Beloveds-

You hardly knew

how hungry you were

to be gathered in,

to receive the welcome

that invited you to enter entirely -

nothing of you

found foreign or strange,

nothing of your life

that you were asked

to leave behind

or to carry in silence

or in shame…

You began to breathe again…

You learned to sing…

But the deal with this blessing

is that it will not leave you alone…

[It] will ask you to leave,

and become the sanctuary

that you have found…

                                                       - Jan Richardson

Our February Soul Matters theme is Inclusion and I have been reflecting on this topic in our congregation. Perhaps you have noticed that since the election our numbers have been up on Sunday morning. It seems that we have more newcomers than ever.  Some of you have mentioned to me that you feel there are more people you don’t know than those you do.   Great!  In these challenges times, UU has a lot to offer people in need of community, of safety, of acceptance.  Our UU values are a light in the darkness that is drawing people in.  

To those of you who are new to UUSS, I say welcome. We are so glad you have found your way to us.  We hope that we can offer you the community that you may have been hungry for – the place where you are invited (as Jan Richardson says) to enter entirely – where "nothing of you is found foreign or strange, nothing of your life is asked to leave behind or to carry in silence or in shame…” . 

To those of you who are currently part of our community – I hope you know that you belong here, that this community is a source of comfort and inspiration for you.  I hope that you were welcomed and included when you first came to us.  For it is time to return the favor – to open our arms wide in welcome for all those new folks who are arriving each Sunday. “Hello, I don’t think we have met. How long have you been at UUSS? (if they are new) Can I help you to find your way here?”

We dream of being a place where all feel welcomed; a multi-age, multicultural community that can be a sanctuary from the hate and fear in our world. Rev. Roger's sermon on Welcoming the Stranger this Sunday can help us open our hearts to include everyone. Let's learn and grow together so we can be the community that we dream about.

Sending love to all,

Rev. Lucy 

Sunday Morning Programs

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

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

2nd Sunday - Sermon Reflections with Lue & Peter, 9:30-10:15, Fahs Room.

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 2 10:30am:

To Welcome the Stranger (Within Us and Among Us)

Rev. Dr. Roger Jones, preaching, with Rev. Lucy Bunch, Worship Associate Dawn Huebner, Music Director Anthony Tavianini, Pianist Irina Tchantceva  

The ancient commandment to welcome the stranger is perhaps the most challenging religious and ethical standard to follow, but that doesn’t make it any less worthy. At the same time, it can be hard to consider the shadowed aspects of our own souls. Let’s consider the need and reluctance to welcome the unfamiliar among us and within us.

*Labyrinth Walk in the Meadow at 9:30. Soup Sunday after the service! 

*Joys & Sorrows candles & prayer cards in the sanctuary before the service.

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

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 was ordained 50 years ago. He 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 Lue & 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 soon if you want to participate.

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

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. 

Our member Jon Peterson died Tuesday morning, only five weeks after his diagnosis of brain cancer. He was 89. Jon was co-chair of our Program Council and on the team that coordinated our congregation's 150th anniversary observances. Many UUSS friends have appreciated his warmth and encouragement. Jon was a UU in Illinois and Alaska, among other places, and served on CA legislative staff. We will announce a memorial service soon.

Though not a UUSS event, a very musical celebration of life for Jerry Lopes, father of our member Janet Lopes, will take place at UUSS tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 1, at 1:30, and friends in the congregation are very welcome. 

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.

We extend our love condolences to our members Kathy Olson and David Olson on the passing of Michelle Olson, the wife of Kathy's son and David's brother, Darrell, and the parent of a teenage daughter. Michelle died from colon cancer just a few weeks after diagnosis.  

Our member Dawn Huebner has been diagnosed with breast cancer. This news is unsettling, but she is grateful that it was detected early. As Dawn awaits further medical consultation, we send wishes for peace and healing to her and send our care to Dawn and her spouse, Lu, and their family.  

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. 2 to talk and play and build on the theme of Interdependence. Please start in service!



Junior High Youth Group and Senior High Youth Group will meet again in separate groups this Sunday, February 2. Please start in service!

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

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

Imbolc Celebration with CUUPs

Sunday, Feb. 2, 5:00-7:00 p.m. in the Fahs Clsssroom

Everyone is welcome at the Covenant of UU Pagans (CUUPs) Imbolc Celebration. Celebrate the returning of the light! Bring a potluck dish to share. Contact Laurie Jones or Leanna Pierson at cuups@uuss.org

Soul Collage Second Saturday, Feb. 8,

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 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, 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.

THERE ARE A FEW SPOTS LEFT for Western Region UUs who identify as women at the Friday March 7- Sun March 9 UU Women and Religion Retreat, which returns to Enchanted Hills in the redwoods west of Napa, beautifully renovated after the Tubbs fire. Deadline is February 21 but it's nearly sold out so act now. The 2025 theme is Resilience: finding joy and purpose in challenging times. Cost is $395.00 for room and 6 fabulous meals, Friday dinner through Sunday lunch. Many great workshops are planned. Scholarships may be available. For more information and to register, go to https://womenandreligionpcd.org

In our disbelief and sorrow at the devastation, we pray for the people, creatures, and natural areas that remain in danger. 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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