UUCSC News and Updates
Weekly on Fridays
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Volume IV * Issue 33 * February 2, 2024 | |
This Sunday, February 4, 2024 | |
Worship In Person and Online at 10:00 am | |
"Renewing Our Purposes, Values and Covenant"
Rev. Eric Cherry and Adria Evans
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 |  | At the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) General Assembly (GA) in June 2024, delegates from UU congregations all over the USA, and the world, will be voting on a new ‘Article 2’ for our denominational bylaws. The new Article 2 will replace the 7 Principles, 6 Sources and Purposes that have become familiar to many of us, though the proposal generously embraces the core ideas that we have always been guided by. The denomination is required to re-examine Article 2 on a regular bases. And, we have participated in that study which led up to a preliminary vote at last year’s GA. Now we are in the final process of preparing to vote on a final version. In order to do so, it’s important that we study the proposal between congregations because our inter-congregational relationships are shaped by Article 2. To help us in that process UUCSC’s Minister - Rev. Denis Paul - and Westminster’s Minister - Rev. Eric Cherry - are exchanging pulpits this morning to help our two congregations begin a process of studying the proposal together this Spring.
Order of Service
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The theme this month is
Justice and Equity
The song in the video above is one of my favorites, reminding us to "keep on moving forward", working for justice and equity and never giving up hope. You've probably seen this graphic, depicting the difference between Equality and Equity. Have you seen this one too? (scroll down the webpage to see it) And an interesting article about the evolution of this meme.
And speaking of hope, we are halfway to the spring equinox! This weekend is Imbolc, the ancient Gaelic festival marking the time of year when the sap is rising, the farm animals are giving birth, and the first stirrings of life are rustling through the earth. It was originally associated with the Celtic goddess, Brigid and later with the Christian Saint Brigid.
We are making Brigid's Crosses in RE (aka God's Eyes), as a meditative reminder to mindfully move forward, "never turning back."
Lee Cowan, DRE
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New Masking Guide
In the spirit of our covenant of love and helping one another, and in light of the increasing COVID, flu, and RSV transmission rates, we request that — unless you really can’t — you wear a mask during services and gatherings so that we can all keep one another healthy. Events involving the serving of food are postponed until the Spring.
Approved by the Board
The CDC now has a useful Covid-19 wastewater dashboard.
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Share the Plate Sunday
Half of the plate and designated collections received by check or online
the first week of each month are shared with a worthy local non profit. The Share the Plate Recipient for the first two months of the new year will be Domestic Violence Resource Center of South County.
Barbara Beckwith. STP chair
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Today is Groundhog Day, the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Vernal Equinox. It’s the exact middle of winter, the holiday Celtic pagans call Imbolc, and ancient Christians called Candlemas. Some call it St. Brigid’s Day. I may be wrong about this, but I’ve always thought St. Brigid’s Day could be one of those Pagan/Christian mash up holidays created by the early Catholic Church to roll indigenous rituals into the Christian liturgical calendar. READ MORE
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Stay in the Loop at UUCSC | |
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ALL Congregation Meeting
Saturday, February 3, 2024
10:00am -12:00pm
The primary purpose of this meeting is to bring our community together to examine our Strengths, Challenges, Opportunities, and Hopes/Aspirations. We will do this with a fun, interactive exercise that gets everyone involved. From this exercise we’ll have the beginning of a roadmap that the Board, committees, and interested volunteers can use to live into our mission more deeply, and more actively and intentionally strive toward our hopes and aspirations for the future. Everyone’s input is valuable and needed. Please join us!
Submitted by Nancy Richman
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Sine Nomine
and the UUCSC choir
TOMORROW NIGHT!
Saturday, Feb. 3 @ 7pm
Sine Nomine and the UUCSC choir perform in concert again at UUCSC, led by music director, Michael Galib
Choral selections of early 16th & 17th century music
Tickets are $20 and are available through a choir member. Tickets may be available at the door, but are highly encouraged in advance. Mobile tickets can also be purchased online.
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February Men's Breakfast has been postponed to Feb. 10th, 9 am at Phil's. Please attend the Congregational Meeting!
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No WOW luncheon this month. See the Congregational Calendar or this space for information about future meetings. | |
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From The Finance Committee
About your tax donation record
With the implementation of the Breeze Management System and the increased income tax standard deduction, the Finance Committee has decided NOT to issue the annual paper copy of calendar-year donation receipts (in this case 2023). You may recall Aline and Jeff handing these out in January of each year. You can now easily check your giving record in Breeze. HERE are specific directions. If you need a printed copy, you can e-mail, telephone (401-783-8278-leave message), or speak to Jeff Berry on any Sunday. If you have not activated your Breeze account, see how to do it in REMINDERS below. Alert: Some recent online contributions may not appear yet in Breeze.
We still intend to report, via e-mail or other means as needed, each contributor’s payment progress towards her/his Annual Pledge commitment.
Thank You!
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Beverages and Banter with Rev. Denis
Tuesday, February 6 at 4 pm at Panera in the Wakefield Mall
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Upcoming Services
February 11 The Power of an Angry Teen Rev. Denis
February 18 Heart Prints Rev. Carie Johnsen
February 25 Navigating a Fast River Rev. Denis
February 4 Naming, Knowing, Listening and Loving Rev. Denis
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Sara will be out of the office until February 16.
Please send all newsletter items to Etta until then.
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From the UUA on Article II
The final revision of the proposed new Article II of UUA Bylaws was made available to UUs in November and some congregations have already drafted proposed amendments. For these amendments to be submitted to the Board of Trustees, they must have the endorsement of 15 certified member congregations. Consider reviewing and offering your congregation’s support for one of these amendments. The deadline for submitting new amendments is February 1, 2024. Submitted by Rev. Denis
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South County Social Justice Coalition
Quarterly Meeting Rescheduled
Sunday, February 4, 2024, 6:30 PM
UUCSC Sanctuary
Topic: Housing with guest speaker
Christopher Little
Christopher Little is Chair of the board of commissioners of the Housing Authority of South Kingstown and its tax-exempt affiliate, SKHA Services & Development Corp. He will speak on plans for Champagne Heights and Fournier Estates. Come and learn about the changing landscape of the housing crisis and about how South Kingstown is addressing it. Although each town is unique, there are lessons that can be learned by all of us. This presentation is a learning experience for all Southern Rhode Islanders, regardless of which town we live in and a social justice issue that seriously impacts the whole state. All are welcome.
Submitted by Etta Zasloff, SCSJC Leadership Team
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Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry-RI (UULM-RI)
Focuses on the RI General Assembly Legislative Season
What is the UULM-RI? We are a subset of the Social Justice teams of the five UU congregations in Rhode Island which focuses the passages of bills that reflect our UU values at the state level. The UULM-RI is gearing up for the 2024 legislative session.
Here are the five topics that we believe are most reflective of our UU principles and which we will be tracking and supporting during the course of the session which ends in June.
● Social and Racial Justice
● Gun Safety
● Environment and Climate Change
● RI Democratic process
Read our plan of action HERE.
At least, be informed. At best, be involved.
Submitted by Cathy Solomon
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Tabitha's Closet at Peace Dale Congregational (PDC) is now accepting gently used clothing for their Thrift Store. Bring your donations to the bin in the foyer of UUCSC and we will deliver them, or you can drop them off at PDC in the side door to the office. It is helpful if clothing is in bags, not too heavy.
Tabitha's Closet is open every Saturday, 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Check it out! To volunteer, email Galen McGovern, galenmcgovern1@gmail.com.
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Funda Fest 26 events continue through February 3rd. Click here for tickets and more information.
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Ask a Question, Save a Life
QPR Suicide Prevention Workshop
Saturday, February 10, 2024 1:00 - 2:30 PM
Peace Dale Congregational Church Community Lounge
261 Columbia Street, Wakefield, RI
Many of us know CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and the Heimlich maneuver. Now, we have an opportunity to learn QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer). Robert Harrison, MD will offer guidance to learn the basis of Suicide Prevention. READ MORE
Submitted by Etta Zasloff
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COFFEE HOUSE FUNDRAISER
To support BALEPARVAAZ, underground school in Afghanistan
February 17, 2024 * 7-10 PM
Peace Dale Congregational Church
261 Columbia Street, Wakefield, RI
Featuring: NARROW RIVER BAND, Edan Casteel and
The GRENADINES
Special Guests: Khadija Nazari, Founder of Bale Parvaaz School in Afghanistan will share her story and Zainab Mohammadi, Afghan Dancer
Suggested donation: $10 (Cash or Venmo, please)
Refreshments available for purchase
Submitted by Susan Jordan
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Support Wayne Everett Requested
A local community member, struggling for justice.
Wayne is a tireless community member: Narragansett tribal member working to expand food security and land uses for the betterment of all; social worker for homeless individuals; fighter for racial justice in South Kingstown and beyond. He believes in the worth of all and the value of all cultures and creating cultural expansion in our shared world. Please help him now, as he fights a serious illness. Even a small donation to the Go Fund Me page will show him community support.
Submitted by Taylor Ellis
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Breeze APP Users Guide. It puts all UUCSC Breeze users contact information in the palm of your hand. Please contact Etta Zasloff
zasloff.etta@gmail.com if you need personal assistance in creating your account or updating your information.
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Community Sewing Space
2nd and 4th Tuesdays
2:30-7:30 PM * Hours extended!
Oneto Room
More details.
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Michael Bilecki will recycle your batteries. Deposit them in the container in the Oneto Room!
Read more here.
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Kundalini Yoga Winter Series
Oneto Room at UUCSC
Thursdays 5-6:30pm
February 15, 29; March 14, 28
MORE DETAILS HERE
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All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church of Watertown NY is offering couch surfing space in their building for the total eclipse of April 8th. Some families may be able to host guests. Please see https://www.allsoulsuu.org/eclipse-hosting
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Care Continues for...
Judi and Suzanne Marcy, Jean Bowen. Their contact information can be found in the Directory.
Louise McLeod is now in Roberts Health Centre, 25 Roberts Way, North Kingstown, RI 02852. Cards and calls are welcome, visits too, just call first (578-7150).
Submitted by Val Follett
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The food pantry is always in need of low sodium soups and broths, and whole grain items. Drop off at Jonnycake or bring to box in the UUCSC Foyer.
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Don't become victim to a SCAM!
Review Understanding Phishing!
If you receive a suspicious email, drag it into your Spam folder, which will automatically block the scammer from using your email again as bait. Stay vigilant!
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In addition to your pledge, if you are 70 ½ years of age or older, you may donate up to $100,000.00 each year to UUCSC or other charities from your IRA account. Such a donation does not count as taxable income to you if made directly from your IRA account to the charity. Read more here.
Submitted by the Finance Committee
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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
uuhelpinghands@gmail.com or 401-451-4104.
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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