UUCSC News and Updates
Weekly on Fridays
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Volume IV * Issue 29 * January 5, 2024 | |
This Sunday, January 7, 2924 | |
Worship In Person and Online at 10:00 am | |
"The Universal Community"
Rev. Denis Paul and Sue Strakosch
It’s often said in Unitarian Universalist congregations that we are a “community of like-minded individuals,” which sometimes feels like we’re expected to share one brain. The truth is that we are all think differently because we’ve all had different experiences and we’re all “wired” differently.
Order of Service
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The theme this month is
Liberating Love
"Love is the spirit of this congregation..." and Love is at the center of our principles. I really love the graphic that's part of the UUA's proposed new article II of the bylaws. Love is what keeps us here and it is what propels us forward.
What do you love? Who do you love? How powerful to take time to write down some answers.
I hope you're inspired by these poems and collections:
Lee Cowan, DRE
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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. Their executive director , Michelle Lepage, will speak briefly at our January 7th service.
Barbara Beckwith. STP chair
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New Year’s resolutions have always made me cringe a little. They remind me of being in seminary, doing field work, internships, and residencies and being required to set goals and outcomes at the beginning. I was required to figure out what I would learn before even having the experiences that would teach the lessons.
I don’t know about you, but in situations in which I am in relationship with others (isn’t that every situation?) I’ve NEVER learned what I thought I was going to learn. Because people — thankfully — are full of surprises. READ MORE
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Stay in the Loop at UUCSC | |
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THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
THANK YOU so much to each of you who made an end-of-year gift to help us sustain our wonderful community. We continue to accept gifts via mail to UUCSC or through the website. Your generosity and love of this community fills my heart.
Nancy
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Update on Breeze January 2024
UUCSC has completed the transition to Breeze for managing membership, events (the calendar), directory, and giving records. Two areas, the newsletter and online giving through Breeze, instead of PayPal, are still being carefully considered. All staff, congregational leaders, active and inactive members, and participating nonmembers have been invited by email to activate their account for the purpose of updating their profile information, and making it possible to use Breeze for a number of purposes.
Once you have activated your account through the invitation, you might want to download the Breeze APP to your phone. Search for Breeze in your APP store and choose the one that matches the icon above.
Here is a guide to help you do that: Breeze APP Users Guide. It makes communicating with each other simpler to have everyone’s contact information in the palm of your hand..
The Breeze system will only be helpful to staff and volunteer leaders if our member information is accurate. If you have not received an invite, or deleted or ignored the original one, I can re invite you. Please ask: zasloff.etta@gmail.com. Also contact me, if you need personal assistance in creating your account or updating your profile information.
A big thank you to all staff and congregational leaders who have embraced the new system to learn how it can help them be more efficient. Thank you to all of you who have responded by activating and updating your profiles. And thank you to all of you who will engage soon. Please reach out for help, if you have questions.
Etta Zasloff, Communications Chair
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Picking Up Stones: An American Jew Wakes to a Nightmare.
January 20, 2024, 3:00 PM at UUCSC
Doors open at 2:30
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Picking Up Stones dramatizes Sandra Laub's personal reaction to the Israel / Hamas war from Day 1 through Day 30. This is a play that invites the viewer to grapple with the complexities and nuances of this devastating war - a play that invites us to move beyond the one-dimensional identification with our own narrative, our own opinion, and to acknowledge, understand, even respect (without having to agree with) the narrative of the other. Is peace still possible after such trauma on both sides? A talkback with Sandra will take place immediately following the play.
Tickets are available ONLY online and will NOT be sold at the door. Link to tickets: Picking Up Stones by Unitarian Universalist Congregation of So. County | BetterWorld. We will sell out. Please buy your ticket(s) early.
Submitted by Nancy Richman
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Board to Host January Book Read
The Board would like to invite everyone to join in reading and discussing the book The Light we Carry by Michelle Obama, on January 17, 24, and 31, 6:30-8:00pm.
Please RSVP to the office uucscri@gmail.com if you plan to join in the Board book read.
Questions for the discussion will be sent in advance of each session with the section for that week.
Submitted by Nancy Richman
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ALL Congregation Meeting
Saturday, February 3, 2024
10:00am -12:00pm
The meeting will be followed by a light lunch.
Details to follow.
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Men's Breakfast
Saturday, January 6th
9 AM at Phil's on Main Street
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WOW "Women of Wisdom"
Zoom Lunch
Monday, January 8
at Noon
Join us on Zoom for some conversation and catch up with friends near and far. WOW meets on the second Monday this month. Just click on the link. Questions? Call Elizabeth at 783-1362.
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Beverages and Banter with Rev. Denis
Tuesday, January 9, 4 pm at Panera Bread
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Save The Date!
Quarterly Congregational Dinner
Friday, February 9th 2024 at 6pm
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Upcoming Services
January 14 The Fondness Factor Rev. Denis
January 21 Waking to a Nightmare and Grappling with Moral Complexity
Sandra Laub
January 28 RIBS Storyteller
February 4 Pulpit Exchange with Westminster Rev. Eric Cherry
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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
Sunday, January 7, 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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Antiracism Group Meeting
Monday, January 8, 2024, 7 PM
On Zoom
This meeting will be a discussion on the intersection of the Housing Crisis and Racism, as a follow up to the housing presentation by Chris Little on Sunday evening. All are welcome, whether or not you attended the housing presentation.
Submitted by Cathy Solomon
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Celebrating the Dream
January 15, 2024, 1-4 PM
Peace Dale Elementary School
109 Kersey Road
Wakefield, RI
Family Friendly Event
Reserve your spot at Eventbrite
https://tinyurl.com/h5hm9vb5
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The food pantry is in need of low sodium soups and broths, as well as whole grain items such as brown rice, whole wheat flour, whole grain cereals, pastas, and crackers.
Challenge: Can we fill the box in the foyer every Sunday?
If everyone brings just one of the above items, we can do it!
The volunteer application is also reopened. READ MORE.
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Afghan Initiative in South County
Supports Education for Afghan Girls
When America pulled out of Afghanistan in 2021, 14 of the 140 college-educated young women who were evacuated landed at Brown University to complete their undergraduate degrees. Khadija Nazari, who told her story at UUCSC in March 2022, was one of those girls. I met Khadija soon after she had arrived and helped her assimilate. I and others in South County have supported her underground Afghan school, Bale Parvaaz, by fundraising and mentoring Afghan girls by phone. Please READ MORE HERE to learn about Bale Parvaaz and show concern for the girls whose only promise to rise out of poverty is an education.
Submitted by Susan Jordan
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Celebration of African and Caribbean Cultures
Featuring Amina Blackwood Meeks and Teju Ologboni
Free: Family Event /All Ages
6:30 PM
South Kingstown High School
215 Columbia St, Wakefield, RI
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Kundalini Yoga Winter Series
In the Oneto Room at UUCSC
Thursdays 5-6:30pm
January 11, 25; February 15, 29; March 14, 28
Classes will incorporate breathwork, movement, mantra and meditation. Kundalini yoga is an ancient practice that focuses on moving the latent energy in our bodies to release what is stuck and align with our true nature. When we work with the energy using these techniques, we come into a more natural flow with the daily expectations of our lives.
No experience is necessary. Bring a yoga mat, blanket, any cushions you need to sit comfortably, and a water bottle.
Cost is $15 Drop-in or $72 for series. (cash or Venmo)
For questions or more info. email Jessica.
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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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Community Sewing Space
2nd and 4th Tuesdays NEW
4-8 PM 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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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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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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