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 April Soul Matters Theme:



The Path of Resistance

Here's the link to the Soul Matters materials

http://www.uuss.org/soulmatters/

April 16, 10:30 AM:

The Future of Unitarian Universalism – Where Are We Going?

Rev Lucy Bunch, preaching, with Worship Associate Dawn Huebner, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva. Special music by the cast of Theater One’s “Green Room Confidential”

“Where do we come from, what are we, where are we going,” has been the theme song of our series this year.  This Sunday Rev Lucy will wrap up the theme with her reflections on the future of UU. How can we stay relevant but still true to our roots?  What does the current rewrite of our principles and sources mean for our relevance in this troubled world? UUSS member Karen Gunderson will give us an update on the Article 2 proposal to be voted on at General Assembly this year. 

April 23, 10:30 AM: Loving the Earth

A Circle Service for All Ages, led by Rev. Lucy Bunch with Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, Worship Associates Courtney O’Neil and Ginny Johnson, the UUSS Choir, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva

For our Earth Day service, we welcome leaders from the Quaker Arts Network. For the Loving the Earth project they asked people from around the world to create fabric panels that express their love and concern for a world endangered by environmental change. This beautiful artwork will be on display in our sanctuary for the entire month of April.  At this Earth Day celebration we will create “heart cards” where each of us can either draw or write about something or someone they love that they want to protect from the ill effects of climate change. Come and share in the love for our earth. 

*At noon: Forum on our heritage from the Unitarian Polish Brethren in the 1600s

with Rev. Roger & Rev. Dr. Jay Atkinson. In addition to this history talk, they will a preview of the tour they will lead in Poland this September.

Read about the trip by clicking on the box at uuss.org/adultenrichment.  

April 30, 10:30AM

Renewing Ministry: A Celebration of

Co-Ministry and Affirmation of Covenant

Guest speakers Rev. Leslie Takahashi & Rev. Arvid Straube, with Co-ministers Lucy Bunch & Roger Jones, Worship Associate Dan Myers, Board President Anara Guard, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva and special music.

In serving together since 2013, Rev. Roger and Rev. Lucy have evolved a collaborative approach to ministry with UUSS. A year ago, the Board and Program Council voted to affirm this with new titles: Co-ministers of Equal Standing. Today we celebrate their commitment to shared ministry with UUSS. Both ministers and congregants will speak aloud our words of commitment. Don’t miss this milestone in UUSS history--and stay for the reception! 

Special Guests: The preacher is the Rev. Leslie Takahashi, president of the continental UU Ministers Association (and minister in Walnut Creek). The Rev. Arvid Straube of San Diego will give the Charge to the Ministers and the Congregation.  The Rev. Kate Kennedy, the director of Clinical Pastoral Education at Sutter Sacramento, will give the prayer.

Sermon:

“A Sanctuary Called Community” -- Rev. Takahashi writes: “In today’s congregations, we come together across many differences—in experiences, generations, identities and what we want. The glue for what we do in our shared congregational life is covenant.”

Childcare--available from 9:15 to 12:15 most Sundays in Room 11 (Nursery). Room and resources for feeding/nursing infants are accessible in the nursery. Please enter campus via the main doors.



Extended childcare available for special events. contact Crystal for details: CrystalFountain@uuss.org

Soul Kids -- Meets again this Sunday! Kindergarten to

grade 5 are invited to join Crystal for a story and activities about kids advocating for a cause they believe in. Please start in the service. We will likely end with time on the playground!

Junior High Youth Group (JHYG) -- Grades 6-7-8 on the 1st & 3rd Sundays of each month (10:30 start in sanctuary); meets again this Sunday, Apr. 16.

Senior High Youth Group (SHYG) -- Grades 9-12 on

the 3rd Sunday, this Sunday Apr. 16! Takes place AFTER the all-ages service.

Also, note that SHYG meets with Kids Freedom Club on the 1st Sunday of each month (May 7). Contact shyg@uuss.org to find out more!

Kids Freedom Club  -- MEETS 11:30 am the 1st Sunday of every month!

All age levels of kids, youth and parents gather to build community and raise awareness

of modern slavery and raise money to help to free enslaved people around the world. Contact freedom@uuss.org to find out more before the next meeting!

Is your child or grandchild interested in Chalice Camp during the week of July 17-21?

The pandemic interrupted our participation in Chalice Camp these past few years, but we are looking for attendees to help us bring it back. A day camp for rising 1st to rising 6th graders with the theme of climate justice.

Email CrystalFountain@uuss.org to express interest.

Please email Crystal if you would like to receive the Weekly

Religious Education and Family Ministry Update Email. CrystalFountain@uuss.org

UPDATE:

So far, UUSS has received pledges from 195 households for a current total of $425,320 for the 2023-24 budget. Thank you! This means nearly 145 people have not let us know about their pledge.

Your generosity makes a difference in keeping this abundant community strong and vital as we live out our mission, support our ministers and staff members, pay our bills, maintain our buildings and grounds, and contribute to the larger UU movement. 

We need to hear from everyone!

At uuss.org/stewardship , read a letter from our ministers, see the UUA Monthly Giving Guide, read a chart showing the range of monthly pledges to UUSS, watch Rev. Lucy's sermon, and submit your pledge. 

Below, click to watch Janet Lopes and John McMillan

give their Easter Sunday pledge testimonial. It's wonderful!



UUSS Survey for Future Programming

Are we fulfilling our mission "to deepen our lives and be a force for healing in the world?" One way to explore this question is to consider all the programs, events, groups and activities currently going on at UUSS, and ask: Is anything missing? The Adult Enrichment Committee is sending out this two question survey and would like to hear from you.

All responses will be compiled anonymously. Open Survey Here.

Depression Peer Support Group this Sunday, April 16, 

12:15 pm  in Classroom 7/8 Are you living with depression? You are not alone. Our confidential, in-person is for adults with depression. Email peersupport@uuss.org for information.

Reading & Responding to Poetry with JoAnn Anglin

Monday, April 17, 10:00 am, Zoom

This Monday, April 17, our Zoom gathering will feature the poem

"To be brave, I look to the daffodil" by Susan Nguyen.

In it, she refers to “Bravery by osmosis.” Interesting concept, right? You can see her poem online at:

https://www.slowdownshow.org/episode/2023/04/12/854-to-be-brave-i-look-to-the-daffodil

Enter via the UUSS website, as you would attend a service. We meet the first and third Monday mornings. All are welcome to reflect together on a poem. This spiritual practice is called Lectio Divina.

UUs for Justice in the Middle East-- Monday, April 17, 6:30 PM - 7:45 PM via Zoom.

Online link will be sent.  If you want the link, and are not on the UUJME email list, please request by emailing: UUJME@UUSS.org and we'll send you the Zoom link.

InterPlay with Friends--In-Person with Rev Lucy and Friends! 

Tuesday, April 18, 6:30- 8:00 PM in the Welcome Hall. Join us every third Tuesday for movement, storytelling, laughter, and fun. More info here.

Theology On Tap monthly meeting -- Thursday, March 20, 7:00pm to 9:00pm. 

At the newest location for University of Beer

5090 Folsom Blvd. Sacramento (former location of Track 7/the Other Side)

https://www.uobeastsacramentomenu.com

Moderator: Karen Sparrow

Topic: The Future of UU (Taken from Lucy's Sermon this Sunday, April 16)

Our Unitarian Heritage in Poland--Let's Go!

Forum 12:00, next Sunday, April 23

with Rev. Roger & Rev. Dr. Jay Atkinson

Unitarian religious ideas and a radical practice of community

flourished in the 16th century in a movement called the Polish Brethren. Unfortunately, they were expelled after a century.

Come learn about our brave ancestors of the early Protestant Reformation. In September, Roger and Jay will be leading a Unitarian Heritage tour to historic sites near Krakow and a visit to current UUs in Warsaw. Read about it at uuss.org/adultenrichment.

Attention New Members and Active Newcomers

New Class: Your UU Journey 

Wanting to explore your spiritual journey as a new UU? Join Rev Lucy for a 4-session class starting this month. The group will meet four evenings at UUSS. This class is for new members and active newcomers who are new to Unitarian Universalism. Please contact Rev. Lucy lucy@uuss.org if you want to sign up or want to know more.  

Family Ministry is looking for volunteers for the UUSS All-Ages Camp at Camp Norge in Alta, California. Our dates are June 9-11.

Please indicate your interest to camp@uuss.org.

Registration form & lodging options coming next week! Save the dates!

Helping Is a Two-Way Street:

Afghan Refugee Friends Working to Build a Life

Do you have some yard work, painting, house maintenance, financial record keeping, or other needs for help?  

Our volunteers are supporting three refugee families from Afghanistan with tutoring, transportation, medical and school appointments. You may have met a few at church. As they await legal asylum proceedings, they seek to earn money to pay rent, buy food, and pay attorney's fees. Hence, they are available for short-term work.

All three fled Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover because a member of each family had served the US government. One couple with three kids walked here from Brazil, so it was no big deal for him when the dad walked an hour to UUSS.  

These neighbors are lovely, talented people whom we have gotten to know. To support them, we have used some of the funds donated at the Refugee Support table in December and received pro-bono help from a lawyer for some legal fees, but not all. But the funds will run out and the families want to support themselves as much as possible. 

If you have questions, contact Susan Jones, Rev. Roger, Meg Burnett or refugeesupport@uuss.org.

Join an Action in support of low income renters

On Thursday, April 20, at 10 AM join hundreds of people from all over the state are to gather at the capitol in support of housing legislation. Our justice partner, Sacramento ACT (Area Congregations Together) and PICO-CA are starting a 10-year fight to increase affordable housing. April 20 is the first lobby day at the State Capitol. We are lobbying for Senate Bill 567 which protect California’s low-income renters from unjust evictions and exorbitant rent increases. Learn more here. Come out and let your state representatives know how important this is for all California families. Contact Meg Gunderson for info racialjustice@uuss.org or come to the table on Sunday, April 16.

Walk for Healing and Hope!  Save the date! Our May community Partner, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is holding their annual walk-a-thon, NAMIWalks, on May 6 starting at Land Park to raise funds for the local NAMI chapter. This is a new opportunity for us to support one of our partners and live out our mission.

On Sunday April 23 and April 30, UUSS volunteers will be in the Welcome Hall after service to provide more information and to sign up walkers for Team UUSS, led by team captain Debby Powell. The goal is for each walker to raise $100 (or more!) by recruiting sponsors to support their walk.

Want to walk? Check out https://namisacramento.org/namiwalks/ . Stop by the NAMI table to sign up. Let’s show our support for NAMI as Team UUSS. Contact partners@uuss.org to learn more.

Consider being a delegate to General Assembly -- GA will be held in Pittsburgh, PA, and online June 21-25.  UUSS will host "watch parties" during GA. UUSS will offer reimbursement for virtual or in-person delegate registration. Anyone attending in person is responsible for all travel costs. The UUA by-laws are being revised-- the "Principles and Purposes." (See www.UUA.org/studycommission). Delegates will vote on the proposal and proposed amendments made before GA. Contact President Anara Guard: board@uuss.org.