by Etta Zasloff
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We’re figuring things out. Slowly but surely, multi-faceted as the challenges may be, and imperfect as the solutions are, we’re figuring things out. Last Sunday, the first Sunday of April, we were able to make three big things happen.
The first change was welcomed with cheers by regular attendees via Zoom. Ever since we started simulcasting services via Zoom, the sound quality of our music has been getting worse and worse. Since January it’s been so bad that the system picks up maybe one out of 20 notes. In their generosity, everyone has been loathe to complain, but it’s been bad. So bad the services have felt frustrating and distancing, instead of celebratory and connecting.
Week after week, we — staff, techies, the worship committee, virtual ushers and all — have tried something different. And finally — FINALLY — we seem to have hit on the right combination of application settings for three different devices in two different venues. Folks on Zoom heard the music, saw the sanctuary, and interacted with each other via the virtual usher! We UUs don’t necessarily believe in miracles, but this feels like a miracle.
The second change was very noticeable to the folks in the sanctuary. After three years of living with Covid, face masks have become optional. For more than a year now, it’s been clear that there are different needs and expectations in the congregation, but the board decided to take it slowly and make prudent decisions based on conversations in the congregation and trustworthy information available. We on staff and in lay leadership still want to encourage people to wear masks if at all possible, so that the most at-risk among us don’t have to bear alone the burden of minimizing transmission.
What an amazing thing to see so many smiles.
And lastly, we held our first New to UU class since 2019! The pandemic shutdowns and slow return to normal (whatever that is!) have made some things difficult. Thank you to the Membership Committee for making it happen, and to all the new folks joining us. We look forward to welcoming you officially during the service on May 7.
In Peace,
Rev Denis
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UUCSC Annual Business Meeting ** June 11, 2023 ** 11:30 AM ** Sanctuary | |
Stay in the Loop at UUCSC | |
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How to Amend Your Pledge
If you have decided you want to increase your pledge, email Jeff Berry ASAP.
In the email indicate one of the following:
- I want to amend my 2023-24 pledge, raising it to _______.
- I want to make a one-time addition of _______ beyond the existing pledge of record. If you decide to pay an extra one time donation now, please write "Pledge Year 2023-24 Extra Donation" in the memo line.
Thank you!
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Treasurer
The Nominating Committee is still looking for someone to fill the position of Treasurer. Could you be that person? Contact a member of the NomCom.
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Hurdis Grant Awarded
It is the pleasure of the Committee of the Carolyn Steere Hurdis Grant group to announce our third grant has been awarded. Read the application that was requested for the Tomaquag Cultural Event at Peace Dale Elementary School here.
We thank Carolyn Hurdis for making the funds available for such an activity.
Submitted by Gail Burchard
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UUCSC Anti-Racism Group
Monday, April 10, 2023 * 7:00 PM
via Zoom
The group meets every 2nd and 4th Monday, facilitated by Nancy Richman. Any member or friend of the congregation is welcome and invited to attend, as we work to undo racism in ourselves, our families, schools, communities, and government. Read summary of our last meeting here.
Submitted by Nancy Richman
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Fourth of a Six-Week Series
Sponsored by UUCSC Social Justice Team
Tuesday, April 11, 2023, 7-8 PM.
Intro to Composting (Part I) Meghan Washburn
RI Resource Recovery
MORE DETAILS With registration link.
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Our Whole Lives (OWL) for Adults!
Adult OWL Panel Presentation
April 16th, Noon-1pm
Join us for an introduction to Our Whole Lives for adults. We will have a panel of five OWL facilitators presenting the five interrelated aspects of sexuality: Sensuality, Intimacy, Sexual Identity, Sexual Health and Reproduction and Sexualization.
Beverages and snacks provided, bring a bagged lunch.
Read more about OWL here
Save the Date: May 21st Noon-2pm. Workshop on gender identity!
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Upcoming Services
April 7 TONIGHT! 7:17 pm Tenebrae Service Rev. Denis
April 16 The Hammock of Life Rev. Denis and Penny Hall
April 23 Earth Day/Friends of the Saugatucket Bill McCusker
April 30 Chant...Vibration...Love Rev. Denis and Adria Evans
May 7 The Three Questions Rev. Denis and Patience Peck
New Member recognition ceremony followed by cake and coffee on the patio.
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Dining 4 $ + Hosts Needed! | |
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CALL FOR HOSTS!
Please submit the event that you would like to host anytime in the window of June 15, 2023 - March 1, 2024 on this form, due by April 15. Join the fun and host an event! MORE DETAILS.
Trish Hindley, Betsy Dalton, and Nancy Richman, 2023 Coordinators
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UUA General Assembly 2023 | | |
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CLICK HERE
for the latest announcements...
2023 Featured Speaker
GA Schedule of Workshops
Volunteer Opportunities
Tickets for Pirates vs. Cubs Baseball Game
Registration and Housing Info
Accessibility Equipment
Etc.
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If you are interested in being a delegate at this year's General Assembly please let Elizabeth Donovan or Rev Denis know by April 8 so it can be determined who will be representing UUCSC in person or via Zoom. | |
Current Community Connections | |
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RI DEM is giving away 1000 trees
Registration for the Energy-Saving Trees program starts today, April 7. Read more and register here.
Submitted by Mary Fulton
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Wednesday, April 12, 2023, 5:30-7:30 PM
Potluck hosted by Charlestown Chapter
St. James Catholic Church
Charlestown, RI
Submitted by Gail Burchard
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Tuesday, April 18, 2023
12-1 PM OR 7-8 PM
CONFLICT ENTREPRENEURS
Community conversations to counter disinformation,
enhance civic participation, and improve media literacy.
In this session, we dig into the economics of the attention economy, where conflict is a powerful strategy in attracting and holding attention. Read more about this exciting initiative of the Media Education Lab and URI.
Click here to register. Join the conversation!
Submitted by Nancy Richman
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Bread and Puppet comes to Contemporary Theatre Company! Thursday, April 20, 7PM
Bread & Puppet Theater celebrates its 60th year with a presentation of the company’s latest show: Inflammatory Earthling Rant (with help from Kropotkin).
More information and tickets here
Submitted by Johnnie Rodriguez
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An Interfaith Evening of Prayer and Conversation
Friday, April 21, 2023, 7 PM
Congregation Beth David,102 Kingstown Rd., Narragansett.
Sponsored by the South County Clergy Association. Read more here.
Submitted by Rev. Denis
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Gender 101 Training
Sunday, April 23, 2023, 11:45 AM
Westminster Unitarian Church
119 Kenyon Ave #2905, East Greenwich, RI
These days, it can be difficult to follow the evolving collective understanding of what constitutes gender, with so many ways of presenting and identifying ourselves. So Westminster Unitarian has invited members and friends of UUCSC for a Gender 101 training. No need to RSVP, just show up.
Submitted by Rev. Denis
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Earth Day Cleanup
Saturday, April 22, 2023
9-11am
The UUCSC will be joining Friends of the Saugatucket, the town of South Kingstown and ORCA on an Earth Day cleanup around the Saugatucket River, Details to follow.
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Down to Earth
What is our Hope?
Stories of Earth and Spirit
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Thursday, April 13,
5-6 pm
Sharing stories of spiritual experiences in nature.Sponsored by Interfaith Power & Light, read more here
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This war rages on...
The UUCSC Share the Plate committee recommends one of these four organizations that are providing support to Ukrainians in crisis.
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Bethany Sorrentino, Helping Hands Coordinator
Don't be afraid to ask for help - helping hands are here!
Helping hand volunteers are also needed.
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How to Submit Info to This Newsletter | |
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Send announcements and news with Newsletter Item in the subject line to Sara Kaplow, Congregational Administrator, at uucscri@gmail.com and Etta Zasloff, Editor, at zasloff.etta@gmail.com by Tuesday Noon
to assure publication by Friday of that week.
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